Predictions! Secret WDC Project — August 22 @ D23

Andrew C

You know what's funny?
… In Florida. ;)

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jpeden

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Don't know what the state laws are exactly, but with the increase in convention rooms on property; the increase in the presence of food and wine and alcohol in general at the resort. I would guess that maybe not now but long term they are planning for casinos
Disney has been hand and hand with the Seminole Indians about keeping out anymore gambling in Florida. So i will say doubtful on this one.

Disney doesn’t want to get into the casino game. There’s a reason they don’t have them on their ships.
 

Kev1982

Well-Known Member
Maybe he meant Anaheim. I laughed out loud on my first walk up Main Street at DL. I know they'll never demo the original DL castle, but man is that disappointing if you're not used to it.
I wasnt talking about anaheim. That castle should be the last one ever to be redesigned. Its walts!!!! I just think that “a popular place” like Magic kingdom shouldnt be the same castle they copied (almost) in tokyo. Yes it should be tokyo changing theirs but they already have enough cool stuff going on.
 

Crazydisneyfanluke

Well-Known Member
Ok, so Sea World wants to get in the game, too - First Universal's Epic announcement, Disney teasing for D23...

My prediction for Sea World - new hand dryers in the restrooms

My guess is they are finally doing something with the Antartic area by Shamu. The simulator ride is extremely out of date and is right next to sesame street. There is a large amount of unused event space that way as well.
 

SplashJacket

Well-Known Member
As much as I do not think it will have anything to do with the parks, and instead be a larger piece of Disney, we must consider Lighthouse Point. If we all remember, it supposed to be Disney's second exclusive DCL destination.

The only difference between Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point is the intention. The property has a total of 746-acres. Disney is so generously converting 190-acres of the property into a national park.

Castaway Cay has a total of 1,000 aces, despite only 50 being utilized. Due to logistical issues, it would be near impossible to develop the island any significant amount more than they have already.

While Lighthouse Point is on an island, it is on the 110-kilometer long island of Eleuthera. The island boasts a population of 11,000 people, compared to the roughly 60 permanent employees of Castaway Cay.

Castaway Cay initially cost $40,000,000 adjusted for inflation to build, of course, the island has received various modifications and upgrades since then.

Disney has already pledged to invest $250,000,000 to $400,000,000 and create roughly 150 Bahamian jobs. This job figure does not include non-Bahamian employees. These numbers are far less than what Aulani in Hawaii cost to construct, however, the island has far more in store than a simple private cruise destination.

Castaway Cay has received far more attention as of recent. The number of double-dip Castaway Cruises have increased dramatically. (A cruise itinerary where the ship visits Castaway twice.)

Lighthouse Point is expected to receive its first voyages in 2021-2023. The first of the three new ships debuts in 2021 and the last in 2023.

Disney's previous ambitions for a second private island was Egg Island which measured to roughly 170 acres, a far less ambitious project.

My two sense on the project is Castaway Cay is phenomenal because of exclusivity. Aulani is also phenomenal, but merging Castaway with an Aulani-Esque resort would eliminate some of the magic of Castaway. On the other hand, merging a project like Aulani and Castaway would allow for far more opportunities on the island itself.

I have included an early developmental concept for the island which was necessary for approval by the Bahamian government. Anyone who has visited Castaway before, notices instantly the design seems very off. I understand it is one of the most preliminary concepts possible, but my point is, the actual finished product will be far from the concept, possibly larger, much much much more expansive, and may even require an hour-long secret D23 project slot to cover how much more will be done than originally announced. ;)
View attachment 397391

DVC Destination survey supports my theory on Lighthouse Point.

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No Name

Well-Known Member
My guess is they are finally doing something with the Antartic area by Shamu. The simulator ride is extremely out of date and is right next to sesame street. There is a large amount of unused event space that way as well.

You speak nonsense! Wild Arctic (“the simulator ride”) is the best attraction in the park. Better than Star Tours. I am not joking. It could use some new film but a full replacement would be foolish.
 

djkidkaz

Well-Known Member
I could totally see the lighthouse pointe being the announcement. It’s like the perfect thing to have an hour long presentation about. Talking about the island, what it will have on it, how it differs from castaway, what ports will go to it. And the whole secret project thing goes along with Walt’s secret project t of buying land for Florida project.
 

kpilcher

Well-Known Member
I am glad something is coming to that area. I will miss the Polar Express, but I am okay if it updates that area.
Polar Express was already gone last year in favor of Rudolph and pals. Since it is a little closer to Bayside Stadium, I'm not saying the new coaster DOES tie in with a larger revamp of that area, but the teaser video was very "arcticy" and it is no secret the Wild Arctic infrastructure is aging. Something will have to be done here sooner than later. I do know they have debated big plans for that corner of the property, exactly what form those plans take....

but will almost definitely include a Sesame St. expansion. Maybe they will find a way to make Sesame make sense at SeaWorld. I love the park and Sesame St is extremely well done... but what one has to do with the other....

I have reached out feelers to find out why and for how long the big announcement has been delayed.
 

eddie104

Well-Known Member
Polar Express was already gone last year in favor of Rudolph and pals. Since it is a little closer to Bayside Stadium, I'm not saying the new coaster DOES tie in with a larger revamp of that area, but the teaser video was very "arcticy" and it is no secret the Wild Arctic infrastructure is aging. Something will have to be done here sooner than later. I do know they have debated big plans for that corner of the property, exactly what form those plans take....

but will almost definitely include a Sesame St. expansion. Maybe they will find a way to make Sesame make sense at SeaWorld. I love the park and Sesame St is extremely well done... but what one has to do with the other....

I have reached out feelers to find out why and for how long the big announcement has been delayed.
When this become a Sea World thread ?
 

IveBeenJack

Well-Known Member


DSNY guesses on the Aug 22 announcement...



As I stated upfront in the video, this was based upon logical deductions from what we know about the announcement (location, division of project "Walt Disney Company" and the format of the rest of the Expo etc.) I never state that I know what the announcement is, but offer my speculation based upon what is logical. I also wanted to manage expectations, so that Disney fans don't expect a fifth park and then are disappointed by D23 Expo this year.
 

Andrew C

You know what's funny?
As I stated upfront in the video, this was based upon logical deductions from what we know about the announcement (location, division of project "Walt Disney Company" and the format of the rest of the Expo etc.) I never state that I know what the announcement is, but offer my speculation based upon what is logical. I also wanted to manage expectations, so that Disney fans don't expect a fifth park and then are disappointed by D23 Expo this year.

I think we have hyped this way more than we should have. Or maybe Disney did by using the word “secret.” Lol.
 

bartholomr4

Well-Known Member
As I stated upfront in the video, this was based upon logical deductions from what we know about the announcement (location, division of project "Walt Disney Company" and the format of the rest of the Expo etc.) I never state that I know what the announcement is, but offer my speculation based upon what is logical. I also wanted to manage expectations, so that Disney fans don't expect a fifth park and then are disappointed by D23 Expo this year.

Gotta agree..... When you think about special projects, it is more likely transformational (like buying a bunch of orange groves in central Florida in the mid 60's).
 

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