This past week there have been quite a few major announcements for Disney Parks across the world! New expansions, new attractions, and new dining experiences, oh my! All of this was announced during the D23: The Ultimate Fan Event that was held at Disneyland Resorts this year. Let’s get into what is coming to Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
It seems like Walt Disney World Resort is receiving the most expansion projects. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will receive an expansion to include an entirely new area for “Monster’s, Inc.” This new area will also include a suspended coaster, which will be the first ever inside a Disney Park. Heading into the Monsters, Inc. factory guests will board the coaster to experience the wild ride Mike and Sully take on the doors. Instead of screams, this park will run on laughter which is the perfect substitute inside Walt Disney World! Construction is set to begin in 2025.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios also is home to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. With the recent announcement of the new Star Wars film, “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” it was also announced that the storyline will join forces with the attraction Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. This will take place at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park will be receiving two new areas in the park. A fan favorite, “Cars” will have two new attractions inside the park. This will be found in a new re-imagined part of Frontierland, and construction is set to begin in early 2025. The first attraction will be a “rally race” and the second will be another race type attraction but geared towards “little racers” as described by Disney Parks Blog.
The second expansion inside Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park is an all new Villains Land. The new area will have two attractions, plus dining and shopping. This is super exciting news for the parks! The concept art features a crow and a castle in the distance. It also shows a central area that resembles a pond.
After the Main Street Electrical Parade left the park in 2001, there has not been a nighttime parade, other than the seasonal events. We now have an announcement for a new nighttime parade,”Disney Starlight.” The artwork for the parade features the Blue Fairy, Peter Pan and Wendy, plus Elsa! It is set to begin summer 2025, but there has not been an exact date released yet.
One park that has had an empty feeling area for some time now is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Once the park removed portions of DinoLand U.S.A., there is not a ton in the area to do. This will all change in 2027. D23 brought the announcement of an official change to Tropical Americas theme. It will be the new home to an Indiana Jones attraction, and an Encanto attraction. The Indiana Jones attraction is slated to be different than every other Indiana Jones attraction around the world. The new Encanto attraction is also the very first Encanto themed for Disney Parks.
Also inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park will be a brand new wood carved carousel. The ride will feature the wood carver's favorite animals from Disney stories. An exciting show is receiving a little makeover. It’s Tough to be a Bug will be closing for a reimagining into “Zootopia: Better Together.” Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will bring everyone together for their new adventure next winter!
The final Disney World park receiving a new update is EPCOT. While the park did just finish up a few project completions and expansions, there is one attraction that is still due for an update. Test Track presented by Chevrolet closed in June 2024 for the refresh and is set to reopen Summer 2025. New technology, customization, and a new queue is in the works.
The next two updates are not attractions, but lounges that will be added in the parks, both in 2025. The first is the Pirates of the Caribbean themed tavern. The idea of this tavern was released at the 2023 D23 event. The second is a Spaceship Earth inspired lounge. Neither space has official locations, opening dates, or menus, but we are waiting for them!
Across the country, Disneyland Resort is also receiving a few fun updates! The one that seems to be most anticipated is the new construction that will double the size of Avengers Campus and add two new attractions. Thanos is at the top of the list when it comes to the first attraction. Items go missing that are necessary for the Avengers to travel. In the attraction guests will visit many locations known to the Avengers: Wakanda, Asgard, and even New York City. The name of the attraction, Avengers Infinity Defense. The second attraction will bring you to Tony Stark, a.k.a Iron Man. This design is a simulated flight ride and is set to be named Stark Flight Lab. Are you excited for either of these brand new adventures that are being added to Avengers Campus?
Ernesto de la Cruz came to the stage at D23 and brought with him the announcement of the first “Coco” themed attraction at the Disney Parks. It will also be located at Disney California Adventure Park! Get ready for singing, dancing, and celebrating with Miguel with this fun journey.
Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park does have Pandora - The World of Avatar, Disneyland’s California Adventure will have a new attraction that will be based off the film Avatar: Way of the Water and the new upcoming films. These two lands will be quite different with the films having different environments as their homes.
The final announcement for Disneyland Resorts is the official opening date for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! Guests will be able to enjoy the reimagined attraction beginning November 15, 2024! This is something that guests have been waiting for, and it will be open just in time for the holiday season!
With all of these announcements, openings, and reimagined attractions, are you ready to plan your next visit to Walt Disney World Resorts and Disneyland Resorts? Your Disney specialist at Marvelous Mouse Travels are ready to help you plan a magical vacation today!
