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A brand-new experience is coming to Disney World in November, and it is projected to be one of the most popular attractions developed in the history of Disney Parks.
Credit: Becky Burkett
In recent weeks, there’s been a lot of talk in the Disney fan community about the upcoming Destination D23 event to be held at Disney’s Contemporary Resort this weekend, September 8, 9, and 10. The sold-out event is powered by D23, Disney’s official fan club, and this year, the event’s title partner is Lug, creator of a magical line of luggage, travel essentials, and apparel.
This year, the Destination D23 event will be more magical than ever as fans come together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company. The event is three days of fun, creative and informational presentations as only Disney can make them, fan-favorite special guests, and one-of-a-kind shopping experiences. But the most anticipated part of the event is the presentation by Disney’s President of Parks, Experiences and Products, Josh D’Amaro.
D’Amaro will share updates from each of Disney’s theme park resorts around the world, and guests have been promised some fun surprises along the way. The most exciting part of the presentation, though, will be D’Amaro’s announcements about new things coming to the parks, and this year, we’re especially excited about what’s going on at EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida, as Disney has promised some “special surprises,” to be revealed on Day 2 of the event–one of which we can share with our readers now.
A Brand-New Experience at EPCOT (That is, If WE Could Run Disney For a Day!)
EPCOT has been undergoing a massive overhaul that includes the addition of new “lands” called neighborhoods, as well as the construction of new attractions and experiences. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opened in the France pavilion on the World Showcase in late 2021, and Guardians of the Galaxy: COSMIC REWIND opened in the park in May 2022. There are also new locations like Connections Cafe, the all-new Space 220 restaurant, and a brand-new take on Club Cool, where guests can try sodas from around the world, like the refreshing, not-to-be-missed Beverly soda from Italy.
Credit: Becky Burkett
Plans for a Mary Poppins-themed attraction in the United Kingdom pavilion on the World Showcase were first unveiled during the 2019 D23 Expo, but hopes for the experience have yet to materialize, in part, Disney says, because of a lack of liquid assets in the company with which to build the attraction. There is some speculation, however, that Mary Poppins, Bert, Jane, and Michael will be part of the “surprises” at the Destination D23 event.
But right now, we’re thrilled about the announcement Disney Parks just made about the opening of one of the most needed and most innovative attractions Imagineers have created yet: The Bob Iger Experience, coming to EPCOT later this year.
From 2005 to 2020, Bob Iger served as CEO of The Walt Disney Company. He oversaw nearly all of Disney’s major acquisitions, including PIXAR, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, and during his tenure, Disney’s stock price saw unprecedented highs. Iger was one of the most successful, most popular, and most recognizable CEOs of any major company, and his fan-following even stretched into Hollywood. Following his leave, Iger stayed on as the Chairman of Disney’s Board, but on December 31, 2021, he packed up his desk and walked out the doors at Disney one final time. Or so he thought.
Just 11 months later, Disney announced the return of the veteran CEO to replace disgraced former CEO Bob Chapek after Disney’s board voted to remove him from his post as chief at Disney.
But Iger’s second “term” as CEO at the House of Mouse has been met with far less fanfare than his first run. Though guests at Disneyland rushed the newly-reinstated CEO just days after his return when he and his wife Willow Bay visited the California parks to enjoy Disney’s Candlelight Processional in December 2022, Iger’s warm reception has gone cold recently, and Disney is beginning to notice, but the Board has no idea what to do about it.
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During an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Bob Iger talked about the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, saying that the strikes are happening at the “worst time” possible and that everyone involved needs to be “reasonable” in their pay demands. His comments enraged “half of Hollywood,” per reports about the interview, and the fallout has been so bad for Disney that last week, the company advertised its immediate need for a crisis and disaster expert to put out fires and restore Disney’s reputation–likely before the sale of the entire company to The Blackstone Group.
But Hollywood’s not the only group that’s become incensed toward Disney’s princely CEO. The company’s fanbase has become angry about the removal of Splash Mountain at Disney World and Disneyland, and the majority of fans cannot stand Disney’s never-ending parade of live-action remakes that seem to wear the company’s lack of creativity like a banner–especially when the films cast arrogant, entitled actors who hate Disney’s classics. And a growing number of fans is calling for an end to the tireless servicing of Disney’s woke agenda—one that the company seems determined to promote, even if it costs them their fortune and their fanbase.
Credit: Reuters/Canva/Disney
There is a rapidly growing weariness in response to Bob Iger’s antics, as well as to his assumption that fans will continue to sit quietly while he makes terrible decisions that continue to push Walt’s beloved company over the proverbial edge. But Disney’s board is hoping that a new attraction at EPCOT will change all of that.
The Bob Iger Experience will open at EPCOT on November 20, 2023, the one-year anniversary of Bob Iger’s return to his former role as CEO. EPCOT was chosen as the location for the new attraction, as the experience aims to be the birthplace of innovation and ideas for Disney’s revival, much like EPCOT has long been the Disney World theme park known as a place where guests can experience the wonders of innovation, ideas, other cultures, and the world around us.
In the attraction, guests will have the never-before-available opportunity to meet the 72-year-old Disney CEO in person and share their thoughts with him about what he’s doing right, as well as their ideas for what Disney needs to do to make fans happy. Because of Iger’s busy schedule, the attraction will be available subject to a changing calendar, and the queue will only hold a very limited number of guests.
Credit: Becky Burkett/Insider/Canva
Fans eager to be a part of The Bob Iger Experience will apply for a place in the queue on the morning of their visit to EPCOT. Queue availability will involve a lottery system in which winning guests will be awarded a spot in the queue to talk with Bob Iger. Those who do not win a spot will be banned from Disney’s theme park resorts around the world for life. The Bob Iger Experience does not include Genie+ or Lightning Lane availability, and Disney World Security will have a very large presence at the attraction. Should guests make suggestions that cause Iger to be uncomfortable, guests will immediately forfeit their opportunity and be escorted from the park. Subsequently, those guests will be asked not to return for at least 24 hours and will be ineligible to apply for a place in the queue at The Bob Iger Experience for one year.
When asked his thoughts about the new attraction, Iger responded, saying:
“You can’t allow tradition to get in the way of innovation. There’s a need to respect the past, but it’s a mistake to revere your past. I’m eager to hear how our fans have benefited from Disney’s storytelling prowess over the last 100 years, and I’m looking forward to hearing the ways in which I’ve spearheaded success in Walt’s company. I’m excited to learn from guests how well I’ve done as CEO at Disney and how much they enjoy the company’s full embrace of a new woke culture, as seen in our parks and in our films, and the ways in which they’ve enjoyed experiencing our attempts to honor Walt Disney by moving as far away from his 1920s ideology and simplicity as possible.”
**We hope you enjoyed this delightful piece of Disney satire. If only such an attraction–minus the lifetime ban at Disney Parks–were available. It would be so encouraging to be able to enjoy a round-table discussion with Bob Iger about the direction Disney’s going and how best to keep Walt’s memory alive while moving forward into the next 100 years!**
