Knee-Jerk Reactions to the Disney Parks Announcements at the D23 Expo

(ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 27, 2019)


There is something about D23 Expo that makes me happy on the inside. I do not know what it is, but there is a certain feel among Disney fans when the Expo comes around. Of course, the highlight is always the Disney Parks and Resorts announcements. We have had Toy Story Land, Galaxy’s Edge, Pandora, and other major projects unveiled at the panel. This year was no different. So, what did we get this time around?
Bob Chapek came out to, well, a mixed reaction to say the least. He then detailed Star Wars Land and it’s success, and said that Disney park attendees said that they wanted more storytelling in the parks. That was a common theme of this year’s D23: storytelling. Whether it be what was announced for Disney+ or for what was coming to the parks, Disney wanted to hammer home the point of storytelling.
He starts off by announcing a daytime parade for Disneyland called Magic Happens. This will be a parade with new floats and new characters led by Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Personally, I’m fine with this. Disneyland needed some new parade offerings, and this should be a sign that Walt Disney World will get a parade of some kind in the near future.
Overseas, there will be an expansion to Walt Disney Studios park in Paris with a new Frozen Land. That is all that was mentioned in the entire 2 hours about Disneyland Paris. Something we already knew was happening. Glad to see the Walt Disney Company is really focused on improving that park.
Disneyland Paris is not the only Disney park getting a Frozen Land. Hong Kong Disneyland is also getting a themed area dedicated to the hit film, complete with a roller coaster called Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs. The castle is also getting redone, complete with a mixture of several Disney princesses called the Castle of Magical Dreams. Good for Hong Kong Disneyland. After this project and the Marvel Land updates, Disney’s project in Hong Kong is finally getting the love it deserved.
hkdl23094802934802394fi(image credit to Disney Parks)
After the closure of the Shop Disney Parks app, Bob Chapek wanted to expand the way that Disney fans are able to get their merchandise. So, he announced that pop up Disney stores would be inserted into 25 Target stores around the country. This was not all, however, as a brand new Target is coming to Walt Disney World. I got to be honest with you guys, I’m really not a fan of this. I do not know why this was done. It would have been easier had more Disney stores been opened up, but I guess Target was going to give Disney money, so that is why this was done.
On to Marvel Land. Coming to Disney’s California Adventure will be a new area called Avengers Campus, complete with a Spider Man web slinger attraction and a micro brewery themed to Ant Man. Details were later revealed about Phase 2 of the expansion, which will eventually include an E-ticket attraction that includes Marvel superheroes traveling to Wakanda. The concept art for the Wakanda ride looks insane, but I’m surprised that the Spider Man attraction was unveiled in such great detail after Spider Man’s departure from the Marvel Cinematic Universe this past weekend. Looks decent, but there are insanely high standards from Marvel fans.
shp333423948203948fi(image credit to DIS Boards)
However, the big announcement Disney fans were waiting for was about Epcot. The renovation of Epcot can be best described with two words: cautious optimism. The history and ideals of Epcot is what people like myself care about. Did we get our way? Well, sorta kinda.
Future World will now be split into three new areas: World Nature, World Celebration, and World Discovery. Interesting to see, for sure. I kinda like it, but it will take some time for me to accept this as the new norm.
The Spaceship Earth renovation was confirmed, with some new details. The focus of the ride will shift from communication and innovation to, buzz word alert, storytelling. It will be changed so much so that a new “story light” will accompany guests on their journey. Complete with a new narration and new ending, this version of Spaceship Earth will be like nothing we have ever seen before. At the end of this experience will be Dreamers Point, which will include a statue of Walt Disney looking over his own creation of Epcot.
img_0911-990x556(image credit to WDWNT)
Personally, I’m mixed on this. There is no doubt that Dreamer’s Point is an upgrade over Project Tomorrow, but this new Spaceship Earth can be either really positive, or really negative. I have optimism for this new version of the ride, and I hope it carries that same Disney magic that it did in 1982.
In World Nature, a new film called Awesome Planet will premiere in The Land pavilion, and a new water walkthrough called Journey of Water. Sounds pretty cool to me, I’m just happy that The Land pavilion is not getting too many updates.
World Discovery is getting some changes as well, with a new restaurant called Space 220 coming to the Mission: SPACE pavilion. I will be eating there, eventually. One of the more underrated announcements of the panel. Also coming to World Discovery is the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster, featuring a reverse launch. Good idea on paper, but it does not belong in Epcot. It should instead be in Hollywood Studios.
The other big announcements coming to Epcot included the new nighttime show called Harmonious, which will replace Illuminations. This show is going to incorporate more effects, more interaction with the countries, and more, buzz word alert, storytelling. If this truly is Disney’s most in depth nighttime show ever, than this better be good.
The highlight of the Epcot portion of the panel was the revelation that Mary Poppins and Cherry Tree Lane will be coming to the United Kingdom. Awesome. Love every bit of this. Mary never got her love in the theme parks and that will change in a few short years. Cannot wait until we get more details about what’s coming.
Mary Poppins Attraction at Epcot(image credit to WDWNT)
It’s also worth noting that Brazil was supposed to be announced as the 12th country coming to World Showcase, but this was not officially unveiled at the Expo because of the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest. Smart move by Disney. The last thing they needed was a public relations nightmare.
Disney Genie was another innovation announced at D23. Disney Genie will be a recommendation service to help plan your trip to Walt Disney World. For example, if you want a princess themed day, Disney Genie will book meals at Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest while Fastpassing rides like Journey of the Little Mermaid and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Again, a good idea on paper, but there is a part of me that loves doing research on my own and not having technology look things up for me. I will not have a friend like Disney Genie, but others will like it and use it, so that is a plus.
The Star Wars Hotel got some new details as well. It will be a 2 night stay at the Galactic Starcruiser hotel, while hijinks aboard the ship will happen. Everyone will get their own private cabin and you can make alliances with fellow people staying at the hotel. This also includes private transportation to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Star Wars fans will gush over this, but this just isn’t for me. Cool concept, though.
Finally, Disney Cruise Line unveiled some huge details. A new private island on Lighthouse Point in the Bahamas will welcome guests from Disney cruises. Designed by legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde, this island will be centered around wildlife and Bahamian culture, while maintaining that Disney magic. I am all for this, as Castaway Cay was getting repetitive and kind of boring after a while. The name of the 5th Disney Cruise ship was also announced. The Disney Wish, with Rapunzel at the helm, will begin to set sail in January 2022. Expect me to be one of the first to experience this new boat for myself.
disney-wish-lighthouse-point(image credit to Seatrade Cruise News)
Overall, I was satisfied with the announcements, yet I was left expecting more. I know that this article was long and chock full of information, but so much was left out. No news about Journey Into Imagination with Figment. No news about Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary. No news about the update of Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom. Seems like more is on the horizon for Disney. With the things that were announced, I felt mixed. I think Mary Poppins was a home run, but the Target partnership just left many scratching their heads. Spaceship Earth raised some doubts among lifelong the ride’s fans, yet Disney Genie seems like Disney could have another technological breakthrough. One major positive worth noting from these announcements: there were no ride closures. A huge positive for Disney Parks. Adding without subtracting always results in happy park goers.
Only time will tell if Disney is making the right move. It makes me want to go back to the parks immediately.
It makes me want to go back to the parks even more after these additions come to us very soon.

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