Some random final thoughts ahead of D23 Expo

With the Experiences Showcase a week away, let’s lock in some expectations and predictions that are sure to go wrong

We’re almost there. Disney’s big Experiences showcase at D23 is Saturday, so it’s time to lock in some final predictions and thoughts before the announcements.

As I said last week, I fully expect this showcase to focus heavily on filling in the blanks: attraction names, ride details, opening timelines and new concept art, with a handful of surprises mixed in (more on that in a few).

Villains Land

Disney has revealed surprisingly little since announcing Villains Land in 2024. I expect that to change Saturday. I think we could get the official land name, more details on the two major attractions, and new concept art.

I went into more detail on Villains Land in last week’s post — you can read it here. The post includes some predictions and possibilities, including a Maleficent thrill coaster, a Magic Mirror dark ride, a Hades table-service restaurant, a Kronk-themed quick-service restaurant, a lounge themed to Haunted Mansion or Dr. Facilier, and my personal favorite, sure-to-never-happen idea: an Ursula karaoke lounge where no one can actually sing.

Piston Peak

Disney has already revealed the basic concept for the Cars expansion at Magic Kingdom, but there is still plenty left to show. I think we’ll get a substantial update, including a model reveal, new attraction details, details about the land’s second attraction, and an opening timeframe.

Monstropolis

While I think people want more details on the door coaster (and I’m sure we’ll hear something), I think the updates will focus more on Harryhausen’s and the show in the Glob Theater. An opening window also seems possible because construction is moving quickly.

Tropical Americas

We know Encanto and Indiana Jones are coming to Animal Kingdom in 2027. Now we need details.

I’m expecting lots of new information about the Encanto ride experience, including a new look at the ride and an official look at the ride’s vehicles. I think we’ll also get details about the Indiana Jones storyline, plus an updated timeline for when the attractions and land will open (and similar to Monstropolis, it may not all open at the same time).

Avengers Campus

Disney has shown plenty of concept art for Avengers Infinity Defense, but we still know relatively little about the actual attraction. I think we’ll see some on-ride footage and mockups of what the ride will be like, more Stark Flight Lab details, and an updated timeline for the expansion’s opening. And maybe we’ll get some news about Dr. Doom making his way to the parks later this year.

Coco

I’m expecting we’ll get our first substantial look inside the attraction, including more ride and story details and at least one piece of new concept art.

Avatar

Despite recent speculation about the project, Disney continues to list Avatar as part of its Disneyland Resort plans. Disney will find a way to reaffirm the plan through new concept art that better shows how it will fit into DCA. And maybe even a timeline?

Space Mountain

The Space Mountain refurbishment rumor has been circulating. I haven’t heard anything specific that makes me think this is a D23 announcement, but depending on the scale of the refurb, they could talk about it while also giving updates on Carousel of Progress. This one feels 50/50.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney has already said it will be revealing the Disney Believe in October, but I’m still expecting to hear more about the Believe and the OLC Wish-class ship during D23 weekend. Neither will be a full “reveal,” but instead will focus on some of the main venues and offerings on each ship.

I’m also expecting to get details on the new ship class from Disney Cruise Line, even if it’s just the initial concept art/concept renderings of the exterior of the ship.

International parks

I think the updates will largely revolve around filling in the blanks versus major headlines. There have been rumblings of a second gate in Shanghai, but it seems the timing would have been the park’s 10th anniversary to make that announcement. But maybe we get it now?

And as for Disney Abu Dhabi, I’m confident we’ll get a new look at concept art. But will it still be vague and conceptual? Possibly. But I think we’ll definitely see some new visuals.

Surprises?

• Disneyland is due for some smaller attraction investments to keep pace with Walt Disney World. Maybe Buzz Lightyear? I’d also expect some new information about Autopia.

• Disneyland fans would also love to hear a big reveal about a very special dragon returning to Fantasmic! The Honda Center will explode if that one happens. But at the very least, I’d love to hear something about entertainment at Disneyland for 2027.

• A new nighttime show feels inevitable for Animal Kingdom, but the timing is questionable. Disney could reveal it now but hold back any real details until closer to Tropical Americas opening.

• I wouldn’t expect much time dedicated to EPCOT, but if we do get a surprise, the two attractions to watch are Spaceship Earth and Journey Into Imagination with Figment. My wildcard pick: some type of update to Mission: SPACE.

• I can absolutely see Disney presenting a new vision for Tomorrowland as its big Villains Land-esque reveal at this year’s panel. They could present the overall plan and then fill in the blanks in a few years, meanwhile using the announcement to start the Autopia refurb and address other issues in Tomorrowland.

• We haven’t heard much lately on the the Epic Games partnership. D23 feels like the place where we’d get some type of update. But what exactly? Who knows. Also … meh? This doesn’t really excite me personally, so maybe I’m missing some obvious predictions or possibilities here, but I’m expecting some type of mention and a parks tie-in to be revealed during the weekend.

• And last but not least, the final surprise guess: the thing I’m not considering. These panels always have one surprise that catches everyone off guard and was not considered by most fans. These are usually my favorite announcements.

How wrong am I? And was this a big waste of your time? We’ll find out together on Aug. 15 during the “Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase.” I’ll be covering everything in real time on Twitter, so make sure you’re following me there.