D23 Expo 2017 - News & Speculation

[AlexanderMBush]

I'd say either Pixar Pier at DCA or the new theater on Main Street. The others seem to be too big to not happen unless something huge changes plans.

If I was to guess, Pixar Pier just by the negative reception of it or the seventh ship for DCL (take in mind, I don't think that would be off the table forever though).

 

[WAJAS]

If I was to guess, Pixar Pier just by the negative reception of it or the seventh ship for DCL (take in mind, I don't think that would be off the table forever though).

I can see a delay for the ship, but not a cancellation.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

I can see a delay for the ship, but not a cancellation.

Hence why I said that I don't think it'll be off the table for good.

Honestly, if Pixar Pier still comes; they are gonna make it extremely limited and as a seasonal offering ala Season of the Force so that it goes away directly after Pixar Fest wraps up.

 

[epcyclopedia]

I think the blue sky concept for Future World is pretty much guaranteed not to happen.

 

[Brian G.]

I think the blue sky concept for Future World is pretty much guaranteed not to happen.

Which I believe too, and that's a damn shame. Hope we're wrong.

There's something called credit cards (not my style, just saying). Do you think everyone that goes to Disney can "afford" it. Another option is called saving.

You're just rolling them out today aren't you?

 

[epcyclopedia]

If you're not in the high six figures you're not the intended audience of the new Star Wars resort.

They had to hunt down the Richie-Riches at Epcot to even spitball the concept, because they couldn't find them at the other parks.

 

[Mike S]

I think the blue sky concept for Future World is pretty much guaranteed not to happen.

The rides or the overall landscape change?

 

[GadgetGuru]

Hence why I said that I don't think it'll be off the table for good.

Honestly, if Pixar Pier still comes; they are gonna make it extremely limited and as a seasonal offering ala Season of the Force so that it goes away directly after Pixar Fest wraps up.

I don't see why Pixar Pier won't happen. The theme park fans can have a wildly different reaction to some news. The general public on Twitter seemed to love the Pirates auction scene change (anecdotal). The theme parks fans brutally hated it. I don't think the general public really cares about a change to Pixar Pier. Honestly, I don't either. If they end up sprucing up the land in the process, I say go for it.

I think the blue sky concept for Future World is pretty much guaranteed not to happen.

I don't think that exact concept art will happen (especially the island inside World Showcase). I think a new entrance with more green space will definitely happen.

If you're not in the high six figures you're not the intended audience of the new Star Wars resort.

They had to hunt down the Richie-Riches at Epcot to even spitball the concept, because they couldn't find them at the other parks.

Welcome to the future of theme parks. If you're willing to pay extra money, you can have a better experience. The Disney Parks blog article mentioned this was a "Disney 360 concept" (no mention of that any where else including the presentation). I have the feeling that Disney is going to build a lot of experiences for the top 5% of households (215k+) and put them under this banner.

 

[rhino4evr]

Staying at the Polynesian is already $500+ a night. I can't even comprehend the cost of this Star Wars hotel. $1500? $2000?
Hope they open the hotel lobby/bar up to the rest of us that just want to sniff around and geek out.

PS you can stay a 5* resorts on South Beach, Paris, and Napa Valley for less than a night at most Disney hotels.

 

[Miketheboss]

Staying at the Polynesian is already $500+ a night. I can't even comprehend the cost of this Star Wars hotel. $1500? $2000?
Hope they open the hotel lobby/bar up to the rest of us that just want to sniff around and geek out.

PS you can stay a 5* resorts on South Beach, Paris, and Napa Valley for less than a night at most Disney hotels.

I see them only letting in people with a reservation, at least for the first couple of years. Wouldn't want to be paying that much and seeing the lobby, etc, all crowded. I could see them easily charging $600 a night. Laws of supply and demand.

 

[GadgetGuru]

Staying at the Polynesian is already $500+ a night. I can't even comprehend the cost of this Star Wars hotel. $1500? $2000?
Hope they open the hotel lobby/bar up to the rest of us that just want to sniff around and geek out.

PS you can stay a 5* resorts on South Beach, Paris, and Napa Valley for less than a night at most Disney hotels.

Polynesian holds 4 people. Len Testa made it sound like the Star Wars hotel will charge per-person (650 a night + 200 for every other person)

 

[ChristopherSE]

It's announcement has been a bit overshadowed by all the other announcements, but I'm really happy about the theater coming to Main Street. If it's anything like the Hyperion theater at DCA, which seats ~2,000 people, it'll be a good way to disperse some crowds. Disney has also been bringing some really cool tech and design to the Hyperion and Cruise Line shows, so I'm hoping this theatre is in the same vein.

 

[Alicia]

It's announcement has been a bit overshadowed by all the other announcements, but I'm really happy about the theater coming to Main Street. If it's anything like the Hyperion theater at DCA, which seats ~2,000 people, it'll be a good way to disperse some crowds. Disney has also been bringing some really cool tech and design to the Hyperion and Cruise Line shows, so I'm hoping this theatre is in the same vein.

I was happy that they specifically compared it to the Hyperion and being able offer new shows like they did with Frozen Live in the Parks Blog announcement. Having it ready for the 50th makes sense so the first show you have can be something special to celebrate the anniversary.

Only so many people can watch the castle shows at once without causing traffic issues. Plus, we desperately need an indoor space for something a little more meaty than those types of shows.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

I was happy that they specifically compared it to the Hyperion and being able offer new shows like they did with Frozen Live in the Parks Blog announcement. Having it ready for the 50th makes sense so the first show you have can be something special to celebrate the anniversary.

Only so many people can watch the castle shows at once without causing traffic issues. Plus, we desperately need an indoor space for something a little more meaty than those types of shows.

A part in me wonders, if they are going to bring a broadway show to the parks for the 50th.

That'd be a big thing all to it's own, and that you can very well do an abridged version (similar to what was done for Wicked) at Osaka, and that I am happy for MK to get another indoor attraction (say what you will about Tron, but it should be able to run in inclimate weather.

 

[Alicia]

A part in me wonders, if they are going to bring a broadway show to the parks for the 50th.

That'd be a big thing all to it's own, and that you can very well do an abridged version (similar to what was done for Wicked) at Osaka, and that I am happy for MK to get another indoor attraction (say what you will about Tron, but it should be able to run in inclimate weather.

The Lion King broadway show abridged might be neat. Personally I'd love a Tangled or Moana show. But for the 50th I was thinking more like a hodgepodge show celebrating everyone from the park in one greatest hits type deal, with like 50 characters in it. Kinda like the end to Fantasmic. Really go all out.

Even include Roger Rabbit!

And the Tron coaster should be fine in rain but not with lightning in the area.

 

[quinnmac000]

Most likely they will bring the shows that they made that were released in Cali but didn't kick off to make it to Broadway. Like Freaky Friday and quite a few others.

 

[ChristopherSE]

I can't really see them bringing an abridged version of any of their broadway shows. Disney Broadway is an entirely different beast, and the cost is extravagant. They would not only be abridged, but cheapened out of necessity. No, Disney Theatrics and Disney Parks & Resorts will always remain separate entities, imo. I also don't see them doing anything with Freaky Friday, or anything else that doesn't offer a lot of great opportunities for tech and design. (That being said, a Newsies show would be fun)

I would love to see a Moana show, personally^
The princess movies make for a quick and dirty transition to a pint-sized stage show, and Moana has the perfect opportunities for some grand theatre magic. These shows try to make up in Wow Factor what they lack in proper narrative.

 

[quinnmac000]

I can't really see them bringing an abridged version of any of their broadway shows. Disney Broadway is an entirely different beast, and the cost is extravagant. They would not only be abridged, but cheapened out of necessity. No, Disney Theatrics and Disney Parks & Resorts will always remain separate entities, imo. I also don't see them doing anything with Freaky Friday, or anything else that doesn't offer a lot of great opportunities for tech and design. (That being said, a Newsies show would be fun)

I would love to see a Moana show, personally^
The princess movies make for a quick and dirty transition to a pint-sized stage show, and Moana has the perfect opportunities for some grand theatre magic. These shows try to make up in Wow Factor what they lack in proper narrative.

That was just the recent show Disney is working on for Broadway that didn't do as well as hoped just like Hunchback and Aladdin originally.

 

[ChristopherSE]

That was just the recent show Disney is working on for Broadway that didn't do as well as hoped just like Hunchback and Aladdin originally.

I'm familiar! Love Heidi Blickenstaff. But in any case, its too plainly musical theatre for the Disney Parks. My point was they are going to pick a show that is flashy and fantastical to please the demographic.

But I should say that just because an IP has a Broadway musical, doesn't mean it's not fair game. The Disney Cruise line is premiering a new Beauty and the Beast show (that looks gorgeous) that's not based on the Broadway version at all. And Frozen is performing at the Hyperion even though the Broadway-aimed production begins its out-of-town performances in a few weeks. So just something to consider.

But, if they really wanted to throw a curve ball with this new theatre, they'd put in an abridged production of Aida

Off topic: but I so wish Hunchback got a longer life. It wasn't that it did poorly, it was actually pretty well received by audiences at La Jolla and Papermill Playhouse and in my opinion it was one of Disney Theatric's best productions. It definitely had guts. But finding a Broadway theatre can be difficult and expensive, and this was certainly a bit darker and heavier than Disney's other shows. So already having 2 shows on Broadway raking in big bucks, they decided not to go ahead with this third "risky" production. There's no denying Hunchback is the red-headed step-child of the Disney Renaissance: beloved by some, generally forgotten about by most. Despite being a gorgeous show, they didn't want to risk not pulling the numbers, so they put it up for licensing. Even though I still fully believe Michael Arden would have won a Tony for Quasimodo.

 

[JungleSkip]

Well, now that I've picked my jaw up off the floor, here are my thoughts:

1) This was a fantastic showing. While I don't think anything announced Saturday looks legitimately great (Mickey ride could have been if they picked an art style that doesn't look awful), everything looks at the baseline to be very good.

2) TRON and Ratatouille not replacing anything and being a brand new build is the biggest win, IMO. Disney World replaces things far too often considering the "blessing of size" line they tout far too often.

3) The Guardians ride justification is complete and utter BS. Would like to know what the ride actually is though, especially with the UOE building remaining.

4) A big, live action show for MK is what the doctor ordered. Real good move there. Really hope it's TANGLED related

5) Star Wars Hotel pricing is absurd. I see it being a big hit for a few years, but I'm not convinced it's sustainable.

6) Minnie Vans is still so dumb (IMO)

Overall this was a great showing, and Universal can't coast while Disney builds like this. Nintendo is going to be better than anything we saw this weekend (IMO), but that's all we know is coming in the next 5 years. There needs to be more.

All-in-all, this is more proof that 2010-present is a golden age in themed entertainment. Very exciting times ahead.