Disneyland is finally getting a Tomorrowland rehaul, Hollywood Studios’ Monstropolis is opening in 2027, and Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land is named…Villains Land? I just returned from Disney’s D23 Ultimate Fan Event in Anaheim, California, and as someone who’s been covering Disney parks for years, there’s a lot of new information to dissect. This guide offers a quick list of every announcement, category-by-category deep dives, and – most importantly – what all of it means for how you should plan your next trip. 

Everything Disney Announced at D23 2026 (Quick Summary)

Walt Disney World

• Spaceship Earth (EPCOT) — Refurbishment will reimagine the ride to reflect the present and the future
• Carousel of Progress (Magic Kingdom) — Reopens spring 2027 with new scenes and voice additions
• Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom) — The Yeti animatronic is being restored and will move again
• Encanto attraction (Animal Kingdom) — Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto travels through the casita; no height requirement
• El Carrusel de los Animalitos (Animal Kingdom) – New Tropical Americas carousel ride
• Indiana Jones attraction (Animal Kingdom) — Name and plot announced for Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent
• Piston Peak National Park rides (Magic Kingdom) — Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along and Cars Ridge Run Rally
• Monstropolis (Hollywood Studios) — Partial opening set for 2027, building continues for doors coaster
• Villain’s Land (Magic Kingdom) — New villains-themed land officially named
• Villain’s Land rides (Magic Kingdom) — A Maleficent-themed roller coaster and The Mirror Realm Dark Ride
• Figment attraction (EPCOT) — Refurbishment will reunite Figment and Dreamfinder
• “Welcome to Monstropolis” (Hollywood Studios) — New stage show debuting at Glob Theater in Monstropolis
• New Restaurants in Monstropolis (Hollywood Studios) — Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza (new quick-service restaurant) and Harryhausen’s Restaurant (new table-service restaurant)
• Scareporium (Hollywood Studios) — New merchandise shop in Monstropolis

Disneyland Resort

• Tomorrowland (Disneyland park) — Complete overhaul announced
• Avengers Campus expansion — Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab open in 2028
• Coco attraction (Disney California Adventure) — New ride with no height requirement
• “Remember… Dreams Come True” (Disneyland Park) — Refreshed nighttime spectacular returns in February 2027
• World of Color (Disney California Adventure) — Updated nighttime spectacular begins in February 2027
• Magic Happens parade (Disneyland Park)— Returns in summer 2027

Disney Cruise Line

• Disney Believe — Features Tinker Bell on the bow, Buzz and Woody on the stern, and Moana in the Grand Hall
• New ship class — Debuts in 2029, will be smaller in size than the Wish-Class ships
• West Coast fleet — Set to double in size

International Parks

• Hong Kong Disneyland — Avengers Research Testing Labs currently under construction
• Shanghai Disney Resort — New Spider-Man-themed land and thrill attraction under construction
• Disneyland Paris — New details revealed on Disney Adventure World’s Lion King attraction and Hyperspace Mountain will be reimagined to Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune
• Tokyo Disneyland — Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue (based on Wreck-It Ralph) opens spring 2027 and Space Mountain: Earthrise is on the horizon as part of the reimagined Tomorrowland

Walt Disney World D23 2026 Announcements

Walt Disney World’s 2026 lineup featured a combination of new announcements and updates on announcements from 2024’s D23 Parks and Experiences Showcase. As a Walt Disney World expert, I’m breaking down every announcement – as well as my thoughts on them!

Dreamfinder and Figment Return to EPCOT

Disney announced during the final minutes of the Parks and Experiences showcase that the beloved Figment would be reunited with Dreamfinder. No timeline was given. However, this confirms that EPCOT’s Journey Into Imagination With Figment isn’t leaving anytime soon. Instead, it will get an update with Dreamfinder, who was introduced in the original Figment attraction at EPCOT in 1983. With Dreamfinder and Figment together again, all it takes is one little spark of imagination for a good time!

Our take: Journey Into Imagination With Figment is in major need of an update, and fans have been asking for the return of traces of the “old EPCOT” for years. This means Disney is listening. The timeline is non-existent, but it’s got people excited for what’s to come.

EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth to Receive Reimagining

The iconic “EPCOT ball” is getting its first update in 20 years. Continuing to keep Spaceship Earth true to its educational roots is important to Disney. So what’s next for the attraction? Disney states, “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, bringing the attraction into the internet age and beyond.”

Our take: Spaceship Earth went through a brief structural refurbishment in 2025, though the storyline remains. Again, Disney is listening. The current Spaceship Earth is nostalgically classic EPCOT; however, it’s not hitting with the younger crowds. If Disney pulls this off correctly, it will draw guests of all ages into the reimagined attraction.

New Details Emerge on Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios

Hello, humans! This is not a 2319 – we WILL have Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios opening in 2027! The Monsters, Inc.-themed land will partially open next year with a brand-new show, new restaurants, new shopping locations, and more. We won’t be riding the e-ticket door-hanging coaster attraction during the land’s opening, however. There’s no timeline on the coaster’s opening, but here’s what we do know so far.

Welcome to Monstropolis

A new song, written and composed by Disney Legend Randy Newman, titled Welcome to Monstropolis, will be heard throughout the land once it opens. Not only that, a new show at the Glob Theater will be named Welcome to Monstropolis (in place of the former Muppet*Vision 3D). Mike and Sulley will host the show and introduce humans to the monster world, showcasing how much monsters and humans really have in common. 

Chris Beatty, Vice President, Walt Disney Imagineering, states, “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. Hopefully not literally. What could go wrong?”

Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza

Fear Tech’s stolen mascot, Archie the Scare Pig, is serving up the monsters’ favorite pizza slices for humans to enjoy. Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza will be a quick-service restaurant, replacing PizzaRizzo from the old Muppet’s Courtyard. 

Harryhausen’s Restaurant

A new table-service restaurant is heading to Monstropolis, too. Harryhausen doesn’t just have his name on the restaurant – he’s treating guests to a show as he’s brought to life in a new audio-animatronic figure. Guests will step into where Mike and Celia had their first date, equipped with a menu featuring Harryhausen’s famous sushi and other monster creations.

Monster’s University Alumni Club & Scareporium

Lastly, guests will be able to fit right into the Monsters University Alumni Club, learning the who’s who of its fraternities, sororities, and scare clubs. Plus, to remember your time in Monstropolis, be sure to stop by the Scareporium to bring a little taste of the monster world home in human-form souvenirs. 

Our take: Monstropolis has the potential to be as immersive as its adjacent lands, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. It’s unfortunate the coaster won’t be ready at the land’s opening, but we’re following the trend here of “Disney is listening”.

Opening the land, even without the ride, will alleviate some of Hollywood Studios’ high wait time issues. Maybe it’s because it’s the only concrete timeline we received all D23, or my love for the Monsters, Inc franchise, but I’m most excited about this update! 

Magic Kingdom’s Carousel of Progress Updates

Disney announced that Mom and Dad would receive new voiceovers when the Carousel of Progress reopens in late spring 2027. Jamie Lee Curtis will be taking on the role as Mom, while Bryan Cranston takes over as Dad. The attraction’s last major update was in 1994, so this addition is much needed. The updated Carousel of Progress will feature an animatronic of Walt Disney himself, as well as a new act structure. Act I – the 1960s, Act II – the 1980s, Act III – The New Millennium, and Act IV – The Possible Future. 

Two Piston Peak National Park Attractions Coming to Magic Kingdom

Piston Peak National Park will feature two brand new attractions, and D23 dropped all the details! There is no timeline for the opening of Piston Peak just yet, but construction has begun on the Frontierland takeover.

First up is Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along. Inspired by Cars 3, Disney announced that the ride will feature Miss Fritter as a “huge school-bus-sized animatronic”. She will host a stampeding bash at her wildest demolition derby yet.

Secondly, and arguably most anticipated, is Cars Ridge Run Rally. The experience is described as a quest to find “the wildest racer in the wheelderness” as they compete for the “fastest lap in the west.” This attraction will take racers through the beauty of America’s national parks, frosty summits, and geyser fields before crossing the finish line where Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater will be waiting. 

Cars Ridge Run Rally’s ride vehicles will be the first of their kind, true “off-roading” vehicles that really allow guests to feel every bump, terrain, and drop. Additionally, the attraction will be designed to operate in the rain, something many of Disney World’s outdoor attractions cannot do.

Our thoughts: Piston Peak National Park is an exciting, yet controversial land expansion at Magic Kingdom. After seeing the scaled model at the D23 Imagineering Pavilion, if this is executed properly, Piston Peak will absolutely meld into the Frontierland aesthetic, something that many Disney fans are concerned about. Again, the lack of timeline or even a rough timeline is frustrating. But the attractions will bring a new spin on Magic Kingdom’s storytelling…whenever that may be.

New Details About Villains Land at Magic Kingdom

Disney confirmed that the official name of the highly anticipated villains’ land will be Villains Land. But what exactly is Villains Land?

Villains Land Storytelling & Atmosphere

Villains Land will bring dark and devious magic to the park, while staying true to Magic Kingdom’s incomparable storytelling. Guests will find familiar Walt Disney Studios Animation villains throughout the land; however, a brand-new storyline will unfold. Upon entering through the dark forest, you’ll come across a Wishing Well, though it won’t be in its familiar good and pure energy. Disney announced that the size and scale will be comparable to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, resulting in plenty of space to explore and maybe a few dark surprises. 

Villains Land Attractions

Guests will come face to face with the iconic Mistress of Evil, Maleficent, with her own themed roller coaster! The coaster will race through the enchanted briar that surrounds Maleficent’s evil mountainous fortress, but will you get out in time? Disney teased that the coaster will feature elements never used on other Disney roller coasters. We’re hoping it’s on the level of Universal’s Jurassic World VelociCoaster.

The second Villains Land attraction will come in the form of a no-height-requirement dark ride hosted by the Magic Mirror, taking guests through the Mirror Realm. Once guests meet the Magic Mirror in the Evil Queen’s catacombs, the eternal realm will bring a plethora of Disney Villains together in one place.

Bottom line: Here’s the thing – I understand the simplicity of naming the land “Villains Land” and staying true to Magic Kingdom’s “lands”: Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland. However, they teased and teased a name reveal, just to be Villains Land! Is Disney just trolling us?!

Snark aside, I’m excited about Villains Land, but I have a feeling this is at least 5 years out. Compared to Monstropolis, which is smaller in scale, 2024 D23 announced the attraction, while this year announced the shops, dining experiences, and atmosphere. If we only got attraction information this time around, I’d venture to guess we won’t be seeing any more Villains Land updates till at least 2028.

Yeti Audio-Animatronic Coming Back to Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom

The Disco Yeti will soon be no more, and the old (yet, new?) yeti will soon be revived! When Expedition Everest originally opened at Animal Kingdom, a 25-foot yeti animatronic was designed to lunge at guests as they plummet down the hill. Unfortunately, the yeti began causing severe structural damage and was soon replaced by the “B-mode,” a.k.a. a stationary yeti with strobe-light effects that Disney fans quickly nicknamed the Disco Yeti. 

Our take: Fans have long complained that the yeti isn’t working, undermining the ride’s integrity compared to its original state. So, we’re happy to see that Disney is going to finally address it…at some point. Again, there’s no timeline on this update, but the fact that they announced the refurb shows guests’ surveys matter.

Animal Kingdom’s Tropical Americas Updates

New Updates for Indiana Jones Ride

Harrison Ford announced he is the model for the Indiana Jones animatronic, the first time you’ll see his face anywhere on a Disney attraction. 

The official ride title will be Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent. The attraction’s storyline has guests entering the temple and embarking on a quest that combines the thrill of Indiana Jones with the culture of Animal Kingdom. A once-water-filled underground cave leads directly to the Maya Underworld, and is protected by a serpentine creature: the Tsukán. Riders will be  sucked through a portal to the Underworld, where they’ll have to escape dangers like bats, scorpions, fire , and snakes. 

Step Inside the Casita with Encanto’s New Attraction

Guests will celebrate Antonio’s new gift of communicating with animals throughout Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto. The voice actors who starred in Disney Animation’s Encanto will once again bring their voices to life for this one-of-a-kind attraction. 

The attraction will have no height requirement and will use vehicles similar to those in Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT. Guests will travel through the casita into Antonio’s room, which transforms into a rainforest featuring over 50 species. 

El Carrusel de los Animalitos

The carousel mentioned at D23 2024 officially has a name: El Carrusel de los Animalitos. As another attraction for all ages, the carousel will feature 22 hand-carved animal figures from beloved Disney and Pixar stories as seats. 

Our take: Disney, please open this ASAP. Tropical Americas is set to open in 2027, though details are vague about what would actually be opening in the land, especially since the dining and shopping additions they mentioned in 2024 were not included.

The gigantic snake animatronic, essentially replacing the large dinosaur animatronic, is enough for me (with an irrational fear of snakes) to probably never ride Indiana Jones; however, Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto has me marking my calendar for 2027. Animal Kingdom is in desperate need of all types of attractions, so Tropical Americas can’t come soon enough.

Disney Cruise Line D23 2026 Announcements

Disney Cruise Line announced that the final Wish-Class ship, Disney Believe, will feature Moana in the Grand Hall, Tinker Bell on the bow, and Buzz and Woody drawing in yellow crayon on the stern. 

Additionally, an entire new class of ships will debut in 2029. The unnamed ship class is set to be larger than the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, but smaller than the Wish-Class ships. Its concept art features a Disney Cruise Line first: floor-to-ceiling glass windows, seeming part of the mid-ship atrium.

The cruise line also announced they’ll be doubling the fleet size on the West Coast, leaving me to believe this new ship class will eventually replace Disney Magic and Disney Wonder for summer Alaska sailings in the future. Or, perhaps we’ll see a Wish-Class ship finally sail from California.

We’re eager to learn more updates about Disney Believe, including the featured shows, dining, and bar lineup. If anyone is listening, a Frozen ice bar or a Dr. Facilier’s potions bar would be great additions!

Disneyland Parks D23 2026 Announcements

Disneyland’s Tomorrowland Reimagination

Disneyland’s Avatar section has been put on hold for a new endeavor. Disneyland’s Tomorrowland is being completely reimagined after guests have been begging for significant updates to the land for years.

Tomorrowland’s transformation will honor Walt’s original legacy while reimagining the future. Disney states, “The plans for Tomorrowland will restore the spirit of optimism, innovation and possibility that inspired Walt Disney to create “a vista into a world of wondrous ideas…” in 1955 and have defined this land for decades.” No beginning or completion date was announced, which frustrated many guests.

The Avengers Campus Expansion

The Avengers Campus expansion at Disney’s California Adventure is set to be completed in 2028 with two new attractions. Avengers Infinity Defense will feature Ms. Marvel and other Avengers favorites battling Thanos as guests travel through Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City. Stark Flight Lab, however, will have guests flying through the sky in a gyro-kinetic pod, training to fly like an Avenger in Ironman’s flight simulator. 

Disney’s California Adventure First-Ever Coco Ride

Disney’s California Adventure news also announced the first-ever Coco ride, a no-height-requirement attraction that allows guests to travel to the Land of the Dead, set one year after the end of the original Coco film. This family-friendly attraction will give nods to both the original and upcoming films. 

Nighttime Spectacular Updates

Lastly, Disneyland announced that both Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure’s entertainment options will be receiving upgrades! Remember… Dreams Come True nighttime spectacular will be lighting up Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in February 2027, while California Adventure’s World of Color will return to its original form, though with some updated takes, also in 2027. In summer 2027, the Magic Happens daytime parade will return to Disneyland as well, led by Mickey Mouse and his pals. 

What Disney Didn’t Announce

Disney World announced plenty of new things happening around the parks and cruise line for years to come. But what was rumored that wasn’t announced? Well, a few things. Some were far-fetched rumors, while others many Disney fans were sure would be announced last weekend. A few of those rumors included:

• A new country addition into EPCOT’s World Showcase – A Brazil pavilion has been rumored for years 
• Disney World’s Space Mountain track and ride vehicle refurbishment – Long overdue for an overhaul, but Disneyland’s is coming first 
• An Animal Kingdom nighttime drone show and extended hours – Many fans thought this was a lock; I’d peg this as the most shocking non-announcement 
• A retheme and opening of the Horizons Pavilion at EPCOT – Fans have been begging for this building that was once a crucial part of EPCOT to stop being an afterthought, but there’s no indication it’s coming back soon 
• Star Tours closure or retheme at Hollywood Studios – Monstropolis is taking up too much time, money, and effort to focus on another Star Wars redo
• The Disneyland Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge rules being brought to Disney World – This may be more policy over construction; however, fans would love to see Luke Skywalker walking around in Orlando

Maybe we’ll get these announcements at future D23s, or maybe these rumors were fueled only by guest desires. Either way, there’s plenty to look forward to in years to come.

What These Announcements Mean for Your Next Disney World Trip

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World within the next year, not much will change regarding your planning. Since Monstropolis and Tropical Americas are both set to open in 2027, one could argue their implications on ticket prices, park crowds, and resort demand. However, we don’t have definitive dates yet, making it nearly impossible to plan your vacation around them. 

If either Monstropolis or Tropical Americas is important to you, plan your next trip for the end of 2027, which will give you a better chance that the lands will actually be open by then.

As for Villains Land and Piston Peak National Park openings, unfortunately, we have zero information on when these will happen. If I had to guess, I’d throw 2029 out for Piston Peak and possibly even further out for Villains Land, though I’d love to be wrong. The Spaceship Earth and Figment ride closures are also TBD.

Overall, while these D23 2026 events weren’t as extravagant as those in 2024, I’d like to lean into a positive mindset. An entirely new upper management team just took over months ago, and it’s clear that Josh D’Amaro is listening to guest feedback. These updates included things guests have been complaining about for years, and while some of them may not be your cup of tea (I’m looking at you Figment), it’s a huge win and a step in the right direction for Disney Parks fans. Who knows, maybe your most anticipated update will be next! 

Comments

Which of the D23 2026 announcements are you most excited for? What was your most anticipated rumor that didn’t happen? Let’s talk everything D23 in the comments!