D23 Expo 2024 - News & Rumors

[AlexanderMBush]

So the D23 Expo is fast approaching 8/9-8/11 and with rumors spreading quite wildly and DLF being approved, what do you guys think will be announced at the event for the parks?

Gonna combine gaming into this due to the day, but gut tell me this:

Gaming:
- Kingdom Hearts IV releases in 2025, D23 Trailer shows off Endor + Pandora
- KH Adaptation now officially in development, could be announced at the film panel (there seems to be too many things lining into place)
- Gameplay sequence of Indiana Jones & The Great Circle
- New trailer for 1943: The Rise of Hydra
- Fortnite x Disney releases in Early 2025

Theme Parks (DLR)
- Avengers E-Ticket is reannounced, it is a "Thanos" story without the Multiverse element. 2027 Window
- Autopia Refresh given details, 2025 for the 70th Anniversary
- Blue Sky for Disneyland Forward & Avatar
- ESPN Zone Replacement at DTD

Theme Parks (WDW)
- Tropical Americas detailed, 2026 for Phase 1 (Indiana Jones) and 2027 for Phase 2 (Encanto)
- Beyond Big Thunder given a more "Defined" Blue Sky--Moana, Coco, and Villains are specifically mentioned
- The ESPN Experience Replacement at Disney Springs

WorldWide:
- Avengers E-Ticket is reannounced, it is a "Thanos" story without the Multiverse element. 2027 Window (HKDL)
- Blue Sky for Disney Studios Paris with The Lion King

 

[Jamesh22]

I think Lion King at Paris is likely - they HAVE to start construction on another land soon or it won't be open this decade.

Maybe Spider-man coaster for Shanghi confirmation?

Outside of that I NEED DLR Avatar details!

 

[TheUniC6]

I think Lion King at Paris is likely - they HAVE to start construction on another land soon or it won't be open this decade.

Maybe Spider-man coaster for Shanghi confirmation?

Outside of that I NEED DLR Avatar details!

I some a post on Twitter/X that claimed apparently Lion King for WDSP is slated for 2028 and Avatar will be for 2030.

 

[Jamesh22]

I some a post on Twitter/X that claimed apparently Lion King for WDSP is slated for 2028 and Avatar will be for 2030.

Yeah I saw that, but think it was just speculation. I really can't see them both opening within 2 years of each other - would LOVE to be proved wrong!

I suspect there is truth in Lion King coming to Animal Kingdom at some point too.

 

[TheUniC6]

Yeah I saw that, but think it was just speculation. I really can't see them both opening within 2 years of each other - would LOVE to be proved wrong!

I suspect there is truth in Lion King coming to Animal Kingdom at some point too.

Disney loves to build at least two clones of lands whenever they can to maximize the return on the R&D costs so that would track. Also LK would be a perfect fit for AK.

But I do think there is is slightly more truth to Avatar being slated for 2030 at WDSP. 2030 is also when I see it coming online at DCA if they put it in the Simba lot.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

The wait for this year's D23 is driving me bananas, this is what 5 years of the desert does to a man.

 

[Nick]

The wait for this year's D23 is driving me bananas, this is what 5 years of the desert does to a man.

More like 7.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

More like 7.

Well, if you count things that actually happened, then yes.

 

[krazyhorrorkid]

I know this is harsh, but I don’t wanna hear anything about Bluesky concepts this year when it comes to WDW. Just feed us what you have been promising us for forever.

It’s time to push the baby from the nest and watch it fly (hopefully).

 

[TheUniC6]

I know this is harsh, but I don’t wanna her anything about Bluesky concepts this year when it comes to WDW. Just feed us what you have been promising us for forever.

It’s time to push the baby from the nest and watch it fly (hopefully).

I think the only major pieces of bluesky we'll get for WDW will be for DHS if anything is announced at all for that park.

 

[saint.piss]

Dudeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[saint.piss]

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Interesting choice to make it a "live musical celebration." I know they're doing more "show" since it's a longer presentation this year, but I'm worried it'll be too heavy on the acts and less focus on actually announcing things.

From that poster, it seems like DCA (Pandora?), DAK, Studios Paris, DHS and Big Thunder are all highlighted.

 

[saint.piss]

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

If it's actually a live musical celebration, then that's a terrible waste of a make-or-break year for announcements.

If it's just musical interludes like previous parks presentations, then this is a weird way to advertise your make-or-break event for announcements.

EDIT: Unless ( and I hope to God this is true ), the Horizons event is exclusively available to D23 visitors, a presentation that won't be live streamed and will just act as the chaser for a bespoke Youtube presentation that fully lays out WDI's plans for the next few years.

EDIT 2: Or maybe this wording is just a psyop to make me think the presentation will be dissapointing, so I'm pleasantly surprised by the announcements, even if they're more meager than previous years. Who knows, just market your offerings normally Disney, stop couching everything in such vague and treachly language!

Sounds like these exhibits are much more involved than their analogues from previous years.

 

[TheUniC6]

Interesting choice to make it a "live musical celebration." I know they're doing more "show" since it's a longer presentation this year, but I'm worried it'll be too heavy on the acts and less focus on actually announcing things.

From that poster, it seems like DCA (Pandora?), DAK, Studios Paris, DHS and Big Thunder are all highlighted.

From what I interpret, each of those parks will get announcements for new stuff. Here's what will more than likely be announced for each of the parks based on rumors

DCA: Avengers E ticket and Pandora. If we're lucky we'll also get an official announcement or bluesky for a Hollywoodland replacement

DAK: Tropical America replacement for Dinoland

WDSP: Lion King land confirmation or bluesky. There will probably also be updates on opening dates for Frozen and the lagoon area.

DHS: Bluesky or an official announcement for what is coming behind Animation Courtyard

MK: First phase of BBTM.

 

[Nick]

From what I interpret, each of those parks will get announcements for new stuff. Here's what will more than likely be announced for each of the parks based on rumors

DCA: Avengers E ticket and Pandora. If we're lucky we'll also get an official announcement or bluesky for a Hollywoodland replacement

DAK: Tropical America replacement for Dinoland

WDSP: Lion King land confirmation or bluesky. There will probably also be updates on opening dates for Frozen and the lagoon area.

DHS: Bluesky or an official announcement for what is coming behind Animation Courtyard

MK: First phase of BBTM.

This is a very reasonable expectation list. If it’s less than this I’d be disappointed if it’s more than cool.

 

[MrRoamer]

Don't speak its name if its not real!!! You can't hurt people like that Disney!!!!

 

[Andysol]

From that poster, it seems like DCA (Pandora?), DAK, Studios Paris, DHS and Big Thunder are all highlighted.

It’s actually every disney park in the world, except Epcot, interestingly enough.
DCA, DAK, 6 castle parks (each with their own silhouette), WDSP, DHS, Disneysea.
And cruise ships in the foreground, of course.

 

[Brian G.]

It’s actually every disney park in the world, except Epcot, interestingly enough.
DCA, DAK, 6 castle parks (each with their own silhouette), WDSP, DHS, Disneysea.
And cruise ships in the foreground, of course.

What if the sunset is Spaceship Earth?!?!