D23 - What Disney Did NOT Announce

Last week at D23 2024, Disney announced a bunch of new rides, attractions, lounges, cruise ships, parades and shows. Most of which, if not all, I am pretty excited for. However, there were a couple of things that Disney did not announce at D23 that I was expecting.

Reflections - A Lakeside Lodge

Credit: Disney

The biggest omission from D23 was a new resort coming to Walt Disney World. At the D23 event in 2017, Disney originally announced that they were building a new resort called Reflections. It was supposed to be built in the Magic Kingdom area, close to Fort Wilderness Lodge.

Even after clearing land to build Reflections, in 2022, Disney announced that they were no longer building the resort. Ever since then, they have not publicly stated anything new about the resort. BUTTTT, they have been filing building permit extensions ever since pushing out the build date.

So I thought for sure at this years D23, we would get some updated information about Disney building its newest resort. No such luck, however the building permits suggest its still happening. Its worth noting that at the last earnings call, Disney projects a slight dip in attendance across their theme parks. I think its due to the current state of the economy as well as the opening on Universals Epic Universe. Maybe we will hear more about it at a later date.

Skyliner Expansion

Credit: Disney

The next announcement is a little different. This one is more of one that I was hoping for but not nessecarily expecting. I was hoping that we would hear that Disney had plans to expand the Skyliner. There is no real evidence that Disney ever plans to expand the skyliner but there is always a lot of chatter and support from the Disney community. I have not yet met a single person who does not enjoy the skyliner! DO it Disney!