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D23 2026 Disney Announcements: Every U.S. Park Update

News By Kim Fidler August 17, 2026 Tags: Carousel of Progress, D23 Announcements, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disneyland, Epcot, Figment, Indiana Jones, Magic Kingdom, Monstropolis, Piston Peak National Park, Spaceship Earth, Tropical Americas, Villains Land, walt disney world, World of Color 1 Comment

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event took place in Anaheim on August 14-16, 2026, and Saturday night’s Disney Experiences Showcase brought a ton of news for both coasts. We learned new details and got a few surprises too.

We’ve put together every Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme park announcement in one place, so you don’t have to scroll for hours. You’ll find all the official details and dates that have been released, and we’re calling out which parts are new versus which projects you’ve already heard about.

Walt Disney World

All four Walt Disney World parks got news at D23 this year. Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios each had at least one update, ranging from brand new project reveals to fresh details on lands that have been under construction for a while.

Magic Kingdom

Villains Land has been in the works since 2024, but D23 is where it actually became real. Disney confirmed the official name, ah-hem… Villains Land and gave us our first look at the two headline attractions. First is a roller coaster starring Maleficent, and the second is a dark ride hosted by the Evil Queen’s Magic Mirror. The Evil Queen, Cruella de Vil, and Dr. Facilier each get their own space inside the land. Disney has not announced an opening date. Based on the permits filed so far, most fan trackers are guessing somewhere between late 2027 and 2030.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Piston Peak National Park, the Cars-themed land replacing Rivers of America, is also a known project. What’s new: both rides finally have names. Cars Ridge Run Rally is the thrill ride, sending guests up a mountain and through a geyser field. Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along is the family-friendly one, a demolition derby starring a school-bus-sized Miss Fritter animatronic. Disney has not set an opening date.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Carousel of Progress was already closed for its overhaul before D23, and we already knew it was getting a new 1980s scene with a target reopening of late spring 2027. What we DIDN’T know: Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston are voicing Mother and Father. Can you imagine a more iconic duo? We can’t.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

EPCOT

Spaceship Earth is all new news. Disney announced its first major story change in nearly 20 years, shifting the ride’s focus from communication to human connection while keeping the same trip through history. Disney has not shared closure or reopening dates yet.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Journey Into Imagination with Figment is also a fresh announcement. Disney confirmed the ride is being reimagined and that Dreamfinder is officially coming back. That’s all Disney shared. There is no concept art, no timeline, and no word yet on what happens to the current ride in the meantime.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Tropical Americas, the land replacing the old DinoLand, U.S.A., has been in the pipeline since 2024. D23 filled in the blanks: all three attractions now have official names and story details. Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will feature an Audio-Animatronics figure modeled after Harrison Ford himself. Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, a ride through dark attraction, and El Carrusel de los Animalitos, a family-friendly carousel, round out the land. It’s still on track for 2027.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Expedition Everest’s Yeti is a surprise addition to the list. The massive animatronic has run in “B-mode,” using a strobe effect instead of full motion, for close to 20 years. Disney confirmed at D23 that it’s finally being repaired, though no timeline was given.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Monstropolis, the Monsters, Inc. land taking over the old Muppets Courtyard, is another project we already knew about. New at D23: parts of the land will start opening in 2027, ahead of its headliner. The suspended door-chase coaster will not be ready when the rest of the land opens, and Disney hasn’t set a date for it. What is coming in 2027: Harryhausen’s restaurant, the Glob Theater (with a brand new Disney Legend Randy Newman song called “Welcome to Monstropolis”), and the Scareporium gift shop.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Resort’s D23 news leaned more on updates than reveals. Most of what came out was new detail layered onto projects Disney had already confirmed, plus the one surprise fans had been hoping for: official word that Tomorrowland is finally getting reimagined.

Disneyland Park

Tomorrowland is getting a full reimagining. This one’s new. Disney promised more attractions and more open space, but this was more of an “it’s happening” reveal than a details reveal. Disney has not announced a timeline, but we’re hoping Tomorrowland is more like tomorrow and less like years away…

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Remember… Dreams Come True, the nighttime fireworks spectacular, is coming back with refreshed projections starting in February 2027. That date is new.
Magic Happens, the daytime parade, is returning to Disneyland Park as part of a new “Calling All Dreamers” celebration. Disney has not attached a specific return date. We’re thrilled to see this fan favorite parade return.

Disney California Adventure Park

Coco, the boat ride, has been a known project since it was first announced. What’s new is the story detail: it’s set a year after the movie, the entrance features Miguel’s great-great-grandfather Hector Rivera, and boats carry guests through the Land of the Dead. There’s no height requirement. Disney has not announced an opening date for this ride either.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

The Avatar experience is still on the books. Disney has not canceled it, despite rumors going into D23, and showed a new model of the boat ride on the show floor, confirming the project for Hollywood Land is still moving forward. What’s new is the timeline. Disney is shifting the project’s priority to focus resources on the new Tomorrowland project at Disneyland Park first, which pushes Avatar’s own opening further out. That delay has an upside for guests: Disney has pushed back the closure of Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!, the ride Avatar will eventually replace, again. Disney has not announced a new closure date.
Avengers Campus doubling in size isn’t new, but the timeline is. Two new attractions, Avengers: Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab, are now confirmed for 2028. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, and Brie Larson are all reprising their roles.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

World of Color isn’t getting a new name. Disney is retiring the current “World of Color – One” and bringing back the original “World of Color” title with an updated take, featuring new segments from films like The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Toy Story. It returns in February 2027.

That’s every theme park update Disney confirmed at D23 2026 for Disneyland and Walt Disney World. A lot of these are still years out, so treat the “no date yet” items as things to keep an eye on rather than trip-planning details for now. Once dining reservations open for new spots like Harryhausen’s, set a free dining alert at MouseDining.com so you don’t miss your shot at a table.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did D23 2026 take place?
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event ran August 14-16, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

What is opening first at Walt Disney World?
Carousel of Progress has the earliest confirmed date, reopening in late spring 2027. Disney is also targeting parts of Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom and parts of Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios for 2027.

Did Disney give an opening date for Villains Land?
No. Disney confirmed the name and the two headline attractions but did not announce an opening date.

Is a Cars ride coming to Magic Kingdom?
Yes. Piston Peak National Park is the Cars-themed land replacing Rivers of America in Frontierland. Its two attractions, Cars Ridge Run Rally and Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along, both got official names at D23 2026, though Disney has not announced an opening date.

Is Dreamfinder coming back to EPCOT?
Yes. Disney confirmed it is reimagining Journey Into Imagination with Figment and bringing Dreamfinder officially back. Disney has not shared a timeline, concept art, or any word on what happens to the current ride in the meantime.

What’s new at EPCOT?
Spaceship Earth is getting its first major story change in nearly 20 years, shifting the ride’s focus to human connection. Disney is also reimagining Journey Into Imagination with Figment and bringing back Dreamfinder. Disney has not announced dates for either project.

What’s new at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
Tropical Americas now has official names and story details for all three of its attractions, and it’s still on track for a 2027 opening. Disney also confirmed that it’s finally repairing the long-broken Yeti animatronic in Expedition Everest, though it did not give a repair timeline.

What’s new at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Monstropolis, the Monsters, Inc. land, will begin opening in phases in 2027, though its headliner suspended coaster will not be ready yet. Disney also shared new details on Harryhausen’s restaurant and a new theme song from Randy Newman.

What’s new at Disneyland Park?
Disney confirmed it is reimagining Tomorrowland, though it did not announce a timeline. The Remember… Dreams Come True fireworks show returns in February 2027, and the Magic Happens parade is coming back as part of a new “Calling All Dreamers” celebration.

What’s new at Disney California Adventure Park?
New story details on the Coco boat ride, a 2028 opening date for the expanded Avengers Campus, confirmation that Disney has not canceled the Avatar experience (it’s just coming later than planned), and an updated take on the original World of Color returning in February 2027.

Monstropolis at Disney World: Everything We Know About the Monsters, Inc. Land

News By Kim Fidler June 16, 2026 Tags: Construction, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Monsters Inc, Monstropolis, walt disney world No Comments

Monstropolis at Disney World is taking shape, and the monsters just rolled out the welcome mat. Construction continues at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney finally revealed the story behind the new Disney and Pixar Monsters, Inc. land. For the first time ever, humans get invited into the monster world. Here is everything Disney has confirmed so far.

What Is Monstropolis at Disney World?

Monstropolis is a brand-new themed land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios built it together. The land brings the monster city from Disney and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. to life. You walk the streets, meet the citizens, and step into the everyday world of Sulley, Mike, and the rest of the gang.

The story picks up after the events of the original film. Monstropolis no longer runs on screams. It runs on laughter. And that change set everything in motion.

A Laugh That Changed Everything

For generations, Monstropolis ran on fear. Monsters powered their city with screams, and they viewed humans as dangerous and off-limits. Then James P. Sullivan and Mike Wazowski discovered something huge. Human laughter generates far more power than screams.

That single discovery transformed the city. Fear gave way to curiosity. Caution gave way to connection. The doors that once separated the monster world from ours stopped feeling like barriers. What started inside Monsters, Inc. grew into a citywide shift in how monsters see humans.

Meet the Department of Human Relations

As Monstropolis changed, the city created a new team to manage the new relationship. Say hello to the Department of Human Relations. This is not your typical HR department. The city tasked this group with helping monsters understand humans as welcomed guests.

The department also spearheaded a moment once thought impossible. It invited humans into Monstropolis for the very first time. And that invitation has a name.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

What Is H.U.M.A.N. Day?

H.U.M.A.N. Day stands for “Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice.” It marks a historic milestone for the city. Part celebration and part cultural exchange, the event introduces humans to life inside Monstropolis. It also helps monsters learn that humans are not so frightening after all.

On H.U.M.A.N. Day, you get to explore the city, meet its citizens, taste unique cuisine, and experience the everyday world of monsters. Two worlds once kept apart finally meet face to scaly, furry, and fang-filled face. Laughter brings them together, not screams.

Exploring the Streets of Monstropolis

Storefronts line the streets. Monster-run industries hum alongside everyday city life. Every corner reflects the quirky, character-filled world that fans first fell in love with. Disney has confirmed a couple of iconic stops so far.

Harryhausen’s

Yes, that legendary restaurant from the film. Monsters line up for it, and now you can too. Harryhausen’s is the headline dining news for Monstropolis, and Disney has officially confirmed it for the land. In the film, it is the upscale sushi spot where Mike takes Celia for her birthday, and it is famously tough to book. The restaurant takes its name from Ray Harryhausen, the legendary special effects pioneer whose creature work inspired the Monsters, Inc. design team. Its head chef is a six-armed octopus, a fun nod to the 1955 film It Came from Beneath the Sea. We can’t wait for a full menu reveal!

The Glob Theater

This city landmark adds even more personality and energy to the streets of Monstropolis.

Disney has teased that more locations are still to come, so expect additional details as the land gets closer to opening.

The Monsters, Inc. Doors Coaster

The land will also feature a major new attraction centered on the iconic door factory. Disney announced this ride as the first-ever suspended roller coaster at a Disney theme park. You zoom through the door vault much like Sulley does in the film. It anchors the land as the headline experience.

When Does Monstropolis Open at Disney World?

Disney has not announced an official opening date for Monstropolis. The land is actively under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and a project this large will likely need a longer construction timeline. Some outlets are guessing a 2028 debut. Until Disney confirms a date, though, we will not know for sure.

This expansion follows other big changes at the park. The Muppets recently took over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and a new snack spot opened right next door. Read our full guide to FØØD by Swedish Chef at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the details.

We will update this article the moment Disney confirms a timeline, so check back for the latest. Planning a Walt Disney World trip in the meantime? Use the official My Disney Experience app and the Walt Disney World website for current park hours, tickets, and dining reservations.

Photo Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Monstropolis at Disney World: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Monstropolis at Disney World?

Monstropolis is a new themed land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, based on Disney and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. It lets you walk the streets of the monster city and meet its citizens for the first time.

Where is Monstropolis located?

Monstropolis is located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

What is H.U.M.A.N. Day?

H.U.M.A.N. Day stands for “Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice.” It is the in-story event that invites humans into Monstropolis for the first time, blending celebration with cultural exchange between monsters and humans.

What rides will Monstropolis have?

Disney has confirmed a major attraction built around the Monsters, Inc. door factory. It will be the first suspended roller coaster at a Disney theme park, sending you zooming through the door vault.

What restaurants are in Monstropolis?

Disney has confirmed Harryhausen’s, the legendary restaurant from the film. The city also includes the Glob Theater, with more locations expected as details are released.

When will Monstropolis open?

Disney has not announced an official opening date yet. The land is currently under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and a project this size will likely take a longer timeline. Some outlets are guessing 2028, but nothing is confirmed until Disney says so.