News Destination D23 2023

SamusAranX

Well-Known Member
I don't disagree at all. Just pointing out that it's odd they've put themselves in a position to have that be the ONE YEAR that breaks the streak. With all the overseas projects coming to an end, curious if they could supercharge development of ONE THING just so they can keep it rolling.
Could they? Yep. Should they? Absolutely. Will they? Not likely.

Disney has always liked to spread costs across fiscal periods; not to mention they take 2+ years to build a single attraction. The last land they relatively “rushed” was TSL and we saw how that turned out.
 

Squishy

Well-Known Member
They would have to break ground today to have a fleeting hope at having a whole new land ready by 2025. Realistically if announced soon, I would say 2026
It was rumored the Zootopia retheme will come first, they could make late 2025 depending on how extensive the retheme would be.
 

MJL92

Active Member
Unless they move very fast, and that would be unlikely if we are using the past construction times as a barometer.

Disney has always liked to spread costs across fiscal periods; not to mention they take 2+ years to build a single attraction. The last land they relatively “rushed” was TSL and we saw how that turned out.

I'm not betting on anything. Just pointing out if they REALLY WANTED TO, all it costs is some extra $$$ to speed some of those projects up. Money that will be free of Shanghai and Hong Kong projects. Again, not expecting it, but I'm not gonna completely rule it out just yet. We'll see how badly they care about 2025.
 

Kamikaze

Well-Known Member
This is probably a reach, but... I find the timing interesting that Matt Ouimet just quit the Cedar Fair board effective immediately.

Haven't really seen that talked about but would definitely be of interest to the Disneyland fans who remember him and think he could do some real good if he was brought back to run the parks.
I'm told (second hand source) that it is purely a retirement move.
 

mattpeto

Well-Known Member
It was rumored the Zootopia retheme will come first, they could make late 2025 depending on how extensive the retheme would be.
The Moana AK project and artwork was further along. The only way we will get an attraction update in 2025 now is a retheme (Malestrom to Frozen, Splash to Tiana) and that has to start very soon.

In terms of rethemes, I can’t think of a good candidate outside of Epcot (Figment/Mission Space) so I think 2025 might be entertainment driven.
 

Disnutz311

Disney World Purist
Interesting that they are dropping so much info, pictures and talking points this week already. Zootopia in Shanghai, Disney Treasure, etc.

What are they going to talk about for an hour? Seems to me that they would have used some of the above to stretch out the segment. Shows and meet & greets plus updates on a few already mentioned simple things is about 30 to 40 minutes at best.

They have to announce something to talk about for the sheer sake of the stock price, no?
 

MerlinTheGoat

Well-Known Member
The Moana AK project and artwork was further along. The only way we will get an attraction update in 2025 now is a retheme (Malestrom to Frozen, Splash to Tiana) and that has to start very soon.

In terms of rethemes, I can’t think of a good candidate outside of Epcot (Figment/Mission Space) so I think 2025 might be entertainment driven.
Conceptually, Zootopia would be much further along. It's a clone of the attraction already in the late stages of construction at Shanghai Disneyland and scheduled to open before the end of the year over there. It would also be a replacement for Dinosaur, likely reusing the existing show building. So construction could theoretically be a lot quicker than the Moana attraction. Unless they intentionally delay its construction and build Moana first. Incidentally, there have been cases of some of the Asian parks having contracts preventing some of their newly built rides being cloned elsewhere for a certain period of time after. I think this was the case for Tron initially. I'm not sure if Zootopia has one though. If it does, that could delay it.

For what it's worth however, i'm not sure any of the AK projects are going to take priority at WDW. Despite seeming like it would come first. Take with a grain of salt, but the Magic Kingdom projects might actually happen first per a rumor I heard about what WDI allegedly wants to do. Even though that stuff looked earlier in development. Depends on whatever corporate wants to happen though.

I'm actually not expecting to see either of these projects at this event though. It's D23 proper that they use to make major announcements, this event is for lesser projects or things already pretty far in the development process. At most, maybe updates on Tiana and perhaps the Epcot night show, probably nothing more substantial than that. That's just my own speculation, I don't know either way.
 

mattpeto

Well-Known Member
Conceptually, Zootopia would be much further along. It's a clone of the attraction already in the late stages of construction at Shanghai Disneyland and scheduled to open before the end of the year over there. It would also be a replacement for Dinosaur, likely reusing the existing show building. So construction could theoretically be a lot quicker than the Moana attraction. Unless they intentionally delay its construction and build Moana first. Incidentally, there have been cases of some of the Asian parks having contracts preventing some of their newly built rides being cloned elsewhere for a certain period of time after. I think this was the case for Tron initially. I'm not sure if Zootopia has one though. If it does, that could delay it.

For what it's worth however, i'm not sure any of the AK projects are going to take priority at WDW. Despite seeming like it would come first. Take with a grain of salt, but the Magic Kingdom projects might actually happen first per a rumor I heard about what WDI allegedly wants to do. Even though that stuff looked earlier in development. Depends on whatever corporate wants to happen though.

I'm actually not expecting to see either of these projects at this event though. It's D23 proper that they use to make major announcements, this event is for lesser projects or things already pretty far in the development process. At most, maybe updates on Tiana and perhaps the Epcot night show, probably nothing more substantial than that. That's just my own speculation, I don't know either way.
I think the Zootopia pics today proved it’s a trackless ride, which makes it a hard retheme.
 

MerlinTheGoat

Well-Known Member
I think the Zootopia pics today proved it’s a trackless ride, which makes it a hard retheme.
Yeah, presumably a Great Movie Ride situation where they gut the building and replace it with a new ride system. Assuming it actually happens.

Unless they intend to not actually make an exact 1:1 clone and just a loose adaptation using the existing ride system. No idea if they would do it, but they've done it before.
 

TTA94

Well-Known Member
My expectations are low, but hopefully we will be surprised. :)

Hopefully we will get dates for HatBox, Moana and Figment M&G opening, a name and more details for the new EPCOT show. I think it's too early for anything on the night parade plans. There are a couple of other projects in the works, including one at DHS that might be mentioned.

Are you able to say if they are looking at a night parade sometime in 2024? Or beyond that?
 

TheMaxRebo

Well-Known Member
Yeah, presumably a Great Movie Ride situation where they gut the building and replace it with a new ride system. Assuming it actually happens.

Unless they intend to not actually make an exact 1:1 clone and just a loose adaptation using the existing ride system. No idea if they would do it, but they've done it before.

looking at time frame, the Great Movie ride closed August 17, 2017 and MMRR opened March 4, 2020 - so about 2.5 years

could they rush it since it is a clone of something vs the first time, possibly

If they wanted to fast track it probably make more sense to reuse the ride system but retheme it vs changing it to a trackless ride. Those ride vehicles can do a lot of motion, just have the track to follow. Indy is a pretty cool ride, much better than Dinosaur so does show a retheme could work/be an improvement (from a ride standpoint in a vacuum, still don't think the IP belongs there)
 

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
In terms of rethemes, I can’t think of a good candidate outside of Epcot (Figment/Mission Space) so I think 2025 might be entertainment driven.

I think it would be pretty difficult to retheme Mission: Space. It wouldn't be impossible, but there just aren't many options for that system that don't involve space travel -- and it's too intense for a kid's IP (unless you make it all like Green, but that kind of defeats the purpose of the ride system).

Considering they just built Space 220, I doubt they have plans to make changes there anytime soon.
 

mattpeto

Well-Known Member
I think it would be pretty difficult to retheme Mission: Space. It wouldn't be impossible, but there just aren't many options for that system that don't involve space travel -- and it's too intense for a kid's IP (unless you make it all like Green, but that kind of defeats the purpose of the ride system).

Considering they just built Space 220, I doubt they have plans to make changes there anytime soon.
in love pixar gif GIF by Disney Pixar
 

GhostHost1000

Premium Member
Disney needs to stop with re-purposing attractions to save money. It would be a travesty to not have a dinosaur section remain in a place called Animal Kingdom. Keep the boneyard, the dinosaur ride (with some updates maybe, calmer, or something maybe) and then EXPAND the park and attractions offered.
 

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