Disney unveils new rides and attractions for parks at major fan event

There were a plethora of Disney parks announcements at the D23 fan event this weekend in Anaheim, California.

In addition to new rides, both Disney resorts in the USA will also feature new countries, shows, parades and lounges

Disney is also doing its best to make it clear to fans that the announcements are not just theory, but will become reality over the next five years.

“Everything we’re about to share with you is in active development,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, according to the Disney Parks Blog. “The plans are drawn. The first steps are well underway. I just want to be clear: We’re executing on everything you’ve heard here tonight.”

Most of the changes seem to be taking place on the East Coast, closely followed by the West Coast.

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Monster’s, Inc. Land is coming to Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios and features “the first suspended roller coaster ever in a Disney park.” (Disney/Pixar)

Disney World

Villains Land in the Magic Kingdom: This area will feature two main attractions: dining and shopping. “It will be a fearless new vision of what a Disney experience can be,” D’Amaro announced.

Ka-Chow! Cars Attractions at Magic Kingdom: A new addition to Frontierland, one attraction will be a “thrilling rally race through the mountains,” according to the Disney Parks Blog. A second attraction is designed for younger racers and is aimed at the whole family.

New lounges at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT: Starting in 2025, Magic Kingdom will feature a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern. In EPCOT, a new lounge inspired by Spaceship Earth will be a “zen space for families to come together and enjoy refreshments that will be adorned with rich textures and warm metallic tones,” Disney said.

New Nighttime Parade at Magic Kingdom: Starting next summer, guests will be able to see “Disney Starlight,” a nod to the earlier and much-loved “Main Street Electrical Parade,” which uses the latest technology to bring characters from “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen” and more to life.

Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom: This includes an Indiana Jones attraction that will be “unlike any other Indiana Jones experience in the world,” Disney said. There are also plans for an “Encanto”-themed ride featuring the Madrigal family from the film.

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Disney announced during its biennial fan event D23 that there will be an “Encanto” ride at Animal Kingdom. (Disney)

Test Track at EPCOT redesigned: Returning next year, Test Track, presented by Chevrolet, “will celebrate the innovations of today while highlighting the past, present and future,” Disney said.

Monsters Inc. is coming to Hollywood Studios: It may have been nearly 23 years since the film’s release, but fans of James P. Sulivan (also known as Sulley) and Mike Wazowski will soon be able to ride through a vault door and “experience the first roller coaster in a Disney park,” Disney announced.

Disneyland/Disney California Adventure

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: On November 15, 2024, Disneyland’s replacement for Splash Mountain will open and Critter Country will be renamed Bayou Country.

First-ever ‘Coco’ ride: Coming to California Adventure, this attraction will be filled with characters and music as riders “join Miguel on a journey to the land of the dead,” Disney said. Walt Disney Imagineering will draw inspiration for the attraction from “beloved classics” such as Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Disney announced that the first-ever “Coco” ride will open at Disneyland Resort in 2026. (Disney/Pixar)

Avengers Campus: Doubled in size with two new attractions – Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab.

Avatar: “This new and exciting journey delivers all the action, excitement and wonder of Avatar and takes guests to the vast seas of Pandora,” said Ali Rubenstein, Executive Global Management-Creative Development, Walt Disney Imagineering, during the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23.

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Last week, Disney warned of sluggish performance of its theme park business in the third quarter.

Disney’s Experience segment, the business unit that operates theme parks, cruises and consumer products, generated revenue of nearly $8.39 billion and operating income of $2.22 billion for the three-month period. Those results represented an increase of 2% and a decrease of 3%, respectively, from a year ago.

FOX Business’ Aislinn Murphy contributed to this report.