This morning, Disney fandom gathered at the 2022 D23 Expo to learn everything that’s planned for Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products from Josh D’Amaro. You can find everything that was covered there RIGHT HERE. But while we learned lots, here are the five big questions that I still had after the panel ended:
- Will Walt Disney World ever get a nighttime parade again? We’ve been without one since the exit of the Main Street Electrical Parade years ago. With the parade ending in Disneyland, I know many of us wondered if it might be making a (final?) journey to Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. A parade like Paint the Night would also be amazing – perhaps in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which seems to have the space to accommodate it. Alas, no announcement of any plans for these or anything new in the foreseeable future.
- What’s actually going to happen in Dinoland? We’ve all learned to be patient with the process – and it’s exciting to know that they’re thinking out of the box and considering everything from Zootopia to Moana and beyond – but I know we’re all eager to see that space live up to its potential.
- And speaking of journeys – what is planned for the Journey Into Imagination pavilion? Much of the space, including the exit area, needs some love – and with the announcement of Inside Out 2 I know many of us expected a corresponding update or reimagining of that Pavilion. But we’ll have to wait a little longer to learn what’s in store.
- When exactly will Fantasmic return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios? DHS was noticeably absent from today’s talk – understandably given how much it’s gotten in recent years – but with Cast Members already in rehearsals, it would be exciting to have an exact date to look forward to. For now we just see the 2022 on the posted timeline – which is promising!!
- When and where are we getting Encanto (and/or Coco) in the Parks? There’s no doubt that Encanto is coming – and it was mentioned often as a point of brainstorming – but whether it will make an appearance in Dinoland or in contemplated expansion beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom – or somewhere else entirely – is still unknown. Similarly, many of us have expected to see more of Coco in the Mexico pavilion – including perhaps as a reimagining or overlay onto Gran Fiesa Tour – but no talk of that today. We’ll see!!
That’s my big list of open questions. What’s on yours??
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You can find my complete guide to making the most of your runDisney race weekend RIGHT HERE and my guide to running trails on Disney World property RIGHT HERE.
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If you’re missing home (or love someone who is) and are looking for a way to bring the magic home, I’d love for you to check out my Core Memory collection right HERE. And as always, stay safe and be kind, my friends.
