We spell out the major announcements Disney fans need to know from D23
Spaceship Earth update – Epcot, Walt Disney World
The story of Epcot’s landmark attraction has been updated several times since it debuted in 1982 but it has not been changed in nearly 20 years. Disney announced at D23 that the ride will be brought “back into the present day and beyond”.
Every scene will be reimagined and the ride will “celebrate progress made possible through human connection”.
We think this is great news as this classic attraction does look a little tired now.
Carousel of Progress – Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World
We heard the whole show will be updated with all new stories. It will start in the 1960s and take us up to present day and beyond with Jamie Lee Curtis as the voice of the mother and Bryan Cranston will be the father. It will debut late spring 2027.
Remember Dreams Come True returns – LA Disneyland
In February, the Remember Dreams Come True Nighttime Spectacular will return to LA Disneyland. It will include refreshed projections at the Rivers of America, over It’s a Small World and the all the way down Main Street USA.
There will also be updated work at the World of Colour in Disney Californian Adventure.
Space Mountain updates – Disneyland Paris and Tokyo
Disney announced that Hyper Space Mountain will close in Paris in 2027 and be replaced by Space Mountain De La Terre A La Lune.
The revamp, which translates as from the earth to the moon, will bring “the attraction back to its original look with an updated feel” and feature its original soundtrack.
In Tokyo Disneyland, we heard a little more about Space Mountain’s ongoing refurbishment. Space Mountain Earthrise – is the anchor attraction for the reimagined Tomorrowland and riders will board a rocketship that blasts into space in celebation of the earth.
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Indiana Jones – Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World
Harrison Ford himself announced that for the first time ever he is the model for the animatronic for the new Indiana Jones ride in Animal Kingdom.
The attraction which replaces Dinosaur will be called – Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent. It will blend the thrill and excitement of Mayan culture . The story takes place in the 1950s before Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull takes place. Indy will find himself slipping through a portal to the Mayan underworld and facing a battle with montrous bats and eventually a giant serpent.
New Encanto ride – Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World
We heard that the new Encanto ride in the Tropical Americas area of Animal Kingdom will be called Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto. Guests will be invited into the Casita on Antonio’s special gift day and travel through a host of new rooms.
The area will also feature a carousel with 22 new carved animals.
The yeti is back at Expedition Everest- Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World
Thomas Mazloum, chairman of Disney Experiences announced the yeti will be coming back to life at Expedition Everest. The huge yeti animatronic has not moved since early on in its life on the rollercoaster and was given a light show to give the illusion of movement – dubbed disco yeti – but at long last the moving yeti is to return.
Villains Land – Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World
We heard that the hugely anticipated villains takeover at Magic Kingdom will be called Villains Land and will be on a similar scale to Star Wars inspired Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios.
There will be a rollercoaster based on Sleeping Beauty villain Maleficent and another attraction featuring an array of villains based on the Evil Queen’s Magic Mirror.
This sounds like it will be one of the most signifcant changes to Magic Kingdom in quite sometime – so we are hugely excited for this.
New Avengers pavillion – Hong Kong Disneyland
A new Avengers Pavilion is coming to Hong Kong Disneyland – Avengers Research Testing Labs alongside Peter Parker and “some seriously powerful new technology”. It will also feature a new Quinjet landing platform.
Spiderman coaster – Shanghai Disneyland
The first land dedicated to Spiderman at a Disney park is coming to Shanghai. New concept art was released for the Spiderman rollercoaster and we heard that the final piece of track has been laid.
Avengers Infinity Defense – Avengers Campus LA Disneyland
It was revealed that Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab will open in 2028. They will feature some familiar faces from the film franchise including Brie Larson and Robert Downey Jr.
New class of ships – Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Believe, setting sail in 2027, will be the fourth ship in the Wish class. Then Disney will launch three new ships in a brand-new class – bringing its fleet up to 13. The new ships will bigger than the classic ships but smaller than the newer ones – so “bigger than the Disney Wonder, but smaller than the Disney Wish”.
First ever Coco ride – Disney California Adventure
We heard that Disney’s first ever Coco ride will be set a year after the original film. Riders will travel by boat through Miguel’s memories of the Land of the Dead.
Sugar Rush – Tokyo Disneyland
A Wreck-It Ralph attraction is coming to Tokyo Disneyland with Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue – guests will join Ralph and Vanellope inside the game of Sugar Rush.
Monstropolis – Hollywood Studios
When the new Monsters Inc land opens in 2027, it will feature a new theatre show with Mike and Sulley. You will also be able to see scenes from the film like Harryhausen’s, and “grab a slice at Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza”.
Figment’s Journey into Imagination update – Epcot, Walt Disney World
We think fans of Figment and Epcot have been hoping for this for a while but finally Disney announced that the legendary Epcot attraction will get an update.
It will also include Dreamfinder, who was originally at the attraction until 1998. So as much as we love Eric Idle – it will be good to see fresh faces on the ride – we’re sure he will look on the bright side of life!
