All new major rides, lands for Disney World, Disneyland announced at D23

Two years ago, Disney gave what many considered lip service to the future growth of Disney World by presenting many “Blue Sky” ideas. Last night, during the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, specifically said, “I’ve got a lot to share … and everything we’re going to share is in active development. This isn’t Blue Sky.”

He then went on to deliver a presentation unveiling some firsts coming to the parks – including the first Audio-Animatronics of Walt Disney (which could be really cool or really creepy), new rides and lands coming to Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, a new nightime parade for Disney World, as well as updates on previously announced attractions.

“At Disney Experiences, Imagineers dream, create, design and build these stories into real places. And we have Imagineers in place right now all around the world because everything we’re going to share with you is in active development. Plans are drawn. Dirt is moving. I just want to be clear about this: We are doing everything you’re going to hear tonight,” D’Amaro said.

Let’s start off with Disney World and the changes coming to the resort, all of this in light of Universal Orlando’s opening of its 750-acre Universal Epic Universe theme park in 2025.

New Rides, Lands Coming to Disney World

Magic Kingdom

Villains Land: D’Amaro announced that this new land will be coming and be home to two major attractions, dining, and shopping on an incredibly twisted grand scale. “Be prepared, you poor unfortunate souls,” D’Amaro teased. “It’s going to be a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be.”

Cars Land: A version of Cars Land is coming to a reimagined section of Frontierland in Magic Kingdom. This will not be the original Radiator Springs that resides in Disney California Adventure. This is a different location There is speculation this is the area that has been called “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” which contained a lot of “Blue Sky” ideas. This area will have two new “Cars”-themed attractions.

One attraction will invite you on a thrilling rally race through the mountains. Take on wild terrain as you race across the landscape climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers and — Mater’s favorite — splashing through mudholes. 

The second attraction will be geared towards the kids and and will be fun for the whole family. Work on this new space in Frontierland will begin in early 2025.

New night time parade: A new nighttime parade is coming to the Magic Kingdom. “Disney Starlight,” will come during the summer of 2025. It is being touted as continuing the nighttime spectacular legacy started by the “Main Street Electrical Parade” using the latest technology to tell new stories about the characters you love. All of this is brought to life by the magic of the Blue Fairy, in addition to beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios films “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen,” and more.

Pirates theme lounge: First announced at Destination D23 last year, this rambunctious watering hole will offer a welcoming haven for all pirate-kind, big and small, and everyone in between. Here, bandits and buccaneers-to-be from every corner of the seven seas are welcome to join together and raise a toast to the pirate life! In the newly released artwork, X marks the spot for a sea-worthy selection of grogs and grub inside this tavern location. It will open in 2025.

Animal Kingdom

Tropical Americas land: The discussion around the changes at Animal Kingdom are being crystalized. D’Amaro confirmed that the new space will be themed around Tropical Americas. The new 11-acre section will have two major attractions plus one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Disney World.

The area is a reimagining of Dinoland, U.S.A. and will have and Indiana Jones ride and Encanto ride as well. Construction on the land is set to begin this fall and will open in 2027.

Indiana Jones attraction: A new Indy experience is coming where he has recently discovered a perfectly preserved Maya temple, and guests will help Indy explore the site. He’s heard rumors about a mythical creature deep within the temple.

Encanto ride: The first-ever “Encanto”-themed ride-through attraction is coming to Animal Kingdom, featuring the beloved Madrigal family from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film. Inside the Casita, Antonio has just received his special gift — the ability to communicate with animals — and his room has transformed into a rainforest. It’s time to go explore alongside him, and you never know what member of the family you might bump into.

Zootopia attraction: Disney previously announced anew show based on “Zootopia” is being created for the Tree of Life theater. The show will be called Zootopia: Better Zoogether and will open next winter.

Hollywood Studios

Monster’s Inc. Land: A new land is coming to Hollywood Studios. A new not-at-all-scary Monsters-inspired area is coming where you’ll be able to stroll the streets alongside some of your favorite monsters. 

Picking up after the events of Pixar Animation Studios’ beloved film, humans have now been invited to visit the world of Monsters, Inc. — and the monsters need laughter to power the city and keep it running smoothly. But it’s not a true visit without the factory itself. You’ll be able to see the sights, hear the laughs and zoom through the building just like James P. Sullivan (a.k.a. Sulley) and Mike Wazowski — via a door!

This new coaster will put you right in the middle of the monster action. Work on the project is slated to begin next year. This will take over the spot of the current Star Wars Launch Bay.

Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run Update: When the upcoming “The Mandalorian and Grogu” movie blasts off in theaters in 2026, it will also touch down at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. A brand-new story featuring Mando and his youngling is coming to Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run at both Disney World and Disneyland.

“The intersection of storytelling and innovation has always been central to Lucasfilm and we’re excited to see where this collaboration will take us next,” Star Wars creative executive Dave Filoni said. “Just imagine it: you’ll be able to fly alongside Mando and Grogu on thrilling, and dangerous, missions.”

EPCOT

Test Track: D’Amaro reiterated that the reimagined Test Track will open in 2025. Test Track will celebrate today’s innovation while highlighting the past, present, and future. The queue will feature six distinct exhibits, and within each room celebrate the vehicles – and people behind the vehicles – that push the envelope and help get people to our next chapter in our motion journey. 

New show scenes will be added showcasing technological advances and how our lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone. Enjoy a joy ride through scenes focusing on onboard technology, customization and personalization. Followed by a trip through a scenic outdoor route. Construction on this reimagined experience has already begun.

New Spaceship Earth-themed Lounge: For over 40 years, Spaceship Earth has welcomed visitors to EPCOT as a shining beacon of optimism and hope. This new lounge will be inspired by the stories, shapes, and enduring legacy of this timeless icon. Taking inspiration from the geometric sphere, the zen space for families to gather and enjoy refreshments will be draped with rich textures and warm metallic tones, giving it a mysterious and elegant intimacy. This will open in 2025.

New Rides, Lands Coming to Disneyland

Disney California Adventure

Avengers Campus Expannsion: The size of Avengers Campus at Disneyland will double with two brand new attractions to suit up and fight alongside some of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Construction on this expansion will begin next year.

Avengers Infinity Defense is the first new attraction. Technology that allows the Avengers to jump between worlds has gone missing, and King Thanos is using it to wreak havoc everywhere. Recruits will travel to iconic locations like Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City alongside the likes of big, and small, heroes. You also just might find yourself face-to-face with King Thanos.

Stark Flight Lab is the second new attraction. With the just announced Stark Flight Lab, you’re going to sit in two-person pods and deploy to a test station. Then a robot arm grabs your pod and starts whirling you around in a simulated flight. Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as Tony Stark for the attraction. This sounds very familiar to the Sum of All Thrills attraction that was in EPCOT for a number of years.

Avatar area: Disney has previously announced there would be a new Avatar area at Disney California Adventure, but now have confirmed it will be a different area from Pandora-The World of Avatar that can be found at Animal Kingdom. This new destination draws inspiration from “Avatar: The Way of Water” and upcoming Avatar films to bring Pandora to life in a brand-new way. This new excursion will bring all the action, excitement, and wonder of Avatar, taking guests all the way to the wide-open seas of Pandora. 

New “Coco” ride: An all-new attraction themed to Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco” is coming to Disney California Adventure in the future. Walt Disney Imagineering will draw inspiration for the attraction from beloved classics, like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. “We’re bringing our skeletal cast of characters to life in a big way through the latest Audio-Animatronics technology,” Josh told the crowd. “These figures will appear in ways you’ll have to see to believe.” Work on the attraction will begin in 2026.

Disneyland Park

Walt Disney – A Magical Life: In 2025, you’ll actually be able to see Walt Disney through the magic of Audio-Animatronics technology in “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.” Walt Disney Imagineering’s first Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney is being created for this very special experience. “Walt Disney – A Magical Life” will debut inside the Main Street Opera House, and after its initial run, the attraction will play in rotation with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: We now have an opening date for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The attraction will open on Nov. 15, 2024. In addition, Critter Country will be appropriately renamed Bayou Country when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens.