The biggest Disney Parks Panel reveals and announcements coming out of the 2022 D23 Expo, including a villains land in Magic Kingdom.
The D23 Expo Disney Parks and Experiences Panel featured lots of major reveals and announcements. Some things are due to be released any day now, and some fans will have to wait years for. However, each and every one of them will have people thrilled to visit the Disney Parks, sail on the Disney Cruise Line, and so much more.
10 Biggest Reveals from the Disney Parks Panel at D23 Expo
Here are the 10 biggest reveals from the Disney Parks Panel at the 2022 D23 Expo.
Tron Lightcycle Run Opening Date
Over at Magic Kingdom, TRON / Lightcycle Run will invite guests to enter the Grid in spring 2023.
Happily Ever After Is Coming Back
Popular anthem “Happily Ever After” will play again when an updated nighttime spectacular returns to light up the skies over Cinderella Castle in 2023.
Hat Box Ghost Coming To Walt Disney World
At the Haunted Mansion, the Hatbox Ghost will materialize in 2023.
RunDisney Back At Disneyland / CA Adventure
RunDisney is coming back to California starting in 2024.
Hulk Coming To Meet and Greet At Avengers Campus
Hulk will be coming to Avengers Campus starting next week for meet and greets. He will only be there for a limited time, however, so be sure to visit soon if you wish to see him.
Figment Coming To Meet and Greet At EPCOT
Fan favorite Figment is coming to EPCOT soon to meet and greet guests.
The Multiverse Is Coming To Avengers Campus
Guests at Disney California Adventure park will soon head into the Multiverse alongside fan-favorite Super Heroes, as details on a never-before-seen third attraction with a brand-new story was announced for Avengers Campus. Joining in battle with the Avengers means facing foes from anywhere and everywhen, including a new threat, King Thanos, a Multiverse variant designed specifically for Avengers Campus.
Three Frozen Themed Attractions Around The World
Inspired by Disney Animation’s stunning films, World of Frozen will open in the second half of 2023 at Hong Kong Disneyland – the first of three Frozen-themed areas coming to international Disney parks. It will blend Arendelle with the park’s natural landscapes on Lantau Island.
At Disneyland Paris, the Frozen-themed land will be the next major milestone in the ongoing transformation of Walt Disney Studios park. This land will offer a gorgeous lakeside promenade and will immerse guests in the same magical wintry setting from the films.
A new Tangled-themed family attraction will join the new gardens leading into the land. Frozen will also be part of the transformation of the Disneyland Hotel, reopening in 2024. As part of the grand finale of the 30th Anniversary celebration underway, a new stage show, “Pixar: We Belong Together,” will debut next year in Walt Disney Studios park.
At Tokyo Disney Resort, Frozen is one of the stories coming to life as part of the Fantasy Springs expansion at Tokyo DisneySea, joining two other Disney Animation stories, “Peter Pan” and “Tangled,” plus a brand-new hotel integrated right into the park. Fantasy Springs will feature several new Audio-Animatronics figures, including Elsa, who sings in Japanese and whose movements sync with the rhythms of the language.
San Fransokyo Coming To California Adventure
Just around the corner from Avengers Campus, Pacific Wharf will be reimagined as San Fransokyo from the Oscar-winning Disney Animation film “Big Hero 6,”complete with a place to meet Baymax as well as new spots to eat and shop.
Zootopia To Shanghai Disney Resort
Shanghai Disney Resort will be the first Disney resort to bring the world of the Oscar-winning Disney Animation film “Zootopia” to life. At Zootopia Central Station, guests will find animals going about their daily lives. At the Zootopia Police Department, which doubles as the entrance for the land’s new family attraction, guests will be greeted by an Audio-Animatronics figure of Officer Clawhauser.
Later in the panel, Jennifer Lee revealed that Zootopia and Moana are in the early stages of replacing Dino Land at Animal Kingdom resort at Walt Disney World in Florida.
Coco / Encanto / Villains At Magic Kingdom
These lands are in the very early stages of development, but the land behind Big Thunder Mountain is finally going to house something — and it is amazing!
Coco will have an area where you can celebrate Día de Muertos, Encanto will allow guests to step inside Casa Madrigal and get their own power, and a dark land will house the Disney villains (hopefully complete with its very own castle).
Bonus Disney Cruise Line Announcements
Disney Treasure
The sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Treasure, will set sail in 2024. Imagineers have dreamed up a new design concept inspired by the theme of adventure, celebrating Walt Disney’s lifelong love of exploration.
The Grand Hall — the magnificent three-deck-tall atrium that welcomes guests on board — is inspired by the grandeur and mystery of a gilded palace, drawing on real-world influences from Asia and Africa, and paying homage to the far-off land of Agrabah. At the center, the signature statue will feature Aladdin, Jasmine and their Magic Carpet.
Disney Wonder Going To Australia and New Zealand
For the first time, Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of a Disney vacation to families and fans in Australia and New Zealand during limited-time cruises that immerse guests in Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories beginning in late October 2023.
Additionally, repositioning cruises for the Disney Wonder will be the first South Pacific voyages for Disney Cruise Line, giving guests the chance to experience destinations like Fiji and Samoa.
NEXT: D23 Expo Walt Disney Studios Panel Reveals
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.