Boardwalk Times: Stories from the Seashore — Disney D23 Expo Predictions: From Realistic to Bold
Disney's D23 Expo promises a lot of surprises and announcements. Now it's time to predict some of them!
Welcome back to Boardwalk Times: Stories from the Seashore! In this month’s newsletter, we will be discussing our Disney D23 Expo predictions ranging from realistic to bold. I also have a couple of thoughts on the Walt Disney Animation Studio in Vancouver, Canada as well as additional notes on Disney’s Q3. All this plus some podcast plugs and the LINKS OF THE MONTH.
D23 Predictions: From Realistic to Bold
I got 23 predictions for Disney’s D23 Expo ranging from realistic to bold. These predictions range from Disney+, the movies, the parks, and beyond.
Let’s get started.
Realistic: Frozen III gets announced
This seems like a lock. Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, and Jonathan Groff are all becoming Disney Legends. Disney may figure now is the perfect time to do Frozen III while all the main cast members are still active. The bigger question is if we get a Disney+ docuseries chronicling Walt Disney Animation trying to crack an idea for the third installment.
Bold: Turning Red replaces Canada: Far and Wide at EPCOT
If Chapek’s mandate is to make EPCOT more Disney then Turning Red to the Canada pavilion fits that mandate perfectly. I also believe it could be an upgrade over the current film there. Disney may just opt to use that theater for festival space at the end of the day.
Realistic: Encanto gets a Disney+ series or another film project announced
Encanto’s franchise expansion has been teased numerous times by Disney CEO Bob Chapek. An Encanto Disney+ series —perhaps done by Walt Disney Animation Studio Vancouver (read more about that below) — seems like an intriguing bet. I also could see Disney announcing Encanto 2. Another project I’d love to see is a docuseries where Walt Disney Animation has to figure out the idea for the film. Would Encanto 2 and Frozen III be overboard on sequel announcements at D23 Expo? Potentially but this is a fan event after all, and Disney loves its franchise flywheel.
Bold: Another Marvel property sneaks its way into Walt Disney World
Could Disney figure out another way to get another Marvel attraction or temporary experience at Walt Disney World? Could Eternals, Moon Knight, Doctor Strange, and others sneak their way in? Could Disney negotiate with Universal so they could use some characters at its Florida parks? Who knows but this is one of my bold ideas.
Realistic: Encanto gets an attraction at one of the Disney Parks
Speaking of that Encanto franchise expansion. If Disney wants to take advantage of its cultural impact and popularity, a Disney attraction would be the perfect way of expanding the franchise. I could see Disney California Adventure and EPCOT being the parks to receive Encanto attractions.
Bold: Avengers E-Ticket attraction is back on track
It’s just about time. Give Avengers Campus its Avengers E-Ticket attraction.
Realistic: Happily Ever After return date announced
I believe Disney will bring back Happily Ever After at some point. It’s too popular and Jordan Fisher himself wants it back. After the mixed reviews of Disney Enchantment bringing back Happily Ever After would be an easy win for Disney.
Bold: Disney unveils a boatload of new Disney+ series
My current over/under sits at 40 new series and or updates on in-development series (yes that’s a lot). I want to take the over even though it may be wiser to take the under.
Realistic: A film based on a Disney Parks attraction gets formally announced
Tower of Terror? Big Thunder Mountain? Space Mountain? No, I’m not just naming Disney attractions. Those are all films in development at Walt Disney Studios. I have to assume one of them or maybe an unknown contender —looking at you Enchanted Tiki Room — will be announced.
Bold: Disney teases Galaxy’s Edge update and expansion
I think Disney could tease a future for Galaxy’s Edge that features more characters, more interaction, and potential expansion. I think making the land more lively and more of a repeat destination should be a priority for Disney. Maybe announce new missions for Smugglers Run? What if Disney goes wild and announces a The Mandalorian coaster for the land? (Yes, I know where in the timeline Batuu (Galaxy’s Edge) takes place but still).
Realistic: EPCOT updates from Journey into Imagination to Spaceship Earth and beyond
I believe the EPCOT transformation updates will range from CommuniCore Plaza to touching on the 2019 ideas (Mary Poppins, Spaceship Earth) to even a tease for Journey into Imagination. Disney isn’t finished with EPCOT, so we should expect some updates.
Bold: Disney unveils its Metaverse strategy
Disney unveiling its Metaverse strategy would be a big deal. Especially for all the nerds—like me—who’ve been covering Disney’s interest in the Metaverse. I think a Disney Metaverse announcement could be intriguing because it can feature every facet of The Walt Disney Company coming together.
Realistic: TRON: Lightcycle Run opening date…
It’s unbelievable that TRON: Lightcycle Run will take up time at this year’s D23 Expo. I sincerely hope they don’t waste too much time on it. This will be the project’s third time being discussed on stage. An opening date should be imminent.
Bold: Disney creates a last-minute “D23 Expo” Disney+ deal to keep a lot of its ”Founders Circle” subscribers
Disney, throw us a bone. I bet you’d have a ton of D23 Expo attendees sign on for long contracts at a fair price point.
Realistic: Disneyland’s Tomorrowland update
Disneyland receiving a Tomorrowland overhaul has been on fans' bucket lists forever, and I can’t see why it wouldn’t happen. Already looks like Disneyland has some plans for the update as well.
Bold: A 20th Century Fox IP gets a Disney Parks project even if its a temporary experience
A part of me wonders if Planet of the Apes, Ice Age, and or other 20th Century Fox IP could get a Disney Parks project. Even if it’s just a temporary experience. I’m curious to see if Disney has any long-term plans to integrate 20th Century Fox properties into its parks.
Realistic: Dino-Rama Updates + What Will Replace Primeval Whirl
Will Dino-Rama go away? What will replace Primeval Whirl? I could see Disney finally addressing the dinosaur-themed land at D23 Expo. I expect maybe a mix and matching approach of IP as I don’t think Disney will put in the investment to change DINOSAUR, a perfectly fine attraction that takes up crowds.
Bold: Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni tease a The Mandalorian timeline
I believe Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni will pull a Kevin Feige and unveil a timeline for The Mandalorian and its various interconnected series (Skeleton Crew, Ahsoka). Maybe they will announce a crossover theatrical film for the future?
Realistic: Pixar and Walt Disney Animation announce their future films
Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studio should announce some future film projects. We don’t know what Walt Disney Animation Studio is bringing to the table for 2023 yet. Pixar will likely announce its two 2024 films. Also, I’d have to assume we get updates on potential Disney+ series from both animation studios.
Bold: A Pirates of the Caribbean Disney+ series is announced
Despite having two films already in development. I think Pirates of the Caribbean getting a Disney+ series would be a blockbuster announcement. I think a Pirates of the Caribbean Disney+ series could hold its own against Star Wars and Marvel as well. The franchise could go in many directions, and with the right creative talent involved, a Pirates series could be a winner.
Realistic: New Scenes Announced for Star Tours
This could be a slam dunk. Imagineering could incorporate new Star Tours scenes from the sequel trilogy, The Mandalorian timeline, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and more. Star Tours is a consistently fun attraction, and the addition of new scenes keeps the attraction strong.
Realistic: Kevin Feige announces *some* additional titles for Phase 6 and reveals some casting for the MCU
Kevin Feige always brings it when it comes to these Disney events. I expect some Phase 6 title reveals like Deadpool 3, Nova, and maybe even the Young Avengers. I’m also expecting the D23 Expo to be the stage for some big news-breaking casting announcements like Giancarlo Esposito playing Professor X, Top Gun: Maverick standout Glen Powell joining the MCU, and maybe the cast of the upcoming 2024 Fantastic Four film.
Bold: Disney attempts to build an interconnected Disney Parks universe starting with Ron Moore’s Society of Explorers and Adventurers on Disney+
Yes, another interconnected universe. I could see this happening though and I’ll note this one would be a lot more niche and more “inside baseball” than the theatrical films Disney is putting out. I could see Ron Moore digging into the more eccentric ideas of the Disney Parks. Could a Society of Explorers and Adventurers series lead to a series about X.S. Tech in a far-off future? Maybe the Imagination Institute and The Dino Institute exist in this universe? What about Discovery Bay, the characters of Tomorrowland, Wester River Expedition/Big Thunder Mountain, Expedition Everest, Typhoon Lagoon, and others? There are multiple possibilities and I could see Disney starting to explore the possibility at least on Disney+.
What are your bold to realistic predictions for D23 Expo? Tweet at us @BoardwalkTimes.
Walt Disney Animation in Vancouver
So, I want to kick off this section by saying Walt Disney Animation having a studio in Vancouver seems to have flown under the radar for a while now. I get that the story isn’t as sexy or as dramatic as the potential Lake Nona move. Yet the studio is piquing my interest as something to watch.
It’s clear Walt Disney Animation needed more space and animators due to its ambitious Disney+ plans. The entire Vancouver studio’s purpose is "long-form series work and special projects created for Disney+.” The first project coming from the studio is a long-form Moana series for Disney+.
The Vancouver studio is currently hiring. It’s unknown what the next Disney+ project the studio will work on after Moana, but I have made it my personal mission to find out.
Disney Q3 Recap
Earlier this month I dropped my mailbag. In this edition, I answered questions about…
Disney’s potential to build a F.A.S.T. (free ad-supported television) streamer.
Why Disney+’s potential merger with Hulu in the U.S. will cause a ruckus.
Could Disney join the Smart TV operation systems race?
Would Walt Disney World install solar arrays over parking at the parks?
How many of Disney’s problems are caused by Chapek or are they residual Iger Era issues coming to roost?
Will Disney+ drop more legacy content to justify its price hike?
Does Disney+ have more plans to add general entertainment content?
I did my recap and analysis of Q3 and discussed everything from Disney Parks dominating to Disney changing its streaming subscriber guidance. But I have a few more takes in the aftermath of Q3:
Disney+’s price raise is too high. The gradual dollar increase year over year was sufficient. But this three-dollar raise doesn’t come across as subscriber-friendly.
The day ESPN becomes fully integrated as an SVOD will be a rude awakening for Disney+ and ESPN+ subscribers.
Will Disney buy the rest of Hulu by next year?
Why didn’t Disney take advantage of this dead period for movie theaters (late August and September) to shift some films from streaming to theatrical with the hopes of a surprise hit? I’m shocked no one saw this gap on the schedule, instead, Disney will re-release Avatar and support Spider-Man: No Way Home’s re-release as well.
Disney Genie, Lightning Lane, and the Reservation System are causing some guests to reconsider future trips to the Disney Parks. Does Disney have a plan in place when the rubber meets the road and guests revolt against these offerings?
Want to write for Boardwalk Times? Check this out.
Podcast Plugs 🎙
Our latest Multiverse of Marvel season is called Better Call Hulk, a She-Hulk after-show.
I broke down the first two episodes alongside Richard Nebens of The Direct.
Episode One: Richard and I discuss the pilot of She-Hulk and where it ranks amongst the other Marvel Studios Disney+ series. We also dive into MCU history gaps, World War Hulk, that mid-credit scene, and give hot take predictions.
Episode Two: Richard and I discuss the second episode of She-Hulk along with the news that Matt Shakman (WandaVision) will be directing the Fantastic Four. Other topics discussed in the episode include GLK&H, important easter eggs, and some bonkers theories for the future of the MCU.
LINKS OF THE MONTH
— As streaming slows down and with a looming recession, media companies — like Disney and Universal — will lean on “in real life” businesses also known as theme parks. (The Hollywood Reporter)
— Embracer Group now owns the rights to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Will Embracer push for a theme park presence for these franchises? (The Verge)
— H2OPlus, Disney’s in-room bath products provider, is shutting down. An end of an era indeed. (BlogMickey)
— Inside the making of D23 Expo 2022 with VP of D23 Michael Vargo. (DisneyExaminer)
— The ‘Lilo & Stitch’ children’s choir reflects on its 20-year Hawaiian roller coaster ride. (Los Angeles Times)
— How ‘Andor’ Became the First ‘Star Wars’ TV Series for Grown-Ups: ‘I Wanted to Do It About Real People’ (Variety)
— A fascinating examination of the Disney Park price increases. Despite fewer visitors, Disney is hitting record sales and profits. (Wall Street Journal)
— Cedar Fair Plans To Invest $200 Million Across Its Parks In 2023. (Boardwalk Times)
Thank you all for reading and supporting Boardwalk Times: Stories from the Seashore.
I’ll be at D23 Expo in September, and hoping to bring some fun stories back with me!
Please follow us on social media @BoardwalkTimes and visit boardwalktimes.net for more commentary, news, and opinions on the worlds of Disney and themed entertainment.