I’m calling it: one week from now will probably be large for Walt Disney International and Disneyland bulletins. August 10, specifically, will have to be the only greatest information day for each coasts since no less than 2017 as “turbocharged” expansion stops being a punchline. Listed below are my predictions as to what’ll be published on the blockbuster “Horizons” Disney Parks Panel and at the reveal ground on the 2024 D23 Expo.
We’ve already shared our D23 Expo Want Record, however this can be a other ballgame. That was once what I was hoping can be introduced, that is what I feel if truth be told will be published. Unfortunately, that implies (spoiler alert) no Adventure into Creativeness 4.0, Tomorrowland Transformation, or different pie-in-the-sky concepts that are supposed to occur, however almost definitely gained’t.
With that mentioned, this record of D23 Expo predictions is almost definitely at the conservative facet. I totally be expecting a few curveballs–totally out of left box bulletins that surprise and amaze everybody. However the factor is, they wouldn’t be surprises if we knew they had been coming, making them not possible to expect. I’m additionally unsure simply how a lot Disney will pull again the curtain, particularly given present development timelines and incontrovertible fact that they might simply as simply avoid wasting giant information for the 2025 Vacation spot D23 in Orlando or the 2026 D23 Expo.
Nonetheless, there’s reason why to imagine the 2024 D23 Expo will as soon as once more succeed in the similar highs as 2017’s match. The closing mission cycle has now wrapped up, there’s not anything brand-new underneath energetic development at Walt Disney International or Disneyland, and the time is true to percentage what’s in retailer for the following construction segment. Disney has nearly telegraphed all of this. In the event that they hotel to extra Blue Sky BS, there will probably be numerous offended enthusiasts.
Fortunately, that shouldn’t occur. The corporate has $17 billion funding plans for Walt Disney International. With the approval of DisneylandForward, they’ve dedicated to spending some 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 International, Disneyland & past.
Fanatics are understandably skeptical, taking an I’ll imagine it after I see it angle. There was an excessive amount of blue sky “what if?” fluff, cancelled tasks, and postponed plans. However this time is other. Streaming is sort of winning, money drift is making improvements to, and different issues had been fastened. Walt Disney International has repaired its courting 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 & Accommodations–to cement a good and enduring legacy earlier than his time as CEO ends.
And in spite of what they could say publicly, the elephant within the room for Walt Disney International is Common’s Epic Universe, the 3rd theme park being in-built Central Florida via Comcast. Formally, Disney gained’t have any “solution” to Epic Universe. Their public place is a mix of ‘Common is answering the whole lot we’ve accomplished within the closing decade’ and that ‘a emerging tide lifts all boats.’ However as we provide an explanation for in How Walt Disney International Will “Compete” with Epic Universe, there’s extra to it than that. Disney can not lose park days or–extra importantly–resort remains–to Common.
The key is that the level has been set for a fully epic D23 Expo. Fanatics need giant information. Traders need giant information. The corporate is in the end in a monetary place to construct, and thus ship giant information. The stakes are excessive, and we firmly imagine that Disney will ship. No power or anything else.
In spite of everything, listed here are the bulletins that Josh D’Amaro is possibly to make all over his Horizons: Disney Reports Show off keynote (identified to enthusiasts 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, those are predictions for what’s going to be introduced, now not essentially constructed. If there’s a recession or world pandemic in between, all bets are off–as we’ve observed earlier than.)
Regardless, I feel that holistically, that is the type of Parks Panel we will have to be expecting to look. Switch out one of the most bulletins under that don’t get made for the surprises, and the size and scope continues to be kind of unchanged. Regardless of the disappointments and tough courses of the previous couple of years, there’s a compelling case for optimism for the long-term long term of each Walt Disney International and Disneyland.
On with the record of 2024 D23 Expo announcement predictions for Walt Disney International, 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 giant upcoming addition to the California parks, and that’s the house crowd. It might be logical to package deal that with different information in regards to the Critter Nation overhaul, equivalent to extra information about the Nation Undergo Jamboree eating place reimagining of Hungry Undergo.
Alternatively, I’m truthfully hoping this doesn’t occur. It gave the impression useful for Disney to announce Hungry Undergo Barbeque Jamboree earlier than D23, in spite of it being one thing for which the house crowd would pass nuts. Individually, I’d like Imagineering to make the effort to get the second one model of Tiana’s Bayou Journey proper, even though that implies delaying it till 2025.
Additionally, it wouldn’t be a nasty thought to show the web page and concentrate on the longer term somewhat than the prevailing/previous–particularly since one model of this journey is already open. This can be a probability to focal point glance ahead on the large decade to come back, now not fixate at the closing one (particularly since reactions to this journey had been combined, at absolute best.) My hopes and personal tastes apart, a gap date for Tiana’s Bayou Journey is most probably.
Reflections Redo
I’ve had a submit sitting in my drafts for some time titled “Why We Need River Nation Hotel.” It didn’t appear to be there was once any sense of urgency to get written given the most probably time horizon for the sort of mission or announcement, however that modified this week with the submitting of recent allows. (I suppose it’s time to get that written this weekend earlier than it turns into out of date!)
As discussed within the closing replace to our primary submit about Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Resort, we’ve gained credible rumors (plural) that this idea is being revived. I used to be skeptical to start with, given all the Disney Holiday Membership tasks which are these days underway and will probably be actively promoting in the following couple of years. Alternatively, I’ve heard sufficient to be satisfied that Disney’s plan is to continue with growing this parcel. Even with the ones rumors, I didn’t formerly have it on my D23 Expo bingo card–however once more, that modified this week.
Trip Reimaginings
I’m satisfied that is going to be a blockbuster D23 Expo, with billions of bucks price of recent bulletins for Walt Disney International and Disneyland. The issue with the ones bombshells is they’re a number of years into the longer term–maximum of what’s published may just now not conceivably open till 2027, even though paintings began straight away.
There are two years in between, and Disney has not anything main on deck for the home parks when it comes to precise sights. The solution to that, essentially, will probably be journey reimaginings and leisure (extra at the latter under). That is very true for Walt Disney International, which wishes an oblique “solution” to Epic Universe, even though Bob Iger claims another way.
The rest from our record of Best 10 Trip Reimaginings Wanted at Walt Disney International can be a just right choice, even if I doubt that a few of the ones may just realistically be completed throughout the subsequent yr or two. My prediction is that we get Large Thunder Mountain Railroad (it’s now not essentially a reimagining but it surely’ll be closed see you later they’ll need to make it one), Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, and yet one more wildcard. Plus new main points and idea artwork of previously-announced or these days underway tasks like Check Monitor 3.0 or the Zootopia Tree of Existence reveal.
Magic Kingdom Night time Parade
Although I’ve been burned time and time once more with new evening parade rumors for Walt Disney International, I’m going to make this prediction, and as one of the crucial extra assured “surprises” for the 2024 D23 Expo. Possibly I’m like a moth to a flame, however I feel this time is other. (Well-known closing phrases.)
Previously, it’s simply been a few credible resources and the ones rumors revolved round Magic Kingdom getting an present evening parade from Disneyland. It’s a much less concerned procedure to send a parade–it both would or wouldn’t occur–than make one. Negotiations may just merely damage 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 International. I’m truthfully stunned it’s been stored underneath wraps for this lengthy, which is in part why I’m making this a powerful D23 Expo prediction. As a realistic subject, they may be able to’t truly wait for much longer to expose it. There’s additionally the truth that enthusiasts love evening parades, so this will probably be an enormous win for Walt Disney International so far as near-term information is going.
It makes whole sense for a brand-new evening parade to in the end debut at Walt Disney International in 2025. A brand new evening parade may just anchor a summer time birthday party at Walt Disney International and is the most efficient card that may be performed at this level within the recreation as an “solution” to Epic Universe.
I’ll take this prediction slightly additional and guess on a parade title and more than one items of idea artwork. I wouldn’t be stunned if it’s tied in with larger image leisure information (see under), both within the type of an international parade replace or a coast-to-coast birthday party for Disneyland’s seventieth Anniversary (the latter feels much less most probably–WDW enthusiasts don’t care what’s taking place at Disneyland, so save that for the seventy fifth).
Disneyland seventieth Anniversary
Talking of which, some other apparently protected guess is some extent of stories about Disneyland’s seventieth Anniversary subsequent yr. With out a new sights opening and pent-up call for additional subsiding, Disneyland will want one thing to pressure attendance subsequent yr. That one thing will probably be leisure.
The possibly applicants are a brand new nostalgia-fueled fireworks reveal (most likely with the go back of Wondrous Trips earlier than this birthday party begins as some other driving force), Paint the Night time parade, OG International of Colour, and extra. Including a brand new go with the flow to Paint the Night time is sensible–ditto a brand new scene or pre-show for International of Colour. Individually, I’d love to look redux of Consider…Desires Come True, modernized and enhanced for the seventieth.
This is a part prediction, section wishful considering. My concern is that what we’ll if truth be told get will probably be a go back of Pixar Fest or (heaven forbid) Summer time of Heroes as a tie-in with all of the different Surprise stuff at the horizon. That may be a miscalculation on Disney’s section, however they can not face up to the IP synergy, so who is aware of.
Asia Updates
Tokyo Disney Hotel has had a bigger presence on the closing couple of D23 occasions than standard, which I think has been because of a loss of higher choices. Now there are higher choices, so I’d be expecting D23 to show the highlight clear of TDR information. Perhaps new idea artwork for Tomorrowland, however that’s simply as most probably–if now not extra so–at the reveal ground than the Parks Panel itself.
Hong Kong and Shanghai Disneyland are larger wildcards since Disney has possession stakes in each, and it seems that they’re able for funding. According to executive filings, it seems that that HKDL is at the precipice of resuming its previously-shelved Surprise E-Price ticket. It’s arduous to mention whether or not that is introduced concurrently with the only for DCA, or if Disney would favor to position the highlight on California and now not point out each. (My wager is that they talk about each–Wall Boulevard watches D23, and HKDL has became a brilliant spot.)
Truthfully, Shanghai Disneyland isn’t even on my radar anymore since we don’t have any intentions of visiting. I do know that there was once the quiet curler coaster announcement previous this yr–possibly that will get a theme connected? If it’s going to be Surprise, I may just see this Parks Panel having a devoted segment that specializes in all the upcoming Surprise additions. I don’t know what else may well be at the horizon for Shanghai; for all I do know, there are credible rumors of it getting a $4 billion Brother Undergo land. (I feel I’d’ve heard about that, however you get the theory.)
DCL Updates
In the event you’re dreading that part the Disney “Parks” Panel will probably be filler about Disney Cruise Line, concern now not. They simply unveiled the following send, the Disney Future, within the week earlier than D23 Expo. In a while earlier than this, the corporate introduced that it was once partnering with OLC, proprietor of Tokyo Disney Hotel, on some other new Want-class send. No longer lengthy earlier than that, the Disney Journey, was once teased for Singapore.
All of this may appear like quite atypical timing for the reason that any or all of this may’ve been “stored” for D23 Expo. However that is if truth be told beautiful in keeping with previous D23 occasions. I’m now not certain whether or not it’s as a result of Disney Cruise Line desires its personal highlight or Disney has found out that DCL information doesn’t resonate with the D23 target audience (my guess is a mixture of each). The entire cruise ecosystem is its personal beast that’s other from theme parks, and Disney Cruise Line almost definitely desires to generate precise bookings from the expose of ships.
Nonetheless, it’s imaginable that DCL is conserving again a nugget or two with a view to have a one-two hype punch subsequent week. On this case, one thing that uniquely appeals to diehard enthusiasts would make sense. I’m now not certain what that may be, in all honesty. Perhaps Rogers: The Musical or another level reveal? One thing parks-related just like the Haunted Mansion Parlor?
In a different way, I’d be expecting high-level updates for DCL on all the upcoming ships in a temporary section. I’d be stunned with any information about the Asia ships, as American citizens aren’t the objective target audience for the ones. I’d be much more stunned if Disney pronounces an extra fleet addition.
Emotional Leisure
Alongside identical strains, leisure being a focal point at the Parks Panel for the near-term is sensible at Walt Disney International, Disneyland, and past. I’ve already laid out the case for a go back of Summer time Nightastic, with the animating thought 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 wanting a promotional push for 2025 (to not point out an oblique “reaction” to Epic Universe in Orlando), this is sensible. The answer will probably be leisure–it’s the one factor that may conceivably happen in this tight of a timeline.
Along with what’s mentioned above, I’d be expecting the lion’s percentage of leisure bulletins for Walt Disney International. However each coasts usually are mentioned, in addition to the world parks. There are two variations of Paint the Night time sitting in garage, either one of which might make a go back (or be utterly reimagined). There are daylight hours parades, level presentations, projections, and middle of the night spectaculars.
I’ve droned on forever a few drone reveal coming to Animal Kingdom and I’m going to double-down on that once more. “Disney Desires That Bounce” is simply too just right to be the overall fruits of drone presentations at Walt Disney International and Animal Kingdom must stay visitors later within the day too badly.
David Duffy being promoted to VP of Are living Leisure at Walt Disney International most probably wasn’t a accident. After years of overlook and stagnation at the leisure entrance, right here’s hoping that Florida is in the end able to take a position giant in spectaculars. If Duffy can paintings the similar magic he did for Disneyland Paris, leisure may just end up to be a large draw for Walt Disney International all over a time between giant construction cycles.
Disneyland Paris Growth
Disneyland Paris enthusiasts had been starved of bulletins for years at D23 occasions, just like the red-headed stepchild of the Disney Parks. A part of that is dangerous success and deficient timing, as main enlargement plans had been introduced…simply at different instances of the yr. A part of it is extremely genuine, as DLP has been financially (delicate understatement) for a lot of its life.
That are meant to exchange with the 2024 D23 Expo. For something, Disney Journey International is the most important mission these days within the parks pipeline for 2025, and unquestionably they’ll need to spotlight that as a near-term addition. It might stand to reason why that extra new main points and idea artwork are shared, at the side of possibly a gap season. Right here’s hoping it additionally contains some other new title for the 2d gate previously referred to as the Walt Disney Studios Park. (Severely Disney, it’s now not too past due. Nobody will thoughts!)
Extra new bulletins additionally appear most probably. The rumor mill has kicked into overdrive, and whilst numerous that is most probably wishful considering or overly formidable, some will occur. For Disneyland Paris, one risk that we’ve formerly mentioned is Celebrity Wars enlargement. Some other is normal updates to Discoveryland, together with some other Area Mountain recovery/redo. (Those tasks may just pass hand in hand.) The most secure guess is the 3rd land (formerly Celebrity Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) for Walt Disney Studios Park (or no matter it finally ends up being known as), with Lion King being the odds-on favourite. Talking of which, that announcement may well be ‘bundled’ with some other for Florida…
Lion King Trip
Zoom in at the picture above and yell “give a boost to!” such as you’re on CSI. If that by some means works, you will have to be capable of see a Simba silhouette within the Tree of Existence. I’m vulnerable to imagine this can be a useful tease–a breadcrumb for enthusiasts who’re searching for clues about what’ll be introduced at D23 Expo.
Rumors had been swirling for months that two Lion King sights are at the approach: one at Walt Disney Studios Park/Disney Journey International and some other at Animal Kingdom, between the Port of Harambe and Pandora.
I do know not anything in regards to the veracity of those rumors, a lot much less the tasks themselves. What I’ve heard “advised” from credible resources is that Imagineering isn’t simply construction the trailer park for Tropical Americas, and a lot more is on methods to Animal Kingdom. That makes whole sense, as that’s the park that desperately wishes it. I will’t call to mind many higher choices than the Lion King, which is each suitable for the site and a contemporary vintage film that also doesn’t have a journey at Walt Disney International.
There’s most effective prone to be one water journey introduced at this yr’s D23 Expo, so it’s this over Moana in Magic Kingdom. Perhaps that is in part wishful considering on my section, as Animal Kingdom wishes far more lend a hand than Magic Kingdom, and the focal point will have to be put on DAK all over the following 5 years.
Tropical Americas Complete Disclose
This Dino-Rama alternative and enlargement is already showed. It’s taking place. At Vacation spot D23 closing yr, Disney introduced that Imagineering will turn out to be this into a brand new land impressed via a area from time to time known as “Tropical Americas.”
Imagineers have taken analysis journeys to biodiverse spaces of South The united states, stretching up into Central The united states for inspiration at the enlargement. Development allows have already been filed, and Imagineering goes to have a big trailer park campus behind the curtain. So we all know Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom is really-for-real, and now not simply blue sky having a pipe dream.
What’s now not but reliable is what, precisely, Tropical Americas will entail. It’s been advised that an Encanto darkish journey and Indiana Jones Journey changing DINOSAUR, at the side of a brand new carousel and refreshes of the doorway and eating place are at the approach.
What I feel we’ll get is a scale type at the reveal ground that raises extra questions than it solutions, adopted via a Parks Panel presentation with more than one items of idea artwork and main points that solution the aforementioned questions. A ultimate date for DINOSAUR would additionally make sense, so enthusiasts can say their goodbyes…in addition to their “just right riddances” to Dino-Rama.
Past Large Thunder Section 1
Again in April, Imagineering indicated that preliminary water control allows for Past Large Thunder can be filed within the coming weeks. That also hasn’t came about, however that little tidbit by myself means that plans for the huge Magic Kingdom mission have firmed up. If allows are being filed, plans will probably be shared to some degree.
My expectation is that Past Large Thunder will probably be performed in stages, and that Disney gained’t be able to expose complete main points for all of the enlargement. That’s comprehensible. On the very least, I’d be expecting to listen to in regards to the first segment of the mission, together with which characters and ideas will probably be represented. This will have to come all over the Parks Panel, now not at the reveal ground.
My guess is that both Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom obtain the lion’s percentage of the highlight on the 2024 D23 Expo. Whilst it’s imaginable that inside jockeying makes Magic Kingdom win out, I’m skeptical. That park wishes much less and maximum of the ones giant bulletins may just simply as simply be stored for the 2026 D23 Expo (or in the event that they truly sought after, Vacation spot D23 subsequent yr…at Walt Disney International). There’s extra urgency with DAK, because it’s the park that’ll be harm maximum via Epic Universe.
Avatar Enchantment Introduced
This can be a given. Bob Iger already shared the above idea artwork for what the Avatar enchantment that’s most likely coming to Disneyland Hotel may just appear to be previous this yr. The one reason why he hedged so arduous was once as a result of DisneylandForward had now not but been authorized.
This artwork means that the Avatar revel in is if truth be told Pandora land, and can function a ship journey at the side of immersive environments which are very similar to and other from the land at Walt Disney International. Which is sensible given Disneyland’s distinctive house constraints and the discharge of Avatar: The Method of Water because the Animal Kingdom incarnation of the mission.
It’s protected to mention we’ll get James Cameron up on level, extra idea artwork reflecting what is going to be constructed, the place it’ll be positioned, and what all it’ll entail. Extra idea artwork can be beautiful, too. Until plans have modified in a big approach over the past couple months, that is a surprisingly protected prediction.
Avengers Campus Section 2
Palms crossed that that is the 3rd consecutive D23 Expo with an Avengers Campus E-Price ticket enchantment announcement. Will it nonetheless be the King Thanos family-friendly journey? Will or not it’s a revival of the Quinjet idea? Will or not it’s one thing model new? No one is aware of!
It’s almost definitely protected to mention that the journey car shared at Vacation spot D23 continues to be correct. That means the journey gadget will probably be very similar to or the similar as Peter Pan’s By no means Land Journey (or Spider-Guy at Common), which is sensible. It additionally implies that there are a selection of probabilities for the journey itself.
Disney will have to need to proceed making improvements to DCA to extend its drawing energy. The primary segment of Avengers Campus is underwhelming, and is getting worse with contemporary leisure cuts. Which is why this isn’t simply indexed as an Avengers E-Price ticket expose–additionally they wish to announce leisure or one thing near-term so the land doesn’t simply limp alongside for the following couple of years.
Hong Kong Disneyland has already signaled that its long-delayed Surprise E-Price ticket is in the end shifting ahead. It’s protected to be expecting information about that at D23 Expo, and regardless of the plans are to be relatively identical 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 sponsored itself right into a nook with the “pitch” for DisneylandForward. The competitive marketing campaign has locals believing that this can be a giant mission that’ll hugely enlarge the footprint of Disneyland Hotel–perhaps even including a 3rd gate! There’s completely no reason why to imagine that’s the case, and even that the plots of land mentioned within the pitch have any close to or medium time period potentialities.
Accordingly, numerous Disneyland enthusiasts 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 optimistically acknowledges this, which is why I strongly imagine one of the crucial giant surprises goes to be a brand new land for Disneyland Hotel.
I’d put Arendelle as a Fantasyland enlargement at Disneyland and Zootopia in Disney California Journey because the front-runners, with International of Frozen being the heavy favourite. Those are two IPs that Bob Iger loves, and ones with long term motion pictures. Even if DCA wishes extra lend a hand, it’ll possibly even be getting that. Arendelle is superior and I think Disney is aware of they “want” a home model of that land, like the day before today.
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Your Ideas
Care to make it attention-grabbing via putting your personal predictions about what’s going to be introduced on the 2024 D23 Expo? Do you assume it is going to be a time for large enchantment bulletins, or will most commonly focal point on information about tasks which are already underway? Any wonder announcement predictions? Clearly, none people know what the longer term holds (until you’re a Disney govt or Imagineer…by which case, please tell us what’s going to be published! 😉 ), but it surely’s a laugh to take some guesses and notice who ‘wins’ simply the similar. We’ll revisit this submit in per week or so and whoever were given essentially the most proper will win…bragging rights!
