Fans of Disney parks got some major updates for some various experiences coming to their destination of choice on Saturday morning.
The Disney parks panel at Destination D23 gave some exciting news blasts for folks who enjoy experiencing the theme parks, including the long-awaited update on what Disney is doing with the retheming of Animal Kingdom’s Dinoland U.S.A.
Updates for the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disneyland’s Avengers Campus, Star Tours and Tokyo DisneySea also came through for fans wondering what the future will hold for those various parks.
If you’re a fan of Encanto, Indiana Jones, Zootopia or the Country Bear Jamboree, you’re going to want to check this out.
Encanto, Indiana Jones attractions being considered for Animal Kingdom land
The biggest news out of Destination D23’s parks announcements came with news about the retheming of Animal Kingdom’s Dinoland U.S.A. area.
The area will be inspired by the “tropical Americas” and is being rendered with attractions inspired by the film Encanto and the Indiana Jones series.
If you look at the artwork rendering, you can see Casa Madrigal from Encanto and what looks to be an ancient temple where an Indiana Jones attraction could take place.
🚨JUST IN🚨New experiences inspired by “Encanto” – the Academy Award winning Walt Disney Animation Studios film – and the fan-favorite adventurer Indiana Jones are being considered for the reimagined land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! 👀#DestinationD23 pic.twitter.com/OH9HCCxuFw
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 9, 2023
No timeline has been set for opening, but more will likely be revealed at next year’s D23 Expo in Anaheim.
Animal Kingdom's Tree of Life will get new Zootopia experience
The Animal Kingdom will also retheme its central Tree of Life attraction to a Zootopia-themed experience.
The park’s giant tree has long been home to the Bug’s Life 3D show It’s Tough to Be a Bug!, but it will now feature visits to “the different biomes in the film, traveling along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and other characters,” per Disney.
🐰JUST ANNOUNCED 🦊 A new show based on “Zootopia” is being created for the Tree of Life theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Guests will visit the different biomes in the film, traveling along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and other characters.🌳 #DestinationD23 pic.twitter.com/g1ZhQwZFIs
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 9, 2023
No timeline has been revealed yet for this retheming, either.
Test Track will get another revamp
Test Track, Epcot’s long-standing thrill ride, will be getting its second major revamp since the attraction’s opening.
“Imagineers along with teams from [Chevrolet] are looking back to the original World of Motion for inspiration and bringing that spirit of optimism to the next iteration of the attraction,” Disney shared during the presentation.
🚦BRAKEING NEWS🚦Test Track will be reimagined! Imagineers along with teams from @Chevrolet are looking back to the original World of Motion for inspiration and bringing that spirit of optimism to the next iteration of the attraction! More to come in the future. #DestinationD23 pic.twitter.com/W61Zpb9OlQ
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 9, 2023
More information on the new Test Track experience will come down the road, per Disney.
The Country Bear Jamboree is getting an update
The iconic Country Bear Jamboree at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom will reportedly be getting new songs and a new act that incorporates Disney songs with a country twist.
Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty shares Imagineers are envisioning the new experience as a homage to the classic musical revues of Nashville and they’re working with musicians to get the authentic country sound. 🎶 #DestinationD23
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 9, 2023
The attraction has been open in Orlando since 1971, making this a pretty major update for one of the park’s more beloved shows.
The ride vehicle for Disneyland's new Avengers Campus attraction was revealed
After Disney announced a new Avengers attraction for Disneyland last year that will reportedly feature Thanos and the Multiverse, fans got a first glimpse at the ride vehicle that the new experience will utilize.
FIRST LOOK 👀 Fans are getting a peek at the new world-jumping ride vehicle coming to Avenger’s Campus at Disney California Adventure Park to help transport Super Heroes into the Multiverse! #DestinationD23 pic.twitter.com/eBPu3io4ee
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 9, 2023
Star Tours will feature Ahsoka next year
Fans of the new Star Wars show Ahsoka will get a chance to go on an adventure with the Jedi on Star Tours, with an Ahsoka-themed ride show coming to all versions of Star Tours next spring.
📣 JUST ANNOUNCED! 📣 #Ahsoka will become part of Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at @WaltDisneyWorld, @Disneyland and @DisneylandParis_EN beginning next spring! #DestinationD23 pic.twitter.com/4g7qoYYKAa
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 9, 2023
World Celebration neighborhood, character experiences, new show coming to Epcot
How about more Epcot updates?
For Disney fans who want to snap a pic with their favorite characters, Moana and Ahsa from the upcoming film Wish will be making their way to Epcot.
The new World Celebration neighborhood at the park’s center will also be opening in December, and a new nighttime show will begin that month as well called Luminous The Symphony of Us.
🌀JUST ANNOUNCED 🌀Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will open on Oct. 16, 2023! Moana will also arrive in World Nature this day and make her first appearance in her own dedicated space at EPCOT at @WaltDisneyWorld. https://t.co/Kh4m7aEGtZ🌊#DestinationD23 pic.twitter.com/Eqjjswyx7p
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 9, 2023
Asha, from the new @DisneyAnimation film “Wish” will soon be coming to EPCOT at @WaltDisneyWorld, @Disneyland, and @DisneylandParis.⭐️#DestinationD23 pic.twitter.com/UasnG9SNdH
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 9, 2023
🎆BREAKING 🎆 The new nighttime spectacular at EPCOT called “Luminous The Symphony of Us” will debut on Dec. 5, 2023 at @WaltDisneyWorld featuring fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects and music. 🌐 #DestinationD23 pic.twitter.com/M8sa8qGJdG
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 9, 2023
Hatbox Ghost coming to Haunted Mansion
Haunted Mansion fans will get a new spook as the Hatbox Ghost is coming to the Disney World attraction at the Magic Kingdom in November.
Disney Imagineer Daniel Joseph is giving fans more details on the Hatbox Ghost and how he will materialize as you pass the Endless Hallway. #DestinationD23
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 9, 2023
New Pirates-themed lounge coming to Magic Kingdom
A new themed lounge area is also coming to Disney World’s Pirates of the Caribbean area at Magic Kingdom.
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨A new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park at @WaltDisneyWorld! This will be a first-of-its-kind experience extending the story of Pirates of the Caribbean. 🏴☠️ #DestinationD23 pic.twitter.com/eFejQAXed4
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 9, 2023
Tokyo DisneySea's new themed port gets fresh look
Park fans got a fresh look at the new themed port at Tokyo DisneySea opening in 2024.
“The eighth themed port of Tokyo DisneySea will feature Rapunzel’s Forest, Peter Pan’s Never Land & Frozen Kingdom,” Disney shared.
New look at what’s coming to Fantasy Springs at Tokyo Disney Resort is being shared! The eighth themed port of Tokyo DisneySea will feature Rapunzel’s Forest, Peter Pan’s Never Land & Frozen Kingdom. Fantasy Springs is scheduled to open in 2024.… pic.twitter.com/D3TbZFbe8z
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 9, 2023
