Goodbye, wishful thinking.

Disney has made significant announcements about new lands and park attractions during the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event held in Anaheim, California.

“Globally, we will bring fresh stories to life in exciting new ways for our fans,” stated Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, in an interview with YSL News.

In previous D23 events, Disney merely hinted at a Villains-themed area and potential developments beyond Big Thunder Mountain. Now, the details are clear. Here are some of the major updates shared during Saturday’s Disney Experiences Showcase.

New Attractions Coming to Disney World

▶ Magic Kingdom

A new area dedicated to Disney Villains will feature two major rides, alongside shopping and dining options.

A portion of Frontierland is set to be transformed with a Cars theme. While different from Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, it will remain part of Frontierland and will include two attractions, one designed particularly for younger guests. Construction is slated to start in 2025.

A brand new nighttime parade, inspired by the cherished Main Street Electrical Parade, named Disney Starlight, will debut in the Summer of 2025.

Additionally, a Pirates-themed tavern will be launched at Magic Kingdom in 2025.

▶ Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The first-ever Monsters, Inc. themed land will be introduced at Hollywood Studios, with construction starting in 2025.

“Monsters remains a cherished story by Pixar. Our audience adores it, and we saw the perfect opportunity to bring this narrative to life in a completely new way, expanding the story from the movies into real life,” D’Amaro remarked.

While other Disney parks have Monsters, Inc. rides, this is the first full land dedicated to it.

“We’re going to create a land and a ride that our Imagineers and fans have been eager to see for ages—the door coaster,” he added.

Visitors will pass through Laugh Factory doors in the first suspended coaster of any Disney park.

“We will utilize the latest technology and immerse visitors in an extraordinary environment, crafting a thrilling experience that I believe our fans will absolutely enjoy,” D’Amaro stated.

▶ Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The new land themed after Tropical Americas, which was announced earlier, will be launched in 2027, taking the place of DinoLand U.S.A. Construction will unfold in phases starting this fall, allowing guests one last chance to experience the Dinosaur ride before it closes.

This new area will include a unique Indiana Jones attraction that D’Amaro has indicated will offer something different from attractions at other Disney parks.

Additionally, this land will feature Disney’s first Encanto-themed attraction and a new carousel showcasing characters from various Disney stories.

A new Zootopia Better Together show is expected to premiere in Winter 2025 at the Tree of Life.

Life Theater is currently showcasing “It’s Tough to be a Bug!”

When asked by YSL News how Disney determines whether to expand existing attractions or reimagine them, D’Amaro explained: “We have a vast array of space and countless stories yet to share, and we regularly assess our offerings to identify where we can enhance capacity or reimagine spaces for an improved experience.”

“Regarding Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we identified a chance to transform an existing area by integrating more engaging intellectual properties and enriching experiences to elevate visitors’ enjoyment,” he continued. “The decision-making hinges on the specific park and available spaces, ultimately aiming to benefit our fans.”

▶ EPCOT

The revamped Test Track is slated to open in 2025.

A new lounge themed around Spaceship Earth will also debut in 2025.

Upcoming Attractions at Disneyland

▶ Disneyland Park 

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to launch at Disneyland on November 15.

For the park’s 70th anniversary next year, Disney will unveil its first-ever audio-animatronic of Walt Disney himself.

“This project holds great significance for me as a cast member,” remarked D’Amaro. “Having been with the company for 26 years, I began at Disneyland. This was the original park created by Walt, and his legacy continues here.”

“We are at a remarkable point, 70 years after Disneyland’s inception, where technology now aligns with our vision to convey Walt’s narrative and allow new Disney enthusiasts to feel the presence of Walt in a shared space,” he added.

Walt Disney was a trailblazer in audio-animatronic technology. His animatronic will feature in a performance titled “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” which will later be rotated with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”

“I believe this will be a truly special moment—not just for me but for all Disney fans who seek a deeper emotional connection with the brand,” D’Amaro expressed.

▶ Disney California Adventure 

Avengers Campus will introduce two new attractions, effectively doubling its current size. Construction is set to commence in 2025.

The new multiverse attraction will be named Avengers Infinity Defense, while an additional fourth attraction, Stark Flight Lab, will allow visitors to explore Stark’s technology.

The first-ever Coco ride at any Disney park will begin construction at Disney California Adventure in 2026.

Additionally, Disney California Adventure will debut a new Avatar-themed area. This will explore another location within Pandora, distinct from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, inspired by upcoming films related to Avatar.

Updates for International Disney Parks

A new Lion King-themed attraction is on its way to Disneyland Paris.

In January, the resort will launch a new nighttime spectacular featuring Disney and Pixar characters.

The World of Frozen is expected to debut in 2026, part of a significant transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Adventure World.

Shanghai Disneyland will also add a new Spider-Man thrill ride.

A Spider-Man attraction is set to debut at Hong Kong Disneyland’s Stark Expo.

Tokyo Disney Resort, which recently opened the new Fantasy Springs area, will introduce a new nighttime show titled “Reach for the Stars” on September 20, located at Tokyo Disneyland.

“As we expand internationally, we will incorporate elements we’ve seen perform well abroad back into our domestic parks,” D’Amaro stated.