Destination D23 - 2025 Announcements


My favorite part of the D23 Expo and the Destination D23 are the announcements. Not all of the projects announced get carried out. Disney feels the need to show fans what they're working on, which means some things get announced prematurely. Even if that's what happens, it gives a peak into what the Imagineers are thinking and where the parks may be going in the future.

The 2024 expo had quite a few large announcements, especially for Walt Disney World. As such, the announcements for this year were more subdued. There was time spent on building up what's coming (like the Villains land), but the resort isn't in need of a deluge of new projects. Two things that were mentioned stand out.

We'll start with the more minor: Tron will be getting a retheme to coincide with the release of Tron: Ares. This temporary overlay will use reds and oranges in place of the current blues. This will run for a limited time this fall. however, don't be surprised if it comes back periodically. Like Hyperspace Mountain and Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy at Disneyland, this could easily be used as a seasonal offering to boost attendance. Particularly because it will be fast to change between the two shows, this will be a low-cost option that Disney's marketing team will use.

The more interesting update is that the Carousel of Progress will receive an update to the introductory scene. The concept art shows Walt Disney himself providing the new introduction. This is in the version of his office from which he originally announced the Carousel of progress for the 1964 World's Fair. It will likely include updates to the final scene, which shows the technology of tomorrow. For an attraction that hasn't looked to the future in 30 years, this will be a welcome update.


The modern concept of Tomorrowland is far removed from the Tomorrowland of 1964 that the attraction was designed to fit into. That Tomorrowland was meant to be optimistic and inspiring for what could come in the future. Overtime, this concept was pushed toward Epcot, and is now falling by the wayside. You'll often hear that Tomorrowland is difficult to design, because it's difficult to stay ahead of tomorrow. But the core idea is still that there are wonderful things in store for mankind. "There's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!" Having an introduction straight from Walt will help to rekindle that attitude for the land and its guests.

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