Theme Park News - August 17, 2026

D23 2026: New Attractions, Lands and Updates Coming to Walt Disney World

Disney shared a long list of updates for Walt Disney World during D23 2026, with new details revealed for attractions coming to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

At Magic Kingdom, Disney revealed more about two major expansions. Piston Peak National Park will bring the world of Cars into Frontierland with two attractions. Cars Ridge Run Rally will send guests racing across rugged terrain, snowy peaks and geysers using a new ride system designed to actually react to the terrain beneath the vehicle. The second attraction, Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along, will feature the memorable school bus from Cars 3.

Disney also shared new details about Villains Land, which will feature an original story centered around a corrupted Wishing Well and dark magic. Plans include two major attractions, including a coaster that sends guests racing through Maleficent’s enchanted briars and another experience involving the Magic Mirror. Dining and shopping will also be part of the new land.

Finally, another Magic Kingdom classic is getting an update. Beginning in late spring 2027, Carousel of Progress will be getting new scenes, including an updated 1980s scene, and will feature Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston as the mother and father.

Over at EPCOT, two classic attractions are getting attention. Spaceship Earth will receive its first major update in nearly 20 years, shifting its storytelling from the history of communication to the broader theme of human connection.

Disney also confirmed that Dreamfinder and Figment are returning to EPCOT for a new journey into imagination. Additional details, including a timeline for the project, have not yet been announced.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney shared new information about the Tropical Americas land currently under development. Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will take guests into an ancient Maya temple on an original adventure featuring new Audio-Animatronics and supernatural encounters.

The land's family-friendly Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto attraction will invite guests inside Casita on Antonio's gift day, including rooms created specifically for the attraction.

Disney also delivered some big news for fans of Expedition Everest: the attraction's massive Yeti Audio-Animatronic will finally be brought back to life.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney shared more about Monstropolis, the new Monsters, Inc. land scheduled to open in 2027. In addition to its previously announced attractions, guests will be able to meet Mike and Sulley, see a new theater show, visit locations inspired by the film, and dine at Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza.

With projects ranging from updates to opening-day classics to entirely new lands, Walt Disney World has plenty of changes on the horizon over the next several years.

D23 2026: What’s Coming to Disneyland Resort Disneyland Resort has several major projects on the way, and D23 2026 brought new details about what's next at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.

At Disney California Adventure, work continues the first-ever Disney Parks attraction based on Pixar's Coco. The family-friendly boat ride will have no height requirement and will take place about a year after the events of the original movie.

Guests will enter through a "Casa Museo" dedicated to Héctor Rivera before joining Miguel on a journey through his memories of the Land of the Dead. Imagineers are drawing inspiration from classic attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion while using newer Audio-Animatronics technology to bring the characters to life.

More news about the major Avengers Campus expansion was revealed, which will double the size of the land. Both Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab are now scheduled to open in 2028.

Avengers Infinity Defense will send recruits on a multi-world adventure featuring familiar Marvel heroes, while Stark Flight Lab will offer a Stark Industries training experience. Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Mackie and Brie Larson are among the actors reprising their Marvel roles for the new attractions.

Some familiar Disneyland entertainment is returning as well. A refreshed "Remember... Dreams Come True" will return to Disneyland Park in February 2027, while an updated version of the original "World of Color" returns to Disney California Adventure the same month. "Magic Happens" will once again make its way down the Disneyland parade route beginning in summer 2027.

Perhaps the biggest long-term announcement involves Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park. Disney confirmed that a major reimagining of the land is in development, with plans to honor the history of Tomorrowland while introducing new attractions, more open spaces and new areas focused on imagining the future. Additional details and a timeline have not yet been announced.

With major new attractions, returning favorites and a reimagined Tomorrowland on the horizon, there’s a lot to look forward to at Disneyland Resort over the next few years.

D23 2026: Disney Cruise Line Reveals New Ships and Disney Believe Details

Disney Cruise Line's fleet continues to grow, and D23 2026 gave fans their first look at what's next, including new details about the Disney Believe and an entirely new class of ships.

The Disney Believe is scheduled to set sail in late 2027 as the fourth ship in the Wish class, joining the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny.

The ship's Grand Hall will be inspired by Moana, with a bronze statue of Moana alongside Pua and Heihei serving as a focal point of the space. Polynesian-inspired finishes and design details will help carry the theme throughout the Grand Hall. But the Disney Believe isn't the end of Disney Cruise Line's expansion.

Disney gave fans a first look at the next generation of Disney Cruise Line ships scheduled to begin arriving in 2029. Three ships are planned for the new class as Disney works toward expanding its fleet to 13 ships.

The ships will fall between Disney's classic vessels and its newer Wish-class ships in size. Disney says the smaller size compared with its newest ships could create opportunities to visit new destinations and reach new markets around the world.

Specific itineraries, onboard experiences and destinations for the new ships have not yet been revealed, giving Disney Cruise Line fans plenty more news to watch for as the fleet continues its rapid expansion.

D23 2026: The Lion King and More Coming to Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is continuing the major transformation of its second park, now known as Disney Adventure World, and D23 2026 brought new details about what's coming next.

Construction is officially underway on the resort's first immersive area dedicated entirely to Disney Animation's The Lion King. The new area will be anchored by a major water attraction taking guests through Simba's journey from cub to king.

Guests will enter caves beneath a towering 120-foot Pride Rock before boarding the attraction, which will feature Audio-Animatronics, special effects, familiar music and scenes inspired by the 1994 animated film.

The ride will use a new flume system and feature three slopes, including a 52-foot drop. The story will include major moments from the movie, including Simba's final confrontation with Scar. 

The surrounding Lion King area will expand the experience beyond the attraction with dining, shopping and opportunities to meet characters. The project will become another major piece of Disney Adventure World following the park's transformation and the opening of World of Frozen.

D23 also brought news for a longtime Disneyland Paris favorite: Space Mountain. 

The current Hyperspace Mountain overlay will  make way for Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune, bringing the attraction back to the Jules Verne-inspired concept that originally debuted at Disneyland Paris. Disney says the refreshed version will restore the attraction's original name and musical score while reintroducing the distinctive retro-futuristic storytelling that made Disneyland Paris' version of Space Mountain unique.

Between the continued growth of Disney Adventure World and the return of a Disneyland Paris classic, the resort's transformation is far from finished.