Every two years, droves of Disney fans descend on Anaheim, California, but not solely to visit Disneyland. They come together to celebrate their shared love of all things Disney with exclusive experiences, behind-the-scenes panels, shopping, cosplaying and so much more at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event that takes place once every two years.
The expo’s headliner event is always the Disney Experiences Showcase and this year was no different. With the help of special guests ranging from Deadpool to Rita Ora to Billy Crystal, Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro took the stage at Anaheim’s Honda Center to reveal every new land and attraction coming to Disney parks in the near future.
2022’s D23 event focused on what Disney refers to as “blue sky” ideas. These are early concepts that Disney may bring to the parks but may grow and evolve before they are built or never even see the light of day. This year, however, Disney pulled those dreams from the sky and planted them firmly in the ground. At the start of the presentation, D’Amaro promised guests that every announcement made throughout the evening was in active development. “Plans are drawn. Dirt is moving. I just want to be clear about this: We are doing everything you’ve heard here tonight.” D’Amaro said.
So, what exactly is Disney getting their shovels dirty for? Here’s everything that was announced for Disney World and Disneyland that you can experience in the coming months and years.
Walt Disney World announcements
Monsters, Inc. land coming to Hollywood Studios
The company said it will build a brand new land themed to Disney and Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The setting for the land will be Monstropolis, home to Mike, Sully and all of your favorite not-so-scary monsters from the film franchise, including a visit to the laugh factory that powers the city.
In addition to meeting the world’s most cuddly monsters, the land will have the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park. The coaster will take riders through the door vault, just like what you see in the films. “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,” D’Amaro said.
Work on the Monsters, Inc.-themed land is slated to begin next year.
“Cars” themed area in Frontierland
Disney also shared that a “Cars”-themed area is coming to a reimagined section of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. The area with have two attractions based on the hit animated film franchise. One will be a thrilling rally race through the mountains (hopefully a la Radiator Springs Racers at Disneyland), and the other will be geared toward “fun for the whole family,” according to D’Amaro.
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Construction on this new area is slated to begin in 2025.
Villains land coming to Magic Kingdom
Disney has dangled the concept for a villain-themed land for years, but now they have finally confirmed that this land will become a reality. Disney did not reveal exactly which stories or villains will be represented in the land, but D’Amaro did share that the land will have two major attractions, dining and shopping. An opening date will be announced at a later date, but Disney did confirm that preparation is already underway for this villainous new land.
Tropical Americas land coming to Animal Kingdom
During 2022’s D23 event, Disney shared concept art of what could potentially replace Dinoland, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. At the time, they shared several concepts, including ones themed to “Moana” and “Zootopia.” Then, at the Destination D23 event at Disney World in 2023, we learned that Dinoland, U.S.A. would be rethemed to the “Tropical Americas.” Now we know exactly which of these worlds we will one day step into at Animal Kingdom.
Related: TPG goes behind the scenes as Disney unveils $60 billion toward future of theme parks
D’Amaro shared that this 11-acre section of the park would indeed receive the “Tropical Americas” treatment, with three all-new attractions. One will be themed to “Indiana Jones,” and though Disney hasn’t expressly stated so, it will likely replace the current land’s Dinosaur attraction. The ride uses the same track and vehicles as Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure attraction, so it’s a natural fit for a retheme.
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A new attraction themed after the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Encanto.” DISNEY
The land’s other major attraction will be themed to “Encanto” and will feature the family’s iconic Casita. It will also have a carousel where kids of all ages can go for a spin with their favorite Disney animals.
Construction is set to begin this fall, and Disney will open the new land in 2027.
Zootopia attraction coming to Animal Kingdom
Disney also revealed at Destination D23 that the “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” attraction inside Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life would be reimagined with a “Zootopia” theme. Now, we know the new show, called Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” will officially open next winter.
New lounges coming to Magic Kingdom and Epcot
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An all-new lounge themed to Spaceship Earth will open at EPCOT in 2025. DISNEY
If you live for a cool drink in a Disney lounge on a hot day, we have two times the good news for you. Next year, both Epcot and Magic Kingdom are getting new lounges. At Epcot, guests can visit a lounge inspired by Spaceship Earth and at Magic Kingdom, guests can enjoy “grogs and grub” at a tavern themed to “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
New nighttime parade coming to Magic Kingdom
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A new nighttime parade “Disney Starlight” will come to Magic Kingdom in Summer 2025. DISNEY
Almost every time Disney makes an announcement, Disney fans hope a new nighttime parade for Magic Kingdom will be among them. Their wishes will finally come true next summer when the new parade, Disney Starlight, debuts at Magic Kingdom. The parade will feature characters from films like Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, and more.
New story line for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Hollywood Studios
If you’ve mastered helping Hondo Onaka collect coaxium on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Galaxy’s Edge, you will soon have a new Star Wars mission to fulfill. Disney announced that a brand-new adventure featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu will be added to the attraction at Disney World and Disneyland in 2026.
Reimagined Test Track coming to Epcot
Disney also shared during last year’s Destination D23 event that Test Track would close temporarily for a reimagining inspired by World of Motion, the attraction that was replaced by Test Track. Construction has already begun and the high-speed attraction will reopen in 2025.
Disneyland announcements
“Avatar” themed land coming to Disney California Adventure
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Avatar experience at Disney California Adventure. DISNEY
Disney recently revealed concept art for an “Avatar” themed experience they hoped to bring to Disneyland if the resort’s ambitious $1.9 billion Disneyland Forward expansion were to be approved. That plan got the green light in May, paving the way for Disney to confirm an Avatar attraction is being built for Disney California Adventure. The concept art depicts a slow-moving boat ride inspired by “Avatar: The Way of Water” and the future Avatar films.
Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic coming to Disneyland
Every Disney park across the globe pays homage to the company’s founder with statues, exhibits and more, but Disneyland will soon take that tribute to an all-new level with the first-ever Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt Disney. Walt will be featured in an attraction called “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” in Disneyland’s Main Street Opera House. After the show’s initial run, it will play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln,” a show that Disney himself debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair before bringing it to Disneyland.
Avengers Campus expansion coming to Disney California Adventure
During 2022’s D23 event, Disney did reveal that a third attraction was in the works for California Adventure’s Avengers Campus. They promised a world-jumping ride that would take guests into the multiverse, facing off against formidable foes like King Thanos.
We now know the name and opening timeline and additional details for this ride. Avengers Infinity Defense will find guests jumping through time and space as they face off against King Thanos. During the ride, you’ll travel to locations like Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City that have become characters in their own right in Marvel’s ever-growing list of blockbuster films as you fight alongside Marvel heroes to save the day.
If that isn’t enough, Disney also revealed that a fourth attraction is being planned for the land, as well. Together, these two rides will double the size of Avengers Campus. The fourth ride, called Stark Flight Lab will find riders in two-person pods as they take off on a test flight in Ironman’s test facility. This ride will feature a variety of test flights and heroes, so the experience will be different every time you ride.
Construction on this expansion will begin next year.
“Coco” attraction coming to Disney California Adventure
Disney also announced that the first-ever “Coco-” themed attraction at any Disney park is coming to Disney California Adventure. Based on the concept art, the attraction appears to be a boat ride featuring characters and your favorite sing-along songs from the film. It may be a few years before you can visit the land of the dead because construction is not set to begin on this ride until 2026.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure date announced for Disneyland
Last but very certainly not least, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland received an official opening date of November 15, 2024. The ride recently opened at Walt Disney World, and construction on the Disneyland version is already well underway. Not only that, Critter Country will be renamed Bayou Country when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens this fall.
Related: First look: Disney’s Splash Mountain to get ‘The Princess and the Frog’ makeover
When it does open, guests can go “down on the bayou” as Tiana prepares for a big Mardi Gras Party. As she finalizes the party plans, you’ll help her gather a cast of musical critters to perform at the party before you splash on down to the soiree (a 50-foot splash to be exact).
Bottom line
Every attraction and experience in this story is something you will see at Disney World or Disneyland. While 2022’s blue sky announcements and the occasional “peek behind the curtain” fans get from Disney, this year’s D23 event proved that Disney is delivering more than just hopes and dreams…they are putting shovels in the ground and bringing those dreams to life.
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