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NEWS
Is Disney planning pop-up attractions with its 'new experience development' department?
POSTED 13 Apr 2021 . BY Tom Walker
Disney created a 'Magical Moments' pop-up attraction in Singapore during Christmas 2018 Credit: Disney
Disney rumoured to be preparing to introduce pop-up attractions around the US
The whispers were sparked after Walt Disney Imagineering president Bob Weis' official title was changed
Disney hasn't official commented or revealed what the "New Experience Development" department will do
Disney has created pop-ups before in countries in which it doesn't have a permanent park
Disney Imagineers could be planning on launching pop-up experiences in the US – and potentially around the world.

The rumours have been sparked by Walt Disney Imagineering president Bob Weis' title being changed to include the term "New Experience Development" on both the company website and on his LinkedIn profile.

While Disney has declined to comment on the move officially, it could be significant for WD Imagineering – the department responsible for creating, designing and building IP-based park experiences across the group's portfolio.

The description of the department on Weis' profile now says it is "a multidisciplinary team tasked with exploring, developing and bringing to market groundbreaking ideas that enhance and expand Disney’s global portfolio of products and experiences."

A number of Disney-dedicated fan sites and blogs have suggested this means that Disney is planning on taking Disney experiences normally only found at its theme parks and creating pop-up versions of them at locations with significant footfall – such as shopping malls – across the US.

Disney has in the past dabbled with pop-up concepts, most significantly in Singapore, where its Disney Magical Moments attraction transformed the famous Orchard Road during the Christmas season in 2018-19.
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  First look: Disney's new Spaceship Earth night-time experience at EPCOT


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  FEATURE: Obituary: The Man Who Walked With Walt


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NEWS
Is Disney planning pop-up attractions with its 'new experience development' department?
POSTED 13 Apr 2021 . BY Tom Walker
Disney created a 'Magical Moments' pop-up attraction in Singapore during Christmas 2018 Credit: Disney
Disney rumoured to be preparing to introduce pop-up attractions around the US
The whispers were sparked after Walt Disney Imagineering president Bob Weis' official title was changed
Disney hasn't official commented or revealed what the "New Experience Development" department will do
Disney has created pop-ups before in countries in which it doesn't have a permanent park
Disney Imagineers could be planning on launching pop-up experiences in the US – and potentially around the world.

The rumours have been sparked by Walt Disney Imagineering president Bob Weis' title being changed to include the term "New Experience Development" on both the company website and on his LinkedIn profile.

While Disney has declined to comment on the move officially, it could be significant for WD Imagineering – the department responsible for creating, designing and building IP-based park experiences across the group's portfolio.

The description of the department on Weis' profile now says it is "a multidisciplinary team tasked with exploring, developing and bringing to market groundbreaking ideas that enhance and expand Disney’s global portfolio of products and experiences."

A number of Disney-dedicated fan sites and blogs have suggested this means that Disney is planning on taking Disney experiences normally only found at its theme parks and creating pop-up versions of them at locations with significant footfall – such as shopping malls – across the US.

Disney has in the past dabbled with pop-up concepts, most significantly in Singapore, where its Disney Magical Moments attraction transformed the famous Orchard Road during the Christmas season in 2018-19.
RELATED STORIES
Disney to open Avengers Campus at Disneyland California on 4 June


Disney has confirmed that it will open its long-awaited Avengers Campus at the Disneyland California resort in Anaheim on 4 June 2021.
First look: Disney's new Spaceship Earth night-time experience at EPCOT


Disney has released concept designs for its plans to transform the Spaceship Earth attraction at EPCOT theme park at the Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, US.
FEATURE: Obituary: The Man Who Walked With Walt


We look back at the life of Disney Legend and well-loved Imagineer, Marty Sklar
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx- Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
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COMPANY PROFILES
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
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PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
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