After a long two-year wait, the next D23 Expo is under a month away. From August 14 through August 16, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will be hosted at the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center.
Throughout this weekend of presentations, Disney fans will hear the latest news across the company’s portfolio, including entertainment, film, and experiences. Additionally, throughout the weekend, Disney will host several sessions, including the new class of Disney Legends, spotlighting previous films, and honoring other important members of the company.
However, if you are a Disney parks fan, your calendar is likely already circled for the Disney Experiences Showcase, which will take place at the Honda Center on Saturday, August 15, at 7:00 PM PCT (10:00 PM EST). During this panel, Disney will discuss the latest and greatest projects underway across their experiences division (the theme parks and cruise line) and will likely showcase a few surprises along the way.
During the 2024 D23 Expo, Disney fans were given a plethora of updates that will likely be the focus this Saturday evening. Then-Chairman of Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro took the stage and revealed plans to highlight the upcoming supercharged era of parks, with the company investing nearly $60 million in this division.
Some of the highlights of that evening included the announcements of the first-ever land themed to the Disney Villains, the first-ever Monsters, Inc.-themed land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, full details for the upcoming Tropical Americas land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the first-of-its-kind Walt Disney animatronic (that has already debuted at Disneyland for their 70th anniversary celebration), and much more.
However, this presentation may be a bit different, as D’Amaro, who is now the company’s CEO, will not host the event and will instead delegate the duties to Neil Patrick Harris. Harris has been no stranger to the Disney community, often participating in the yearly EPCOT Candlelight Processional, making a guest cameo in the newly opened Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets, and even narrating the “How NOT to Draw” episode featuring Figment (more on that later).
While Disney fans should not go into this event expecting another laundry list of projects as we saw two years ago, we will likely learn not only several updates on these projects under construction, but also hear a few unexpected surprises along the way.
This is where the crux of this piece comes in. We will instead steer away from the expected updates on Monstropolis, Piston Peak National Park, and the updates coming to Disney California Adventure and instead make some bold predictions on the unknown projects that could be announced.
New Walt Disney World Hotel
Even though Walt Disney World will be welcoming a new resort to their fleet in 2027 with the opening of Disney Lakeshore Lodge, do not be surprised if the next resort is teased in August.
However, given this event will take place at the Honda Center, and not the Anaheim Convention Center, expect major announcements. Disney will not only tease their next resort opening after Lakeshore Lodge but also announce that it will be the first in-park resort in Walt Disney World.
Those who are familiar with the Disneyland Resort are aware of the “semi” in-park hotel, with Disney’s Grand Californian being located within the grounds of California Adventure and featuring a dedicated entrance.
One of the many standout features of the newly opened Epic Universe down the street was the inclusion of the Helios Grand Hotel, Universal’s first in-park hotel at its Orlando resort. Disney will not want to fall behind in this unique offering.
In Florida, there are two clear options: an in-park hotel for the Magic Kingdom, or for EPCOT. While EPCOT already has several hotels near the International Gateway, such as the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, a resort near the front of the park would be an immediate hit.
However, I predict that the first in-park hotel at Walt Disney World will be located near the resort’s centerpiece, the Magic Kingdom. Currently, the left side of the park is undergoing major renovations, as it will soon be home to Villains Land and Piston Peak (within Frontierland).
In the former Rivers of America and the surrounding backstage area, Disney has begun using the land as a laydown space, which could easily be converted to future hotel space once the expansion is complete. The Magic Kingdom will be even more popular than ever at the end of the decade; adding a hotel within the grounds would be a home run and a necessary addition for capacity.
Wonders of Life 2.0 is Announced
The EPCOT overhaul of the late 2010s will be one of the most well-known “what-ifs” in recent Disney Parks history. While fans got to see Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure open, many projects in this overhaul were shelved or heavily reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the plans was to retheme the former Wonders of Life Pavilion to the PLAY Pavilion, which would have featured many hands-on activities and experiences for younger guests.
However, since the announcement, this project never got off the ground, and the yellow dome between Cosmic Rewind and Mission: SPACE has remained empty.
With EPCOT having no projects underway, now is the perfect time to revisit this space and add much-needed capacity to the park.
This space is now located within World Discovery, which features Test Track (3.0), and the previously noted Cosmic Rewind and Mission: SPACE. Given that this area of EPCOT is themed around scientific discovery, innovation, and technology, Disney can go in two directions with this space.
One plan would be to treat it as an extension of Mission: SPACE and create an alternative space themed to WALL-E. In fact, a much grander space pavilion was in the original plans for EPCOT but was later shelved, and it inspired the current Mission: SPACE. The other alternative would be to look back at the park’s history and create a space themed around health, with an emphasis on mental health.
The world has become far more accepting and aware of mental health over the past decade, and an EPCOT pavilion celebrating it and, more importantly, teaching about it would be a great way to connect original EPCOT to today’s audience. Fortunately, Disney has the perfect intellectual property for it with Pixar’s Inside Out.
Galxay’s Edge Expansion
This would be a welcome surprise. Since opening on both coasts, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has not received any major enhancements outside of the recent update to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and occasional meet-and-greets celebrating the new Disney+ show at the time.
However, even though the new Smugglers Run featuring the Mandalorian and his sidekick Grogu has added some life to this land, it has become a bit stale on recent visits.
While a third attraction is unlikely, do not be surprised if we see the long-awaited table-service restaurant. In the land’s initial plans, Disney drew up plans for a full-scale table-service restaurant called “Kalikori Club,” which would have been a themed underworld speakeasy.
An addition like this would give repeat visitors the perfect excuse to spend more time in Galaxy’s Edge on their next trip. Additionally, Disney should look to the now-defunct Galactic Star Cruiser for inspiration, as it hosted an evening show. A full-scale table service with live performances would be an immediate hit in both Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park.
Another Magic Kingdom Classic to Receive a Refresh
The cat may have already gotten out of the bag with this one. As I am writing this, the DIS published an article addressing rumors of a possible overhaul of Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain.
According to the suggested ideas, this would be even more elaborate than what we saw at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, as Space Mountain would not only receive an entirely new track, but potentially a new ride vehicle (that seats two guests per row and not one), just one single track (removing the two-track design that currently stands), and an overhaul of the queue space.
While all rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, this does have some traction, suggesting it could be announced next month. Disney has been putting much of their attention on the East Coast in revamping the Magic Kingdom.
Given that it is the most visited theme park on the planet, it deserves to have the best “version” of the Disney classics. This past summer, Disney reopened the reworked Big Thunder Mountain after its yearly closure, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, which now features an enhanced target system, new ride vehicles, and much more.
Back in 2024, Disney opened the Country Bear Musical Jamboree, which gave the classic Marc Davis characters state-of-the-art animation with a refreshed setlist and audio enhancements. Earlier in July, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress closed for a lengthy annual refurbishment that will include new scenes (set in new decades), refreshed animatronics, and even a Walt Disney animatronic, similar to what guests can see on the West Coast.
With this recent trend in place, a major refresh to Space Mountain is logical to predict and may not seem that bold given the recent rumor.
However, to add some spice to this section, don’t count out an update to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. With many of the classic animatronic shows at the Magic Kingdom receiving some TLC, the tiki birds could be next in line.
Given the massive popularity of Lilo & Stitch and the blockbuster success of the live-action retelling of this story last summer, a refreshed version of the Tiki Room, inspired by Tokyo Disneyland‘s edition, could also be in the works and would be a surprise announcement.
In that version of the attraction, The Enchanted Tiki Room: Stitch Presents “Aloha E Komo Mai! Stitch appears in the Tiki Room alongside the birds. While an IP-infused version of the Tiki Room has already failed once at Magic Kingdom (see Tiki Room Under New Management), using one of the most popular characters in their catalog may prevent another mistake.
More Muppets to Hollywood Studios
I recently returned from a trip to Walt Disney World, where I had the opportunity to experience many of the new offerings, including the two enhancements at the Magic Kingdom, Soarin’ Across America, the reimagining of Animation Courtyard (Walt Disney Studios), and Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. While I enjoyed all of these updates very much, the two over at Hollywood Studios really stood out.
Walt Disney Studios added some much-needed Disney magic to this park, but the one I will highlight here is the first-ever Muppet “ride.” While the closure of Muppet*Vision 3D still sits heavy in our hearts, the Muppets have found a new home at Hollywood Studios.
This attraction not only added some life to this aging roller coaster, but provided some massive updates, including an audio-animatronics preshow, countless Muppet easter eggs, and even an official Muppet store, something this park hasn’t seen since the closure of the Studio 1 Company Store.
If this update is well received by fans, more Muppets could be on the way to Hollywood Studios.
While a theater experience at the Sunset Showcase seems most logical, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After is still relatively new and very popular in the park’s current lineup. Instead, the Muppets could host another attraction, over at the Theater of the Stars, where Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage currently calls home.
During Jollywood Nights, Kermit and Miss Piggy host a theatre experience on this same stage, which could have been Disney’s quiet way of testing for a future plan. Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage is now 34 years old and is begging for a refresh.
The Muppets could be slowly taking over another corner of Sunset Boulevard.
Journey Into Imagination Update
Let’s round this out with the elephant (I mean purple dragon) in the room. If there was one attraction across the four Walt Disney World parks that fans would agree, in unison, needs an update, it would be Journey Into Imagination with Figment.
This is the third iteration of this attraction, and while it is viewed as an improvement over the second version, but still a far cry from the original attraction that held this space.
In the original version (the 1983 piece), guests went on a journey with the Dreamfinder and his creation, Figment, to explore the various arts and the importance and power of imagination. In this version, Figment was portrayed as a curious, childlike student of imagination, but has since become much more mischievous, as he seeks to interrupt the tour of the Imagination Institute.
Figment was once the embodiment of EPCOT Center, and without him, the park lacks a true identity. Bringing this attraction back to its former glory with modern-day effects and tricks can make an entirely new generation fall in love with this character.
Remember when I discussed that Neil Patrick Harris will be hosting this panel? Harris actually provided the voice for the “How NOT to Draw” short featuring the purple dragon. What better way to end this panel than with him announcing the fourth attraction in this pavilion, inspired by the past?
Disney has looked to the past to inspire Test Track 3.0, which feels like a love letter to the previous two versions and even the former World of Motion. This announcement would see a reaction similar to the one we saw when Villains Land was announced in 2024.
Quick Hit Predictions
Let’s round this out with a few more quick-hit bold predictions.
Cosmic Rewind Receives a New Setlist – Disney has quietly released new merchandise for this attraction, including pins and apparel. While this attraction is already popular, adding new songs to the setlist would bring some new life to it, especially for repeat visitors.
Disneyland Tomorrowland – This is becoming more unlikely by the day. With much of the attention going to California Adventure across the street and Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland, West Coast visitors will likely have to wait until 2028 for this long-awaited news.
Zootopia to DCA? – With Zootopia initially being teased for Animal Kingdom but then being scrapped for the Tropical Americas, this billion-dollar IP is begging to see a land in the domestic parks. California Adventure is currently undergoing many enhancements, but this IP would add a much-needed family-friendly attraction to this side of the Disneyland Resort.
The Voice of John at the “New” Carousel of Progress – As Neil Patrick Harris turns our attention to the updates coming to the Carousel of Progress during the panel, he will announce that he will be providing the voice of John Progress.
