Vacation spot D23 was held at Walt Disney World over the weekend, and though there was no blockbuster information, there have been a number of ‘singles & doubles’ bulletins. This report card ranks all the bulletins for the Disney Parks from worst to first, and shares our ideas on the occasion as a complete.
From a theme parks perspective, essentially the most noteworthy information forward of this 12 months’s Vacation spot D23 was that there could be no Disney Parks Panel hosted by chairman Josh D’Amaro. Instead was the “Walt Disney Studios Showcase” marquee presentation on Saturday morning, throughout which host Yvette Nicole Brown was joined by creatives behind a number of upcoming movies to share bulletins and new trailers with followers.
Though it’s a bit past our space of emphasis, this showcase will be summed up in a single phrase: refreshing. I’ve attended a number of of those at earlier D23 Expos, and so they had gotten progressively worse up till final 12 months. The quantity of stay motion remake and direct to Disney+ slop was uncontrolled, with films that have been clearly unhealthy simply primarily based on their trailers. This was a return to type for the studios, with an awesome mixture of unique movies (I’m 100% bought on Hoppers, a film I beforehand thought was about grasshoppers) and sequels to fan-favorites. The artistic output of the studios impacts the parks, so this isn’t simply good to see–it’s essential, possibly even important.
To shortly recap earlier than we get going, our 2025 Vacation spot D23 Announcement Predictions for Walt Disney World have been the next:
- Walt Disney Studios Lot and Magic of Disney Animation Reveal
- Sew’s Nice Escape 2.0 Announcement
- Grand Floridian Hen Cage Bar Menu & Opening Date
- Villains Land Official Title (4-16 phrases lengthy with 2-7 punctuation marks)
- Repainting Cinderella Fortress to Traditional Colours or Dream Lights Returning for Christmas
- Bluey Coming to DHS Particulars
- Spaceship Earth Reimagining
- New Idea Artwork for Present Tasks
That’s it for Walt Disney World. Spoiler alert: I didn’t precisely have a powerful efficiency with these picks. In equity, I did make a number of predictions about issues that might not occur, resembling imploring followers to decrease their expectations about any potential Villains Land information. I’d additionally wish to suppose that the Cinderella Fortress basic makeover was an excellent deep minimize name. Nonetheless, fairly removed from my greatest outing with that slate!
Our prior Vacation spot D23 Want Checklist contained loads extra (together with a reimagining of Journey Into Creativeness for just like the ninth consecutive D23 occasion), nevertheless it additionally famous that we weren’t anticipating the overwhelming majority of that to happen. It was idle daydreaming, with our perspective being that Disney had “shot its shot” with the final D23 Expo, so this wouldn’t have almost as many bulletins because the 2023 Vacation spot D23. And it positively didn’t.
Towards that backdrop, let’s rank all the Walt Disney World information, adopted by a grade for the occasion as a complete…
15. New Novelty Objects Coming to Disney Parks
One of many “highlights” of the Disney Eats panel was the reveal of eight new novelty gadgets coming to the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line ships, together with popcorn buckets, sippers, and mugs.
I’ve shared my perspective on popcorn buckets and sippers earlier than, and towards my higher judgment, I’ll reiterate right here: I completely don’t get the attraction. They serve minimal sensible goal, and are often cheaply constructed as in comparison with different merchandise. In order for you a plastic toy…why not simply purchase a plastic toy? (Tiki mugs are a completely totally different story; tremendous cool, but additionally impractical and even pricier.)
I’m very conscious that that is an unpopular opinion, and few issues strengthened that as a lot because the D23 crowd going completely wild for every novelty reveal. I’ve had some Principal Skinner “am I out of contact?” moments lately as a part of the fandom, and this was simply the newest. With all of that mentioned, I’m additionally an enormous believer in letting folks get pleasure from what they need to get pleasure from. Should you love popcorn buckets, extra energy to you. I’ve loads of pursuits that you simply’d in all probability suppose are foolish.
14. New Drinks Coming to Disney Future
Throughout your voyage aboard the Disney Future, slip away to The Sanctum, Haunted Mansion Parlor, and Cask & Cannon, all themed areas which might be impressed by the larger-than-life personalities of epic Disney tales, dropped at life by means of elevated interpretation and refined theming. Every of those can even characteristic distinctive drinks.
No actual opinion on this one. We don’t actually imbibe anymore, and consider (one other unpopular opinion incoming) zero-proof cocktails as a racket, so we seldom purchase these. These drinks definitely look cool, and I recognize bold themed meals & beverage applications. Nice for individuals who will get pleasure from them!
13. New Idea Artwork for Napa Rose at Disneyland
When it reopens, the award-winning Napa Rose will provide an elevated eating expertise, mixing timeless Craftsman design with a contemporary tackle trendy Californian sophistication and heat within the overhauled fundamental eating room.
The brand new idea artwork exhibits the outside patio that’s being enhanced to welcome extra visitors for al fresco eating. Two new fireplaces will solid a heat glow throughout the patio, including a comfy and alluring contact to the ambiance. Because the solar units, you’ll be able to collect across the hearth, reflecting in your Disney day and having fun with the ambiance.
I’m wanting ahead to the return of Napa Rose, which was one in every of our favourite eating places in Southern California by means of 2019. (It wasn’t the identical post-reopening.) The refreshed outside area doesn’t look all that totally different to me, however I’m however cautiously optimistic–principally a couple of menu refresh, if I’m being trustworthy. The inside design may go both approach, and can come all the way down to execution.
12. D23 Expo Returns in 2026
It’s not an enormous shock that the D23 Expo is returning to California subsequent 12 months, nevertheless it was however good to listen to affirmation and a reveal of dates. We will’t wait to attend, because it’s one in every of our favourite occasions of the whole 12 months.
Though D23 Expo positively isn’t for everybody (and that’s advantageous–don’t be swayed by FOMO if it feels prefer it’s not your scene), we adore it. Whether it is for you, we’d extremely suggest attending. It seems like solely a matter of time earlier than D23 Expo goes the way in which of different conventions like this. Frankly, I’m stunned it’s lasted this lengthy.
11. “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together” Coming to Hong Kong Disneyland
Disney introduced a brand new Halloween Time occasion at Hong Kong Disneyland for the twentieth Anniversary referred to as “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together.” The leisure providing options the villains taking up Major Road, U.S.A. from September 19 by means of November 2, 2025.
“Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together” is a mash-up of a cavalcade, road social gathering, and musical quantity. The premise is that Maleficent was unintentionally left off the invitation listing (therefore the identify), so she leads a hostile takeover of Major Road. Maleficent then recruits visitors to “name forth her uninvited counterparts.” Sounds a bit like Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular at Magic Kingdom, however not a stage present.
On the one hand, I’m by no means going to knock extra leisure. However, we first did Halloween at HKDL over a decade in the past, and it was a completely totally different expertise again within the day. Principally, it was Halloween Horror Nights: Disney Version. I’m not stunned that they’ve made the occasion extra family-friendly and on-brand (on the contrary, I’m stunned what they did earlier than ever received company approval), I simply miss the “good ole days” a bit.
10. Moana Restaurant Coming to HKDL
Disney revealed a first-look on the “new” Wayfinders’ Desk Moana-themed restaurant, which is able to formally open on September 12, 2025 and is positioned close to the Moana: A Homecoming Celebration stage present in Adventureland. Idea artwork exhibits a vibrant setting impressed by the favored franchise, together with signage and acquainted characters within the seating space.
For individuals who are unfamiliar with HKDL, the brand new Moana-themed restaurant replaces Tahitian Terrace, which seems just about the identical as this. The variations are the signage and characters. Tahitian Terrace has/had among the finest menus in the whole park; hopefully this retains or enhances that. Regardless, seeing HKDL get some love–even when meaning extra IP injections–is a win.
9. Unfortunate Nugget Saloon Coming to Disneyland Paris
It’s rumoured {that a} grand reception was to be held there in honour of the neighbouring Ravenswoods, to have a good time the upcoming nuptials of their daughter, Melanie. However the restaurant has inexplicably fallen into disrepair, prompting locals to rename it ‘The Unfortunate Nugget’.
The restaurant stays open to curious guests however warns that they need to count on their go to to be considerably… spirited! The Unfortunate Nugget Saloon is a time-limited expertise together with ghostly ornament and savoury eerie Halloween menus that will likely be obtainable solely throughout Disney Halloween Competition, from October 1st to November 2nd at Disneyland Paris.
I’m an enormous fan of the Fortunate Nugget, Thunder Mesa backstory, and Halloween at Disneyland Paris. I additionally suppose that the present menu is already a bit, ahem, unfortunate, so attempting one thing contemporary on this area feels like a win to me. Definitely beats a Toy Story puppet present!
8. Disneyland Handcrafted Documentary Coming Quickly
Oscar and Emmy nominated filmmaker (with deep Disney roots!) Leslie Iwerks introduced on stage on the panel that her new documentary movie Disneyland Handcrafted, is coming this winter to Disney+ and Disney YouTube.
Disneyland Handcrafted ranks comparatively extremely for me due to “The Imagineering Story,” which is by the identical documentarian. The primary trailer additionally seems improbable, and it’s nice to see contemporary footage of one thing that’s been coated fairly exhaustively. “Disneyland Handcrafted” may not be one of the best identify, as we’ve already had a number of readers remark that they thought it was a merchandise factor.
7. Hidden Particulars & Lore About Disney Castles
Imagineers Wyatt Winter, Jason Grandt, and Katie Gibbs have been joined by former Imagineering Artistic Govt Tom Morris and James Silson, Present Director with Disney Dwell Leisure, to share their favourite moments within the historical past of constructing Disney Castles.
This was a panel, not a particular piece of stories, nevertheless it warrants inclusion right here as a result of it was arguably the spotlight of Vacation spot D23, and harkens again to the history-oriented occasion Vacation spot D was once. It was a bit zany (Sew appeared, capturing bathroom paper everywhere in the stage), whereas additionally being instructional and providing deep cuts and little-known data.
So I simply needed to cease and share my appreciation for this, in addition to the Three Caballeros and Down the Rabbit Gap with the Disney Archives displays. Extra of this, please. (Though I might’ve most well-liked Steven Vagnini or Becky Cline average, versus some YouTuber.)
Imagineers closed out the panel saying the following episode of “We Name It Imagineering: Constructing Castles” will debut on the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel on September 8, 2025.
6. Dr. Facilier’s “Parlor Tips” Coming to Disney Future
Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog will likely be one of many featured villains making “meet and play” appearances aboard the Disney Future when it units sail later this 12 months. The thought is that, as an alternative of a standard meet & greet, Dr. Facilier will likely be a part of probability encounters that provide alternatives for interplay and leisure. He’s going to have a parlor in an undisclosed location that visitors may bump into, luring visitors in for a card trick or sleight of hand.
This sounds improbable. Now that now we have a younger daughter, we positively recognize devoted meet & greets extra (predictable and constant), however we additionally love the little unplanned moments (really magical). Like to see Disney leaning extra into the latter, and making these interactive alternatives extra bold. Right here’s hoping that this additionally serves as a playtest of kinds for Villains Land at Magic Kingdom.
5. New Tron: Ares Experience Overlay for TRON Lightcycle Run
The following time you step into the digital frontier with TRON Lightcycle Run, you’ll launch right into a Tron: Ares model of the high-speed, adrenaline-pumping trip that bends actuality into the online game world.
Changing the blue and orange hues of the trip, you’ll weave by means of twisting tunnels of vibrant pink and orange mild trails. Including to the immersive visuals, the pulsating industrial sounds of 9 Inch Nails will drive the trip’s power, pushing your expertise between the Grid and actuality into a totally immersive, futuristic symphony of sunshine, pace, and sound.
That is seemingly such a little bit factor, nevertheless it’s exactly what repeat guests to Walt Disney World, of which there are a lot of, crave. It will haven’t any destructive affect on first timers, whereas including re-rideability for regulars. It’s win-win. It’s additionally good to see Walt Disney World not decline a studio advertising price range for as soon as! Right here’s hoping we get extra of this sooner or later; locals, APs and DVC Members ought to matter extra to WDW, as they’re rising demographics.
4. Conjured Structure for Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
Imagineers on the Villains Land undertaking crew took a analysis journey to Europe to research structure, specifically the Artwork Nouveau model. After seeing similarities with the magical, fluid, and natural look of each the animated villains and the structure, the crew behind coined the time period “Conjured Structure.”
Whereas our commentary about this so-called “Conjured Structure” centered totally on different potential architectural inspirations past Artwork Nouveau (don’t get me incorrect–it’s a method I like), I’m simply happy to see Imagineering doing analysis journeys for Villains Land and drawing inspiration from an bold model. It doesn’t matter what the top consequence, I view this as optimistic information.
Some followers disagree, questioning the need of analysis journeys and suggesting they’re a waste of cash. First, it is a drop of water within the ocean of the Villains Land price range. Second, the open-ended land is prone to have parallels to Avengers Campus, and I might humbly recommend that undertaking would have benefited tremendously from a analysis journey someplace aside from an workplace park in La Cañada.
3. World of Frozen Opening Season
By way of video from France, Michel Den Dulk, Vice President and Portfolio Govt Artistic Director at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, revealed that World of Frozen will lastly open its gates in Spring 2026.
By extension, this additionally signifies that the overhaul of the Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Journey World can even wrap in Spring 2026. The previous can’t actually occur with out the latter (though I’m guessing the Up trip gained’t be prepared), and Disney already tied the bigger-picture park reimagining to the World of Frozen.
It’s been a protracted highway, however the second gate is nearly there. We’re actually excited to expertise this park anew–phrases I by no means thought I’d sort after our first go to, after which we argued that the Walt Disney Studios Park was not truly a “Disney” theme park. This transformation ought to lastly put that to relaxation (if it hasn’t been already within the intervening years) as soon as and for good.
2. Traditional Cinderella Fortress Makeover
The up to date paint will characteristic grays, lotions, blues, and touches of gold, aiming to reinforce the citadel’s structure. Whereas the undertaking crew remains to be placing the ending touches on the paint design course of, WDI began to share the unimaginable quantity of analysis and care that goes into this undertaking.
We’re actually wanting ahead to a return of the basic Cinderella Fortress coloration scheme after 5+ years of the makeover for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary. In our view, the pink citadel was a miss; it felt like Disney was attempting too exhausting, chasing coloration tendencies, aiming to attraction to influencers with one thing extra “princessy,” or possibly extra just like the whimsy of Disneyland Paris.
The look simply didn’t work for the extra regal Cinderella Fortress at Magic Kingdom, which advantages from a cooler and subtler model. I’d go so far as to name this “nature is therapeutic” information, and can’t wait to see Cinderella Fortress restored to its basic coloration scheme. It’s been a very long time since we’ve seen this–not simply ~5 years, since Cinderella Fortress was badly light by the point the final repainting rolled round. The lighter look ought to actually pop below the blue skies and puffy clouds of Central Florida!
1. Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics Coming to Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty revealed that you’ll quickly be capable of see Walt Disney by means of the magic of Audio-Animatronics know-how in Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom.
Earlier than you comply with an American household (and Rover!) over 4 generations of progress as know-how transforms their lives and paves the way in which for once-unimaginable improvements, you’ll be capable of catch a brand-new introductory scene and listen to from the legendary man who by no means stood in the way in which of progress — Walt Disney.
This new Walt Disney introductory scene is presumably changing what’s presently a curtain, brand, and voiceover. That scene is barely a pair minutes lengthy, which is according to the Audio Animatronics portion of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” at Disneyland. Though this intro will likely be dramatically totally different, utilizing that as a blueprint for the mannerisms and movement does make sense.
We’ve already coated the explanations why the brand new Carousel of Progress enhancements are vastly optimistic information with zero catch, from paying tribute to Walt Disney to giving Carousel of Progress a brand new multi-decade lease on life. That’s clearly the consensus, which is good to see. To the extent there’s skepticism, it’s principally concerning the likeness of the present Walt Disney AA, which is honest.
My solely response is that I’d count on to see iterative enhancements there from Imagineering. Look no additional than Corridor of Presidents for this, the place Imagineering has now created three Trump AAs, the primary of which had a melted face (for lack of higher time period) that was approach worse than the Walt AA.
The second was extra on-model (however much less superior because the Biden AA was center-stage), and now the third is arguably essentially the most correct human Audio Animatronics ever made. If Imagineering has managed to refine that facial mildew to such a level, it stands to motive that they’ll do the identical for his or her firm’s founder.
In the end, this was not an enormous 12 months for information at Vacation spot D23. Definitely nothing like 2023, however the apparent distinction is that the earlier 12 months’s D23 Expo was just about a blue sky dreaming session. Against this, the 2024 D23 Expo was jam-packed with precise bulletins that are actually actively below development and will likely be for the following 3-4 years.
I however left Vacation spot D23 with a renewed sense of optimism about the way forward for Walt Disney World. It’s been an up and down couple of years, particularly after the post-Expo rug-pulls relating to the Rivers of America and MuppetVision. These have been gut-punches that at the very least partially undercut the preliminary pleasure. There’s actually nothing from Vacation spot D23 that may be undercut, except Disney pronounces tomorrow that they’re paving over the Seven Seas Lagoon “by well-liked demand” so as to add extra popcorn stands. Regardless of how a lot you may love popcorn buckets, hopefully you’ll agree that that might be a nasty factor.
Though it was a smaller slate of bulletins, Vacation spot D23 continues to vindicate the perspective that Imagineering is again on observe, understands the project, and is filled with fellow followers who need to do proper by Walt Disney World and the corporate’s founder. That the Rivers of America and MuppetVision 3D have been the outliers, compelled on them from above; that their arms have been tied on the choices, so one of the best they’ll do is make lemonade out of lemons. This Vacation spot D23 information is 100% optimistic, even when not emphatically so, suggesting that possibly there actually is a Nice Large Lovely Tomorrow for Walt Disney World!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Lodges Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things you could know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your reactions to the assorted bulletins for the Disney Parks on the 2025 Vacation spot D23? What has you most and least excited? Have been any of those bulletins downright unhealthy or destructive information, in your view? Something you’re hoping doesn’t find yourself coming to fruition? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Vacation spot D23 was held at Walt Disney World over the weekend, and though there was no blockbuster information, there have been a number of ‘singles & doubles’ bulletins. This report card ranks all the bulletins for the Disney Parks from worst to first, and shares our ideas on the occasion as a complete.
From a theme parks perspective, essentially the most noteworthy information forward of this 12 months’s Vacation spot D23 was that there could be no Disney Parks Panel hosted by chairman Josh D’Amaro. Instead was the “Walt Disney Studios Showcase” marquee presentation on Saturday morning, throughout which host Yvette Nicole Brown was joined by creatives behind a number of upcoming movies to share bulletins and new trailers with followers.
Though it’s a bit past our space of emphasis, this showcase will be summed up in a single phrase: refreshing. I’ve attended a number of of those at earlier D23 Expos, and so they had gotten progressively worse up till final 12 months. The quantity of stay motion remake and direct to Disney+ slop was uncontrolled, with films that have been clearly unhealthy simply primarily based on their trailers. This was a return to type for the studios, with an awesome mixture of unique movies (I’m 100% bought on Hoppers, a film I beforehand thought was about grasshoppers) and sequels to fan-favorites. The artistic output of the studios impacts the parks, so this isn’t simply good to see–it’s essential, possibly even important.
To shortly recap earlier than we get going, our 2025 Vacation spot D23 Announcement Predictions for Walt Disney World have been the next:
- Walt Disney Studios Lot and Magic of Disney Animation Reveal
- Sew’s Nice Escape 2.0 Announcement
- Grand Floridian Hen Cage Bar Menu & Opening Date
- Villains Land Official Title (4-16 phrases lengthy with 2-7 punctuation marks)
- Repainting Cinderella Fortress to Traditional Colours or Dream Lights Returning for Christmas
- Bluey Coming to DHS Particulars
- Spaceship Earth Reimagining
- New Idea Artwork for Present Tasks
That’s it for Walt Disney World. Spoiler alert: I didn’t precisely have a powerful efficiency with these picks. In equity, I did make a number of predictions about issues that might not occur, resembling imploring followers to decrease their expectations about any potential Villains Land information. I’d additionally wish to suppose that the Cinderella Fortress basic makeover was an excellent deep minimize name. Nonetheless, fairly removed from my greatest outing with that slate!
Our prior Vacation spot D23 Want Checklist contained loads extra (together with a reimagining of Journey Into Creativeness for just like the ninth consecutive D23 occasion), nevertheless it additionally famous that we weren’t anticipating the overwhelming majority of that to happen. It was idle daydreaming, with our perspective being that Disney had “shot its shot” with the final D23 Expo, so this wouldn’t have almost as many bulletins because the 2023 Vacation spot D23. And it positively didn’t.
Towards that backdrop, let’s rank all the Walt Disney World information, adopted by a grade for the occasion as a complete…
15. New Novelty Objects Coming to Disney Parks
One of many “highlights” of the Disney Eats panel was the reveal of eight new novelty gadgets coming to the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line ships, together with popcorn buckets, sippers, and mugs.
I’ve shared my perspective on popcorn buckets and sippers earlier than, and towards my higher judgment, I’ll reiterate right here: I completely don’t get the attraction. They serve minimal sensible goal, and are often cheaply constructed as in comparison with different merchandise. In order for you a plastic toy…why not simply purchase a plastic toy? (Tiki mugs are a completely totally different story; tremendous cool, but additionally impractical and even pricier.)
I’m very conscious that that is an unpopular opinion, and few issues strengthened that as a lot because the D23 crowd going completely wild for every novelty reveal. I’ve had some Principal Skinner “am I out of contact?” moments lately as a part of the fandom, and this was simply the newest. With all of that mentioned, I’m additionally an enormous believer in letting folks get pleasure from what they need to get pleasure from. Should you love popcorn buckets, extra energy to you. I’ve loads of pursuits that you simply’d in all probability suppose are foolish.
14. New Drinks Coming to Disney Future
Throughout your voyage aboard the Disney Future, slip away to The Sanctum, Haunted Mansion Parlor, and Cask & Cannon, all themed areas which might be impressed by the larger-than-life personalities of epic Disney tales, dropped at life by means of elevated interpretation and refined theming. Every of those can even characteristic distinctive drinks.
No actual opinion on this one. We don’t actually imbibe anymore, and consider (one other unpopular opinion incoming) zero-proof cocktails as a racket, so we seldom purchase these. These drinks definitely look cool, and I recognize bold themed meals & beverage applications. Nice for individuals who will get pleasure from them!
13. New Idea Artwork for Napa Rose at Disneyland
When it reopens, the award-winning Napa Rose will provide an elevated eating expertise, mixing timeless Craftsman design with a contemporary tackle trendy Californian sophistication and heat within the overhauled fundamental eating room.
The brand new idea artwork exhibits the outside patio that’s being enhanced to welcome extra visitors for al fresco eating. Two new fireplaces will solid a heat glow throughout the patio, including a comfy and alluring contact to the ambiance. Because the solar units, you’ll be able to collect across the hearth, reflecting in your Disney day and having fun with the ambiance.
I’m wanting ahead to the return of Napa Rose, which was one in every of our favourite eating places in Southern California by means of 2019. (It wasn’t the identical post-reopening.) The refreshed outside area doesn’t look all that totally different to me, however I’m however cautiously optimistic–principally a couple of menu refresh, if I’m being trustworthy. The inside design may go both approach, and can come all the way down to execution.
12. D23 Expo Returns in 2026
It’s not an enormous shock that the D23 Expo is returning to California subsequent 12 months, nevertheless it was however good to listen to affirmation and a reveal of dates. We will’t wait to attend, because it’s one in every of our favourite occasions of the whole 12 months.
Though D23 Expo positively isn’t for everybody (and that’s advantageous–don’t be swayed by FOMO if it feels prefer it’s not your scene), we adore it. Whether it is for you, we’d extremely suggest attending. It seems like solely a matter of time earlier than D23 Expo goes the way in which of different conventions like this. Frankly, I’m stunned it’s lasted this lengthy.
11. “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together” Coming to Hong Kong Disneyland
Disney introduced a brand new Halloween Time occasion at Hong Kong Disneyland for the twentieth Anniversary referred to as “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together.” The leisure providing options the villains taking up Major Road, U.S.A. from September 19 by means of November 2, 2025.
“Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together” is a mash-up of a cavalcade, road social gathering, and musical quantity. The premise is that Maleficent was unintentionally left off the invitation listing (therefore the identify), so she leads a hostile takeover of Major Road. Maleficent then recruits visitors to “name forth her uninvited counterparts.” Sounds a bit like Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular at Magic Kingdom, however not a stage present.
On the one hand, I’m by no means going to knock extra leisure. However, we first did Halloween at HKDL over a decade in the past, and it was a completely totally different expertise again within the day. Principally, it was Halloween Horror Nights: Disney Version. I’m not stunned that they’ve made the occasion extra family-friendly and on-brand (on the contrary, I’m stunned what they did earlier than ever received company approval), I simply miss the “good ole days” a bit.
10. Moana Restaurant Coming to HKDL
Disney revealed a first-look on the “new” Wayfinders’ Desk Moana-themed restaurant, which is able to formally open on September 12, 2025 and is positioned close to the Moana: A Homecoming Celebration stage present in Adventureland. Idea artwork exhibits a vibrant setting impressed by the favored franchise, together with signage and acquainted characters within the seating space.
For individuals who are unfamiliar with HKDL, the brand new Moana-themed restaurant replaces Tahitian Terrace, which seems just about the identical as this. The variations are the signage and characters. Tahitian Terrace has/had among the finest menus in the whole park; hopefully this retains or enhances that. Regardless, seeing HKDL get some love–even when meaning extra IP injections–is a win.
9. Unfortunate Nugget Saloon Coming to Disneyland Paris
It’s rumoured {that a} grand reception was to be held there in honour of the neighbouring Ravenswoods, to have a good time the upcoming nuptials of their daughter, Melanie. However the restaurant has inexplicably fallen into disrepair, prompting locals to rename it ‘The Unfortunate Nugget’.
The restaurant stays open to curious guests however warns that they need to count on their go to to be considerably… spirited! The Unfortunate Nugget Saloon is a time-limited expertise together with ghostly ornament and savoury eerie Halloween menus that will likely be obtainable solely throughout Disney Halloween Competition, from October 1st to November 2nd at Disneyland Paris.
I’m an enormous fan of the Fortunate Nugget, Thunder Mesa backstory, and Halloween at Disneyland Paris. I additionally suppose that the present menu is already a bit, ahem, unfortunate, so attempting one thing contemporary on this area feels like a win to me. Definitely beats a Toy Story puppet present!
8. Disneyland Handcrafted Documentary Coming Quickly
Oscar and Emmy nominated filmmaker (with deep Disney roots!) Leslie Iwerks introduced on stage on the panel that her new documentary movie Disneyland Handcrafted, is coming this winter to Disney+ and Disney YouTube.
Disneyland Handcrafted ranks comparatively extremely for me due to “The Imagineering Story,” which is by the identical documentarian. The primary trailer additionally seems improbable, and it’s nice to see contemporary footage of one thing that’s been coated fairly exhaustively. “Disneyland Handcrafted” may not be one of the best identify, as we’ve already had a number of readers remark that they thought it was a merchandise factor.
7. Hidden Particulars & Lore About Disney Castles
Imagineers Wyatt Winter, Jason Grandt, and Katie Gibbs have been joined by former Imagineering Artistic Govt Tom Morris and James Silson, Present Director with Disney Dwell Leisure, to share their favourite moments within the historical past of constructing Disney Castles.
This was a panel, not a particular piece of stories, nevertheless it warrants inclusion right here as a result of it was arguably the spotlight of Vacation spot D23, and harkens again to the history-oriented occasion Vacation spot D was once. It was a bit zany (Sew appeared, capturing bathroom paper everywhere in the stage), whereas additionally being instructional and providing deep cuts and little-known data.
So I simply needed to cease and share my appreciation for this, in addition to the Three Caballeros and Down the Rabbit Gap with the Disney Archives displays. Extra of this, please. (Though I might’ve most well-liked Steven Vagnini or Becky Cline average, versus some YouTuber.)
Imagineers closed out the panel saying the following episode of “We Name It Imagineering: Constructing Castles” will debut on the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel on September 8, 2025.
6. Dr. Facilier’s “Parlor Tips” Coming to Disney Future
Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog will likely be one of many featured villains making “meet and play” appearances aboard the Disney Future when it units sail later this 12 months. The thought is that, as an alternative of a standard meet & greet, Dr. Facilier will likely be a part of probability encounters that provide alternatives for interplay and leisure. He’s going to have a parlor in an undisclosed location that visitors may bump into, luring visitors in for a card trick or sleight of hand.
This sounds improbable. Now that now we have a younger daughter, we positively recognize devoted meet & greets extra (predictable and constant), however we additionally love the little unplanned moments (really magical). Like to see Disney leaning extra into the latter, and making these interactive alternatives extra bold. Right here’s hoping that this additionally serves as a playtest of kinds for Villains Land at Magic Kingdom.
5. New Tron: Ares Experience Overlay for TRON Lightcycle Run
The following time you step into the digital frontier with TRON Lightcycle Run, you’ll launch right into a Tron: Ares model of the high-speed, adrenaline-pumping trip that bends actuality into the online game world.
Changing the blue and orange hues of the trip, you’ll weave by means of twisting tunnels of vibrant pink and orange mild trails. Including to the immersive visuals, the pulsating industrial sounds of 9 Inch Nails will drive the trip’s power, pushing your expertise between the Grid and actuality into a totally immersive, futuristic symphony of sunshine, pace, and sound.
That is seemingly such a little bit factor, nevertheless it’s exactly what repeat guests to Walt Disney World, of which there are a lot of, crave. It will haven’t any destructive affect on first timers, whereas including re-rideability for regulars. It’s win-win. It’s additionally good to see Walt Disney World not decline a studio advertising price range for as soon as! Right here’s hoping we get extra of this sooner or later; locals, APs and DVC Members ought to matter extra to WDW, as they’re rising demographics.
4. Conjured Structure for Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
Imagineers on the Villains Land undertaking crew took a analysis journey to Europe to research structure, specifically the Artwork Nouveau model. After seeing similarities with the magical, fluid, and natural look of each the animated villains and the structure, the crew behind coined the time period “Conjured Structure.”
Whereas our commentary about this so-called “Conjured Structure” centered totally on different potential architectural inspirations past Artwork Nouveau (don’t get me incorrect–it’s a method I like), I’m simply happy to see Imagineering doing analysis journeys for Villains Land and drawing inspiration from an bold model. It doesn’t matter what the top consequence, I view this as optimistic information.
Some followers disagree, questioning the need of analysis journeys and suggesting they’re a waste of cash. First, it is a drop of water within the ocean of the Villains Land price range. Second, the open-ended land is prone to have parallels to Avengers Campus, and I might humbly recommend that undertaking would have benefited tremendously from a analysis journey someplace aside from an workplace park in La Cañada.
3. World of Frozen Opening Season
By way of video from France, Michel Den Dulk, Vice President and Portfolio Govt Artistic Director at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, revealed that World of Frozen will lastly open its gates in Spring 2026.
By extension, this additionally signifies that the overhaul of the Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Journey World can even wrap in Spring 2026. The previous can’t actually occur with out the latter (though I’m guessing the Up trip gained’t be prepared), and Disney already tied the bigger-picture park reimagining to the World of Frozen.
It’s been a protracted highway, however the second gate is nearly there. We’re actually excited to expertise this park anew–phrases I by no means thought I’d sort after our first go to, after which we argued that the Walt Disney Studios Park was not truly a “Disney” theme park. This transformation ought to lastly put that to relaxation (if it hasn’t been already within the intervening years) as soon as and for good.
2. Traditional Cinderella Fortress Makeover
The up to date paint will characteristic grays, lotions, blues, and touches of gold, aiming to reinforce the citadel’s structure. Whereas the undertaking crew remains to be placing the ending touches on the paint design course of, WDI began to share the unimaginable quantity of analysis and care that goes into this undertaking.
We’re actually wanting ahead to a return of the basic Cinderella Fortress coloration scheme after 5+ years of the makeover for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary. In our view, the pink citadel was a miss; it felt like Disney was attempting too exhausting, chasing coloration tendencies, aiming to attraction to influencers with one thing extra “princessy,” or possibly extra just like the whimsy of Disneyland Paris.
The look simply didn’t work for the extra regal Cinderella Fortress at Magic Kingdom, which advantages from a cooler and subtler model. I’d go so far as to name this “nature is therapeutic” information, and can’t wait to see Cinderella Fortress restored to its basic coloration scheme. It’s been a very long time since we’ve seen this–not simply ~5 years, since Cinderella Fortress was badly light by the point the final repainting rolled round. The lighter look ought to actually pop below the blue skies and puffy clouds of Central Florida!
1. Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics Coming to Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty revealed that you’ll quickly be capable of see Walt Disney by means of the magic of Audio-Animatronics know-how in Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom.
Earlier than you comply with an American household (and Rover!) over 4 generations of progress as know-how transforms their lives and paves the way in which for once-unimaginable improvements, you’ll be capable of catch a brand-new introductory scene and listen to from the legendary man who by no means stood in the way in which of progress — Walt Disney.
This new Walt Disney introductory scene is presumably changing what’s presently a curtain, brand, and voiceover. That scene is barely a pair minutes lengthy, which is according to the Audio Animatronics portion of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” at Disneyland. Though this intro will likely be dramatically totally different, utilizing that as a blueprint for the mannerisms and movement does make sense.
We’ve already coated the explanations why the brand new Carousel of Progress enhancements are vastly optimistic information with zero catch, from paying tribute to Walt Disney to giving Carousel of Progress a brand new multi-decade lease on life. That’s clearly the consensus, which is good to see. To the extent there’s skepticism, it’s principally concerning the likeness of the present Walt Disney AA, which is honest.
My solely response is that I’d count on to see iterative enhancements there from Imagineering. Look no additional than Corridor of Presidents for this, the place Imagineering has now created three Trump AAs, the primary of which had a melted face (for lack of higher time period) that was approach worse than the Walt AA.
The second was extra on-model (however much less superior because the Biden AA was center-stage), and now the third is arguably essentially the most correct human Audio Animatronics ever made. If Imagineering has managed to refine that facial mildew to such a level, it stands to motive that they’ll do the identical for his or her firm’s founder.
In the end, this was not an enormous 12 months for information at Vacation spot D23. Definitely nothing like 2023, however the apparent distinction is that the earlier 12 months’s D23 Expo was just about a blue sky dreaming session. Against this, the 2024 D23 Expo was jam-packed with precise bulletins that are actually actively below development and will likely be for the following 3-4 years.
I however left Vacation spot D23 with a renewed sense of optimism about the way forward for Walt Disney World. It’s been an up and down couple of years, particularly after the post-Expo rug-pulls relating to the Rivers of America and MuppetVision. These have been gut-punches that at the very least partially undercut the preliminary pleasure. There’s actually nothing from Vacation spot D23 that may be undercut, except Disney pronounces tomorrow that they’re paving over the Seven Seas Lagoon “by well-liked demand” so as to add extra popcorn stands. Regardless of how a lot you may love popcorn buckets, hopefully you’ll agree that that might be a nasty factor.
Though it was a smaller slate of bulletins, Vacation spot D23 continues to vindicate the perspective that Imagineering is again on observe, understands the project, and is filled with fellow followers who need to do proper by Walt Disney World and the corporate’s founder. That the Rivers of America and MuppetVision 3D have been the outliers, compelled on them from above; that their arms have been tied on the choices, so one of the best they’ll do is make lemonade out of lemons. This Vacation spot D23 information is 100% optimistic, even when not emphatically so, suggesting that possibly there actually is a Nice Large Lovely Tomorrow for Walt Disney World!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Lodges Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things you could know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your reactions to the assorted bulletins for the Disney Parks on the 2025 Vacation spot D23? What has you most and least excited? Have been any of those bulletins downright unhealthy or destructive information, in your view? Something you’re hoping doesn’t find yourself coming to fruition? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Vacation spot D23 was held at Walt Disney World over the weekend, and though there was no blockbuster information, there have been a number of ‘singles & doubles’ bulletins. This report card ranks all the bulletins for the Disney Parks from worst to first, and shares our ideas on the occasion as a complete.
From a theme parks perspective, essentially the most noteworthy information forward of this 12 months’s Vacation spot D23 was that there could be no Disney Parks Panel hosted by chairman Josh D’Amaro. Instead was the “Walt Disney Studios Showcase” marquee presentation on Saturday morning, throughout which host Yvette Nicole Brown was joined by creatives behind a number of upcoming movies to share bulletins and new trailers with followers.
Though it’s a bit past our space of emphasis, this showcase will be summed up in a single phrase: refreshing. I’ve attended a number of of those at earlier D23 Expos, and so they had gotten progressively worse up till final 12 months. The quantity of stay motion remake and direct to Disney+ slop was uncontrolled, with films that have been clearly unhealthy simply primarily based on their trailers. This was a return to type for the studios, with an awesome mixture of unique movies (I’m 100% bought on Hoppers, a film I beforehand thought was about grasshoppers) and sequels to fan-favorites. The artistic output of the studios impacts the parks, so this isn’t simply good to see–it’s essential, possibly even important.
To shortly recap earlier than we get going, our 2025 Vacation spot D23 Announcement Predictions for Walt Disney World have been the next:
- Walt Disney Studios Lot and Magic of Disney Animation Reveal
- Sew’s Nice Escape 2.0 Announcement
- Grand Floridian Hen Cage Bar Menu & Opening Date
- Villains Land Official Title (4-16 phrases lengthy with 2-7 punctuation marks)
- Repainting Cinderella Fortress to Traditional Colours or Dream Lights Returning for Christmas
- Bluey Coming to DHS Particulars
- Spaceship Earth Reimagining
- New Idea Artwork for Present Tasks
That’s it for Walt Disney World. Spoiler alert: I didn’t precisely have a powerful efficiency with these picks. In equity, I did make a number of predictions about issues that might not occur, resembling imploring followers to decrease their expectations about any potential Villains Land information. I’d additionally wish to suppose that the Cinderella Fortress basic makeover was an excellent deep minimize name. Nonetheless, fairly removed from my greatest outing with that slate!
Our prior Vacation spot D23 Want Checklist contained loads extra (together with a reimagining of Journey Into Creativeness for just like the ninth consecutive D23 occasion), nevertheless it additionally famous that we weren’t anticipating the overwhelming majority of that to happen. It was idle daydreaming, with our perspective being that Disney had “shot its shot” with the final D23 Expo, so this wouldn’t have almost as many bulletins because the 2023 Vacation spot D23. And it positively didn’t.
Towards that backdrop, let’s rank all the Walt Disney World information, adopted by a grade for the occasion as a complete…
15. New Novelty Objects Coming to Disney Parks
One of many “highlights” of the Disney Eats panel was the reveal of eight new novelty gadgets coming to the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line ships, together with popcorn buckets, sippers, and mugs.
I’ve shared my perspective on popcorn buckets and sippers earlier than, and towards my higher judgment, I’ll reiterate right here: I completely don’t get the attraction. They serve minimal sensible goal, and are often cheaply constructed as in comparison with different merchandise. In order for you a plastic toy…why not simply purchase a plastic toy? (Tiki mugs are a completely totally different story; tremendous cool, but additionally impractical and even pricier.)
I’m very conscious that that is an unpopular opinion, and few issues strengthened that as a lot because the D23 crowd going completely wild for every novelty reveal. I’ve had some Principal Skinner “am I out of contact?” moments lately as a part of the fandom, and this was simply the newest. With all of that mentioned, I’m additionally an enormous believer in letting folks get pleasure from what they need to get pleasure from. Should you love popcorn buckets, extra energy to you. I’ve loads of pursuits that you simply’d in all probability suppose are foolish.
14. New Drinks Coming to Disney Future
Throughout your voyage aboard the Disney Future, slip away to The Sanctum, Haunted Mansion Parlor, and Cask & Cannon, all themed areas which might be impressed by the larger-than-life personalities of epic Disney tales, dropped at life by means of elevated interpretation and refined theming. Every of those can even characteristic distinctive drinks.
No actual opinion on this one. We don’t actually imbibe anymore, and consider (one other unpopular opinion incoming) zero-proof cocktails as a racket, so we seldom purchase these. These drinks definitely look cool, and I recognize bold themed meals & beverage applications. Nice for individuals who will get pleasure from them!
13. New Idea Artwork for Napa Rose at Disneyland
When it reopens, the award-winning Napa Rose will provide an elevated eating expertise, mixing timeless Craftsman design with a contemporary tackle trendy Californian sophistication and heat within the overhauled fundamental eating room.
The brand new idea artwork exhibits the outside patio that’s being enhanced to welcome extra visitors for al fresco eating. Two new fireplaces will solid a heat glow throughout the patio, including a comfy and alluring contact to the ambiance. Because the solar units, you’ll be able to collect across the hearth, reflecting in your Disney day and having fun with the ambiance.
I’m wanting ahead to the return of Napa Rose, which was one in every of our favourite eating places in Southern California by means of 2019. (It wasn’t the identical post-reopening.) The refreshed outside area doesn’t look all that totally different to me, however I’m however cautiously optimistic–principally a couple of menu refresh, if I’m being trustworthy. The inside design may go both approach, and can come all the way down to execution.
12. D23 Expo Returns in 2026
It’s not an enormous shock that the D23 Expo is returning to California subsequent 12 months, nevertheless it was however good to listen to affirmation and a reveal of dates. We will’t wait to attend, because it’s one in every of our favourite occasions of the whole 12 months.
Though D23 Expo positively isn’t for everybody (and that’s advantageous–don’t be swayed by FOMO if it feels prefer it’s not your scene), we adore it. Whether it is for you, we’d extremely suggest attending. It seems like solely a matter of time earlier than D23 Expo goes the way in which of different conventions like this. Frankly, I’m stunned it’s lasted this lengthy.
11. “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together” Coming to Hong Kong Disneyland
Disney introduced a brand new Halloween Time occasion at Hong Kong Disneyland for the twentieth Anniversary referred to as “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together.” The leisure providing options the villains taking up Major Road, U.S.A. from September 19 by means of November 2, 2025.
“Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together” is a mash-up of a cavalcade, road social gathering, and musical quantity. The premise is that Maleficent was unintentionally left off the invitation listing (therefore the identify), so she leads a hostile takeover of Major Road. Maleficent then recruits visitors to “name forth her uninvited counterparts.” Sounds a bit like Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular at Magic Kingdom, however not a stage present.
On the one hand, I’m by no means going to knock extra leisure. However, we first did Halloween at HKDL over a decade in the past, and it was a completely totally different expertise again within the day. Principally, it was Halloween Horror Nights: Disney Version. I’m not stunned that they’ve made the occasion extra family-friendly and on-brand (on the contrary, I’m stunned what they did earlier than ever received company approval), I simply miss the “good ole days” a bit.
10. Moana Restaurant Coming to HKDL
Disney revealed a first-look on the “new” Wayfinders’ Desk Moana-themed restaurant, which is able to formally open on September 12, 2025 and is positioned close to the Moana: A Homecoming Celebration stage present in Adventureland. Idea artwork exhibits a vibrant setting impressed by the favored franchise, together with signage and acquainted characters within the seating space.
For individuals who are unfamiliar with HKDL, the brand new Moana-themed restaurant replaces Tahitian Terrace, which seems just about the identical as this. The variations are the signage and characters. Tahitian Terrace has/had among the finest menus in the whole park; hopefully this retains or enhances that. Regardless, seeing HKDL get some love–even when meaning extra IP injections–is a win.
9. Unfortunate Nugget Saloon Coming to Disneyland Paris
It’s rumoured {that a} grand reception was to be held there in honour of the neighbouring Ravenswoods, to have a good time the upcoming nuptials of their daughter, Melanie. However the restaurant has inexplicably fallen into disrepair, prompting locals to rename it ‘The Unfortunate Nugget’.
The restaurant stays open to curious guests however warns that they need to count on their go to to be considerably… spirited! The Unfortunate Nugget Saloon is a time-limited expertise together with ghostly ornament and savoury eerie Halloween menus that will likely be obtainable solely throughout Disney Halloween Competition, from October 1st to November 2nd at Disneyland Paris.
I’m an enormous fan of the Fortunate Nugget, Thunder Mesa backstory, and Halloween at Disneyland Paris. I additionally suppose that the present menu is already a bit, ahem, unfortunate, so attempting one thing contemporary on this area feels like a win to me. Definitely beats a Toy Story puppet present!
8. Disneyland Handcrafted Documentary Coming Quickly
Oscar and Emmy nominated filmmaker (with deep Disney roots!) Leslie Iwerks introduced on stage on the panel that her new documentary movie Disneyland Handcrafted, is coming this winter to Disney+ and Disney YouTube.
Disneyland Handcrafted ranks comparatively extremely for me due to “The Imagineering Story,” which is by the identical documentarian. The primary trailer additionally seems improbable, and it’s nice to see contemporary footage of one thing that’s been coated fairly exhaustively. “Disneyland Handcrafted” may not be one of the best identify, as we’ve already had a number of readers remark that they thought it was a merchandise factor.
7. Hidden Particulars & Lore About Disney Castles
Imagineers Wyatt Winter, Jason Grandt, and Katie Gibbs have been joined by former Imagineering Artistic Govt Tom Morris and James Silson, Present Director with Disney Dwell Leisure, to share their favourite moments within the historical past of constructing Disney Castles.
This was a panel, not a particular piece of stories, nevertheless it warrants inclusion right here as a result of it was arguably the spotlight of Vacation spot D23, and harkens again to the history-oriented occasion Vacation spot D was once. It was a bit zany (Sew appeared, capturing bathroom paper everywhere in the stage), whereas additionally being instructional and providing deep cuts and little-known data.
So I simply needed to cease and share my appreciation for this, in addition to the Three Caballeros and Down the Rabbit Gap with the Disney Archives displays. Extra of this, please. (Though I might’ve most well-liked Steven Vagnini or Becky Cline average, versus some YouTuber.)
Imagineers closed out the panel saying the following episode of “We Name It Imagineering: Constructing Castles” will debut on the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel on September 8, 2025.
6. Dr. Facilier’s “Parlor Tips” Coming to Disney Future
Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog will likely be one of many featured villains making “meet and play” appearances aboard the Disney Future when it units sail later this 12 months. The thought is that, as an alternative of a standard meet & greet, Dr. Facilier will likely be a part of probability encounters that provide alternatives for interplay and leisure. He’s going to have a parlor in an undisclosed location that visitors may bump into, luring visitors in for a card trick or sleight of hand.
This sounds improbable. Now that now we have a younger daughter, we positively recognize devoted meet & greets extra (predictable and constant), however we additionally love the little unplanned moments (really magical). Like to see Disney leaning extra into the latter, and making these interactive alternatives extra bold. Right here’s hoping that this additionally serves as a playtest of kinds for Villains Land at Magic Kingdom.
5. New Tron: Ares Experience Overlay for TRON Lightcycle Run
The following time you step into the digital frontier with TRON Lightcycle Run, you’ll launch right into a Tron: Ares model of the high-speed, adrenaline-pumping trip that bends actuality into the online game world.
Changing the blue and orange hues of the trip, you’ll weave by means of twisting tunnels of vibrant pink and orange mild trails. Including to the immersive visuals, the pulsating industrial sounds of 9 Inch Nails will drive the trip’s power, pushing your expertise between the Grid and actuality into a totally immersive, futuristic symphony of sunshine, pace, and sound.
That is seemingly such a little bit factor, nevertheless it’s exactly what repeat guests to Walt Disney World, of which there are a lot of, crave. It will haven’t any destructive affect on first timers, whereas including re-rideability for regulars. It’s win-win. It’s additionally good to see Walt Disney World not decline a studio advertising price range for as soon as! Right here’s hoping we get extra of this sooner or later; locals, APs and DVC Members ought to matter extra to WDW, as they’re rising demographics.
4. Conjured Structure for Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
Imagineers on the Villains Land undertaking crew took a analysis journey to Europe to research structure, specifically the Artwork Nouveau model. After seeing similarities with the magical, fluid, and natural look of each the animated villains and the structure, the crew behind coined the time period “Conjured Structure.”
Whereas our commentary about this so-called “Conjured Structure” centered totally on different potential architectural inspirations past Artwork Nouveau (don’t get me incorrect–it’s a method I like), I’m simply happy to see Imagineering doing analysis journeys for Villains Land and drawing inspiration from an bold model. It doesn’t matter what the top consequence, I view this as optimistic information.
Some followers disagree, questioning the need of analysis journeys and suggesting they’re a waste of cash. First, it is a drop of water within the ocean of the Villains Land price range. Second, the open-ended land is prone to have parallels to Avengers Campus, and I might humbly recommend that undertaking would have benefited tremendously from a analysis journey someplace aside from an workplace park in La Cañada.
3. World of Frozen Opening Season
By way of video from France, Michel Den Dulk, Vice President and Portfolio Govt Artistic Director at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, revealed that World of Frozen will lastly open its gates in Spring 2026.
By extension, this additionally signifies that the overhaul of the Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Journey World can even wrap in Spring 2026. The previous can’t actually occur with out the latter (though I’m guessing the Up trip gained’t be prepared), and Disney already tied the bigger-picture park reimagining to the World of Frozen.
It’s been a protracted highway, however the second gate is nearly there. We’re actually excited to expertise this park anew–phrases I by no means thought I’d sort after our first go to, after which we argued that the Walt Disney Studios Park was not truly a “Disney” theme park. This transformation ought to lastly put that to relaxation (if it hasn’t been already within the intervening years) as soon as and for good.
2. Traditional Cinderella Fortress Makeover
The up to date paint will characteristic grays, lotions, blues, and touches of gold, aiming to reinforce the citadel’s structure. Whereas the undertaking crew remains to be placing the ending touches on the paint design course of, WDI began to share the unimaginable quantity of analysis and care that goes into this undertaking.
We’re actually wanting ahead to a return of the basic Cinderella Fortress coloration scheme after 5+ years of the makeover for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary. In our view, the pink citadel was a miss; it felt like Disney was attempting too exhausting, chasing coloration tendencies, aiming to attraction to influencers with one thing extra “princessy,” or possibly extra just like the whimsy of Disneyland Paris.
The look simply didn’t work for the extra regal Cinderella Fortress at Magic Kingdom, which advantages from a cooler and subtler model. I’d go so far as to name this “nature is therapeutic” information, and can’t wait to see Cinderella Fortress restored to its basic coloration scheme. It’s been a very long time since we’ve seen this–not simply ~5 years, since Cinderella Fortress was badly light by the point the final repainting rolled round. The lighter look ought to actually pop below the blue skies and puffy clouds of Central Florida!
1. Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics Coming to Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty revealed that you’ll quickly be capable of see Walt Disney by means of the magic of Audio-Animatronics know-how in Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom.
Earlier than you comply with an American household (and Rover!) over 4 generations of progress as know-how transforms their lives and paves the way in which for once-unimaginable improvements, you’ll be capable of catch a brand-new introductory scene and listen to from the legendary man who by no means stood in the way in which of progress — Walt Disney.
This new Walt Disney introductory scene is presumably changing what’s presently a curtain, brand, and voiceover. That scene is barely a pair minutes lengthy, which is according to the Audio Animatronics portion of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” at Disneyland. Though this intro will likely be dramatically totally different, utilizing that as a blueprint for the mannerisms and movement does make sense.
We’ve already coated the explanations why the brand new Carousel of Progress enhancements are vastly optimistic information with zero catch, from paying tribute to Walt Disney to giving Carousel of Progress a brand new multi-decade lease on life. That’s clearly the consensus, which is good to see. To the extent there’s skepticism, it’s principally concerning the likeness of the present Walt Disney AA, which is honest.
My solely response is that I’d count on to see iterative enhancements there from Imagineering. Look no additional than Corridor of Presidents for this, the place Imagineering has now created three Trump AAs, the primary of which had a melted face (for lack of higher time period) that was approach worse than the Walt AA.
The second was extra on-model (however much less superior because the Biden AA was center-stage), and now the third is arguably essentially the most correct human Audio Animatronics ever made. If Imagineering has managed to refine that facial mildew to such a level, it stands to motive that they’ll do the identical for his or her firm’s founder.
In the end, this was not an enormous 12 months for information at Vacation spot D23. Definitely nothing like 2023, however the apparent distinction is that the earlier 12 months’s D23 Expo was just about a blue sky dreaming session. Against this, the 2024 D23 Expo was jam-packed with precise bulletins that are actually actively below development and will likely be for the following 3-4 years.
I however left Vacation spot D23 with a renewed sense of optimism about the way forward for Walt Disney World. It’s been an up and down couple of years, particularly after the post-Expo rug-pulls relating to the Rivers of America and MuppetVision. These have been gut-punches that at the very least partially undercut the preliminary pleasure. There’s actually nothing from Vacation spot D23 that may be undercut, except Disney pronounces tomorrow that they’re paving over the Seven Seas Lagoon “by well-liked demand” so as to add extra popcorn stands. Regardless of how a lot you may love popcorn buckets, hopefully you’ll agree that that might be a nasty factor.
Though it was a smaller slate of bulletins, Vacation spot D23 continues to vindicate the perspective that Imagineering is again on observe, understands the project, and is filled with fellow followers who need to do proper by Walt Disney World and the corporate’s founder. That the Rivers of America and MuppetVision 3D have been the outliers, compelled on them from above; that their arms have been tied on the choices, so one of the best they’ll do is make lemonade out of lemons. This Vacation spot D23 information is 100% optimistic, even when not emphatically so, suggesting that possibly there actually is a Nice Large Lovely Tomorrow for Walt Disney World!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Lodges Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things you could know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your reactions to the assorted bulletins for the Disney Parks on the 2025 Vacation spot D23? What has you most and least excited? Have been any of those bulletins downright unhealthy or destructive information, in your view? Something you’re hoping doesn’t find yourself coming to fruition? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Vacation spot D23 was held at Walt Disney World over the weekend, and though there was no blockbuster information, there have been a number of ‘singles & doubles’ bulletins. This report card ranks all the bulletins for the Disney Parks from worst to first, and shares our ideas on the occasion as a complete.
From a theme parks perspective, essentially the most noteworthy information forward of this 12 months’s Vacation spot D23 was that there could be no Disney Parks Panel hosted by chairman Josh D’Amaro. Instead was the “Walt Disney Studios Showcase” marquee presentation on Saturday morning, throughout which host Yvette Nicole Brown was joined by creatives behind a number of upcoming movies to share bulletins and new trailers with followers.
Though it’s a bit past our space of emphasis, this showcase will be summed up in a single phrase: refreshing. I’ve attended a number of of those at earlier D23 Expos, and so they had gotten progressively worse up till final 12 months. The quantity of stay motion remake and direct to Disney+ slop was uncontrolled, with films that have been clearly unhealthy simply primarily based on their trailers. This was a return to type for the studios, with an awesome mixture of unique movies (I’m 100% bought on Hoppers, a film I beforehand thought was about grasshoppers) and sequels to fan-favorites. The artistic output of the studios impacts the parks, so this isn’t simply good to see–it’s essential, possibly even important.
To shortly recap earlier than we get going, our 2025 Vacation spot D23 Announcement Predictions for Walt Disney World have been the next:
- Walt Disney Studios Lot and Magic of Disney Animation Reveal
- Sew’s Nice Escape 2.0 Announcement
- Grand Floridian Hen Cage Bar Menu & Opening Date
- Villains Land Official Title (4-16 phrases lengthy with 2-7 punctuation marks)
- Repainting Cinderella Fortress to Traditional Colours or Dream Lights Returning for Christmas
- Bluey Coming to DHS Particulars
- Spaceship Earth Reimagining
- New Idea Artwork for Present Tasks
That’s it for Walt Disney World. Spoiler alert: I didn’t precisely have a powerful efficiency with these picks. In equity, I did make a number of predictions about issues that might not occur, resembling imploring followers to decrease their expectations about any potential Villains Land information. I’d additionally wish to suppose that the Cinderella Fortress basic makeover was an excellent deep minimize name. Nonetheless, fairly removed from my greatest outing with that slate!
Our prior Vacation spot D23 Want Checklist contained loads extra (together with a reimagining of Journey Into Creativeness for just like the ninth consecutive D23 occasion), nevertheless it additionally famous that we weren’t anticipating the overwhelming majority of that to happen. It was idle daydreaming, with our perspective being that Disney had “shot its shot” with the final D23 Expo, so this wouldn’t have almost as many bulletins because the 2023 Vacation spot D23. And it positively didn’t.
Towards that backdrop, let’s rank all the Walt Disney World information, adopted by a grade for the occasion as a complete…
15. New Novelty Objects Coming to Disney Parks
One of many “highlights” of the Disney Eats panel was the reveal of eight new novelty gadgets coming to the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line ships, together with popcorn buckets, sippers, and mugs.
I’ve shared my perspective on popcorn buckets and sippers earlier than, and towards my higher judgment, I’ll reiterate right here: I completely don’t get the attraction. They serve minimal sensible goal, and are often cheaply constructed as in comparison with different merchandise. In order for you a plastic toy…why not simply purchase a plastic toy? (Tiki mugs are a completely totally different story; tremendous cool, but additionally impractical and even pricier.)
I’m very conscious that that is an unpopular opinion, and few issues strengthened that as a lot because the D23 crowd going completely wild for every novelty reveal. I’ve had some Principal Skinner “am I out of contact?” moments lately as a part of the fandom, and this was simply the newest. With all of that mentioned, I’m additionally an enormous believer in letting folks get pleasure from what they need to get pleasure from. Should you love popcorn buckets, extra energy to you. I’ve loads of pursuits that you simply’d in all probability suppose are foolish.
14. New Drinks Coming to Disney Future
Throughout your voyage aboard the Disney Future, slip away to The Sanctum, Haunted Mansion Parlor, and Cask & Cannon, all themed areas which might be impressed by the larger-than-life personalities of epic Disney tales, dropped at life by means of elevated interpretation and refined theming. Every of those can even characteristic distinctive drinks.
No actual opinion on this one. We don’t actually imbibe anymore, and consider (one other unpopular opinion incoming) zero-proof cocktails as a racket, so we seldom purchase these. These drinks definitely look cool, and I recognize bold themed meals & beverage applications. Nice for individuals who will get pleasure from them!
13. New Idea Artwork for Napa Rose at Disneyland
When it reopens, the award-winning Napa Rose will provide an elevated eating expertise, mixing timeless Craftsman design with a contemporary tackle trendy Californian sophistication and heat within the overhauled fundamental eating room.
The brand new idea artwork exhibits the outside patio that’s being enhanced to welcome extra visitors for al fresco eating. Two new fireplaces will solid a heat glow throughout the patio, including a comfy and alluring contact to the ambiance. Because the solar units, you’ll be able to collect across the hearth, reflecting in your Disney day and having fun with the ambiance.
I’m wanting ahead to the return of Napa Rose, which was one in every of our favourite eating places in Southern California by means of 2019. (It wasn’t the identical post-reopening.) The refreshed outside area doesn’t look all that totally different to me, however I’m however cautiously optimistic–principally a couple of menu refresh, if I’m being trustworthy. The inside design may go both approach, and can come all the way down to execution.
12. D23 Expo Returns in 2026
It’s not an enormous shock that the D23 Expo is returning to California subsequent 12 months, nevertheless it was however good to listen to affirmation and a reveal of dates. We will’t wait to attend, because it’s one in every of our favourite occasions of the whole 12 months.
Though D23 Expo positively isn’t for everybody (and that’s advantageous–don’t be swayed by FOMO if it feels prefer it’s not your scene), we adore it. Whether it is for you, we’d extremely suggest attending. It seems like solely a matter of time earlier than D23 Expo goes the way in which of different conventions like this. Frankly, I’m stunned it’s lasted this lengthy.
11. “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together” Coming to Hong Kong Disneyland
Disney introduced a brand new Halloween Time occasion at Hong Kong Disneyland for the twentieth Anniversary referred to as “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together.” The leisure providing options the villains taking up Major Road, U.S.A. from September 19 by means of November 2, 2025.
“Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Get together” is a mash-up of a cavalcade, road social gathering, and musical quantity. The premise is that Maleficent was unintentionally left off the invitation listing (therefore the identify), so she leads a hostile takeover of Major Road. Maleficent then recruits visitors to “name forth her uninvited counterparts.” Sounds a bit like Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular at Magic Kingdom, however not a stage present.
On the one hand, I’m by no means going to knock extra leisure. However, we first did Halloween at HKDL over a decade in the past, and it was a completely totally different expertise again within the day. Principally, it was Halloween Horror Nights: Disney Version. I’m not stunned that they’ve made the occasion extra family-friendly and on-brand (on the contrary, I’m stunned what they did earlier than ever received company approval), I simply miss the “good ole days” a bit.
10. Moana Restaurant Coming to HKDL
Disney revealed a first-look on the “new” Wayfinders’ Desk Moana-themed restaurant, which is able to formally open on September 12, 2025 and is positioned close to the Moana: A Homecoming Celebration stage present in Adventureland. Idea artwork exhibits a vibrant setting impressed by the favored franchise, together with signage and acquainted characters within the seating space.
For individuals who are unfamiliar with HKDL, the brand new Moana-themed restaurant replaces Tahitian Terrace, which seems just about the identical as this. The variations are the signage and characters. Tahitian Terrace has/had among the finest menus in the whole park; hopefully this retains or enhances that. Regardless, seeing HKDL get some love–even when meaning extra IP injections–is a win.
9. Unfortunate Nugget Saloon Coming to Disneyland Paris
It’s rumoured {that a} grand reception was to be held there in honour of the neighbouring Ravenswoods, to have a good time the upcoming nuptials of their daughter, Melanie. However the restaurant has inexplicably fallen into disrepair, prompting locals to rename it ‘The Unfortunate Nugget’.
The restaurant stays open to curious guests however warns that they need to count on their go to to be considerably… spirited! The Unfortunate Nugget Saloon is a time-limited expertise together with ghostly ornament and savoury eerie Halloween menus that will likely be obtainable solely throughout Disney Halloween Competition, from October 1st to November 2nd at Disneyland Paris.
I’m an enormous fan of the Fortunate Nugget, Thunder Mesa backstory, and Halloween at Disneyland Paris. I additionally suppose that the present menu is already a bit, ahem, unfortunate, so attempting one thing contemporary on this area feels like a win to me. Definitely beats a Toy Story puppet present!
8. Disneyland Handcrafted Documentary Coming Quickly
Oscar and Emmy nominated filmmaker (with deep Disney roots!) Leslie Iwerks introduced on stage on the panel that her new documentary movie Disneyland Handcrafted, is coming this winter to Disney+ and Disney YouTube.
Disneyland Handcrafted ranks comparatively extremely for me due to “The Imagineering Story,” which is by the identical documentarian. The primary trailer additionally seems improbable, and it’s nice to see contemporary footage of one thing that’s been coated fairly exhaustively. “Disneyland Handcrafted” may not be one of the best identify, as we’ve already had a number of readers remark that they thought it was a merchandise factor.
7. Hidden Particulars & Lore About Disney Castles
Imagineers Wyatt Winter, Jason Grandt, and Katie Gibbs have been joined by former Imagineering Artistic Govt Tom Morris and James Silson, Present Director with Disney Dwell Leisure, to share their favourite moments within the historical past of constructing Disney Castles.
This was a panel, not a particular piece of stories, nevertheless it warrants inclusion right here as a result of it was arguably the spotlight of Vacation spot D23, and harkens again to the history-oriented occasion Vacation spot D was once. It was a bit zany (Sew appeared, capturing bathroom paper everywhere in the stage), whereas additionally being instructional and providing deep cuts and little-known data.
So I simply needed to cease and share my appreciation for this, in addition to the Three Caballeros and Down the Rabbit Gap with the Disney Archives displays. Extra of this, please. (Though I might’ve most well-liked Steven Vagnini or Becky Cline average, versus some YouTuber.)
Imagineers closed out the panel saying the following episode of “We Name It Imagineering: Constructing Castles” will debut on the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel on September 8, 2025.
6. Dr. Facilier’s “Parlor Tips” Coming to Disney Future
Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog will likely be one of many featured villains making “meet and play” appearances aboard the Disney Future when it units sail later this 12 months. The thought is that, as an alternative of a standard meet & greet, Dr. Facilier will likely be a part of probability encounters that provide alternatives for interplay and leisure. He’s going to have a parlor in an undisclosed location that visitors may bump into, luring visitors in for a card trick or sleight of hand.
This sounds improbable. Now that now we have a younger daughter, we positively recognize devoted meet & greets extra (predictable and constant), however we additionally love the little unplanned moments (really magical). Like to see Disney leaning extra into the latter, and making these interactive alternatives extra bold. Right here’s hoping that this additionally serves as a playtest of kinds for Villains Land at Magic Kingdom.
5. New Tron: Ares Experience Overlay for TRON Lightcycle Run
The following time you step into the digital frontier with TRON Lightcycle Run, you’ll launch right into a Tron: Ares model of the high-speed, adrenaline-pumping trip that bends actuality into the online game world.
Changing the blue and orange hues of the trip, you’ll weave by means of twisting tunnels of vibrant pink and orange mild trails. Including to the immersive visuals, the pulsating industrial sounds of 9 Inch Nails will drive the trip’s power, pushing your expertise between the Grid and actuality into a totally immersive, futuristic symphony of sunshine, pace, and sound.
That is seemingly such a little bit factor, nevertheless it’s exactly what repeat guests to Walt Disney World, of which there are a lot of, crave. It will haven’t any destructive affect on first timers, whereas including re-rideability for regulars. It’s win-win. It’s additionally good to see Walt Disney World not decline a studio advertising price range for as soon as! Right here’s hoping we get extra of this sooner or later; locals, APs and DVC Members ought to matter extra to WDW, as they’re rising demographics.
4. Conjured Structure for Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
Imagineers on the Villains Land undertaking crew took a analysis journey to Europe to research structure, specifically the Artwork Nouveau model. After seeing similarities with the magical, fluid, and natural look of each the animated villains and the structure, the crew behind coined the time period “Conjured Structure.”
Whereas our commentary about this so-called “Conjured Structure” centered totally on different potential architectural inspirations past Artwork Nouveau (don’t get me incorrect–it’s a method I like), I’m simply happy to see Imagineering doing analysis journeys for Villains Land and drawing inspiration from an bold model. It doesn’t matter what the top consequence, I view this as optimistic information.
Some followers disagree, questioning the need of analysis journeys and suggesting they’re a waste of cash. First, it is a drop of water within the ocean of the Villains Land price range. Second, the open-ended land is prone to have parallels to Avengers Campus, and I might humbly recommend that undertaking would have benefited tremendously from a analysis journey someplace aside from an workplace park in La Cañada.
3. World of Frozen Opening Season
By way of video from France, Michel Den Dulk, Vice President and Portfolio Govt Artistic Director at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, revealed that World of Frozen will lastly open its gates in Spring 2026.
By extension, this additionally signifies that the overhaul of the Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Journey World can even wrap in Spring 2026. The previous can’t actually occur with out the latter (though I’m guessing the Up trip gained’t be prepared), and Disney already tied the bigger-picture park reimagining to the World of Frozen.
It’s been a protracted highway, however the second gate is nearly there. We’re actually excited to expertise this park anew–phrases I by no means thought I’d sort after our first go to, after which we argued that the Walt Disney Studios Park was not truly a “Disney” theme park. This transformation ought to lastly put that to relaxation (if it hasn’t been already within the intervening years) as soon as and for good.
2. Traditional Cinderella Fortress Makeover
The up to date paint will characteristic grays, lotions, blues, and touches of gold, aiming to reinforce the citadel’s structure. Whereas the undertaking crew remains to be placing the ending touches on the paint design course of, WDI began to share the unimaginable quantity of analysis and care that goes into this undertaking.
We’re actually wanting ahead to a return of the basic Cinderella Fortress coloration scheme after 5+ years of the makeover for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary. In our view, the pink citadel was a miss; it felt like Disney was attempting too exhausting, chasing coloration tendencies, aiming to attraction to influencers with one thing extra “princessy,” or possibly extra just like the whimsy of Disneyland Paris.
The look simply didn’t work for the extra regal Cinderella Fortress at Magic Kingdom, which advantages from a cooler and subtler model. I’d go so far as to name this “nature is therapeutic” information, and can’t wait to see Cinderella Fortress restored to its basic coloration scheme. It’s been a very long time since we’ve seen this–not simply ~5 years, since Cinderella Fortress was badly light by the point the final repainting rolled round. The lighter look ought to actually pop below the blue skies and puffy clouds of Central Florida!
1. Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics Coming to Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty revealed that you’ll quickly be capable of see Walt Disney by means of the magic of Audio-Animatronics know-how in Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom.
Earlier than you comply with an American household (and Rover!) over 4 generations of progress as know-how transforms their lives and paves the way in which for once-unimaginable improvements, you’ll be capable of catch a brand-new introductory scene and listen to from the legendary man who by no means stood in the way in which of progress — Walt Disney.
This new Walt Disney introductory scene is presumably changing what’s presently a curtain, brand, and voiceover. That scene is barely a pair minutes lengthy, which is according to the Audio Animatronics portion of “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” at Disneyland. Though this intro will likely be dramatically totally different, utilizing that as a blueprint for the mannerisms and movement does make sense.
We’ve already coated the explanations why the brand new Carousel of Progress enhancements are vastly optimistic information with zero catch, from paying tribute to Walt Disney to giving Carousel of Progress a brand new multi-decade lease on life. That’s clearly the consensus, which is good to see. To the extent there’s skepticism, it’s principally concerning the likeness of the present Walt Disney AA, which is honest.
My solely response is that I’d count on to see iterative enhancements there from Imagineering. Look no additional than Corridor of Presidents for this, the place Imagineering has now created three Trump AAs, the primary of which had a melted face (for lack of higher time period) that was approach worse than the Walt AA.
The second was extra on-model (however much less superior because the Biden AA was center-stage), and now the third is arguably essentially the most correct human Audio Animatronics ever made. If Imagineering has managed to refine that facial mildew to such a level, it stands to motive that they’ll do the identical for his or her firm’s founder.
In the end, this was not an enormous 12 months for information at Vacation spot D23. Definitely nothing like 2023, however the apparent distinction is that the earlier 12 months’s D23 Expo was just about a blue sky dreaming session. Against this, the 2024 D23 Expo was jam-packed with precise bulletins that are actually actively below development and will likely be for the following 3-4 years.
I however left Vacation spot D23 with a renewed sense of optimism about the way forward for Walt Disney World. It’s been an up and down couple of years, particularly after the post-Expo rug-pulls relating to the Rivers of America and MuppetVision. These have been gut-punches that at the very least partially undercut the preliminary pleasure. There’s actually nothing from Vacation spot D23 that may be undercut, except Disney pronounces tomorrow that they’re paving over the Seven Seas Lagoon “by well-liked demand” so as to add extra popcorn stands. Regardless of how a lot you may love popcorn buckets, hopefully you’ll agree that that might be a nasty factor.
Though it was a smaller slate of bulletins, Vacation spot D23 continues to vindicate the perspective that Imagineering is again on observe, understands the project, and is filled with fellow followers who need to do proper by Walt Disney World and the corporate’s founder. That the Rivers of America and MuppetVision 3D have been the outliers, compelled on them from above; that their arms have been tied on the choices, so one of the best they’ll do is make lemonade out of lemons. This Vacation spot D23 information is 100% optimistic, even when not emphatically so, suggesting that possibly there actually is a Nice Large Lovely Tomorrow for Walt Disney World!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Lodges Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things you could know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your reactions to the assorted bulletins for the Disney Parks on the 2025 Vacation spot D23? What has you most and least excited? Have been any of those bulletins downright unhealthy or destructive information, in your view? Something you’re hoping doesn’t find yourself coming to fruition? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
