It’s been an exciting night full of theme park news at Destination D23! We have phenomenal news about future attractions and experiences coming to Disney Parks throughout the world
Avatar Coming to Disney California Adventure
As Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced during Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, we’re venturing further into Pandora with a new destination at Disney California Adventure. While Pandora—The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is based on Oscar-winner James Cameron’s “Avatar” film, this new destination draws inspiration from “Avatar: The Way of Water” and upcoming Avatar films to bring Pandora to life in a brand-new way.
First-Ever Coco Attraction Announced
An all-new attraction themed to Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco” is coming to Disney California Adventure in the future.
The attraction will be filled with the characters — and music! — you know and love from the beloved movie, as you join Miguel on a trip to the land of the dead. This marks the first-ever “Coco” ride in a Disney park!
Walt Disney Imagineering will draw inspiration for the attraction from beloved classics, like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. “We’re bringing our skeletal cast of characters to life in a big way through the latest Audio-Animatronicstechnology,” Josh told the crowd. “These figures will appear in ways you’ll have to see to believe.”
Get ready to celebrate everything you know and love about the movie, and music, with work beginning on the attraction in 2026!
Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic Coming to Disneyland
For the first time ever, when it debuts in 2025, you’ll actually be able to see Walt Disney through the magic of Audio-Animatronicstechnology in “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.”
Walt Disney Imagineering’s first Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney is being created for this very special experience. “I speak for our entire team when I say there is so much pride and excitement for everyone involved in this endeavor,” Josh told the crowd.
The past, present and future are coming together, giving visitors the chance to imagine what it would be like to stop by Walt’s office. Who knows what he might be dreaming up inside? Only time will tell with Walt.
“Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will debut inside the Main Street Opera House, and after its initial run, the attraction will play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.” A fitting acknowledgement of Walt’s significant advances with Audio-Animatronics about 60 years ago when he first introduced the groundbreaking technology.
New Mission Featuring Mando and Grogu Coming to Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run
When the upcoming “The Mandalorian and Grogu” movie blasts off in theaters in 2026, it will also touch down at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. A brand-new story featuring Mando and his youngling is coming to Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
New Lion King Ride Announced
An adventure like never before will soon roar to life at Disneyland Paris!
“The Lion King” — which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year — has long been a beloved Disney story. A new area of the park, Pride Lands, will be dedicated to the characters and stories from the film, including dining, shopping, and a chance to meet some favorite characters. Then, when you’re ready (you don’t have to wait to become a king for this one), head down to the caverns beneath Pride Rock. The new attraction will bring you alongside Simba’s journey from cub to king — it’s going to feel like you stepped right into the movie.
All-New Nighttime Parade Coming to Magic Kingdom in Summer 2025
In summer 2025, a brand-new parade will make its way to the Most Magical Place On Earth.
“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. All of this is brought to life by the magic of the Blue Fairy, in addition to beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios films “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen,” and more.
If you’re hoping for more new spectaculars around the world, you’re in luck! The new nighttime spectacular “Reach for the Stars” debuts at Tokyo Disneyland on September 20.
Coming in January 2025, Disneyland Paris will also unveil its own new nighttime spectacular with timeless songs from Disney and Pixar. This moving journey will be told through projections on Sleeping Beauty Castle and – for the first time – down Main Street.
Monsters, Inc. Land Announced for Hollywood Studios
A brand-new land themed around Disney and Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” will soon come to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort.
Josh D’Amaro, with a little help from Disney Legend Billy Crystal, took to the stage to reveal plans to build a living, breathing, and not-at-all-scary Monsters-inspired area where you’ll be able to stroll the streets alongside some of your favorite monsters.
Picking up after the events of Pixar Animation Studios’ beloved film, humans have now been invited to visit the world of Monsters, Inc. — and the monsters need laughter to power the city and keep it running smoothly. But it’s not a true visit without the factory itself. You’ll be able to see the sights, hear the laughs and zoom through the building just like James P. Sullivan (a.k.a. Sulley) and Mike Wazowski — via a door!
The coaster will put you right in the middle of the monster action. Just be sure to fill out your paperwork! Roz is always watching…
Work on the project is slated to begin next year, so get ready to ROAR with laughter!
New Cars Attractions Race Into Magic Kingdom
Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater are racing into Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort!
“The American West has always been about keeping your eyes on the horizon … believing in yourself, carving your own path, and striving toward success. That goes for miners in the mountains, bears from the country, a princess from the bayou … or a racecar from the big city,” Josh told the crowd.
Don’t get too comfortable in Radiator Springs because it’s time to leave the pit stop and head west into exciting new frontiers. On this adventure, guests will be able to experience not one but two exciting new “Cars”-themed attractions.
One attraction will invite you on a thrilling rally race through the mountains. Take on wild terrain as you race across the landscape climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers and — Mater’s favorite — splashing through mudholes.
But what about smaller racers? The second attraction will be geared towards them and will be fun for the whole family.
Get ready to start your engines! Work on this new space in Frontierland will begin in early 2025.
Indiana Jones and ‘Encanto’ Confirmed for Animal Kingdom
A new adventure awaits at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with the addition of a new space themed around Tropical Americas. Welcome to Pueblo Esperanza.
Construction work on this new 11-acre section of the park is set to begin later this year.
The space will be lush and sprawling, featuring a large fountain in the center where the villagers like to gather and tell stories. Additionally, a woodcarver has created a giant working carousel featuring his favorite animals from Disney stories. It’s a new take on a classic attraction that young families are going to love.
That’s not all that will be located here – the new land will include not one but two signature attractions!
A new Indy experience is set to arrive in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and will be different from any other Indiana Jones experience around the world.
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.
If you’re a fan of drawers, floors, and doors, let’s go! The first-ever “Encanto”-themed ride-through attraction is coming to Animal Kingdom, featuring the beloved Madrigal family from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film. Inside the Casita, Antonio has just received his special gift — the ability to communicate with animals — and his room has transformed into a rainforest. It’s time to go explore alongside him, and you never know what member of the family you might bump into…
Construction on the land is set to begin this fall and will open in 2027.
New Attractions for Marvel’s Avengers
Ready, recruits? The size of Avengers Campus at Disneyland will double with not one but two brand new attractions to suit up and fight alongside some of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Construction on this expansion will begin next year.
Get ready for a multi-world adventure experience with Avengers Infinity Defense. Technology that allows the Avengers to jump between worlds has gone missing, and King Thanos is using it to wreak havoc everywhere. Recruits will travel to iconic locations like Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City alongside the likes of big, and small, heroes. You also just might find yourself face-to-face with King Thanos, too.
If you’re up for another mission, Tony Stark has one for you. And you know Tony, he always wants to try something new and exciting, and it’s going to make you feel like a Super Hero yourself. With the just announced Stark Flight Lab, you’re going to sit in two-person pods and deploy to a test station. Then a robot arm grabs your pod and starts whirling you around in a simulated flight.
And, a familiar face will join you at the Stark Flight Lab — Mr. Stark himself. Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as Tony Stark for the attraction.
But wait, there’s more Marvel attractions planned for overseas!
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.
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!
Two New Lounge Spaces Announced for Disney World
Get ready for a new lounge inspired by Spaceship Earth.
For over 40 years, Spaceship Earth has welcomed visitors to EPCOT as a shining beacon of optimism and hope. This just-announced lounge is inspired by the stories, shapes, and enduring legacy of this timeless icon. 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.
We also got an update for the Tavern themed to Pirates of the Caribbean.
Set course for the Magic Kingdom! This rambunctious watering hole will offer a welcoming haven for all pirate-kind, big and small, and everyone in between. Here, bandits and buccaneers-to-be from every corner of the seven seas are welcome to join together and raise a toast to the pirate life! In the newly released artwork, X marks the spot for a sea-worthy selection of grogs and grub inside this tavern location coming to Magic Kingdom Park.
Both spaces will welcome their first guests in 2025.
Villains Cast a Spell Over Magic Kingdom with New Land
We saved the best for last!
Once upon a nightmare… A place where poison apples are aplenty and magic potions can ruin your whole day. For all those things hiding in the shadows, it’s time to join them as we lift the veil on a forthcoming Villains Land at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort.
The evil ambition of all these Villains means that the possibilities are endless for the stories that can be told — and visitors to the dark and thorny land should be prepared for whatever chaos might come their way.
The space will be home to two major attractions, dining, and shopping on an incredibly twisted grand scale. “Be prepared, you poor unfortunate souls,” Josh teased. “It’s going to be a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be.”
We have a lot to look forward to at the Disney Parks! Stay tuned as we continue sharing more D23 announcements and updates this weekend.
Photo and Concept Art Credit: Disney Parks