D23 Expo: The Biggest Disney Parks Announcements We Can’t Wait For
With D23 just weeks away, anticipation is sky-high for groundbreaking Disney Parks announcements. The event promises to unveil major expansion plans fueled by a staggering $60 billion investment. Given Disney’s history of big reveals at D23 and the recent greenlight for DisneylandForward, expectations are at an all-time high. Here are the announcements we hope to hear at the Ultimate Disney Fan Event.
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Recent Disney events have set a complex stage for the upcoming D23 Expo. The 2019 expo promised a wave of EPCOT innovations that were ultimately delayed or canceled due to the pandemic. This left a sour taste for fans and executives alike.
The 2022 expo was a cautious step forward, with vague teases of Walt Disney World expansion plans. While the “Blue Sky” presentation sparked excitement, it also generated confusion about concrete timelines. The subsequent Destination D23 event offered slightly more specifics, particularly for Animal Kingdom, but progress on the ground has been slow.
With Bob Iger’s return and a reshuffle of Imagineering leadership, there’s a renewed sense of optimism for this year’s D23. However, given past experiences, fans are approaching the event with a mix of anticipation and skepticism.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is poised for a major transformation. The DinoLand USA area is set to be reimagined as a Tropical Americas-themed land, drawing inspiration from beloved films like Encanto and Coco.
Rumors suggest that the iconic DINOSAUR attraction will be rethemed into an Indiana Jones Adventure, potentially surpassing its Disneyland counterpart. This exciting prospect has been a long-time hope for fans of the franchise. With the same ride system already in place, the transition seems feasible.
Recent Imagineering updates, including a research trip to the Yucatán Peninsula and shared concept art, further solidify these plans. The inclusion of an Encanto-themed area and a Coco-inspired carousel seems increasingly likely.
D23 promises to deliver more concrete details, including potential concept art for the new attractions.
The Magic Kingdom is also on the cusp of a major expansion. The land beyond Big Thunder Mountain is ripe for development, and D23 is expected to shed light on its future. While we can anticipate at least one confirmed expansion, the full scope of the project might remain flexible to adapt to future film successes.
The scale of this expansion is rumored to be comparable to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, hinting at a significant investment. Previous teases included Coco, Encanto, and a villains area, but the Animal Kingdom plans may have shifted these concepts. Nonetheless, the idea of a villains area remains popular and aligns with the growing trend of dark universes in theme parks.
Another potential expansion off Adventureland could introduce a stronger Moana presence, capitalizing on the enduring popularity of the franchise.
D23 will undoubtedly provide more clarity on these exciting possibilities.
The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster has long been a prime candidate for retheming. Its flexible design makes it adaptable to various intellectual properties, from Marvel to new musical artists. While a Taylor Swift-themed coaster would generate massive buzz, the licensing costs would be prohibitive. Other options, such as a Muppets theme, offer viable alternatives.
As Disney focuses on larger expansions, retheming this coaster could serve as a temporary draw, generating excitement and revenue in the interim. We hope to hear some news about the coaster at D23.
The Dreams That Soar drone show at Disney Springs has been a standout success. Its dazzling performances have captivated audiences and solidified drone shows as a new entertainment staple.
We anticipate a similar drone show making its debut at a Disney World theme park in the near future. While this might not be a major D23 announcement, it’s a testament to the show’s popularity and likely to receive enthusiastic fan reception.
Drawing inspiration from the impressive drone show at Disneyland Paris, a nighttime parade or a similar spectacle at Magic Kingdom would be a dream come true for many fans.
The underperformance of the Star Wars Hotel has sparked discussions about potential improvements. Disney has an opportunity to acknowledge and rectify past mistakes by relaunching or altering the experience.
Similarly, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge faced criticism for its narrow focus on the newer trilogy, alienating a significant portion of the Star Wars fanbase. Incorporating classic characters like Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Darth Vader would broaden the land’s appeal and align with the ongoing popularity of Star Wars Nites events.
To bridge the gap between major expansions, revitalizing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge could be a strategic move. By reintroducing beloved characters and potentially adjusting the overall narrative, Disney can reignite interest in the land and drive visitor numbers. We’d love to hear some Star Wars announcements at D23.
We’re hoping to already know the opening date for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland BEFORE D23. It would suggest that the parks presentation will focus on larger, more impactful announcements. While there’s a possibility of delays, the omission of the opening date might signal a smooth rollout process. However, we can’t rule out the possibility of a surprise announcement during the event.
Bob Iger’s enthusiasm for Avatar is evident. With multiple references to the franchise and the upcoming film releases, it’s clear that Avatar will play a significant role in the Disneyland expansion. Disney has previously announced that an Avatar “experience” will be coming to Disneyland but we don’t know any more than that.
Previous analyses have speculated on the potential scope and location of the Avatar experience within DisneylandForward. We anticipate a general overview of the expansion at D23, along with a celebration of the Anaheim approval.
The wait for Phase 2 of Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure has been frustratingly long. While the pandemic undoubtedly caused delays, the project’s overall timeline has been stretched out.
Last year’s Destination D23 event offered a glimpse into the King Thanos attraction, but progress on the ground has been minimal. Given the evolving Marvel Cinematic Universe, changes to the ride’s concept are possible.
Recent teases of a Black Panther expansion at Disneyland suggest potential synergies with Avengers Campus Phase 2, adding another layer of complexity to the project.
We’re hoping to learn more at D23.
With no major new attractions slated for Disneyland next year, the park’s 70th anniversary promises to be a cornerstone of its 2025 offerings. While the official anniversary falls in July, a year-long celebration, similar to past milestone anniversaries, is highly anticipated.
To truly capture the magic of Disneyland’s legacy, a nostalgic celebration is in order. Bringing back beloved classics like the Paint the Night parade and reimagining iconic shows like Fantasmic! could ignite unparalleled excitement among fans. A reimagined “Remember…Dreams Come True” opening ceremony, perhaps hosted by a new ambassador, could set the tone for a truly unforgettable anniversary. Such a lineup would undoubtedly draw massive crowds and solidify Disneyland’s status as the ultimate family destination. We are just dreaming with those options and we’re hoping for a bigger announcement at D23 this year.
What announcements are you hoping to come out of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event?
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