I’m calling it: one week from now will likely be enormous for Walt Disney World and Disneyland bulletins. August 10, particularly, ought to be the one largest information day for each coasts since at the very least 2017 as “turbocharged” progress stops being a punchline. Listed below are my predictions as to what’ll be revealed on the blockbuster “Horizons” Disney Parks Panel and on the present ground on the 2024 D23 Expo.
We’ve already shared our D23 Expo Want Record, however it is a totally different ballgame. That was what I hoped can be introduced, that is what I believe truly will be revealed. Sadly, meaning (spoiler alert) no Journey into Creativeness 4.0, Tomorrowland Transformation, or different pie-in-the-sky concepts that ought to occur, however in all probability received’t.
With that stated, this record of D23 Expo predictions might be on the conservative aspect. I totally anticipate a few curveballs–utterly out of left subject bulletins that shock and amaze everybody. However the factor is, they wouldn’t be surprises if we knew they had been coming, making them unimaginable to foretell. I’m additionally unsure simply how a lot Disney will pull again the curtain, particularly given present development timelines and proven fact that they might simply as simply avoid wasting massive information for the 2025 Vacation spot D23 in Orlando or the 2026 D23 Expo.
Nonetheless, there’s cause to imagine the 2024 D23 Expo will as soon as once more attain the identical highs as 2017’s occasion. The final challenge cycle has now wrapped up, there’s nothing brand-new beneath lively development at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, and the time is true to share what’s in retailer for the following improvement part. Disney has virtually telegraphed all of this. In the event that they resort to extra Blue Sky BS, there will likely be a whole lot of offended followers.
Fortunately, that shouldn’t occur. The corporate has $17 billion funding plans for Walt Disney World. With the approval of DisneylandForward, they’ve dedicated to spending one other $2 billion or extra at Disneyland. Larger image, there’s the SEC submitting indicating that the corporate plans to double funding to $60 Billion in Walt Disney World, Disneyland & past.
Followers are understandably skeptical, taking an I’ll imagine it after I see it angle. There was an excessive amount of blue sky “what if?” fluff, cancelled tasks, and postponed plans. However this time is totally different. Streaming is sort of worthwhile, money move is bettering, and different issues have been mounted. Walt Disney World has repaired its relationship with Florida; ditto Disneyland and California. Iger is again in ‘Bob the Builder’ mode to show issues round and develop the corporate–with an emphasis on Parks & Resorts–to cement a optimistic and enduring legacy earlier than his time as CEO ends.
And regardless of what they could say publicly, the elephant within the room for Walt Disney World is Common’s Epic Universe, the third theme park being inbuilt Central Florida by Comcast. Formally, Disney received’t have any “reply” to Epic Universe. Their public place is a mix of ‘Common is answering all the things we’ve executed within the final decade’ and that ‘a rising tide lifts all boats.’ However as we clarify in How Walt Disney World Will “Compete” with Epic Universe, there’s extra to it than that. Disney can not lose park days or–extra importantly–resort stays–to Common.
The underside line is that the stage has been set for a completely epic D23 Expo. Followers need massive information. Buyers need massive information. The corporate is lastly in a monetary place to construct, and thus ship massive information. The stakes are excessive, and we firmly imagine that Disney will ship. No stress or something.
In any case, listed here are the bulletins that Josh D’Amaro is almost certainly to make throughout his Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase keynote (recognized to followers because the Disney Parks Panel). None of those predictions are 100%, and a few are a lot nearer to 49% than they’re 99%. (Additionally, these are predictions for what will likely be introduced, not essentially constructed. If there’s a recession or international pandemic in between, all bets are off–as we’ve seen earlier than.)
Regardless, I believe that holistically, that is the form of Parks Panel we should always anticipate to see. Swap out a few of the bulletins beneath that don’t get made for the surprises, and the size and scope continues to be kind of unchanged. Regardless of the disappointments and laborious classes of the previous few years, there’s a compelling case for optimism for the long-term way forward for each Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
On with the record of 2024 D23 Expo announcement predictions for Walt Disney World, Disneyland & past…
Tiana’s Bayou Journey Information
It might appear like a gap date for Tiana’s Bayou Journey at Disneyland is a protected guess. That’s the massive upcoming addition to the California parks, and that’s the house crowd. It might be logical to bundle that with different information concerning the Critter Nation overhaul, similar to extra particulars concerning the Nation Bear Jamboree restaurant reimagining of Hungry Bear.
Nonetheless, I’m truthfully hoping this doesn’t occur. It appeared purposeful for Disney to announce Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree earlier than D23, regardless of it being one thing for which the house crowd would go nuts. Personally, I’d like Imagineering to take the time to get the second model of Tiana’s Bayou Journey proper, even when meaning delaying it till 2025.
Additionally, it wouldn’t be a nasty concept to show the web page and deal with the longer term moderately than the current/previous–particularly since one model of this trip is already open. It is a probability to focus look ahead on the enormous decade to return, not fixate on the final one (particularly since reactions to this trip have been blended, at greatest.) My hopes and preferences apart, a gap date for Tiana’s Bayou Journey is probably going.
Reflections Redo
I’ve had a put up sitting in my drafts for some time titled “Why We Need River Nation Resort.” It didn’t look like there was any sense of urgency to get written given the seemingly time horizon for such a challenge or announcement, however that modified this week with the submitting of recent permits. (I assume it’s time to get that written this weekend earlier than it turns into out of date!)
As talked about within the final replace to our foremost put up about Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, we’ve acquired credible rumors (plural) that this idea is being revived. I used to be skeptical at first, given all the Disney Trip Membership tasks which might be at the moment underway and will likely be actively promoting within the subsequent few years. Nonetheless, I’ve heard sufficient to be satisfied that Disney’s plan is to proceed with creating this parcel. Even with these rumors, I didn’t beforehand have it on my D23 Expo bingo card–however once more, that modified this week.
Journey Reimaginings
I’m satisfied that is going to be a blockbuster D23 Expo, with billions of {dollars} value of recent bulletins for Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The issue with these bombshells is that they’re a number of years into the longer term–most of what’s revealed couldn’t conceivably open till 2027, even when work began instantly.
There are two years in between, and Disney has nothing main on deck for the home parks by way of precise sights. The reply to that, essentially, will likely be trip reimaginings and leisure (extra on the latter beneath). That is very true for Walt Disney World, which wants an oblique “reply” to Epic Universe, even when Bob Iger claims in any other case.
Something from our record of High 10 Journey Reimaginings Wanted at Walt Disney World can be choice, though I doubt that a few of these might realistically be completed throughout the subsequent 12 months or two. My prediction is that we get Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad (it’s not primarily a reimagining but it surely’ll be closed so lengthy they’ll wish to make it one), Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, and yet one more wildcard. Plus new particulars and idea artwork of previously-announced or at the moment underway tasks like Take a look at Observe 3.0 or the Zootopia Tree of Life present.
Magic Kingdom Night time Parade
Although I’ve been burned time and time once more with new evening parade rumors for Walt Disney World, I’m going to make this prediction, and as one of many extra assured “surprises” for the 2024 D23 Expo. Maybe I’m like a moth to a flame, however I believe this time is totally different. (Well-known final phrases.)
Up to now, it’s simply been a few credible sources and people rumors revolved round Magic Kingdom getting an current evening parade from Disneyland. It’s a much less concerned course of to ship a parade–it both would or wouldn’t occur–than make one. Negotiations might merely break down between the 2 coasts, which did happen–greater than as soon as.
This time, the wheels are in movement on a brand new evening parade being created for Walt Disney World. I’m truthfully stunned it’s been stored beneath wraps for this lengthy, which is partly why I’m making this a powerful D23 Expo prediction. As a sensible matter, they’ll’t actually wait for much longer to disclose it. There’s additionally the truth that followers love evening parades, so this will likely be an enormous win for Walt Disney World so far as near-term information goes.
It makes full sense for a brand-new evening parade to lastly debut at Walt Disney World in 2025. A brand new evening parade might anchor a summer time celebration at Walt Disney World and is the very best card that may be performed at this stage within the sport as an “reply” to Epic Universe.
I’ll take this prediction a bit additional and guess on a parade title and a number of items of idea artwork. I wouldn’t be stunned if it’s tied in with larger image leisure information (see beneath), both within the type of a worldwide parade replace or a coast-to-coast celebration for Disneyland’s seventieth Anniversary (the latter feels much less seemingly–WDW followers don’t care what’s occurring at Disneyland, so save that for the seventy fifth).
Disneyland seventieth Anniversary
Talking of which, one other seemingly protected guess is a point of stories about Disneyland’s seventieth Anniversary subsequent 12 months. With no new sights opening and pent-up demand additional subsiding, Disneyland will want one thing to drive attendance subsequent 12 months. That one thing will likely be leisure.
The almost certainly candidates are a brand new nostalgia-fueled fireworks present (probably with the return of Wondrous Journeys earlier than this celebration begins as one other driver), Paint the Night time parade, OG World of Shade, and extra. Including a brand new float to Paint the Night time is sensible–ditto a brand new scene or pre-show for World of Shade. Personally, I’d like to see redux of Bear in mind…Goals Come True, modernized and enhanced for the seventieth.
That is half prediction, half wishful pondering. My concern is that what we’ll truly get will likely be a return of Pixar Fest or (heaven forbid) Summer season of Heroes as a tie-in with all the opposite Marvel stuff on the horizon. That might be a miscalculation on Disney’s half, however they can not resist the IP synergy, so who is aware of.
Asia Updates
Tokyo Disney Resort has had a bigger presence on the final couple of D23 occasions than regular, which I think has been resulting from an absence of higher choices. Now there are higher choices, so I’d anticipate D23 to show the highlight away from TDR information. Possibly new idea artwork for Tomorrowland, however that’s simply as seemingly–if no more so–on the present ground than the Parks Panel itself.
Hong Kong and Shanghai Disneyland are larger wildcards since Disney has possession stakes in each, and it seems they’re prepared for funding. Primarily based on authorities filings, it seems that HKDL is on the precipice of resuming its previously-shelved Marvel E-Ticket. It’s laborious to say whether or not that is introduced concurrently with the one for DCA, or if Disney would favor to place the highlight on California and never point out each. (My guess is that they talk about each–Wall Avenue watches D23, and HKDL has was a brilliant spot.)
Truthfully, Shanghai Disneyland isn’t even on my radar anymore since we now have no intentions of visiting. I do know that there was the quiet curler coaster announcement earlier this 12 months–maybe that will get a theme hooked up? If it’s going to be Marvel, I might see this Parks Panel having a devoted part that focuses on all the upcoming Marvel additions. I don’t know what else might be on the horizon for Shanghai; for all I do know, there are credible rumors of it getting a $4 billion Brother Bear land. (I believe I’d’ve heard about that, however you get the thought.)
DCL Updates
In the event you’re dreading that half the Disney “Parks” Panel will likely be filler about Disney Cruise Line, concern not. They simply unveiled the following ship, the Disney Future, within the week earlier than D23 Expo. Shortly earlier than this, the corporate introduced that it was partnering with OLC, proprietor of Tokyo Disney Resort, on one other new Want-class ship. Not lengthy earlier than that, the Disney Journey, was teased for Singapore.
All of this may appear like considerably odd timing given that each one or any of this might’ve been “saved” for D23 Expo. However that is truly fairly according to previous D23 occasions. I’m unsure whether or not it’s as a result of Disney Cruise Line needs its personal highlight or Disney has found that DCL information doesn’t resonate with the D23 viewers (my guess is a mixture of each). The entire cruise ecosystem is its personal beast that’s totally different from theme parks, and Disney Cruise Line in all probability needs to generate precise bookings from the reveal of ships.
Nonetheless, it’s attainable that DCL is holding again a nugget or two so as to have a one-two hype punch subsequent week. On this case, one thing that uniquely appeals to diehard followers would make sense. I’m unsure what that might be, in all honesty. Possibly Rogers: The Musical or another stage present? One thing parks-related just like the Haunted Mansion Parlor?
In any other case, I’d anticipate high-level updates for DCL on all the upcoming ships in a transient section. I’d be stunned with any particulars concerning the Asia ships, as People aren’t the target market for these. I’d be much more stunned if Disney pronounces an additional fleet addition.
Emotional Leisure
Alongside related traces, leisure being a deal with the Parks Panel for the near-term is sensible at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and past. I’ve already laid out the case for a return of Summer season Nightastic, with the animating concept of turning 2025 right into a summer time/season of spectaculars, anchored round new and reimagined leisure on each coasts.
With attendance slowing and Disney needing a promotional push for 2025 (to not point out an oblique “response” to Epic Universe in Orlando), this is sensible. The answer will seemingly be leisure–it’s the one factor that may conceivably happen on this tight of a timeline.
Along with what’s mentioned above, I’d anticipate the lion’s share of leisure bulletins for Walt Disney World. However each coasts are more likely to be mentioned, in addition to the worldwide parks. There are two variations of Paint the Night time sitting in storage, each of which might make a return (or be completely reimagined). There are daytime parades, stage reveals, projections, and nighttime spectaculars.
I’ve droned on endlessly a few drone present coming to Animal Kingdom and I’m going to double-down on that once more. “Disney Goals That Soar” is simply too good to be the ultimate fruits of drone reveals at Walt Disney World and Animal Kingdom must preserve friends later within the day too badly.
David Duffy being promoted to VP of Stay Leisure at Walt Disney World seemingly wasn’t a coincidence. After years of neglect and stagnation on the leisure entrance, right here’s hoping that Florida is lastly prepared to take a position massive in spectaculars. If Duffy can work the identical magic he did for Disneyland Paris, leisure might show to be an enormous draw for Walt Disney World throughout a time between massive improvement cycles.
Disneyland Paris Enlargement
Disneyland Paris followers have been starved of bulletins for years at D23 occasions, just like the red-headed stepchild of the Disney Parks. A part of that is dangerous luck and poor timing, as main enlargement plans have been introduced…simply at different instances of the 12 months. A part of it is rather actual, as DLP has been financially troubled (delicate understatement) for a lot of its existence.
That ought to change with the 2024 D23 Expo. For one factor, Disney Journey World is the largest challenge at the moment within the parks pipeline for 2025, and absolutely they’ll wish to spotlight that as a near-term addition. It might stand to cause that extra new particulars and idea artwork are shared, together with maybe a gap season. Right here’s hoping it additionally consists of one other new title for the 2nd gate previously often known as the Walt Disney Studios Park. (Critically Disney, it’s not too late. Nobody will thoughts!)
Extra new bulletins additionally appear seemingly. The rumor mill has kicked into overdrive, and whereas a whole lot of that is seemingly wishful pondering or overly bold, some will occur. For Disneyland Paris, one risk that we’ve beforehand mentioned is Star Wars enlargement. One other is common updates to Discoveryland, together with one other House Mountain restoration/redo. (These tasks might go hand in hand.) The most secure guess is the third land (beforehand Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) for Walt Disney Studios Park (or no matter it finally ends up being referred to as), with Lion King being the odds-on favourite. Talking of which, that announcement might be ‘bundled’ with one other for Florida…
Lion King Journey
Zoom in on the picture above and yell “improve!” such as you’re on CSI. If that one way or the other works, it’s best to have the ability to see a Simba silhouette within the Tree of Life. I’m inclined to imagine it is a purposeful tease–a breadcrumb for followers who’re searching for clues about what’ll be introduced at D23 Expo.
Rumors have been swirling for months that two Lion King sights are on the way in which: one at Walt Disney Studios Park/Disney Journey World and one other at Animal Kingdom, between the Port of Harambe and Pandora.
I do know nothing concerning the veracity of those rumors, a lot much less the tasks themselves. What I’ve heard “prompt” from credible sources is that Imagineering isn’t simply constructing the trailer park for Tropical Americas, and way more is on the way in which to Animal Kingdom. That makes full sense, as that’s the park that desperately wants it. I can’t consider many higher choices than the Lion King, which is each applicable for the situation and a contemporary traditional film that also doesn’t have a trip at Walt Disney World.
There’s solely more likely to be one water trip introduced at this 12 months’s D23 Expo, so it’s this over Moana in Magic Kingdom. Possibly that is partly wishful pondering on my half, as Animal Kingdom wants far more assist than Magic Kingdom, and the main target ought to be positioned on DAK throughout the subsequent 5 years.
Tropical Americas Full Reveal
This Dino-Rama alternative and enlargement is already confirmed. It’s occurring. At Vacation spot D23 final 12 months, Disney introduced that Imagineering will remodel this into a brand new land impressed by a area typically known as “Tropical Americas.”
Imagineers have taken analysis journeys to biodiverse areas of South America, stretching up into Central America for inspiration on the enlargement. Building permits have already been filed, and Imagineering goes to have a big trailer park campus backstage. So we all know Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom is really-for-real, and never simply blue sky daydreaming.
What’s not but official is what, precisely, Tropical Americas will entail. It’s been prompt that an Encanto darkish trip and Indiana Jones Journey changing DINOSAUR, together with a brand new carousel and refreshes of the doorway and restaurant are on the way in which.
What I believe we’ll get is a scale mannequin on the present ground that raises extra questions than it solutions, adopted by a Parks Panel presentation with a number of items of idea artwork and particulars that reply the aforementioned questions. A deadline for DINOSAUR would additionally make sense, so followers can say their goodbyes…in addition to their “good riddances” to Dino-Rama.
Past Massive Thunder Part 1
Again in April, Imagineering indicated that preliminary water administration permits for Past Massive Thunder can be filed within the coming weeks. That also hasn’t occurred, however that little tidbit alone means that plans for the large Magic Kingdom challenge have firmed up. If permits are being filed, plans will likely be shared to some extent.
My expectation is that Past Massive Thunder will likely be carried out in phases, and that Disney received’t be able to disclose full particulars for all the enlargement. That’s comprehensible. On the very least, I’d anticipate to listen to concerning the first part of the challenge, together with which characters and ideas will likely be represented. This could come throughout the Parks Panel, not on the present ground.
My guess is that both Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom obtain the lion’s share of the highlight on the 2024 D23 Expo. Whereas it’s conceivable that inner jockeying makes Magic Kingdom win out, I’m skeptical. That park wants much less and most of these massive bulletins might simply as simply be saved for the 2026 D23 Expo (or in the event that they actually wished, Vacation spot D23 subsequent 12 months…at Walt Disney World). There’s extra urgency with DAK, because it’s the park that’ll be damage most by Epic Universe.
Avatar Attraction Introduced
It is a given. Bob Iger already shared the above idea artwork for what the Avatar attraction that’s probably coming to Disneyland Resort might appear like earlier this 12 months. The one cause he hedged so laborious was as a result of DisneylandForward had not but been authorised.
This artwork means that the Avatar expertise is definitely Pandora land, and can characteristic a ship trip together with immersive environments which might be much like and totally different from the land at Walt Disney World. Which is sensible given Disneyland’s distinctive area constraints and the discharge of Avatar: The Approach of Water for the reason that Animal Kingdom incarnation of the challenge.
It’s protected to say we’ll get James Cameron up on stage, extra idea artwork reflecting what is going to be constructed, the place it’ll be situated, and what all it’ll entail. Extra idea artwork can be pretty, too. Until plans have modified in a serious method during the last couple months, that is an extremely protected prediction.
Avengers Campus Part 2
Fingers crossed that that is the third consecutive D23 Expo with an Avengers Campus E-Ticket attraction announcement. Will it nonetheless be the King Thanos family-friendly trip? Will or not it’s a revival of the Quinjet idea? Will or not it’s one thing model new? No person is aware of!
It’s in all probability protected to say that the trip automobile shared at Vacation spot D23 continues to be correct. That means the trip system will likely be much like or the identical as Peter Pan’s By no means Land Journey (or Spider-Man at Common), which is sensible. It additionally signifies that there are a variety of prospects for the trip itself.
Disney ought to wish to proceed bettering DCA to extend its drawing energy. The primary part of Avengers Campus is underwhelming, and is getting worse with latest leisure cuts. Which is why this isn’t simply listed as an Avengers E-Ticket reveal–additionally they must announce leisure or one thing near-term so the land doesn’t simply limp alongside for the following few years.
Hong Kong Disneyland has already signaled that its long-delayed Marvel E-Ticket is lastly transferring ahead. It’s protected to anticipate information about that at D23 Expo, and regardless of the plans are to be pretty related at HKDL and DCA. A few ‘reiterated’ bulletins for Disney California Journey would additionally open the door for one thing model new at its nextdoor neighbor…
New Land at Disneyland
Disney has backed itself right into a nook with the “pitch” for DisneylandForward. The aggressive marketing campaign has locals believing that it is a massive challenge that’ll massively develop the footprint of Disneyland Resort–possibly even including a 3rd gate! There’s completely no cause to imagine that’s the case, and even that the plots of land mentioned within the pitch have any close to or medium time period prospects.
Accordingly, a whole lot of Disneyland followers are going to go away the D23 Expo disillusioned it doesn’t matter what, however downright heartbroken if all the information for California is a rehash of what we already know. Disney hopefully acknowledges this, which is why I strongly imagine one of many massive surprises goes to be a brand new land for Disneyland Resort.
I’d put Arendelle as a Fantasyland enlargement at Disneyland and Zootopia in Disney California Journey because the front-runners, with World of Frozen being the heavy favourite. These are two IPs that Bob Iger loves, and ones with future movies. Though DCA wants extra assist, it’ll presumably even be getting that. Arendelle is superior and I think Disney is aware of they “want” a home model of that land, like yesterday.
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Your Ideas
Care to make it attention-grabbing by putting your individual predictions about what will likely be introduced on the 2024 D23 Expo? Do you suppose it is going to be a time for large attraction bulletins, or will largely deal with particulars about tasks which might be already underway? Any shock announcement predictions? Clearly, none of us know what the longer term holds (until you’re a Disney government or Imagineer…by which case, please tell us what’s going to be revealed! 😉 ), but it surely’s enjoyable to take some guesses and see who ‘wins’ simply the identical. We’ll revisit this put up in per week or so and whoever acquired probably the most proper will win…bragging rights!