RUMOR: Disney Could Work on Abu Dhabi Park Attractions in Florida Instead of California?

New backstage construction rumors are fueling speculation about Project Lamp—and what it could mean for Disney’s global expansion strategy.

Rumors are swirling out of Walt Disney World that a mysterious new project—internally dubbed Project Lamp—may be more than just a new backstage office building. According to an insider familiar with early-stage planning, Disney is exploring the idea of constructing a new multi-use facility behind Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic Kingdom, which could serve as a staging area or creative development hub for something big.

To be clear: Project Lamp has not been officially approved. Like many internal Disney projects, it’s a “possibility in play,” and could be shelved or modified before any ground is broken. But the name and timing are interesting.

Where Is the Rumored Site?

The proposed location for Project Lamp is situated directly behind the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in Magic Kingdom, along Caribbean Way, the backstage road that loops around Adventureland and Frontierland.

• Surface parking for maintenance and operations vehicles
• Storage/staging for props and materials
• Smaller backstage buildings used for logistical support

No public-facing attractions would need to be demolished for this facility, which makes it an ideal location for a new office or multipurpose complex that could blend into existing operations without disrupting the guest experience.

What Could Project Lamp Actually Be?

On paper, it looks like just another backstage building. But the codename “Project Lamp” has us wondering if it hints at a larger initiative:

1. Aladdin Reference? The most obvious connection is Aladdin’s magic lamp—a nod to Middle Eastern themes. Could this building be related to early design or staging work for the recently announced Disney park in Abu Dhabi? It wouldn’t be the first time Disney named a project with a story-based clue.
2. Florida Over California? There’s also some strategic subtext here. Given Disney’s rocky relationship with California in recent years—especially after employee protests over the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and corporate restructuring—it’s possible Disney is opting to keep sensitive or high-priority development in Florida. While speculative, it wouldn’t be out of character for the company to consolidate future-forward projects in a state with fewer internal headaches.
3. Pixar Connection? A more remote theory: the Pixar lamp, Luxo Jr., could be the namesake. Could Disney be moving some Pixar support functions or experimental animation units to Florida? Again, no hard evidence—but Disney’s history of cryptic project names invites this sort of decoding.
4. Or It’s Just a Building. Of course, the simplest explanation is that Project Lamp is nothing more than additional backstage office space, meant to support Adventureland operations or facilitate traffic flow behind the scenes.

So What’s the Deal?

Disney rarely builds anything backstage without a purpose. Whether this ends up being a creative development hub, a logistics site, or an international project headquarters, the fact that we’re hearing chatter at all means something is brewing.

If Project Lamp is tied to the Abu Dhabi park, it may indicate that Florida—not California—is becoming the go-to base for Disney’s future global projects. That alone is a story worth watching.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What do you think Project Lamp is? A secret creative lab for the Abu Dhabi park? A Pixar crossover? Or just another office building for cast members? Drop your theories in the comments or tag us on social—because in Disney’s world, even the backstage stories can turn into magic.

News compiled and edited by Ivy Adams with Thom Pratt.