It is time to shift gears from Disney movies to the Disney Parks and resorts. The D23 Expo Disney Experiences Showcase is happening Saturday, August 15, and this could be a very announcement-heavy presentation. Expect a good amount of news surrounding the future of their Disney parks, resorts, cruises, and experiences across the globe.
2024’s presentation was filled with announcements of new ideas that were in the works, and while I believe they plan to announce some new things, I fully expect this year’s presentation will be about how those projects they announced in 2024 are coming together. So, let’s take a look at what I think they will share this weekend and reveal my swing-for-the-fences prediction.
Disney Parks – Disneyland
Avengers Campus: Infinity Defense
There is a strong possibility this attraction will be something they start with. For starters, here is what we know: guests will travel alongside various heroes to locations such as Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City as King Thanos wreaks havoc. Robert Downey Jr. is reprising his role as Tony Stark/Iron Man. Additionally, some of the other heroes that will appear are Black Panther, Ant-Man, and Hulk. I expect new concept art, additional story details, additional characters that’ll be joining the mission, an opening window, and possibly ride-through animation. Fans have been waiting quite some time for updates and details, and I think they are going to get them here.
Coco-themed attraction
The Coco-themed boat attraction is being developed at DCA (Disney California Adventure) between Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens Park, directly across from Silly Symphony Swings. The family-friendly ride will transport guests into the colorful Land of the Dead alongside Miguel, utilizing advanced Audio-Animatronics inspired by classic dark rides like Pirates of the Caribbean.
I think this is the year we can get an attraction name, additional concept art, a look at the audio-animatronics that will be featured, and an opening date. I wouldn’t be shocked if we got a full-scale model on the expo floor.
Pandora
While it has been a couple of years since an Avatar experience was announced for DCA, details have been pretty vague regarding the project. I think Disney will announce the new E-Ticket attraction that will come to the land, and I think it will be something completely different than the two main attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey. Additionally, I think they will share some new concept art and a timeline of completion. It is way too early for an opening date, but concept art for the land and attraction seems like a lock.
Disney Parks – Walt Disney World
Villains Land
I think this will be the biggest portion covered Saturday evening. The Maleficent coaster will be shown with some new art, and I would imagine a first look at the ride vehicle. Villains being featured in the land, layout, dining and shopping concepts, and a construction timeline are just a few of the things that could be shared.
Piston Peak (Cars Land)
The former Rivers of America/Tom Sawyer Island area is being transformed into the Cars-themed Piston Park. Construction on the land is already in motion, and I would venture to say we get some concept art, attraction details, and an opening window, which I would guess would be Summer 2028.
Tropical Americas
This seems like a lock to be talked about. Dinoland U.S.A. out and in with the Tropical Americas featuring Encanto and Indiana Jones. There is plenty of news on construction progress, and I think we will get a hard opening date, which I believe will be late 2027. Certainly, there will be plenty of concept art to be shared.
Disney Parks – Worldwide
Disneyland Paris
The first fully themed Lion King land at Disney Adventure World (formerly Walt Disney Studios Park). Spanning over 30,000 square meters, the massive expansion features a 37-meter-tall Pride Rock centerpiece, a state-of-the-art flume water ride with a 16-meter drop, themed dining, shopping, and savannah-inspired landscaping.
We should get a good amount of concept art, some attraction details (possibly footage), and an opening date/window. Disney wants to remind the world that their international parks are major Disney destinations in their own right, and with World of Frozen opening earlier in the year, this will help prove that.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi
If I were a betting man, I’d say this is one of the projects I’d be watching VERY closely at D23. The initial announcement gave us a nice-looking but obviously, at the time, deliberately vague image of the waterfront resort and castle. This is the perfect time to start sharing some information. I could see them revealing the Park layout, a castle design, the lands, and maybe some hotel and attraction details and art.
Disney Cruise Lines
I feel like every D23 we get the announcement of a new Disney Cruise ship. The company is aggressively expanding its fleet and their offering on the open sea. I imagine we get the name of a new ship, possibly a new destination, and of course a new onboard show and/ or dining experience.
Swing For The Fences Predictions
Third park at the Disneyland Resort
This has been the talk of the town for the last few years, and it is not a matter of if it’ll happen but when it will happen. We know the their is a lot being done at the Disneyland Resort including the Coco attraction, the Downtown Disney remodel, Avengers Campus, and a new parking hub, but these will get completed faster than we know it and the company will need to communicate what the future hold and even if that is concept art, a working title name for the park, or even the smallest tease, something needs to be shared.
Tomorrowland
I say this every year that D23 comes around, and I am saying it again: Tron is eventually coming to Disneyland, and I think it will be at Tomorrowland, which still desperately needs a major facelift.
How about them bringing back the PeopleMover? CEO Josh D’Amaro knows fans want it and him finding a way to get this done and announcing it at D23 would have the people at the Honda Center going wild. Do I think this happens? No. Do I want it to? Of course, the tracks and layout are still there and are a part of Disney history.
Galaxy’s Edge
This land is fine (my own opinion), but I think it desperately needs to grow quickly. A new attraction would be the first thing I’d announce, whether it is a new E-Ticket attraction or a smaller dark ride. A new stage show or dining experience would also be fitting.
It won’t be long until we hear if my predictions are correct, as the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase takes place this Saturday, August 15. Follow along in the coming days as we bring you all the news from Disney’s biannual event.
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