PHOTOS/VIDEOS: What We Learned from D23 about Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products
Josh D’Amaro left us speechless at the conclusion of his Boundless Future presentation. So much magic is coming to Disney all over the world. If you missed the panel, here’s a recap of what we learned from D23 about Disney parks, experiences, and products to come to Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort, and Disney Cruise Line.
In 2023, the Happily Ever After show will return to Magic Kingdom to delight guests with its beautiful fireworks, lasers, smoke, lights, projections, and more!
Photo: Jenn Scranton
What We Learned about Disneyland Updates
Mandalorian and Grogu Meet & Greets at Disneyland
Beginning in mid-November, guests will be able to encounter both Mando and the Child in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Hulk Meet & Greets at Disneyland
For a limited time, we learned The Incredible Hulk visiting the Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park. Kind of like a visiting professor in his quantum suit!
Avengers Campus Gets a 3rd Ride
This is the big one. A new attraction is coming to the Avengers Campus and guests will head into the Multiverse to battle a new villain: King Thanos. Alongside some of our favorite heroes from anywhere and every when (and some new ones TBA), we’ll fight to save our universe from the Thanos that won.
King Thanos and his white beard don’t stand a chance against us!
Pacific Warf Transformation to San Fransokyo
Big Hero Six is coming to Disney’s California Adventure. Soon, we’ll see Pacific Wharf reimagined into San Fransokyo where guests will be able to eat at fresh venues, shop at new shops, and meet the best personal healthcare companion: Baymax!
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway has been a hit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and now it’s coming to California Adventure! Guests will venture into a cartoon world where toon rules apply.
In early 2023, Mickey’s Toontown will step into a new era of inclusive experiences for families of all ages when it opens.
Pixar Place Hotel
Paradise Pier Hotel is transforming into a whole new experience for guests: Pixar Place Hotel. Guests will step into a Pixar art gallery showcasing new drawings and designs of their favorite Pixar characters.
With this retheming, the Downtown Disney District is also expanding. More than a dozen locations will open (or reopen), including a SoCo fav, Porto’s Bakery & Café.
runDisney Returns to Disneyland
runDisney races will return to the resort in 2024. Josh D’Amaro said he’d be running with guests, so if you’re in a race, be on the lookout for our favorite Parks Chair!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
In late 2024, Slash Mountain will be rethemed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is coming to Disneyland. Much of the original cast will reprise their roles for the attraction including Anika Noni Rose as Tiana, Bruno Campos as Naveen, Michael Leon Wooley as Louis, and Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie.
New Disneyland Entertainment
To kick off the Disney 100 Years of Wonder Celebration, we learned two new nighttime spectaculars: World of Color – One and Wondrous Journeys will light up the night.
World of Color – One in Disney’s California Adventure will focus on Walt Disney and the legacy of storytelling that started it all.
Over at Disneyland, Wondrous Journeys will take us on a journey of artistry, music, storytelling, and heart that will ignite wonder in everyone with nods to all 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios film to date.
During the day, guests will enjoy the Magic Happens parade returning in Spring 2023.
What We Learned about Walt Disney World Resort Updates
Over in Epcot, we can expect the World Celebration Neighborhood to be completed in late 2023. This neighborhood will be the center of festivals at Epcot like the International Flower and Garden Festival and the International Festival of the Holidays.
Josh D’Amaro also said that Epcot’s nighttime spectacular, Harmonious is leaving and new show will come to Epcot for the 100 Years of Wonder celebration.
Journey of Water
We learned this Moana-inspired attraction will open in late 2023 to guests show guests the incredible journey that water takes throughout nature.
Figment Meet and Greets at EPCOT
Figment is coming back to Epcot by the end of 2023!
Hatbox Ghost Coming to Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World
Foolish Mortals… the Hatbox Ghost will materialize in 2023.
Tron Opening in Spring 2023
We were disappointed to not get a concrete date for Tron Lightcycle Run, but Disney did add a webpage to their site about the new attraction!
Josh D’Amaro also took a ride on the new coster and brought the audience along!
Image Credit: Disney Parks
What’s “Beyond” Big Thunder?
Josh D’Amaro, Chris Beatty, and Jennifer Lee started talking “blue sky” dreams with the audience and I think we all almost lost it. What might be on the other side of Big Thunder Mountain in Magic Kingdom? Maybe the towns from Coco, Encanto, and a dreadfully wonderful land of villains.
What could Dinoland in Animal Kingdom be rethemed into? Zootopia, Moana fighting creatures of the deep? We won’t know any definite details, but it sure was exciting to dream big with these big Disney execs.
credit D23
What We Learned about Disney Cruise Line
A 6th Ship Joining the Disney Cruise Line Fleet
The Disney Treasure is coming to the Disney Cruise Line fleet in 2024 and it is going to be amazing.
Credit: Disney
More details to come on where this ship will call home and the itineraries are still TBD…
Disney Wonder heading to Australia and New Zeland (Oct 23)
In 2023, the Disney Wonder will sail across the sea to venture to new lands: New Zealand and Australia! Repositioning cruises will include stops at some of the world’s most beautiful islands in the world.
New Private Island: Lighthouse Point
We didn’t get a ton of details here, but we know construction has started on Disney’s NEW private island, Lighthouse Point. No ETA on the completion, but we’re excited to share that 90% of the Islands energy will come from Solar Power!
Credit: Disney
We learned a lot today at D23. Make sure you stay tuned to MickeyBlog to keep up with all the great things coming to Disney in the next couple of years.
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