The D23 Expo just wrapped up, and we were so lucky to be there. During the Expo, lots of stuff gets announced at a bunch of panels that span across 3 days. There are panels for movie projects and TV shows, panels all about Marvel and Star Wars, and then there’s our favorite: the Disney Parks & Experiences Showcase.
We love this panel because that’s where we learn all about the proposed projects that are planned for all the Disney Parks around the world, plus all the new stuff they have in the pipeline for other experiences like Disney Cruise Line.
For 2024, the large panels were moved to the evenings at the Honda Center – a much larger venue. We were thrilled to be part of the 12,000 in attendance for the electric, elevated, Disney Parks & Experiences Showcase.
Now, to be fair, not everything that gets proposed may actually make it. But, in general, aside from major worldwide pandemics, most things we see eventually make their ways into the parks.
Ready to see what we have to look forward to? Let’s go!
Walt Disney World Announcements
Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
Two years ago, Disney shared a few Blue Sky ideas. This year, they made those ideas full-fledged announcements. The biggest of which is the largest expansion of Magic Kingdom to-date: Villains Land.
Opening date: TBA
The land will feature two major attractions, dining, and shopping. No further specific details were revealed. But, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro said dirt was already beginning to move on this project!
Magic Kingdom
Disney Starlight
Opening date: Summer 2025
After many years, a nighttime parade returns to Magic Kingdom. The last non-party nighttime parade strolled down Main St. on October 9, 2016.
This will be a totally new parade – a Main Street Electrical Parade-type with the latest technology – named Disney Starlight. The parade will feature characters from Encanto, Frozen, Peter Pan, and more.
Tavern themed to Pirates of the Caribbean
Opening date: 2025
First announced in 2023, new concept art was released for this tavern themed to Pirates of the Caribbean. This area will be family friendly, and we’re hoping take a page out of other highly themed dining like Oga’s Cantina or Skipper Canteen.
Cars-themed addition to Frontierland
Opening date: TBA; construction to begin in early 2025
The Cars movie universe is coming to Frontierland. Two new attractions themed to the American West will be built. One is a more thrilling rally race through the mountains; the other will be suitable for the whole family.
Epcot
Lounge inspired by Spaceship Earth
Opening date: 2025
Not many details were announced about this new lounge at Epcot. We know that it will be family friendly and the concept art does show fireworks viewing.
Reimagined Test Track
Opening date: 2025
Construction has already begun to bring Test Track into the future. The new ride will have six distinct exhibits in the queue, and the new show scenes will focus on technological advances in the auto industry and end with the signature outdoor portion.
Hollywood Studios
Monsters, Inc. Land
Completion date: TBA, but construction was announced to begin in 2025
In a bit of a surprise announcement, a whole new land will be coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and it will feature the world of Monsters, Inc. Guests will be able to visit the laugh factory and ride the first suspended coaster in a Disney park.
New Mission for Smugglers Run
Start date: 2026
Mando and Grogu will join in a new mission on Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
Animal Kingdom
Pueblo Esperanza – Tropical Americas
Completion date: 2027
Two years ago it was just Blue Sky, but construction is set to begin in the fall of 2024 in the complete re-theming of DinoLand, U.S.A., to 11-acres paying tribute to the Tropical Americas. We highlight the two attractions announced below. The area will include a large fountain and a carousel featuring animals from Disney stories, as well.
Indiana Jones ride
Completion date: 2027
Using the familiar ride system from DINOSAUR at Animal Kingdom, a totally new story for Indiana Jones will transform that attraction as part of new Tropical Americas re-theming of DinoLand, U.S.A.
Encanto
Completion date: 2027
The first major attraction based on Encanto, this ride-through will be part of new Tropical Americas re-theming of DinoLand, U.S.A. Guests will enter the magical Casita and transport into Antonio’s room which has transformed into a rainforest.
Zootopia show
Opening date: Winter 2025
Zootopia: Better Zoogether! will replace in It’s Tough to be a Bug! in the Tree of Life Theater. This show will feature Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and other characters from Zootopia as they travel through biomes seen in the film.
Disneyland Resort Announcements
Disney California Adventure Announcements
Avatar
Opening date: TBA
This new attraction – the concept art appears to show a water ride – is inspired by “Avatar: The Way of Water” and future Avatar films.
Coco Ride
Opening date: TBA; Construction begins in 2026
The fist-ever Coco ride at a Disney park (a boat ride) will include music from the movie and advanced Audio-Animatronics.
Avengers Campus Expansion
Opening date: TBA; Construction to begin in 2024
Avengers Campus at Disney California is expanding, this time to include two new attractions.
One is the Avengers Infinity Defense where guests will travel with big and small heroes to Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City to help defeat Thanos.
The other is Stark Flight Lab where a robot arm will whirl guests in simulated flight.
Disneyland Park
Walt Disney – A Magical Life
Completion date: 2025
Showcasing the first Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt Disney, the attraction will debut inside the Main Street Opera House, and after its initial run, will play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”
New Mission for Smugglers Run
Start date: 2026
Mando and Grogu will join in a new mission on Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Completion date: November 15, 2024
The highly anticipated re-theming of Splash Mountain is scheduled to be completed for the holiday season at Disneyland. The area known as Critter Country will be renamed Bayou Country.
Disney Cruise Line Announcements
Four new ships
Completion date: Between 2027 and 2031
Four new ships – no details on theming or destination yet – are on the horizon for Disney Cruise Line. That will bring the fleet to 13 total ships.
Disney Treasure
Sail date: December 2024
Many details have already been revealed about the Disney Treasure. But a new tidbit shared at the D23 Expo was that the signature stage show – themed to Moana – will feature a 15-foot puppet of Te Ka.
Disney Destiny
Sail date: November 2025
Many details about the Disney Destiny were revealed prior to the D23 Expo. But, one nod to this new ship is that the signature stage show will be Hercules.
International Parks
Here are the highlights from the announcements for the international parks:
Disneyland Paris
Lion King Ride
Opening date: TBA
Disneyland Paris will continue their transformation of their second park – soon to be renamed Disney Adventure World.
A new area of the park, Pride Lands, will include an attraction that will follow Simba’s journey “from cub to king”.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Expansion of Stark Expo
Opening date: TBA
A new attraction featuring Stark intern Peter Parker will be coming to Stark Expo.
Shanghai Disney Resort
Spider-Man attraction
Completion date: TBA
Shanghai Disney Resort will have an all-new Spider-Man thrill attraction.
Beyond the Parks
Disney and Epic Games
Completion date: Later in 2024
Disney and Epic Games revealed new details about their collaboration on Fortnite. These included Pixar and Disney characters available in the game.
