D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is quickly approaching. One of the highlights each year is Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase. It will take place on Saturday, August 15. This is where all the news about the theme parks and other experiences will be shared.
It’s fun to think about what we could learn this year. One thing that is almost certain, there should be an announcement about Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In the information that was already shared by Disney there is a fake newspaper. There are teaser headlines at the top that are on “page 8, column 15”. August 15 is 8/15, the date of the showcase.
What else might we learn at Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase? Most likely there will be an update on Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. I doubt that we’ll have an exact reopening date, just a general timeframe. I also think that we’ll learn more about Piston Peak, the Cars-themed area that’s coming to the Magic Kingdom.
I think that there will be some information on Tropical Americas, but it will be vague. If anything, the opening timeline will be narrowed down. We could also learn more details about what to expect in the new land; details beyond ride descriptions.
There are plenty of rumors going around. One that I’ve heard several times is that the Walt Disney World version of Space Mountain is going to undergo a major refurbishment. A general refurbishment isn’t usually enough to warrant an announcement at D23, so this could be interesting.
Leading up to D23 every two years there are always rumors about a new pavilion coming to Epcot. These rumors never pan out, but it’s fun to think about. Another consistent rumor is that Coco will replace The Three Caballeros in the Mexico Pavilion. I do expect that to happen at some point, but probably not this year.
There is almost always news about Disney Cruise Line at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. Will it be about the Disney Believe or something else? If you’re on the Disney Cruise Line email list you probably know that there will be a big reveal for the Believe in October. Maybe they’ll throw a few scraps our way to get us excited.
There will also most likely be news about Disneyland. Avatar was supposed to replace Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!, but that ride is still open. Maybe we’ll learn more, or maybe it won’t be mentioned. Disney tends to not mention things again when something has been scrapped. I also wouldn’t be surprised to hear about an Avengers Campus expansion of some sort.
There will also be news about resorts, technology, and experiences such as Adventures By Disney. Partnerships could also be announced.
One thing is sure, Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase is going to be exciting! I can’t wait to share all the new information with you here at Disney Over 50.