D23 2026: Everything You Need to Know About What’s Coming to Disney Parks & Disney Cruise Line
Disney Parks 2026 Announcements: What’s Coming Next
If you’re a Disney fan, you probably already know that D23 is where some of the biggest Disney Parks announcements happen. And this year? Disney did not disappoint! ✨
During the 2026 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, Disney Experiences shared a HUGE look at what is coming to Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line.
From a massive new Cars-themed area and an all-new Villains Land at Magic Kingdom to Monstropolis, Indiana Jones, the return of Figment and Dreamfinder, new Disneyland entertainment and an entirely new class of Disney Cruise Line ships — there is a LOT to look forward to.
So, let’s break down the biggest announcements and, more importantly, what they could mean if you're planning a Disney vacation in the coming years.
🚗 Piston Peak National Park Is Coming to Magic Kingdom
One of the biggest announcements from D23 was more information about Piston Peak National Park, the new Cars-inspired area coming to Magic Kingdom.
This project is part of the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history, and we finally got a much better idea of what guests can expect.
The area will be inspired by the rugged beauty of America's national parks, complete with towering mountains, waterfalls, rivers and geysers — all brought into the world of Disney and Pixar's Cars.
And there will be TWO attractions!
🏁 Cars Ridge Run Rally
This new racing attraction will take guests through the wilderness of Piston Peak.
Racers will climb the mountain, encounter a snow-covered peak, experience a camelback descent and race through a geyser field before making their way toward the finish.
One of the most interesting details is the ride vehicle itself.
Disney says the vehicle is being designed to actually behave like an off-road vehicle, with tires and suspension that react to the terrain. That means guests won't simply be sitting in a vehicle that looks like it's driving over the landscape — they'll actually feel the bumps, drops and movement.
💥 Miss Fritter's Daredevil Spin-Along
The second attraction coming to Piston Peak was also revealed at D23.
Inspired by Miss Fritter from Cars 3, this experience will feature the "Diva of Demolition" as a giant Audio-Animatronic hosting what Disney describes as her wildest demolition derby yet.
And the entire land will continue the storytelling of Magic Kingdom's Frontierland and Liberty Square, blending the Cars universe with an American national-park setting.
Opening date: Disney has not announced one yet.
If you're a fan of Disney's villains, this might be the announcement you've been waiting for.
Villains Land is officially moving forward at Magic Kingdom, and Disney says the new land will be approximately the size of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
That's a LOT of room for some wicked Disney storytelling. 😈
The land will feature an original story inspired by classic Disney villains.
Guests will enter a mysterious forest where an evil wish has corrupted a once-magical Wishing Well. The villains have been drawn to the area in an attempt to claim the well's remaining dark magic and create their own lairs.
The result?
A land filled with villainous fortresses, palaces, shops, restaurants and attractions.
And there will be TWO major attractions.
🐉 Maleficent Coaster
Guests will race through enchanted briars surrounding Maleficent's mountaintop fortress.
Disney says the attraction will include elements that Imagineers have never attempted before on similar attractions.
🪞 Mirror Realm
The second attraction will be a dark ride hosted by the Magic Mirror.
Guests will travel into the mysterious Mirror Realm, where they will encounter a collection of Disney Villains brought to life through physical sets and special effects.
Opening date: No opening date has been announced yet.
For Disney fans who have been asking for a dedicated villains experience, this is a BIG one.
Disney's Hollywood Studios is about to get a little more monstrous.
Monstropolis, inspired by Pixar's Monsters, Inc., is taking shape — and Disney announced that parts of the new land will open in 2027, even as construction continues on the highly anticipated door coaster.
The new land will tell the story of the first time humans are officially welcomed into the monster world.
The celebration is called H.U.M.A.N. Day — Humans Understanding Monsters Are Nice.
😂 Honestly, I think that's one of the most Disney ways possible to introduce a new land.
Guests will be able to explore the streets of Monstropolis and visit locations including:
🎭 Glob Theater
🍕 Archie's Scare Pig Pizza
🎓 Monsters University Alumni Club
🛍️ Scareporium
🍣 Harryhausen's Restaurant
Harryhausen's is especially exciting because guests will see the famous sushi chef brought to life as an Audio-Animatronic.
And yes — there will be more than just sushi on the menu.
Disney is still keeping plenty of details under wraps, but it's clear that Monstropolis is going to be much more than simply a new attraction. It is being designed as an entire city for guests to explore.
Another major Walt Disney World announcement came from Disney's Animal Kingdom.
The new attraction will be called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent.
Guests will join Dr. Jones as he explores an ancient temple inspired by Maya culture and its connection to nature.
The adventure will eventually take guests into the Maya Underworld, where they'll encounter dangers including:
🦇 Giant bats🦂 Massive scorpions🔥 Fire and flames🐍 And, of course, a giant serpent
But perhaps the coolest announcement?
Harrison Ford himself will be the actual model for the new Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronic.
That will mark the first time Harrison Ford's likeness will be featured as the face of a Disney attraction.
🏔️ The Yeti Is Coming Back to Life!
Expedition Everest fans — this one is for you!
Disney announced that the iconic Yeti Audio-Animatronic will come back to life inside Expedition Everest.
For guests who remember the original movement of the Yeti, this is a particularly exciting update to one of Animal Kingdom's most popular attractions.
💜 Figment & Dreamfinder Are Returning to EPCOT
Yes. You read that correctly.
FIGMENT AND DREAMFINDER ARE COMING BACK!
The beloved pair will return for a new adventure in the Imagination pavilion.
For longtime EPCOT fans, this is a huge dose of nostalgia — and a reminder that Disney is continuing to bring elements of EPCOT's history into its future.
🌐 Spaceship Earth Is Getting a Reimagining
Spaceship Earth is also preparing for its next chapter.
The attraction will continue celebrating the history of human communication, but the updated story will expand into the broader idea of human connection.
Disney says the goal is to retain the optimism and wonder that have defined Spaceship Earth while bringing new magic into the journey.
🎠 Carousel of Progress Is Getting a Major Update
One of Walt Disney's most personal projects is getting a significant refresh.
Carousel of Progress will be updated with new time periods, new voices and a new look at the future — while keeping its beloved theme of optimism and progress.
And Disney announced two new voices for the iconic family:
🎙️ Jamie Lee Curtis as Mom🎙️ Bryan Cranston as Dad
The updated attraction will take guests through several eras:
The 1960s
The family gathers around the television to watch the historic moon landing in 1969.
The 1980s
The story jumps to Halloween 1985, with Sarah taking a more prominent role as the family experiences new technology and appliances.
The New Millennium
The family prepares for New Year's Eve 1999 as the Internet begins changing the way people connect with one another.
The Possible Future
The final scene looks toward a future filled with technology, robots and even space travel.
And there's one more incredible piece of this update:
Walt Disney himself will appear in the attraction through Audio-Animatronics technology.
The updated Carousel of Progress is expected to debut in late spring 2027.
Walt Disney World wasn't the only Disney destination with major announcements.
Disneyland Resort received a LOT of exciting news at D23 as well.
🎸 A New Coco Attraction Is Coming to Disney California Adventure
A new Coco attraction is coming to Disney California Adventure, and this one sounds like it will be a beautiful addition for families.
Guests will join Miguel on a journey through his memories of the Land of the Dead, encountering characters including Miguel, Dante and Héctor.
The attraction will celebrate the music, family, culture and emotion that made Coco so beloved.
And here's great news for families:
There will be no height requirement.
That means the whole family can experience Miguel's journey together.
🦸♀️ Avengers Campus Is Doubling in Size
Marvel fans have a LOT to look forward to at Disneyland Resort.
Avengers Campus will double in size, with TWO new attractions coming in 2028.
🛡️ Avengers Infinity Defense
Guests will become new recruits and join the Avengers in an adventure against King Thanos.
The experience will take guests across multiple worlds, including:
🌎 New York City⚡ Asgard🛡️ Wakanda
And some familiar Marvel actors will reprise their roles for the attraction, including Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Mackie as Captain America and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye.
🤖 Stark Flight Lab
In this attraction, guests will climb into two-person gyro-kinetic pods and experience high-speed maneuvers inspired by Iron Man and other Avengers.
Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Mackie and Brie Larson are among the actors returning for the attraction.
And there's another fun piece of the expansion:
Avengers Campus will reconnect with Cars Land.
Disney also announced that Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park will be reimagined.
The goal is to honor the legacy of Walt Disney's original Tomorrowland while creating new experiences for future generations.
Disney says the transformation will include new attractions, more open spaces and new opportunities for guests to experience the future.
More details are still to come.
🎆 Disneyland Entertainment Is Coming Back!
If you love Disneyland's entertainment, there was some VERY good news at D23.
Several beloved experiences are returning in 2027.
❤️ Remember... Dreams Come True
This nighttime spectacular returns to Disneyland in February 2027.
The refreshed version will feature projections on Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America, the facade of it's a small world and Main Street, U.S.A.
And on select nights, fireworks will once again light up the sky.
🌈 World of Color
The original World of Color is also returning to Disney California Adventure in February 2027 in an updated version.
The show will celebrate Disney and Pixar favorites including The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo and Toy Story.
✨ Magic Happens
And just when Disneyland fans thought it couldn't get any better...
Magic Happens is returning in summer 2027!
The daytime parade will once again bring favorite Disney stories to the streets of Disneyland, including Cinderella, The Sword in the Stone and Coco.
For Disneyland fans, 2027 is shaping up to be a pretty exciting year.
Disney Cruise Line fans weren't left out of the D23 excitement.
🌺 Meet the Disney Believe
The Disney Believe is scheduled to set sail in late 2027.
The ship's Grand Hall will be inspired by Moana, with a centerpiece featuring Moana, Pua and Heihei.
The ship will also feature:
🧸 Woody and Buzz Lightyear on the stern✨ Tinker Bell on the bow🌺 Polynesian-inspired details throughout the Grand Hall
The entire ship is being built around themes of belief, family, nature and the idea of believing in something magical.
And then Disney Cruise Line gave us an even bigger look at the future.
Beginning in 2029, Disney Cruise Line will introduce an entirely new class of ships.
These ships will fall somewhere between Disney's classic ships and its newer vessels in size — larger than the Disney Wonder but smaller than the Disney Wish.
The smaller size opens up possibilities for Disney Cruise Line to visit new destinations and reach new guests around the world.
Disney Cruise Line has announced plans for three ships in this new class.
✨ So What Does All of This Mean for Disney Travelers?
This is probably the question I get most after announcements like these:
"So... when should I go?"
And honestly, there isn't one right answer.
If you want to experience Disney Parks before major construction and changes, you may want to visit sooner.
If you want to experience the newest attractions and lands, you may want to wait.
And if you're somewhere in between, there are some really interesting opportunities coming over the next several years but there is NEVER a bad time to go! Disney is always changing and evolving! That is what makes it magical!
Think about it:
🏰 Magic Kingdom is getting Piston Peak and Villains Land.
👻 Hollywood Studios is getting Monstropolis.
🐍 Animal Kingdom is getting Indiana Jones.
💜 EPCOT is bringing back Figment and Dreamfinder.
🎠 Carousel of Progress is getting a major update.
🌴 Disneyland is getting Coco, a huge Avengers Campus expansion and a Tomorrowland reimagining.
🎆 Beloved Disneyland entertainment is returning.
🚢 Disney Cruise Line is expanding with the Disney Believe and a brand-new class of ships.
There is no shortage of reasons to plan a Disney vacation.
And because these projects are happening over several different years, the timing of your vacation can make a big difference depending on what matters most to you.
This is exactly why having someone who follows the Disney news and understands how these changes can affect your vacation can be so helpful.
At Jen's Magical Memories LLC, I don't just help you book a Disney vacation. I help you figure out when to go, where to stay, what experiences are worth prioritizing and how to make the most of your time and money.
Whether you're dreaming about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a Disney Cruise or another Disney destination, I'm here to help you plan the details so you can focus on making the memories. ✨
And if you're not ready to book yet, that's okay too!
Follow Jen's Magical Memories LLC for Disney news, vacation planning tips, updates on new attractions and resorts, helpful travel information and plenty of Disney magic along the way. 💙
✨ Ready to start planning?
I'd love to help you turn that Disney dream into a real vacation.
Jen's Magical Memories LLCHelping you plan the magic — from booking to the memories you'll make along the way. 💙
All attraction names, opening windows and project details are based on Disney's announcements at D23 2026 and are subject to change as development continues.
Comments