Disney Parks D23 Experiences Showcase 2026 News Roundup
D23 Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase (Credit: Disney)
Disney has announced the latest updates to its parks worldwide. The 2026 D23 Disney Experiences Showcase was held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, as part of the D23 The Ultimate Fan Event on Saturday, August 15, 2026. For the first time ever, the event streamed live on Disney+.
Disney+
The Imagineering Story Season 2
As the very first announcement of the event, Director Leslie Iwerks announced that the second season is currently filming and debuted the new trailer. The initial episodes for season 2 will hit on Disney+ in early 2028. Read more on the Disney Parks Blog.
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland
Returning Nighttime Spectacular and Parade
Remember… Dreams Come True (Credit: Disney)
Magic Happens parade (Credit: Disney)
The Remember… Dreams Come True nighttime spectacular will be refreshed and return in February 2027. The show will feature new projections at Rivers of America, the facade of “it’s a small world,” and down Main Street, U.S.A.
The Magic Happens parade will return in summer 2027. The parade will be led by Mickey Mouse and his pals. The parade, first announced at D23 2019, will highlight stories from Disney Animation, including Cinderella and The Sword in the Stone, as well as from Pixar Animation Studios, including Coco.
Tomorrowland Update
Tomorrowland update concept art (Credit: Disney)
Not many details were revealed, but it was announced that Tomorrowland will be transformed at Disneyland.
The transformation of Tomorrowland will honor the legacy of the original land while reimagining its future. Disneyland Resort will strive to preserve what guests cherish most, while also introducing new experiences and possibilities for the next generation of fans.
Disney California Adventure
Original World of Color Show Returns
An updated take on the original World of Color show will debut in February 2027.
This version of the show takes you on an imaginative journey into the colorful worlds of Walt Disney Animation Studios like The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, as well as Pixar Animation Studios stories Finding Nemo and Toy Story. Helping to tie it all together is a musical score that includes a special arrangement of the 1960s television theme for Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, originally composed by Richard B. and Robert M. Sherman.
Avengers Rides Opening in 2028
Pre-mission briefing at Avengers Infinity Defense concept art (Credit: Disney)
New storyline details were announced for Avengers Infinity Defense. The attraction was first announced at D23 Expo 2019.
When the new attraction officially debuts at California Adventure, you’ll be welcomed to Avengers Infinity Defense as new recruits, where your journey begins with a pre-mission briefing from Ms. Marvel, played by Iman Vellani…. Here, you’ll get your key mission: reassemble the Avengers to battle King Thanos, preventing the mad titan from wreaking havoc everywhere… Once on board, you will be surrounded by massive physical sets blending seamlessly with huge media scenes, putting you into the middle of the action as you feel like you’re hurtling across many worlds… You’ll travel to iconic locations like Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City, next to heroes you’ve come to know and love, while (spoiler alert!) coming face to face with King Thanos himself.
Concept art was shown for Stark Flight Lab, which features Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, and Brie Larson as Captain Marvel. Riders will board a two-person “gyro-kinetic pod” and roll along a track before stopping in front of a giant robot arm.
Coco Ride
New details were announced for the Coco boat ride coming to Disney California Adventure.
The attraction storyline will pick up a year after the events of the original film. The queue, which will begin in Pixar Pier next to Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, welcomes you to a “casa museo” dedicated to the music of Miguel’s great-great grandfather, Héctor Rivera.
From there, you’ll join Miguel and travel by boat through his memories of the Land of the Dead. It will truly be a beautiful, moving experience full of fun and surprises, leaning heavily into the music and emotion of the cherished Pixar film while inviting you to live Miguel’s journey alongside your own friends and family.
The Coco ride will have no height requirement. The ride was first announced at D23 The Ultimate Fan Event in August 2024.
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The Yeti Will Be Fixed
Yeti concept art with Expedition Everest (Credit: Disney)
The animatronic Yeti, featured in the Expedition Everest attraction, will be fixed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. During the event, American singer Gloria Gaynor performed the disco hit “I Will Survive” in honor of the B-mode animatronic Yeti, dubbed “Disco Yeti.”
Encanto Ride Details
Encanto Ride Concept Art (Credit: Disney)
The Encanto ride in Tropical Americas will be called Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto and will have no minimum rider height requirement. New concept art was shown, and details were shared about the attraction’s storyline and theming.
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.
The Encanto attraction was first announced at D23 The Ultimate Fan Event in August 2024.
Tropical Americas Carousel Details
The new carousel in Tropical Americas will be called El Carrusel de los Animalitos and will feature 22 hand-carved animals based on Disney and Pixar characters.
The carousel was first announced at D23 The Ultimate Fan Event in August 2024.
Indiana Jones Ride Details
Indiana Jones concept art, first shown in 2024 (Credit: Disney)
THe Tsukán, a serepentine creature (Credit: Disney)
The Indiana Jones attraction will be named Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, and Harrison Ford’s likeness was used as a model for a new animatronic on the ride.
You’ll rendezvous with Dr. Jones, who is in the midst of exploring this mysterious temple near a once water-filled underground cave, called a cenote. Local legend says the passageway leads directly to the Maya Underworld and is protected by a serpentine creature: the Tsukán… the adventure takes off when riders are unwittingly sucked through a portal to the Underworld, where they’ll have to escape perilous dangers, like monstrous bats, larger-than-life scorpions, fire and flame, and of course, snakes.
The Indiana Jones ride was first announced at D23 The Ultimate Fan Event in August 2024.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Monstropolis
Many new details, along with concept art, were revealed for Monstropolis. It was also announced that part of the new land will open in 2027.
The new show in the Glob Theater will be called “Welcome to Monstropolis.”
“Welcome to Monstropolis” is also a new song written by Disney Legend Randy Newman, and the first song he has ever composed for a Disney theme park.
Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza will be a quick-service pizza restaurant, themed to Archie, Fear Tech’s beloved six-legged mascot.
Next to Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza will be the Monsters University Alumni Club, which will feature references to the university’s clubs, fraternities, sororities, and famous graduates.
The Scareporium will be a shop for the “human tourists.”
Harryhausen’s Restaurant will be a sushi restaurant featuring a new Audio-Animatronics figure of the famous octopus sushi chef.
The Monsters, Inc.-themed land was first announced at D23: The Ultimate Fan Event in August 2024.
EPCOT
Dreamfinder and Figment will Return
Neil Patrick Harris as Dreamfinder (Credit: Disney)
An update to the Imagination! Pavilion was announced with the Dreamfinder returning with Figment. No other details were announced.
“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 center of everything we do.”
Spaceship Earth to be Re-Imagined
Spaceship Earth teaser artwork (Credit: Disney)
Not many details were announced, but the new version of Spaceship Earth will focus on “human connection” rather than communication. The announcement said there would be new magic in every scene, suggesting that the current scenes would be enhanced and not replaced entirely. The attraction will remain a journey through time.
A sweeping overhaul of Spaceship Earth was announced at D23 2019, but was shelved.
Magic Kingdom
New Carousel of Progress Details
Concept art for the 1980s scene of Carousel of Progress (Credit: Disney)
New concept art for the 1980s scene was shown for the Carousel of Progress’ 1980s scene. Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston were announced as the voices of the mother and father in the attraction. The new attraction is planned to debut in late spring 2027.
The updated Carousel of Progress was first announced in May 2026.
Ride Details for Cars Land
New concept art and ride details were announced for the upcoming Cars-themed area, Piston Peak National Park.
The previously announced racing attraction will be called Cars Ridge Run Rally.
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.
The second attraction will be a spinning flat ride called Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along. The ride will feature Miss Fritter as a “huge school-bus-sized animatronic” who hosts a stampeding bash at her “wildest demolition derby yet.”
Cars Land was first announced at D23 The Ultimate Fan Event in August 2024.
Villains Land Attractions and Details
New concept and ride details were announced for Villains Land, which was also confirmed to be the new land’s official name. The new land will be a similar size and scale to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The Maleficent coaster will be an “exhilarating coaster experience.”
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.
The second attraction will be the Mirror Realm dark ride.
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.
Villains Land was first announced at D23 The Ultimate Fan Event in August 2024.
Disneyland Paris Resort
Disneyland Park
Space Mountain to Return to Original Concept
Hyperspace Mountain will close forever, and the attraction will return to its original concept.
De la Terre à la Lune will be inspired by the beloved Jules Verne story that originally shaped the attraction
Disney Adventure World
New Details for the Lion King Flume Ride
New concept art was shown for the Lion King flume ride, along with new details about its storyline. The attraction will feature a 120-foot-high Pride Rock and memorable scenes from the film, including Simba’s final confrontation with Scar. The flume ride will feature a 52-foot drop.
The new ride is a full retelling of Simba’s journey from cub to king, detailing the happy times… and the not-so-happy times that stood in the way of the future king of Pride Rock.
The Lion King attraction was first announced at D23 The Ultimate Fan Event in August 2024.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Avengers Pavilion and Tower Details
The new Avengers Pavilion at Hong Kong Disneyland is under construction and will be themed around the Avengers Research Testing Labs.
The Avengers Tower will be 120 feet tall and will feature scenes from Wakanda, Asgard, and more. Nearby, a brand-new Quinjet landing platform will feature a cast of Marvel heroes.
Shanghai Disneyland
New Details for Spider-Man Land
Spider-Man coaster concept art (Credit: Disney)
The first-of-its-kind Spider-Man land will be home to the new Shanghai division of the Worldwide Engineering Brigade (W.E.B.). The land will feature 20 murals by local artists.
The Spider-Man roller coaster track was announced as complete.
Tokyo Disneyland
Space Mountain
Space Mountain: Earthrise Logo (Credit: Disney)
Space Mountain: Earth Rise’s logo was revealed, and new drone footage was shown. The brand-new Space Mountain was first announced at D23 Expo 2022.
The new experience is designed to celebrate the beauty of our planet while inspiring guests to look toward the future.
Wreck-it-Ralph Attraction
Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue Logo (Credit: Disney)
Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue will be the new Wreck-It Ralph-themed attraction.
Guests will join Ralph and Vanellope inside the game of Sugar Rush, where they’ll help transform rogue sugar bugs back to their original forms while trying to stay one step ahead of King Candy. Along the way, look out for sweet surprises and familiar faces from the film.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Believe Details
The Disney Believe is scheduled to set sail in late 2027. It was revealed that Woody and Buzz will be featured on the stern, Tinker Bell on the bow, and a bronze statue of Moana in the Grand Hall.
New Class of Ships
As announced at D23: The Ultimate Fan Event in August 2024, the Disney Cruise Line is expanding to 13 ships. It was revealed that the next fleet of ships will be a size between the newer ships and the classic ships. Concept art for the new class of ships was shown, but no other details were revealed.
