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Disney Destinations News from the D23 Expo

D23: The Ultimate Fan Event Logo

Friday, Aug. 9 through Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, fans of The Walt Disney Company flocked to the D23: The Ultimate Fan Event in beautiful Southern California to celebrate everything Disney – past, present and future!

During every D23, we find out additional details around yet-to-be-announced and highly-anticipated attractions and experiences coming to Disney Destinations! The Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase presentation at the 2024 D23 was no exception, providing us with many great details!

Below is a recap of the latest Disney Destinations news from D23.

“At Disney Experiences, Imagineers dream, create, design and build these stories into real places. 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’ve heard here tonight.” – Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences Chairman

Walt Disney World® Resort

  • [Magic Kingdom® Park – Summer 2025] – An all-new Nighttime Parade called “Disney Starlight” is coming to Magic Kingdom® Park in Summer of 2025. “Disney Starlight” will continue the nighttime spectacular legacy started by the “Main Street Electrical Parade” using the latest technology to tell new stories about the characters you love.
  • [Magic Kingdom® Park – 2025] – Opening in 2025 is a tavern themed to Pirates of the Caribbean.
  • [Magic Kingdom® Park – TBA] – A new area inspired by the Pixar Animation Studios film “Cars” will be coming to a reimagined section of Frontierland® at Magic Kingdom®. Two exciting new “Cars”-themed attractions will be included – one taking you on a thrilling rally race through the mountains and another geared towards smaller racers yet fun for the whole family. Construction will begin in early 2025.
  • [Magic Kingdom® Park – TBA] – A new Villains Land will be coming to Magic Kingdom® Park. The space will be home to two major attractions, dining, and shopping.
  • [EPCOT® – 2025] – A reimagined Test Track will open in 2025. The update will celebrate today’s innovation while highlighting the past, present, and future.
  • [EPCOT® – 2025] – A new lounge inspired by Spaceship Earth will open in 2025.
  • [Disney’s Hollywood Studios® – 2026] – A brand-new mission featuring Mando and Grogu is coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
  • [Disney’s Hollywood Studios® – TBA] – A brand-new land themed around Pixar Animation Studios’ “Monsters, Inc.” will be added to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. The land will include the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park. Work for the project is expected to begin in 2025.
  • [Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park  – TBA] – The previously announced “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” show that is coming to the Tree of Life Theater will open next winter.
  • [Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park  – 2027] – A new space themed around the Tropical Americas is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. This 11-acre section of the park will feature one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World® Resort and several new attractions including a giant working carousel featuring favorite animals from Disney stories. The land will also feature two signature attractions. The first is a new Indy experience that will be different from any other Indiana Jones experience around the world. The second will be the first-ever “Encanto”-themed ride-through attraction. Construction on the land is set to begin this fall and will open in 2027.

Disneyland® Resort

  • [Disneyland® Park  – 2024] – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open at Disneyland® Park and Critter Country will be renamed Bayou Country on November 15, 2024. The Hungry Bear Restaurant is also being reimagined into Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree.
  • [Disneyland® Park  – 2025] – For the first time ever, when it debuts in 2025, you’ll actually be able to see Walt Disney through the magic of Audio-Animatronics technology in “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.” It will play inside the Main Street Opera House in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”
  • [Disneyland® Park  – 2026] – A brand-new mission featuring Mando and Grogu is coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
  • [Disney California Adventure® Park – TBA] – A new Pandora destination is coming to Disney California Adventure. It will draw inspiration from “Avatar: The Way of Water” and upcoming Avatar films.
  • [Disney California Adventure® Park – TBA] – The size of Avengers Campus will double with two brand new attractions – Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. Construction on the expansion will begin in 2025.
  • [Disney California Adventure® Park – TBA] – An all-new attraction themed to Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco” is coming to Disney California Adventure® Park in the future. Work is scheduled to begin on the attraction in 2026.

Disney Cruise Line

  • [Disney Treasure – 2024] – The Disney Treasure — setting sail later this year — will feature the brand-new stage production, “Disney The Tale of Moana.” The show will include a giant 15-foot-tall Te Kā puppet on stage.
  • [Disney Destiny – 2025] – The signature production aboard the Disney Destiny — which starts sailing next year — will be “Disney Hercules.”
  • [2027 – 2031] – Four brand new Disney Cruise Line ships will be joining the fleet between 2027 and 2031. Five ships are currently in the fleet, with four others already in the works. These new, four additional ships will bring the fleet to a total of 13.

Artist Renderings

Actual construction may vary from Concept Art. All Concept Art © Disney © Disney/Lucasfilm © Disney/Pixar © MARVEL

By |2024-08-12T13:42:59-05:00August 11th, 2024|Categories: Disney Cruise Line News, Disney News, Disneyland News, Walt Disney World News|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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What’s New / What’s Next at Disney destinations

“Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” – Walt Disney

It’s been said that the only thing constant in life is change, and the same holds true for the entire portfolio of Disney destinations. From attractions and restaurants to shows, event and even new ships, there’s always something new for you and your family to experience. But it seems like the most daunting task is keeping track of everything!

Our What’s New / What’s Next list highlights everything upcoming for Disney Parks and Resorts! Whether your next vacation is next week or next year, be sure to follow along and keep up-to-date on the latest announcements!

Here’s a sneak peek at What’s New and What’s Next!

What's New


Walt Disney World® Resort

  • Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the newest land to debut at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Located inside of Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, this land transports you to a galaxy far, far away where you can live your own Star Wars adventures as you explore the planet of Batuu. In addition to some galactic food, beverage and merchandise options, you’ll find two brand new attractions: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Due to high requests to visit Batuu, be sure to ask your Magic Maker® how you can make the most of your time on the planet.
  • In Epcot®, a new nighttime spectacular titled “Epcot Forever” made it’s debut this fall over the skies above World Showcase Lagoon. This new limited-time show will run into 2020 in which time a new permanent show called “Harmonious” will launch.
  • A historic multi-year transformation is well underway inside Epcot®, and a new space called Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience serves as a preview center providing an in-depth look at what’s to come. Be sure to head over to the Odyssey Events Pavilion to check it out!
  • A new upscale dining experience is now available inside Epcot® World Showcase Japan Pavilion called Takumi-Tei.  Japanese-inspired dishes can be ordered off of an a la carte or multi-course tasting menus.
  • On Jan. 17, 2020, the classic Impressions de France film debuted an upgrade to 4K projection and was joined by the new “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along.” Also, “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” opened the Canada pavilion with new scenes, a new musical score by Canadian composer Andrew Lockington and new narration by award-winning actors Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy. Lastly, The Land pavilion’s new film, “Awesome Planet” debuted, showcasing the Earth’s beauty and diversity in a 10-minute film featuring spectacular imagery, in-theater effects and an original musical score from Academy Award-winning® composer Steven Price.
  • In early 2019, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park’s nighttime show was refreshed into “Rivers of Light: We Are One.” This update added new imagery from Disneynature films and animated classics.
  • In Disney Springs™, the new NBA Experience will bring anyone’s dreams of being a basketball superstar to life. Featuring 13 interactive elements and hands-on activities, this separately ticketed event is a slam dunk for any NBA fan.
  • Several new dining and merchandise locations have recently been added to the already impressive listing of options at Disney Springs™! Jaleo – A concept by world-renowned Chef José Andrés,  the Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, and Ron Jon Surf Shop are now all open.
  • In Summer of 2019, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort completed a reimagining of their existing rooms and debuted a new 15-story tower. The Gran Destino Tower offers 545 modern guest rooms plus a rooftop restaurant and lounge with breathtaking views.
  • Coined as the “most magical flight on Earth,” Disney Skyliner, is a new complimentary transportation system that connects Epcot® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios® to four Disney resort hotels – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort.
  • Disney’s Riviera Resort just opened on Dec. 16 as a Deluxe Villa resort that immerses you in the grandeur and enchantment of the early 20th-century European Riviera. Accommodations include deluxe studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, grand villas and a new, unique accommodation, Tower Studios.

Disneyland® Resort

  • Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened to the public at Disneyland® Park on May 31, transporting guests to the remote planet of Batuu. During this Phase I opening, you can become part of the story as you sample galactic food and beverages, explore an intriguing collection of merchant shops and take the controls of the most famous ship in the galaxy aboard Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Phase II, which opened on Jan. 17, 2020, brought the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction to guests.
  • In Summer of 2019, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind opened on Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure® Park , taking guests on a “sense-ational” spin!
  • Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures at Napa Rose is now open, offering families the opportunity to share special moments with some favorite Disney Princesses while enjoying an exquisite, three-course brunch at the award-winning Napa Rose restaurant.

Disney Cruise Line

  • In Fall of 2019, the Disney Wonder debuted several stem-to-stern enhancements for guests of all ages, including the French Quarter Lounge area,  sleek new updates for the Vibe teen area and a redesigned Cove Café for adults.
  • It’s been another award-winning year for Disney Cruise Line. Here’s an overview of some of the newest awards:
    • Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards – “Best for Families” in the ocean and river categories
    • U.S. News & World Report’s Best Cruise Lines – Best Cruise Lines for Families and Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean categories
    • Newsweek America’s best customer service – No. 1 company overall and cruise line operator category
    • Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards – No. 1 Top Large Cruise Line in the World
    • Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards – Disney Castaway Cay has been named the “Top Cruise Line Private Island;” “Top Cruise Line in the Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda;” and “Top Cruise Line in the Western Caribbean and Riviera Maya” – both in the Large Ship Cruise Line category
    • Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards – No. 1 Ocean Cruise Line among those carrying 2,200 passengers or more

Coming in 2020


Walt Disney World® Resort

  • City Works Eatery and Pour House is slated to open at Disney Springs™ in January of 2020. The sports bar and restaurant will serve up savory bites, shareables, burgers and more – to pair with 80 beers on tap from around the world, including local breweries. For sports fans, games will air on high-definition TVs, including a 165-inch screen.
  • It’s all aboard Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, opening Mar. 4 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, as the first ride-through attraction in any Disney park themed to Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
  • A reimagined theater space called Mickey Shorts Theater will open Mar. 2020 in Disney’s Hollywood Studios® showing short films in the style of the Disney Channel animated series, “Mickey Mouse.”
  • Opening this winter, Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue will open in the American pavilion as a new concept featuring classic Americana fare with barbecue paired with craft beers on tap.
  • Space 220 is a new restaurant at Epcot® opening this winter as a culinary experience featuring the celestial panorama of a space station, including daytime and nighttime views of Earth from 220 miles up.
  • “Drawn to Life,” a new show and collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering will open for previews Mar. 20 and officially debut Apr. 17 in Disney Springs™  as a replacement for the former La Nouba show.
  • In summer 2020, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will open in the France pavilion. On the ride, you will shrink to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant on a wild adventure.
  • A delicious new restaurant in the France pavilion, La Crêperie de Paris, is also slated to open in Summer 2020 offering both table- and quick-service options featuring a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse.
  • “HarmonioUS” will debut sometime in 2020 as the largest nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney park. It will celebrate how the music of Disney inspires people the world over, carrying them away harmoniously on a stream of familiar Disney tunes reinterpreted by a diverse group of artists from around the globe.
  • A new rodeo-themed Restaurant will open in 2020 inside Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.
  • Coming in 2020 to Disney Springs™ is Beatrix, Ample Hills Creamery, and M&M’S Orlando Store.

Disneyland® Resort

  • The all-new “Magic Happens” parade will debut at Disneyland® Park on Feb. 28. Celebrating awe-inspiring moments of magic that are at the heart of so many Disney stories, the “Magic Happens” daytime parade will feature an energetic musical score, stunning floats, beautiful costumes, and beloved Disney characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” and “Moana,” plus “Coco,” “Sleeping Beauty” and more, all led by Mickey Mouse and his pals.
  • In Spring of 2020, an all-new upscale spa experience called Tenaya Stone Spa will open at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
  • In Summer of 2020, Avengers Campus  will open at at Disney California Adventure® Park to recruit the next generation of Super Heroes. Avengers Campus will open with the first Disney ride-through attraction to feature Spider-Man and an eatery called Pym Test Kitchen. Face-to-face encounters will take place with legendary Super Heroes like Ant-Man and The Wasp, Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther and his elite guards, the Dora Milaje, Thor and Iron Man. During a Phase II opening of the area, The iconic Avengers Headquarters building will become the entrance to a new attraction.

Coming in 2021


Walt Disney World® Resort

  • A Star Wars vacation experience unlike anything Disney has ever created before will fully immerse guests in a galaxy far, far away in 2021. It’s far more than a “Star Wars hotel” like many have reported. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will offer a two-night itinerary where all guests arrive and depart at the same time, similar to Disney Cruise Line. Unlike any typical cruise, though, you’ll become the heroes of your own Star Wars stories in a new type of immersive experience. Throughout the journey, you will be invited to delve deeper into your personal adventures by participating in activities, interacting with characters, crew and other passengers they meet, and becoming part of the action and the broader Star Wars saga.
  • A thrilling TRON-themed attraction, based on the guest-favorite attraction TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland, is currently under construction inside Tomorrowland® at Magic Kingdom® Park. While an exact timeframe for opening has yet to be set, plans are for it to open in time for Walt Disney World® Resort’s 50th anniversary in 2021.
  • Also opening in time for Walt Disney World® Resort’s 50th anniversary in 2021, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will feature a new innovation from Walt Disney Imagineering – a storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus guests on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster.
  • At Epcot® the PLAY! pavilion will open in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World®. In this digital metropolis, guests will discover an interactive city bursting with games, activities and experiences that connect them with friends, family and beloved Disney characters – both real and virtual – like never before.

Coming in 2022


Disney Cruise Line

  • The Disney Wish, the fifth Disney Cruise Line ship in the fleet, is scheduled for delivery in late 2021 and is expected to set sail beginning in Jan. 2022. Stern characters – a beloved hallmark of Disney Cruise Line vessels – have been a tradition of the Disney fleet since the beginning and reflect the theme of each ship. For the Disney Wish, the ship’s stern will feature Rapunzel.
  • The still unnamed sixth Disney Cruise Line ship is scheduled for delivery in late 2022.
  • A second island destination located on the breathtaking island of  Eleuthera in The Bahamas is on the horizon for Disney Cruise Line. Construction of this new destination called Lighthouse Point will begin only after an Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan are reviewed and accepted by the Government of The Bahamas and public consultation has occurred. Construction could begin in 2020 with completion in late 2022 or 2023.

Coming in 2023


Disney Cruise Line

  • A still unnamed seventh Disney Cruise Line ship is scheduled for delivery in late 2023.

No Date Announced Yet


Walt Disney World® Resort

  • The United Kingdom pavilion at Epcot® will welcome the first attraction inspired by Mary Poppins
  • In the China pavilion inside Epcot®, “Wondrous China” will take guests on a spectacular journey across the country, filmed and presented in a completely seamless 360-degree digital format.
  • Join in the search for priceless treasure alongside Scrooge McDuck, Donald, nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie, Launchpad and Webby with Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure at Epcot®. This new iteration of the popular scavenger hunt experience will replace Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure.
  • Spaceship Earth will receive a reimagining that includes new narration and an entirely new musical score focusing on the moments and ideas that define the story of humanity
  • A new pavilion is being built to serve as the home base for the signature festivals that happen throughout the year at Epcot®.
  • A lush exploration trail coming to Epcot® called Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana” will invite you to meet and play with magical, living water.
  • A new nature-inspired Disney Deluxe Villa hotel  called Reflections, A Disney Lakeside Lodge, is under development on the picturesque shoreline of Bay Lake near Magic Kingdom® Park. Themed to complement its natural surroundings, the resort will include more than 900 rooms and villas spread across a variety of unique accommodation types.

By |2020-01-17T18:17:57-05:00December 27th, 2019|Categories: Disney Cruise Line News, Disney News, Disneyland News, Walt Disney World News|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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