Which Disney Project Should Excite You the Most?
As we speak, Imagineers are currently reinventing several Disney theme parks.
Disney Adventure World opened less than six months ago, as did several attractions.
Photo: Disney
In 2026 alone, we’ve already witnessed new versions of classic rides.
We’re talking about Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets
Disney even threw in a new Bluey experience for good measure. Yes, we Disney fans are definitely eating good right now, with more on the horizon.
So, which upcoming Disney project should excite you the most?
Avengers Campus
Let’s start with the only one that already exists: Avengers Campus. Fans anxiously anticipated this one for more than a year longer than expected.
In late 2019, Disney officials had indicated an opening date in July 2020. Sadly, we all know what happened in March 2020, and it kept the park closed for more than a year.
Photo: Disney
You gotta love the symbolism of The Happiest Place on Earth being shut down by a pandemic. As soon as Disneyland officially reopened, Avengers Campus was ready to go.
However, Disney California Adventure didn’t use all its available space on this project. Many of us pointed this out throughout the construction phase, as we hoped for more.
Construction in Avengers Campus
We later learned that Disney wanted to add even more to the area. Now, that expansion is less than two years from coming to fruition.
In 2028, Avengers Campus will double its attractions thanks to two new rides. Stark Flight Lab looks like a simpler yet fun attraction where a robotic arm tosses guests around.
Photo: Disney
Avengers Infinity Defense will blow people’s minds, as it’s the ultimate superhero team-up. Many of your favorite Avengers will appear as alternate universe versions.
This team must work together to defeat King Thanos aka the Thanos Who Won. Everything about this one looks awesome to the point that it could be Disney’s Next Great E-Ticket ride.
Photo: Disney
Still, I’d rank Avengers Campus last overall as an expansion project.
Disney’s adding more to what already exists, which is good but not Earth-shattering.
Monstropolis
Then, we have another modest yet welcome expansion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney recently reclaimed the land at Muppets Courtyard for something bigger.
Photo: Disney
Monstropolis will bring to life the stories of the characters of Monsters, Inc. In fact, Disney’s taking this concept so literally that it’s building Harryhausen’s.
Photo: Disney
That’s the fancy restaurant where Mike Wazowski takes Celia Mae on a date in the film. Remarkably, that eatery isn’t even the only idea taken directly from the film.
We’re also going to ride a roller coaster recreation of the Doors chase scene.
Disney has announced a new pizza place coming to the area, as well as a show. There’s also a mysterious club within a club, hinting at some deep Monstropolis lore.
All in all, this sounds like a thrilling project that should delight fans next year.
Photo: Disney
Monstropolis will arrive first of everything we’re discussing today, albeit with an asterisk. The Doors roller coaster ride will take longer to complete than everything else.
So, Monstropolis will apparently open without a ride, but it will have a show-based attraction.
Piston Peak
We’re really not sure about the schedule for any of the other three expansions. Disney hasn’t clarified its timeline despite having the opportunity to do so at the 2026 D23 Expo.
Still, we know the names of the rides coming to this themed area at Frontierland. Both sound incredible, with one squarely aimed at families with small children.
Photo: Disney
Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along will star a menacing character from Cars 3. Every kid will love the malevolent demolition-derby expert who happens to be a school bus.
Disney clearly put a lot of thought into how to make this area appealing to kids. The company knows that adults will flock to Piston Peak for the other ride.
Photo: Disney
Cars Ridge Run Rally will be an off-road adventure thrill ride unlike any we’ve ever seen. Disney has designed a unique ride cart for this in hopes of aptly recreating off-road adventures.
As with Avengers Campus, this one ride will elevate the entire area.
Photo: Disney
So, I suspect that most people are excited about Piston Peak, and that goes double for parents.
The Tropical Americas
Here’s the themed land I expected to open first among the upcoming projects. However, Disney said nothing about an opening date at D23, which is a bit concerning.
Still, we’ll all happily wait a little longer for the Tropical Americas in exchange for a better themed land. Disney had previously promised two attractions and a carousel here.
Photo: Disney
We’ve since learned details about all of them, starting with their names. My Spanish isn’t great, but I’m pretty sure El Carrusel de los Animalitos means the Little Animal Carousel.
Sure enough, Disney will populate this carousel with more than 20 of your favorite animals.
Carrusel de los Animalitos
We’re talking about Bambi, Eeyore, Heihei, and Simba, among many others. And that’s just the carousel ride! You can imagine how great the others will be!
Carrusel de los Animalitos
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto is the long-rumored Encanto dark ride. Disney hasn’t revealed the full story yet, but we can tell the gist from the ride carts.
You’ll literally ride the furniture in Casa Madrigal as you witness Antonio’s big moment.
Photo: Disney
He’ll learn to communicate with animals, many of whom will appear during the ride. So, this is the perfect ride experience for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, wouldn’t you say?
Somehow, that’s not all. We’re also getting an Indiana Jones ride!
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent
During Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, you’ll witness Indy face his ultimate foe. Yes, it’s a giant mythical snake that’s apparently very real and hanging out in the Tropical Americas.
Photo: Disney
This themed land sounds incredible, yet it’s still NOT the project that should excite you the most.
As you’ve surely guessed, that honor belongs to…
Villains Land
Friends, I don’t know whether Villains Land will open within the next five years. Since Disney has named its attractions and described the land, I doubt it’ll take that long.
I recently suggested a 2030 opening, albeit with an acknowledgment that it may take longer. Whenever Villains Land opens, Magic Kingdom fundamentally changes.
Photo: Disney
The new themed land will provide the same impact as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. In truth, that may be underselling what’s about to happen.
Who wouldn’t want to experience the Mirror Realm Dark Ride? You can explore the purest form of villainy ever witnessed in a Disney story.
Photo: Disney
The imagery teases the appearance of iconic villains like Dr. Facilier, Jafar, Scar, and Ursula. Remarkably, Villains Land will feature another E-ticket attraction…and a thrill ride at that.
Maleficent has inspired Imagineers to create the darkest of roller coasters. Right now, all we know about the ride is the setting: Maleficent’s fortress.
Photo: Disney
Still, this coaster sounds a lot like one we never got at Beastly Kingdom. You can safely expect Disney to raise the bar yet again on roller coaster design.
If done right, Villains Land will redefine Walt Disney World vacations.
So, it’s the clear choice as the Disney project that should excite you the most.
