April 3rd, 2024, was a wedding day for the Walt Disney Business. The Yearly Investor Fulfilling occurred, where shareholders voted to elect Disney’s full slate of 12 board directors (versus the Trian Group’s and Blackwell’s suggestions). However the election was just one part of this significant conference– we likewise got some quite huge updates from Disney executives like CEO Bob Iger!

Weheard more about the new Moana 2 movie that’s coming out in November, got a sneak peek at the concept art for a possible Pandora land coming to Disneyland, and even found out that ESPN has actually protected NCAA football playoff rights through the 2031-2042 season (discuss preparing ahead). However there were some substantial statements we were anticipating that DIDN’T take place throughout the conference, which suggests fans are still waiting on responses to these 4 significant concerns.

Disney’s investor conferences are regularly platforms for the business to make huge statements, whether those have to do with the business’s staff members and Cast Members, amusement park, films, cruise liner, or any other part of Disney. So we constantly anticipate these conferences in the hope that we’ll get to find out more about what’s next.

This year, we were expecting more details about Disney’s amusement park growth prepares in addition to an upgrade on the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Experience (in both Disney World and Disneyland). We didn’t get either of those statements, and we observed that a number of other updates were likewise notably missing out on. Let’s dig in.

Disney World Park Expansions/Re-Themes

Disney has a couple of approaching jobs prepared for Walt Disney World, and we have actually been waiting to discover when those may in fact begin to come to life. Bob Iger disregarded to discuss any of these strategies particularly. Rather, he simply stated, “There’s far more pertaining to our parks worldwide, consisting of Florida.”

Among the strategies we’re the majority of thrilled about is the “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” expansion that Disney has actually revealed for Magic Kingdom. At the 2022 D23 Exposition, we became aware of possible Coco-, Encanto-, and Disney villains-themed lands that might pertain to this location, and we even got to see some idea art for the colonies.

Throughout the 2023 Location D23 occasion, Disney executives Josh D’Amaro and Bruce Vaughn reported that the growth prepares for Magic Kingdom are the “biggest ever” for the park. They stated that the growth will be on a scale comparable to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge ( in Hollywood Studios) and Pandora – The World of Avatar ( in Animal Kingdom).

Then, previously this year, we identified this puzzling upgrade concealed in a statement about the new Country Bear Jamboree show that’s pertaining to Frontierland in Magic Kingdom: “However hold your horses, we’re refrained from doing yet. We have a great deal of development and financial investment prepared for our amusement park in the coming years and anticipate sharing more statements about Frontierland … so y’ all return now, ya hear?” (We were likewise anticipating to hear an opening date for the brand-new Nation Bear Jamboree program, however regretfully that didn’t take place today either.)

Tiana’s Bayou Experience Opening Date

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a brand-new trip opening in both Disneyland and Disney World. In both parks, it has actually taken control of the old Splash Mountain destination.

The trip is themed to Disney’s The Princess and the Frog film, with a story that happens “after the last kiss” because movie. Visitors will sign up with Tiana on an experience through the bayou and encounter good friends like Louis the alligator, Mother Odie, and a band of animals.

We have actually been thoroughly following the building development of this destination in both Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom. Disney formerly revealed that the ride will open in Magic Kingdom THIS SUMMER (2024) and in Disneylandsometime later this year (2024)

Well … summer season is practically here, Disney! We’re still waiting on a main opening date for Tiana’s Bayou Experience, and we actually believed that today would be the day it was revealed.

While we keep waiting, we’ll be dreaming about the line. That may sound odd, however Disney has actually revealed that the smell of freshly made beignets is going to be pumped through the queue, which seems like paradise. We’re just hoping that they bring back the actual beignets so that we’re not left yearning the reward with no place close-by to in fact get one!

Learn more about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure here!

Update on the NEW Disney Cruise Ships

Disney in fact didn’t discuss the Disney Cruise Line … at all. It was extremely odd, particularly considering they just recently dropped a statement about another NEW ship, the Disney Destiny.

The Fate will be themed to Heroes and Bad guys of Disney storie s, and it’s a Wish-class ship. Disney revealed that the theming will draw “on the traditions of cherished Disney stories, characters, and amusement park destinations.” It’s been verified that characters from The Lion King, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, and Hercules will be included.

The Fate will set cruise in 2025, which is SOON! So we were amazed that Disney didn’t have more statements to share about this ship.

Another new ship that’s debuting quickly is theDisney Treasure This ship is likewise in the Desire class, and it’ll take its first trip on December 21st, 2024

We have actually currently found out a fair bit about this ship, consisting of that it will have a Coco-themed restaurant, a Haunted Mansion lounge, and a Jungle Cruise-themed bar.

Learn all about the Disney Treasure here!

Update on Bob Iger’s Follower

Among the most essential jobs that Bob Iger needs to finish before his period as the CEO of Disney is over is to assist pick a follower That suggests he requires to assist the board pick a brand-new CEO before December 31st, 2026 (supplied he does not extend his agreement with the business once again).

Fans and experts alike have been vocal about their opinions on who the next Disney CEO should be, however we have actually heard extremely little about it from Bob Iger himself.

Bloomberg just recently reported that the Walt Disney Business is focusing its efforts on 4 possible prospects: Dana Walden, co-chair of Disney Home entertainment; Jimmy Pitaro, previous ESPN president; Disney Parks chair Josh D’Amaro; and Alan Bergman, Walden’s other co-chair at Disney Home entertainment. According to the very same source, no choice on a follower is anticipated in 2024, though Iger has actually obviously been hanging out with all of the prospects.

About the succession problem, Iger formerly stated, “I wish to guarantee Disney is highly placed when my follower takes the helm. The value of the succession procedure can not be overemphasized, and as the Board continues to assess an extremely certified slate of internal and external prospects, I stay extremely concentrated on an effective shift.“

Though we weren’t anticipating a statement about the decision (because that choice most likely will not be produced a while), we were amazed that Disney didn’t a minimum of discuss the procedure of selecting a follower This looked like a great chance for the business to upgrade investors about how that choice is going.

Learn more about Iger’s succession issue here.

I think we’ll simply need to wait till the next huge occasion to hear more about Disney’s future strategies! Disney might be conserving a few of its BIGGEST amusement park statements for the upcoming D23 Expo (called “D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Occasion”), which happens this year on August 9th through the 11th in Anaheim, California. We’ll be bringing you complete protection of that entire occasion and any interesting news that’s revealed!

Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the most recent Disney news!

Click here to get a FIRST LOOK at the possible Avatar expansion in Disneyland!

What other statements were you hoping Disney would make today? Let us understand in the remarks!