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The D23 Expo is a convention held every two years by The Walt Disney Company for fans. The name "D23" is a combination of "D" for Disney and "23" for the year 1923, when Walt Disney founded the company. This event serves as a celebration of all things Disney, including movies, TV shows, theme parks, merchandise, and other aspects of its entertainment empire.

At the D23 Expo, fans from all over the world gather to get a sneak peek of upcoming Disney projects, such as new movies, TV series, and theme park attractions. The event features presentations, panels, and announcements by Disney executives, Imagineers, and creative teams. Attendees can also enjoy various activities like cosplay, shopping for Disney merchandise, and meeting Disney characters.

The D23 Expo offers an unparalleled opportunity for Disney enthusiasts to fully immerse themselves in the magic of Disney and connect with like-minded fans. It often features major announcements and surprises related to Disney's various franchises, making it a highly anticipated event in the entertainment industry.

The 'Epic' White Elephant in the Room

This Saturday, the Destination D23 Expo will feature a highly anticipated presentation by Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Josh D'Amaro. Attendees can expect exciting news about new entertainment, attractions, overhauls, and opening dates at Walt Disney World. However, it is worth noting that Disney is facing a significant challenge with no significant developments planned for any of the Florida theme parks after 2025. In addition, with Epic Universe opening nearby at Universal Orlando Resort, this year's event is considered one of the most important D23 events in recent times.

Here is our rundown of what could be mentioned at this years event:

EPCOT

It is a justifiable statement to make that EPCOT has undergone a construction phase during the past few years. The Moana and Communicore regions are finally approaching the final stages of development. As a result, we anticipate several announcements regarding EPCOT during this year's D23.

EPCOT's Nighttime Spectacular

We are eagerly anticipating news regarding the opening dates for the upcoming Nighttime Spectacular at EPCOT. We have observed significant construction activity on the barges backstage at World Showcase, as well as on the lake where the barges will be positioned for the performance.

Based on the concept art and the work we have seen on the lagoon, we anticipate that the show will feature a central barge in the World Showcase Lagoon, surrounded by six larger central "fork" barges depicted in an aerial photo. Inside each fork, there will be three smaller individual barges that will be deployed outward into the lagoon, similar to spokes in a wheel when seen from above. Each barge will contain lighting and pyrotechnics.

According to the limited information disclosed by Disney, the upcoming show will showcase lights, lasers, and fireworks. It is unlikely to include drone displays or video projections. Though fire effects and fountains may be included, there has been no official confirmation regarding their appearance.

Moana: Journey of Water Opening Date

Moana: The Journey of Water is a garden located in the place where the Innoventions plaza used to be, specifically replacing a large portion of Innoventions West. Its main feature is interactive fountains and other water-related attractions that lead to The Seas Pavilion. The centerpiece is a massive topiary sculpture of Te Fiti. The garden aims to provide a fun exploration of the water cycle and how it supports our planet.

The area has recently begun to hold cast member previews, leading to anticipation for an opening date for this section of EPCOT. Predictions suggest that the opening may fall between the middle and end of October 2023. There is an upcoming event at EPCOT following D23, and it is speculated that guests may be invited to preview the new area during this event.

CommuniCore Hall & Plaza Opening Date

As EPCOT undergoes its massive transformation, one of the projects that is nearing completion is the CommuniCore Hall. This impressive structure will serve as the central hub for all of EPCOT's many festivals and celebrations, and it will also be the place where guests can meet and interact with their favourite Disney characters, including Mickey & Friends.

When you make your way towards the front of EPCOT, you will be greeted by the stunning World Celebration area. As you pass the iconic Spaceship Earth, you'll be delighted to see the vibrant and colourful gardens surrounding it. On your left-hand side, you'll see a cluster of buildings that house some of EPCOT's most popular attractions, including Connections Cafe, Connections Eatery, Club Cool, and Creations Shop. On your right, you'll notice the future location of CommuniCore Hall, which is just one of the many exciting changes taking place in EPCOT. With its sleek and modern design, this new structure will become a must-visit destination for guests of all ages.

We expect to hear a rough date of opening with this new area. Based on the current condition of the area, we speculate that the opening will most likely take place during the first quarter of the upcoming year.

Spaceship: Earth / Play! Pavilion

It has been speculated that some previously postponed projects may be revived during  this year's D23 event, with the Play! Pavillion being the most talked about attraction. This new pavilion was intended to replace the Wonders of Life and offer unique experiences focused on playful fun. For several years, the Wonders of Life has served as the Food & Wine ‘Festival Center’. The Play Pavilion was designed to be an innovative, interactive city featuring games, hands-on activities, and meet & greets with Disney characters. It was originally slated to debut during Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.

As part of the EPCOT Transformation project, Disney announced the extensive renovation of Spaceship Earth during the 2019 D23 Expo. The Spaceship Earth renovation was unfortunately delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with many other projects at Disney World. While it may be unlikely, visitors may hear news about the long-awaited refurbishment of this attraction at the D23 event.

Figment: Meet and Greet Opening Date

A new permit has been filed by Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts for the installation of scenic items at the Journey into Imagination pavilion. The contractor listed on the permit is Bungalow Scenic Studios, a frequent collaborator with Disney on small-scale sets for entertainment and characters. Bungalow Scenic Studios has previously fabricated and installed meet & greets for Ralph Breaks the Internet and Inside Out in the ImageWorks Lab and Imagination Land, respectively. This strongly suggests that their work at the Journey into Imagination pavilion is for an upcoming Figment meet & greet and not for a complete overhaul or new show scenes inside the ride. An opening date for the Figment: Meet and Greet is highly anticipated at the D23 event.

Animal Kingdom

Dinoland U.S.A / Dinosaur!

During last year's D23 event, Disney hinted at a possible expansion of Disney's Animal Kingdom that would involve the replacement of Dinoland U.S.A. with Zootopia and Moana. This move would significantly improve the current state of Dinoland U.S.A., which is considered one of the weakest lands in any of the 4 Walt Disney World theme parks. Fans have been eagerly anticipating an overhaul of this area for quite some time now.

It's important to note that, during the initial announcement, Disney only discussed the potential changes to Dinoland U.S.A. and nothing had been officially confirmed yet. The plans were considered "Blue Sky," which means they were being considered, but they may or may not happen.

This year, at the upcoming D23 event, we're hoping for a concrete announcement on the plans for the new area. With Zootopia, Moana, or both being added to the park, visitors can expect exciting new attractions that will enhance their overall experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom

Tiana's Bayou Adventure

There is anticipation for the opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure, the replacement for Splash Mountain, at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Construction has been ongoing for months on both coasts, but there is no confirmed opening date or season yet. It is expected that the Magic Kingdom installation in Florida will open first since construction began earlier there. It's understandable to be eager for updates or an opening date, and I'm hopeful that we'll receive some news soon. Keep your spirits up and stay positive!

Coco, Encanto & Villains Land

During the D23 Expo, Disney announced that they are considering the development of new land or areas beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. The proposed expansion would showcase Coco, Encanto, and Villains. This project is in the "Blue Sky" phase, similar to Zootopia and Moana's development at Animal Kingdom. Since the previous event, Disney has not provided any further information about the new areas around and behind Big Thunder Mountain. Unfortunately, no significant updates are expected at this year's event. However, we are hopeful an official announcement from Disney next year regarding this area.

Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion at Disney World has recently undergone upgrades and is expected to receive an exciting addition by the end of the year in the form of the Hatbox Ghost. We are eagerly anticipating the announcement of the exact date of the Hatbox Ghost's arrival at the Haunted Mansion and hope that it will be made on Saturday.

Hollywood Studios

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

There has been a persistent buzz for quite some time now regarding the potential departure of the Aerosmith ride affiliation. Rock 'n' Rollercoaster underwent a significant overhaul in March, fuelling speculations that it may be up for a re-theming. As the highly anticipated D23 event draws closer, many are curious if an official statement will be released to address these rumours finally. Only time will tell.

Disney Genie+

For those planning a trip to Disney parks, Genie+ is an essential tool to make the most of your day. This feature, which is part of the My Disney Experience app, helps you plan your itinerary and facilitates the purchase of Lightning Lane passes to bypass long lines at various attractions.

However, recent rumours suggest that there may be some updates to Genie+. While it is unlikely that Disney will discontinue this feature altogether, changes will likely be made to how it is utilised. One potential change that could be announced at Destination D23 pertains to the process of making Lightning Lane selections.

It is possible that Disney will revert to the previous system of allowing travellers to make these selections before their trip, as was the case with the FastPass+ system. While we await confirmation, this could be an exciting development for those planning a future visit to the Disney parks.

Stay with us as we will announce everything as soon as we here it!