Disney Rumors for August 2022
We’re only two weeks away from the 2022 D23 Expo, the time when Disney rumors turn into Disney facts…mostly.
Several announcements from previous Anaheim D23 events haven’t come to pass, although we can blame the pandemic for that.
Projects like Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge and the Main Street Theater at Magic Kingdom may not have come to fruition anyway, though.
Sometimes, an idea sounds good on paper. But, once Imagineers try to lay the foundation, the problems sometimes grow too large to ignore.
With D23 coming so soon, this month’s rumors could look silly quicker than usual. Still, I’m hearing about three possibilities worth tracking.
The Disney Skyliner Expansion
I’ve discussed two of three rumors fairly recently. However, the buzz has grown that they may be back on the docket.
One sounds like the plans haven’t changed much if any. The other has undergone an overhaul. So, let’s talk about this rumor first.
Yes, park officials have once again debated the extension of the Disney Skyliner. Plans involve adding new stations/terminals.
Currently, you’ll find hubs at four Disney resorts and two theme parks. The idea of connecting hotels to parks is a dream solution for Disney and park guests alike.
Despite this fact, another Disney Skyliner project had previously dominated the conversation.


Photo: Disney
Management ostensibly canceled the Magical Express program in anticipation of its upcoming replacement.
Disney suffered a falling out of sorts with Mears Transportation. The latter group proved unreliable during the pandemic.


Photo: Mears
Disney didn’t want to pay Mears to offer subpar services, thereby tarnishing the Mouse brand. So, Disney killed the program.
At the time, officials believed a replacement would arrive in approximately two years.


Photo: janshroder.com
Alas, that project, a Brightline high-speed train system, has fallen by the wayside. Well, it still exists, but Disney has dropped out.
Universal Orlando Resort effectively paid Brightline to add a station near the Orlando Convention Center and the upcoming Epic Universe theme park.


Photo: Brightline
Disney no longer liked the notion of a slower train route from the airport, especially one that would stop at the competition, too.
Despite having no backup plan, Disney squashed the proposed/presumed Brightline station in the Disney Springs area.


Photo: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/
In the process, Disney also eliminated any immediate need to construct a Disney Skyliner connection there.
Don’t get me wrong. A gondola ride from parks and resorts to Disney Springs would be ideal. It’s just not a necessity in the short term.

The Skyliner Plan B
What matters most to Disney executives right now is maximizing revenue. Of course, we all hate to hear that, but it’s true.
Therefore, all potential D23 projects should enhance Disney’s bottom line. The Disney Skyliner expansion at Disney Springs would have checked that box.
This project would have saved Disney the expense of Magical Express…which they no longer have. But unfortunately, we never received its replacement.
From Disney’s perspective, it has saved tons of money in the short term…and may be ready to use the unexpected dividends for something else.


Photo: Disney
Yes, the Disney Skyliner could return as a differently located expansion project.
Specifically, Disney might try to tie together more hotels and another theme park.
In this scenario, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and possibly Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge would be the primary beneficiaries. We’d all be winners, though.


Credit: Disney
This plan calls for a Disney Skyliner station traveling to and from Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Unfortunately, that’s the park with the worst logistics at Walt Disney World.
If Disney moved forward with this plan, the Disney Skyliner would connect travelers to every park but Magic Kingdom.
More importantly, Animal Kingdom would no longer feel like it’s in the middle of nowhere. Meanwhile, Coronado Springs would gain the same benefit that Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort already does.
Guests who stayed here would take a relaxing gondola ride to/from the theme parks. They’d know when they’d arrive and could plan accordingly.
Disney possesses plenty of incentives to do this, as it would boost attendance at multiple hotels AND Animal Kingdom.
The catch is that they may not have enough money to make it happen. We should know in a few days.


Photo: Getty
The Return of Mary Poppins Returns
The other returning rumor involves EPCOT’s World Showcase. Yes, it’s one at the United Kingdom pavilion.
Some folks believe CEO Bob Chapek is hellbent on bringing the previously announced Mary Poppins attraction to life.


Photo: Charles Krupa/AP
Chapek had previously lamented that the pandemic prevented construction on this project. He sounded like a big fan of the premise.
As a reminder, it’s a flat ride based on Mary Poppins Returns. However, I think it’d possess more of a general Mary Poppins theme.


Photo: Disney+
After all, Mary Poppins Returns didn’t pull strong numbers at the box office and isn’t dazzling anyone on Disney+, either. Nevertheless, it’s a perfectly lovely movie.
Would I consider Mary Poppins Returns worthy of a Disney attraction? It wouldn’t top my list. That’s for sure. Mary Poppins, on the other hand…
Frankly, I don’t know whether to believe this rumor. I suspect it’s more speculation based on previous comments from Chapek.
I’d call this rumor a good guess rather than an informed opinion, but I’m still hearing it enough not to dismiss it out of hand.

The Hot DVC Rumor
Speaking of which, Disney Vacation Club fans know something that other Disney fans don’t.
In 2042, the first batch of DVC contracts expires. On that date, thousands of current DVC members fall out of the program. I’m actually one of them.


Photo: DVC
While you’re likely not worried about something 20 years away, Disney officials are. They know that current DVC members want to keep their ownership interests.
For this reason, Disney has offered new DVC resorts with contracts that last into the 2070s! Of course, we’ll all be wearing our VR headsets on Mars by then.


Photo: DVC
Still, Disney wants to sell more DVC memberships and recognizes an opportunity to do so via existing members.
Recently, DVC converted an entire building of hotel rooms into villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.


(Kent Phillips, photographer)
Currently, DVC is building an expansion tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and another at Disneyland Hotel.
Such expansions are easier than entirely new constructions like the aforementioned Reflections. And Disney may have another one planned.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort already offers DVC ownership options. However, those memberships expire in 2042.
Meanwhile, the adjoining hotel, Disney’s Yacht Club, doesn’t participate in DVC…yet.


Photo: Disney
Disney may announce a new DVC expansion at Yacht Club as a means of persuading Beach Club owners to add another contract.
This one would last another 50 years as opposed to the one that ends in January of 2042.


Disney Vacation Club
Credit: Disney
I honestly don’t know whether Disney will do this or not, but it makes perfect sense from a business perspective.
What’s better than selling a person one item? Selling them two of the same item!