We all know that the D23 Expo was this past weekend and there were so many announcements that is almost hard to keep up. So let’s break it down and put them all in one place, with all the Exciting news fro D23. Josh A’maro was quoted saying “There’s not limits to where we are going”. Also “When I look back over our first 100 years, what jumps out at me is how we are just constantly reinventing ourselves, telling new stories for brand-new generations. You all know this: We need those stories more than ever. And that’s a lesson we take straight from Walt. He believed in the power of storytelling.”
New Stories Coming to Disneyland Resort
Once Disney Legend Jon Favreau joined D’Amaro on stage, we should have known we were in for some amazing revelations. Sharing a first look at the Mandalorian and Grogu, two new characters joining Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park starting in mid-November.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige shared updates with the expansion of the multiverse with a never-before-seen third attraction. The Incredible Hulk will begin hanging around Avengers Campus starting next week in his Quantum Suit for a limited time. The new attraction will allow guests to join in battle with the Avengers facing some famous foes. Foes from anywhere and everywhen, including a new threat King Thanos, a multiverse variant designed specially for Avengers Campus.
“The fun thing about Marvel is [seeing] the characters all of the characters, all of the time—and with the Multiverse at Avengers Campus, you’re going to be able to do that,” Feige shared, before showing a rendering King Thanos, drawing gasps among the crowd. “This is a new version of Thanos for the very first time coming into the MCU via this attraction. He’s got a cool white beard, too, and a crown. This is a Thanos that won, and the Avengers aren’t too happy about that. And you have to help them.”
Pacific Wharf is also getting a new makeover. Right around the corner from Avengers Campus we will see a reimagined San Fransokyo from the Oscar-winning Disney Animation film Big Hero 6. Not only with new spots to eat and shop, Baymax will be joining you for a great meet and greet.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will invite guests into a cartoon world where toon rules apply, and Mickey’s Toontown will step into a new era of inclusive experiences for families of all ages when it opens in early 2023.
Reimagining will continue of the Paradise Pier Hotel to Pixar Place Hotel, where guests will feel as though they’ve stepped into a Pixar art gallery. More than a dozen new and reimagined locations will open over at Downtown Disney District and the runDisney races will return to the resort in 2024. Some of us have waited 7 years for them to come back.
Walt Disney World and The Transformation of Epcot
Epcot’s multi-year transformation will reach its next major milestone with the completion of the World of Celebration neighborhood in late 2023. Also, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is based on Moana’s connection with the ocean. This walk through will open late 2023, and invite guests to follow the story of water on the planet.
Fan favorite, Figment will also appear live to park guests by the end of 2023.
Scheduled to enter the Grid over at Magic Kingdom, Iron/Lightcycle Run will open Spring of 2023. And returning to the skies over Cinderella Castle, “Happily Ever After” will play again during an updated nighttime spectacular. Over at Haunted Mansion, the Hatbox Ghost will materialize also in 2023. This will be his first appearance at the Magic Kingdom.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World
D’Amaro was joined onstage with Imagineers to discuss the new story details for the attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Revealing several members of the original film cast will return to lend their voices to the attraction. Coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World in late 2024 you can hear the voices of Anika Rose as Tiana, Bruno Campos as Naveen, Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis and Jennifer Lewis as Mama Odie.
Set Sail for New Horizons with Disney Cruise Line
Disney announced the name of their newest ship in the fleet and the sister ship to the Disney Wish this past weekend as well. With a little help from Peter Pan, the Disney Treasure was revealed, celebrating Walt Disney’s lifelong love of exploration. Imagineers have dreamed up a new design concept around the theme of adventure. Between the Grand Hall with its magnificent three-deck-tall atrium that welcomes guests onboard. It’s inspired by the grandeur, mystery of a gilded palace, drawing on real-world influences from Asia and Africa. They also pay homage to the far-off land of Agrabah. Sitting front and center is the signature statue featuring Aladdin, Jasmine and their Magic Carpet.
Disney Cruise Line adventures will continue expanding it’s horizons with limited-time cruises to Australia and New Zealand. Immersing guests in Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories beginning in late October 2023. Additionally, repositioning cruises for the Disney Wonder to the South Pacific giving guests the chance to experience destinations like Fiji and Samoa.
Not to be outdone, the Bahamas is still progressing beautifully on their new island destination at Lighthouse Point. Bringing the natural beauty and rich culture of the Bahamas to life for Disney Cruise Line.
Let it Go.. Frozen is Taking over the World
Three Frozen Themed Lands highlight expansions at Disney Parks around the world. Inspired by Disney Animation’s stunning films, World of Frozen will open in the second half of 2023 at Hong Kong Disneyland. It’s the first of three Frozen-themed areas coming to international Disney parks.
The next major milestone in the ongoing transformation of Disneyland Paris with a Frozen-themed land. Offering a gorgeous lakeside promenade and will immerse guest in the same magical, wintery setting from the films. A new Tangled-themed family attraction will join the new gardens leading into the land. Frozen will also be part of the transformation of the Disneyland Hotel, reopening in 2024. As part of the grand finale of the 30th Anniversary celebration underway, a new stage show, “Pixar: We Belong Together,” will debut in 2023 in Walt Disney Studios park.
As part of the Fantasy Springs expansion at Tokyo DisneySea, joining two other Disney Animation stories, Peter Pan and Tangled, Frozen comes to life. Also a brand new hotel integrated right into the park. Fantasy Springs will feature several new Audio-Animatronics® figures, including Elsa, who sings in Japanese and whose movements sync with the rhythms of the language.
More Disney News From Around the World
Zootopia is coming to life for the first time at Shanghai Disney Resort. From the Oscar-winning Disney Animation film, Zootopia Central Station, will bring guests into the world of animals. Animals just going about their daily lives throughout the station. At the entrance to the Zootopia Police Department, you will find the entrance to land’s new family attraction. There you will be greeted by an Audio-Animatronic Officer Clawhauser.
What’s Next…
When Walt Disney Imagineers and their collaborators dream, anything is possible. Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee, shared out the studio is working with Walt Disney Imagineering on concept explorations for Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. There was also hint of a possible potential expansion into Magic Kingdom, both at Walt Disney World.
What could lie “beyond Big Thunder Mountain? Through concept art, citing two recent Disney Animation hits, as well as “what it” renderings of a land of the Disney Villians. Chris Beatty, Creative Portfolio Executive with WDI said “Imagine what if we could pass over those fires in Big Thunder Mountain,”? He also hinted “Maybe there’s a little valley in front of us with the little town of Santa Cecilia [from Coco] and celebrating Encanto. And what if we could… fly into the Land of the Dead with our friend Miguel, just like the Riveras [from Coco]? That’s what could be out there.”
There are still more out there that wasn’t covered, but regardless it’s a great time to be a Disney fan.
What announcement has you the most excited ? Packages for 2023 are open, it’s a great time to contact your favorite Enchanted Adventures Travel Advisor. Book a trip to see everything new happening at Disney next year.
