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Let’s take a look at five key Disney moments to look forward to in 2025. From the arrival of some strong competition to much-anticipated announcements to a fantastic opening.
Walt Disney World When Epic Universe Opens
I think everyone is curious to see how attendance at the parks and occupancy at the hotels are at Walt Disney World during the opening of Epic Universe. I think I’m more curious to see if Walt Disney World does any more limited-time offerings to entice annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members to come down. I think Disney has a few more levers to pull. I think it will be intriguing to see what the average Orlando guest does during Epic Universe’s opening year. Still, Walt Disney World is a beast of a resort and will attract plenty of visitors.
Disneyland 70th
It’s a big anniversary for Disneyland. It will feature a new show called World of Color Happiness, the return of the Paint the Night Parade, Wondrous Journeys comes back, and Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Parade will return at DCA. Additional entertainment will be added as we get closer and Walt Disney: A Magical Life will also debut on May 16, 2025 (the start of the celebration).
Disneyland 70th will also serve as a way to create hype for the future of the resort which will soon feature Avatar, Coco, and more Marvel. I expect Walt Disney Imagineering to give us updates on those projects during the 70th anniversary. I would also expect a good amount of focus on the history of Disneyland as well.
Destination D23 2025
Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro gets to give an update after his D23 2024 presentation Horizons. Expect some news from the parks but also it seems more likely that Destination D23 2025 will also feature other divisions of Disney much more than in years past. I’d expect a larger presence from Walt Disney Studios, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, and Pixar at Destination D23 2025. Yet this event remains a showcase for D’Amaro, Disney Experiences, and Walt Disney Imagineering.
I’d expect updates on current projects across the globe and potentially some new announcements as well just to get the fans hyped.
The Opening of The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Deadpool & Wolverine opened big for Marvel/Disney. Can The Fantastic Four: First Steps give Marvel/Disney that same boost? It will likely be coming the same month as James Gunn’s Superman. It’s also going to be the third Marvel Studios film release of 2025 following Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*. The previous Fantastic Four films weren’t as successful, but Disney and Marvel Studios hope this will be a marquee title for the year.
It’s clear that The Fantastic Four seems to be a priority for Marvel Studios and Disney. This could be their biggest Marvel Studios film of the year and could also benefit Disney Experiences in a fantastic way as well.
Succession Watch
Chairman of the Board James Gorman is continuing his search. The race is wide open as Gorman is looking at external options as well. Still, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Dana Walden have the early edge. Still, watch for external and internal options to lobby for the job. I’d also pay close attention to Disney CEO Bob Iger and who he hangs around with. Will he be around D’Amaro more? What about Walden? What about Universal’s Donna Langley?
Plus with Gorman delaying the decision a full year, we may see new candidates rise throughout 2025.
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Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
