D23 Expo always brings high expectations of big announcements for the parks, and when Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro left the stage yesterday, Walt Disney World fans felt like the flagship of Disney's theme park empire was largely ignored.
There is always the chance of a wildcard announcement that managed to fly under the radar in the lead-up to D23 Expo, but several realistic announcements did not make it into the 2022 event.
PLAY Pavilion!
Announced in August 2019 and originally planned to open for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, the future of the PLAY! Pavilion remains uncertain.
Disney said in 2019 that guests will discover an interactive city bursting with games, activities and experiences that connect them with friends, family and Disney characters – both real and virtual – like never before.
Recent permits have suggested work is underway on something inside the former Wonders of Life pavilion, and an announcement was expected at D23 Expo.
Strangely, the PLAY! Pavilion was not mentioned at all during the Expo, and was absent during Josh D'Amaro's talk of EPCOT's redesigned center reopening in 2023.
Spaceship Earth "Story-Light" Update
Originally announced in 2020, Spaceship Earth was planned to be updated with a new "story-light" concept, with work beginning May 2020. The pandemic put a hold on the project, and there has been no talk of updating Spaceship Earth since.
The D23 Expo seemed like the obvious place to relaunch this project, but Spaceship Earth was not mentioned.
Back in 2020, Disney said, "the next iteration of Spaceship Earth will focus on the story of humanity, following our long journey from prehistoric humans to today brought to life with magic and depth that only Disney can deliver. Many of the moments you know and love will be updated in amazing ways, blended with brand-new scenes to tell a story about our human experience."
Mary Poppins at EPCOT
As another casualty of the pandemic, the project to add a Mary Poppins area and ride to EPCOT's United Kingdom pavilion was put on hold. Like Spaceship Earth and the PLAY! Pavilion, many expected to hear Disney announce a restart of Mary Poppins in the U.K. No mention was made, leaving the project's future in serious doubt.
Walt Disney World Railroad and Fantasmic! reopening
When no significant additions were announced for Walt Disney World at D23, attention turned to smaller projects. Surprisingly, both the Walt Disney World Railroad and Fantasmic! were not given reopening dates.
With TRON Lightycle Run opening Spring 2023, we can expect a return of the Walt Disney World Railroad before then, with the outside of the attraction scheduled to be completed this year.
Rehearsals are underway at Fantasmic!, and Disney has said the show will return this year. We expect a return of the Disney's Hollywood Studios nighttime show before Thanksgiving, but Disney is remaining tight-lipped for now.
Star Wars Launch Bay - the next area for redevelopment at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Tipped by many as the next new attraction area at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Launch Bay and the surrounding Animation Courtyard were not part of Josh D'Amaro's boundless future presentation. This would have been somewhat of a wildcard announcement, with no concrete speculation on what will eventually come to the area.
A replacement for Primeval Whirl
With Primeval Whirl now demolished and the area blocked off with a fence, fans were hoping for news of a new attraction to take that space. It didn't come, but D'Amaro did show some Blue Sky concepts for the redevelopment of DinoLand U.S.A. It appears Disney has bigger plans than just a replacement for Primeval Whirl, but it isn't happening just yet.
Disney's Animal Kingdom nighttime spectacular
With Rivers of Light long gone, and Disney KiteTails winding down from a show to walk-by viewing, there were hopes that the lagoon may once again be home to a nighttime spectacular. Instead, Disney is concentrating on fixing the poor guest reaction to Walt Disney World's signature nighttime shows at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom.
What were you expecting that did not make this year's D23 Expo parks presentation? Let us know in the comments.
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