Destination D23 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort was a weekend full of not only looking back on Disney Parks and Studios history, but a peek at what’s ahead as well. This week, we’ll debrief the event, recap what was announced, and reflect on what’s to come… and what may not be.
Welcome to another exciting episode of WDW Radio! In this episode, our host Lou Mongello is joined by special guests Andrew Mylin, Caleb Joshua Hill, Dan Spadora, and Beci Mahnken as they dive deep into the D23 Recap Nation. From new attractions to exciting developments, we’ve got all the inside scoop on what’s happening in the world of Disney.
First up, get ready to be enchanted by the upcoming Disney animated film, Wish, as we reveal a special character named Asha who will be featured at Epcot, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. And speaking of transformations, prepare to be transported to a tropical paradise as Dino Land USA in Disney’s Animal Kingdom undergoes a stunning makeover, inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones.
But are these transformations confirmed or just blue-sky plans? We’ll weigh in on the debates and discussions we’ve heard and give you the inside scoop based on conversations with insiders. Plus, find out all about the exciting new Zootopia show coming to the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. While some hoped for a Zootopia Land, we’ll explore why this unique experience is being introduced in a different way.
We were lucky enough to attend a preview event at Destination D23, where we got a firsthand preview of the highly-anticipated Journey of Water attraction at Epcot. While we found it cool, we’ll discuss whether it’s a game-changer or worth waiting in line for hours. And as we explore the world of Epcot, we’ll also touch on the promises that didn’t come to fruition and what the future holds for the park.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there! We’ll take a closer look at the Magic Kingdom’s largest-ever expansion, including a new Pirates of the Caribbean themed lounge in Adventureland and updates to the beloved Country Bear Jamboree. And get ready to meet the Hat Box Ghost in the Haunted Mansion, who can come and go as he pleases.
Throughout the episode, we’ll give you a taste of the incredible experiences and announcements from Destination D23, including behind-the-scenes stories, special guests, and captivating performances. And stay tuned as we reveal exciting plans for D23, the ultimate Disney fan event, coming in 2024. Plus, we’ll fill you in on the latest happenings at Disney parks around the world, from Tokyo Disney’s Fantasy Springs to Disneyland Paris’ Frozen themed land.
It’s a jam-packed episode full of Disney magic, insider information, and a few surprises along the way. So join us as we explore the world of Disney like never before. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review WDW Radio on your favorite podcast platform. You won’t want to miss a single episode of the magic!
Thanks to the members of the WDW Radio Nation for joining me this week.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:01 – Introduction,
00:04:10 – Epcot Announcements,
00:08:34 – Listener Reactions to Epcot Announcements,
00:12:20 – Epcot Opening Hours,
00:15:06 – Other Parks at Destination D23,
00:15:45 – Epcot Experiences,
00:16:57 – Excitement for New Attractions,
00:19:30 – Figment’s Design,
00:20:35 – Changes in Disney’s Animal Kingdom,
00:23:24 – Zootopia in Disney’s Animal Kingdom,
00:31:36 – New Country Bear Jamboree,
00:32:54 – Hat Box Ghost in Haunted Mansion,
00:34:10 – Reaction to Changes,
00:37:29 – Alcohol in Magic Kingdom,
00:38:51 – Blue Sky vs. Reality,
00:47:09 – Thoughts on Overseas Attractions,
00:48:14 – Disneyland Hotel Opening,
00:50:06 – Disney Cruise Lines Updates,
00:51:32 – Disney’s Lookout Key at Lighthouse Point,
00:56:29 – Once Upon a Studio Film,
01:03:51 – D23 Day at Angel Stadium,
01:04:41 – Excitement for D23 Expo,
01:06:07 – Solving the Waiting Problem,
01:08:09 – Future Announcements at D23 Expo,
01:11:27 – Conclusion and Thank You to Listeners,
01:18:46 – “Introduction and Announcement of Group Cruise”,
01:19:36 – “Booking Information and Newsletter Subscription”,
01:20:09 – “Additional Services and Coaching”,
01:20:48 – “Mouse Fan Travel and Community Support”,
01:21:10 – “Wrap-up” and Call to Action”,”
Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:01 – Introduction,
Lou Mongello welcomes listeners to the WW Radio Show and introduces the topic of discussing the recent Destination D23 event at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
00:04:10 – Epcot Announcements,
Lou discusses the announcements made at Destination D23 regarding Epcot. Topics include the reimagining of Test Track inspired by the original World of Motion, Figment starting to meet guests, the opening of Journey of Water inspired by Moana, the debut of the new nighttime spectacular called Luminous: Symphony of Us, and the completion of World Celebration in December.
00:08:34 – Listener Reactions to Epcot Announcements,
Andrew shares his thoughts on the Test Track reimagining and its tie-in with General Motors’ focus on electric cars. Lou mentions the possibility of the Tomorrowland Speedway also transitioning to electric vehicles.
00:12:20 – Epcot Opening Hours,
Dan expresses his desire for Epcot to be open longer, citing his recent visit to Destination D23 and the limited operating hours. Lou acknowledges the importance of extended park hours for guests.
00:15:06 – Other Parks at Destination D23,
Lou briefly mentions that there were also announcements and discussions regarding other parks at Destination D23, including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Further details are not provided in this episode.
00:15:45 – Epcot Experiences,
The speaker discusses how Epcot has become a more experiential park with interactive attractions like the Journey of Water and model trains. They express optimism about the park’s future and the completion of new experiences.
00:16:57 – Excitement for New Attractions,
The speaker mentions the anticipation for the removal of world of walls and the introduction of new attractions like Sornover California and the refreshed Test Track. They express excitement about experiencing these new additions.
00:19:30 – Figment’s Design,
The speaker questions the size of Figment’s head in the new design of the character. They provide an explanation that the design is meant to reflect the audio animatronic figure rather than the walk-around character.
00:20:35 – Changes in Disney’s Animal Kingdom,
The speaker discusses the transformation of Dino Land USA into a tropical Americas-inspired land. They mention the inclusion of Encanto and Indiana Jones-inspired experiences. There is some debate among guests about the confirmation of these changes.
00:23:24 – Zootopia in Disney’s Animal Kingdom,
The speaker mentions the development of a new zootopia show in the Tree of Life theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. There are differing opinions among guests about whether this show is enough or if a full Zootopia Land should be added.
00:31:36 – New Country Bear Jamboree,
The Country Bear Jamboree is getting updated with new Disney songs in different genres of country music. Imagineers are working with musicians in Nashville to achieve an authentic country sound while maintaining the fun and friendly tone of the original.
00:32:54 – Hat Box Ghost in Haunted Mansion,
The Hat Box Ghost is coming to the Haunted Mansion, and there was some concern about where he would fit in the storyline. However, it was clarified that the Hat Box Ghost has always been there and can come and go whenever and wherever he pleases.
00:34:10 – Reaction to Changes,
Some fans are resistant to changes in classic attractions like the Country Bear Jamboree, but others recognize the need for updates to appeal to new generations. The addition of new songs and figures can bring fresh life to beloved attractions.
00:37:29 – Alcohol in Magic Kingdom,
The addition of alcohol in Magic Kingdom has been a topic of discussion and controversy. While some argue that it goes against Walt Disney’s vision, others see it as a way to enhance certain areas and provide more options for guests.
00:38:51 – Blue Sky vs. Reality,
The announcements made at D23 Expo about upcoming attractions may have been intentionally vague to gauge fan reactions. However, these announcements are in fact happening, and further clarification will be provided in the future.
00:47:09 – Thoughts on Overseas Attractions,
The conversation starts with a discussion about overseas attractions, specifically Disneyland and Ahsoka. The focus is on Tokyo Disney Seas and the excitement for upcoming attractions, such as Tangled and Peter Pan.
00:48:14 – Disneyland Hotel Opening,
The discussion shifts to the reopening of the Disneyland Hotel in Paris, set for January 25, 2024. The hotel will undergo a transformation celebrating Disney’s royal stories and characters. Concept art and more information are available on the blog.
00:50:06 – Disney Cruise Lines Updates,
The conversation turns to Disney Cruise Lines, specifically the new ship named Disney Adventure. The ship will be based in Singapore, marking the cruise line’s debut in South Asia. There is speculation about whether there will be gambling and a casino on board.
00:51:32 – Disney’s Lookout Key at Lighthouse Point,
The discussion moves to Disney’s new island destination in the Bahamas, now officially known as Disney’s Lookout Key at Lighthouse Point. The name change reflects the larger island it is a part of, and the focus on theming, design, and Bahamian culture.
00:56:29 – Once Upon a Studio Film,
The hosts express their emotional reaction to the film “Once Upon a Studio,” a tribute to 100 years of Disney animation. The film brought tears to their eyes and received a standing ovation. They emphasize the need to see it and recommend bringing tissues.
01:03:51 – D23 Day at Angel Stadium,
Four days before the event, there will be a D23 day at Angel Stadium. It will be a separate ticketed event and transportation logistics are being discussed.
01:04:41 – Excitement for D23 Expo,
D23 Expo is expanding to four days and promises an improved guest experience. There are high expectations and anticipation for the event.
01:06:07 – Solving the Waiting Problem,
The organizers are working on solutions to reduce waiting times and allow more people to enjoy panels and attractions. The logistics of moving thousands of people between venues are being considered.
01:08:09 – Future Announcements at D23 Expo,
Some previously announced projects like Spaceship Earth overhaul and the Play Pavilion may be saved for the bigger stage at D23 Expo. There is speculation about the role of Bruce Vaughn in the company and executive movements in the future.
01:11:27 – Conclusion and Thank You to Listeners,
Destination D is a more intimate and calming event compared to D23 Expo. The love and support from the WWDO Nation are appreciated. The trivia question winner will be announced next.
01:18:46 – “Introduction and Announcement of Group Cruise”,
Lou Mongello announces a group cruise that will take place in February 2025, coinciding with WW Radio’s 20th anniversary. The cruise will be a seven-night western Caribbean cruise, departing from Port Canaveral and stopping at various destinations.
01:19:36 – “Booking Information and Newsletter Subscription”,
Lou Mongello encourages listeners to visit WW Radio’s website for more information on the group cruise and to book their spots early. He also encourages listeners to subscribe to the WWDo newsletter for weekly updates and a free copy of his book.
01:20:09 – “Additional Services and Coaching”,
Lou Mongello promotes his website, LouMongello.com, where he offers keynote speaking, coaching, and mastermind groups for entrepreneurs and businesses. He also mentions upcoming events and retreats.
01:20:48 – “Mouse Fan Travel and Community Support”,
Lou Mongello thanks Mouse Fan Travel, his exclusive travel partner, for their support over the years. He encourages listeners to visit their website for expert advice and assistance with booking Disney vacations. He also expresses his gratitude for the support of the WW Radio community.
01:21:10 – “Wrap-up and Call to Action”,
Lou Mongello asks listeners to help spread the word about the show by sharing links on social media. He also encourages listeners to rate and review the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. He concludes by expressing his love and appreciation for the listeners and wishing
What are your thoughts and reactions to the Destination D23 announcements? Share your thoughts in the WDW Radio Clubhouse at WDWRadio.com/Clubhouse, or call the voicemail at 407-900-9391 (WDW1) and share your story on the show.
Episode Transcript
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