Last night, the Honda Center was packed with 12,000 of the biggest Disney fans in the world to hear what’s new and what’s next for the Disney theme parks around the world. In this article, we’re going to cover everything announced at the Disney Experiences showcase for Walt Disney World. We’ll not only take a look at what was announced, but we’ll also take a look at the timelines offered by Walt Disney World, and when you might be able to expect to ride the new attractions and visit the imagined lands.

An all-new nighttime parade is coming to Magic Kingdom in Summer 2025. The new parade, titled Disney Starlight, will use the latest technology to bring Disney stories to life after the sun sets. The announcement was made by former Disney Live Entertainment Cast Members Rachel Potter and Eden Espinosa.

Heading over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we make our way to the DinoLand USA section of the park, where Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro was joined by Walt Disney Imagineering President Bruce Vaughn. As previously announced, the DinoLand USA section of the park will be reimagined into a Tropical Americas-themed land. One of the IPs that will be featured in the land is an Indiana Jones-themed attraction.

Replacing DINOSAUR, the unnamed Indiana Jones ride will take guests into a perfectly preserved Maya temple. Of course, “perfectly preserved” can only mean one thing to Indiana Jones – it’s time to explore. Indy has heard rumors about a mythical creature deep within the temple — and he’s got to see it for himself and we’re happy to tag along!

Disney says that this Indiana Jones ride in Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be an all-new adventure and that it will therefore be different than any other Indiana Jones ride in the world. The ride appears to be reusing the DINOSAUR attraction vehicle, and the layout of the ride is expected to remain the same, but Disney didn’t confirm those details.

Construction on the DinoLand USA reimagining project is set to begin this fall, but Disney says that the work will be carried out in phases and that guests will still have plenty of time to ride DINOSAUR before it needs to close. That said, the entire land will be completed and open in 2027.

The second IP for the Tropical Americas project at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the first-ever attraction based on Encanto. The ride will be situated where the former Primeval Whirl attraction was, and when Disney says that construction will occur in phases and begin this fall – they’re likely referring to the Encanto attraction being the first piece of the puzzle. Note that the entire land is scheduled to open in 2027.

The attraction is set on the day after Antonio receives his magical gift – the ability to communicate with animals. The ride will take guests into the magical casita, which will come alive in front of our eyes. According to Vaughn, the whole house will “feel alive, just like in the film”.

It looks like guests will be riding along in various pieces of furniture, which Castia has brought to life to allow us to tour the house. Ultimately, we’ll end up in Antonio’s room, which is the rainforest scene pictured below in the concept art released by Disney.

Another part of the Tropical Americas land is a large hacienda (one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort), which will feature regional food. This is likely going to take over the space where Restaurantosaurus currently is.

The new Tree of Life show based on Zootopia has received a name and opening season. The show, which will replace “It’s Tough to be a Bug”, is called Zootopia: Better Zoogether! and it will open in winter 2025 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. A closing date for “It’s Tough to be a Bug” has not been announced at this time.

A grand and miraculous lounge has been announced for Spaceship Earth, which has been the iconic centerpiece attraction for EPCOT for more than 40 years. This just-announced lounge is 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.

The Spaceship Earth lounge will open in 2025 at EPCOT.

Set course for the Magic Kingdom! 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 coming to Magic Kingdom Park.

The Pirates of the Caribbean tavern will open in 2025 at Magic Kingdom.

Walt Disney Imagineering is collaborating with Chevrolet to push innovation forward and celebrate humanity’s enduring drive (pun intended) on the thrilling road to a brighter tomorrow. But, before we get too far down this winding road, 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 reminding us all of the joys of driving, taking in the world around us and spending quality time with friends and family. 

It’s probably important to note that Disney said that they are building two Cars attractions as part of a reimagined Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. That is, they are not necessarily building a Cars Land for Magic Kingdom. Instead, two attractions will take guests past Radiator Springs and into the American West.

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.

But what about smaller racers? The second attraction will be geared towards them and will be fun for the whole family.

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.

An all-new land is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios based on the Monsters Inc. movies. Picking up after the events of Pixar’s 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!

If you’ve been dreaming of riding through the door vault since the movie was released in 2001, you’re not alone — Josh D’Amaro has been thinking about this, too. “The first time I saw Monsters, Inc., all I wanted to do was ride on one of those doors like Mike and Sulley,” he told the crowd. “You’ll go into the factory and experience the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park. 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.”

Disney says that work on the Monsters Inc. land will begin in 2025. An opening date has not been announced, but we can probably expect a 3-5 year build time, with an opening near 2030 possible.

The new land will encompass all your dreams- er, nightmares. The space will be home to two major attractions, dining, and shopping on an incredibly twisted grand scale.

Josh D’Amaro says that work is currently underway at Magic Kingdom to bring the Villains Land to life. An opening date was not announced for Villains Land, but we expect it to open sometime in the next 2-5 years.

That wraps up our article about the new experiences, attractions, and more announced at the D23 Expo Disney Experiences showcase, but we’ll have plenty more coverage from the D23 Expo later today, and in the days to come!

As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!