This weekend Disney held a huge convention at Walt Disney World just for Disney fans, called Destination D23, and during a panel on its theme parks, revealed a lot of news about upcoming projects that guests can expect.
Here is all of the news that was shared this weekend on three of the parks – it appears Disney’s Hollywood Studios will remain as is for now:
MAGIC KINGDOM
Let’s start with the Magic Kingdom. Josh D’Amaro and Bruce Vaughn, Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Imagineering, touched briefly on a huge project that will be happening at the park, “beyond Big Thunder Mountain.”
D’Amaro said, “it will be the biggest thing they’ve ever done in park” “similar in scale to things like ‘Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge’ and ‘Pandora – The World of Avatar,’ and it will add new attractions, restaurants, shows and more,” to the park.
They didn’t get into specifics beyond that, but I’ll keep you posted.
**********
As for things that are coming in the near future, the Country Bear Jamboree is getting a major update. The bears will be learning a variety of classic Disney songs performed in various country music styles. No date was given for this new show to start, but the music has already been recorded, and a new promotional poster says “opening 2024.”
@disneyparks Rehearsals are now under way! ?Country Bear Jamboree is getting new songs and a new act reinterpreting favorite Disney songs in 2024 ?? @Disney D23 #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #MagicKingdom #CountryBearJamboree #NewShow #CountryMusic #Nashville #DisneyNews #DestinationD23
**********
Over at the Haunted Mansion, the Hatbox Ghost will be making his appearance at the attraction in late November 2023. He’ll be materializing as you pass the attraction’s Endless Hallway.
**********
Finally, a new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to the attraction at Magic Kingdom, sure to serve up a variety of rum and more. No opening date was given, though The Barker Bird, a green macaw, will feature in the design.
@disneyparks ?? THIS IS NOT A DRILL ?? A new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World ???? @Disney D23 #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #MagicKingdom #DisneyNews #Pirates #PiratesOfTheCaribbean #DestinationD23
EPCOT
Over at EPCOT, Figment started appearing for meet-and-greets yesterday at the Imagination Pavilion.
@disneyparks IMAGINATION ?? IMAGINATION ?? @Disney D23 #Figment #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #EPCOT #DisneyNews #Imagination #DestinationD23
**********
“Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana” will open to the public on October 16, 2023, and that is also the date that Moana herself will start doing meet-and-greets near her new attraction.
@disneyparks Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana opens Oct. 16 AND Moana begins meeting guests in a new dedicated space in World Nature ?? @Disney D23 #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #EPCOT #Moana #JourneyOfWater #DisneyNews #DestinationD23
**********
Partnering with Chevrolet, Disney will once again be revamping “Test Track” using inspiration from the original “World of Motion” attraction. We also got a peek at one of the ride vehicles. No date was given for the new version to start.
@disneyparks Think you know Test Track? THINK AGAIN ??? @Disney D23 #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #EPCOT #TestTrack #DisneyNews #DestinationD23
**********
A new nighttime show will open at EPCOT called “Luminous: The Symphony of Us.” It will open on December 5, 2023, and we’ll bring you more information on the show closer to the opening.
**********
Finally, the last section of the park that to be revamped, called World Celebration, will reopen in December 2023, including Dreamers Point, which will feature a statue of Walt Disney.
World Celebration will unite the front of the park, tying together the other two new EPCOT neighborhoods, World Discovery and World Nature, and it will be the latest major milestone of the multi-year transformation of EPCOT.
DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM
“Zootopia” is coming to the park, but not as a land (boo!). Instead it will be a new show that will reside inside the Tree of Life in the Tree of Life theater.
Guests will visit the different biomes in the film, traveling along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and other characters.
And while it wasn’t said, it most likely it will replace “It’s Tough to be a Bug!,” since I can’t see the theater hosting two shows.
**********
The revamp of Dinoland was also talked about and since the park already has Africa and Asia sections, Disney has decided the park needs a “Tropical Americas” section, which will replace Dinoland.
This new section will cover the northern part of South America, stretching up into Central America, and it was hinted that “Encanto” and “Indiana Jones” attractions could find a home here. And there better be some capybaras in the animal area.
Nothing more concrete was announced, and no opening date was even hinted at.
That’s all the news I have to share from Destination D23 in regards to Walt Disney World. Anything of interest to you? Let me know in the comments!
- Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Announces Opening Date for New Venue Called Judson’s Live - December 1, 2023
- MegaCon Orlando Reveals Initial Line-Up of Guests for 2024 Event - November 30, 2023
- CitySurfing Orlando’s Guide To 2023 Holiday Events In Central Florida - November 29, 2023
- Places To Donate On #GivingTuesday 2023 In Central Florida - November 28, 2023
- Out and About: Jeff’s Bagel Run Introduces Holiday Flavors for the Season - November 22, 2023
- ‘Dazzling Nights’ Returns To Light Up Leu Gardens Nov. 24, 2023-Jan. 06, 2024 - November 13, 2023
- The Holidays at Universal Orlando Return Nov. 17 Throughout the Resort - November 11, 2023
- HOLIDAYS at LEGOLAND Florida Return Nov. 24-Dec. 31, 2023 - November 10, 2023
- SeaWorld Orlando’s 2023 Christmas Celebration Kicks Off Nov. 10 - November 9, 2023
- Get Free Tickets to ‘Thanksgiving’ Advance Movie Screening In Orlando - November 8, 2023