News Destination D23 2023

[MagicHappens1971]

Parades are the least of the problems. We need attractions announced, we have no new projects after Tiana’s.

Beyond Big Thunder & Moana/Zootopia for DAK are likely to be announced in some form.

 

[Surferboy567]

As a D23 Gold Member, I got an email with the following info:

D23 SHOPPING SPREE While current ticketholders to Destination D23 will gain priority first access to the exclusive shopping opportunities at this event, we will be offering a separate, specially ticketed experience for D23 Gold Members who aren’t attending Destination D23 but still want to snag collectibles, exclusives, and marvelous merchandise with the D23 Shopping Spree. Fans will be offered a chance to take part in shopping at Mickey’s of Glendale, The Walt Disney Company Store, and the Ink & Paint Marketplace—all of which are creating a stellar lineup of products that allow all fans to showcase their love of Disney in a multitude of ways. Stay tuned for more information on this special shopping opportunity.​

Can someone clarify is the Shopping Spree an online event or an in person event? Would love to be able to look at the merchandise virtually.

 

[Surferboy567]

Beyond Big Thunder & Moana/Zootopia for DAK are likely to be announced in some form.

I hope so they need to get moving on new projects not hypothetical.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

I hope so they need to get moving on new projects not hypothetical.

As I mentioned, just because projects haven’t been announced doesn’t mean they’re not in the works.

 

[bmr1591]

I’m gonna be at WDW this weekend so it was tempting but I fully agree. Really, the only store I was interested in was the WDI store. So I think you just helped me save $700+. Because you are right, just pay more on eBay at that point.

You could also buy the ticket, upsell the merch yourself, then sell enough to pay for your ticket.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

You could also buy the ticket, upsell the merch yourself, then sell enough to pay for your ticket.

Guilty of doing this once

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Can someone clarify is the Shopping Spree an online event or an in person event? Would love to be able to look at the merchandise virtually.

Just wait for every vlogger to post what they get and expect that every shirt available will only have small and mediums left...

 

[TTA94]

Even if they wait till September to announce it, that doesn't mean work hasn't begun on this hypothetical parade.

You might be right, wdwmagic did say in the other thread things with night parades are happening. Let’s just hope those plans are more on the concrete side and not at risk of cancellation.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

You might be right, wdwmagic did say in the other thread things with night parades are happening. Let’s just hope those plans are more on the concrete side and not at risk of cancellation.

Yeah I didn’t make my comments with any insider knowledge but I have seen suggestions from insiders, as well as just making the general statement that just because we haven’t heard about it doesn’t mean nothings in the works.

 

[TTA94]

I haven’t been following this subject but has there been any talks on a Space Mountain extensive refurb or overhaul coming soon? I think we can all agree SM is in ruff shape, minus the recently cleaned exterior. But I can see where they might want to wait until Tron can handle the demand without the VQ and Tiana Bayou Adventure opens.

 

[donsullivan]

I hope so they need to get moving on new projects not hypothetical.

I wouldn't expect them to announce anything new getting built in Florida until all the 'stuff' with the governor is sorted out, and they know what the future will be.

 

[TTA94]

I wouldn't expect them to announce anything new getting built in Florida until all the 'stuff' with the governor is sorted out, and they know what the future will be.

I could see that sadly. Like WDW needed yet another thing happening to delay or cancel projects . Things just started to get back on track from Covid and now this mess.
Let’s hope at least small projects like refurbs and new entertainment can still happen. Of course they’ll continue with the Splash/Tiana thing.

 

[Surferboy567]

I wouldn't expect them to announce anything new getting built in Florida until all the 'stuff' with the governor is sorted out, and they know what the future will be.

Unfortunately, I can see this it does depend if they are granted an injunction. Technically, if they are then things can improve quickly.

The unique situation they find themselves in is Epic Universe as well as this “stuff” with the state at the same time. This is a perfect storm for them. I know they don’t seem to care but if they don’t break ground on a major new addition soon they are going to have problems. First off we have nothing new past Tiana‘s (which isn’t really a new ride), given how long it takes Disney to construct something they need to get a move on.

Construction Timelines:

Toy Story Land - A little over 2 years
Pandora - A little over 3 years
Galaxy’s Edge - A little over 3 years
Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind (pandemic impacted) - A little over 5 years
TRON Lightcycle Run (pandemic impacted) - A little over 5 years
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (pandemic impacted) - A little over 4 years

This means if we are following these timelines we’d be looking at around 2 years at the absolute minimum. That is, if they broke ground now. Which would take us to 2025 (which they have not announced any new additions for that year). If whatever they announce is a major land expansion like beyond big thunder or dinoland it’s probably wiser to go with Pandora or Galaxy’s Edge timeline of around 2026.

Epic Universe opens in 2025 (supposedly). Point being, they will need some kind of new addition for 2025 at the very least.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

I wouldn't expect them to announce anything new getting built in Florida until all the 'stuff' with the governor is sorted out, and they know what the future will be.

This is kind of a loose-loose outlook on the situation with the governor. WDW has been in Orlando since 1971, it's not going anywhere. Disney choosing not to continue to invest in the resort will only hurt them, not the state. I don't see them halting projects out of spite.

 

[Inspired Figment]

Figment (possibly even with Dreamfinder ) meet n greet details?

 

[donsullivan]

Figment (possibly even with Dreamfinder ) meet n greet details?

Until all of this stuff with the governor is completely resolved and closed out you should not expect announcements of Disney investing in anything in Florida. I think Iger’s statement the other day, “does the state want us to invest more, employ more people and pay more taxes or not?” Tells the story.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

Until all of this stuff with the governor is completely resolved and closed out you should not expect announcements of Disney investing in anything in Florida. I think Iger’s statement the other day, “does the state want us to invest more, employ more people and pay more taxes or not?” Tells the story.

I think that was just Iger saying things to say things. Disney isn’t going to just stop investing in their biggest money maker because of a hostile dictator.

 

[donsullivan]

I think that was just Iger saying things to say things. Disney isn’t going to just stop investing in their biggest money maker because of a hostile dictator.

Until all of this is completely over and resolved and all parties agree it's resolved, Disney has no idea what the next attack will be or what its impact will be. Take for example the "enforcement citation program" with $500/day files that have been described as "the new code enforcement system could be “weaponized” and used against Disney on matters unrelated to building and safety codes." What if they go after participants at Disney Springs and all of a sudden nobody will sign a lease there? Instead of swapping tenants out (which is normal) some leave and the spots lay empty. No merchant wants anything to do with the increased taxes (they've already complained about that risk) and other random 'enforcement' this new board should decide to undertake.

Since their development plan was negated by the legislature the other day, and then they added monorail inspections, and the list goes on, they are now in a position where any new development at WDW will have to be approved by the new CFTOD board. The CFTOD board members have already said they intend to use their 'power' to force the Disney company to change its direction on the content it produces by holding development plans hostage to their whims. No company is going to invest a dime in anything new under those conditions.

While they are not leaving Florida, do not expect anything that is not already underway to be announced until this is over. It would be irresponsible for Disney to do so. The moment they announce anything new, this is over and the governor will have won. It's not going to happen.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Since their development plan was negated by the legislature the other day, and then they added monorail inspections, and the list goes on, they are now in a position where any new development at WDW will have to be approved by the new CFTOD board.

This has not yet happened. The land development regulations have not been changed to put more/all projects before the board of supervisors for planning approval.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

I think that was just Iger saying things to say things. Disney isn’t going to just stop investing in their biggest money maker because of a hostile dictator.

I don't think Iger really thinks now is a good time to "just say things".

Of course they will continue to invest in Florida, ultimately . . . but he's not gonna say something like that on Tuesday and then undermine it on Friday.

I think it's fair to expect that Disney won't be making any major announcements about future investment in WDW before these waters start to clear a little.