News Destination D23 2025

[BrianLo]

I like to remind everyone how historically Destination is a nothing burger, like D23 Brazil was. Typically there will be fluffy project details sprinkled in that we already know about.

Re-quoting myself from early in this thread. There's a weird amount of gleeful gloating going on for history simply repeating itself.

And yes, 2 years ago was mildly substantive. But now we know this one is fluffy.

I do actually think the bulk of the presentations sound interesting and the Studios being there is actually a bit atypical and typically the stronger presentations in Anaheim than the parks one anyways. This is mostly disappointing for those at home.

 

[CosmicDuck]

If I was the chairman of Parks, Resorts, and Experiences and I felt reasonably confident (as one could be at this company at any rate) that I was going to be named the next CEO of the Walt Disney Company in 2026 - I would know that D23 is essentially going to be my coming out party to the world.

If that was the case, I would want as many bullets in my chamber to fire there as humanly possible to impress the most amount of people and fans and set up as positive a narrative as possible - the exact opposite of my previous failed predecessor. And even better if some of those bullets are extremely good news for a relatively niche diehard audience who tend to complain no matter what. Bullet's id typically "waste" at an event like Destination D23 with little mainstream coverage.

I'd also be setting the stage for Wall Street that the P,R,&E division is going to be the focal point of the company for the foreseeable future - and the more announcements I have to make at once, the more convincing that argument looks. Last time I had to do it at Bobby's behest, this time it's selfishly for my own.

And lastly because I have little studios entertainment experience, and because that will continue to be where the beating heart of the company lies (despite its infinitely declining revenue stream) - I need to prove to the executives running that division that I will continue to empower and support them to make the best content possible. So maybe I choose to give them a spotlight at an event that typically doesn't include studios presence.

Now I just have to disappoint fans for a year and hope that in the next 12 months the economy, the country, and the world don't completely collapse right as I'm about to be handed the reins to the largest media conglomerate in history. But what are the odds of that happening twice.

 

[Gusey]

And yes, 2 years ago was mildly substantive. But now we know this one is fluffy.

And Destination D23 in 2023 was making up for the lack of announcements at D23 in 2022 (the infamous Blue Sky panel)

The one thing from the schedule is trying to work out where the updates on current projects could actually be sprinkled throughout the weekend like they're saying. Villains Land is a definite from the Villains project and the international parks could be covered by the 5-minute Disney Around the Globe segments. Happiest Place on Earth will likely mention some of the Disneyland updates to DCA if anything, or just the Walt animatronic. But none of the other panels are screaming Monsters Inc, Cars, or Tropical Americas

 

[monothingie]

I wish they’d end these events…it highlights what’s wrong with the consumer dynamic/relationship all too well.

Big tech companies do them, I thought the name of the game was to be like Apple.

 

[Surferboy567]

could it be that they have already announced everything there is to announce at WDW, for now? None of the projects they have announced last year are far enough along to provide more detail?

Rock N Roll - Closing early next year
Dinosaur - Closing early next year
Animation Courtyard - Closing next month

If they don’t have far enough plans for these we are in big trouble.

Tropical Americas - Opening in 2027

Even throw us a bone with Villain Land name, Villain Land rides, 2nd Cars Ride, Monsters Inc name etc.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Big tech companies do them, I thought the name of the game was to be like Apple.

…writing checks your sweatered body can’t cash?

 

[wityblack]

4 in MK, 3 in AK, 3 In HS( if you count Animation Courtyard) Yeah, almost a new park. If those are all built as expansions, the cost to operate each park goes up more than if they replace attractions. Yes price increases will go up no matter what, everything does, but it would go up higher and faster if profits margins started to shrink due to higher operating costs. Not defending it, just reality.

I'll defend it. Disney is a for profit company. Why would they leave things that get next to no attendance like Dinoland, Muppets (as much as I love it), Launch Bay, or Tom Sawyers Island, all of which have operating costs, when they can be replaced by higher capacity and more popular new rides that get butts to the park. The longer an attraction is around the more it costs to maintain. You can't endlessly expand. And they still do expand. Not only is Villains replacing nothing, pretty much everything that is getting built is expanding the footprint, capacity, and portfolio of the parks.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I think this is all expectation setting. Instead of a parks panel that they only really gave new details about the new Cars Ride (Brazil); we're getting a "Parks panel" where they've pre-empted we are only getting details on Villains Land.

If I had to get details on one project, I'm most curious about Villains, so I guess my expectations are now appropriately set low. And no we're clearly not getting an Imagination long-shot redo at this one.

Definitely agree that if there was one project I would like to see more on it is Villains Land, so I am glad that there is a session for Villains and looks like should get at least some tidbits on Villains Land

Guess the one thing I am a little surprised about is I thought we would get a hit more buzz on Tropical Americas - more on the Encanto ride, etc - as that should be the next big project to come online, but maybe still saving that for Expo next year - but maybe some new concept art, etc will be scattered in to some of the "around the world sections).

Guess the next thing really is the Mando update for Falcon, but maybe they touch on that movie during the studios panel and then slip in something about the ride update

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'll defend it. Disney is a for profit company. Why would they leave things that get next to no attendance like Dinoland, Muppets (as much as I love it), Launch Bay, or Tom Sawyers Island, all of which have operating costs, when they can be replaced by higher capacity and more popular new rides that get butts to the park. The longer an attraction is around the more it costs to maintain. You can't endlessly expand. And they still do expand. Not only is Villains replacing nothing, pretty much everything that is getting built is expanding the footprint, capacity, and portfolio of the parks.

The flaw in your thinking is “higher capacity”

Shiny new toys don’t equal that necessarily. It would be nice to assume they are increasing seat count…but they have to cancel out all the reductions first.

Not quite so simple

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

could it be that they have already announced everything there is to announce at WDW, for now? None of the projects they have announced last year are far enough along to provide more detail?

Is it possible they’re hedging? Which we have some prior pattern. Reminder: it’s not a conspiracy theory if it’s happened before.

It’s very foolish to think that their actual attitude is “we’re gonna build tons of stuff…no matter what the money looks like”

Rock N Roll - Closing early next year
Dinosaur - Closing early next year
Animation Courtyard - Closing next month

If they don’t have far enough plans for these we are in big trouble.

Tropical Americas - Opening in 2027

Even throw us a bone with Villain Land name, Villain Land rides, 2nd Cars Ride, Monsters Inc name etc.

That last part? None of that can be given any credence at all until there is something “there” in the works. Disney is not required to tell anyone in the public where things are…they are only required to tell you if their books are above or below water?

 

[bmr1591]

Rides / Attractions / Dining being replaced by what all they are doing:
- Dinosaur
- Triceratops Spin
- Primeval Whirl
- Restaurantosaurus
- Chester & Hesters games
- The Boneyard
- Liberty Square Riverboat
- Tom Sawyer Island / rafts
- Rivers of America
- Muppets 3D
- PizzaRizzo
- Mama Melrose
- Rock’n Roller Coaster staring Aerosmith

I’m probably missing some things here, but basically, they aren’t “expanding” and adding a lot more things for guests spread out and to see and do as they should be

All but one of these you listed was a ghost town almost every day. We can argue about expansion vs replacement all day, but from a capacity standpoint, it helps a ton to remove underperforming attractions (some severely underperforming) and replace them with attractions that will draw a crowd. It increases what fans can do during the day AND spreads crowds out at those parks more to help wait times in other areas. Replacements aren’t always a big bad boogie man.

And RnRc is being rethemed because they don’t wanna pay licensing anymore. Muppets is fortunate to even be going there.

They are literally sinking billions of dollars into their Florida park. The biggest expansion ever coming to the Magic Kingdom and they’re not even going to talk about it or drop hints or create excitement?

They’ve been talking about it nonstop for the past year. We’ve gotten concept arts, updated info on what rides will be coming, shut down dates, updated concept arts, and more. Outside of the new Monsters Inc show and the second Cars ride, everything else has been talked about and beaten to death. All they can do is start moving dirt and building. Focusing on Villains, the one that people are most excited for and has the least info out, is a good move.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Being beaten to death in pods and vlogs is not a construction plan or update. Nor does it have to meet and standards of journalistic integrity.

Guess I can skip the news from now on and watch offhand?

 

[wityblack]

The flaw in your thinking is “higher capacity”

Shiny new toys don’t equal that necessarily. It would be nice to assume they are increasing seat count…but they have to cancel out all the reductions first.

Not quite so simple.

Ok, let's do some comparison. Muppets is being replaced with a show, likely the same exact capacity, but you get what seems to be a very efficient loading coaster, so that's a bump in capacity. Villains is automatically a capacity bump since it's replacing nothing. Technically the Liberty Belle can hold 1800 an hour, but that never happened, at most you would get 500 an hour. I imagine the Cars ride will rarely be a walk-on, so it will likely use all its capacity, and I'd imagine the capacity would be at least 1000 an hour as all modern D+ tickets are. And they announced a second ride too. For Tropical Americas, Indy will be the same, if you want to grandfather in primeval whirl then you are looking at 900 an hour. Encanto I believe will be close to 2000 an hour. And the carousel should beat out Triceratops spin by a couple hundred if it is similar to other carousels. The new shows will also stop the theaters from running mostly empty, dispersing crowds more.

 

[HauntedPirate]

Licensing fees for RnRc?? Please… make the stupid stop!

 

[mattpeto]

Ok, let's do some comparison. Muppets is being replaced with a show, likely the same exact capacity, but you get what seems to be a very efficient loading coaster, so that's a bump in capacity. Villains is automatically a capacity bump since it's replacing nothing. Technically the Liberty Belle can hold 1800 an hour, but that never happened, at most you would get 500 an hour. I imagine the Cars ride will rarely be a walk-on, so it will likely use all its capacity, and I'd imagine the capacity would be at least 1000 an hour as all modern D+ tickets are. And they announced a second ride too. For Tropical Americas, Indy will be the same, if you want to grandfather in primeval whirl then you are looking at 900 an hour. Encanto I believe will be close to 2000 an hour. And the carousel should beat out Triceratops spin by a couple hundred if it is similar to other carousels. The new shows will also stop the theaters from running mostly empty, dispersing crowds more.

Don't forget about the 3 or 4 people who just stared at the Rivers of America all day.

 

[wityblack]

Don't forget about the 3 or 4 people who just stared at the Rivers of America all day.

Soon there will be 4 year olds that stare at cars all day. It's the circle of life.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Ok, let's do some comparison. Muppets is being replaced with a show, likely the same exact capacity, but you get what seems to be a very efficient loading coaster, so that's a bump in capacity. Villains is automatically a capacity bump since it's replacing nothing. Technically the Liberty Belle can hold 1800 an hour, but that never happened, at most you would get 500 an hour. I imagine the Cars ride will rarely be a walk-on, so it will likely use all its capacity, and I'd imagine the capacity would be at least 1000 an hour as all modern D+ tickets are. And they announced a second ride too. For Tropical Americas, Indy will be the same, if you want to grandfather in primeval whirl then you are looking at 900 an hour. Encanto I believe will be close to 2000 an hour. And the carousel should beat out Triceratops spin by a couple hundred if it is similar to other carousels. The new shows will also stop the theaters from running mostly empty, dispersing crowds more.

You went way too deep in the ocean on this one…any closure needs to be accounted for if you are rating park capacity vs the growth of the crowds since 1971.

So they may have a gain…but it will not be large. Usage is a different matter. Of course more usage is preferable…however they have created their own incentive structure where no more capacity is in their benefit. So don’t believe that isn’t part of the calculus.

Any likebots can comment as well…but I bet I know how it will go…

 

[DisneyWorld30th]

Does anyone have a link to the D23 event merchandise that can be preordered?

 

[wityblack]

You went way too deep in the ocean on this one…any closure needs to be accounted for if you are rating park capacity vs the growth of the crowds since 1971.

So they may have a gain…but it will not be large. Usage is a different matter. Of course more usage is preferable…however they have created their own incentive structure where no more capacity is in their benefit. So don’t believe that isn’t part of the calculus.

Any likebots can comment as well…but I bet I know how it will go…

Guys, has anyone seen my goalposts? I think someone moved them.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Guys, has anyone seen my goalposts? I think someone moved them.

Oh you’re gonna try that?

Capacity is a seat/flow output. Period.

How long you been watching this parks thang?



Schools back in session