One month from this weekend, the 2025 Vacation spot D23 occasion might be held at Walt Disney World. Rumors and wishful pondering are swirling as followers anxiously awaiting bulletins for Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom & past. Our personal want checklist consists of the return of Figment & Dreamfinder and different points of OG EPCOT Middle, Lion King and Inside Out sights, a brand new drone present, experience reimaginings and the return of ‘2019 regular’ at WDW.
Final yr, we predicted a giant slate of bulletins for the D23 Expo–the largest for the reason that 2017 D23 Expo. Popping out of the closures, the 2022 occasion wasn’t almost pretty much as good, with plenty of “what ifs?” Previous to that, a lot revealed in 2019 acquired cancelled as a result of COVID. Then there was the final Vacation spot D23 occasion, which was massive. It was arguably larger than the earlier D23 Expo, possible as a result of the corporate was scrambling to pivot again to parks after traders soured on streaming.
Because it turned out, final yr’s D23 Expo was enormous. One of many largest ever, far surpassing the earlier two. Consequently, it’s our expectation that the 2025 Vacation spot D23 will NOT be an announcement-heavy occasion. Disney “shot its shot” with D23 Expo final yr, so there shouldn’t be a lot in the way in which of massive reveals or bombshell information on the 2025 Vacation spot D23. We anticipate principally new particulars & idea artwork about recognized initiatives, much like D23 Brazil final yr.
It’s our robust expectation that the 2025 Vacation spot D23 might be a return to regular, again when Vacation spot D(23) was extra of a fan celebration (again then, in regards to the historical past of Walt Disney World) with just a few updates and behind-the-scenes appears at challenge growth sprinkled in. This is sensible, provided that final yr’s D23 Expo was additionally a return to regular.
I’m beginning with this ‘warning’ as a result of many followers anticipate every subsequent D23 occasion to be larger and higher than the final, topping what was beforehand revealed. Some followers have watched one too many Marvel motion pictures. In contrast to tremendous hero movies that may use loopy CGI to ship us to a brand new multiverse or use larger explosions to explode New York or no matter, theme park growth takes time.
Disney has already revealed the foremost slate by ~2030. Why would they announce extra massive enlargement one yr later? It’s going to take the passage of time and one other D23 Expo earlier than we get extra blockbuster information, and even 2026 is perhaps too early for that! That is exactly why Vacation spot D23 will certainly have a smaller slate than final yr’s D23 Expo and possibly be scaled-back as in comparison with the 2023 Vacation spot D23, too.
However, this can be a want checklist of what we would like introduced at Vacation spot D23. It’s necessary to supply the caveat that what we need to occur will not be what will occur. These will not be predictions. It’s a heaping serving to of wishful pondering, as a result of what enjoyable is it to ‘cut back the expectations’ of your largest goals?!
Right here’s what we hope will get introduced. We’ll be again in per week or so with a (a lot shorter) checklist of precise predictions for Walt Disney World information throughout the 2025 Vacation spot D23…
Go All-In on Visitor Expertise Wins
We’re not getting a fifth gate at Vacation spot D23, I promise you. But it surely’s not all “go massive or go residence.” Simply take a look at what number of of you pour into the feedback of posts like Resort Airline Examine-In Service Returning to Disney World in Pilot Program, merely craving for a return to 2019 regular. Think about getting a few of that again, to revitalize the visitor expertise and provides attendance a shot within the arm?!
To that finish, I’ll add a number of fast hits to my want checklist that will be enormous wins for which Walt Disney World followers would go wild:
- Return of (Actual) Additional Magic Hours
- Finish of All Park Reservations
- Return of Disney’s Magical Specific
- Full Return Airport-to-Resort Baggage Dealing with
- Return of Resort Merchandise Supply
- Return of Tables in Wonderland
- Restoration of Free MagicBands
That every one considerations the visitor expertise and satisfaction. I’d additionally wish to see the strategy taken with the substance of the Vacation spot D23 information, much like the final occasion.
Success with Singles & Doubles
The 2023 Vacation spot D23 had a strong lineup of smaller-scale bulletins just like the Pirates Tavern, Check Observe 3.0, Nation Bear Musical Jamboree, Zootopia: Higher Zoogether, and extra. We haven’t seen all of these materialize, however what has debuted has been well-received per visitor satisfaction surveys.
One factor that I personally hate in regards to the enlargement and fifth gate fixation is that it ignores a lot that must be improved and up to date. Current sights and areas that might use reimaginings or enhancements. Disney might spend that full $17 billion funding on bettering Walt Disney World’s current choices and nonetheless have work to do!
A singles and doubles technique is a good strategy for Vacation spot D23, particularly in relation to initiatives that may be began and completed earlier than Tropical Americas opens. So announce experience reimaginings of Tomorrowland Speedway, Magnificence and the Beast: Dwell on Stage, Pixar Brief Movie Competition, Reflections of China (no matter occurred to that challenge?!) and extra.
The house crowd would go nuts even for minor updates to the Carousel of Progress or TTA PeopleMover that protect the spirit of these beloved sights. House Mountain is overdue for a observe substitute, and relying upon the dimensions and scope of that challenge, it has the potential to be a double or triple.
Reimagining Reveals
There are a number of experience reimaginings or updates on the horizon which have already been formally introduced, together with Zootopia: Higher Zoogether, Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin, Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad, Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
It’d be good to see extra about what’s deliberate for these enhancements. Present footage of the Audio Animatronics being added to House Ranger Spin, what the Muppets’ takeover of RnRC will entail, whether or not there might be any substantive adjustments to the pre-show and queue of MFSR, and so forth.
Cinderella Fortress Dream Lights or Nation Bear Christmas
A lot that made Christmas at Walt Disney World nice is gone. It could be good if we acquired a non-upcharge vacation addition for as soon as, versus a subtraction. For individuals who have by no means had an opportunity to see the Cinderella Fortress Dream Lights, they had been nothing wanting spectacular. No projections can match the greater than 200,000 tiny white lights that illuminate Cinderella Fortress and rework it right into a veritable ice palace.
Nation Bear Christmas could be one other nice return to type, and my hope is that the reimagining of the present into Nation Bear Musical Jamboree made it simpler to replace. In a very wishful pondering situation, maybe they’ve already recorded songs for seasonal reveals and are simply ready for the best time to deploy them!
It appears unlikely that both of these items will return this Christmas. Bookings are robust and reductions are minimal, which largely clarify why Walt Disney World doesn’t should strive as arduous throughout the holidays anymore. However this can be a want checklist, and I’d love for them to go above and past once more. That was once a part of the Disney Distinction.
Sew’s Nice Escape 2.0
Sew’s Nice Escape completely closed as the recognition of its titular character waned. Sew was not the cultural phenomenon is within the early aughts and the attraction was a internet damaging for visitor satisfaction. It made extra sense to shutter the attraction with out substitute than proceed subjecting visitors to it.
Then got here alongside Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Sew” remake, which is the yr’s top-earning film and first $1 billion launch. This isn’t an enormous shock. The movie holds a 92% viewers rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” CinemaScore. Sew has a multi-generational fanbase, seeing a resurgence with youthful generations and endurance with millennials. It’s so in style {that a} sequel has already been introduced.
It’s time for an additional sequel: Sew’s Nice Escape 2.0, which might be one other 2026 challenge introduced at Vacation spot D23. My unpopular opinion is that Sew’s Nice Escape had the bones of a very good attraction. It had a stable pre-show set-up and an amazing Audio Animatronics determine. The issue was the writing, and Sew’s Nice Escape being a product of its time.
The most cost effective factor to repair in an attraction that doesn’t “work” is its script. Imagineering might write circles across the previous Sew’s Nice Escape, and inject contemporary life into this attraction a la Nation Bear Musical Jamboree and the Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey. Whereas an entirely new attraction on this house could be optimum, a fast reimagining using current belongings is probably the most environment friendly choice. It’d be a a lot wanted win for Tomorrowland.
Villains Land Reveal
Walt Disney World has began to drag again the curtain on Vehicles Land, now referred to as Piston Peak Nationwide Park, which is the primary part of the Past Huge Thunder challenge in Magic Kingdom. In all probability, that is being carried out at the very least partially in phases, with no matter’s coming to Villains Land debuting 1-2 years after Piston Peak.
That places the opening of Villains Land in or round 2030, and it is perhaps untimely to share particulars in regards to the sights and different choices within the land at this level. Hopefully we’re unsuitable about this. That Walt Disney World is fast-tracking each halves of the enlargement, and can quickly be pulling again the curtain on the movies featured in Villains Land, and the sights, eating places, and extra that’ll be discovered within the space.
Show Lakeshore Lodge Isn’t Lackluster
It’s no secret that I’ve been essential of Walt Disney World’s latest resort output. No less than, the exteriors. Every part from Gran Destino Tower to Riviera Resort to Island Tower has been a boxy eyesore on the skin, thematically incongruous with its environment. There’s no larger offender than Disney Lakeshore Lodge, which I used to be happy to see shelved a number of years again.
However guess what? It’s occurring now and there’s no altering that. So detractors like me can proceed whining or we will cheer for the absolute best consequence. (Why not each?!) And as a lot as I’ve disliked the aforementioned exteriors, I’ve liked the interiors of all of them, and the characteristic units of all however Island Tower. Not solely that, however the ‘wilderness’ is my favourite resort area. I actually wish to be pleasantly stunned by Lakeshore Lodge, and for Imagineers to make lemonade out of lemons with the challenge.
There are causes for optimism. Website plans present what seems to be a lazy river and waterfront restaurant; it’ll have distinctive lodging, and a big foyer. Nevertheless, nothing has been formally revealed about Disney Lakeshore Lodge other than its existence. Vacation spot D23 could be an amazing alternative to showcase the mixed-used resort, highlighting its wealthy characteristic set and what makes it a Disney resort.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Reboot
I’ve advocated for this many instances, so I’m not going to rehash all of that right here. The underside line is that I’d wish to see Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge break the sacred timeline and use the setting of the land as a leaping off level for brand spanking new adventures. (See Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Must Break the Guidelines for my tackle all of that.)
A comfortable reboot of the Star Wars land could be a chance to introduce beloved characters, use the catwalks within the land for mini-shows, and make the land extra lived-in due to droids and extra performers. All of this is able to breathe new life into the land and assist it lastly notice its full potential.
With the BDX Droids now showing at Walt Disney World, Darth Vader getting evicted from Launch Bay, and the Mandalorian & Child Yoda mission coming to Smugglers Run, it certain looks like the desk is lastly being set for this in 2026. Throw a brand new Jedi Coaching Academy into the combination and Galaxy’s Edge might lastly be a “full” land.
Muppets Courtyard 2.0
We already know that an Electrical Mayhem overhaul of Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster is coming subsequent yr, and extra particulars about that appear inevitable. So there’s actually nothing to “want” for there, besides Imagineering getting a funds versus it being a “no dough” challenge.
My actual hope right here is that the Muppets takeover extra of the Sundown Showcase space or Sundown Ranch Market…or each! Certain, the Villains Unfairly Ever After present is at the moment within the former and more likely to final at the very least 5 years. However there’s nothing to cease extra placemaking efforts within the space to show it into one thing extra cohesive.
No good thought in Imagineering ever dies, and maybe this might be the partial realization of the Muppets Studio land idea from many years in the past. That was alleged to characteristic not simply MuppetVision 3D, but in addition two eating places: “The Nice Gonzo’s Pandemonium Pizza Parlor” and “Swedish Chef’s Cooking College.” It’s unlikely the out of doors meals courtroom turns into both of these issues, however maybe belongings might be reused from Muppets Courtyard, and we get a return of the Muppet Cellular Lab that used to run at EPCOT.
Lion King Trip
Eventually yr’s D23 Expo, Disney confirmed rumors that had been swirling for months a couple of Lion King sights. Properly, they half-confirmed it, saying the Pleasure Lands Enlargement for Disney Journey World. The total rumor was (is?) {that a} variant of that attraction can be coming to Animal Kingdom, between the Port of Harambe and Pandora, albeit not as a log flume experience.
As earlier than, I do know nothing about the veracity of those rumors, a lot much less the (potential) DAK challenge. What I’ve heard “advised” from credible sources is that extra is on the way in which to Animal Kingdom as half of the present 10-year plan. That makes full sense, as DAK wants extra to be a full-day park. I can’t consider many higher choices than the Lion King, which is each acceptable for the placement and a contemporary traditional film that also doesn’t have a experience at Walt Disney World.
Even when a Lion King experience is on the desk for Walt Disney World, it wouldn’t shock me if it’s too early to listen to about it. That Disney desires to concentrate on Tropical Americas, and save that for a future occasion. By way of probability, that is in all probability an announcement for D23 Expo versus Vacation spot D, anyway.
DAK Drones
Disney Goals That Soar was the most effective factor to debut at Walt Disney World final summer season. After which it simply ended, by no means to be spoken of once more. I refuse to consider that’s it. There’s simply no approach that the corporate spent all of that cash creating nighttime leisure for a present at Disney Springs.
There are a number of causes for Walt Disney World lastly getting a drone present at considered one of its parks, however in a nutshell, attendance is considerably decrease at Animal Kingdom than some other park at Walt Disney World. The park is in pressing want for additions, and there’s a very good likelihood that the opposite parks begin cannibalizing Animal Kingdom attendance till that occurs. The primary Walt Disney World park individuals will minimize so as to go to Epic Universe is Animal Kingdom.
That is exactly why Tropical Americas is coming to Animal Kingdom, and is the primary massive challenge of the subsequent growth cycle. That’ll give DAK a shot within the arm, and assist revitalize the flailing park. A drone present at Animal Kingdom would remedy plenty of issues, however the massive query at this level is whether or not Walt Disney World debuts it in 2026 or waits till Tropical Americas.
Sooner makes theoretical sense, however as Disney may’ve discovered with Rivers of Gentle, there’s not sufficient to maintain visitors within the park between 4 pm and nightfall, so maybe Tropical Americas is required first because the “bridge” to forestall the afternoon exodus.
Inside Out Into Wonders of Life
Up till it was completely paused, Play Pavilion was deliberate for the previous Wonders of Life. Walt Disney World already did plenty of work fixing the roof and different infrastructure points with the pavilion and this can be a prime piece of actual property now that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is drawing individuals to this nook of the park.
Play Pavilion at all times struck me as a proposal with a brief shelf life, like a modernized Innoventions however with out heavy-handed sponsorship. Over 5 years later, it’s unlikely that a lot deliberate for the pavilion nonetheless has a lot of a future. And what does might simply be included into the Walt Disney Studios Lot challenge over at DHS. That opens up the door for one thing new within the Wonders of Life.
My dream situation is for a revival of the ‘Well being Pavilion’ idea that includes Baymax and Bing Bong. This IP injection would make full sense for the previous Wonders of Life, with an attraction that’s a religious successor to Skull Command and extra. Each Huge Hero 6 and Inside Out might coexist in a Well being Pavilion.
Placing the Wonders pavilion to life additionally seemingly suits with Walt Disney World’s purpose of including extra family-friendly reprieves from the warmth, which can be what’s occurring with the Magic of Disney Animation subsequent yr and GoofyCore Corridor at the moment. Maybe we’ll quickly be capable to get ‘Goofy About Well being’ in a cool setting once more!
Put the Future Again in Future World
Clearly this isn’t going to occur, however this can be a want checklist. And it’s my dream for Disney to acknowledge they screwed up the EPCOT overhaul and we’re not caught with this for many years to come back.
As a substitute of bringing again CommuniCore Corridor in title solely, ditch the neighborhood nonsense and provides us an optimistic Future World with a central backbone that’s higher than an workplace park in Irvine. Exchange the rust-themed panorama with imaginative options, vibrant gardens and (gasp) water-filled fountains.
I’ll endure one other 5 years of EPCOT being a sea of development partitions if the top consequence is definitely bold. Extra realistically, I do hope that Disney realizes the EPCOT overhaul isn’t truly executed and actually might use a part 2. After the success of Check Observe 3.0, it looks like extra followers are on board with Imagineering getting an opportunity to revitalize Future World.
Spaceship Earth Reimagining
Walt Disney World has already introduced a multi-month refurbishment of Spaceship Earth beginning just a few days earlier than Vacation spot D. The dangerous information is that that is routine upkeep, and not the massive experience reimagining. It’ll in all probability be to revive damaged results, enhance the descent, improve cameras, and lighting. There are additionally widespread rumors of swapping out the screens on the experience automobiles for OLED, which has already occurred with a take a look at automobile.
Whereas we’ve no insider info, our sneaking suspicion is that that is much like the Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster refurbishments over the past couple of the years, which occurred in two phases and addressed the underlying experience system. What if the SSE refurbishment is equally laying the groundwork for a reimagining, permitting that to happen in a extra consolidated timeframe than the ~18 months this challenge was beforehand anticipated to take?
As acknowledged above, the EPCOT overhaul will not be completed, even when Disney did dangle the “mission achieved” banner. The park wants extra assist and might’t wait till the 2030s to get it. We absolutely anticipate Wonders of Life, Spaceship Earth, and/or the ultimate entry to occur within the subsequent few years. The one query is reasonably they’re Vacation spot D or D23 Expo bulletins…
Journey into Creativeness 4.0, Feat. Figment & Dreamfinder
Is it actually a D23 want checklist with out the compulsory daydreaming about Journey into Creativeness 4.0?! I’m not going to rehash all of that right here but once more, however suffice to say, it simply is sensible to reimagine Journey into Creativeness. (Learn that for my full pitch.)
An Creativeness reinvigoration would generate goodwill amongst WDW diehards and forge new followers within the course of. It’d be one thing that will outline the EPCOT transformation, tying it collectively right into a extra cohesive challenge. Figment would grow to be the face and mascot of the new-look EPCOT, elevating the in any other case underwhelming central backbone within the course of.
For Bob Iger and Josh D’Amaro, this must be a no brainer. Bringing again the true Figment and Dreamfinder would assist rebuild visitor goodwill and handle fan disenchantment. There’s no different constructive announcement that will outweigh so many prior negatives ones. It’d be a legacy challenge for Bob Iger, and place the CEO-in-waiting as a fan favourite determine earlier than he takes the helm.
Lastly confirming Journey into Creativeness 4.0 is one surefire strategy to get huge applause from the Vacation spot D23 viewers, and that is one case the place it simply is sensible to make the announcement at Vacation spot D23 versus D23 Expo. Break this information in entrance of the house crowd at Walt Disney World. The Florida followers deserve it. If company management is worried about restoring goodwill that has been eroded the final 5 years, guaranteeing visits from loyal followers, and an optimistic outlook in regards to the future, it’s the logical time to do one thing that ought to’ve been executed over a decade in the past.
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Your Ideas
Care to share your individual want checklist for the 2025 Vacation spot D23? Any shock bulletins you’re hoping to listen to? Something on this checklist that you just’re hoping does or does NOT come true? Some other ideas so as to add or questions on Vacation spot D23? Listening to your suggestions—even while you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
