I’m calling it: one week from now will probably be large for Walt Disney World and Disneyland bulletins. August 10, particularly, must be the only largest information day for each coasts since at the very least 2017 as “turbocharged” development 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 flooring on the 2024 D23 Expo.
We’ve already shared our D23 Expo Want Checklist, however this can be a totally different ballgame. That was what I hoped can be introduced, that is what I believe truly will be revealed. Sadly, which means (spoiler alert) no Journey into Creativeness 4.0, Tomorrowland Transformation, or different pie-in-the-sky concepts that ought to occur, however most likely gained’t.
With that stated, this record of D23 Expo predictions might be on the conservative facet. I totally count on a few curveballs–utterly out of left discipline bulletins that shock and amaze everybody. However the factor is, they wouldn’t be surprises if we knew they have been coming, making them inconceivable to foretell. I’m additionally unsure simply how a lot Disney will pull again the curtain, particularly given present building timelines and proven fact that they may simply as simply avoid wasting massive information for the 2025 Vacation spot D23 in Orlando or the 2026 D23 Expo.
However, there’s cause to consider 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 energetic building at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, and the time is correct to share what’s in retailer for the following growth section. Disney has virtually telegraphed all of this. In the event that they resort to extra Blue Sky BS, there will probably be a number 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 consider it once 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 nearly worthwhile, money circulation is bettering, and different issues have been fastened. 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 in-built Central Florida by Comcast. Formally, Disney gained’t have any “reply” to Epic Universe. Their public place is a mix of ‘Common is answering the whole lot we’ve completed 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’t 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 consider that Disney will ship. No strain or something.
In any case, listed below are the bulletins that Josh D’Amaro is probably 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 probably be introduced, not essentially constructed. If there’s a recession or world pandemic in between, all bets are off–as we’ve seen earlier than.)
Regardless, I believe that holistically, that is the type of Parks Panel we should always count on to see. Swap out a number of the bulletins beneath that don’t get made for the surprises, and the dimensions and scope remains to be roughly unchanged. Regardless of the disappointments and arduous classes of the previous couple of 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 in regards to the Critter Nation overhaul, comparable to extra particulars in regards to the Nation Bear Jamboree restaurant reimagining of Hungry Bear.
Nevertheless, 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 which means delaying it till 2025.
Additionally, it wouldn’t be a foul concept to show the web page and concentrate on the long run relatively than the current/previous–particularly since one model of this trip is already open. This can be a probability to focus look ahead on the large decade to come back, not fixate on the final one (particularly since reactions to this trip have been combined, at finest.) 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 possible time horizon for such a challenge or announcement, however that modified this week with the submitting of recent permits. (I suppose 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 fundamental put up about Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge, we’ve obtained credible rumors (plural) that this idea is being revived. I used to be skeptical at first, given all the Disney Trip Membership tasks which are at present underway and will probably be actively promoting within the subsequent few years. Nevertheless, 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.
Experience 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 long run–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 probably 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 Experience Reimaginings Wanted at Walt Disney World can be a superb choice, though I doubt that a few of these may realistically be completed inside the subsequent yr 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 need to make it one), Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, and another wildcard. Plus new particulars and idea artwork of previously-announced or at present underway tasks like Take a look at Monitor 3.0 or the Zootopia Tree of Life present.
Magic Kingdom Evening 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.)
Prior 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 may 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 shocked 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 will’t actually wait for much longer to disclose it. There’s additionally the truth that followers love evening parades, so this will probably 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 may anchor a summer time celebration at Walt Disney World and is the perfect card that may be performed at this stage within the recreation as an “reply” to Epic Universe.
I’ll take this prediction a bit additional and guess on a parade identify and a number of items of idea artwork. I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s tied in with larger image leisure information (see beneath), both within the type of a world parade replace or a coast-to-coast celebration for Disneyland’s seventieth Anniversary (the latter feels much less possible–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 reports about Disneyland’s seventieth Anniversary subsequent yr. With no new sights opening and pent-up demand additional subsiding, Disneyland will want one thing to drive attendance subsequent yr. That one thing will probably be leisure.
The probably 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 Evening parade, OG World of Colour, and extra. Including a brand new float to Paint the Evening is sensible–ditto a brand new scene or pre-show for World of Colour. Personally, I’d like to see redux of Keep in mind…Desires Come True, modernized and enhanced for the seventieth.
That is half prediction, half wishful considering. My worry is that what we’ll truly get will probably 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 may be a miscalculation on Disney’s half, however they can’t 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 believe has been as a consequence of an absence of higher choices. Now there are higher choices, so I’d count on D23 to show the highlight away from TDR information. Possibly new idea artwork for Tomorrowland, however that’s simply as possible–if no more so–on the present flooring 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 arduous to say whether or not that is introduced concurrently with the one for DCA, or if Disney would like to place the highlight on California and never point out each. (My guess is that they focus on each–Wall Road watches D23, and HKDL has became a vibrant spot.)
Truthfully, Shanghai Disneyland isn’t even on my radar anymore since we have now no intentions of visiting. I do know that there was the quiet curler coaster announcement earlier this yr–maybe that will get a theme connected? If it’s going to be Marvel, I may see this Parks Panel having a devoted part that focuses on all the upcoming Marvel additions. I don’t know what else could possibly 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
When you’re dreading that half the Disney “Parks” Panel will probably be filler about Disney Cruise Line, worry 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 every one or any of this might’ve been “saved” for D23 Expo. However that is truly fairly in keeping with previous D23 occasions. I’m unsure whether or not it’s as a result of Disney Cruise Line desires 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 most likely desires to generate precise bookings from the reveal of ships.
However, it’s doable that DCL is holding again a nugget or two with a purpose 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 could possibly 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 count on high-level updates for DCL on all the upcoming ships in a transient section. I’d be shocked with any particulars in regards to the Asia ships, as Individuals aren’t the target market for these. I’d be much more shocked if Disney publicizes an extra fleet addition.
Emotional Leisure
Alongside comparable traces, leisure being a concentrate on 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 possible 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 count on 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 Evening sitting in storage, each of which may 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 Desires That Soar” is simply too good to be the ultimate end result of drone reveals at Walt Disney World and Animal Kingdom must hold friends later within the day too badly.
David Duffy being promoted to VP of Stay Leisure at Walt Disney World possible wasn’t a coincidence. After years of neglect and stagnation on the leisure entrance, right here’s hoping that Florida is lastly prepared to speculate massive in spectaculars. If Duffy can work the identical magic he did for Disneyland Paris, leisure may show to be an enormous draw for Walt Disney World throughout a time between massive growth cycles.
Disneyland Paris Growth
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 unhealthy luck and poor timing, as main growth plans have been introduced…simply at different instances of the yr. A part of it is rather actual, as DLP has been financially troubled (gentle 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 present within the parks pipeline for 2025, and absolutely they’ll need 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 contains one other new identify for the 2nd gate previously referred to as the Walt Disney Studios Park. (Severely Disney, it’s not too late. Nobody will thoughts!)
Extra new bulletins additionally appear possible. The rumor mill has kicked into overdrive, and whereas a number of that is possible wishful considering or overly formidable, some will occur. For Disneyland Paris, one chance that we’ve beforehand mentioned is Star Wars growth. One other is basic updates to Discoveryland, together with one other House Mountain restoration/redo. (These tasks may 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 could possibly be ‘bundled’ with one other for Florida…
Lion King Experience
Zoom in on the photograph above and yell “improve!” such as you’re on CSI. If that by some means works, it is best to have the ability to see a Simba silhouette within the Tree of Life. I’m inclined to consider this can be a purposeful tease–a breadcrumb for followers who’re on the lookout 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 in regards to the veracity of those rumors, a lot much less the tasks themselves. What I’ve heard “urged” from credible sources is that Imagineering isn’t simply constructing the trailer park for Tropical Americas, and far 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 placement and a contemporary basic 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 yr’s D23 Expo, so it’s this over Moana in Magic Kingdom. Possibly that is partly wishful considering on my half, as Animal Kingdom wants far more assist than Magic Kingdom, and the main focus must be positioned on DAK through the subsequent 5 years.
Tropical Americas Full Reveal
This Dino-Rama alternative and growth is already confirmed. It’s occurring. At Vacation spot D23 final yr, Disney introduced that Imagineering will rework 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 growth. Development 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 urged 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 flooring 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 time limit for DINOSAUR would additionally make sense, so followers can say their goodbyes…in addition to their “good riddances” to Dino-Rama.
Past Massive Thunder Section 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 huge Magic Kingdom challenge have firmed up. If permits are being filed, plans will probably be shared to some extent.
My expectation is that Past Massive Thunder will probably be carried out in phases, and that Disney gained’t be able to reveal full particulars for your entire growth. That’s comprehensible. On the very least, I’d count on to listen to in regards to the first section of the challenge, together with which characters and ideas will probably be represented. This could come through the Parks Panel, not on the present flooring.
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 inside jockeying makes Magic Kingdom win out, I’m skeptical. That park wants much less and most of these massive bulletins may simply as simply be saved for the 2026 D23 Expo (or in the event that they actually needed, Vacation spot D23 subsequent yr…at Walt Disney World). There’s extra urgency with DAK, because it’s the park that’ll be harm most by Epic Universe.
Avatar Attraction Introduced
This can be a given. Bob Iger already shared the above idea artwork for what the Avatar attraction that’s probably coming to Disneyland Resort may seem like earlier this yr. The one cause he hedged so arduous was as a result of DisneylandForward had not but been accredited.
This artwork means that the Avatar expertise is definitely Pandora land, and can characteristic a ship trip together with immersive environments which are just like and totally different from the land at Walt Disney World. Which is sensible given Disneyland’s distinctive house constraints and the discharge of Avatar: The Means 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. Except plans have modified in a serious method over the past couple months, that is an extremely protected prediction.
Avengers Campus Section 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 most likely protected to say that the trip car shared at Vacation spot D23 remains to be correct. That means the trip system will probably be just like or the identical as Peter Pan’s By no means Land Journey (or Spider-Man at Common), which is sensible. It additionally implies that there are a selection of potentialities for the trip itself.
Disney ought to need to proceed bettering DCA to extend its drawing energy. The primary section of Avengers Campus is underwhelming, and is getting worse with current 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 shifting ahead. It’s protected to count on information about that at D23 Expo, and regardless of the plans are to be pretty comparable 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 this can be a massive challenge that’ll massively increase the footprint of Disneyland Resort–perhaps even including a 3rd gate! There’s completely no cause to consider 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 number of Disneyland followers are going to depart the D23 Expo dissatisfied 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 consider one of many massive surprises goes to be a brand new land for Disneyland Resort.
I’d put Arendelle as a Fantasyland growth 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 believe 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 personal predictions about what will probably be introduced on the 2024 D23 Expo? Do you suppose will probably be a time for giant attraction bulletins, or will principally concentrate on particulars about tasks which are already underway? Any shock announcement predictions? Clearly, none of us know what the long run holds (until you’re a Disney govt or Imagineer…wherein 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 every week or so and whoever received essentially the most proper will win…bragging rights!
