What will Disney announce for Disney World at the 2022 D23 expo?

[Basil of Baker Street]

They could always go back to a classic route when it comes to additions and whatnot, instead of making the next biggest/tallest/bestest roller coaster/trackless dark ride.

A couple of more Little Mermaid rides wouldn't hurt the parks (unless they include the current maintenance team...)

That is exactly how I feel. I would rather them add 3 omnimovers than an overpriced headliner. Add capacity!

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

I went backwards in 2006…if I recall?

I still see a couple of problems with Indy now…

That’s even more of a “cranky 80s” fandom than Star Wars…
But they pay so no foul.

The ip has to be still strong…don’t know if a 90 year old ford will do that when an 80 year old wasn’t before. We’ll see

They aren’t touching Nazis now - would be my guess…for several reasons

You have the 5th Indy movie in the works, and at least I have heard some good rumbling/rumors. If you can make a successful transition away from Indy=Harrison Ford, and away from a nazi antagonist (and I mean more successful than Crystal skull in this regard) it could set up nicely as a basis for a new ride

 

[castlecake2.0]

DHS is arguably the most complete park now after all of the expansions there.

This is by a mile the most needed aspect of the park. The traffic flow and layout of this area.

They need to do something with animation courtyard as the primary focus of connecting it to sunset. That’s even more important than the IP or attractions involved, tbh.

There’s a couple of issues with connecting these areas (not impossible, but not super easy). The area in red is very narrow, buildings would have to be altered in order for this to be a proper guest walkway, as is it would not be viable for guest traffic to get through here. The other thing would he getting food to and from the restaurants here, not super difficult, but would be the same issue as the Main Street bypass. Either way, they REALLY need to do something with animation courtyard, that area is embarrassing right now.

Wish List:

Return an updated littler Mermaid or Encanto show.

Reopen one of the shuttered shops. Make the other a relaxation zone with seating, chargers.

Return the Magic of Disney Animation, including the animation class. Get Disney+ to sponsor it.

(A little bit out of animation courtyard, but…) expand the Brown Derby lounge seating, move the bar into former Starring Roles location.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You have the 5th Indy movie in the works, and at least I have heard some good rumbling/rumors. If you can make a successful transition away from Indy=Harrison Ford, and away from a nazi antagonist (and I mean more successful than Crystal skull in this regard) it could set up nicely as a basis for a new ride

Well that’s the “hope”…

But they tried to kinda do that 15 years ago and George and Stevie fell flat. What’s even worse about that is wasn’t the WORST movie ever…just had Shia lebouf

But fear not…Disney has shown remarking skill in “reinventing” old Lucas franchises.

 

[UNCgolf]

DHS is arguably the most complete park now after all of the expansions there.

Really? I think even with the recent expansions it's still the weakest park and most in need of additions. For me, it's the only park where I could not even come close to spending a full day; there's almost nothing to do outside of the attraction lineup -- it's a much weaker park in that aspect than it was 20 years ago.

Admittedly I don't like half the attractions at DHS, so that doesn't help, but it's still lacking overall.

 

[UNCgolf]

I'm gluing together Len Testa's comment on a recent Disney Dish episode about a new AK attraction announcement that was allegedly pulled the morning of the last D23 park presentation, and Alicia Stella made a recent podcast comment to the effect of "oh yeah, the AK wooden coaster".

I really hope it's not this. Disney opening yet another coaster as their next new attraction would be three in a row and a pretty big miss, especially for their customer base.

I suppose it would be different if it was a coaster more like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (but hopefully longer), in terms of being both heavily themed and rideable for small kids, but a wooden coaster doesn't sound like that.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

DHS is arguably the most complete park now after all of the expansions there.

This is by a mile the most needed aspect of the park. The traffic flow and layout of this area.

They need to do something with animation courtyard as the primary focus of connecting it to sunset. That’s even more important than the IP or attractions involved, tbh.

Wow…not even close

They really didn’t “expand” anything…and they still have shuttered or horribly out of date areas decaying

 

[DCLcruiser]

Really? I think even with the recent expansions it's still the weakest park and most in need of additions. For me, it's the only park where I could not even come close to spending a full day; there's almost nothing to do outside of the attraction lineup -- it's a much weaker park in that aspect than it was 20 years ago.

Admittedly I don't like half the attractions at DHS, so that doesn't help, but it's still lacking overall.

I'd argue that DHS is the best park (and I love EPCOT the most). It has the most exciting rides.

1. RnRc
2. ToT
3. TSMM
4. RotR
5. MFSR
6. ST
7. EDIT, I forgot SDD

The other parks are seriously lacking for adult/thrill rides. DAK has 3 rides, MK has 4 rides, EPCOT has 4 rides.

 

[andysol]

Really? I think even with the recent expansions it's still the weakest park and most in need of additions. For me, it's the only park where I could not even come close to spending a full day; there's almost nothing to do outside of the attraction lineup -- it's a much weaker park in that aspect than it was 20 years ago.

Admittedly I don't like half the attractions at DHS, so that doesn't help, but it's still lacking overall.

Wow…not even close

They really didn’t “expand” anything…and they still have shuttered or horribly out of date areas decaying

I suppose it might be my affinity for universal that has tilted me towards appreciating DHS more now as it’s a bit more parallel with USF.

With ToT, RNRCC, MMRR, SDD, RotR; it’s certainly a top heavy park.
Throw in TSMM, MF & even ST and even the mid grade attractions are fantastic (if not redundant).

Granted, Their shutter of mermaid, fantasmic and on/off again of BatB are hurting the shows. But even without mermaid it’s still 3 sizeable shows, albeit one horribly outdated.

But you’re not wrong. It still needs balancing. Attraction-wise I feel like it’s the strongest, particularly with the expansions. And no- you’re not going to convince me that Lights motor action + the neutered tram was superior to SW:GE or TSL.
Are those ideal in my eyes? No. I would’ve much preferred a large Pixar area and we all know about SW’s warts. But as a whole, a massive improvement.
And I’ll die on the hill that MMRR > GMR. Don’t @ me!

I guess I’ll say it like this- it’s the only park we’re at 3 times on a weeklong trip (although we are at Epcot for 3+ times usually for dinner/evening- but exclusively for world showcase)

 

[UNCgolf]

I'd argue that DHS is the best park (and I love EPCOT the most). It has the most exciting rides.

1. RnRC
2. ToT
3. TSMM
4. RotR
5. MFSR
6. ST

The other parks are seriously lacking for adult/thrill rides. DAK has 3 rides, MK has 4 rides, EPCOT has 4 rides.

I think adult and thrill rides aren't necessarily the same thing (1994 or so EPCOT had the best collection of adult attractions of any theme park ever IMO), but I also generally find straight thrill rides boring because they don't have enough interesting content.

For my money, DHS was probably a better park in 2000 than it is right now -- it definitely was outside of attractions (there was much better theming etc. back then). Of course, I also think TSMM is terrible and TSL as a whole is basically a waste of space, and MFSR was a massive misfire that's not worth waiting more than 15 minutes to ride -- it would be better as a walk-through without wasting the money/time on the really bad video game. RotR looks great and Galaxy's Edge is a whole is okay, though.

I do understand why people really like the current attraction lineup at DHS, though. It's just that everything else about the park is lacking -- there's almost nothing there outside of the attractions themselves. EPCOT (despite former Future World still being a giant mess) has the World Showcase to suck up a bunch of extra time, and Animal Kingdom has all the animal trails.

 

[DCLcruiser]

I think adult and thrill rides aren't necessarily the same thing (1994 or so EPCOT had the best collection of adult attractions of any theme park ever IMO), but I also generally find straight thrill rides boring because they don't have enough interesting content.

For my money, DHS was probably a better park in 2000 than it is right now -- it definitely was outside of attractions (there was much better theming etc. back then). Of course, I also think TSMM is terrible and TSL as a whole is basically a waste of space, and MFSR was a massive misfire that's not worth waiting more than 15 minutes to ride -- it would be better as a walk-through without wasting the money/time on the really bad video game. RotR looks great and Galaxy's Edge is a whole is okay, though.

I do understand why people really like the current attraction lineup at DHS, though. It's just that everything else about the park is lacking -- there's almost nothing there outside of the attractions themselves.

Do you actually ride TSMM and not end up laughing your head off with a sore arm? It's probably the purist form of fun at all of WDW.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Imagination is almost “too obvious” at this point. I also think they have zero idea of what to do with the chopped up building and ride system? Another slow roll trackless? They have limited options.

Maybe…but you’re overestimating a SixFlags on this one…I think.

I don’t spend days/hours on any water ride…I like it for what it is.

The Justice League attraction is substantially better than RipSaw falls.

 

[andysol]

Do you actually ride TSMM and not end up laughing your head off with a sore arm? It's probably the purist form of fun at all of WDW.

It’s a lightyear better than Buzz from Tomorrowland.

But it’s not even in the same galaxy as MIB

 

[RSoxNo1]

Really? I think even with the recent expansions it's still the weakest park and most in need of additions. For me, it's the only park where I could not even come close to spending a full day; there's almost nothing to do outside of the attraction lineup -- it's a much weaker park in that aspect than it was 20 years ago.

Admittedly I don't like half the attractions at DHS, so that doesn't help, but it's still lacking overall.

I haven't ridden Guardians, but pre-Guardians there was a vast chasm between EPCOT and DHS for me. I imagine with the current disassembled state of EPCOT right now, even with Guardians I'd still have it as the worst Disney park in the country.

 

[DCLcruiser]

It’s a lightyear better than Buzz from Tomorrowland.

But it’s not even in the same galaxy as MIB

MIB - I liked that you could see the laser pointer easier for aiming, but the actual guns/cord were very cheap.

IIRC, Buzz in DLR/DCA was a lot better for aiming.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I really hope it's not this. Disney opening yet another coaster as their next new attraction would be three in a row and a pretty big miss, especially for their customer base.

I suppose it would be different if it was a coaster more like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (but hopefully longer), in terms of being both heavily themed and rideable for small kids, but a wooden coaster doesn't sound like that.

The excavator concept is great, but it's not what DAK needs right now. We mentioned upthread that Imagination seems too obvious not to be the next move for EPCOT. I really think Mystic Manor is a comparably obvious option for DAK. The park needs another attraction without a height requirement. As for DHS, what about another mission for Smugglers Run and/or details on the additional destinations for Star Tours?

As for other predictions, there's the presentation and the Imagineering pavilion on the show floor. On the show floor I could see the following:

• Tiana's Bayou Adventure model, maybe an AA
• EPCOT's World Celebration model
• Actual Dreamer's point Walt Statue
• Models from upcoming overseas projects, Frozen, Fantasy Springs, Zootopia, etc.
• Disney Cruise ship models with or without names

 

[andysol]

MIB - I liked that you could see the laser pointer easier for aiming, but the actual guns/cord were very cheap.

IIRC, Buzz in DLR/DCA was a lot better for aiming.

You’re missing the best part- hitting the red button.
Where one or two people get it and the other 4-5 are yelling that they hit it in time and didn’t get the points.

 

[pdude81]

Imagination should 100% be the next announced project for EPCOT. It is so desperately needed at this point. A B-ticket Poppins attraction with E-ticket facades would be a complete waste of money and resources.

Agreed 100%.

Imagination is almost “too obvious” at this point. I also think they have zero idea of what to do with the chopped up building and ride system? Another slow roll trackless? They have limited options.

I think they could go back to the original layout with new/different sets. I'm tired of trackless... it breaks down too often and usually doesn't have enough capacity since the cars are rather big and need more space between them. Give me an omnimover on a track any day of the week, but preferably one you can slow down a bit and easily bring on wheelchairs rather than all the stops you get at HM.

 

[DCLcruiser]

Agreed 100%.

I think they could go back to the original layout with new/different sets. I'm tired of trackless... it breaks down too often and usually doesn't have enough capacity since the cars are rather big and need more space between them. Give me an omnimover on a track any day of the week, but preferably one you can slow down a bit and easily bring on wheelchairs rather than all the stops you get at HM.

I'm so sick of HM stopping. Ruins the entire ride. I get why, but just figure out a way to load/unload where it does not stop the ride for people already in the main parts.

 

[fgmnt]

Agreed 100%.

I think they could go back to the original layout with new/different sets. I'm tired of trackless... it breaks down too often and usually doesn't have enough capacity since the cars are rather big and need more space between them. Give me an omnimover on a track any day of the week, but preferably one you can slow down a bit and easily bring on wheelchairs rather than all the stops you get at HM.

Someone who knows more can provide clarity or correction on this, but the there are significant and repeated changes in elevation in the Imagination ride portion. I dont think you could install a trackless ride system in there without gutting the building.