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

[Dan Deesnee]

Disneyland DVC tower
Poly DVC tower
(just a guess)

Good point... Hadn't thought of those.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

So you think they are going to spend over $4-5 billion annually in capex on parks they don’t fully own, fund, or profit from while completely neglecting the parks that actually create significant shareholder value.

There’s plenty of reasons to speculate that they wouldn’t spend large sums of money on capex right now. But if we know they are spending its absurd to think it wouldn’t be spent where it will have beneficial ROI

But the latest investors call answered your question. Yes, they will neglect the US parks because per guest spending is at an all time high and attendance is right where they say they want it.

The 4-5 billion will go to cruise ships, and the new hotels someone else pointed out, probably.

Look, don't take my stance as something I'm happy about. I personally think WDW needs a big, REALLY big answer to Epic Universe and I want to see as much investment in WDW as possible. I also don't trust or believe in the current management to think they're competent enough to recognize the threat and react appropriately...

Edit - Although it is interesting that Capex spikes whenever they announce a big new expansion. Looks like a spike when they did New Fantasy Land and Avatar and another when they did Galaxy's Edge. Unless i'm getting my years mixed up. - https://finbox.com/NYSE:DIS/explorer/capex

 

[DCLcruiser]

Boundless, as in not in the USA parks....

Perhaps, but the metaverse is about as boundless as you can get. The potential is huge for Disney.

 

[Parker41056]

Are you feeling ok?

I'm back to reality now.. LOL.. I do think they need to go big but even this would be absurdly ambitious and costly.

 

[bhg469]

Perhaps, but the metaverse is about as boundless as you can get. The potential is huge for Disney.

I see the potential of the metaverse as far as consuming disney media, NFTs and all that stuff, but at the end of the day, it would still be a huge disappointment to build up something so intangible.

 

[DCLcruiser]

I see the potential of the metaverse as far as consuming disney media, NFTs and all that stuff, but at the end of the day, it would still be a huge disappointment to build up something so intangible.

But way cheaper than building a physical park, ship, or expansion, etc.

 

[marni1971]

Grizzly river run is basically what you would have gotten had it been longer.

Grizzly River is exactly what you would have gotten - but indoors. With added purple bling.

 

[peter11435]

The 4-5 billion will go to cruise ships, and the new hotels someone else pointed out, probably.

the two two new ships and the new island destination will come out to roughly $3 billion total. But that total will be spread across multiple years. The $6 billion capex number is annual…

 

[RSoxNo1]

Yeah kali is such a waste of space. Coulda shoulda been so much more. The drop is meh and the rest of the ride is mediocre. It hasn’t aged well. Infinity falls was pretty awesome.

My biggest opposition to Kali is that it contributes to the blocking of the big expansion plot.

 

[DCLcruiser]

the two two new ships and the new island destination will come out to roughly $3 billion total. But that total will be spread across multiple years. The $6 billion capex number is annual…

Plus, couldn't the next two ships already be accounted for in previous budgets? They were announced awhile ago.

 

[DCLcruiser]

My biggest opposition to Kali is that it contributes to the blocking of the big expansion plot.

Isn't the expansion area north of it? Accessible via the Jungle Trek.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Isn't the expansion area north of it? Accessible via the Jungle Trek.

You might get mauled by a tiger. The pathway, the train or Kali would have to be modified or removed.

Agree on DCA
DHS - needs another star wars attraction, a spinner or more in toy story land and a major add to animation area
AK needs Dino land refurb with new ride and adds to Pandora
MK needs theater, rebuilt SM and something in Stitch
Epcot needs SSE redone, Imagination redone and a world at minimum added to WS

Each park doesn't need a new ride or two, it needs a new land or two.

D23 will mostly focus on what's going on in other countries. There will probably very little news about WDW or DLR.

If it were up to me I would double down on D23 and announce some major wow moments to deflect from the Epic news. Use this time to assure the fans that Disney board has authorized major capital outlay due to parks being so beloved and profitable. Build out the rest of the parks and then tease a 5th park at the next D23. Use D23 2022 to introduce major park enhancements and additions over the next 5 years to coordinate with 100 anniversary. Below focuses just on the Florida property.

Magic Kingdom: Build out New Orleans square area around new Splash Mountain theming, Convert Speedway to electric Vehicles and add an indoor scene along with light package to match Tron style, re-announce the Main Street Theatre project and a new 100 year parade/night show. Finally, MK will need another major E ticket . Announce

Disney Hollywood Studio: Need to add more kinetic energy to Galaxy's Edge. I propose the rumored speed bike multi-launch coaster. This coaster (Hagrid's style) will have a large indoor section with show scenes and light package but will also weave in and around the land to add the energy. Also, add a few more variations of the missions you can explore on the Smugglers Run. Animation courtyard needs to be expanded and developed. I propose a east coast version of Pixar Pier with an Incredicoaster and a few more Pixar IP. One in particular would be a mini Cars land that would offer Flo's Cafe and a miniature version of Radiator Springs. Think antique cars on steroids. These care would talk and interact with guests as they travel through both indoor and outdoor scenes. I also think the the Beauty and Beast show could be updated with Either a frozen or some sort of celebrating 100 years of magic. Long term plans have to include a Marvel land at the end of Sunset Blvd. Also have to determine if Indiana Jones will stay at this park or move to DAK.

EPCOT: Park needs to add a new World Showcase pavilion. I propose Columbia with an Encanto attraction. Play Pavilion and Mary Poppins needs to be re-announced along with a new E ticket attraction between the Land and Seas pavilion. Also, figment needs a major re-imagining.

Animal Kingdom: This park needs significant investment. First, add alternate versions of flight of passage. Convert Dinoland to Indy Jones. Re imagine Dinosaur and add outdoor sections as well to attraction. Add a next generation Indy boat ride E ticket where Primevil whirl was using Pirates Shanghai tech. Also, how can DAK even exists without an attraction centered around the Kings of the Jungle. Need to create a Pride Rock Icon with a large Lion King Dark ride using Hong Kong new Beauty and Beast tech . Lastly, Zootopia could work well at the back of the park.

Blizzard Beach gets a new world class water coaster and a reskin to Ice Age franchise.

I know this is a ton of money and a big dream but Disney needs to think BIG!!!

I'd add/change a few bits if we're thinking big:

- Reopen BB for one more season. Whilst its open, plan it's replacement. By the time it closes for next season all the equipment/rides have been fabricated and a team is ready to go with demolishing it, to replace it with a new water park approx 3x the size to rival Volcano Bay / Aquatica, which have vastly more exciting attractions. Whilst thats going on TL will have extended opening to counter BB being closed (much like they are having to do at the moment).

- AK has the most land available for expansion, and is the park with the most guest space. Rip down dinoland and start again, expanding it with a larger land (dont really care what the theme is, they can figure that bit out). It'd need a good 2 or 3 E-ticket attractions. I'd also do as you say and add another attraction over at Pandora to help level the crowds. Really they could do with something new over in the Asia section as well.

- Epcot would get a couple of new pavilions in the world showcase, this doesn't need to be too fancy, just something to absorb extra guests for a while. Play Pavilion would also be finished off. The Seas also needs an overhaul, it's feeling very tired.

- I like the idea of New Orleans for MK, although not sure how BTMRR would fit in there as you'd be exiting Frontierland, going into New Orleans and then have an obvious Frontierland attraction in the middle of it. Perhaps just sticking to converting Tom Sawyer Island into something would be more feasible.

- HWS could probably be left alone, it's got enough demand with SWGE and TSLand. At most the retheme of RnR could be done on the cheap - no alterations to the ride at all, just rethemed to something a little more up to date.

I honestly dont think a 5th park is on the cards ever though. They're massively struggling to keep enough staff in place to run the ones they've already got.

There are some great ideas here but I'm not optimistic. The fact that all the normal outlets and insiders are quiet tells me our expectations should be low.

Having said that, they absolutely shouldn't be low when you assess what's actually needed. Going park by park...

Magic Kingdom

• Very Likely - Tiana's Bayou Adventure update / details / timeline. I'd love it if this included a new restaurant or another way to retheme it into Florida, but I'm not holding my breath
• Unlikely - Main Street Theater, Space Mountain update, Speedway update
• Unlikely - Anything else of substance
• The park needs 4000-6000 more guest per hour ride capacity at minimum. It won't get it.

EPCOT

• Very Likely - Update on Journey of Water and CommuniCore. Perhaps with timelines of completion
• Somewhat Likely - Spaceship Earth update
• Unlikely - Imagination update, Seas Update
• Unlikely - New World Showcase Pavilion
• The park needs at least one more headliner. I'd love for that to be an updated Imagination.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Unlikely - Anything of substance
• The park needs more attractions without height requirements.

Disney's Animal Kingdom

• Likely - Replacement to Primeval Whirl, maybe all of Dinorama
• Unlikely - Anything else of substance
• The park needs more attractions without height requirements

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'm back to reality now.. LOL.. I do think they need to go big but even this would be absurdly ambitious and costly.

I totally agree with you…
But in the real world - think there’s almost 0% chance.

Blue sky theory is my main stickler. The bobs. If you dig into it…it means exactly what the fans don’t want. And a deliberate paradox…like “trickle down” and “right to work” and some other doozies

 

[DCLcruiser]

You might get mauled by a tiger. The pathway, the train or Kali would have to be modified or removed.

I think they could just build a themed overpass that would allow the train to go under and we could have a bridge to Australia (it is an island after all!).

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Perhaps, but the metaverse is about as boundless as you can get. The potential is huge for Disney.

I agree

Though I’m getting just a bit freaked out at how “real” ready player one is actually becoming

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I appreciate the enthusiasm for DAK…certainly it’s due for something new…but I just don’t see it. Not even a replacement in dinoland.

As always I hope I’m wrong.

Though everyone saying Australia is ripping me off . I’ve been beating that drum since i first AOLIM/built it in rollercoaster tycoon circa 2000

 

[Kamikaze]

You might get mauled by a tiger. The pathway, the train or Kali would have to be modified or removed.

Can't they make a path east of Kali to get to that plot?

 

[matt9112]

My biggest opposition to Kali is that it contributes to the blocking of the big expansion plot.

There’s that too. Don’t get me wrong the theming is great I love the que and that area of the park in general however it’s just meh. I would prefer they clear it and that could open up a lot of possibility’s. Granted I feel like some kind of water thrill is needed at that park. One of the hottest parks imho.

 

[Dan Deesnee]

the two two new ships and the new island destination will come out to roughly $3 billion total. But that total will be spread across multiple years. The $6 billion capex number is annual…

I appreciate the back and forth but I'm curious what you expect them to announce?

Again, I'm hoping for huge WDW investment, but I've learned over the years to not get my hopes up.

 

[matt9112]

I appreciate the back and forth but I'm curious what you expect them to announce?

Again, I'm hoping for huge WDW investment, but I've learned over the years to not get my hopes up.

I feel like DL always gets the love and we get….what’s left.