D23 2026: What’s Coming to Disney World and Disneyland

There’s a lot to look forward to on future Disney vacations!

D23 2026 brought a packed lineup of announcements for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. Some gave us a closer look at lands and attractions already under construction, while others came as a complete surprise.

And, if you’re already thinking about a Disney vacation in 2027 or beyond, there are some big additions to keep on your radar. From an entirely new land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to major changes coming to Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, let’s take a look at what’s ahead.

Our team was on-site at D23 to follow along with the announcements firsthand, and we’re breaking down the biggest updates to keep on your radar for a future Disney vacation.

What’s Coming to Disney World

Walt Disney World had a lot of news to share at D23. New lands are taking shape across several theme parks, while some longtime attractions are also getting updates.

Here are some of the biggest changes you may see on an upcoming Disney World vacation.

Tropical Americas Is Taking Shape at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

DinoLand U.S.A. is making way for an entirely new area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom called Tropical Americas. The 11-acre land will transport guests to the fictional village of Pueblo Esperanza with experiences inspired by Indiana Jones, Encanto, and more.

We already knew the land was coming, but D23 gave us a deeper look at the upcoming rides.

Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent

The land’s new Indiana Jones attraction will take over the former DINOSAUR location, but this will be an entirely new adventure created specifically for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

• Ride story: Indiana Jones discovers an ancient Maya temple, leading guests on an adventure into the Maya Underworld.
• Tsukán: Along the way, riders will encounter a massive serpentine creature known as the Tsukán that protects the temple.
• Indiana Jones: Harrison Ford’s likeness will be used for the attraction’s Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronics figure.

Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto

The first-ever Encanto ride-through attraction will invite guests inside the magical Casita to celebrate Antonio’s gift day.

• Ride experience: Guests will travel through Casita and eventually enter Antonio’s rainforest room, where his ability to communicate with animals comes to life.
• Animals: More than 50 animals will be represented throughout the experience.
• Family-friendly: The attraction will have no height requirement, making it an experience the entire family can enjoy together.

El Carrusel de los Animalitos

Tropical Americas will also feature another family-friendly ride, a new carousel called El Carrusel de los Animalitos, with 22 hand-carved animals inspired by Disney and Pixar stories.

Opening Timeline: 2027

Parts of Monstropolis Will Open in 2027

The world of Monsters, Inc. is also coming to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The new Monstropolis area is currently under construction, transforming a portion of the park into the city where Mike, Sulley, and the rest of the monsters live. The story picks up after monsters discover that laughter is more powerful than screams, and humans are being invited into Monstropolis for the very first time.

• H.U.M.A.N. Day: Guests will visit during a celebration called “Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice,” designed to welcome humans into the monster world.
• New locations: Monstropolis will include familiar and new locations like Harryhausen’s Restaurant, the Monsters University Alumni Club, Scareporium, and Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza.
• New entertainment: “Welcome to Monstropolis” will debut at the Glob Theater with an original song written by Randy Newman.
• Monsters, Inc. coaster: A new suspended coaster will eventually take riders through the famous door vault. Disney previously revealed that it will feature the first vertical lift on a Disney coaster.

There is one important distinction for your vacation planning: portions of Monstropolis are scheduled to begin opening in 2027, but Disney has not announced an opening date for the door coaster.

Opening Timeline: Portions of Monstropolis open in 2027. The Monsters, Inc coaster will open at a later date.

Piston Peak Is Bringing Cars to Magic Kingdom

Over at Magic Kingdom, Cars is making its way into Frontierland with Piston Peak National Park.

The new area takes inspiration from the landscapes and architecture of America’s national parks, reimagined for the world of Lightning McQueen and friends. D23 gave us a closer look at the two attractions coming to the area.

• Cars Ridge Run Rally: A high-speed race through the wilderness featuring mountains, geysers, water features, and a new ride system designed to react to the terrain.
• Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along: A more family-friendly attraction featuring a school-bus-sized Miss Fritter Audio-Animatronics figure.

Opening Timeline: No announcement yet

New Villains Land Will Feature a Coaster and Dark Ride

Something wicked is also coming to Magic Kingdom.

Villains Land will be an entirely new area dedicated to Disney Villains. The land is planned for an area beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and will feature two major attractions, along with dining and shopping.

D23 gave us our first real look at the attractions and overall feel of the land.

• Maleficent coaster: A major coaster will take guests through enchanted briars surrounding Maleficent’s mountaintop fortress.
• Magic Mirror dark ride: A second attraction will take guests beneath the Evil Queen’s palace and into a supernatural realm created by the Magic Mirror.
• Land story: Villains Land centers around a Wishing Well corrupted by an evil wish, spreading dark magic throughout the surrounding forest.

Opening Timeline: No announcement yet

Classic Disney World Attractions Are Getting Updates

D23 wasn’t all about building something new. Disney also announced changes for several attractions that have been welcoming guests for decades.

If you haven’t been to Disney World in a few years, some of these classics may look a little different on your next visit.

Carousel of Progress Is Moving Into the Present (And Future)

Located in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress follows one family through different eras to show how technology has changed everyday life.

The attraction has been updated several times throughout its history, and now the Carousel family is moving forward again.

• New eras: The four acts will take place in 1969, 1985, 1999, and a possible future.
• New voices: Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston will voice Sarah and John.
• Walt Disney: A previously announced Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure will appear at the beginning of the experience.

Opening Timeline: Late Spring 2027

Spaceship Earth Will Have New Scenes and More

Spaceship Earth takes guests on a slow-moving journey through human history, exploring the development of communication and technology over thousands of years. Now, for the first time in nearly 20 years, Disney is preparing to give the attraction a major update.

• New story: The attraction will expand its focus to explore human connection and the role it has played in moving society forward.
• New eras: The journey will extend into the Internet age, present day, and beyond.
• Classic EPCOT: Disney says the reimagined attraction will remain “classically EPCOT.”

Opening Timeline: No announcement yet

Dreamfinder and Figment Are Reuniting

Another EPCOT favorite is getting an update, and longtime fans have been waiting a very long time for this one.

Journey Into Imagination With Figment is an attraction in EPCOT’s Imagination pavilion starring Figment, the mischievous purple dragon who has become one of the park’s most recognizable characters.

Figment originally appeared alongside Dreamfinder, a whimsical character who helped create him using the power of imagination. Dreamfinder disappeared from the attraction during an earlier reimagining, but D23 confirmed the pair will finally be reunited.

• Dreamfinder: Dreamfinder will officially return alongside Figment.
• New experience: Disney says the pair will be part of a new journey into imagination.

Opening Timeline: No announcement yet

The Expedition Everest Yeti Will Move Again

When **Expedition Everest **originally opened, its massive Yeti Audio-Animatronics figure moved and reached toward passing riders. Technical issues eventually caused the figure to remain stationary, and it has operated that way for years.

Now, Disney is preparing to bring the Yeti back to life.

• Yeti restoration: Disney confirmed plans to restore movement to the massive Audio-Animatronics figure.
• Additional details: Disney has not announced exactly what movements will return or when the restoration will be complete.

Opening Timeline: No announcement yet

What’s Coming to Disneyland Resort

Walt Disney World may have taken up plenty of our D23 notes, but Disneyland Resort wasn’t left out of the fun.

California has several major projects on the horizon, including a big change for one of Disneyland Park’s original lands.

Tomorrowland Is Being Reimagined

Disneyland Park’s Tomorrowland is preparing for a major transformation.

The futuristic land is home to attractions including Space Mountain and Star Tours, but Disney’s D23 announcement focused on the future of the land as a whole rather than changes to any specific existing attraction.

• New vision: Disney plans to honor Tomorrowland’s history while creating a new version of the land.
• New attractions: Imagineers confirmed that new experiences are being developed, though none have been announced yet.
• Updated environment: Plans call for more open spaces throughout Tomorrowland.
• Overall theme: Innovation, optimism, and possibility will guide the reimagining.

Disney has not announced which current attractions will remain, change, or be replaced as part of the project.

Opening Timeline: No announcement yet

The First-Ever Coco Attraction Is Coming to Disney California Adventure

Disney California Adventure is getting the **first-ever Disney Parks attraction based on Pixar’s **Coco. The new experience is being built near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier.

• Ride type: The attraction will be a family-friendly boat ride with no height requirement.
• Story: Miguel will take guests through his memories of the Land of the Dead one year after the events of Coco.
• Design: Imagineers are drawing inspiration from classic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion, with Audio-Animatronics bringing the movie’s skeletal characters to life.

Opening Timeline: No announcement yet

Avengers Campus Will Soon Open Two Attractions

Avengers Campus is the Marvel-themed land at Disney California Adventure where guests can encounter superheroes and experiences inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The land is now expanding with two new attractions that will eventually double its size.

• Avengers Infinity Defense: A multiverse adventure where Avengers recruits travel through locations including Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City on a mission to stop King Thanos.
• Stark Flight Lab: Guests will board two-person pods that are picked up by robotic arms for an Avengers-inspired flight experience.

Opening Timeline: 2028

Fan-Favorite Disneyland Entertainment Returns in 2027

Disneyland Resort also has some returning favorites to look forward to in 2027.

“Remember… Dreams Come True”

The refreshed “Remember… Dreams Come True” nighttime spectacular will return to Disneyland Park with familiar music, attraction references, and projections. Music and projections will be presented nightly, with fireworks added on select evenings.

Opening Timeline: February 2027

The Original “World of Color”

Over at Disney California Adventure, an updated take on the original “World of Color” will return to Paradise Bay. The nighttime spectacular features scenes and music from Disney and Pixar stories including The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Toy Story.

Opening Timeline: February 2027

“Magic Happens”

The colorful “Magic Happens” daytime parade will also return to Disneyland Park, featuring Mickey Mouse and friends alongside characters, floats, costumes, and music inspired by Disney and Pixar stories.

Opening Timeline: Summer 2027

What Do These Updates Mean for Your Next Disney Vacation?

So, what does it all mean if you’re trying to decide when to plan your next Disney vacation?

Here’s how the current timeline is shaping up.

If You’re Planning for 2027

There are already several experiences scheduled to arrive in 2027:

• Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including the new Indiana Jones and Encanto attractions.
• Portions of Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• The updated Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom in late spring.
• “Remember… Dreams Come True” at Disneyland Park in February.
• The original “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure in February.
• “Magic Happens” at Disneyland Park in summer.

If You’re Planning for 2028

Disney California Adventure will have two major additions for Marvel fans:

• Avengers Infinity Defense at Avengers Campus.
• Stark Flight Lab at Avengers Campus.

Both attractions are scheduled to open in 2028.

Still Waiting on Opening Dates

Several of the biggest D23 announcements are still a little further on the horizon:

• Piston Peak at Magic Kingdom.
• Villains Land at Magic Kingdom.
• Spaceship Earth updates at EPCOT.
• Dreamfinder and Figment updates at EPCOT.
• Expedition Everest Yeti restoration at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
• Monsters, Inc. door coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• Tomorrowland reimagining at Disneyland Park.
• Coco attraction at Disney California Adventure.

There’s already plenty happening in 2027, and with even more projects waiting on official opening dates, the Disney Parks are going to look quite a bit different over the next several years.

If one of these new experiences has you dreaming about your next trip, start by exploring our Disney Deluxe Resorts and room options to find what fits your plans best. For the best chance of securing your preferred resort and travel dates, we recommend submitting your request during the 7- to 11-month booking window, as availability can fill up quickly.

Planning a trip sooner? Be sure to check our Confirmed Reservations. These are Disney Deluxe Resort stays that have already been booked for specific dates and are available to reserve, making them a great option for last-minute trips or travelers with flexible plans.

When you’re ready, submit a free quote, and one of our Reservation Specialists will reach out to help you find the right accommodations and plan your next magical getaway.