D23 Expo 2019

[KeithS]

I guess we should start a thread for this as the news will come thick and fast once the expo starts in August.

New movies, cruise line and theme park announcements will be forthcoming - so it'll be a great year!

[DisneyKaren]

While 2 months seems a bit away, I'm sure it will fly by!  I believe Wayne and Jennifer are going, anyone else lucky enough?

I look forward to the reports and reviews.

[KeithS]

Definitely Wayne and Jennifer - not sure about anyone else this year.  Jan and Les have been, as has Gerard in the past.  Hopefully we'll find out what's next now that Star Wars is over

I'd love to get more information about the new cruise ships.  They'll have to start building the first one next year so that it is ready by 2021.  I'm guessing we'll get names at D23 this year.

[KeithS]

So, what is Disney's Secret Project?

In the D23 schedule released recently, there is a one hour session quietly added to the line up titled "Secret Walt Disney Project".  It is set for presentation on Saturday 24 August between 1:30 and 2:30pm - so they are devoting a whole hour to this secret project...but we won't actually have to wait that long.  Disney have also said they are going to unveil what it really is on Thursday 22 August - I'm guessing a short press release/press conference the day before the expo commences, followed by the full presentation on the Saturday.

So what is your guess?  It could be something fairly benign like the theme of WDW's 50th anniversary and what they are going to do that year (2021). Or it could be something more interesting like the announcement of a 5th park at WDW.  Or even more crazy - how about a new park elsewhere - India was speculated for a while (but I really don't see any more new park locations in the future).  The second gate at Hong Kong would have been a great announcement, but the timing is off for that, and we'd know about it as it would require Hong Kong legislature involvement, and that's not happened.

My guess is some new offering at WDW - Disney is known to have recently purchased a large amount of land at WDW to set aside for nature preservation which in turn allows them to develop existing land elsewhere on their property.  On top of that, we've already discussed how the Epic Universe announcement seemed to be rushed to beat the D23 Expo - maybe Universal caught wind of a Disney announcement and therefore rushed their press release last week?

Whatever the case may be, we'll know when we wake up next Friday - I just hope it isn't a fizzer...

[KeithS]

Hmmm - and I just remembered that I'm in Melbourne this coming weekend, so I might not be able to post a lot of news from the Expo!  So you'll just have to keep an eye out on the Disney Parks Blog

[ajp]

There’s been a stack of news, I haven’t been able to keep up with it all, so I’m going to have to spend time to go through it. Big changes at Epcot, new ship name, Disney+ content looks awesome, Avengers at Cal adventure. Just so much news.

[KeithS]

I know - I was away in Melbourne all weekend and have been trying to catch up.  I would have posted updates here but I was offline most of the time.  The news from the parks presentation this morning was excellent.  I don't think there was anything new except for the Mary Poppins and Moana attractions at Epcot - but it did fill in a lot of gaps in our knowledge about the upcoming stuff.

We know the name of the new ship, the new fireworks at Epcot, more details about Avengers Campus etc etc.  It's been a great expo.  The biggest thing for me though was all the Disney+ announcements - they sounded amazing...

[KeithS]

Whatever the case may be, we'll know when we wake up next Friday - I just hope it isn't a fizzer...

Oh well - the secret project is just a Disney+ documentary and companion book about cast members LOL - that was an anti-climax.  Thankfully the rest of the Expo made up for that!

[DisneyKaren]

I was actually excited about 'The Day in the Life' doco - that is something that would sway me to get Disney+, although the book could be pretty cool also.

At this stage I have only seen various updates posted to Facebook and did troll the D23 website a little,  however have yet to sit and watch any videos they've put up.  I get very mixed - super excited about the new things and then sad wondering what could go.  I'm not sure why as I love everything anyway!  Hopefully this weekend I'll have more time to read and watch the D23 updates.

[calisota]

I was actually excited about 'The Day in the Life' doco - that is something that would sway me to get Disney+, although the book could be pretty cool also.

Me too, I'd like the option to just buy the book. I love this behind-the-scenes stuff.

Greg

[KeithS]

Don't get me wrong - I'm still happy for the doco and book! But when there was so much talk about it being something like a new park...well, it was a bit anti-climatic!

[calisota]

there was so much talk about it being something like a new park...well, it was a bit anti-climatic!

Ok, fair enough. That is a bit of a let down then.

Greg

[DisneyKaren]

Don't get me wrong - I'm still happy for the doco and book! But when there was so much talk about it being something like a new park...well, it was a bit anti-climatic!

Haha, yes I can see how that would be anti-climatic.  I think there was so much coming out about changes and new developments my brain was in overload figuring out how to get to all the parks right now and see them as they are, plus keep going back as the changes open.  The doco was somewhat more calming, realistic and coming out quicker, so perhaps that's why I was so excited.  Let's face it, who on this page doesn't dream of working for Disney - this may be as close as we get!

EDIT:  I believe Jess (and maybe others) have done the college program so it's probably just me who wants to see the doco and feel like I work there

[calisota]

EDIT:  I believe Jess (and maybe others) have done the college program so it's probably just me who wants to see the doco and feel like I work there

Nope, I'm right there with you, I'm just a bit too grey to pass myself off as a college student.

Greg