On August 9-11, House of Mouse devotees from around the globe will gather at the Anaheim Convention Center, right around the corner from the Disneyland Resort for “The Ultimate Disney Fan Event,” D23.
The biennial gathering of Disney fans includes the company’s most significant announcements of the year from its various business divisions. The event also includes panels and presentations which celebrate the company’s past, present, and future.
At 7pm on Saturday the 10th, the attendees will crowd in for the Disney Experiences Showcase, hosted by Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro to hear about the future of the company’s globally iconic theme parks. Expect major announcements concerning the next several years of growth at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line.
Theme park and travel journalist Megan duBois points out, “There’s a lot that Disney can and likely should announce at D23 this year.” With eyes set on future expansion, D’Amaro and Disney CEO Bob Iger last year announced plans to invest $60 billion in its theme park and cruise line divisions over the next decade.
Part of that investment includes “probably the largest expansion ever at Magic Kingdom,” according to Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World site portfolio executive, who shared some details in a meeting with media representatives earlier this year. However, these investments stretch far beyond one theme park.
Expansions in Development at Walt Disney World
Future revenue and crowds at Disney’s theme parks rely heavily on investments made in the present.
“The biggest update I’m excited for at Walt Disney World is a large expansion at Magic Kingdom,” duBois adds. The expansion, colloquially dubbed “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” by Disney and fans, will utilize park property that stretches behind Frontierland and its headliner roller coaster ride, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
“In the past, Disney has shown concept art that includes a Coco and villains-themed area for this space,” says duBois.
Gavin Doyle, Mickey Visit founder and bestselling author of Disneyland Secrets, predicts more speculative Magic Kingdom expansion updates than concrete ones. He shares, “We likely won’t get the full area flushed out as it works well for them to remain flexible here to lean into future film successes in the parks.”
Another project all but guaranteed involves a land themed to the Tropical Americas — Central and South America, according to Disney creatives — to replace Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand U.S.A.
Doyle states he expects project updates from the D23 Fan Event. He says, “We have heard very promising things that the DINOSAUR attraction will become a version of Indiana Jones Adventure that is on par or even better than the Disneyland version of that ride. This is thrilling news and something I have been pulling forever since I went on DINOSAUR for the first time.”
Disneyland’s Next Era Reaches New Phase
Fans anticipate big announcements about DisneylandForward, the multiyear initiative that potentially brings new rides and lands to Disneyland Resort. The Anaheim City Council greenlit the multiyear project earlier this year, allowing Disney to act on previously hinted expansions.
One project revolves around a new area based on the Avatar film franchise. Fans will likely receive updates at the Ultimate Disney Fan Event. A similar Pandora-themed area opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida in May 2017.
Doyle notes, “This is an announcement I am very confident will be made during the presentation.” Iger first hinted in February 2023 about an Avatar project coming to Disneyland. Doyle continues, “It is clear that he personally believes in that intellectual property and wants to have it featured prominently in the expansion, especially as they prepare to release even more Avatar movies.”
Fans await updates on a new ride in Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure centered around Marvel Comics villain King Thanos. With Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary next year, additional announcements will potentially include how the resort plans to draw big crowds.
A Decade of Growth for Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Experiences Showcase will also include news about Disney Cruise Line. Disney’s foray into the cruise line industry began in 1998, with rapid expansion set for this decade. Its fifth ship, the Disney Wish, launched in 2022, and four additional vessels will join the fleet between now and 2029.
Doyle believes the Disney Treasure, the next ship to launch this December, will receive the lion’s share of attention during the presentation. “That ship launches later this year and will be home to a Haunted Mansion Bar and more areas based on popular Disney theme park characters,” Doyle says. Shout-outs and smaller-scale announcements will happen for other ships currently under construction, including the Asia-bound Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny, both slated to set sail in 2025.
