Yes, the 2022 D23 Expo was packed with exciting projects…but quite a few anticipated announcements were missing.

We were excited to learn about new projects, like the retheming of Pacific Wharf in Disney California Adventure, the addition of Tiana’s Palace in Disneyland, and the possible new lands coming to Magic Kingdom. And we were pleased to hear updates on existing projects, like the reimagination of Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland and TRON Lightcycle Run in Magic Kingdom. But there were a lot of existing and previously announced projects that were not mentioned during the event’s announcements — check them out.

Disney Dining Plan

Many guests were delighted to hear that Disney World was  planning to bring back the Disney Dining Plan. However, that announcement was made over a year ago and Disney hasn’t shared any update since. 

For those unfamiliar with the service, it’s pre-purchased dining plans that are added onto a Disney Vacation Package (so you must be staying at a Disney Resort hotel), which means your meal is “already paid” when you sit down to eat your meal. People enjoyed the relaxed process that came with the service, which is why many were so happy to hear of its return. However, Disney still hasn’t released any new information about the Disney Dining Plan, and it was never mentioned at the D23 Expo. We’ll let you know if Disney reveals a return date for this service.

Check Out More About the Disney Dining Plan Here

Fantasmic! in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Fantasmic! in Hollywood Studios has been closed for quite some time, due to the show getting new segments, characters, stunt performers, animation, and more. The Fantasmic! show over in Disneyland got a similar makeover, but it opened back in May 2022.

With cast rehearsals starting last month, we hoped an opening date would be revealed at the D23 Expo. But no, we weren’t given any new details. As of now, we just know rehearsals are in progress and we anticipate that an opening date will be announced soon. We’ll let you know as soon as new information is announced.

Check Out the Latest Update For Fantasmic!

Walt Disney World Railroad

Here’s another one we were really hoping to hear about! The Walt Disney World Railroad in Magic Kingdom has been out of commission since 2018, when it closed due to construction on TRON: Lightcycle Run.

After Disney announced an opening timeline for TRON: Lightcycle Run, we were expecting an update on this project to follow. But nothing was shared. Many are speculating, however, that the opening of TRON in Spring 2023 will also bring the return of the Railroad. (We sure hope so!)

Check Out What’s Happening With the Walt Disney World Railroad

MagicBand+ in Disneyland Resort

MagicBand+ launched in Disney World this summer, so we expected to see the new service takeover Disneyland Resort shortly after. Disney also shared that MagicBand+ would hit the resort in 2022…but we’re already nearing the end of the year.

Again, we were hoping to hear a launch date for Disneyland Resort at the event, but it was never mentioned. We’re still keeping our fingers crossed that it will hit the resort in 2022, but we’ll keep you posted once Disney releases new information.

See More About the Addition of MagicBand+ in Disneyland Resort Here

“Hey Disney!” Launch

Another service that was supposed to launch this year in both Disneyland Resort and Disney World is “Hey, Disney!” It will be added to rooms at both Disney World and Disneyland Resort hotels, providing “custom voice assistance” to guests.

While we know it’s supposed to hit the resorts in 2022, we still haven’t received a date. And again, it wasn’t mentioned at the D23 Expo. With only a couple months left in 2022, we hope they announce a launch date soon!

Learn More About This Voice Assistant Here

United Kingdom Pavilion’s Mary Poppins Attraction

Okay, you might have to reach far back into your memory to recall this project. At the D23 Expo in 2019, Disney shared that the UK Pavilion in EPCOT would be getting a Mary Poppins attraction. 

Fast forward three years, and not much has come out about this project since. In fact, all we know at this point, is that the project is “on hold.” We were hoping to hear Disney confirm that it’s still happening or to announce some sort of progress report, but it wasn’t mentioned at the D23 Expo. We’ll let you know if any updates come out about this project.

Check Out the Latest Update About the Mary Poppins Attraction

Spaceship Earth Renovation

Yet another project that was announced at the 2019 D23 Expo is making this list. That’s right, we’re talking about the infamous Spaceship Earth renovation. We were told it would come with new scenes, updated technology, and a new storyline! 

A closing date for Spaceship Earth was even announced right before the parks closed for COVID-19. But, just like the Mary Poppins attraction, this project has been placed to the side. And it wasn’t mentioned at the 2022 D23 Expo either, so we’re are eagerly awaiting an update on the fate of this project as well.

Check Out All We Know About This Project

PLAY! Pavilion in EPCOT

PLAY! Pavilion was announced as part of the historic EPCOT transformation, and was set to take over the former Wonders of Live Pavilion. Disney shared that it would be a “digital metropolis” with interactive experiences, games, entertainment, and hands-on activities — both virtual and real. 

It was set to open for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, but that obviously didn’t happen. A recent permit filed by Disney seemed to be for this project, but still, nothing new has been shared. We’ll let you know once Disney releases new information about this pavilion!

Here’s Everything We Know About the PLAY! Pavilion

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Another project set to open in 2022 that still doesn’t have an identified opening date — Roundup Rodeo BBQ. It doesn’t seem like it’s running behind, however, as recent permits point to it opening sooner than later. 

With that being said, Disney didn’t share any news about this location at the D23 Expo, so we still don’t know when/if it will still be opening this year. We’ll keep you updated as soon as new information is announced.

Check Out the Latest Updates for Roundup Rodeo BBQ

And those are all of the projects that were missing from the 2022 D23 Expo. We’re hoping to hear more about these projects soon — especially since so many of them are supposed to launch this year! While we wait, check out some exciting announcements that did take place at the event, like the possible lands coming to Magic Kingdom, or the return of a fan-favorite fireworks show in Disney World. 

And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news!

Check Out EVERY SINGLE Detail and Change That Disney Announced at the 2022 D23 Expo

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Which existing project were you hoping to hear about at the 2022 D23 Expo? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Disney Dining Plan and 8 Other BIG Updates Missing from the D23 Expo first appeared on the disney food blog.