Future WDW Additions/Expansion

[PerceptiveCoot]

I think someone could make a strong argument that Moana is somewhat about preserving the sanctity of nature and working in concert with it to better ourselves. Animal Kingdom also just needs more to do.

Zootopia will go in World Showcase, lol.

 

[Jake S]

Zootopia will go in World Showcase, lol.

This actually would be a very funny way to bring Zootopia to the parks lmao.

 

[DOOMBOT]

I think someone could make a strong argument that Moana is somewhat about preserving the sanctity of nature and working in concert with it to better ourselves. Animal Kingdom also just needs more to do.

I've never thought about it like this, but yeah, I could actually possibly see this working out okay. That initial blue-sky concept art was awful and missed the point of DAK entirely, but something more akin to Journey of Water and focusing on Oceania and the life found throughout could work surprisingly decent. At least if we're grading on a modern WDW IP-reliant curve.

 

[cdogsumo]

So with recent news (D’Amaro + Dana) and with D23 2026 only months away now, do we see any major announcements coming?

They really pulled out all the stops in 2024 for obvious reasons, but what do you think they can do or say at this year’s event?

I think it will mostly be clarifying details about existing announcements, but I do think it might behoove the new leadership to announce a few things to signal to investors (who IMO are the real audience members for D23) that they are not taking their foot off the pedal.

If I’m doing my math right, they announced major additions for AK, DHS, and MK in 2024. So it would be Epcot’s turn right?

 

[Freak]

So with recent news (D’Amaro + Dana) and with D23 2026 only months away now, do we see any major announcements coming?

They really pulled out all the stops in 2024 for obvious reasons, but what do you think they can do or say at this year’s event?

I think it will mostly be clarifying details about existing announcements, but I do think it might behoove the new leadership to announce a few things to signal to investors (who IMO are the real audience members for D23) that they are not taking their foot off the pedal.

If I’m doing my math right, they announced major additions for AK, DHS, and MK in 2024. So it would be Epcot’s turn right?

Best case scenario IF they announce more rides: (Again it’s a BIG maybe)

DL: New Tomorrowland

DCA: Flight of Passage

MK: Replacement for Laugh Floor and Stitch

AK: Nothing. They’re already getting Encanto and Indy.

Epcot: Could see Mary Poppins get resurrected but outside of that, nada. They already make a killing off of the food and drinks.

DHS: Maaaaaybe a replacement for the Indy show but outside of that, they’re already getting Monsters Inc so I don’t expect anything.

Again, these are best-case scenario predictions.

 

[Jake S]

DCA is already getting many somethings. if that excludes Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studious, it should definitely exclude DCA haha.

 

[belloq87]

It's (beyond) time for an Imagination re-do.

ETA: In terms of D23, I'm really only expecting the already-announced stuff to be fleshed-out (i.e. more descriptions of the Cars, Villains, Indy, Encanto rides), some relatively minor stuff (like a Stitch replacement), and maybe one big new thing for one of the WDW parks.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

My semi-blue sky semi-practical take

DL: New Fantasmic Dragon

DCA: Details on Eastern Gateway, Coco, and Avengers. New Theater Show.

MK: Cars and Villains Land Details

Epcot: Imagination Re-Do announced, but not to begin until after the delayed Spaceship Earth reimagining. Expansion to the China pavilion announced for the Brazil plot with a Mulan ride and a spinner.

DHS: Monsters Inc Details

Animal Kingdom: Lion King ride and Ikran rookery announced in.

Walt Disney Studios Paris: Avatar announced, but it's the Way of Water expansion slated for DCA, because it's funny that all the new rides are boat rides.

Shanghai Disneyland: 2nd park announced with no details other than it will have Avatar.

Hong Kong Disneyland: Moana expansion announced for plot behind Festival of the Lion King.

Abu Dhabi: An initial exploration of the design of the castle and the location.