Saturday evening at the Honda Center in Anaheim saw The Walt Disney Company host its highly anticipated Disney Experiences showcase presentation at D23, an event traditionally scrutinized by fans and media alike. Neil Patrick Harris, serving as the master of ceremonies, orchestrated the proceedings with a late-night show theme, complete with a live band. His opening monologue was peppered with characteristic Disney-related quips, even playfully referencing former Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro. Harris joked about his own potential path to leadership, quipping, “Wait a minute. If my math is correct, I am 24 months away from being CEO, and 48 months away from owning the Lakers,” before launching into an elaborate, cameo-filled musical number featuring animatronics.
However, the real excitement at D23, Disney’s internal fan convention, always revolves around the significant announcements, and this year was no exception. The showcase concluded with two major revelations designed to delight long-time Disney theme park enthusiasts. One was a much-anticipated refresh of Figment, one of Epcot’s original and beloved attractions, which will include the triumphant return of the Dreamfinder character. The other significant announcement involved a comprehensive revitalization of Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, a sector conceived as part of Walt Disney’s original vision for the park. This ambitious project aims to introduce "new attractions, new open spaces, new places to dream about the future."
Thomas Mazloum, the chairman of Disney Experiences, emphasized in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that this particular Tomorrowland holds historical significance as it was originally envisioned and designed by Walt Disney himself. Mazloum highlighted that the concept’s original foundation was rooted in optimism for the future, a guiding principle that will inform the current revitalization. He asserted, "It doesn’t mean we’re not going to change things. It just means we respect where we came from, but we use that optimism to carry us in the future, and in the case of this particular project, I think it proves we are listening carefully to what our guests are telling us while investing also in new generations."
Mazloum further elaborated on the company’s commitment to balancing innovation with honoring its legacy. He acknowledged the successful developments at Disney California Adventure and confirmed that more enhancements are planned. He underscored the importance of attentively listening to guests and harmonizing their desires with the iconic status of Disneyland. "And so the way I approach this is really not to be beholden by the past, to respect it, but to take Walt’s original positiveness, this optimism, and use that as our inspiration for the creative that we’re going to introduce,” Mazloum explained.
Beyond these marquee announcements, Disney shared updates on a multitude of other projects, including new lands and attractions previously revealed two years prior, such as the Cars-themed area and Villains Land at Magic Kingdom. Updates on the expanding Disney Cruise Line were also part of the presentation. Mazloum had a pre-event discussion with THR, laying the groundwork for the company’s future endeavors and reflecting on his initial months leading the division, having succeeded Josh D’Amaro, who now serves as Disney’s CEO.
Mazloum described his transition into the role as "very simple and very smooth," noting his prior professional relationship with D’Amaro and his extensive familiarity with Disney’s global operations. He recounted traveling to every Disney resort worldwide and visiting many of the cruise ships after assuming his new position. Expressing deep appreciation for his role, Mazloum shared a sentiment he conveyed to his team: "This is the privilege of my lifetime."
He attributed this feeling to the sheer volume and creative ambition of current projects. “The reason why I feel that way is traveling around the world made me once again realize we truly are having more projects currently happening than at any single point in our history, and it isn’t just the volume — and we’re going to share this obviously with our fans this week — it’s the creativity,” Mazloum stated. He invoked Walt Disney’s timeless quote, “‘Disneyland will never be completed if there is enough imagination left in the world,’” to encapsulate the ongoing spirit of innovation.
While D23 in 2024 served as a platform to unveil a plethora of new Disney intellectual properties integrated into its global theme parks and resorts, this year’s event placed a distinct emphasis on the parks’ own intrinsic intellectual property. This includes the aforementioned Tomorrowland, as well as cherished fan favorites like Figment, the dragon who has become an unofficial mascot for Epcot in Orlando, and the long-dormant yeti animatronic on the Expedition Everest ride at Animal Kingdom, which has been broken since shortly after the attraction’s opening.
Mazloum articulated that this focus signifies Disney’s active engagement with its fans and guests. "What that really means to me is that we’re listening to all of our fans and our guests, and specifically that means harmonizing the various demands," he said. He cited examples like the Avengers Campus and Coco-themed attractions at Disneyland, which aim to both satisfy existing audiences and attract new ones. Crucially, he emphasized the commitment to existing, loyal fans, stating, "to do that is to make sure that we revitalize fan favorites and keep them nice and fresh and new, while also working on new lands, and it’s about really harmonizing these tools."
He added that attendees of D23 would witness updates on all previously announced new lands and projects, showcasing Disney’s dedication to bringing these creative visions to life. Simultaneously, the focus on attractions like Figment, the Yeti, and Tomorrowland demonstrates a deep commitment to addressing the long-held desires of existing guests.
Mazloum views seemingly minor details, such as the yeti animatronic’s repair, as integral to the core "Disney magic" that encourages families to return across generations. He stressed the company’s meticulous attention to detail, acknowledging that guests and fans deeply care about the parks, cruise ships, and the authenticity of Disney storytelling. "They understand our commitment to tell our stories in an authentic way, the way only Disney can, and they hold us to a high standard. And our goal is to meet and exceed that standard," Mazloum asserted. He concluded that whether it’s a nostalgic ride or a specific element like the Yeti, these seemingly small things foster a treasured relationship with fans that ultimately proves rewarding.
Further exciting developments include an upcoming update to Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Disney World, slated for next year. This refresh will feature not only new scenes but also new voice talent, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston lending their voices to characters on the attraction.
The Disney Cruise Line also received significant attention, representing a substantial area of investment for the company. A flurry of new ships is projected for delivery over the next five years, including a new, slightly smaller class of vessels. Mazloum explained that these smaller ships will provide increased flexibility, allowing the company to expand its itineraries to new destinations such as Alaska and Europe.
"It gives us a ton of flexibility, which we really want and need as we expand the cruise line both domestically and globally," Mazloum affirmed. He often describes the Disney Cruise Line experience as "three vacations in one," encompassing the convenience of a cruise, the magic of Disney storytelling, and the appeal of beautiful destinations or beach vacations. He highlighted its incredible value proposition, especially for multi-generational travel. He also emphasized the strategic advantage of the cruise line in reaching more global Disney fans and connecting them to the parks, particularly with the ongoing expansion of Disney’s international portfolio, including a future park in Abu Dhabi. Mazloum also noted that Disney Cruise Line attracts a significant number of first-time cruisers in the industry.
The next Wish-class ship, the Disney Believe, will notably feature a statue of Moana in its atrium.
Ultimately, Mazloum expressed confidence that this D23 would clearly demonstrate Disney’s responsiveness to its theme park fans’ desires and would effectively set the stage for his tenure at the helm of the world’s leading experiential entertainment business. He concluded, “What I’m really hoping that the fans will see, especially at this D23, is the creativity that we’re applying to all the new experiences we’ve announced, and how much we are listening to them, and how important their thoughts and their feelings are to us in in us reimagining some of their most favorite attractions, characters, or lands. We’re gonna prove to the world and to our fans that we are following through on all the announcements we made two years ago. That we haven’t just announced it, we’re actually following through.”
