This past weekend, Disney fans from near and far gathered in Anaheim to celebrate D23 2022, the (usually) bi-annual convention where Disney reveals its upcoming projects, across the film studios, parks, cruise lines, and more. On Sunday, D23 held its Disney Parks panel. While the panel talked about all of the resorts worldwide, this recap will focus on the topic of this blog: the Disneyland Resort. Let’s dive in.
NEW CHARACTERS COMING TO BOTH PARKS
First, Disney continued a trend happening at the resort. New characters are debuting in both Disneyland and California Adventure. Some we already knew about – like the Mandalorian and the Child. But a new character coming to Avengers Campus will be…..
The Incredible Hulk, in his quantum suit!
Source: Disney Parks Blog
The Mandalorian and the Child will arrive in Galaxy’s Edge in mid-November. And for any of you visiting the resort soon – the Hulk makes his debut this week.
NEW EXPERIENCES ON DISNEYLAND’S HORIZON
During the panel, we also got a sneak peek at new attractions and shops coming to Disneyland in the next few years. By 2024, Splash Mountain will transform into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This change will move the attraction out of Critter Country, expanding New Orleans Square‘s territory. And for the first time, we heard the ride’s story. As Disney Parks Blog recaps:
The new attraction’s story will pick up right where “The Princess and the Frog” left off. At the end of the film, Princess Tiana realizes her lifelong dream when she opens her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace. We pick up the story during Carnival season, when Tiana is hosting a party for the people of New Orleans. She discovers her celebration is missing a key ingredient and needs our help to find it. On Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, we’ll join Tiana and Louis on a trip to the bayou, where they meet all sorts of unexpected new friends who have a special role to play at the party.
Not too far away, Tiana’s mom Eudora will also get her own shop. What is now Le Bat en Rouge will become Eudora’s Chic Boutique featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets. This shop will feature dresses made by Eudora, with cooking accessories supplied by Tiana.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
And finally, the panel showcased a bunch of new concept art for the Mickey’s Toontown transformation. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which arrives in 2023, will have an interactive queue with plenty of easter eggs.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
There are quite a few images of Toontown’s other buildings and layout – which would make this post very long! To see some of the concept art, check out the Disney Parks Blog post here.
CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE CONTINUES ITS EVOLUTION
Across the promenade, California Adventure is preparing for some new experiences as well. First, we got the surprise announcement that Avengers Campus’ third attraction will not be the previously teased Wakanda ride. Instead, Avengers Campus is dipping its toes into the multiverse. While we didn’t get too many details, Disney did say riders would team up with the Avengers to battle different multiverse foes, including King Thanos, pictured below.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
We didn’t get a release date for this attraction…just “in the future”. And a few lands away, we also received some news without a release date. Pacific Wharf is going to become San Fransokyo, the fictional city from Big Hero 6.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
The makeover will include a meet and greet with Baymax, along with some new shops and restaurants. No word on the fate of the Boudin Bakery Tour or any of the existing restaurants as of yet.
DOWNTOWN DISNEY PROGRESS
During the parks panel, we also got some more details about new offerings coming to Downtown Disney as part of its transformation. First, we saw concept art for the previously announced Din Tai Fung.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
In addition, we learned that Porto’s Bakery and Cafe will join the district. This restaurant will have Cuban-inspired food, pastries, and desserts. In the theme of this year’s announcements – we don’t have a lot of details, including where this will be in the district or when it’s coming.
PARADISE PIER HOTEL’S FUTURE AND THE RETURN OF RUNDISNEY
The panel also confirmed a long assumed update: Paradise Pier Hotel will officially become Pixar Place Hotel, taking on Pixar theming. We didn’t get much concept art for the interiors of the hotel, but we did see a preview of the pool area, which will be rethemed to Finding Nemo.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
One announcement that had overwhelmingly positive feedback – runDisney is finally coming back to the Disneyland Resort! Races will resume in 2024, once again giving guests the chance to run through both parks and Downtown Disney.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
DISNEY100
And finally, Disneyland will be joining other parks around the world to celebrate Disney100, marking the Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, two of the resort’s nighttime shows will release special overlays. First, World of Color: One. Per the Disney Parks Blog:
“World of Color – One” will celebrate the storytelling legacy started by Walt Disney a century ago. It will tell a new story of how a single action, like a drop of water, creates a ripple that can grow into a wave of change. It brings some of the most courageous, loving and inspiring characters to life in new ways. The show will also feature a new original song, “Start a Wave.”
Source: Disney Parks Blog
And of course, an anniversary wouldn’t be complete without a special fireworks show and parade. During the day, Magic Happens will officially return to Main Street. This beautiful parade launched only a few weeks before the COVID-19 lockdown, so it will finally get its chance to have a full run in the park. And once the sun goes down, a special fireworks and projection show will light up the night sky. Sleeping Beauty Castle, It’s A Small World, and the Rivers of America will all project the nighttime spectacular, called “Wondrous Journeys”.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
Like I mentioned earlier in the post, D23 2022’s announcements were all frustratingly vague. We got few details and fewer timelines. To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of these announcements either get extremely delayed or never come to fruition. It almost felt like they were sharing a brainstorm with us to see what might resonate. I’m hoping future D23 Expos actually provide more concrete information. (And personally, I was super disappointed there was no Tomorrowland overhaul on the drawing board!)