Embedded Files
Concept art for a Star Wars-based land, including a replica of the Death Star and the Millennium Falcon.
Rumors of a planned expansion to Disneyland Park began in 2014, on the heels of the completion of New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Several land themes were suggested by insiders, including the long-rumored Hollywoodland (retooled as an expansion of the park's Mickey's Toontown), a Pirates of the Carribbean-themed area, and even a Star Wars-themed area. Inside Imagineering, though, things were about to return to their original roots, but with a more modern and grander sensibility.
Perhaps owing to the opening announcement of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the nearby Universal Studios Hollywood, Imagineers sought to harken back to the days of classic WED, where artistry, originality, and fully immersive storytelling were key.
Several original ideas floated, including a land themed to the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (previously seen in Tokyo DisneySea and Hong Kong Disneyland), a Duffy and Friends expansion to Mickey's Toontown, and a fantastical aeronautics-themed land. Ultimately, the idea of creating a new kind of Fantasyland, one where both elements of light and shadow can play and one that binds the eight lands of Disneyland Park together, took precedence:
The Lost Kingdom.
Concept art for Beastly Kingdom at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, whose light-and-dark fantasy areas provided inspiration for The Lost Kingdom.
"Life is full of light and shadows, and we would be untruthful, insincere, and saccharine if we tried to pretend there were no shadows."
Walt Disney
"Life is full of light and shadows, and we would be untruthful, insincere, and saccharine if we tried to pretend there were no shadows."
Walt Disney
Reflecting on this quote from Walt himself, Imagineers envisioned three highly-immersive, fantasy-themed sub-areas or "worlds" in the Lost Kingdom:
The Dark Forest, a walkthrough outdoor exploration area featuring the ruins of an abandoned castle amidst towering dead trees
The Village of the Dreaming Tree, a lively outdoor village area located under the branches of the mighty Dreaming Tree whose strong powers and flowing waters appear to strengthen the other lands (or "realms") inside Disneyland Park
The Endless Caverns, a walkthrough indoor exploration area where colorful crystals shine and glisten amongst the rockwork
Inspired by live-action roleplay (LARP), each world will have its own original cast of characters to populate it and immerse guests into the land's storytelling. The characters would range from mysterious mages to protective warriors to even business-minded folk eager to make a sale. With the success of the interactive game Ghost Post, it was also decided to design one for the new land. This would allow guests to be engaged and contribute to the land's storytelling, eventually coming out with stories of their own to tell.
The Lost Kingdom, the ninth expansion of Walt Disney's original Magic Kingdom, was officially announced at the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts panel at D23 Expo 2015 by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Bob Chapek.
Construction began on March 2016, and the land opened to the public on July 17, 2017, Disneyland's 62nd anniversary.
Land Backstory
Land Backstory
Long ago, in another world more fantastical than our own, there existed a grand, beautiful tree known as the Dreaming Tree. This tree was quite special, for it possessed the magic of dreams themselves, creating and planting roots across various dream worlds. Drawn to the tree, the people of this world created a kingdom around the tree. This kingdom, using the tree's magic, became a peaceful and prosperous land that knew only happiness.
However, the power of dreams can also be the power of nightmares and the happiness could not last forever. Soon, dark creatures were drawn to the tree and attacked the kingdom. The kingdom fought valiantly, but it was for naught. Much of the land was consumed by dark flora and fauna, becoming a Dark Forest. Other pasts were buried under the mountains, trapped in Endless Caverns. Only a small village at the base of the tree survived the onslaught.
Life and light in the land would still live on as long as the Dreaming Tree stands, but the kingdom was now and forever lost.
Many years passed and, drawing from its roots in other worlds that you may be more familiar with, the tree began to open portals between the worlds, linking them one by one. Now, with eight worlds connected, a ninth world is opened up: the original world of the Dreaming Tree itself. Dare you enter this Lost Kingdom?
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