Trust us, as Disney Adults ourselves; we will take any excuse to visit Disney World.
Last weekend, D23 took place in California, and a lot of announcements were made. While we got a look into what is to come with future Disney movies like Frozen 3, Incredibles 3, and Moana 2, we also got a look into the future of the parks. After the announcements that came from the Disney Experiences Panel, Disney Adults will want to book a trip to Disney World ASAP.
The Chairman of Disney Experiences, Josh D’Amaro, took the stage last Saturday and gave us a look into new projects coming to the parks. And while some of these announcements were teased at Destination D23, these projects are no longer Blue Sky and are all currently in progress or currently being developed.
Along with four new Disney Cruise ships, new additions to Disneyland, and overseas parks, Disney World is getting a bunch of new attractions and areas of the park. These exciting new announcements do have a downside. Besides Disney World being covered in construction over the next few years, certain areas of Disney World will be replaced with these new projects.
Starting in Animal Kingdom, the Tropical Americas Land — named Pueblo Esperanza — will go where DinoLand U.S.A. currently resides. This new land will feature an Encanto boat ride, a carousel where one of the animals is Kevin from UP, and a DINOSAUR re-themed to Indiana Jones.
Construction permits have already been filed, and trees have been removed around DINOSAUR. While there is no closing date announced for DinoLand U.S.A., we can assume that it will be as soon as the land is confirmed to open in 2027.
Also, in Animal Kingdom, if you want to give a proper goodbye to It’s Tough to Be Bug, you will have to do so soon as the Tree of Life will soon host a new show. Zootipia: Better Zoogether will open in the winter of 2025.
Major news was announced regarding the Magic Kingdom expansion. We finally found out what will be “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain,” and the highly anticipated Disney Villains Land was confirmed. This land is massive, and the good news is that it does not seem that this new addition will replace any of the current parts of the park.
It was also announced that Magic Kingdom would be getting its own version of Cars Land, and if you can’t wait to see Lightning McQueen and all his friends, you can visit Cars Land in Disney California Adventure in the meantime.
At D23, everyone seemed very excited to welcome this new land into Frontierland, as it would bring two new attractions to the park. Fans were not too happy to hear the news that was announced after D23. The new Cars Land will be replacing Tom Sawyer’s Island along with the Rivers of America.
No closing date has been announced, but a permit for construction for this project has already been filed, which means that construction may start sooner than expected.
Hollywood Studios will also receive a new land based on another Pixar film. Monsters Inc. Land will open in Hollywood Studios with Disney’s first-ever suspended coaster. While this is super exciting, fans are worried about where this land will go.
Most people are hoping that this land will take the place of the Animation Courtyard but are worried that Monsters Inc. Land could take the place of the Muppets Courtyard. No announcement has been made about the location of this new land, but we hope Disney hears our cries and lets the Muppets continue to reside in Hollywood Studios.
If you want to experience these areas of Disney World before they get re-themed, we suggest visiting them as soon as possible. No official closing dates have been made for DinoLand U.S.A., It’s Tough to Be a Bug, or Tom Sawyer’s Island. As always, we will make sure to update you on any construction announcements or permits that have been filed.
9 MAJOR Announcements We’re Surprised Disney Left Out at D23
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So much of what the current Disney management has done or is planning makes me unutterably sad. The loss of Frontierland….which is what it really is when they bulldoze the Rivers of America….brings down the curtain on one of the last vestiges of classic Disney World. So many changes have been losses, not improvements: the unshaded, concrete Epcot Communicore area, the high rise Polynesian tower in place of the luau, the change of Splash Mountain to the Tiana ride, etc. if I continue further, it will just make me sadder. It’s like the Joni Mitchell song: they tore down paradise and built a parking lot.