On Saturday, Aug. 10, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro took the stage at D23 2024 for the Disney Experiences Showcase. D'Amaro spent almost three hours breaking some incredibly exciting news regarding what frogs can expect at Disney parks and resorts both in the United States and around the world and on Disney Cruise Line in the near and far future. Without further ado, let's hop right into those magical announcements!
D23 Announcements for Walt Disney World Resort
From new lands to lounges, we received lots of hoppy news for Walt Disney World Resort.
- 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.
- A brand-new nighttime parade, "Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away," will debut at Magic Kingdom Park in summer 2025. Using the latest technology and some pixie dust from the Blue Fairy, the parade will feature characters from "Peter Pan," "Frozen," "Encanto" and more.
- 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 break ground later this year and 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 on this space will begin in early 2025 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. Work on this project will begin in 2025.
- A new show, "Zootopia: Better Zoogether!" will open in winter 2025 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.
- At EPCOT, the reimagined Test Track will open in 2025 with new show scenes and technology. Imagineers and teams from Chevrolet have looked back at the original World of Motion to bring "that spirit of optimism" to the iconic attraction.
- We got another new look at the Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge coming to Magic Kingdom in 2025! The lounge will be located in Adventureland and will extend the story from the iconic ride. Drink up, me hearties, yo ho!
- That's not the only lounge in the works for next year — a lounge based on Spaceship Earth is coming to EPCOT.
- 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.
- Superheroes in training, get ready. Avengers Campus is doubling in size with not one, but TWO attractions. Construction on the expansion will begin next year! 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.
- The first Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt Disney is being created for a new show, "Walt Disney — A Magical Life," in the Main Street Opera House. After its initial run once it debuts in 2025, the show will alternate with "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln."
- 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.
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure will debut Nov. 15, 2024, in a newly reimagined Bayou Country. It will also be home to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, as well as the newly reimagined Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree.
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!).
- 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.
- The Disney Destiny will feature a new stage show based on "Hercules."
- We got another look at the new "Disney The Tale of Moana" stage show aboard the Disney Treasure, debuting later this year. It will feature a 15-foot-tall puppet of Te Kā, the largest created for a Disney Cruise Line production.
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
- Celebrating the 30th anniversary of "The Lion King," a new area called Pride Lands will debute at the newly renamed Disney Adventure World Park. The area will bring the story to life with character greetings, dining, shopping AND a brand-new log flume ride.
- Also coming to Disney Adventure World, World of Frozen will open in 2026.
Shanghai Disney Resort
- An all-new Spider-Man coaster is coming to Shanghai Disneyland.
Hong Kong Disneyland
- 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 D23 Disney Experiences Showcase 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 2024 and Beyond
Related: What's Coming to Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood in 2024 and Beyond
Hoppy planning!
