Everything revealed at the Disney Parks and Experiences Panel
The D23 Expo, now known as D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is a show dedicated to a lot of things for the Disney Company. They host a lot of presentations each time the show roles around and this year was no exception.
Day One of the show ended with their Disney Entertainment Showcase, which featured looks at movies, tv shows and stage shows, like the first trailer for Skeleton Crew, but that was for those things you can watch, but what about what you can step into. That is where the D23 Disney Experiences Showcase comes in.
Here is everything revealed at the show all about Disney Parks and beyond, starting with Marvel.
Marvel
Spider-Man Ride
Where: Hong Kong Disneyland | Opening: TBA
Hong Kong was the first park to get anything Marvel, at least anything significant and when it was first announced the Stark Expo was set to deliver a host of attractions, but only one was built at first. After the Iron Man ride opened, Ant-Man and Wasp took over an existing attraction and then there was silence, until now.
The new ride will be built inside of the Stark Expo area, likely next to Iron Man and will feature the newest Stark Industries intern Peter Parker. Here is what Disney has said about the ride so far:
Expanding Stark Expo, there’s an all-new attraction coming to Hong Kong Disneyland. Tony Stark has invited his friend, and new Stark Industries intern, Peter Parker to showcase some new inventions, but unfortunately, that also means this has also caught the attention of one of Spidey’s most formidable villains. While trying to help Spider-Man protect the new tech, guests caught in the middle of the action!
Now of course, there is no date for its opening, but given the park has no construction happening at all right now, given World of Frozen opened up in November 2023, it is likely early next year will see it begin. The only art we have is below and features a ride vehicle very similar to the Tower of Terror rides around the world, the Californian one hosting the Guardians of the Galaxy. So for now, I will call it Stark Tower of Terror, until they officially name it.
Spider-Man Roller-coaster
Where: Shanghai Disneyland | Opening: TBA
Earlier in 2024, it was reported by Disney that a new roller-coaster attraction would be built at Shanghai Disneyland, they themselves just saw the Zootopia themed land in December 2023 open. The ride will be Spider-Man themed and all we know is that something has gone wrong when intern Peter Parker is mixed in with trouble and he drags us along for the ride. Below is what Disney have said on the attraction.
Webs at the ready, an all-new Spider-Man thrill attraction is coming to Shanghai Disneyland! Peter Parker has gotten himself — and us — in a bit of a tight spot. We’re going to follow HIM – at very high speeds – to get us out of trouble.
Much like the rest of the announcements, there is no opening date for this one, however this is one that has likely had some work started, just no idea how much.
Avengers Infinity DefenSe
Where: Disney California Adventure | Opening: TBA
This was the ride that was promised two years ago, as it was first revealed at D23 2022. The attraction will feature a storyline where Tony Stark has created tech that lets us jump across realities and because of that, it has drawn the eye of a villain in one of them, King Thanos. In this ride, Thanos.. sorry King Thanos has become victorious and we and the Avengers must recruit heroes from across the Multiverse to save everything.
The ride itself will see guests taken to placed like New York, ok that is not so fancy, but Wakanda and Asgard are. Due to the number of heroes and maybe villains included, there is no word on just who we will see, but Iron Man, Ant-Man and Hulk show up in the concept art below. This is just one of two attractions coming to Avengers Campus in California.
Stark Flight Lab
Where: Disney California Adventure | Opening: TBA
The second of the two attractions is a bit of a weird one, as its basically a chair strapped to a robot arm. Stark Flight Lab will have guest sit in a chair with a friend, or random person and a hero will guide you through how to fly.
Each time you take off for your training, you might end up with a different hero giving you tips, including Tony Stark himself as Robert Downey Jr has been confirmed to reprise his role as the iconic character for this attraction. No word on if he is doing more for the land or other rides.
Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones Ride
Where: Disney’s Animal Kingdom | Opening: 2027
For years now Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo DisneySea have all enjoyed their own Indiana Jones ride, and while two of them use the same ride system and layout, they tell different stories. In 2027 the ride of Dinosaur will be reborn as a new Indiana Jones ride, which like Disneyland and DisneySea uses the same layout. The ride is going to close this year to make way for the transformation. The ride was unveiled by Josh D’Amaro and Short Round himself Ke Huy Quan, here is what Disney have said about the new attraction.
In this new venture, the man with the hat has recently discovered a perfectly preserved Maya temple, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to explore it. He’s heard rumors about a mythical creature deep within the temple — and he’s got to see it for himself. So, he brings us along on the adventure… but will there be snakes? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Construction on the land will begin in just a few months, but it will go through a phased closure, so fans of Dinosaur can get their final rides in. There is more happening in this land than just this, but more on that below.
Avatar Land
Avatar Land
Where: Disney California Adventure | Opening: TBA
This will be the second land based on the Avatar movies by James Cameron, not to be confused with the Avatar cartoons. While the first land was very much built around trees and forests, this new land will be more water based, along with more from the recently named Avatar: Fire and Ash, as well as the other movies.
Based on the concept art below, the land should have shops and dining, Pandora in Animal Kingdom has Satuli Canteen and I suspect this will be a very similar menu. We know that the land is going into Disney California Adventure, but there is no word on where exactly, given the park is quite small, there is a fair chance it might replace something else.
Avatar Boat Ride
Where: Disney California Adventure | Opening: TBA
The only, at least for now, attraction revealed for the land is a boat ride. Based on the art revealed for the ride, it appears to be a little more of an exploration of the planet Pandora than the Navi River Journey ride, which is just a very slow ride. In fact rumours are that the ride system is the same one used for Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure at Shanghai Disneyland, which actually turns the boats around and to date is the only ride to use that tech.
For now we wait and see, but at least that art is very nice.
Star Wars
Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Where: Disneyland & Disney’s Hollywood Studios | Opening: 2026
There was only a single Star Wars attraction given any love during the showcase, perhaps if they cut the musical numbers in half, but I digress. Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run is a ride that already exists at both Disneyland in California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, but in 2026 a new update will be given to the ride.
The Mandalorian and Grogu will blast off alongside the new movie, which has just started filming, which will set guests off on a new adventure. As the ride is basically a videogame, each time you ride it (at least currently), your actions will impact how things play out.
“The intersection of storytelling and innovation has always been central to Lucasfilm and we’re excited to see where this collaboration will take us next. Just imagine it: you’ll be able to fly alongside Mando and Grogu on thrilling, and dangerous, missions.”
The only date for the update is 2026, but it would not surprise me to see it open just ahead of the movie, which is currently dated for May 21st, 2026.
Pixar
Cars American Wilderness Attraction
Where: Magic Kingdom | Opening: TBA
There are two Cars themed rides coming to the Magic Kingdom, one is for the little kids or families as a whole, but there are no details for that one. The other ride is one we do have details for and it will take guests out of Radiator Springs and into the American Wilderness, as we will race across new landscapes, climb mountain trails and even dodge a few geysers along the way. Given the concept art below it would see the ride is using the same system as Radiator Springs Racers does at Disney California Adventure and Test Track in Epcot, but that is not confirmed.
As for the location, it was announced that it was going into Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom park, but there is no word on where, but behind Big Thunder Mountain is quite likely. Work on these rides is expected to kick off in early 2025.
Monsters Inc Land
Where: Disney’s Hollywood Studios | Opening: TBA
One of a few new lands announced at the showcase, the Monsters Inc land will welcome guests of all origins, human and monster alike. Details on exactly what the land will offer, or where it will go, have not been released, but in the first concept art below you can see what looks like a playground.
Monster Inc. Roller-coaster
Where: Disney’s Hollywood Studios | Opening: TBA
The only ride announced for the land, this roller-coaster will be the first suspended coaster ever built for a Disney theme park. Boarding it will be simple, you just need to sit down and just like the claw that takes the doors away, you will be lifted into position for the ride of your life. While the monsters now use laughter for their power, I am sure a scream or two would be appreciated.
Coco Ride
Where: Disney California Adventure | Opening: TBA
One of the earliest reveals in the show, this Coco boat ride will take guests on an adventure through the land of the dead. Details are of course are scarce, but we do know that it has taken inspiration from attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. The ride will feature animatronics that should be fun to see, you know with bones dancing about the place, as many of the characters are just skeletons in the movie.
As for it opening, that is unknown, but we do know work on the ride will begin in early 2026.
Disney Animation
Tropical Americas
Where: Disney’s Animal Kingdom | Opening: 2027
What is currently known as Dinoland USA, will soon become extinct as it transforms into Pueblo Esperanza, a place that will feature shops, dining and a few attractions. The first attraction is the Indiana Jones ride, you can scroll up to see all of that. For the others scroll down.
Pueblo Esperanza Carousel
Where: Disney’s Animal Kingdom | Opening: 2027
Right now in this space is Triceratops Spin, at least based on the art for the land that has been released, but this won’t be just a retheme of that ride. Instead this will be an all-new carousel, where the animals you ride have been carved by woodcarvers, which are said to be quite stunning.
Encanto Ride
Where: Disney’s Animal Kingdom | Opening: 2027
In a move that makes sense, but story wise makes no sense, Encanto is getting a ride. This new attraction will have you taking a boat ride as you meet the Madrigal family. The reason why it makes no sense story wise is that the ride begins when Antonio is getting his gift and his room becomes a rainforest, which explains the boat. That either means that we are going to see new moments that take place between scenes from the movie, or they are not worried about continuity, either way is wierd.
This and the rest of the land will open sometime in 2027, with construction beginning later this year.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether
Where: Disney’s Animal Kingdom | Opening: 2025
Opening in the American Winter in 2025, which could mean January next year or December, this Zootopia show will replace the long running It’s Tough to be a Bug show, which has been buried beneath the Tree of Life since the park opened in 1998.
The new features Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and all their friends from Disney Animation’s Zootopia. The show, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” will take guests on an adventure through different biomes seen in the film, no word on if anything from Zootopia 2 will be included.
Tianan’s Bayou Adventure
Where: Disneyland | Opening: November 15
This is the only attraction, show, lounge, ship or other word for what they showed that was given an actual date. Which makes sense as the retheme of Splash Mountain has been completed at Magic Kingdom for sometime. This will be the same as that version, so its transition time is the same, there are countless POV videos on YouTube if you want to see what it looks like.
Lion King Land
Where: Disney Adventure World | Opening: TBA
In 2026 the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris will change its name to Disney Adventure World and while it will open with World of Frozen, more below, it will also get a brand new Lion King themed land, complete with a ride. Details are of course scarce, but we do know that the land will have new dining, shopping and some meet and greats. Once you are done eating and shopping, there is the new ride. Guests will venture beneath Pride Rock and then set off on a water journey, to relive the story of Simba. All we have for it right now is the art below.
World of Frozen
Where: Disney Adventure World | Opening: 2026
The one land without any major news for it, World of Frozen opened in November 2023 in Hong Kong Disneyland and Paris will get its own version in 2026 when it opens there. Apart from one being in a place where snow is possible, the land will be the same, so if you don’t want to wait another 18 months or 2 years, you can check out tours of the land. I was there last year and it was honestly such a beautiful place.
Disney Villains Land
Where: Magic Kingdom | Opening: TBA
This has been teased for a while, but now Disney released the first proper art for this villains land. It was described as a place where visitors to the dark and thorny land should be prepared for whatever chaos might come their way.
The land will feature shops and dining, as you might expect but it will also feature two attractions, the concept art released below shows what could be a roller coaster and as most of the rides shown off during the event, a boat ride is the likely other addition. But as there is no timeframe for its reveal, we likely have to wait a while for details.
Ok, so all of the above fall into a themed group, what about those that don’t, well here is the remaining items.
Disney Cruise Line
Where: Everywhere | Opening: TBA
Disney have announced one new ship already this year, in partnership with OLC, but it seems that they were no where near done, as they announced four new ships. The ships that are sailing already are the Magic, Wonder, Fantasy, Dream and Wish and in December 2024, the Treasure will set sail. In 2025 both the Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny will set sail and while we have no confirmation on the base port for the Destiny, we know the Adventure will sail from Singapore.
The announcement of four more ships means the fleet will be 9 ships big once the OLC ship is included, so these four bring the total up to 13. Now there is no word on names, designs or home ports, but given one ship will be based in Singapore, one in Tokyo and the rest in the USA, odds are the remaining ships might call other countries home. These ships will arrive between 2027 and 2031, meaning one a year, which is the current pace Disney have for the Wish, Dream, Destiny and Treasure ships that were announced a few D23s back.
Test Track 3.0
Where: Epcot | Opening: 2025
Ok, so its not officially called Test Track 3.0, but given the ride went down in late 2007 to become the ride that just closed, this marks the 3rd time the ride has seen a new theme applied, including the original. While Epcot just finished some massive work, Test Track was the only mention of the park. The ride has only been closed for a few month, as of the time of posting, it was confirmed during the show that the ride will reopen in 2025, likely later part of the year, but that is not confirmed. What was confirmed were new details about the updated ride, the below is direct from Disney.
The queue will feature six distinct exhibits, and within each room celebrate the vehicles – and people behind the vehicles – that push the envelope and help get people to our next chapter in our motion journey. New show scenes will be added showcasing technological advances and how our lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone. Enjoy a joy ride through scenes focusing on onboard technology, customisation and personalisation. Followed by a trip through a scenic outdoor route reminding us all of the joys of driving, taking in the world around us and spending quality time with friends and family.
New Lounge Inspired by Spaceship Earth
Where: Epcot | Opening: 2025
I said right above that Epcot only got a mention once and that was because this time it was sung, as the lounge was revealed in song. Taking inspiration from the geometric sphere, the zen space for families to gather and enjoy refreshments will be draped with rich textures and warm metallic tones, giving it a mysterious and elegant intimacy.
There is no location confirmed, but based on the concept art below, it looks like it will be placed in the location above the new Walt statue, above the exit to Spaceship Earth, which based on its theme, seems like a good choice. The lounge is due to open in 2025.
Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern
Where: Magic Kingdom | Opening: 2025
I am calling this Tavern of the Caribbean for now, but while this was not new, we did get a new piece of art for the lounge, which is coming to Magic Kingdom in 2025. That is really all we know, the location has still yet to be confirmed, but given the Tortuga Tavern has recently had most of its registers removed, odds are it will go in there.
Walt Disney – A Magical Life
Where: Disneyland | Opening: 2025
For the first time ever, audiences will be able to hear direct from Walt Disney, or at least the animatronic of him, as the new show Walt Disney – A Magical Life, will take place inside the Main St Opera House. There is no word on if the show will feature historical recordings of Walt, as he makes a speech or two, or if they will use a soundalike, that is what Walt did for Abraham Lincoln.
Speaking of, Walt Disney – A Magical Life will have the run of the building, after that run, Great Moments with Mr Lincoln will return and the pair will alternate. Based on the art below, it looks like the pair might be on a turntable that will just spin around between shows, swapping them out for the other.
Reach for the Stars
Where: Tokyo Disneyland | Opening: September 20
We have known since the start of the year that a new nighttime show was coming to Tokyo Disneyland and and it would begin on September 20, the news today was that we got new art. This is what the show has been described as:
This nighttime entertainment at Cinderella Castle utilises projection mapping technology, combined with lighting, pyrotechnics, and special effects, bringing many of our beloved characters to life as they soar through the night sky in pursuit of their dreams.
This show will also mark the debut for Marvel characters at the Tokyo Disney Resort.
Disneyland PAris Nighttime Spectacular
Where: Disneyland Paris | Opening: January 2025
As the new year kicks off, Disneyland Paris will kick off a new nighttime spectacular, which will include projections, drones, fireworks and all of this will take place on and around the castle. For the first time ever at Disneyland Paris, the show will also be extended down Main St as well. There is no name for the show yet, but we do have this nice art.
Disney Adventure World Nighttime Spectacular
Where: Disney Adventure World | Opening: 2026
When Walt Disney Studios Park completes its transformation to Disney Adventure World, it will come with a new lake called Adventure Bay, which guests will reach by walking down Adventure Way. That will be so confusing, but the whole point of the lake is to host a new nighttime spectacular. There is no details on its name or contents, but the art below does show Moana in the water.
Disney Starlight
Where: Magic Kingdom | Opening: Summer 2025 (USA Summer)
For the first time in forever, Disney have finally opted to make a new parade for the Magic Kingdom. Not counting the cavalcades, which were created due to Covid, the last time Disneyworld launched a new parade at Magic Kingdom was back in 2014 and some of those floats were brought over from Tokyo. But that was a daytime parade, the nighttime parade that Magic Kingdom had ended back in 2010 and it was Spectromagic, which debuted in 1991, it was replaced by the Main Street Electrical Parade, which itself debuted back in 1977, so a new parade is big news and a big new nighttime parade is even bigger.
The show will be lead by the Blue Fairy, who is using her magic to bring beloved characters from a host of Disney animation movies to life, like Peter Pan, Frozen and Encanto. The parade was promised to offer up a new soundtrack, but as long as the prehistoric nighttime parades are finally returned to storage for good, I will be happy.
And that is it. Everything that was shown off during the D23 Disney Experiences Showcase, well minus the Fortnite stuff, but given that was just skins who cares. The whole Disney X Epic thing was a lot of faff, where they said it would allow them to do things, but nothing that showed what it was actually going to do.
Still, there is a lot to look forward too over the next 5+ years and with some of the content coming next year, fans of Disney parks should be happy.
