Disney Unveils Slate of New, Major Additions Coming to its Parks
by Daniel McCarthy
It’s already been a big year for the hospitality and travel side of the Walt Disney Company, and the year got a little bigger this past weekend at the annual D23 fan event.
Aside from a major Disney Cruise Line announcement, Disney unveiled a slate of new additions coming to its parks, which will amount to not just an update, but one of the most significant expansions in its history.
Here’s what’s to come:
New Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which has been the subject of a couple of major expansions in just the past decade alone, is getting another one. Next year, the company will begin construction on the first full land dedicated to the Pixar franchise Monsters Inc. The land will include a suspended roller coaster, the first ever for Disney.
Two new attractions at Orlando’s Magic Kingdom
Frontierland, which just got a facelift with the new Tiana Bayou Adventure ride, is expanding with a new land and two new attractions themed from another Pixar franchise, Cars. One, an off-road rally race, and the second, a family-friendly ride, will go under construction starting early next year.
The Cars section will take the place of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer’s Island.
New Villains at the Magic Kingdom
Joining the expanded Frontierland is probably the most significant announcement coming out of D23—an entirely new land, themed on Disney villains, that will be added to the Magic Kingdom. While work is already underway, Disney has not unveiled a timeline for the land, only some details—it is expected to include two attractions, dining, and shopping “where happily ever after may feel like just a distant dream.”
New Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Another Florida addition, Disney is adding a Tropical Americas land at its Animal Kingdom park with two new signature attractions, one themed on Indiana Jones, and another on the Pixar film “Encanto,” along with a carousel. This land is expected to welcome guests starting sometime in 2027.
Avatar in California
Disney is bringing Avatar, which already has a prominent place at Orlando’s Animal Kingdom, to Disney California Adventure. No timeline has been unveiled just yet.
Lion King in Paris
“The Lion King,” maybe Disney’s most signature story, is coming to Disneyland Paris’ Disney Adventure World with a new themed area of the park that will include dining, shopping, characters, and the first-ever ride-through attraction themed to the film. A water ride, the attraction will take guests beneath Pride Rock, following the film’s classic story.
Avengers in California, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
Disney is doubling the size of its Avengers Campus at California Adventure, an expansion that includes two new attractions, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. At the same time, it is adding Avengers IP to Shanghai Disney Resort—a Spider-Man themed thrill coaster—and Hong Kong Disney Land—a Spider-Man-themed attraction at its Tomorrowland section.
