What’s Coming for Disney Fans in 2022, 2023, and Beyond
I give The Walt Disney Company plenty of credit. Sometimes, they unearth a great idea. When they do, they run with it.
Over the past few years, Disney has accidentally trained people to expect a splashy graphic of the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline.
After the first one, fans got hooked on the concept. Now, all significant Marvel updates come with this visual update.
At the 2022 D23 Expo, Disney adopted the strategy for its Parks, Experiences and Products division.
Thanks to this image, we can say for sure what to expect at Disney in 2022, 2023, and beyond!
Coming in 2022
This year only has three months remaining, but Disney isn’t done delivering high-quality experiences to its theme park fans.
In mid-November, The Mandalorian and his traveling companion, Baby Yoda, will debut at Disneyland Park.
This iconic duo will greet guests at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in what will likely become the most popular character greeting in at least a decade.
Photo: D23
Not to be outdone, Disney California Adventure will bring a friend to Avengers Campus…and he’s a big boy!
The Hulk is coming as part of the Project Exo development. It’s a “life-sized” version of The Hulk in a space suit.
Disney has built an Audio-Animatronic that is roughly 15 feet tall and must weigh a ton…and I mean that literally! He’ll arrive this week, so we’ll know more soon!
Fans of Walt Disney World will soon sing along to their favorite Fantasmic! music again, too.
While Disney didn’t announce a specific date, park officials confirmed it’ll return before 2022 ends. Cast rehearsals are currently underway for the show!
Disney is adding these experiences on top of the remarkable new enhancements we’ve already gained in 2022.
Photo: Disney
During this year alone, Disney has introduced Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and a new Avengers Campus at Disneyland Paris.
Also, virtually everything Disney had to close during the pandemic has reopened, meaning that the parks are legitimately the best they’ve ever been.
Photo: orlandoattractions.com
Coming to Disneyland Resort in 2023
In terms of upcoming additions, 2023 seems like an action year, at least on paper.
Disneyland Resort will function as the hub as Disney celebrates its centennial.
Photo: Disneyland
Disney has promised to turn Disneyland Resort into a visually resplendent epicenter for the birthday celebration.
The 100th birthday event will include plenty of platinum features on display at the California resort that started the theme park phenomenon.
As part of these festivities, Mickey’s Toontown will reopen with its new look.
At D23, Disney exhibited a scale model of what’s coming soon. Most of the original structures will remain. They’re getting a shinier design, though.
Also, Disney will reinvigorate some old experiences like Quick Service restaurants and the former Gadget’s Go Coaster experience.
Most importantly, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will debut, and it’ll differ in some significant ways from the version at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Credit: Disney
The Villas at Disneyland Hotel will also open for the first time in 2023. Disneyland Hotel claims the title of the oldest theme park hotel in the world.
In fact, Disney didn’t even own it at first and required 33 years to purchase the property. Now, Disney is ready for the most significant expansion ever.
“The Villas” are a standalone expansion tower akin to Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
Illustrations from the Disneyland Hotel project indicate that it’ll change its appearance somewhat thanks to some sort of digital display.
Credit: Disney
Disney hasn’t built an entirely new hotel in California in more than 20 years. So this is a massive project.
Coming to Walt Disney World in 2023
Meanwhile, Walt Disney World will add one minor and two major enhancements.
Photo Credit: Disney
At Magic Kingdom, the Hatbox Ghost will finally appear at Haunted Mansion. Guests have wanted this for years now, so he’s going to be wildly popular.
Of course, the more significant Magic Kingdom news is the debut of Tron Lightcycle Power Run next spring.
Image Credit: Disney
This motorcycle-style roller coaster has already dazzled guests at Tokyo Disneyland, where it’s the most popular attraction.
Anyone who has watched Tron or Tron Legacy will salivate at the ride’s premise.
You board one of those futuristic cycles and then try to avoid getting derezzed. It appears stunningly similar to this scene from Tron Legacy:
Journey of Water Inspired by Moana will also arrive in roughly a year. This EPCOT water feature mirrors the intelligent water in the film.
Here’s a reminder of how that looks:
At D23, Disney revealed a remarkable 16-feet-tall statue of Te Fiti, the “villain” from Moana.
Definitely Coming in 2024 or Beyond
Here’s where the conversation grows a bit challenging. Disney announced several upcoming projects across its empire. However, it didn’t confirm them all.
Photo: Disney
We know that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will debut at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom in 2024.
Disney showed off the plans for this ride, and the crowd went nuts. Seriously, the audience reaction shocked me with its enthusiasm and zeal.
Tiana will grab her musician gator friend, Louis, and head to the bayou to track down the missing ingredient she needs for a dish. It looks gorgeous.
Imagineers have modified the World of Color mist technology to be usable on a ride. So, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure comes with a wow factor.
Image from D23 livestream, September 11, 2022
In 2024, Disney Cruise Line (DCL) will also unveil not one but two massive enhancements.
The first is the Disney Treasure, the second new ship Disney has commissioned. Think Disney Wish+, and you get the idea.
Photo: Disney
Disney just announced that the theme for this ship is adventure, and it showed the Grand Hall with a color scheme based on characters from Aladdin.
However, arguably the bigger deal is the impending debut of Lighthouse Point, the second private island Disney has purchased in The Bahamas.
Photo:Disney Cruise Line
When you close your eyes and dream about an exotic island, it’s this place. And it’s exclusive to DCL tourists starting in 2024!
Another DVC project, the expansion tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, will also open in 2024.
Photo: Disney
Frankly, DVC sells out all the inventory it has. So, Disney must add these new hotels to address consumers’ voracious appetite for its vacation fans.
Other projects like the Disneyland Hotel transformation and Cotino, Storyliving by Disney, will garner headlines in 2024 as well.
Photo: TAYA GRAY/THE DESERT SUN
Beyond that, Disney has many other thrilling projects in the queue. So we’re all wondering what comes next!
