All twenty-three Disney Parks announcements that were made during the parks panel at Disney Destination D23! Lots of updates and changes coming.
All 20+ Disney Parks Announcements From Destination D23
Figment Meet and Greet: Figment will begin meeting guests inside the Imagination Pavilion at EPCOT beginning tomorrow – Sept. 10!
Encanto Comes To Animal Kingdom: New experiences inspired by “Encanto” – the Academy Award winning Walt Disney Animation Studios film – is being considered for the reimagined land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
Indiana Jones To Replace Dinosaurs: Fan-favorite adventurer Indiana Jones is being considered for the reimagined land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
Dinoland U.S.A. To Go Away: Walt Disney Imagineering is planning to reimagine Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom into a new land – inspired by a region sometimes referred to as “tropical Americas.” As part of their research, Imagineers are looking at some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet in the regions just north and south of the equator here in the Western Hemisphere – the northern part of South America, stretching up into Central America.
Zootopia Replaces Tough To Be A Bug: A new show based on “Zootopia” is being created for the Tree of Life theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! The current concept for the new “Zootopia” experience has guests visiting the different biomes you only glimpse in the film, traveling along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and other characters.
Magic Kingdom Expansion: Future expansion plans for Magic Kingdom in Florida are the largest ever for the park, according to Bruce. Imagineers are looking to tell stories “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” similar in scale to things like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Pandora – The World of Avatar – adding new attractions, restaurants, shows and more!
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Fantasy Springs Update: A new look at what’s coming to Fantasy Springs at Tokyo Disney Resort is being shared! The eighth themed port of Tokyo DisneySea will feature Rapunzel’s Forest, Peter Pan’s Never Land and Frozen Kingdom – all inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios Films. Fantasy Springs is scheduled to open in 2024.
New Disney Cruise Line Ship: Disney Adventure is the name of Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship! Disney Adventure is the seventh ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet and work is currently underway in Germany. It’ll be the first Disney ship to sail from Singapore and throughout Southeast Asia and feature the Disney service, storytelling and entertainment everyone knows and loves.
Disney Cruise Line Updates: Right now, there are three new ships in development along with Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point – a brand new island destination! Disney teams are collaborating with talented artists and cultural advisors in the Bahamas to shape an experience that celebrates the natural beauty, traditions and artistry of the one-of-a-kind nation.
Disneyland Paris Update: In Paris, Imagineers and teams are busy transforming Walt Disney Studios Park. The resort’s future “Frozen”-themed land that’ll highlight the kingdom of Anna and Elsa is taking shape and just a part of an exciting transformation. Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more details.
Test Track Reimagining: Also at EPCOT, Test Track will be reimagined! Imagineers along with teams from Chevrolet are reaching back into history for inspiration – from the original World of Motion – and bringing that spirit of optimism to the next iteration of the Test Track attraction! More to come in the future.
EPCOT Nighttime Spectacular: A new nighttime spectacular at EPCOT called “Luminous The Symphony of Us” will debut on Dec. 5, 2023!
Journey of Water Update: Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will open on Oct. 16, 2023! Journey of Water is a new walk-through experience located within World Nature – the EPCOT neighborhood dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty and balance of the natural world. For more details on the experience, check out our new story.
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Moana Meet and Greet: Also, on Oct. 16 – Moana will arrive in World Nature and make her first appearance in her own dedicated space near Journey of Water.
EPCOT Update: At EPCOT, the World Celebration neighborhood will begin welcoming guests this December! World Celebration will unite the front of the park, tying together the other two new EPCOT neighborhoods, World Discovery and World Nature. The completion of the last of the park’s three neighborhoods will be the latest major milestone multi-year transformation of EPCOT.
Shanghai Zootopia Update: A new look at what’s coming to Zootopia at Shanghai Disney Resort is being shared. Our earlier road to Destination D23 story has details on the new experiences coming to the land, including a new attraction, special entertainment, merchandise as well as Zootopified food and beverage items.
Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge: A new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. This first-of-its-kind experience will extend the story of Pirates of the Caribbean. Imagineers are in the design process now and more details are coming in the future.
All 23 Disney Parks Announcements continued…
New Country Bear Jamboree Show: At Walt Disney World, the Country Bear Jamboree is getting new songs and the bears will be performing a new act in 2024! Imagineers are envisioning the new experience as a homage to the classic musical revues in Nashville and they’re working with Nashville musicians to get the authentic country sound. The Country Bear Jamboree will still have the fun and friendly tone fans enjoy with the same famous characters like the loveable Trixie, Big Al and others.
New Avengers Campus Ride: At Disney California Adventure Park, a new world-jumping vehicle is coming to the next attraction in Avengers Campus to help transport Super Heroes into the Multiverse. Brent Strong, executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering, is sharing an early peek at the ride vehicle featuring a design that combines elements of Tony Stark’s time-suits with Xandarian jump points and Wakandan technology.
Hatbox Ghost Update: Hatbox Ghost is coming to the Haunted Mansion attraction in Florida in late November! Hatbox Ghost will be materializing in the Haunted Mansion as you pass the attraction’s Endless Hallway.
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Frozen Themed Land: A sneak peek of the world’s first Frozen-themed land debuting at Hong Kong Disneyland in November is being shown. World of Frozen – inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ stunning films – will blend Arendelle with the park’s natural surroundings – and the audience is getting a first peek at the land.
Asha Meet and Greet: Asha, from the new Disney animated film “Wish” will also soon be coming to EPCOT, Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris.
Ahsoka Joins Star Tours: Ahsoka will become part of our popular Star Tours attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, Disneyland Park in California and Disneyland Paris – beginning next spring. The original series Star Wars: Ahsoka is currently streaming exclusively on Disney+ and as many of you know, Ahsoka recently arrived in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.