Disney Rumors for August 2024
On Saturday, August 10th, the 2024 D23 Expo will host its most popular event, the parks panel.
At that point, we’ll learn what Disney has planned for its theme parks over the next few years.
Photo: D23
While the past several D23 events have disappointed, Disney is letting everyone know to expect big things this time.
Park officials have heard the complaints and are ready to restore D23 to its place at the top of the Disney marketing machine.
Photo: D23
So, in the latest batch of Disney Rumors, I’ll attempt to calibrate expectations a bit.
What should you consider a big reveal versus another disappointing outcome?
The Single
What defines a huge announcement? Disney recently faced that question at San Diego Comic-Con.
Marvel executives thought they had a double whammy of iconic reveals, with the Russo Brothers returning to direct another Avengers movie.
Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Then, Doctor Doom revealed himself as Robert Downey Jr., with Avengers: Doomsday confirmed.
Surprisingly, some of the feedback wasn’t positive, as fans wondered why RDJ wasn’t just playing Tony Stark again.
Photo: Getty Images for Disney
That’s the thing about the internet. Nobody knows how people will react about anything.
I mean, politics somehow involve couch jokes these days. It’s weird out there, my friends.
Photo: Disney
Disney fears this wild frontier and will do everything possible to avoid it.
Still, some proclamations wouldn’t thrill fans. Let’s say that all Disney confirms at D23 is the Tropical Americas.
Photo: Disney
We already know about that one. Similarly, we’ve got a good idea about what the Avatar experience at Disneyland will be.
Disney is designing some sort of boat ride akin to ones we’ve witnessed at international parks and has already posted images.
Photo: Disney
So, even if Disney tells us all the new attractions and experiences at Animal Kingdom and details the Avatar experience, that’ll feel like a letdown.
This year’s parks panel needs to feature new stuff, not just specifics about previously revealed attractions.
The Double
Here’s where the fun begins. As I’ve previously told you, I fully expect two announcements at this year’s event.
Disney hasn’t confirmed either of them so far, but the word is out that they’re in the pipeline.
Photo: Disney
The first of those experiences is some sort of Moana boat ride at Magic Kingdom.
Adventureland would presumably host this attraction, and it makes perfect sense, given the surging popularity of Moana.
Photo: Disney
Several years ago, Disney considered a Moana roller coaster akin to the former volcano roller coaster pitch.
Sadly, those plans never got off the ground, but Moana has ascended in the interim.
Photo: Disney
So, I fully expect a ride announcement of some sort. Given the seafaring explorer nature of the character, a boat ride makes the most sense.
Similarly, I’ve been preaching for years that the lack of a Lion King ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a glaring omission.
Photo: Disney
Thankfully, the prevailing belief right now is that Disney has heard the pleas of bemused fans like me.
The Lion King ride sounds likely to happen, with the primary question being whether Disney’s ready to reveal it.
Photo: Disney
If this doesn’t happen, I’ll be concerned, as today’s hot plan could become tomorrow’s “Why Didn’t Disney Ever Build Ride X…” article.
Still, we’re all hoping for a minimum of a couple of new attraction announcements in addition to the ones at the Tropical Americas.
Photo: Disney
I consider that the baseline for a successful parks panel. Like, if we find out about five total projects that we hadn’t heard before, that’s a win.
The Triple
Now, we’re starting to aim higher. We’re looking for Disney to tell us about even more attractions and experiences.
For instance, I mentioned last month that there’s a persistent rumor regarding a new parade coming to Walt Disney World.
Festival of Fantasy Parade
I vacillated on including that one, as I’ve heard it in the run-up to previous D23 Expos. It’s a popular rumor because it’s needed.
Disney lacks a magical nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom right now, not including the after-hours ticketed events.
Photo: Disney
A new show would satisfy guests by providing a new way to spend the night at Disney.
Speaking of Magic Kingdom, it’s time to learn What Lies Beyond Big Thunder.
Photo: Disney
I’m pretty sure that Disney already told us, even though nobody has taken them seriously yet.
A Coco attraction should anchor this expansion, but it’ll feel at least somewhat familiar to Disney World fans.
Photo: Disney
That’s because you’ll fly like an Alebrije in an experience akin to Soarin’ or Avatar Flight of Passage.
So, if Avatar Flight of Passage is “Soarin’ on Steroids,” what does that make the Coco ride? We’ll apparently find out soon.
Photo: Disney
However, I will offer this word of caution: Several “slam dunk” attractions and experiences from previous D23s never came to fruition.
Sometimes, even though a popular rumor is pervasive in Disney communities, it proves untrue, as management goes a different way.
Photo: Disney
Still, the best way to thrill Disney fans is to confirm the Magic Kingdom expansion, along with specific attractions and experiences.
The Homer
What would I consider a homerun announcement?
The answer varies, depending on what you may value at the parks.
Magic Kingdom
Personally, I’d deem any Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge expansion as a huge win.
Similarly, if Disney revealed other changes occurring at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I’d be all for that.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
I mentioned last time that the recent hot rumor involves a Disney Villains-themed land at Animation Courtyard.
Others have suggested that Disney might do something with Monstropolis in this same space.
Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Many years ago, a Monsters, Inc. “doors-based” roller coaster was proposed. It would have mimicked the final scenes from the film.
Now, at least one Disney insider has indicated that this idea has gained renewed interest. I hadn’t heard that, but the fit makes sense.
Photo: Disney/Pixar
You’ll notice I’m saying that a lot because Disney’s current theme park strategy is easily calculable.
Management wants branded intellectual property in as many places as possible.
Mike & Sulley
Since Monsters, Inc. has spawned a sequel and a spinoff series, it’s a logical fit.
Similarly, fans have been screaming for a Villains-themed land for as long as I can recall.
Photo: Pixar
Disney executives have confessed that the huge reaction to this theoretical blue-sky project at a previous D23 surprised them.
These are the kinds of major expansions fans crave, the ones that would make the event a success.
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Similarly, at Disneyland Resort, confirmation of a Frozen or Zootopia-themed land would thrill crowds.
For that matter, so would an expansion of Avengers Campus, including new ride experiences.
Photo: Disney
We’re also long overdue on an update to the King Thanos project.
All these reveals would go a long way toward making this the best D23 parks panel ever.
The Grand Slam
Look, there’s only one absolute grand slam Disney can manage, and we all know what it is.
Walt Disney World would need to add a fifth theme park and/or Disneyland Resort would build a third one.
Photo: Disney
Thus far, Disney CEO Bob Iger has staunchly opposed such proposals. He believes in a more modular expansion approach.
Historically, Disney has added new attractions and themed lands each year rather than building an entire theme park.
EPCOT
We haven’t witnessed one of those in America since 2001. But the looming threat of Universal Epic Universe may change the math.
Disney has at least toyed with the idea of entirely new theme parks.
Magic Kingdom
The 2024 D23 Expo seems like the ideal time to make a splash.
Come on, Disney! Swing for the fences!
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
