We’re still recovering from all the whirlwind news we heard at the 2022 D23 Expo.
Te Fiti Model — Journey of Water
From movie and series announcements to updates and details on Disney parks projects, a LOT of information was revealed. But, there were also quite a few things missing from the announcements, and many guests took note. We wanted to know what Disney fans wanted to hear at this year’s D23 Expo but didn’t, so we asked our readers!
While Disney did make plenty of announcements at the D23 Expo, there were several updates we were hoping to hear but ultimately didn’t. We headed over to our Facebook and asked our readers…
What was something you were HOPING to hear about during the D23 Expo but didn’t?
Disney Dining Plan
Disney announced that the Dining Plan would be returning to Disney World over a year ago, with no concrete timelines or information given. Because of this, many guests were anticipating an update about an official date the Dining Plan would be coming back to the parks.
A glorious creation
Our readers echoed that sentiment, with many responding that it seemed like Disney should have given us any news on whether they were still planning on bringing the plan back or not. Since Disney did previously confirm the Dining Plan would be returning at some point, we are hopeful and eager that we will hear some sort of update in the coming months.
Check Out More About the Disney Dining Plan Here
EPCOT 40th Anniversary
Magic Kingdom isn’t the only Disney World park celebrating an anniversary, as EPCOT turns 40 on October 1st! But unfortunately, Disney has remained staunchly silent on any sort of plans or celebrations coming to the park. Many guests were hoping that the Moana attraction would be completed by then, or maybe even the Spaceship Earth refurbishment.
EPCOT
Our readers found it odd that nothing was mentioned about plans for this celebration or what we could expect. And considering that EPCOT’s 40th Anniversary is less than one month away, many of our readers were certain Disney would announce something for the festivities. For now, we’ll just have to wait until October 1st rolls around.
See a Sneak Peek at EPCOT 40th Anniversary Merchandise
Disney World Annual Passes
The Disney World Annual Pass Program has gone through the wringer in recent years, with a complete overhaul being done to the system after the parks reopened. Guests were ecstatic to finally be able to purchase new Annual Passes or renew their previous ones, and then two months later Disney paused sales of new passes (except for the Pixie Dust tier).
Annual Passholder Card
New Annual Pass sales are still suspended (except for Pixie Dust) and our readers were SURE that Disney was going to make some sort of announcement on when Annual Pass sales would resume. But, no such announcements were made. CEO Bob Chapek recently commented on Annual Passes, sharing that the company has to “make sure that not only are we heeding the needs of our superfans, but we’re heeding the needs of everyone who travels from across the country one time every five years.” Based on that, it doesn’t sound like the company is quick to resume sales at this time.
Read More of Bob Chapek’s Annual Pass Comments Here
Main Street Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom
While we did learn that new nighttime spectaculars would be coming to Disneyland, and Harmonious at EPCOT would be replaced, many of our readers were hoping that a different nighttime experience would be returning to Disney World as part of its 50th Anniversary — the Main Street Electrical Parade!
Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland
This beloved nighttime parade just ended its most recent stint in Disneyland and as far as we know has nothing else penciled into its calendar, so our readers were disappointed when Disney didn’t make any sort of indication that we could expect this parade to roll down Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom.
Read More About the NEW Show Coming to EPCOT
Opening Dates
With so many construction projects and refurbishments taking place all over the parks, many fans were hoping Disney would throw us a bone and reveal some actual, concrete opening dates. But unfortunately, that didn’t really happen. We did learn that TRON would be opening in Magic Kingdom in Spring 2023, and EPCOT’s Moana attraction later that same year, but nothing has been set in stone yet.
TRON construction
Our readers were even hoping to hear an opening date for Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant in Hollywood Studios (which is set to open later this year) or the return of Fantasmic! too, but mum’s the word on those projects as well. Disney even confirmed that Fantasmic! Cast Member rehearsals had started, and they still didn’t share an opening date!
Moana attraction construction.
We’re keeping an eye out for more updates and news from Disney, so stay tuned for more. If you want to join in on the conversation, be sure to like and follow us on Facebook!
Still, trying to catch up on all the news you missed from the D23 Expo? See everything coming to the Walt Disney Company universe through 2024 here. You can also see the HUGE news you might have missed here. To see every single update and change announced at the Expo, click here.
See ALL of the announcements that were made at the D23 Expo here!
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What were you hoping to hear at the D23 Expo this year? Let us know in the comments!
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I mostly wanted to get more information about the new looks for the Savi’s Workshop hilt themes. It’s been four months since the news first dropped, and I’m interested in what they’ll look like
Disney is rudderlesd right now with a clueless CEI. Tron should have opened 3 months ago, even with the Covid delays. And to make no announcements about Epcots 40th is ridiculous
What about expansion plans to counter Universal’s Epic Universe? Maybe something next year to expand Avatar world after the sequel?
How about a replacement dinner show for the Spirit of Aloha closure. Disney needs more shows like this.
How about updates on everything they promised before that haven’t materialized? Mary Poppins, for example. Or I would have loved for my Disneyland friends to have gotten news about Tomorrowland, a new Peoplemover, or even saying what they are going to do with the scaffolded Treehouse. Instead we got tidbits, and news of all the cool things the Asian parks will get. As for the ‘blue sky’ projects… I expect to die of old age before those show up. (No, really. I’m old.)
You know, if they stoped annual passses, I wouldn’t hold my breath for the dining plan 🙄. He was honest with his vision while interviewed . He has a specific type of guest in mind for the parks and it’s not someone whose on a budget. It’s going to be interesting to see if consumers hand him back his hat and go elsewhere . It’s sad that the shareholders believe he’s still their man who focuses only on profits, profits, profits. Only time will tell if they continue thinking that way as Disney reputation of happiest place on earth begins to dim as everything is so complicated and super expensive 🤨
And what about the train at Magic Kingdom?
At this point I don’t think the dining plan is coming back. Sorry but they don’t always know if they can beat inflation the dining plan would tie that in a bit plus with them going off data more and more they probably figure people using the dining plan would be locked into spending that amount of money for dining purchases.