Set sail with premium savings on Disney Cruise Line, provided by Undercover Tourist! Save up to 25% on select Disney Cruise Line bookings. Plus, get a FREE in-room decor set! Even better? You can lock in select Disney cruises for only 10% down! Ribbit!
Disneyland Kids' Summer Ticket Deal! Save up to $368 on Kids' Summer Tickets at Disneyland® Resort, including a FREE Park Hopper ticket upgrade on select tickets. Plus, get a FREE $20 Dining Dollars credit with each ticket purchase, which can be used to save 15% on Disney Gift Cards!
Destination D23 is hoppenin' right now at Walt Disney World, running through Aug. 31, and Disney fans are buzzing with excitement. Last year, during the Disney Experiences Showcase, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro took the stage to share a wave of announcements about what’s ahead for Disney parks, resorts and Disney Cruise Line. From updates coming soon to long-term projects in the works, there’s a lot for Disney fans to look forward to. In this post, we’ll dive into the latest news revealed at Destination D23, along with a look back at announcements from D23 2024, so you have everything in one place. Get ready — there’s plenty of magic on the horizon!
D23 Announcements for Walt Disney World Resort
From new lands to attraction updates, we received lots of hoppy news for Walt Disney World Resort.
- Hear ye! Hear ye! After undergoing a magical transformation for Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary, Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park will once again be Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo'ed as it will soon sport a new color palette inspired by the classic and original look of the castle. Prepare to see familiar and iconic grays, creams, blues and golds as the project team aims to enhance the castle's architecture. No time frame for the makeover has been announced yet but we'll share as soon as we hear more.
- Tomorrow's just a dream away for Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom! After more than 30 years, the attraction is getting a brand-new opening scene featuring an audio-animatronic of Walt Disney himself. Disney also teased that updates to John, Sarah and the rest of the family may be forthcoming in the future, although no timeline has been announced yet. Stay tuned!
- TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom will receive a special "TRON: Ares" overlay starting Sept. 15, 2025. The attraction will shine bright with a new look featuring red lights and a soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails — all inspired by the upcoming film "TRON: Ares," which releases in theaters Oct. 10, 2025.
- What if it's not happily ever after? Be prepared. Disney has officially confirmed a new Villains Land at Magic Kingdom Park — this dark and thorny land will be home to two major attractions, dining and shopping. An exact timeline has not yet been revealed, but plans are in active development.
- Goodbye, Dinoland, U.S.A. Welcome, Tropical Americas. After crossing over the bridge from Discovery Island, you'll encounter Pueblo Esperanza, which will be home to two signature attractions (see below!). Set to open in 2027, this new area of the park will also feature a large fountain in the center of the village, one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Disney World and a carousel featuring beloved Disney animals.
- Step inside the Family Madrigal's Casita! The first-ever "Encanto"-inspired ride takes place after Antonio has just received his gift and his room has just turned into a rainforest. Join Antonio as he explores his new room, and you may bump into other family members.
- Get ready for a new Indy adventure. Indiana Jones has heard rumors of a mythical creature deep in an ancient Mayan temple, so of course, he wants to explore it. This ride will feature an original story. Not confirmed: snakes.
- A new area inspired by the "Cars" franchise will be heading to Frontierland at Magic Kingdom with not one, but two new attractions. One attraction will be a thrilling race through the mountains, while the other will be geared toward families. Work has already begun in this space with an unknown opening date.
- Picking up after the events of "Monsters, Inc.," humans will be able to visit the world of Monsters, Inc. at this new land coming to Hollywood Studios. If you've ever dreamed of riding through the door vault, you're in luck! Disney Park's first-ever suspended coaster will have you zipping through the monster factory, just like in the movie. This project has already broken ground!
- A new show, "Zootopia: Better Zoogether!" will open on Nov. 7 at Disney's Animal Kingdom at Tree of Life Theater! In it, you'll visit different biomes from the film along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and other characters from the movie.
- A new story featuring Mando and his youngling is coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at both Hollywood Studios (Walt Disney World Resort) and Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort). With some help from Epic's Unreal Engine, this new mission will kickstart once "The Mandalorian and Grogu" hits theaters in 2026.
D23 Announcements for Disneyland Resort
Meanwhile, over at Disneyland, we learned more about new rides, land expansions and shows.
- Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is getting a redesign. Disney shared new concept art of the outdoor dining area. It will feature a revamped patio with extra seating, cozy fireplaces and craftsmanship-inspired elements, along with a new menu.
- Superheroes in training, get ready. Avengers Campus is doubling in size with not one, but TWO attractions. In Avengers Infinity Defense, prepare for a multi-world adventure to Asgard, Wakanda, New York City and more. King Thanos has stolen the technology that allows the Avengers to jump between worlds, and you're alongside the superheroes to stop him. The second ride, Stark Flight Lab, will feature Mr. Stark himself (yes, Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role!). You'll sit in two-person pods and deploy to a test station, where a robotic arm will grab your pod for a simulated flight. Each test flight won't be the same!
- A new story featuring Mando and his youngling is coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at both Hollywood Studios (Walt Disney World Resort) and Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort). With some help from Epic's Unreal Engine, this new mission will kickstart once "The Mandalorian and Grogu" hits theaters in 2026.
- The first-ever experience inspired by "Coco" is coming to Disney California Adventure. Breaking ground in 2026, it will take guests on a colorful adventure to the Land of the Dead.
- A new Avatar experience will transport guests to a new water destination in Pandora inspired by the second movie, "Avatar: The Way of Water," as well as the third and future films. The ride will be located in Disney California Adventure.
D23 Announcements for Disney Cruise Line
There was also some frogciting news shared for Disney Cruise Line (and don't froget that we're offering exclusive Disney Cruise Line pricing provided by Undercover Tourist!).
- The Disney Destiny will feature a new stage show based on "Hercules."
- Disney Cruise Line announced FOUR brand-new ships debuting between 2027 and 2031. With five active ships and four already in the works, this will bring the entire fleet to 13 ships! Ship names, designs and itineraries are still in development.
D23 Announcements for International Disney Park News
We're toadally jealous of all the amazing projects coming to Disney Parks around the world. Does anyone want to join us on a Disney Parks global tour?
Disneyland Paris
- Coming to Disneyland Paris, World of Frozen will open in the spring of 2026. Its opening will mark the official transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Adventure World, where immersive worlds inspired by beloved Disney stories are brought to life.
- Celebrating the 30th anniversary of "The Lion King," a new area called Pride Lands will debut at Disney Adventure World Park. The area will bring the story to life with character greetings, dining, shopping AND a brand-new log flume ride.
Shanghai Disney Resort
- Tron Lightcycle Run will receive the limited-time "Tron: Ares" overlay starting on Sept. 16, 2025, in conjunction with the new "Tron: Ares" movie release on Oct. 10, 2025.
- An all-new Spider-Man coaster is coming to Shanghai Disneyland.
Hong Kong Disneyland
- On Sept. 19, 2025, "Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Party" will debut at Hong Kong Disneyland as the park kicks off their Halloween festivities. This brand-new entertainment offering will include elements of a cavalcade, street show and musical spectacle as Maleficent — after being uninvited from yet another royal gathering — stirs up some fun of her own, calling forth her uninvited counterparts and assembling her fellow Disney Villains and their underlings for a sinister street party.
- An all-new attraction featuring Spider-Man will also debut at Hong Kong Disneyland.
We're so hoppy that the future of Disney Parks is looking brighter than ever! What update, addition, renovation or return announced at Destination D23 Disney are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: What's Coming to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando in 2025 and Beyond
Related: What's Coming to Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood in 2025 and Beyond
Hoppy planning!
