“Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” Those were the words of Walt Disney at the opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955.
Nearly 70 years later, Walt’s words are truer than ever as Disney Experiences has grown beyond the gates of Disneyland and into the hearts and minds of millions around the world.
At the D23, the ultimate Disney fan event, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro unveiled an unprecedented slate of projects including new attractions, lands, and more that demonstrate why Disney remains the undisputed leader and trailblazer of the experiences industry. The announcements showcase the ambitious vision for Experiences segment over the next decade.
“Only Disney can create the kind of timeless experiences that entertain and inspire people of all ages, across generations and geographies,” D’Amaro said. “At Disney Experiences, we invest in stories that stand the test of time and bring them to life in ways that surprise our guests and fans every day.”
Villains, Cars, and the Largest Expansion at Magic Kingdom Ever
The world’s most-visited theme park will be getting its largest land expansion ever with Disney’s iconic villains and its hit franchise Cars moving into the Magic Kingdom.
The expansion at Magic Kingdom — the keystone park of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida — will bring new and beloved stories to life as Disney Imagineers craft a land based on the wickedly wonderful Disney villains you just love to loathe. While more details are coming, this new land is underway with two new attractions planned as well as dining, shopping and more.
Away from those vicious villains, Cars is also racing into the Magic Kingdom. In a reimagined section of Frontierland, guests will leave Radiator Springs behind and head off into the wilderness with two new Cars attractions — one that will be an off-road thrilling rally race, and a family-friendly attraction that even the youngest racers will love.
Esperanza, Encanto, and the Exciting Adventures of Indiana Jones
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also getting a new land, which will take guests on adventures in Tropical Americas through Pueblo Esperanza, a fictional village in heart of the rainforest that will feel lived-in, with a long, rich history.
On the outskirts of the town, an adventure awaits with pop culture’s most beloved archaeologist, Indiana Jones. The attraction takes place inside a mysterious Maya temple and will be an all-new adventure, unlike any of the existing Indy attractions around the world.
The land will also feature a new attraction based on one of Disney’s most popular franchises, Encanto. The experience — which is the first ride-through attraction of the film for a Disney park — takes place inside Casita on the day after young Antonio receives his gift of communicating with animals.
Tropical Americas is set to open in 2027.
Monsters, Inc. at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World is the home to attractions from some of cinema’s biggest blockbusters, such as Toy Story and Star Wars. Now, another popular film franchise is coming to life: Monsters, Inc.
The Pixar franchise is getting a new land, which will welcome guests to tour the Laugh Factory with an amazing new attraction that what will be the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney Park.
Avengers and Avatar
New lands and attractions are also coming to Disneyland Resort.
D’Amaro announced that two new thrilling E-ticket Marvel-themed attractions are coming to Disney California Adventure. Avengers Campus will expand, doubling its current size to house the new attractions.
Marvel - which has already made more than $30 billion at the global box office – is not the only popular film brand that is coming Disneyland Resort.
Avatar – the innovative science fiction series that has brought in more than $5 billion at the global box office – will come to Disney California Adventure including an innovative new attraction that will bring all the action, the excitement, and the wonder of Avatar to life in a completely new and thrilling way.
The new destination is inspired by the second Avatar film, Avatar: The Way of Water, as well as the upcoming films.
For D’Amaro, the announcements are just the beginning of what Disney Experiences can do.“Today we unveiled an extensive slate of new experiences that only Disney can deliver. Work is well under way on all of the new projects we announced, and fans will start to see them come to life in the near future.”