Lots of Disney World Updates Announced at D23

It was a pretty exciting night last night for Disney World at the D23 convention. A surprising amount of updates for Disney World were announced, which included new attractions in three out of the four theme parks.

Magic Kingdom

Villains Land

This is something that a lot of people have been looking forward to happening. At the D23 convention it was announced that this new land will be in Magic Kingdom and will be home to two attractions, dining, and shopping. Preparation for this land has already started, so while there is no hint when it will be completed, it’s good to know it’s been started.

Cars Attractions

Cars fans will be excited to know that two attractions themed to the movies will be coming to Frontierland in Magic Kingdom.

• The first attraction will take guests on a fun and thrilling rally race through the mountains. It sounds like it’s going to be a fast and winding ride, with the ride vehicles dodging geysers and splashing through mud holes. So those who like thrilling rides, this one is for you.

• The second ride will be geared towards younger guests, so not quite as fast. Not a lot of details were shared about this one, but it was stated that it will be fun for the whole family.

Work on this new area in Frontierland will start in early 2025.

Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern

This idea was first announced last year and then not much was said about it, so it’s nice to see that this was revisited at the convention. This new food and drink spot will be themed to the classic ride. The concept art looks like it’s going to be a fun place to stop in for a bit and take a break from the park.

The Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern will start welcoming guests sometime in 2025.

Disney Starlight Parade Coming Next Summer

This announcement is one that made me so happy. Magic Kingdom hasn’t had a nighttime parade for a really long time, so this is pretty exciting. This new parade will use the latest technology to bring guests new stories about Disney characters. The Blue Fairy will use her magic to bring these stories to everyone watching the parade. Characters from popular movies like “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen,” and more.

This new parade will debut in summer 2025.

EPCOT

Spaceship Earth Lounge

There wasn’t a lot announced for EPCOT, but that’s ok because we just finally got rid of those construction walls. What was announced for EPCOT is a new lounge themed after Spaceship Earth. The design of this lounge will take inspiration from the stories and shapes of the classic ride.

Test Track Update

Disney also shared that the reimagined Test Track will reopen in 2025. The updates to this ride include six exhibits in the queue which will celebrate both the vehicles and the people the vehicles. New scenes for this ride will focus on technological advances and how mobility connects everyone. And don’t worry, the outdoor part of the ride will remain part of the ride, according to the announcement.

Hollywood Studios

Monsters Inc. Area

This area is going to be so much fun, because it includes something people of been talking about since the first movie came out. So the part in the first movie where Mike and Sully were hanging on the door looking for Boo’s door and they were racing down all these different tracks, that becoming a roller coaster is something that has been talked about for a while. Well, Disney has decided to finally take that part of the movie and make a real roller coaster in this area. It’s going to be the first suspended coaster in any Disney park and I’m sure it’s going to have the same popularity that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has had. Can’t wait for this one!

The Monsters Inc. area looks like it’s going to be fun to visit too. From the towering Monster’s Inc. building to what looks like a kids play area to the left to Mike’s car on display, this is going to be a fun place to explore.

New Adventure for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

At both Disney World and Disneyland, Smugglers Run will be getting a new adventure which will feature Mando and Grogu. The new addition to Smugglers Run will begin in 2026.

Animal Kingdom

Disney has given us more information on Tropical Americas, which will take over what is currently DinoLand U.S.A.

Indiana Jones

Disney World is finally getting an Indiana Jones ride! Guests have been able to see Indiana Jones at the stunt show in Hollywood Studios, but it’s nice to be getting a ride themed to the popular movies. This adventure sees Indy finding a Maya temple, which of course he wants to explore, and so we get to go along on the adventure.

Encanto

This is exciting, because Disney World is getting the first-ever Encanto themed ride. This new attraction will feature the Madrigal family and brings guests inside the Casita at the point where Antonio has just received his gift. The ride will take guests along as Antonio explores his room that has been transformed into a rainforest, so expect to see members of the family and some cute animals as you explore.

In addition there will be an area called Pueblo Esperanza, which will have the largest quick service restaurant at Disney World, a large fountain, and a giant working carousel featuring animals from Disney stories.

Work on this area is set to begin this fall and is expected to be completed in 2027.

Zootopia Better Zoogether

This is the show that will be replacing It’s Tough to be a Bug! at the Tree of Life Theater. The new show will follow Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and others from Zootopia as they visit different biomes seen in the movie. Zootopia Better Zoogether will open next winter.

Phew! That was a lot of announcements for Disney World and I love it. It’s going to be a bit before all of these are open for guests to see, but there’s certainly a lot to look forward too. Which announcement are you most excited to see completed?

Thanks for reading!

Liz

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