At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (D23 Expo), Disneyland Resort fans already expect to see information about Avengers Campus, the upcoming Coco attraction, and the proposed Avatar land. I like to think outside the box and have come up with a list of unexpected things that I would like to see discussed or announced at the D23 Expo.
These are five things that have little chance of crossing Josh D’Amaro’s lips, but would make my heart happy.
Fantasyland Theatre Show
Live entertainment options at the Disneyland Resort have been very limited over the last few years, with venues like the Tomorrowland Terrace stage, the Hyperion Theatre, and the Fantasyland Theatre being underutilized.
I don’t expect to see announcements for all three locations, especially with the areas in which some of them sit in a state of flux, but a new show at the Fantasyland Theatre that rivals Mickey and the Magical Map shouldn’t be too much to hope for, especially if Bluey doesn’t stay long. Let’s throw some of those great princess songs back on the stage.
Daytime Parade at Disneyland
We have a beautiful nighttime parade in Paint the Night, but since the short lived Magic Happens ended in 2024, there hasn’t been a daytime parade in Disneyland Park.
I would like to see something with the energy of Mickey’s Soundsational Parade marching down Main Street, USA each afternoon. Magic Happens was okay, but didn’t have the same energy or longevity. Still, something would be better than nothing.
Star Wars Launch Bay Repurpose
I have no hope that we’ll see a complete overhaul of Tomorrowland in Disneyland Park anytime soon, but Imagineers could show it a little love. Currently, the Star Wars Launch Bay is being used for meet-and-greets and as a DVC Member Lounge.
This (formerly) rotating theater has been the home to the west coast version of Inventions, America Sings, and the classic Carousel of Progress. It has a somewhat large footprint that could be utilized for an attraction that would draw way more per hour visitors.
With the Galaxy’s Edge timeline a little fuzzy now, the meet-and-greets could (and should) move back there and there are several places the DVC Member Lounge could go, including the former Starcade.
Downtown Disney Anchor
Since construction began several years ago, Downtown Disney has been in a state of flux…to put it nicely. We saw exciting announcements at the D23 Expo four years ago, yet we’re still waiting for Porto’s Bakery & Cafe.
I would love to see an announcement that finally leads to the “completion” of the shopping district, concluding a large anchor tenant for the west end to replace ESPN Zone and the Rainforest Cafe.
I don’t know what the answer is, but there needs to be one soon.
Hollywood Land Retheme
I think (or at least hope) Disney realizes that last Expo’s announcement that an Avatar land would be replacing Hollywood Land in Disney California Adventure was a huge misstep. That said, I still want to see an update for that land. With Pixar Pier on the opposite side of the park, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! is sitting on it’s own Pixer island with the Animation Building at Mickey’s Philharmagic as the only other attractions in the area. There is no cohesiveness to the land…but there could be.
One possibility is a property that Disney worked hard purchase, but has had trouble finding a use for: The Muppets.
I’m definitely thinking outside the box here, but throw Muppet*Vision 3D back in the theater, create a quick Muppets overlay for Monsters, Inc., put a little Muppet magic at the Animation Building, and let the Swedish Chef loose on the eateries. While I don’t like that Disney sometimes does things on a shoestring budget, I might be okay with it here.
The other possibility is for Marvel to annex the area. Maybe some of the non-Avengers could take residence here…or maybe the Marvel villains?
I’m hopeful that they do something here that doesn’t involve blue aliens with tails.
Please don’t count on any of these announcements actually coming to fruition, but if even one of my five ideas actually happens, I would consider it a win. Do you have any unlikely projects that you’d like to see announced at the upcoming D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event?
