Remember in June 2024 when we told you about Disney’s $17B Orlando expansion project? Well, Walt Disney World fans, we now know where some of that money will be spent because, during the Disney Experiences Showcase at the Honda Center, Josh D’Amaro finally confirmed several of the projects he was only willing to “blue sky” at the D23 Expo 2022 and he added a bunch of new projects, including a couple shocking additions to the Magic Kingdom that could result in the loss of an iconic oasis.
“Everything we are going to share is in active development,” Josh said to enthusiastic cheers from the 12,000 Disney fans at the Honda Center. “I just want to be clear: This isn’t blue sky. We are doing everything you’ve heard here tonight.”
Among the many exciting announcements were new lands for Walt Disney World themed to Monsters, Inc., Cars, Indiana Jones, Encanto, and the Disney Villains we all “know and loathe.”
So, join us for a spin through the theme parks to find out what’s coming to Florida.
11/9/24: Updated with additional concept art for the Disney Starlight parade and The Pirate Lounge and details about Villains Land.
11/22/24: Updated with news about Monsters Inc. Land and The Muppets
Villainous new fun and more in Magic Kingdom
By far the loudest cheer of the night came at the very, very end of the presentation, but we won’t make you wait for it here.
Villains Land
Disney has listened to its fans, and in fact, work is already underway on a new land dedicated to favorite Disney Villains, which will feature two attractions
“Be prepared, you poor unfortunate souls,” Josh warned. “It’s going to be a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be.”
A few months later at D23 Brazil, Imagineer Michael Hundgen revealed that a “mysterious spell summons villains from every realm” to the land – similar to the backstory that allows heroes from different multiverses to converge in Avengers Campus.
While no official villainous roster has been announced, images of 13 characters (who Hundgen said are serving as the “inspiration” for the land) were displayed during the D23 Brazil presentation:
- The Queen of Hearts from “Alice in Wonderland”
- Jafar from “Aladdin”
- Lady Tremaine from “Cinderella”
- Yzma from “The Emperor’s New Groove”
- Cruella de Vil from “101 Dalmatians”
- Captain Hook from “Peter Pan”
- Gaston from “Beauty and the Beast”
- Mother Gothel from “Tangled”
- Ursula from “The Little Mermaid”
- Hades from “Hercules”
- Chernabog from “Fantasia”
- Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty”
- The Evil Queen from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”
Cars-themed attractions to replace the Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom
The Cars from Radiator Springs will be cruising into a reimagined area of Frontierland with two all-new ride that take place in the wilderness outside of town: a family-friendly attraction and a thrilling off-road rally race.
“The American West has always been about keeping your eyes on the horizon,” Josh said. “That goes for miners in the mountains, bears from the country, a princess from the bayou … or a race car from the big city.”
During Saturday’s announcements, D’Amaro confirmed work on this new space in Frontierland will begin in early 2025, but failed to specify where this new Frontierland expansion would be located.
On Monday, however, Disney officially announced the new Cars attractions would replace the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom.
From the Disney Parks Blog:
To make way for this completely new frontier, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be transformed into vast and rugged terrains for a rally race with some of the world’s most iconic racers.
The revelation that this expansion will remove the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Belle Riverboat from the Magic Kingdom has understandably stirred up controversy in the fan community. This is a concern Disney was well aware would surround the project — and with concept art showcasing the major changes to Frontierland ready to go, it’s clear D’Amaro and his team avoided mentioning these details on Saturday night out of fear of being booed by fans at the Honda Center. Well, since he didn’t give us the chance to do it in person, we’ll do it here… BOOOOOOOOO! Get more creative Disney, you’ve got more land than you know what to do with at Walt Disney World, build something new without destroying the one quiet getaway in an otherwise hot, crowded, and chaotic park!
New Nightime Parade
Following in the footsteps of the “Main Street Electrical Parade,” a sparkling new nighttime parade will be making its way down Main Street U.S.A in Summer 2025. “Disney Starlight” will use cutting edge technology to bring Disney stories, including “Peter Pan,” “Frozen” and “Encanto.”
On Nov. 8, 2024, new concept art for a float featuring Moana was revealed during D23 Brazil.
Pirates Tavern
A new lounge in Magic Kingdom (which was first announced last year at Destination D23), will invite buccaneers to toast to the pirate life in with a “sea-worthy selection of grogs and grub.”
The Pirates Tavern will open in 2025.
A second peek at what’s planned for the swashbuckling lounge was revealed at D23 Brazil.
New adventures in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Tropical Americas
Indy and the Madrigals are officially heading to Animal Kingdom in 2027 when Tropical Americas will take over DinoLand U.S.A.
The new 11-acre section of the park will invite guests to visit the town of Esperanza in the heart of the rainforest.
Esperanza will also feature a charming carousel featuring the resident wood carver’s favorite animals.
A new restaurant will serve up local delicacies.
Tropical Americas will also feature two new signature attractions, including a thrilling
adventure with Indiana Jones into an ancient Maya temple.
Guests learn that Indy has heard about a mythical creature deep within a perfectly preserved Maya temple — and of course, he’s got to investigate.
Guests will also be able to take a journey through the Casita Madrigal from “Encanto” as guests join Antonio on the day after he receives his magical gift of being able to talk to animals.
The first-ever “Encanto”-themed ride-through attraction takes guests into Antonio’s room, which has transformed into a rainforest.
Construction on Tropical Americas is set to begin this fall and the land will open in 2027, but don’t worry, Josh promises fans will still have plenty of time to ride Dinosaur.
Following the announcements Saturday night, Disney revealed new models of the Encanto attraction as well as the new Tropical Americas land.
Also on display is a full-scale carving of one of the new carousel’s animals coming to the Tropical Americas. The carousel will be populated with brand new carvings based on animals from Disney movies.
Detail of the carving is lovely. 
Read about the first DinoLand U.S.A. closures here:
DinoLand’s Extinction Near: Big Changes For Walt Disney World
Zootopia Show
Debuting in Winter 2025, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether” will replace “It’s Tough to be a Bug” in the Tree of Life Theater.
Animal Kingdom’s newest show features Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, who will lead guests on an adventure through different biomes seen in the film.
New Banshees Landing at Animal Kingdom
We discovered new interactive shoulder Banshees hiding at the very end of the spectacular Avatar Pavilion on the Show Floor.
These colorful creatures, who will recognize each other, react through new motion and sound animations, and (as many things do in Pandora) feature a bioluminescent glow, are coming this fall to the Windtraders rookery in Pandora – World of Avatar.
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Monsters Inc. Land
Disney Legend Billy Crystal (AKA Mike Wazowski) helped Josh reveal plans to build the first full land dedicated to “Monsters, Inc.”
The land’s storyline takes place after the events of the film when Monstropolis needs humans’ laughter to power the city.
NOTE: We notice the artist’s signature has a “20” under it, so we’re wondering if this concept art is four years old? If so, it’s definitely something to keep an eye on as this project moves ahead.
The new land will be located on the south side of the park (where Muppet*Vision 3D is located), and will feature an new stage show and the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park, providing guests the chance to experience how it feels to cruise the door vault, just like Mike and Sulley.
“The first time I saw ‘Monsters, Inc.,’ all I wanted to do was ride on one of those doors,” Josh said. “Remember in the movie how those claws grab the doors and hoist them up into the air to take them away? We’re doing that, too. And you’re going along for the ride.”
Construction will start next year on the “not-at-all-scary” area. Below, photos of the a concept model for the new attraction that was revealed on Sunday in the Imagineering: Behind the Dreams pavilion.
Where Will The Muppets Go?
When the Monsters move in to the current location of Muppet*Vision 3D, Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the gang will be moving too… to Hollywood Boulevard!
In fact, they’ll be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster for the first-ever Disney ride featuring The Muppets teams them up with top music start stars for a rockin’ music festival.
There’s still time to say your final goodbyes to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and Muppet*Vision 3D.
Disney also notes they are “exploring ways to preserve the film and other parts of the [Muppet*Vision 3D] experience for fans to enjoy in the future.”
New Millenium Falcon Mission
Great news! Hondo Ohnaka finally has all the coaxium containers he needs, so new missions will be added to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu.
“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,” said Star Wars creative executive Dave Filoni. “Just imagine it: you’ll be able to fly alongside Mando and Grogu on thrilling, and dangerous, missions.”
The new mission will debut at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland along with “The Mandalorian and Grogu” movie in 2026.
New Looks for Ariel and Eric
A fully reimagined show is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios called “The Little Mermaid, a Musical Adventure,” with innovative sets, cutting-edge technology, and a new “Kiss the Girl” scene.
While all that is definitely exciting, During a costuming panel at D23: The Ultimate Fan Event, costume designer Josh Winchester revealed his new looks for Ariel and Eric in the pivotal scene.
“You’ll see the shapes are very similar to what they wear in the animated film, so we recognize who they are immediately,” Josh said. “It stays true to the characters, but at the same time celebrates all of that depth.”
“The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” is expected to open in the fall of 2024.
Fast fun and a new lounge in EPCOT
Test Track
The brand-new experience will celebrate innovation, with a queue featuring six exhibits that celebrate the vehicles (and people behind them) that “push the envelope and help get people to our next chapter in our motion journey.”
New show scenes will focuse on onboard technology, customization, and personalization. Followed by a drive through a scenic outdoor route, which “reminds us all of the joys of…taking in the world around us and spending quality time with friends and family.”
Construction is already underway on the re-imagined version of Test Track attraction, which will open at Epcot in 2025.
Spaceship Earth Lounge
Honoring the 40+ years that Spaceship Earth has welcomed visitors to Epcot as the park’s icon, the just-announced lounge inspired by the geometric sphere, is the perfect place for families take a break from the hustle and bustle of a theme park day.
The all-new Spaceship Earth Lounge will open in 2025.
You can find all the news about what’s coming to Disneyland here:
BREAKING NEWS: New Attractions and Surprises Announced for Disneyland
And international Disney Parks news is here:
UPDATED! We Know What’s Beyond the North Mountain at Disneyland Paris!
For more news from D23: The Ultimate Fan Event, check out all our coverage here:
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Let’s Hear From You!
Which characters are you most excited about seeing in Orlando? Indiana Jones, Encanto, Cars, or the Villains? Or are you looking forward to riding the reimagined Test Track in Epcot, seeing the brand new nighttime parade in Magic Kingdom, or going on a mission with the Mandalorian? Is there anything you are concerned about? How do you feel about Cars Land taking over the Rivers of America? Let us know in the comments below.
And be sure to keep checking back as we get more details about all these experiences (and more!)
