Disney Headlines for August 13th, 2024
This week’s only Headline is the obvious one.
The 2024 D23 Expo just ended, leaving fans giddy about Disney’s future.
![D23 Horizons Panel](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-09-34-10-Our-Favorite-Pictures-from-Horizons-Panel-at-D23-2024.png)
![D23 Horizons Panel](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-09-34-10-Our-Favorite-Pictures-from-Horizons-Panel-at-D23-2024.png)
Photo: Disney
So, let’s quickly talk about some of the highlights and Disney’s overall presentation.
The Pageantry
First, let’s discuss the pinnacle of this past weekend’s D23, and no, it wasn’t the Disney Villains announcement. It was this:
Imagine going back in time and telling someone in 2016 that Deadpool would be the star of D23 2024. But here we are.
Still, you may be wondering why the D23 parks panel featured a Deadpool dancing sequence while someone sang Like a Prayer.
Yes, the singer was amazing, but…why? Then, we have whatever this was:
That’s gonna haunt me. I wish I’d never seen it.
To a larger point, stuff like this and Alice in Wonderland performing 80s karaoke is why the event lasted until 1 a.m. on the East Coast.
I’ll level with you that I was annoyed at the time, but upon reflection, I’ve accepted that this is the way it’ll be now.
Disney moved the event to the Honda Center for the sole purpose of allowing 12,000 guests to watch in person.
As we’ll discuss, they randomly invited 1.1 million people later, but the point remains.
Disney wants to turn its theme park panel into a biennial spectacle.
So, that means a mini-Academy Awards event with a decidedly Disney flair. And that’s what we got.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-d23-the-ultimate-disney-fan-event-honda-center-15-scaled.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-d23-the-ultimate-disney-fan-event-honda-center-15-scaled.jpg)
2024 D24 Expo
Now that Disney has provided all the announcements we wanted, we can look back at the many YouTube videos and appreciate it more.
Folks, this was a fun show, even if it probably should have started earlier in the day out of respect for the East Coast crew.
I don’t think Disney cares, though. By all accounts, fans were ecstatic during the entire spectacle, that Grim Grinning Ghosts thing notwithstanding.
The bigger, better parks panel was a hit. Expect to see even more of the pageantry in 2026.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/PWT-ALBUM-PROMO-MAIN-01.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/PWT-ALBUM-PROMO-MAIN-01.jpg)
Plain White Ts
I just hope the Plain White T’s are available!
The Movies Panel
Disney had hinted at it for a while now, but the proof came on Friday night, August 9th.
On the opening night of the D23 Expo, Disney held its movies panel, the place where the stars came out to celebrate their upcoming releases.
![Disney Starlight](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-d23-the-ultimate-disney-fan-event3-scaled.jpg)
![Disney Starlight](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-d23-the-ultimate-disney-fan-event3-scaled.jpg)
Disney Horizons
We expected big things from Disney, and the company did not disappoint.
After more than a year of speculation, the studio finally confirmed Frozen III is coming to theaters.
That’s nearly as shocking as water being wet. Amusingly, Disney didn’t explicitly state that it’s doing Frozen IV yet, though.
Spoiler: Disney is making Frozen IV, and it’ll come out in quick succession after Frozen III. They’re being created together.
![Box Office](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gettyimages-1545551667-612x612-1.jpg)
![Box Office](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gettyimages-1545551667-612x612-1.jpg)
(Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
While fans have accused Disney of falling victim to sequel-itis, you can’t really blame the studio.
Recently, Disney tried entirely new IPs like Strange World and got repeatedly kicked in the teeth for it.
So, we’re getting Toy Story 5. I think it’s an *ahem* safe bet to expect Toy Story 6 somewhere down the line, too.
That’s the world in which we live, and if you don’t believe me, ask the producers of The Incredibles 3, coming soon to a theater near you!
To be fair, Disney did confirm a new IP called Monster Trucks and remains committed to Pixar’s Elio next year.
However, I think the movie panel clearly established one simple truth.
![Monster's Inc suspended coaster](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-wdw-disney-world-disneys-hollywood-studios-monsters-inc-land-3.png)
![Monster's Inc suspended coaster](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-wdw-disney-world-disneys-hollywood-studios-monsters-inc-land-3.png)
Photo: Disney
More than half of Disney’s upcoming releases will be IP-based, at least for a while.
That’s the safe play until the film industry reestablishes itself, and consumers start craving entirely new stories. The whole thing is cyclical.
The Parks Panel
![Disney Villain Land](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-08-37-57-they-announced-villain-land-at-magic-kingdom-i-already-love-v0-4ukblzj28zhd1.jpg-WEBP-Image-1080-×-607-pixels.png)
![Disney Villain Land](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-08-37-57-they-announced-villain-land-at-magic-kingdom-i-already-love-v0-4ukblzj28zhd1.jpg-WEBP-Image-1080-×-607-pixels.png)
Photo: Disney
I suspect that any remaining hope anyone had of Disney creating entirely new IP for theme park attractions just died screaming.
No, I’m not trying to infuriate any of you, but sometimes you simply must accept the way things are.
![Disney Cruise Line Expansion](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-11-18-48-Disney-Cruise-Line-Announces-Fleet-Expansion-and-All-New-Broadway-Caliber-Stage-Show-Disney-Parks-Blog.png)
![Disney Cruise Line Expansion](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-11-18-48-Disney-Cruise-Line-Announces-Fleet-Expansion-and-All-New-Broadway-Caliber-Stage-Show-Disney-Parks-Blog.png)
Photo: Disney
I said something similar regarding the presentation of the other panel. The same premise applies to Disney expansion, though.
Have you tracked any of the announcements for upcoming Disney Cruise Line experiences?
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/D23-Spaceship-Earth-Lounge-2048x1284-1.jpg)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/D23-Spaceship-Earth-Lounge-2048x1284-1.jpg)
A new Spaceship Earth lounge is coming to EPCOT!
Disney is building lounges dedicated to Haunted Mansion, Cruella de Vil, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more.
That’s your early indicator of how Disney has planned what comes next. Big data is driving the decision-making.
![Disney Treasure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-dcl-disney-cruise-line-treasure.png)
![Disney Treasure](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-dcl-disney-cruise-line-treasure.png)
Photo: Disney
We shouldn’t fight that, as the big data is correct here. The overwhelming majority of tourists seek familiarity with Disney.
I mean, that’s why Disney Cruise Line exists. Families are much more willing to take a cruise if Disney characters are involved.
![Disney Destiny Cruise Ship Disney Cruise Line](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Disney-Destiny-Cruise-Ship-Disney-Cruise-Line-Staterooms-Details-01.jpg)
![Disney Destiny Cruise Ship Disney Cruise Line](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Disney-Destiny-Cruise-Ship-Disney-Cruise-Line-Staterooms-Details-01.jpg)
Photo: Disney
That premise translates to the parks as well, and I trace the turning point back to 2016.
That’s when Disney replaced Maelstrom, a thematically appropriate attraction, with Frozen Ever After.
![Tropical Americas Animal Kingdom Encanto Indiana Jones Concept Art DinoLand](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tropical-Americas-Animal-Kingdom-Encanto-Indiana-Jones-Concept-Art-DinoLand-2.jpg)
![Tropical Americas Animal Kingdom Encanto Indiana Jones Concept Art DinoLand](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Tropical-Americas-Animal-Kingdom-Encanto-Indiana-Jones-Concept-Art-DinoLand-2.jpg)
Photo: Disney
Fans complained, but the results are impossible to deny. So, that’s why nobody should be surprised by what just happened.
Disney just confirmed new themed lands and attractions for *deep breath* Avatar, the Avengers, Cars, Coco, Disney Villains, Encanto, Indiana Jones, Iron Man, The Lion King, Monsters, and Spider-Man.
![Hong Kong DIsneyland Spider-Man](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HKDL_Spider-Man_Attraction-1920x835-1.jpg)
![Hong Kong DIsneyland Spider-Man](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HKDL_Spider-Man_Attraction-1920x835-1.jpg)
Photo: Disney
I could actually add a few more like The Mandalorian and Grogu, but you get the point.
Disney isn’t going to gamble on its $42 billion park expansion. Yes, they’re playing it safe. Who could blame them, though?
![Coco Ride Coming to DCA](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-dca-dlr-coco-attraction-ride-2.png)
![Coco Ride Coming to DCA](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-dca-dlr-coco-attraction-ride-2.png)
Coco Ride Coming to DCA
Which of these announcements did NOT receive a hugely positive reaction from a stadium full of Disney fans? You see their point.
The Fortnite Thing
Let’s just start with a video so that some of you can visualize this conversation.
I’ve queued this up to the moments before Fortnite viewers gained access to the D23 Horizons event aka the parks panel.
![D23 Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-08-at-10-41-48-See-D23-Reveals-LIVE-in-Fortnite-@-8-30-PM-PT-on-August-10.png)
![D23 Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-08-at-10-41-48-See-D23-Reveals-LIVE-in-Fortnite-@-8-30-PM-PT-on-August-10.png)
Photo: Fortnite
If you don’t understand anything you’re seeing, you don’t know any kids under the age of 15.
I’ll level with you that I have no idea who these streamers are, but they do have more than 100,000 YouTube subscribers.
![Epic games](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240810_PM_09163-scaled-1.jpg)
![Epic games](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240810_PM_09163-scaled-1.jpg)
Disney
Obviously, somebody’s watching them, and here they are watching Disney.
Don’t think about it too much, or it’ll bake your brain.
Anyway, the point here is that 1.1 million people watched a specific part of the parks panel like this inside Fortnite.
So, they threw on their Baby Bender backpacks and sat in digital chairs to watch the show with their friends.
![D23 Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-08-at-10-41-53-See-D23-Reveals-LIVE-in-Fortnite-@-8-30-PM-PT-on-August-10.png)
![D23 Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-08-at-10-41-53-See-D23-Reveals-LIVE-in-Fortnite-@-8-30-PM-PT-on-August-10.png)
Photo: Fortnite
Also, they danced. Everyone on Fortnite dances.
I Feel Very Old Right Now
You don’t need to understand any of it because why would you? The gamers felt similarly.
For a few minutes during the parks panel, confused gamers wondered why Disney was showing them this.
![Disney whispers](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Disney-Video-games.jpg)
![Disney whispers](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Disney-Video-games.jpg)
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Simultaneously, non-gamers wondered why the parks panel included this section.
The answer circles back to those 1.1 million concurrent viewers.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-25-at-5.49.46-PM.png)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-25-at-5.49.46-PM.png)
Photo: mentalfloss.com
Those people don’t watch as much conventional Disney content because they’re too busy gaming.
The Fortnite portion of the parks panel signified Disney’s first major step in attracting Fortnite fans to branch out a bit.
The end result seemingly left everyone confused on both sides of the table, but you should expect to see more of it.
Disney owns a part of Epic Games now, and that’s the Fortnite company.
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-Las-Vegas-Licensing-Expo-Epic-Games.png)
![](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-Las-Vegas-Licensing-Expo-Epic-Games.png)
Photo: Disney, Epic Games
This kind of digital collaboration is imperative as Disney tries to direct-dial the generation of fans it missed due to the rise of streaming.
Will that tactic work? I honestly have no idea, but I lean toward “probably not.” Still, Disney has to try something here.
![Bob Iger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-09-at-10-54-31-bob-iger.jpg-WEBP-Image-1000-×-562-pixels.jpg)
![Bob Iger](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-09-at-10-54-31-bob-iger.jpg-WEBP-Image-1000-×-562-pixels.jpg)
Photo: Variety
Under Bob Iger, the company has ignored the video game generation far too much.
Disney cannot make the same mistake with Generation Alpha.
![Fortnite](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/blade-2560x1440-2560x1440-d4e556fb8166.jpg)
![Fortnite](https://mickeyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/blade-2560x1440-2560x1440-d4e556fb8166.jpg)
Photo: EPIC Games
So, you can expect more Baby Bender backpacks in places you don’t understand.
If Disney can sell them for $2.99 each via Fortnite, that’s even better.
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Feature Photo: Disney