We have quite a few D23 announcements to share! D23: The Ultimate Fan Event took place over the weekend in Anaheim, California. The event for major Disney fans came with shopping, exhibits, and presentations filled with some exciting news about the future of the Disney Parks. There was so much news, in fact, that we’ll be taking you through bit by bit exactly what has been announced for Disney World and Disneyland in the coming years!
Disney Parks D23 Announcements
A nighttime parade, new lands, new rides…there’s a lot to look forward to over the next several years! Check below for a full list of what’s been announced for Disney World and Disneyland.
Disney World Announcements
Tropical Americas Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
At Destination D23, a “blue sky” concept was shown for a new Tropical Americas land to replace DinoLand, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Now, that land has been confirmed as a reality. The 11-acre area, known as Pueblo Esperanza, will include one of the biggest quick-service restaurants in all of Disney World. Additionally, there will be a giant carousel with carved figures themed to your favorite Disney animals. Plus, two signature attractions with a ride based on Indiana Jones, and an Encanto-themed ride.
Construction for the land will begin in phases starting in fall 2024, with an opening aimed for 2027.
Indiana Jones Attraction
An Indiana Jones attraction will take the place of the current DINOSAUR ride. Instead of being a carbon copy of Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland, the new ride will feature a brand-new story that takes place in an ancient Mayan temple. Per the concept art, the attraction will use the same ride vehicles as the current DINOSAUR ride (which are also the same as the Indiana Jones Adventure).
Encanto Attraction
The new Encanto ride will take guests inside the Casita, where Antonio has just received his gift with his room transformed into a rainforest. You’ll get to explore along with him, bumping into some Madrigal family members along the way!
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Reimagined Test Track Reopening Year
In June, Test Track closed for a previously revealed reimagining. At D23 it was confirmed the ride will open in 2025. The attraction is done in collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering and Chevrolet and will feature six distinct exhibits in the queue that celebrate vehicles, plus new show scenes that showcase technological advances
Monsters, Inc. Land Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
In a surprising announcement, it was shared that a new Monsters, Inc.-inspired land will come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While details were sparse, we did learn that it will feature a roller coaster inspired by the hanging doors in the film, which will be the first-ever suspended coaster at a Disney Park. Construction will be underway in 2025.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
A New Magic Kingdom Nighttime Parade
In the (somewhat) near future, we have a new Magic Kingdom nighttime parade to look forward to! Disney Starlight will continue the legacy of Main Street Electrical Parade, featuring characters and stories from Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, and more, brought to life by the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio.
Pirates of the Caribbean and Spaceship Earth Lounges
A previously announced Pirates of the Caribbean lounge has been confirmed for Magic Kingdom — but that’s not all! We also learned there will be a new Spaceship Earth lounge arriving in EPCOT, inspired by the park icon with rich textures and warm metallic tones for elegant, mysterious intimacy. Both will open in 2025.
Cars Expansion Coming to Frontierland
Frontierland is going to be part of the biggest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. A new Cars land will be taking the place of the current Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America. The land, which will not be Radiator Springs from Disney California Adventure, will feature a thrilling rally race through the mountains, covering wild terrain, climbing mountain trails, and splashing through mudholes. The second Cars-inspired attraction will be tailored for younger guests, offering fun for the whole family. Details are still to come. Construction will begin in phases beginning in 2025.
Disney Villains Land Announced for Magic Kingdom
The other part of that major expansion takes us beyond Big Thunder Mountain, where fans will be able to experience a brand-new Villains Land inspired by your favorite faces of evil! The land will feature villains from various stories, with two major attractions, shopping, and dining.
Zootopia: Better Together Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
In winter 2025, a new show will be available at the Tree of Life Theater! The Zootopia-themed Zootopia: Better Together will be a new show available in place of It’s Tough to Be a Bug! Along with a new poster, it was revealed that the show will open sometime in winter 2025.
New Grogu and Mandalorian Scenes Coming to Smugglers Run
In 2026, there will be some new faces on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run! When the forthcoming The Mandalorian and Grogu comes to theaters in 2026, a new story featuring Mando and Grogu will come to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at both Disney World and Disneyland Resort.
Disneyland Announcements
Avatar Land at Disney California Adventure
It was previously announced that a new Avatar-themed experience would be coming to Disneyland Resort, and now we have more information! It was confirmed this new area would come to Disney California Adventure, and will not be the same as Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Instead, this brand-new land will be inspired by 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water and the upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash (planned for 2025), as well as future Avatar films still to come.
Coco-Themed Attraction Announced for Disney California Adventure
The first-ever Coco attraction is officially planned! A new boat ride attraction will be coming to Disney California Adventure, with Disney set to break ground on the attraction in 2026, featuring the latest in Audio-Animatronic technology.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening Date
For a closer date to circle on your calendar, we have our opening date for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disneyland! The ride opened in June at Disney World and will be officially opening on November 15, 2024 at Disneyland. It was also revealed that Critty Country will be rethemed and renamed to Bayou Country once the ride opens.
A Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics Figure is Coming to Disneyland
Beginning in 2025, Mr. Lincoln won’t be the only Audio-Animatronic at the Main Street Opera House. It was revealed that a new show, Walt Disney – A Magical Life, will give guests a chance to imagine what it would be like to visit Walt’s office with an Audio-Animatronic of Walt Disney. After its initial run in 2025, the attraction will play in rotation with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
Two New Avengers Campus Attractions Coming to Disney California Adventure
While we’ve been eagerly awaiting information on the upcoming Avengers attraction at Avengers Campus, we got more than just that during D23! First off, we got new details on the E-Ticket ride, including a name: Avengers Infinity Defense. The ride will take recruits to iconic locations like Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City as King Thanos wreaks havoc across worlds. Construction on this attraction begins in 2025.
Plus, we learned that another attraction is planned: Stark Flight Lab. The attraction will feature a new ride system for the Disney Parks, allowing you to enter Tony Stark’s own lab in two-person pods deploying to a test station. There, a robot arm grabs your pod and takes you into a simulated flight. Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role as Tony Stark just for this attraction.
