Disneyland Update: Todayland and its “Boundless” Future

It’s been a whirlwind weekend here in Anaheim for the D23 Expo. Hopefully, you’ve been following along with us or had a chance to stop by our booth. If you did, thank you! If you’re just joining us and missed the entire weekend, well, there’s much to talk about. Let’s dig into what Disney is calling a “boundless” future for Disneyland full of Avengers, Toons, and a Bayou Adventure…

A “Boundless” Future?

The major announcements for the Disneyland Resort came yesterday at the “A Boundless Future: Disney Parks, Experiences and Products” panel. While that panel talked about what’s coming, we wanted to take a look at what it looks like today, with an eye toward the future…

Avengers Campus Expansion

Once again, Avengers campus is promised an attraction at the D23 Expo. 

Avengers Campus HQ is currently home to several balconies and blacked-out windows, but a Quinjet E-Ticket attraction was announced in 2019 to occupy this space. It would have taken guests to Wakanda on a Quinjet before sending them off in personal vehicles (styled like jetpacks) to fight off winged creatures with the Avengers. 

That was 2019. On Sunday we were told that something will still happen in the expansion space, but it will be a very different attraction. In this new version, the multiverse invades Avengers Campus. “Every character from every when” will go up against “King Thanos,” a new version of Thanos just for the parks. The concept art does indeed have quite a variety of superhero variants: a few Hulks, Spider-Man (Spider-Men?), and Captain Carter joined by two different Captain Americas. Also, are some of them rendered as…cartoons? We don’t quite know what to make of the concept art yet.

Other details are pretty sparse besides the concept art depicting the ride vehicle holding twelve occupants. In 2019, Disney told us what kind of ride to expect. This year, they did not. What kind of ride do you think this is? We are happy to see something is coming, though!

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Splash Mountain has been on the chopping block for a few years now, but we’ve finally gotten some details about what the new version, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, will be like.

Take your final rides to the laughing place soon…

Our team took a lot of wonderful photos of the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure model:

The new attraction will take place after the events in the Princess and the Frog film as Tiana’s successful restaurant leads her to open a food co-op. The ride will follow her into a mountain of all places before splashing down into the bayou for a Mardi Gras celebration finale. 

The storyline may sound a little odd; Disney continues to be surprisingly vague with details about the attraction despite it having a large presence on the show floor. This is arriving in late 2024, the details should be pretty solid by this point. Yet, we still don’t quite know what to expect besides one heck of a Mardi Gras party. 

We’d like to point out that the attraction looks like it will have a wonderful nighttime lighting package (Presently, Splash Mountain is pretty dim). The concept art does remind us a bit of Pandora: The World of Avatar with all its glowing lily pads and fireflies, though!

Regardless, there will surely be some fun elements like a new, original soundtrack and plenty of cute details like these we found on the model:

Definitely check out Andy’s article on the Disney Parks pavilion for more photos of the updated attraction’s model and other upcoming attractions from around the world:

D23 Expo: Disney Parks Reveal New Magic in the Wonderful World of Dreams Pavilion

The Briar Patch will also be receiving a light retheme, but no major changes. 

Eudora’s Chic Boutique featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets

The Le Bat En Rouge never re-opened with Disneyland after its extended closure, but we now know the future of the shop. We figured it would be Princess and the Frog-related for some time based on the signage in the windows, but the new “Eudora’s Chic Boutique featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets” will carry a split between fashion and culinary merchandise. 

The shop is intended to be themed as Tiana’s mother’s clothing store that also carries Tiana’s cooking “secrets.” The concept art looks to be influenced by the Le Gourmet culinary shop that once inhabited the same space. 

Toontown 2.0

Toontown has been closed since March for its major upgrade. Right now, this is what Toontown looks like:

Okay, that’s no fun. Here’s a better view:

Not much to look at quite yet, although we do like the way things are shaping up (that’s a slick paint job on the mountains). Things are about to look quite different…

First off, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (the absolutely massive building that the colorful mountains are covering) is coming early next year.

It’s an absolutely gorgeous ride out in Orlando and we’re excited for all of you to see the Disneyland version. Our own Dusty Sage got to walk through the entire queue and attraction on Sunday with Disney CEO Bob Chapek. The ride is almost complete with show scenes working and just needing their final audio/video syncing. According to Dusty, it looks stunning and the technology supporting the deeply saturated living animation is fantastic. An upgrade from the WDW version in both the queue and some adjustments and improvements to the ride itself. 

CenTOONial Park will take over the entrance to Toontown. The former seating area will be expanded with a “Dreaming Tree” (inspired by the one Walt Disney used to dream at in his youth), an interactive fountain, and a grassy area.

Considering the turf-pocalypse that’s currently happening, it’s probably safe to say that grass will be turf. Since his is a play area, expect it to be the spongy kind of faux grass that’s squishy to walk on. 

Goofy’s House and Donald’s Boat will receive major overhauls. Goofy’s House had most of its fun removed years ago, but will now feature an expanded backyard play area and an interactive “candy-making” activity inside.

Donald’s Boat had also lost a lot of its fun elements over the years.

It will now eschew its moat and become an accessible, interactive water playground, renamed “Donald’s Duck Pond.” Although, it looks like the inside of the boat will be closed off. The stairs are all gone and the door is shut, but the windows will have what was described as “bubble screens” to look inside the boat. 

There are a lot of other smaller changes we spotted on the model— are you ready for the rapid-fire round?

The seating area for the Toontown eateries is losing its gazebo to expand seating. 

The Toontown eateries are being consolidated into Cafe Daisy— one of the former restaurants is now a Mobile Order pickup window.

Goofy’s Gas is now Good Boy Grocers and carries fruits, snacks, and drinks.

Goofy’s yard is now called the “How to Play Yard” (referencing Goofy’s shorts like “How to Ski”) and shares an entrance with Donald’s Duck Pond. This also means that the street doesn’t come right up to either of them anymore.

Small changes like this give the area an overall more park-like feel. Hopefully, that means shade, as Toontown previously could get pretty hot.

Large swaths of the main walkway have been cut up, including the Jolly Trolley station and track, which will not be returning. As you enter the land, a new interactive fountain will greet you… it replaces the fountains which were once in front of Mickey’s house and Roger Rabbit. 

Indeed the concept artwork shows that the previous two fountains in Toontown are now designated green spaces. 

While there’s no information on what might change at Mickey and Minnie’s houses (we expect them to stay mostly the same), Gadget’s Go Coaster is getting a Chip and Dale retheme.

It’s now “Chip & Dale’s Gadget Coaster”. 

That leaves Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. We know it’s safe but were given no details on what might be changed besides the already announced Jessica Rabbit storyline. 

Once again, I’m going to plug Andy’s Parks pavilion article, it’s full of beautiful photos of the Toontown models:

D23 Expo: Disney Parks Reveal New Magic in the Wonderful World of Dreams Pavilion

Pacific Wharf/San Fransokyo

The San Francisco-themed Pacific Wharf is about to get BIG! Well, Big Hero 6. Pacific Wharf is already halfway to the fusion that is Big Hero 6’s San Fransokyo and the Imagineers are looking to push it the other halfway. 

Now, don’t get too excited, this is going to be a very light re-theme. Other than some new decor, the area will receive a meet-and-greet with Baymax and some new food and shopping opportunities. 

The biggest structural change will likely be the Pacific Wharf bridge. It will become a Golden Gate Bridge, although a little different than the one which once spanned the Monorail Beam on Buena Vista Street.  

Eagle eyes among you may notice that the sign on the Pacific Wharf Cafe now reads “Lucky Cat Cafe,” the name of the cafe that Hiro Hamada’s Aunt Cass owns in the film. 

Cocina Cucamonga is on the concept art, but that doesn’t mean it won’t change by the time San Fransokyo begins to take shape. 

Other locations up in the air are Lucky Fortune Cookery, the Karl Strauss beer cart, Ghirardelli, and the Bakery Tour. But we were told by an Imagineer that the changes are mostly cosmetic. 

Speaking of the Bakery Tour, doesn’t this seem like a convenient place for Baymax?

Pixar Place Hotel

The aging Paradise Pier Hotel is finally getting a major remodel. It’s actually already begun; the exterior painting started before the new name, Pixar Place Hotel, was even announced. Check the lower right of the hotel in the photo above.

Coincidentally, they’ve decided to use the same name as the dead-end, empty land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (in Walt Disney World) for the name of the hotel. We’d make a joke about that, but despite the dreadful name, it’s really good news for future visitors considering there will finally be a proper place to eat. 

Post resort re-opening, Paradise Pier hasn’t had a restaurant and only recently received a small self-service market. A Southern California restaurant chain, Great Maple will take over food and beverage for the entire hotel, including a flagship restaurant on the first floor (we’re told there will be fried chicken and maple bacon donuts!).

All the decor in the hotel will be swapped out for Pixar, including a new Finding Nemo splash play area on the pool deck. 

A Trio of Entertainment Additions 

There is also a bit of good news on the entertainment front. As a parade returns to Disneyland and two new nighttime spectaculars are on the way. 

Magic Happens will return in the spring of 2023!

A new fireworks show inspired by Disney’s 100th anniversary will light up the night once the holidays end in early January 2023. The show is called Wondrous Journeys. 

Also in January 2023 will be a new World of Color show called “One.” It will also be in celebration of Disney’s 100th anniversary.

And while we are glad to see new things coming to the resort, we couldn’t help but be disappointed by the things which weren’t announced…

Adventureland Treehouse

The former Tarzan’s Treehouse has been under scrims for months. A complete re-theming was announced some time ago, but Disney is still mum on what’s going on. The current rumor is that the treehouse will become home to the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.).  But nothing official. No concept art, no name, nothing even mentioned about the project at the EXPO. 

Troubledland Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland is such a troubled land. While attractions have come and gone by the handful. Much of what we see today is elements from ’67, ’98, ’05, and ’16 all smashed together. 

There’s still some concept art at the front of the land promising a new future. 

Yet, announcements for Tomorrowland were cut from the D23 Expo. 

Star Tours remains the weird orphaned Star Wars attraction at Disneyland, but Disney Imagineer Scott Trowbridge has hinted they may not be done adding new destinations…

Does anyone else think it’s odd that Star Tours is apparently receiving updates and not Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run? 

Furthermore, there are still quite a few shuttered locations: Tomorrow Landing, Tomorrowland Theater, Star Wars: Launch Bay, Starcade, and (technically) Rocket Rods/Peoplemover. 

The only thing we do know is happening is the new Disney Vacation Club lounge inside of Star Wars: Launch Bay. 

The Future is Hazy

Overall, there’s a lot going on at Disneyland, but much of it is vague. The haziness of it all leaves us unsatisfied and perhaps a bit disappointed. However, there are indeed things to get excited about (Runaway Railway, Tiana, Magic Happens, a fireworks show, and a new World of Color to name a few). Still, after three years since the last Expo, forced closure of the parks, and another Expo, the future of Disneyland still seems unclear. 

Disney has previously announced big plans for Anaheim with the DisneylandForward project (and likely 3rd park). They’re saying the future is “boundless,” but are definitely keeping some things secret for now. 

For the things we do know about, check out Andy’s Parks panel article for some of the things we didn’t touch on in this update. 

D23 Expo: Disneyland’s Boundless Future of new magic — Announcements & Revelations!

Chloe’s also got coverage for Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise line announcements.

BREAKING WDW News from D23 Expo: New Lands, Hatbox Ghost, Figment, and More!

D23 Expo: Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship Revealed, New Destinations, and Lighthouse Point Update

Arguably, the international parks are getting all the cool stuff, and Samantha has an article on those as well. 

New Lands Ahead! International Disney Parks News from D23 Expo

 

Refurb Resort

But that’s just the D23 Expo announcements (or lack thereof). We still have construction updates and news for you good folks out there…

Treehouse Uncovered

At Disneyland, the big story continues to be the treehouse. It’s been under construction for several months with little to see behind the construction scrims. But due to high forecasted winds, those scrims temporarily came down this week, we got a rare look at the project. While we don’t see any changes in the theme yet, many branches are being worked on.

The bare steel structure is visible. You can see that many of the branches have been stripped of their outer shells. 

There has still been no update or reopening date for this attraction.

Matterhorn Refurbisment

The scaffolding over the east side waterfalls is slowly being removed from Matterhorn Mountain. This project is expected to be wrapped up by October 13th.

Riverboat Refurbisment

The Mark Twain will be down for refurbishment starting today but should be back on Friday. It should be noted that Fantasmic has also started a weekend-only schedule, allowing for the riverboat to take the weekdays off this week. 

Disney California Adventure Small Projects

The airplane at Grizzly Peak is still out for a major refurbishment, currently under major repair at West Coast Air Creations in Riverside. There is no announced return date.

Hollywood Lounge is lit up at night, but still behind construction walls. A Food and Wine Festival booth is currently filling in.

Monster’s Inc. is also getting an exterior refurbishment, but the attraction remains open. 

Rain In the Parks:

We made a trip to the parks on Friday and while the rain wasn’t horrible, it was wet enough for some attractions to close. Regardless, many guests didn’t seem phased by the wind and rain. 

Most of the outdoor and water attractions had very short wait times. several of the shows were canceled due to the rain.

When it’s too wet for the Mickey and Friends cavalcade, the Villains have their own Rainy Day Cavalcade.

News From The D23 Expo!

For ALL of our D23 Expo coverage, click the image below. We break down all the Disney announcements… big and small…

Much thanks to those who stopped by to see us! 

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