Disney has revealed some exciting news and updates from D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event this weekend.
During the “Horizons: A Carousel of Progress” showcase, Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum and host Neil Patrick Harris gave D23 fans a look at what’s ahead for Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland Paris and more.
Disneyland Paris
A brand-new daytime parade coming to Disneyland Park in 2028
For the first time since 2017, Disneyland Park will unveil a stunning new daytime parade, unique to Disneyland Paris, which will become a new anchor of the daytime entertainment offering at the park.
Led by Mickey Mouse and his pals, this daily parade will honour the timeless Disney magic and the power of dreams with elegant, state-of-the-art new floats welcoming beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios films such as the Genie and Jasmine from Aladdin, Tiana from The Princess and the Frog and Rapunzel from Tangled, as well as friends like Miguel from Disney and Pixar’s Coco.
“Parades are part of the DNA of a Disney Park, and this one raises the bar. From the float designs and costumes to the music, every element has been carefully crafted with passion and a lot of heart. What excites me most is how creativity speaks across generations: timeless stories that both parents and kids will adore. We’re confident it will be a magical celebration that will captivate guests of all ages.“ said Dana Harrel, Vice President of Entertainment at Disneyland Paris.
Fun Fact: This brand-new daytime parade required more than 10,000 hours of research and technical development, and nearly 225 sketches of costumes, wigs and makeup to bring the stories to life.
Blast to the past for Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune: a fresh new take on an original Disneyland Paris classic
For the past ten years, guests blasted off into a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, on a secret mission for the Rebel Alliance.
And now, a whole new generation of guests will be able to discover the original theme of the attraction, as the upcoming refurbishment will “bring back the Moon” to the heart of this iconic attraction!
Walt Disney Imagineering Paris is currently hard at work on designing the refreshed attraction’s aesthetics, as Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain is preparing to close at the end of 2027 for a refurbishment over several months.
Beyond extensive technical work and some maintenance upgrades, the attraction’s indoor sets and props, the enhanced queue and new effects will bring back the beloved “mountain” to its original vision with a shift of the 1995 story.
Fans will rejoice to learn that the iconic score from composer Steve Bramson will come back fully remastered to accompany guests on their journey to the Moon!
Beginning in the redesigned queue, guests will once again be able to watch the trains in motion, drawing them deeper into the story. Along the way, beloved elements will return alongside new scenic details and enhancements. Combined with more than 30 years of technological advancements, including state-of-the-art exterior dome lighting installed in 2025, Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune will continue to be a fan-favourite.
“When Space Mountain first opened in 1995, it set a new standard as one of the most groundbreaking and immersive roller coasters across all Disney Parks. Today, as Imagineers, it is both an honour and an exciting challenge to reimagine this iconic attraction for a new generation.
“While staying true to the spirit and legacy of the original voyage, this new version will make use of all the innovations and cutting-edge technology introduced over the years in the attraction, to deliver an even more exciting experience for our guests,” said Keith Rector, Senior Manager, Creative Art Direction at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris.
Space Mountain – De la Terre à la Lune will mark a definitive milestone in a new phase of the ‘New Magic’ initiative recently launched at Disneyland Paris.
This ambitious program aims at improving the guest experience and refreshing its classic attractions to surprise and delight all generations of guests. Most recently, enhanced scenery has been added to the banks of Rivers of the Far West in Frontierland, based on Disney Legend and Imagineer Marc Davis’ original designs, with several other projects at different stages of development that will be unveiled in phases.
Driven by the Walt Disney Imagineering Paris team, whose remarkable passion fuels every concept, design, and build, these projects are just the beginning of many more exceptional moments ahead for Disneyland Paris.
The Lion King-themed attraction will be home to the first-ever Audio-Animatronics® figure of Scar, the emblematic villain
A brand-new Audio-Animatronics® figure of Scar will debut in the upcoming attraction inspired by The Lion King, currently under construction at Disney Adventure World.
In new concept art revealed during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disneyland Paris unveiled a new confrontation scene in the attraction, with the treacherous villain standing in Simba’s path to become king of the Pride Lands – a scenery directly inspired by the iconic climax of the 1994 Walt Disney Animation Studios classic.
This attraction will be the centrepiece of the first immersive world based on The Lion King. Construction began in Fall 2025, with foundation work completed next to the banks of Adventure Bay, near World of Frozen. Designed to transport guests into the heart of the African savanna, the area is already beginning to take shape, with its first building structures now rising from the ground.
At the heart of this immersive world, a spectacular new water-based attraction will invite families on a thrilling journey through iconic scenes from The Lion King.
Brought to life through state-of-the-art visual effects, Audio-Animatronics® figures – Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, Scar and more – and the film’s beloved soundtrack, this adventure will navigate an exciting path with three exhilarating drops including an impressive 16-metre-high descent from the iconic Pride Rock.
Fun Fact: The entire zone, once completed, will cover more than 30,000 square metres, including the attraction, a boutique, a dining location and, of course, unforgettable character appearances.
“The teams at Walt Disney Imagineering, Disneyland Paris and Disney Animation are hard at work bringing to life the beloved world of The Lion King, which has captivated audiences for more than three decades. We believe this epic story was also embraced thanks to its unforgettable villain, so we are excited to lift the curtain on Scar’s presence in this major attraction.
“Thanks to an extraordinary level of detail, our guests will experience the very heart of the film’s story, its emotion and thrills, in an entirely new way,” said Michel den Dulk, Vice President Portfolio Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering Paris.
Fun Fact: Creating an authentic African savanna in France comes with unique challenges for Imagineers: from pruning and sculpting European trees to recreate the iconic flat-topped silhouettes of acacias that cannot grow in the French climate, to embedding animal paw prints into the sunbaked savanna earth.
As vertical construction progresses, more details will be revealed on this exciting project. In the meantime, guests can look forward to Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings opening next year. The first-ever attraction at Disneyland Paris inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Up, this charming family experience will take flight on Adventure Way, just across from the recently opened Raiponce Tangled Spin.
Christophe Murphy, President of Disneyland Paris, said: “A new dawn of storytelling is upon us at Disneyland Paris.
“From a vibrant daytime parade and a classic comeback for Space Mountain in Disneyland Park to the continued development of a themed area inspired by The Lion King in Disney Adventure World, we are investing in the stories our guests love while continuing to evolve what a Disney visit can be.
“By listening to our fans and never standing still, I’m confident we are creating experiences that will delight people for years to come.”
Walt Disney World
Delightfully Bewitching New Details About Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
President and Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bruce Vaughn, revealed more details about the villains expansion coming to Magic Kingdom which is one of the most highly anticipated projects he has ever been a part of.
Starting with the name, it was confirmed that the new area will officially be called Villains Land. Knowing that many of the other areas in Magic Kingdom have “land” in the name (think Fantasyland or Tomorrowland), this section will feel right at home with the rest of the park.
Even though the vibe couldn’t be more different, with Villains Land bringing a devious and dark “magic” to the Magic Kingdom, it still manages to be cohesive with the storytelling of the broader park.
It was also revealed that while the fiends you’ll find here may feel familiar since Imagineers are referencing classic characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios as inspiration, the overarching story is a brand new, original take on those iconic villains.
The Magic Kingdom invites you into a fairytale and Villains Land is no exception… In many fairytales, the real journey begins when you stray from the safe path and instead turn towards the vast, foreboding forest. If you dare enter the forest of Villains Land, you may soon come across a Wishing Well that’s been torn asunder.
Under most circumstances, a Wishing Well would indicate pure and good energy at work, but something dark happened to this one. Once upon a time, someone made an evil wish here – a wish so evil it corrupted the stone and broke open the structure, spreading the Well’s poisoned magic throughout the forest.
At D23 2024, it was revealed Villains Land would have two major attractions, in addition to shops and restaurants and today more of the storytelling was shared behind each attraction.
The first is an exhilarating coaster experience, where you will come face-to-face with the Mistress of All Evil herself, Maleficent. You’ll race through enchanted briar surrounding her frightening mountaintop fortress – if you’re feeling brave enough to answer her invitation.
The Imagineering team teased that this coaster will include elements they’ve never attempted before on similar attractions, so it is set to be a truly groundbreaking project.
There’s a second headlining attraction of Villains Land: a dark ride, featuring a whole array of your favourite Disney Villains – hosted by the Magic Mirror. You’ll find the Magic Mirror where the Evil Queen keeps him in the catacombs beneath her pristine palace.
After making your way to him, he’ll magically transport you into his mystical Mirror Realm to see things on the other side of the mirror. There, in his ethereal realm, you’ll be transfixed by countless Disney Villains conjured in ways only the Magic Mirror can do.
A combination of special effects and physical set pieces will bring his Mirror Realm – and these iconic Villains – to life.
Two Piston Peak Rides Coming to Magic Kingdom
Disney officially announced new details about high-octane attractions and spectacular scenery coming to Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. Taking to the Horizons: A Carousel of Progress stage at D23 2026 to share the news were Michael Hundgen, Vice President Creative for Walt Disney World and Imagineer Jason Grandt.
Making its public debut, the second attraction coming to Piston Peak was announced: Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along. Inspired by the “Diva of Demolition” from Cars 3, Michael announced that the ride will feature Miss Fritter as a “huge school-bus-sized animatronic” who hosts a stampeding bash at her “wildest demolition derby yet.”
Further details were also revealed around Piston Peak’s previously announced racing attraction. Imagineer Jason Grandt introduced the crowd to Cars Ridge Run Rally and described the experience as a quest to find “the wildest racer in the wheelderness” as they compete for the “fastest lap in the west.”
The course will take racers through the rugged beauty of America’s national parks, including a climb up Piston Peak itself, where an icy, snow-covered mountaintop awaits. Jason shared that he’s especially excited to experience the frosty summit at night.
After reaching the top, racers will plummet down for a camelback descent and later navigate an exhilarating geyser field. The race ends by circling the Old Tankfull geyser before a sprint to the finish line where Lightning McQueen and Mater are covering the race live on Racing Sports Network.
Cars Ridge Run Rally will debut a completely new ride vehicle, designed not to simulate an off-road car, but to be one. Michael explained that the attraction design is unlike typical theme park systems, promising that guests will “feel every bump, drop, and rock because this vehicle’s tires and suspension are truly driving over and reacting to them.”
Progress is already “fully underway” and Michael described the visible updates as “Imagineering in the round,” for a racing experience unlike anything else in the world.
Indiana Jones Ride at Animal Kingdom – Harrison Ford Revealed as Animatronic Model
The attraction will live in the vibrant, lush new land of Tropical Americas, and includes revolutionary Audio-Animatronics figures, an original storyline, and one grand escapade that transports guests into the world of the ancient Maya alongside Indiana Jones, in a way that only Animal Kingdom could.
Everyone in the audience was delighted to receive a message from Indy himself, Disney Legend Harrison Ford, to kick things off. After expressing his gratitude to fans for being along for the ride on so many adventures with this beloved character, Ford briefly shared that he is the actual model for the next Indiana Jones animatronic.
He confirmed that this is the first time he will be the face you see on a Disney attraction anywhere in the world. Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent is the title of this next installment of Indy’s adventures at Disney parks.
The attraction takes riders on a journey alongside Indy, beneath an ancient temple ruin, showcasing Maya culture and its profound connection to nature – perfectly fitting for this park.
Additionally, families visiting Tropical Americas will find plenty to discover, including El Carrusel de los Animalitos, a brand-new carousel featuring 22 hand-carved animals inspired by Disney and Pixar stories – spot the likes of Scuttle, Squirt, Pua, Pascal, Simba, Eeyore, Kuzco, Heimlich, and more.
Young adventurers can continue the journey in a nearby play area inspired by the Maya, where young explorers can unearth artefacts and investigate the natural wonders of the rainforest through hands-on exploration and play.
New Details About the Encanto Ride at Animal Kingdom
The attraction’s official name will be Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto. As previously shared, guests will be invited to celebrate Antonio’s new gift, which is the ability to communicate with animals and the heartwarming message of this adventure is that we are all part of the familia of living things, regardless of our special gifts or abilities.
Voice actors from Disney Animation’s Encanto return to Casita to lend their voices, including Stephanie Beatriz, Jessica Darrow, and Diane Guerrero, playing the roles of Mirabel, Luisa, and Isabella, respectively.
There will be no height requirement for the attraction, so it’s a fun family-friendly item to add to your Animal Kingdom itinerary. When you enter the house, you’ll board a ride vehicle meant to represent the different pieces of furniture assembled by the power of Casita to carry you through the rooms.
They feel lively and dynamic, reacting like characters themselves to the scenes unfolding around you, which feels so perfectly representative of what we felt from the film. The space has been transformed into a verdant rainforest, overflowing with animal species of many shapes and sizes.
In total, there are more than 50 animals represented inside the attraction including a very cute capybara receiving a hair trim, along with a toucan and donkey.
Monstropolis at Walt Disney World
“Welcome to Monstropolis,” written by Disney Legend, Randy Newman, is the first song that Randy has composed for a Disney theme park, and you’ll hear it next year when Monstropolis opens to humans. That’s right, while work continues on the door coaster, parts of Monstropolis will open to guests in 2027.
Humans are invited to attend a new show at the Glob Theatre, titled “Welcome to Monstropolis,” just like Randy Newman’s new song. The monsters in the show will introduce humans to Monstropolis , and highlight how similar monsters and humans really are. Mike and Sulley will be the hosts.
Sulley has been working on a small, homespun show, but Mike – ever the showman – has a few surprises up his sleeve that he thinks will bring down the house.
People and monsters all love pizza, and Monstropolis’ top-rated pizza, Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, will be your go-to place to grab a slice. Humans may recognise Archie, Fear Tech’s beloved six-legged mascot, but after years of being “borrowed” by mischievous MU students, he’s become a fan favourite on both campuses. Next door, the Monsters University Alumni Club has also opened its doors to human visitors eating at Archie’s.
Harryhausen’s Restaurant is the dining location we have all been waiting for, the location of one of Mike and Celia’s most unforgettable dates. With a new menu to lay your eyes on (whether you have one, two, or ten), a visit to Harryhausen’s will spotlight the famed sushi chef, brought to life here as a new Audio-Animatronics figure.
Watch his many tentacles whip up delicious-looking Monster-worthy creations, but don’t worry, there’s more than just sushi on the menu. The menu will be unlike anything else on offer at Walt Disney World.
Yeti Audio-Animatronic Coming Back to Life Inside Expedition Everest
Nestled inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a majestic (and nearly 200-foot) Forbidden Mountain houses a legendary secret. From the moment you enter the queue, the lore of the yeti comes alive, as you peruse a trailside museum featuring evidence of campground attacks, sketches of sightings, and even a footprint mold of a giant yeti foot.
Once you’ve boarded an old tea train car and climbed the rocky peaks, you’ll notice a few more obvious signs of the mysterious guardian of the mountain during the high-speed ride, including a few torn train tracks. Inspired by the northwest face of Mount Everest and geological elements found in Tibet and Nepal, Expedition Everest is the perfect hideout for even the most discerning yeti.
A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow: The Ever-Changing Carousel of Progress
Two new voice additions will be joining the show, stepping into the iconic roles of mum and dad. Disney Legend Jamie Lee Curtis and Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston pick up the mantle as the attraction is updated for a new generation of fans. The new scenes, set in the 1980s, show us exactly where this iconic family is headed next. In its time at Magic Kingdom, the attraction has continued to evolve, through new scripts, voice actors, time periods, and even full scene updates.
The attraction even featured a new theme song, “The Best Time of Your Life,” which stood in for “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” for the attraction’s first two decades of operation in Florida. You can still hear the tune playing as background music throughout Tomorrowland today. The attraction’s last major update was back in 1994, which included an updated finale scene and the return of the original Sherman Brothers’ song.
Dreamfinder and Figment Return to EPCOT
“We are taking a new journey into imagination at EPCOT with Dreamfinder and Figment!” Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum told the cheering crowd. “I’m so happy to share this news tonight. We know how important this is to you.
“We’ve heard you, and this is one more way we’re putting you in the centre of everything we do.” There’s so much more to come about Dreamfinder and Figment’s journey back to EPCOT, but it’s not like either one of them has totally disappeared from our hearts.
A Grand and Miraculous Refurbishment: Spaceship Earth to Receive Reimagining
For the first time in nearly 20 years, Spaceship Earth is getting an update. It’s time to invent the future! At the showcase, it was revealed that a re-imagineered Spaceship Earth will be coming to EPCOT, bringing the attraction into the internet age and beyond.
What can you expect in the world of tomorrow? The ride currently tells the story of human communication, but the team is reimagining that focus on a broader theme that is still classically EPCOT – human connection. So, here’s to the next 30,000 years on Spaceship Earth. The present is just the beginning!
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Believe Updates: New Disney Cruise Ship Sailing in Late 2027
Setting sail in late 2027, the Disney Believe promises new one-of-a-kind venue concepts and entertainment experiences that will be shaped by some of Disney’s most beloved stories, including Disney Animation’s Encanto, Frozen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Moana and The Little Mermaid.
Like its sister ships – the Disney Wish, the Disney Treasure and the Disney Destiny – the Disney Believe’s Grand Hall will serve as a central gathering space for guests, themed to a beloved Disney story.
Onboard the Disney Believe, the Grand Hall will be infused with the optimistic spirit of exploration from Disney Animation’s Moana films. The whimsical details designed for the Disney Believe’s exterior hull were also unveiled.
Following a well-established Disney Cruise Line tradition, each new build, including the Disney Believe, features its own unique character artwork, adding nostalgic touches of Disney magic to every ship.
There will be larger-than-life sculptures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear hitching a ride on the Disney Believe’s stern. The dependable duo from Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story films will appear working together to etch the ship’s name across the back of the vessel with large yellow crayons.
In place of the classic looped calligraphy seen stamped across the Disney Cruise Line fleet, Woody and Buzz will opt for playful lettering that mimics the franchise’s famous block-style font.
D23 attendees and livestream viewers also learned that the Disney Believe’s bow will be decorated with a delicate, hand-painted filigree of Tinker Bell as she first appeared in the Walt Disney Animation Studios 1953 classic Peter Pan.” The fairy will be flanked by the silhouettes of Peter, Wendy, Captain Hook, and other characters from the film flying amid the swirling design.
Disney Cruise Line Shares First Look at New Class of Ships
The Disney Experiences Showcase, Horizons: A Carousel of Progress gave a sneak peek at the entirely new class of ships Disney Cruise Line will debut in 2029. Announced during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa back in 2024, Disney Cruise Line is expanding its fleet to 13 over the coming years.
The Disney Believe, setting sail in 2027, will be the fourth ship in the Wish class. After that, it’s time for a new story at sea with the launch of three new ships in a brand-new class. While details are still locked away in a treasure chest, three ships will introduce an entirely new class to the fleet and occupy a unique place in Disney Cruise Line’s growing lineup.
Positioned in size between Disney’s classic ships and its newer vessels, this class opens the door to exciting possibilities for future itineraries and experiences around the globe. These new ships are right in the middle of Disney Cruise Line’s classic ships and the newer ones, so there are amazing opportunities to visit new places and reach brand new audiences than ever before.
For those unfamiliar with the size and scale of a Disney Cruise Line ship, that translates to bigger than the Disney Wonder, but smaller than the Disney Wish!
