I think the talk about Bill and Ted kind just needs to be put to bed, Universal acknowledges it's conclusion at 27 and yes they definitely did make a mistake in doing it for 27 and not for 28 since the 80s theme but regardless, if they brought back Bill and Ted, then 2017's show and emotional ending would have been for nothing, I am glad for the tenure that B&T has been for the event but I don't see them doing anything with em for the anniversary and with the new movie coming, I'm sure we could only imagine where the shows would have gone from here.
As for AOV, they are really sticking to me, after the shows last year, they've really have gotten a big following that they truly earned and deserve and would love to see what they bring this year apart from the last few years.
As for the icons, the event itself is just the icon now, although I would love to see the icons of the past take claim of the future events, I mean ips and themes are all the event is about and is what appeals to many people that come to the event every year. I mean back then when Universal were trying out things, of course it was necessary to use the icons as platforms for the event and they all worked out so well, not Storyteller so much but all icons had their footing when XX happened it was definitely aware that a new age for the event was happening and it was understood, it was sayonara to the old crew and welcome to what the event was truly to become with ips taking center stage, I don't mind except for the whole event centering on TWD for 23 when they could have gone a different direction that year but whatever the case, just hope this year's event is top notch and goes on to another level than what the previous years have gone.