On Sunday, September 11, Josh D’amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and products, took the stage at the biennial D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA to announce new additions coming to Disney parks around the globe. Attendees to this year’s event, the first to take place since 2019 due to pandemic restrictions, were also treated to blue sky concepts for new lands at Walt Disney World themed around film franchises Zootopia, Moana, Coco, Encanto, and the Disney villains. All images copyright Disney unless otherwise noted.
Disneyland Resort, California
To celebrate The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary, an all-new nighttime spectacular will debut at Disneyland Park in late January 2023. “Wondrous Journeys” will ignite the wonder in all of us and feature nods to all 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios films to date, taking viewers on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling and heart. Disney 100 Years of Wonder (Disney100) will be the biggest celebration in the history of the company.
In spring 2023, the long-awaited return of the “Magic Happens” parade will come to life at Disneyland Park, during The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary. The parade will feature stunning floats, beautiful costumes and beloved Disney characters.
To celebrate The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary, an all-new nighttime spectacular will debut at Disney California Adventure park in late January 2023. “World of Color – One” will celebrate the storytelling legacy started by Walt Disney a century ago and have an all-new inspiring story told through some of your favorite characters.
Visitors to Batuu may find the Mandalorian and Grogu inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park starting in mid-November 2022. The Mandalorian and Grogu and their journey together can be seen in the first two seasons of “The Mandalorian” on Disney+.
The Incredible Hulk stopped by the Hall D23 stage at D23 Expo. Guests visiting Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure park may have the opportunity to meet Hulk for a limited time starting in September 2022.
At D23 Expo 2022, details were shared around a third future attraction coming to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure park. This new attraction will be a thrilling adventure where guests will get to team up with more of the Avengers and their allies to battle against foes from across the Multiverse, including King Thanos, a villain designed specifically for the attraction.
Pacific Wharf in Disney California Adventure park will be reimagined as San Fransokyo from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Big Hero 6, where East meets West and technology meets tradition. Imagineers are in the early phases of this work, but there is something coming for children of all ages, for the young and young at heart. There will be a place to meet Baymax, plus new spots to eat and shop.
Coming to both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort in late 2024, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will bring guests down the bayou along with Tiana, Naveen and their friends, and explore the next chapter in Tiana’s story.
An all-new retail store will be opening in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., on Sept. 20, 2022, called Eudora’s Chic Boutique Featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets. Tiana is collaborating with her talented dressmaker mother, Eudora, to open this fantastic little shop, with accessories to create and serve masterful Orleans-style cuisine and more.
A first look inside Goofy’s House coming to Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., when the newly reimagined land reopens in 2023. Mickey’s Toontown is currently undergoing a transformation into a vibrant symphony of sights, sounds and sensations. Inside Goofy’s house, Goofy has set up a candy-making contraption that only he could imagine.
Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard, complete with a playful sound garden, is coming to Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park when it reopens in 2023. This attraction is part of a new emphasis on inclusive experiences in the land for families of all ages.
Donald’s Boat and Duck Pond are coming to Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park when it reopens in 2023. Around Donald’s Duck Pond are larger-than-life spinning water lilies, balance beams and rocking toys that will keep adventurous kids busy. And for those who like a little splash in their step, a flood of fun awaits.
In 2023, when Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway debuts at Disneyland Park, guests will take a journey inside a Mickey Mouse cartoon short. Once guests step into the cartoon world of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, they’ll board a train with Goofy as the engineer for an out-of-control adventure filled with surprising twists and turns. Pictured here is a closer look at what guests will see when they enter the attraction queue in El CapiTOON Theater where a special exhibit created by the Toontown Hysterical Society is celebrating all things Mickey with costumes and props from the toon world.
runDisney races will return to the Disneyland Resort in 2024. Details on specific dates, registration information and more will be announced at a later date.
Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel at the Disneyland Resort will become Pixar Place Hotel. The reimagining will weave the artistry of Pixar into a comfortable, contemporary setting. Guests will gain a new perspective on some of their favorite Pixar worlds and characters through carefully curated artwork and décor that reveals the creative journey of the Pixar artists.
A “Finding Nemo”-themed splash pad will be a part of the new Pixar Place Hotel when Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is reimagined at the Disneyland Resort.
When Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is reimagined into Pixar Place Hotel, modern American eatery Great Maple will open a flagship restaurant on the first floor of Pixar Place Hotel and operate other food and beverage locations throughout the hotel. Great Maple specializes in upscale comfort food with a twist, serving fresh takes on American classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The evolution of the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort began in 2018, and the transformation work continues to introduce more innovative shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. Drawing inspiration from Southern California mid-century modern architecture, the west-end area will be a beautiful blend of vibrant color palettes, design elements and patterns influenced by the region, and will include an open lawn for relaxation and future events, and an even broader and diverse collection of dining and shopping.
Din Tai Fung, a world-renowned Chinese restaurant that originated in Taiwan and specializes in soup dumplings and noodles, will join the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort to offer guests their flavorful cuisine. This concept art gives a first look at what this space may look like. Image courtesy of Rockwell Group.
Southern California favorite Porto’s Bakery & Café is bringing its famous sweet pastries and desserts as well as delicious California-Cuban inspired dishes to the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort. Photo courtesy Porto’s Bakery & Café.
Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
Popular anthem “Happily Ever After” will play again when an updated nighttime spectacular returns in 2023 to light up the skies over Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Park.
The fan-favorite happy haunt from the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland park, the Hatbox Ghost, is coming to the Haunted Mansion attraction in Magic Kingdom park in 2023.
TRON Lightcycle / Run will open in Spring 2023 in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.
The World Celebration neighborhood in EPCOT will be complete in late 2023 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. With lush, green space for guests to relax, plus the opening of Communicore Hall and Communicore Plaza, this central location in the park will be the new home for festivals and the perfect space to gather with family and friends.
The “Walt the Dreamer” statue was revealed at the D23 Expo on Sept. 8, 2022, in Anaheim, Calif. This new statue of Walt Disney will debut in a new location called Dreamers Point in the World Celebration neighborhood at EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort
A new model of Te Fiti that will be used to develop Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, a new attraction coming to EPCOT, was on display at D23 Expo.
Disney Cruise Line
The sixth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Treasure, will set sail in 2024. Imagineers have dreamed up a new design concept inspired by the theme of adventure, celebrating Walt Disney’s lifelong love of exploration.
The Grand Hall—the magnificent three-deck-tall atrium that welcomes guests on board—is inspired by the grandeur and mystery of a gilded palace, drawing on real-world influences from Asia and Africa and paying homage to the far-off land of Agrabah. At the center, the signature statue will feature Aladdin, Jasmine, and their Magic Carpet.
In the Bahamas, progress continues on a new island destination at Lighthouse Point, which will bring the natural beauty and rich culture of the Bahamas to life for Disney Cruise Line guests and be powered 90 percent through solar energy.
Tokyo Disney Resort, Japan
Beginning in 2024, Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland will undergo a transformation that will bring a new story and experience to the iconic attraction.
At Tokyo Disney Resort, “Frozen” is one of the stories coming to life as part of the Fantasy Springs expansion at Tokyo DisneySea, joining two other stories, “Peter Pan” and “Tangled,” plus a brand-new hotel integrated right into the park.
Fantasy Springs will feature several new Audio-Animatronics figures, including Elsa, who sings in Japanese and whose movements sync with the rhythms of the language.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Inspired by Disney Animation’s stunning films, World of Frozen will open in the second half of 2023 at Hong Kong Disneyland—the first of three Frozen-themed areas coming to international Disney parks. It will blend Arendelle with the park’s natural landscapes on Lantau Island.
Hong Kong Disneyland will unveil a new statue of Walt and Mickey near Cinderella’s Carousel as part of the Disney100 Celebration.
Shanghai Disney Resort, China
Shanghai Disney Resort will be the first Disney resort to bring the world of the Oscar-winning Disney Animation film Zootopia to life. At Zootopia Central Station, guests will find animals going about their daily lives. At the Zootopia Police Department, which doubles as the entrance for the land’s new family attraction, guests will be greeted by an Audio-Animatronics figure of fan-favorite Officer Clawhauser.
Mickey’s favorite teddy bear, Duffy, is a fan favorite in all three Disney resorts in Asia and Josh D’Amaro shared that Duffy & Friends will star in their very own six-episode, stop-motion animated series on Disney+ next year.
Disneyland Paris
From the recently opened Avengers Campus to the upcoming Frozen-themed land and more, the highly anticipated transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park will offer new experiences and entertainment. On the heels of the highly successful 30th Anniversary celebrations, that will be extended until September 30, 2023, a brand-new show inviting guests through an emotional journey with their beloved Pixar Pals will debut next summer at Studio Theater, right in time to close the 30th Anniversary. Called “Pixar: We Belong Together”, this new show will highlight how friendship and family bring and keep us together. It will combine stage technology, state-of-the-art video and lighting design, and a large cast of characters from many beloved Pixar films.
At Walt Disney Studios Park, a whole new area will connect the current park to its extension and offer opportunities for Guests to stroll, relax and discover new experiences. It will feature a lake and a promenade of unique gardens, each designed around favorite Disney stories. The Tangled Garden for example, will feature a new attraction for the whole family to enjoy, even the little ones.
With its larger-than-life characters and playful landscaping, the Toy Story Garden will transport guests in the world of Woody and Jessie and their pals, while offering a new way to join the fun of Toy Story Playland nearby.
Guests will enjoy strolling through an elegant English Garden inspired by beloved characters.
The picturesque promenade will also include an elegant table-service restaurant where guests will be able to enjoy breath-taking panoramic views across the lake and encounters with Disney characters.
Groundwork is continuing on the lake itself and the new Frozen-themed area that will welcome Disneyland Paris guests in the near future. Imagineers from around the world are already working together to immerse fans of all ages in the Kingdom of Arendelle like never before. It will be home to a new attraction that will take guests on an unforgettable journey alongside Elsa and Anna, dining and shopping experiences and will also offer the opportunity to have a royal audience with the sisters themselves.
Outside of the parks, Frozen is also playing an important role in the reimagining of the Disneyland Hotel. This iconic 5-star Hotel will reopen in 2024 as Disney’s royal address in Europe after a complete transformation with its new royal theme, featuring themed rooms and suites inspired by Disney classics such as Tangled, Beauty & the Beast, Cinderella, and Frozen, as shown in the new concept from one of the hotel’s new themed suites.
