As Disney fans rush to the box office ahead of its upcoming slate of films, D23 also teased new reasons to visit the parks.
At Saturday’s Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase during the D23 Expo, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro had plenty to announce with new attractions coming to Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort and parks around the world, as well as some out-of-this-world online experiences.
From a new Avatar: The Way of Water land at Disney California Adventure to The Lion King at Disneyland Paris and an Avengers Campus expansion, multiple experiences will bring some of Disney’s biggest movies to life. Stars like Billy Crystal, Darren Criss and Skylar Astin were on-hand to help share the news.
“At Disney Experiences, Imagineers dream, create, design and build these stories into real places,” said D’Amaro. “And we have Imagineers in place right now all around the world because everything we’re going to share with you is in active development. Plans are drawn. Dirt is moving. I just want to be clear about this: We are doing everything you’re going to hear tonight.”
Thanks to some Disney Imagineer artist renderings, fans can get a glimpse at what’s to come
‘Avatar’-themed attraction at Disney California Park
Although Disney World’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida already boast its own Pandora—The World of Avatar based on James Cameron‘s original 2009 movie, the new Anaheim attraction will draw inspiration from ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ (2022) and future installments.
Avengers Campus expansion
Next year, Disney California Adventure will begin expanding its Avengers Campus to include the attractions, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. Additionally, Spider-Man will be swinging to Hong Kong and Shanghai’s Disneylands with new attractions.
‘Cars’ attractions at Magic Kingdom
A new area inspired by ‘Cars’ is coming to Frontierland at Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park, featuring two new attractions; a rally race through the mountains and a family attraction for smaller races.
‘Coco’ attraction at Disney California Adventure
The 2017 Pixar movie’s first-ever ride is coming to Disneyland in 2026, along with characters and music from the movie, brought to life through animatronics in the style of Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Four new Disney Cruise Line ships
Disney Cruise Lines announced four new ships joining the fleet, arriving between 2027 and 2031. ‘Disney Hercules’ will take the stage aboard Disney Destiny when it begins sailing next year, and Disney Treasure will premiere ‘Disney The Tale of Moana’ later this year.
Indiana Jones and ‘Encanto’ at Magic Kingdom
Coming to Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is the Tropical Americas-themed space Pueblo Esparanza. The new section of the park will feature an ‘Indiana Jones’ attraction and the first-ever ‘Encanto’-themed ride.
Disney teams with Epic Games
With its $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, Disney is collaborating with the Fortnite creators to create a new online universe that will include characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel Studios and more.
Mando & Grogu at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
As ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ premieres in 2026, the titular characters are coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, at both Disneyland and Disney World, for a new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run mission.
‘Monsters, Inc.’ land at Hollywood Studios
Mike and Sulley are coming to Disney World’s Hollywood Studios with a ‘Monsters, Inc.’-themed land where visitors can ride on a door through the movie’s laugh factory.
Disney Starlight parade at Magic Kingdom
Coming summer 2025 to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is a new nighttime parade spectacular. Disney Starlight will run down Main Street, USA, using new technology to tell fan-favorite stories from ‘Peter Pan’ to ‘Encanto’, ‘Frozen’ and more. Meanwhile, Reach for the Stars debuts Sept. 20 at Tokyo Disneyland, with another nighttime spectacular coming to Disneyland Paris in January 2025.
Two new lounges at Disney World
For anyone looking to take a load off after a full day of rides at Disney World, two new lounges are coming to the park. Both coming in 2025, visitors can grab a drink at EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth and the previously announced Pirates of the Caribbean tavern.
Reimagined Test Track at EPCOT
Presented by Chevrolet, EPCOT’s reimagined Test Track will feature a new ride and six exhibits on the past, present and future of vehicles, now under construction.
‘Lion King’ ride at Disneyland Paris
Simba and pals are coming to the City of Light with a new area at Disney Adventure World themed around ‘The Lion King’ for the movie’s 30th anniversary. The attraction will include dining, shopping, characters and a Pride Rock ride.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland
Coming Nov. 15 to Disneyland, fans of 2009’s ‘The Princess and the Frog’ can take a trip through Bayou Country for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which will also be the new home of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes and the newly reimagined Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree.
Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
The darker side of Disneyland is about to open. Villains Land will feature attractions, shopping and dining inspired by Ursula, Gaston, the Evil Queen and more of our favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios baddies.
Walt Disney animatronic at Disneyland
The man, the myth, the legend. Debuting at Disneyland in 2025 is ‘Walt Disney — A Magical Life’, the first Audio-Animatronics tribute to Walt Disney, featuring a realistic visit to Walt’s office.
