ANAHEIM, Calif. — At the recent D23 Expo, the Walt Disney Co. previewed a lot of attractions coming to Disneyland and its theme parks worldwide.


What You Need To Know

  • At the D23 Expo, Disney's fan convention, Disney officials announced several upcoming projects coming to Disneyland

  • Several projects, though, were left out, including the future of Tarzan's Treehouse, MagicBands and Disneyland Forward

  • Disney officials have said Tarzan's Treehouse would be reimagined but did not disclose the theme

  • Anaheim officials said Disney plans to begin the city approval process for Disneyland Forward next year

At Disneyland Resort, Disney plans to reimagine the Pacific Wharf at Disney California Adventure into the fictional city of San Fransokyo from "Big Hero 6." 

The company is revamping Toontown, including installing a new attraction called Mickey and Minnie's Railway. They are also planning to re-theme Splash Mountain into Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Plenty of meet-and-greets are coming, including one with the Incredible Hulk and the Mandalorian with Grogu.

However, while those projects are big news, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D'Amaro stayed mum on the current status of some projects and upcoming projects rumored to be coming to the Disneyland parks.

Here are a few projects that D'Amaro did not discuss during his hours-long Disney parks panel at the D23 Expo:

A few MagicBand styles at Walt Disney World (Spectrum News/Joseph Pimentel)

MagicBands

MagicBands, the wearable accessory commonly seen at Walt Disney World, is slated to come to Disneyland sometime this year. 

When exactly, the public has yet to know. And D'Amaro made no mention of it during his presentation last Sunday. 

Last year, Disney officials announced that the Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise line-exclusive wearable technology that allows visitors to sync their theme park and resort activities would be coming to Disneyland Resort for the first time. 

Worn on the wrist with different Disney-style designs, the MagicBand and MyMagic+ contain an RFID chip that allows wearers to sync their theme park tickets, hotel room key, photo pass, and even charge food and merchandise. 

However, since that announcement, Disneyland fans have been waiting to hear when it'll debut and experience the magic, no pun intended. 

Tarzan's Treehouse at Disneyland. (Photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort)

Tarzan's Treehouse

When visitors walk through Adventureland, past the Jungle Cruise and Indiana Jones Adventure ride, they used to see a towering faux tree that served as Tarzan's Treehouse. 

The walkable attraction allowed visitors to explore the 80-foot tree, cross a rope bridge, and have a bird's eye view of parts of Disneyland. 

But the attraction has been closed since September of last year, and the area has since been cordoned off. 

No one is certain about what Disney plans to do with the treehouse attraction that has been around since 1962, when it was the Swiss Family Treehouse. Disney re-themed it as Tarzan's Treehouse in 1999, when the animated film "Tarzan" debuted. 

In April, Disney officials told the Orange County Register they plan to reimagine the treehouse with a new theme and backstory. 

Some Disney news sites have speculated that the new reimagining could lead to an "Encanto"-themed area. In the popular film, one of the characters has a bedroom atop a magical tree.

Concept art of Disneyland Forward project in Anaheim. (Photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort)

 

Disneyland Forward

While D'Amaro speculated several "blue sky" concepts of popular movies such as "Zootopia," "Encanto," and even an area for villains in several different parts of Walt Disney World, those themed lands could easily be part of Disney's major plans in Anaheim.

In May, Disney said they are working with the city of Anaheim to update their current master-plan agreement to expand the Disneyland Resort. 

D'Amaro did not mention Disney's so-called Disneyland Forward project, which would modify the current zoning of parts of Disney's vast properties in Anaheim and allow Disney to create a new entertainment and theme park district within its footprint. 

If re-zoned, this could lead to a new third theme park and/or hotels on top of the current "Toy Story" parking lot across the street from the Anaheim Convention Center. 

Other parking lots along the west side of Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney are prime for redevelopment. The area could house new Disney-themed hotels, dining, entertainment, and the expansion of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

Anaheim city officials told Spectrum News Friday that the Disneyland Forward project is still in its early phases.

"We are likely to see Disney begin the process of city approval consideration in 2023," said Mike Lyster, an Anaheim spokesman, to Spectrum News.

Disneyland officials did not return a Spectrum News message seeking comment or updates regarding the Disneyland Forward project, Tarzan's Treehouse and MagicBands.