A LOT of Disney news was dropped over the weekend of August 9th through the 11th at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Experience.
Disney presented the Entertainment Showcase on the night of August 9th and followed with the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase on August 10th. It was at the Horizons showcase that we were blown away with new projects in the works for Disney parks, Disney Cruise Line, and Disney gaming. There were TONS of announcements made, so we thought we would put all of the park news in one easily accessible place for you to see it all!
Disney World
Tropical Americas Land
Construction will begin THIS FALL on an 11-acre section of Animal Kingdom to transform DinoLand, U.S.A. The construction will come in phases, so don’t worry — you’ll still get a chance to ride DINOSAUR one more time before its closure!
The new Tropical Americas land is set to open in 2027. Disney also revealed during the showcase that this land will feature a fictional village called Pueblo Esperanza. The new land will feature two signature attractions, including a NEW Indiana Jones-inspired ride. It will feature a brand-new storyline (different from the one at Disneyland Park) and will take visitors inside a Mayan temple.
Also, a new Encanto-themed ride-through attraction is coming soon! The ride will take you inside the Casita, where you’ll encounter characters from the film.
Zootopia Show Timeline
The new show replacing “It’s Tough To Be a Bug” will be called Zootopia: “Better Zoogether“ and will debut at Animal Kingdom next winter!
No other details have been released yet, but we’re excited to have confirmation on the new show and its timeline!
Cars Land
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed during the showcase that a NEW area inspired by Pixar’s Cars will be coming to “a reimagined section of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom.”
The updated area will feature two new Cars attractions. One will be a “thrilling rally race through the mountains. Take on wild terrain as you race across the landscape climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers, and — Mater’s favorite — splashing through mudholes.” The other attraction will be geared more towards the whole family so that “smaller racers” can enjoy it.
Disney has since confirmed that the new Cars Land will be replacing Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America.
Villains Land
During the Disney Experiences showcase of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Josh D’Amaro announced that a VILLAINS LAND is coming to Magic Kingdom!
The space will be home to two major attractions, dining options, and shopping offerings on an “incredibly twisted grand scale.” Preparation is already underway for this new land beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom.
Disney Starlight
Disney Starlight is a new nighttime parade that will be dazzling Magic Kingdom nightly starting Summer 2025!
This new nighttime parade will use state-of-the-art technology to tell brand-new stories inspired by the movies we know and love, including “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen,” and more. And it is all brought to life by the magic of the Blue Fairy.
Monsters, Inc. Land
Disney just announced that a brand new land is coming to Hollywood Studios, and it’s themed to Monsters, Inc.! During the Disney Experiences showcase, it was announced that the new land will pick up after the events of the original movie, and you’ll even be able to visit the iconic factory itself.
But that’s not all! “The first time I saw Monsters, Inc., all I wanted to do was ride on one of those doors like Mike and Sulley,” Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro told the crowd. “You’ll go into the factory and experience the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park. Remember in the movie how those claws grab the doors and hoist them up into the air to take them away? We’re doing that, too. And you’re going along for the ride.”
Mando and Grogu
Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced during the showcase that Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting a bit of an update. This revamp will be inspired by the upcoming Star Wars film, The Mandalorian and Grogu.
When the film hits theaters in 2026, the brand-new storyline featuring Mando and his youngling will come to the ride at both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Test Track Timeline
Test Track closed down on June 17th, 2024 to undergo a refurbishment. Now, Disney announced that the reimagined Test Track will be opening in EPCOT in 2025.
We also got some more details about what the re-imagination will include. The attraction will celebrate “today’s innovation while highlighting the past, present, and future.” While you walk through the new queue, you will walk through six distinct exhibits to celebrate both the vehicles and the people behind the vehicles.
Additionally, there will be brand-new show scenes to showcase the technological advances. Your joy ride on the reimagined Test Track will begin with scenes that focus on “onboard technology, customization, and personalization.” Afterward, you will enjoy a ride through the scenic outdoors to celebrate the joys of taking in the world around us and spending time with family and friends.
Disney also mentioned that the new exterior of the pavilion will be reminiscent of the original pavilion design.
Two New Lounges
A Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge is coming to Magic Kingdom! While we had known this was coming, we now have new concept art, and Disney told us that there will be a “sea-worthy selection of grogs and grub” at this new tavern.
Disney also announced that this new lounge will be open in 2025!
Disney also announced that a new lounge inspired by Spaceship Earth will be coming to EPCOT in 2025. The new lounge will be inspired by the “stories, shapes, and enduring legacy” of Spaceship Earth. There will be lots of rich textures and warm metallic tones for a “mysterious and elegant intimacy.”
This lounge will be a zen place for families to gather and enjoy a variety of refreshments. You will find this lounge in the Spaceship Earth event space and it will look out over World Celebration. It will even feature a view of the fireworks!
Disneyland Resort
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland
This re-themed version of Splash Mountain has already opened out at Walt Disney World in Florida, but where does that leave all of our friends on the West Coast? Well, don’t worry, because Tiana and her friends will be going on a Mardi Gras adventure in Disneyland before you know it!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open at Disneyland Park on November 15th, 2024!
Coco Ride
The very first Coco ride will be coming to Disney California Adventure. The new attraction is expected to break ground in 2026. Music will play a huge role in this new attraction, and we think the concept art that was shown during the Disney Experiences Panel looks beautiful.
The very first Coco attraction will draw inspiration from rides such as Haunted Mansion and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Utilizing the latest audio-animatronics technology, the skeletal cast of characters will “appear in ways you’ll have to see to believe.” Work on the attraction begins in 2026!
Avengers Campus
The Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure will be doubling in size and introducing two brand-new attractions. The construction of this expansion is set to begin next year.
The first new attraction will be called Avengers Infinity Defense. In this attraction, “technology that allows the Avengers to jump between worlds has gone missing, and King Thanos is using it to wreak havoc everywhere.” You will be joining the mission and traveling to locations such as Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City during this attraction. You may even come face-to-face with King Thanos himself.
In addition to Avengers Infinity Defense, there will be another new attraction coming to Avengers Campus called Stark Flight Lab. This attraction will make you feel like a superhero.
Construction will begin on this expansion of Avengers Campus next year. Disney has not yet announced when they expect the construction to be finished though.
Avatar Experience and Destination
Disney California Adventure will be getting a NEW Avatar-themed area that’s inspired by Avatar: The Way of Water and upcoming films from the franchise.
Along with this new area, we’ll be getting a brand-new Avatar ride! The attraction will take you on “An excursion in search of majestic natural wonders that can only be found on Pandora.” It’s a boat ride that travels through valleys to open seas to creepy caves. Disney shared concept art of the ride vehicle, which seats four people across with what looks to be six rows of seats.
First-Ever Walt Disney Animatronic
A new show called “Walt Disney — A Magical Life” will be rotating in the theater with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. When this show debuts in 2025, it will feature the first-ever audio-animatronic of Walt Disney himself.
Walt Disney: A Magical Life will debut inside the Main Street Opera House, and after its initial run, it will play in rotation with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
Disneyland Paris
Lion King Land
A brand new land based on The Lion King is coming to the park! This new land will be dedicated to characters and stories from The Lion King with dining, shopping, and character meet-and-greets.
This land will also include a brand NEW ride in Pride Rock that will follow Simba’s journey from cub to king — and “We Just Can’t Wait…” Disney promises that “it’s going to feel like you stepped right into the movie.”
World of Frozen
A new Frozen-themed land is also coming soon to the newly-named Disney Adventure World. This land will be similar to the World of Frozen that recently opened at Hong Kong Disneyland.
The new Frozen-themed land at Disneyland Paris’ Disney Adventure World will be opening in 2026.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Marvel Expansion
Disney has announced that all-new expansion plans for an even larger Marvel-themed extended area! This new area will have all-new entertainment, shopping, and dining locations. But that’s not all. It will also have a brand-new ride!
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man, is at Stark Expo to host a demonstration of the latest technological breakthrough. However, with Spider-Man there, a villain won’t be far behind! You’ll need to help Peter to protect the new technology while he saves guests in the middle of the havoc.
Shanghai Disney
Spider-Man Ride
A new high-energy thrill coaster that takes you on a “high-speed, fully immersive experience.” You’ll follow Spider-Man, who has gotten himself into a bit of a tight spot, to help get him out of trouble.
This ride will bring all the excitement of a Marvel movie to Shanghai Disney Resort! The initial construction preparation for the new ride began earlier this year. We can’t wait to ride this new, exciting roller coaster!
That’s all the Disney park announcements that were dropped at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event! We have A LOT to look forward to in the coming years.
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Which new park addition are you looking forward to most? Let us know in the comments!
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