Joint Blog: D23 Roundup

Caitlyn Woodbury & Gabrielle Hammond

caitlyn.gabsbitesizeblogs@gmail.com

gabsbitesizeblogs@gmail.com

D23 Roundup:

Hello everyone, welcome to mine and Caitlyn's first ever JOINT blog. Rare occurrence this but when D23 happens that means that both our special interests are combined and we can joint blog for you! D23 is an official fan club for the Walt Disney Company where exclusive news and updates gets shared about all things Disney (including Marvel, Star Wars, Disney studios, Pixar and park news). So I, Gabs, will cover the latter parts and Caitlyn (no surprise) will cover the Marvel & Star Wars section. A disclaimer that this may go against our name and not be very Bitesized at all. Come and read and let us give you a rundown so you don't have to search it up yourself.

Film News:

The main Disney film news is really exciting. It's looking to be a great few years ahead for new ideas of films and returning favourites. Firstly, the Frozen franchise is making a return with Frozen 3 in the works, with a proposed date of roughly end of 2027. This was announced during the weekend when cast members Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel aka Anna & Elsa performed a new version of the song “Frozen Heart" joined by Olaf - Josh Gad, who also performed a new love song. We are also looking at a new Pixar film in March 2027 entitled "Gatto", it's about a cat for all you cat-lovers out there - so stay tuned for that one. Another Pixar original is "Ghost Market" which is being planned for March 2028. We also have Incredibles 3 for summer 2028 to look forward to as I know that is a much loved classic Pixar film, Incredibles 2 came out in 2018 so ten years later we will have another film from the franchise released. Coco 2 has been announced for the end of 2029 (so a while for that one) but I know that's a fan favourite (although apologetically I have never actually watched it!). Zootropolis 3 was also announced which is exciting, but there was no date given, so we can only assume this will be way in the future. The most exciting news for me though is the Live Action Tangled being confirmed and a teaser trailer being played at D23. Along with the casting confirmation for Mother Gothel - Kathryn Hahn who looks great and a super fit for that role. This will be in cinemas March 2028 which is going to be epic!

Theatre News:

After the Disney purchase of 21st Century Fox, The Greatest Showman is now owned by Disney. It has been announced (Sorry are you getting sick of the word announced by now? Because I certainly am!) that Disney will be moving their stage adaptation of the musical to non other than Theatre Royal Drury Lane on the westend (currently home to Hercules and then Jesus Christ Superstar) with an opening of Spring 2027. To celebrate this the cast of the show including westend royalty Samantha Barks did a medley of the hit songs from the musical.

Disneyland California:

Let's start the park news off with the original park... Disneyland California. I will keep these to bullet points simply because I don't want this to go on an age.

-A new Coco Attraction will open which will be in the form of a boat ride

-The "Magic Happens" parade will return in 2027

-The original World of Color show to return in 2027

-Avengers Campus space will expand with at least two more attractions

-Tomorrowland will be reimagined making it fresh and adding new attractions

Disneyland Paris:

A little closer to home... Disneyland Paris. These are going to be epic especially after the recent opening of the Frozen area within the newly named Adventure World.

-Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain ride to be changed back to its original De La Terre A La Lune. No longer being Star Wars themed.

-A Lion King attraction is underway within a land that will have a 120 ft rock to be featured. This will also include the first Scar animatronic. It's always fun to have a first even if it is totally random.

-Finally a new daytime parade coming in 2028 (first time since 2017) which is definitely needed.

Walt Disney World:

Last one in bullet point form is Walt Disney World (which I can officially confirm I will be visiting in 2028 eek!)

-Spaceship Earth reimagined within EPCOT to focus on "human connection"

-An animatronic Yeti to come back within Animal Kingdom, where it was previously featured

-A new carousel to be added with 22 hand-carved animals

-A new Cars attraction to open

-Monsters Inc land update and will start opening in 2027 within Hollywood Studios park

-New restaurants to be added

-Villains Land officially named within Magic Kingdom which will include a new Maleficent Coaster

There is other news with the other parks around the world (Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai) but again I don't want to make this blog the full American constitution. And the Disney cruise line has announced a few bits, but the main importance for us is that the Disney Wish Cruise Ship is coming to Europe for the first time.

Thank you so much for reading my section now onto Caitlyn...

Over to Marvel now (hello, it’s Caitlyn). And there was some very exciting news announced at D23 this year. Similar to the Hall H panel only a few weeks ago, there were some new looks at upcoming projects. A new trailer for Avengers: Doomsday was released across the world, which included new footage from the film, such as more dialogue from Doom and his interactions with heroes such as Thor and Mister Fantastic. We also got our first trailer for the next TV show, VisionQuest, which comes out in the middle of October this year. It is advertised as the final issue of the “WandaVision” trilogy, and it very much follows the same fantastical, humorous vibe. Just from this initial look, I am very excited.

But there was one announcement that really caught fan’s attention: the X-Men. The main criticism after Hall H was the lack of X-Men news, especially after the most recent movie.

However, it was likely delayed to ensure that contracts could be finalised, and that audiences had the chance to watch Spider-Man and be introduced to Jean Grey. Now that time has passed, we have gotten a release date - 5th May 2028 - and a cast reveal. Obviously, Sadie Sink (Jean Grey), and then Kit Connor (Cyclops), Samara Weaving (Emma Frost), Maya Boyd (Storm), Inde Navarrette (Rogue), Christopher Abbott (Professor X) and Adam Driver (Nathaniel Milbury). It is most likely that more casting will be announced over the coming months.

Now, over to a galaxy far far away, Star Wars had a few teases as well! With Ahsoka season 2 only a few months away (January 2027), a trailer was released which shows more Anakin Skywalker, flashbacks, and more awesome battles! There was also a little update on the next movie, starring Ryan Gosling. The official logo for the movie was revealed, and audience members at D23 got an exclusive look at the teaser trailer. Those within the room state that it involved a lot of action and a well-loved older/younger duo. The movie will be released at the end of May next year, so more trailers should be released within the next few months.

Overall, D23 is such an amazing experience for Disney fans great and small. This year was no different and I doubt anyone will be left unsatisfied. Now, we just enjoy what we have been given, and anticipate for what we are yet to receive.