News D23 2026: Is New Disney Leadership Finally Listening to Parks Fans?

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D23 2026: Is New Disney Leadership Finally Listening to Parks Fans?

At D23 2026, the Expedition Everest Yeti repair and Dreamfinder's return to EPCOT suggested new Disney leadership is responding to what parks fans have long asked for, not just what drives revenue.

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[MisterPenguin]

Now, everyone. Make a big deal about how disappointing the Nemo and Mermaid rides are.

 

[deWild]

I’ve liked the way Josh operates for a while now, he just seems like no job is beneath him and he craves the guest interaction.

 

[larryz]

I’ve liked the way Josh operates for a while now, he just seems like no job is beneath him and he craves the guest interaction.

Or is it more about craving the attention he gets when he feigns interest in the CMs and guest concerns...?

 

[mysto]

Fan service.

It's about time! Two thumbs up.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

It helps when someone actually wants to be a DISNEY CEO.

 

[Dinoman96]

Josh will win my heart if his regime begins to greenlight all new and high quality non-IP attractions.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I'd love to believe this... But I will give it time for them to prove themselves, first.

...Its just too bad us true og park fans lost so much we loved dearly waiting for these guys to show up. We're lucky we have Figment still around at all, and we're lucky Figment sells to the common Disney Adult.

Might have been too late of a redemption for some of us, like myself. But here's a solid pat on the back, a thumbs up, and a "Good job, buddy!" from me.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Let’s hope it lasts. Josh obviously wanted to curry our favor this year as the new CEO. Will it last, especially once earnings inevitably fall? Business can’t remain strong forever. Let’s hope he avoids the Eisner trajectory.

 

[phoenician22]

Instead of digging up the old thread I’ll pose two questions here:

I’d be curious where they draw the line for what projects were included in the $17B turbocharged announcement vs future investment. Or if that $17B is moot at this point and they’re just “continually investing”

And two, this might be inflammatory, but is LL a stable enough revenue stream to guarantee a level of investment similar to what we’re seeing today? It’s probably more complicated than that but I have less (not zero, just less) beef with the LL system if it guarantees reinvestment into the parks

 

[vikescaper]

I hope so. Something feels different, unlike the Chapek years. I think fans are genuinely excited to see what’s going to happen.

 

[WorldExplorer]

Look, I know I'm going to be called unreasonable and impossible to please, but this "yeah guys, that's right, you expected it for sixteen years because it really should've happened already, we listened, we're doing BASIC UPKEEP" thing being met with thunderous applause and treated like some really special thing they're doing just for the fans is sad.

And I'll be impressed by them dragging out old Epcot icons to cash in on when they actually make something good with them. So far they've had one acceptable hit and a ton of misses.

 

[Captain Neo]

The only high profile unused ride concept from the late 90s/early 00s that D’Amaro hasnt greenlit yet is Fire Mountain. Hopefully he consideres that for the next phase . I would say beastly kingdom but clearly elements of that are being used in Villians Land so thats cool.

I agree that its not just about announcements and building the type of stuff the fans actually want. Money needs to be spent on maintenance and the guest experience as well.

 

[WondersOfLife]

View attachment 937512
Look, I know I'm going to be called unreasonable and impossible to please, but this "yeah guys, that's right, you expected it for sixteen years because it really should've happened already, we listened, we're doing BASIC UPKEEP" thing being met with thunderous applause and treated like some really special thing they're doing just for the fans is sad.

And I'll be impressed by them dragging out old Epcot icons to cash in on when they actually make something good with them. So far they've had one acceptable hit and a ton of misses.

This is a great way to put it.

WDW announcements were two things...

1). Updates on projects that already existed (and, for the most part, that nobody asked for).

And 2). Fixing maintenance and outdated related stuff to older attractions that should have just been a given about 10+ years ago (Imagination, Spaceship Earth, Yeti, Carousel of Progress...)

 

[beneperson056]

No.

 

[monothingie]

I’ve liked the way Josh operates for a while now, he just seems like no job is beneath him and he craves the guest interaction.

It’s a Mr Burns va Tim Cook personality difference.

It helps when someone actually wants to be a DISNEY CEO.

Yeah good to recognize that TWDC is not a tech company, but an entertainment and hospitality company first.

Josh is by no means perfect when it comes to the parks, and some bad stuff like LL started under him at P&E but he plays the part well and brings a lot more energy than Bob.

 

[christine7257]

I don't disagree that much of this should have been addressed earlier based on feedback and ride performance, but for whatever reason it wasn't. And if they're going to usher in a new era, this wasn't a bad way to do it. They definitely emphasized fans being at the center and hearing the feedback. Josh seems to personify that. That said, I don't think there are timeframes around a lot of this so while I'm very hopeful and optimistic, the cynical part of my brain says they can always abandon these plans in the future. Time will tell, but I'm really hoping it was more than lip service and that they have a plan to follow through in the relatively near term.

 

[SJN1279]

You have to be careful listening too much to the most vocal fans. In the end, we are really a small demo.

 

[WondersOfLife]

You have to be careful listening too much to the most vocal fans. In the end, we are really a small demo.

You're not helping lol

 

[SJN1279]

Fixing the Yeti is cool, but I always felt that Everest needed a killer soundtrack. I rode Everest when the Yeti worked, and I found the ride disappointing. More show scenes and music would be very welcome.