Disney fans and journalists from around the world this weekend will gather at the Anaheim Convention Center near Disneyland Resort, for D23, billed as “The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.”
The biennial event features the company’s biggest announcements of the year across its all divisions, including its theme parks and movie production, along with panels and other presentations.
KTLA consumer reporter David Lazarus says this D23 comes at a pivotal moment for the House of Mouse.
”First of all, it needs to rekindle heat for the Disney brand, which has been tarnished by box-office misses and rising theme-park prices,” says Lazarus. “The company needs to demonstrate to its most loyal customers that the magic is still there.”
After a series of box office misfires, including “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” “The Marvels” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” Disney’s film division has roared back with summer blockbusters “Inside Out 2” ($1.6 billion globally) and “Deadpool & Wolverine” ($900 million and counting).
Upcoming releases include “Moana 2,” “Mufasa: The Lion King” and “Captain America: Brave New World,” as well as a long-delayed “Snow White” reboot starring Rachel Zegler in the title role.
Disney, Lazarus believes, needs to demonstrate to both fans and shareholders that it can keep the momentum.
“It’s not enough to once again pin hopes on Robert Downey Jr., who is switching from hero to villain as he takes on the Doctor Doom character,” Lazarus says. “It’s an open question whether there’s a significant market for a live-action ‘Snow White’ or yet another ‘Avatar’ movie. And shareholders will be watching closely to see how Disney’s theatrical plans dovetail with the company’s Disney+ streaming service, which is finally profitable.”
On Friday, Disney (NYSE: DIS) was trading at $86 per share, less than half its all-time high of $200 in March 2021, when viewers flocked to the fledgling Disney+ platform during the height of the pandemic.
DisneylandForward
Fans anticipate big announcements about DisneylandForward, the $1.9 billion 10-year plan to bring new rides and lands to Disneyland Resort. The Anaheim City Council greenlit the project earlier this year.
One project revolves around a new area based on the Avatar film franchise. A similar Pandora-themed area opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida in May 2017.
“This is an announcement I am very confident will be made during the presentation,” says Gavin Doyle, Mickey Visit founder and bestselling author of “Disneyland Secrets.” “It is clear that [Iger] personally believes in that intellectual property and wants to have it featured prominently in the expansion, especially as they prepare to release even more Avatar movies.”
Fans await updates on a new ride in Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure centered around Marvel Comics villain King Thanos. With Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary next year, additional announcements will potentially include how the resort plans to draw big crowds.
Details about the DisneylandForward expansion are expected to be revealed during D23’s Disney Experiences Showcase on Saturday evening.
Carly Neil with Wealth of Geeks via AP contributed to this report.