Disney enthusiasts gathered in Anaheim, California, this weekend for the second day of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, where the focus turned squarely to the future of theme parks and immersive experiences. The sold-out Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at the Honda Center delivered a series of updates that left longtime visitors contemplating their next trips. From refreshed classics to entirely new lands, the announcements gave concrete shape to projects that will shape guest experiences for years ahead.
Beloved Characters and Attractions Return
Two of the evening’s most warmly received moments centered on attractions many guests have known since childhood. At EPCOT, Journey Into Imagination will receive a full reimagining that brings back both Figment and Dreamfinder. The purple dragon and his original companion have long symbolized the park’s emphasis on creativity, and their reappearance is expected to draw repeat visits from families who remember the earlier version of the ride.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Yeti will once again appear on Expedition Everest. The creature’s absence had been noted by coaster enthusiasts for years, and its return restores one of the attraction’s signature visual moments. Both updates signal Disney’s willingness to revisit and refresh signature experiences rather than replace them outright.
Expansions Taking Shape at Walt Disney World and Disneyland
At Walt Disney World Resort, planners outlined progress on several large-scale additions. Tropical Americas, a Monstropolis area, a Cars-themed land, and Villains Land are all moving forward, each designed to expand the range of stories guests can step into. These projects will spread across multiple parks and promise new reasons for multi-day visits.
At the Disneyland Resort in California, updates focused on the upcoming Coco attraction and further growth of Avengers Campus. The Marvel expansion continues to build on the success of existing superhero experiences, while the Pixar film’s colorful Day of the Dead setting offers a distinct cultural flavor. Together the two projects illustrate how the resort is layering new intellectual properties onto its existing footprint.
International Parks Receive Targeted Additions
Disney’s global destinations are also advancing. Disneyland Paris is preparing a Lion King-themed area that will bring the animated classic’s characters and music into a dedicated land. In Hong Kong and Shanghai, new Marvel experiences are planned to introduce more superhero stories to those markets. Tokyo DisneySea will receive a reimagined Space Mountain, giving one of its most recognizable attractions a fresh visual and thematic approach.
These regional projects show Disney tailoring content to local audiences while maintaining core brand elements. Guests who travel internationally will find familiar characters presented in new contexts, and the staggered timelines mean different parks will open their additions at different moments.
New Experiences Beyond Traditional Rides
Outside the parks themselves, Disney announced The Disney Princess Experience, an immersive adventure still in development. Guests will move through the worlds of Rapunzel, Tiana, Belle, Moana, and Ariel, taking part in interactive moments rather than simply observing. The project aims to turn passive viewing into active participation.
Younger viewers received news that Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends has been renewed for a seventh season on Disney Jr. and Disney+. The series has already accumulated nearly 1.3 billion hours streamed globally, making it Marvel’s most-watched show on the platform. A separate LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian animated special is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on September 2, 2026, offering another entry point for families.
Fans Reflect on What Comes Next
Thomas Mazloum, Chairman of Disney Experiences, noted that fans remain central to every decision. The weekend’s mix of announcements, performances, and fan activities underscored how the company uses events like D23 to maintain that connection. Costume contests, panels on properties from Bluey to KINGDOM HEARTS, and the upcoming Disney Legends Awards ceremony added layers of celebration around the business updates.
For visitors already planning trips, the reveals provide a clearer picture of what will be available in the coming years. Some changes will arrive sooner than others, yet each one reinforces the idea that Disney parks continue to evolve while honoring the stories guests have followed for decades. The energy inside the Honda Center suggested that anticipation, rather than any single headline, is what keeps the community returning.
