Rumor D23 2026 WDW Rumors, Predictions & Discussion

[GhostHost1000]

I love the D23 hype discussion every year and then only getting crumbs or concept art that never turns out to be reality.

 

[MaidMarian]

I'm hoping we get more announcements on Lakeshore Lodge. Interior concept art, rooms types, news on the waterfront restaurant, pool and lazy river concept art, opening timeline.

 

[James Alucobond]

For MK, I'd be happy with just a Cars physical model and some Tomorrowland update crumbs. I honestly don't really care much about more details for Villains when we're this far out. AK and HS also have enough happening already that is decently defined, so no concerns there. EPCOT is where I'd personally like to see some early developments toward a worthwhile 50th.

 

[TheDisneyParksfanC8]

Based on lack of any substantial rumors that have leaked, D23 2026 will just be updates of the 2024 slate.

D23 2028 on the other hand will be where the second supposedly more grand half of the ten year parks plan will be revealed. That one will be interesting for sure.

Thats where things like the AC courtyard replacement for DHS and the 1st phase of Simba at DCA, will be reveled at the earliest.

 

[Moth]

Fig. Mint.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Fig. Mint.

Disney is producing their very own brand if Fig Newtons? (with added peppermint flavor)

 

[FerretAfros]

I love the D23 hype discussion every year and then only getting crumbs or concept art that never turns out to be reality.

That’s because there’s a weird misconception that Disney develops project timelines based on making splashy announcements at D23, when the reality is quite the opposite. Project timelines are developed based on the individual projects’ various goals, and announcements are made relative to those. If that happens to line up with D23 that’s great, but as we’ve seen (both with 2022’s non-announcements, and Pandora’s announcement shortly following a D23) there are plenty of times where that simply doesn’t work out for a variety of reasons and the announcements shift to things that are already in development and ready for public consumption.

There are many projects currently under construction that have relatively little public information, that could easily be fleshed out at the presentation: WDW’s Tropical Americas, Monsters, Piston Peak, Villains, Lakeshore Lodge; DL’s Coco, Avatar, Eastern Gateway; DLP’s Lion King; HKDL’s Avengers; SDL’s Spider-Man; DCL’s fleet (and presumably itinerary) expansion; anything about Abu Dhabi.

There will probably be a few new things announced as well. Based on known projects, these will likely be things less flashy items for the domestic parks (infrastructure, entertainment, hotels, cruise line, etc) or for the international parks (perhaps the 2nd gate in Shanghai). Given the current trajectory and lack of reliable rumors, these likely won’t be the focus of the presentation.

Anything else is pure wishful thinking.

(And before things get out of hand, Disneyland Forward was a zoning approval to allow them to more easily develop the resort facilities, not a meaningful park expansion plan. It’s highly unlikely that there will ever be park space west of Disneyland Drive; the documents were clearly written for resort infrastructure planning, but used flashy imagery to distract general audiences.)

 

[monothingie]

Do they announce price increases at D23?

Cause that’s the one thing I guarantee will be happening.

 

[JD80]

I think we'll get a bunch of updates on the ongoing projects. More art, more details, ride vehicles maybe of Tropical Americas.

We'll get more Villains land concept art, or a montage of Imagineers exploring architecture in the real world for inspiration type of hype-reel.

Any new announcement will most likely some kind of re-do/refurb of an existing EPCOT thing like Imagination or SSE.

 

[Pizza Moon]

That’s because there’s a weird misconception that Disney develops project timelines based on making splashy announcements at D23, when the reality is quite the opposite. Project timelines are developed based on the individual projects’ various goals, and announcements are made relative to those. If that happens to line up with D23 that’s great, but as we’ve seen (both with 2022’s non-announcements, and Pandora’s announcement shortly following a D23) there are plenty of times where that simply doesn’t work out for a variety of reasons and the announcements shift to things that are already in development and ready for public consumption.

There are many projects currently under construction that have relatively little public information, that could easily be fleshed out at the presentation: WDW’s Tropical Americas, Monsters, Piston Peak, Villains, Lakeshore Lodge; DL’s Coco, Avatar, Eastern Gateway; DLP’s Lion King; HKDL’s Avengers; SDL’s Spider-Man; DCL’s fleet (and presumably itinerary) expansion; anything about Abu Dhabi.

There will probably be a few new things announced as well. Based on known projects, these will likely be things less flashy items for the domestic parks (infrastructure, entertainment, hotels, cruise line, etc) or for the international parks (perhaps the 2nd gate in Shanghai). Given the current trajectory and lack of reliable rumors, these likely won’t be the focus of the presentation.

Anything else is pure wishful thinking.

(And before things get out of hand, Disneyland Forward was a zoning approval to allow them to more easily develop the resort facilities, not a meaningful park expansion plan. It’s highly unlikely that there will ever be park space west of Disneyland Drive; the documents were clearly written for resort infrastructure planning, but used flashy imagery to distract general audiences.)

To be fair they're tighter lipped now then they used to be.

 

[mysto]

I love the D23 hype discussion every year and then only getting crumbs or concept art that never turns out to be reality.

I think hyping is what everyone involved is doing, it's the point! The corp, the fans, and the media in attendance are all looking to create or participate in a little buzz.

But yea, the predictable letdown is kind of a funny phenomenon.

 

[Pizza Moon]

That’s because there’s a weird misconception that Disney develops project timelines based on making splashy announcements at D23, when the reality is quite the opposite. Project timelines are developed based on the individual projects’ various goals, and announcements are made relative to those. If that happens to line up with D23 that’s great, but as we’ve seen (both with 2022’s non-announcements, and Pandora’s announcement shortly following a D23) there are plenty of times where that simply doesn’t work out for a variety of reasons and the announcements shift to things that are already in development and ready for public consumption.

There are many projects currently under construction that have relatively little public information, that could easily be fleshed out at the presentation: WDW’s Tropical Americas, Monsters, Piston Peak, Villains, Lakeshore Lodge; DL’s Coco, Avatar, Eastern Gateway; DLP’s Lion King; HKDL’s Avengers; SDL’s Spider-Man; DCL’s fleet (and presumably itinerary) expansion; anything about Abu Dhabi.

There will probably be a few new things announced as well. Based on known projects, these will likely be things less flashy items for the domestic parks (infrastructure, entertainment, hotels, cruise line, etc) or for the international parks (perhaps the 2nd gate in Shanghai). Given the current trajectory and lack of reliable rumors, these likely won’t be the focus of the presentation.

Anything else is pure wishful thinking.

(And before things get out of hand, Disneyland Forward was a zoning approval to allow them to more easily develop the resort facilities, not a meaningful park expansion plan. It’s highly unlikely that there will ever be park space west of Disneyland Drive; the documents were clearly written for resort infrastructure planning, but used flashy imagery to distract general audiences.)

I mean it’s not made for D23 but they definitely use it to announce projects… most of Orlando’s projects have been announced through D23.

It also is a place to elaborate on existing projects, but I’d be very surprised if we didn’t get an AK night show announcement or some pavilion redo for EPCOT.

To be honest just being in EPCOT recently, it just needs more modern rides, if you don’t ride Guardians you just feel off.

I don’t feel that way about any of the parks but maybe FoP at AK.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

I don't see anything new for AK, MK, and DHS outside of updates and new details on what is being worked on outside DHS maybe getting their Galaxy's Edge timeline gone and include stuff like music from the Star Wars Movies into Galaxy's Edge. I think those three parks need more of their current projects done before having new projects.

There could be something like Spaceship Earth update for Epcot at D23. I expect more projects for Epcot to be announced at 2028 D23 like what happened to Wonders of Life and potential of Mission: Space being turned into a attraction with IP.

I think the bigger announcement are going to be overseas. I think Shanghai Disneyland is ready a 2nd park and I expect to be announce at D23 this year or at their 10 anniversary. As far as rides in the 2nd park, I don't really see that being announced yet and no lands being announced. Expect concept art of Shanghai Disneyland 2nd park though.

 

[DreamfinderGuy]

Has anybody actually said anything about Wonders lately? Seems like a lot of people are treating it as an expectation instead of something for the wish list. I've tried to keep my finger on the pulse there more than anything else on property and have heard nothing but radio silence for years, apart from the demo rumor that came and went last year with nothing happening.

Granted we've had projects come out of left field before, but I feel like we knew about the Play Pavilion at least six months in advance? That was a Parks Blog shadow drop when it was announced too, not a D23 thing. I think the safest bet for any kind of EPCOT news to expect is an SSE refurb. Really feel like even Figment is more likely at this point than something happening to Wonders.

 

[Disneyfanatic30]

My predictions are definitely villains land rides entertainment restaurants entertainment and shops revealed piston peak ride information and more maybe a new world In Epcot maybe the kalikori club will come in to galaxy’s edge or something like that maybe a sit down restaurant in pandora and an expansion one or two of the us parks will get the same ride system Shanghai’s pirates has.

 

[EagleScout610]

I'm going to call it now - Tower is offically put on the chopping block. Not making predictions as to what its replaced by at the moment, but my gut tells me its up since alot of attractions with scarier tones have been nerfed.

 

[moonrqys]

I'm going to call it now - Tower is offically put on the chopping block. Not making predictions as to what its replaced by at the moment, but my gut tells me its up since alot of attractions with scarier tones have been nerfed.

On the chopping block entirely do you think? Meaning in terms for removal? Or just alteration.
Honestly as much as I hate to say it, I see it possibly happening.
Thankfully, I think D’Amaro seems to be trying to garner a lot of support right now, so I could see it going either way. I think it could easily be altered, but I think there would easily be an uproar if it was removed or changed majorly.

 

[EagleScout610]

On the chopping block entirely do you think? Meaning in terms for removal? Or just alteration.
Honestly as much as I hate to say it, I see it possibly happening.
Thankfully, I think D’Amaro seems to be trying to garner a lot of support right now, so I could see it going either way. I think it could easily be altered, but I think there would easily be an uproar if it was removed or changed majorly.

Retheming/altering. Whether that means removing the Twilight Zone theming to be a generic hotel or retheming it entirely, I don't know.

 

[Moth]

Alien
Tower
Rahhhh

 

[DisneyHead123]

I'm going to call it now - Tower is offically put on the chopping block. Not making predictions as to what its replaced by at the moment, but my gut tells me its up since alot of attractions with scarier tones have been nerfed.

I really hope not. This is my son’s first Disney exclusive hyperfixation, he’s already super sad the one in California is gone. I like to think ToT has classic status almost akin to Haunted Mansion.