D23 2022 is fast approaching, and with it will likely be major new announcements for every part of the Walt Disney Company, including the Disney Parks. So what new rides and attractions could be announced at this event?
Here are some of the biggest current rumors and projects reportedly in development at Disney that could become an announcement at D23.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Addition
Disney typically rotates what parks get a new ride roughly in order, and Disney's Animal Kingdom is the park that should be next in this rotation. Every other Disney Park has either gotten a new ride (or rides) or has one currently under construction since the opening of its last major addition, Pandora World of Avatar.
There is also a lot of reason to expect that Disney will build something new at this park. They have removed Primeval Whirl, and Rivers of Light did not return following the closure of Walt Disney World, both signs of major needed projects at this park.
So what could this potential announcement regarding Disney's Animal Kingdom be? Here are some significant theories:
Zootopia
Zootopia in Disney's Animal Kingdom has been a significant rumor for years. By D23, the Shanghai Disneyland version of the Zootopia land will have opened, and it could easily be announced to be cloned for Walt Disney World.
Very few Disney rides have been built in the last few years without being cloned, with the only major examples of this being rides that rethemed an existing ride (Mission Breakout), or rides built in a way that could not be cloned easily due to their size or location (Cosmic Rewind, Slinky Dog Dash). Zootopia would be easy to clone, and it is roughly the size of Dinoland if you exclude Dinosaur and the road to it.
Pandora Expansion
Avatar 2 will be released this year, and there are several additional sequels on the way. This could be great timing for a new ride based on the franchise to be built, potentially including elements based on the sequels. Pandora World of Avatar was built with expansion space, and could easily hold an additional ride, restaurant, and more.
As D23 will take place before the film's release, however, Disney may not want to commit to a new ride based on a franchise that hasn't proven itself in a decade.
Another Runaway Railway
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway has proven itself to be a significantly popular attraction, so another version of this being built somewhere in the world could easily be announced. Prior to the pandemic, a version of this ride was being rumored for Disneyland Paris, and beyond that, this ride could feasibly fit in any of the Disney Parks around the world.
Splash Mountain Replacement Update
Probably the most likely D23 announcement is more details on the Princess and the Frog ride replacing Splash Mountain. This ride will have been announced for two years, yet the only public information known on the ride is two pieces of concept art. It is reasonable to expect more concept art and information will be revealed, as well as a timeline for the refurbishment at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Avengers Ride Update
Disney has an announced Avengers ride planned for Disney California Adventure and Hong Kong Disneyland, and rumored for Disneyland Paris. But following the pandemic, no updates have been given on this ride. D23 could be a great place for Disney to announce more on this project.
Something Encanto
With the massive success that Encanto has received, it is not unreasonable to expect some announcement related to this film finding a more permanent place in the Disney Parks. It is difficult to predict what this could be. It could be something as small as a parade segment or something as big as a ride or full-scale show, or anything in between.
Disneyland Forward Update
Disneyland Forward was announced as a blue sky concept as to what expansion of the Disneyland Resort could look like. While it will almost certainly not be built as originally announced, something resembling those plans, or a portion of them, could be announced at D23. The Disneyland Resort, after Runaway Railway and the already announced Avengers ride, will be completely out of expansion space. Creating and announcing plans for the area proposed in Disneyland Forward would give Disneyland room to expand for years to come.
Shanghai Disneyland Coaster
Disney has been making behind-the-scenes moves to add a launch coaster with an unknown theme to Shanghai Disneyland. D23 could be the best place to announce this major new addition.
Wildcards
While the above options are the most likely, there are some other rumored projects that could be announced at D23.
Rock N Roller Coaster replacement rumors have been excelerating over the past years. If this is happening due to losing the AEROSMITH rights as has been rumored, D23 could be a great time to announce this.
Stitch's Great Escape has been closed for years and nothing new has moved in. This is a ride in the center of Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom that really needs a replacement. No rumors have really surrounded this, but it is a project that could easily be in development behind the scenes.
Rumors of a replacement for Journey Into Imagination With Figment are always floating around. If Disney is looking for another Epcot project, this is really the most needed replacement at the park.
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