The anticipation was high as Josh D’Amaro, the Chairman of Walt Disney Company Parks and Resorts, took the stage on Saturday night, the 2nd night of D23: The Ultimate Fan Event.
The Disney Experiences Showcase, also commonly called “The Parks Panel”, was the chance for Walt Disney Company to reveal upcoming projects for the parks around the world, news from Disney Cruise Line, gaming updates and even more - and right off the bat, Josh told the world that everything that was to come was already in development, that shovels were already moving dirt, plans were already moving forward - hence, no “Blue Sky” (the term Disney uses for “projects we are dreaming about”)
And over the course of close to 3 hours, it was one announcement after another, with new lands, new attractions, updates to attractions, new cruise ships, and much more, mixed in with performances by everyone from Shaboozey to John Stamos to 90s group All-4-One! Even Deadpool took the stage to raucous applause, with a number that both celebrated - and skewered - our love for Disney and all of its parts.
If you missed an announcement or five, don’t be ashamed - it was a lot to take in, but thankfully we’ve got you covered! Let’s go park by park, and then different parts of the company to recap the Disney Experience Showcase!
MAGIC KINGDOM
Artist Rendering of Villains Land (title not official). No opening date given.
**It was the end of the night, but it was finally revealed that a VILLAINS LAND is coming to Magic Kingdom, featuring at least 2 new attractions, with dining and shopping. No construction start date or opening dates announced, and the location was not confirmed, but it’s likely what will be featured “Beyond Thunder Mountain.”
**In a surprising announcement, there will be TWO new CARS THEMED ATTRACTIONS coming to Frontierland, one aimed at younger kids. This will not be a recreation of Radiator Springs, and will tell new stories. It was revealed today that this Cars area will take over the land now held by Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America. No closing date for those attractions, nor projected opening dates for Cars announced.
**The long drought is ending next summer, as a brand new nighttime parade, DISNEY STARLIGHT, will premiere in Summer 2025
**The Pirates of the Caribbean themed TAVERN announced previously, will be officially opening some time in 2025.
EPCOT
**There isn’t a lot to add to Epcot this time around, as the walls that had been up for many years finally came down in June. But a SPACESHIP EARTH THEMED LOUNGE was announced, and the updated TEST TRACK will also re-opening in 2025.
ANIMAL KINGDOM
**We finally got more details on the TROPICAL AMERICAS that was announced at previous D23. It will be taking over the area known as DinoLand, and construction will start later this year. The plans are to close the land piece by piece, allowing guests to enjoy the area before it closes for good. Projected opening in 2027.
**Disney’s hugely popular film “ENCANTO” will finally have it’s first attraction in any Disney Park, as guests will arrive as Antonio has received his special gift - talking to animals - and will make their way through the iconic Casitas!
**The long-standing rumor that INDIANA JONES would replace the beloved Dinosaur attraction was finally confirmed, but it will be an all new adventure, not an East Coast copy of the popular the Disneyland Indiana Jones ride.
**Enjoy the Pollinators while you can, as “Its Tough to Be A Bug”, featured within Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life, will depart, as “ZOOTOPIA: BETTER TOGETHER” show will premiere in Winter 2025.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Artist rendering on the Monsters Inc suspended coaster
**In an announcement that literally no one saw coming, we learned Monstropolis and a MONSTERS INC LAND would be coming to Hollywood Studios!!
**As part of Monsters Inc Land, we will get Disney’s first a SUSPENDED COASTER taking you through the factory and into the famous door scene.
**In support of the upcoming film, “The Mandalorian & Grogu”, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run will feature NEW ADVENTURES with our favorite Mando and little green guy (who is NOT Baby Yoda, by the way).
DISNEYLAND
**The opening date for TIANA’S BAYOU ADVENTURE there will be November 15, 2024. Critter Country to be renamed Bayou Country.
**The new AVATAR LAND will be in Disneyland, but will not feature Flight of Passage, and instead be a different adventure, this one themed around the sequel "Way of Water" and the upcoming "Fire & Ash" film.
**For the Disney fans of all ages, Walt will be coming back to his own park, as WALT DISNEY - A MAGICAL LIFE will premiere in 2025 in the Disneyland Opera House. This new show will feature an advanced audio-animatronic Walt Disney, and will eventually rotate with Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln show.
Avengers Campus will get TWO new attractions, including Infinity Defense
DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
**For the Marvel fans, Avengers Campus at California Adventure is going to nearly double in size in the coming years, starting with a journey through the Multi-Verse, battling “King Thanos”, in the new attraction AVENGERS INFINITY DEFENSE.
**In a two person pod, guests will be “transported” to a Stark test station to experience similated flight. Robert Downey Jr is reprising his role as Tony Stark in the new STARK FLIGHT LAB coming to California Adventure.
**The first COCO themed attraction will be a boat ride in California Adventure.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
**Continuing the legacy of having Broadway style shows on their ships, the Disney Destiny will feature a production of "HERCULES". The Disney Destiny will set sail in 2025.
**As if the Disney Wonder, Magic, Fantasy, Dream, Wish, Treasure, Adventure, and Destiny aren’t enough (and let’s face it, they aren’t), we know another unnamed ship is coming soon. And then, it was announced that between 2027 and 2031, there will be FOUR NEW SHIPS added to the Disney Cruise fleet, bring the fleet to 13 ships - I’m going to need a checklist.
**Then new Moana stage show on the upcoming Disney Treasure will feature a 15 FOOT HIGH TA KE PUPPET.
OVERSEAS PARKS
**In Disney’s Adventure Park in Disneyland Paris, the Lion King will not only get it’s own attraction, but also an entire PRIDE LAND area.
**Also in Disney’s Adventure Park, the WORLD OF FROZEN will open in 2026.
**A SPIDER-MAN COASTER is confirmed for Shanghai Disneyland.
**And our fave web-head also hits another Asian park, as a SPIDEY ATTRACTION is confirmed or Hong Kong Disneyland.
DISNEY GAMING
**And finally, the massively popular online phenomenon known as FORTNITE will have an expansive Disney universe, including Disney villains Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, and Captain Hook, Pixar’s Mr. Incredible, ElastiGirl, and Frozone, Star Wars' Moff Gideon, IG-11, and Grogu as a Back Bling, and a new Marvel season starring Doctor Doom. What does all of that mean? Ask your 14 year old.
WHEW… That is A LOT of information. Keep in mind, things do happen - projects get shifted and changed, things get pushed back, and occasionally, things might get canceled, but Josh D’Amaro mentioned at least twice during the night that EVERYTHING revealed and discussed are ALREADY in production… nothing is still just a dream project being talked about. Shovels are moving dirt as we speak!
Construction times and opening dates are mostly undetermined, but I tried to list what has been announced. If there was no date, then it wasn’t revealed (or likely known) but expect most of these projects to coming to full fruition likely in the next 3 to 5 years!
And when you are ready for your own Disney adventure, make sure to contact your FAVORITE Upon a Star Travel Planner!