If you thought Walt Disney World was already keeping Disney fans busy enough, apparently Disney had other plans!

The latest D23 event brought a whole lot of new information about the future of Walt Disney World, and let's just say … Disney fans have officially been handed an even longer wish list. Because apparently our wallets, vacation countdowns and already overstuffed Disney itineraries weren't under enough pressure!

From new lands and attractions to returning favorites getting some serious attention, Disney gave us plenty to talk about, and plenty to get excited about.

So, grab your Mickey ears, buckle up and let's take a trip around Walt Disney World to see what's coming our way!

And trust me…there's a lot. A LOT!

MAGIC KINGDOM

Magic Kingdom may already be home to Cinderella Castle, classic attractions and enough snacks to make a pair of stretchy pants seem like a reasonable packing choice, but Disney is about to add even more.

The Carousel of Progress Gets a New Spin

This one is particularly exciting for me because The Carousel of Progress is getting some serious attention, and you know how us Disney Nerds love this attraction!

The classic attraction will be refreshed with four brand new decades and a new scene, bringing the story of the ever changing world of technology and innovation into the future.

And here's the really fun part: Disney legends Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston will provide the voices for Sarah and John, the beloved parents who have taken us through generations of technological change.

The updated experience is currently expected to arrive in late spring 2027.

As someone who absolutely loves the Carousel of Progress, I have to say … I'm very happy to see this Disney classic getting some love.

And let's be honest, if you're going to show us how much technology has changed over the years, I'm hoping someone addresses the fact that we now carry computers in our pockets that somehow still can't find our car in a Disney parking lot.

It’s a great big beautiful tomorrow, with Wi-Fi!

Ka-Chow! Cars is Coming to Frontierland

Start your engines because Cars is pulling into Magic Kingdom!

The new area, called Piston Peak, will bring the world of Disney and Pixar's Cars into Frontierland, with the natural beauty and adventurous spirit of America's national parks woven into the experience.

And there will be two major attractions. Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along and Cars Ridge Run Rally.

If your idea of a relaxing afternoon involves being spun around by a gigantic demolition derby school bus well, Disney has apparently designed an attraction just for you.

Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along will feature the wonderfully chaotic Miss Fritter from Cars 3, along with a giant Audio Animatronics version of the demolition derby legend herself.

It sounds like the kind of attraction that could leave you laughing, dizzy and wondering why you thought it was a good idea.

Basically: hold onto your ears and possibly your lunch!

For those looking for something a little more adventurous, Cars Ridge Run Rally will take guests racing through Piston Peak.

We're talking snow covered mountains, rugged terrain and even a geyser field connected to the area around Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

But this isn't just another traditional Disney ride vehicle.

Disney says the new ride system will be designed to rock, bump and drop like an off-road vehicle, creating a completely different type of racing experience.

So apparently the question isn't simply, “Are you ready to race”?

It's more like: “Are you ready to race AND keep your Mickey ears on your head”?

Villains Land is Getting Seriously Wicked

Mirror, mirror on the wall… Disney has finally given us more details about the most wickedly anticipated land at Magic Kingdom! Villains Land is going to take guests away from the happily-ever-after side of the fairy tale and straight into a place where things have gone very, very wrong.

The story will begin with a corrupted wishing well hidden deep within a dark forest. One very unfortunate wish has filled the area with poisoned magic, creating the perfect environment for some of Disney's most infamous villains. And naturally, villains being villains, they aren't exactly going to waste an opportunity like that.

Characters including Cruella, the Evil Queen and Dr. Facilier will establish their own lairs throughout the land. Because apparently even villains need somewhere to decorate for the holidays.

What will we find inside Villains land? Disney is planning two major attractions, along with dining and shopping. One attraction will be a Maleficent inspired coaster, taking guests through the heights of a mountain fortress and into a world of tangled, enchanted briars. The second will be a dark ride hosted by the Magic Mirror, featuring a whole collection of Disney villains.

And if Disney's description is anything to go by, this land is going to be BIG! On a scale comparable to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

So if you've ever dreamed of spending your Disney vacation surrounded by villains, questionable decisions and a little bit of dark magic, your wish may be able to come true. Just don't make any wishes at that well!

EPCOT

EPCOT fans, you're getting some love too!

Two attractions that have been part of EPCOT's identity for years are heading into exciting new chapters.

Spaceship Earth Gets Connected

It's been almost 20 years since Spaceship Earth received a major update, and now the iconic EPCOT attraction is getting another transformation.

The story will move forward into the internet age and beyond, while continuing to focus on one of EPCOT's most important themes: human connection.

And honestly, that feels pretty appropriate.

Technology has changed dramatically since the attraction was last updated, and Spaceship Earth has the opportunity to show us just how dramatically our ability to communicate, share ideas and connect with one another has evolved.

Of course, I'm still hoping the ride continues to give us those moments where everyone looks around and thinks:

“Wait … was that really how people used to communicate”?

Yes, kids. We used to call people. With a phone. That was attached to the wall.

Figment and Dreamfinder Are Back!

Now THIS is an announcement that is going to make some longtime EPCOT fans very happy.

Figment and Dreamfinder are returning together in a brand new adventure!

The original Dreamfinder played such an important role in EPCOT's early Imagination attraction, and seeing him reunite with everyone's favourite purple dragon is sure to bring back some serious nostalgia.

Disney promises a new journey into imagination featuring the pair, proving once again that sometimes a dream really can come true.

And yes, I'm already expecting that little song to be stuck in my head for approximately three months.

“One little spark…”

You're welcome.

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Things are getting a little monstrous over at Hollywood Studios. And no, I'm not talking about the crowd waiting for the first boarding group of the morning.

Welcome to Monstropolis!

The world of Monsters Inc. is coming to life in a brand-new land called Monstropolis! And the monsters are getting ready to welcome humans for a very special occasion: H.U.M.A.N. Day, which stands for Humans Understanding Monsters Are Nice.

Honestly, that's adorable. And perhaps slightly suspicious.

Guests will be introduced to the new land through a show at the Glob Theater, hosted by none other than Mike and Sulley.

The show will feature familiar characters and give visitors an introduction to the city of monsters.

Basically, it's our official orientation before we're released into the monster world.

Please keep your screams inside the building.

Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza

Hungry? Like Pizza?

You’ll want to head over to Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, where the restaurant will draw inspiration from Monsters University and its college atmosphere. Expect references to student clubs, sororities, fraternities and the world of collegiate scarers.

Because apparently even monsters have to survive college.

And yes, I fully expect this to become a place where Disney fans spend far too much time trying to spot all the little details.

Harryhausen’s

Fans of Monsters Inc. will recognize the name Harryhausen’s, the famous restaurant from the original film.

Disney is bringing it into the new land as a table service dining location, and there's a pretty entertaining detail waiting inside.

A new Audio Animatronics sushi chef will be hard at work preparing the food. I know my husband, Jason, will be lining up for a reservation here!

Scareporium

Of course, you can't visit a new Disney land without bringing home something you absolutely didn't need.

Enter Scareporium, where guests will be able to shop for monstrous souvenirs.

Because every vacation needs photographic evidence and merchandise! Lots and lots of merchandise.

The theater show, restaurants and merchandise location are all expected to open in 2027, while construction continues on the previously announced coaster.

So yes, Hollywood Studios is getting even more monstrous!

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

Animal Kingdom may be the place where nature and storytelling collide, but Disney is taking that idea to an entirely new level.

The Yeti is Waking Up!

If you've ever ridden Expedition Everest and thought, “That Yeti doesn’t look nearly terrifying enough,” congratulations, Disney has heard you!

The legendary Yeti Audio-Animatronics figure is being brought back to life inside Expedition Everest. And after years of seeing the Yeti in his current state, I'm sure plenty of guests will be very curious to see what happens when this legendary creature gets his second wind.

My advice? Watch your back!

And maybe don't poke the Yeti.

Welcome to Tropical Americas

One of the biggest additions coming to Animal Kingdom is Tropical Americas, a new land inspired by the cultures, landscapes and stories of Central America, South America and Mexico.

At the heart of the land will be Pueblo Esperanza, a vibrant community filled with new experiences.

And Disney has packed this area with some very familiar faces.

El Carrusel de los Animalitos

First up is El Carrusel de los Animalitos, a family attraction featuring 22 hand carved animals inspired by Disney and Pixar stories.

It's the kind of attraction that sounds like it will be perfect for families, and probably pretty irresistible for adults who enjoy spotting Disney characters hiding in unexpected places.

Because apparently, we never really outgrow a carousel.

We just get taller.

Encanto Comes to Animal Kingdom

The world of Encanto is also finding a home in Tropical Americas.

Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto will invite guests into Casita and the world of the Madrigal family.

And this one sounds like it will be perfect for absolutely everyone because there is no height requirement.

Guests will celebrate Antonio's magical gift of communicating with animals, with more than 50 animals represented throughout the Casita.

Even better, several original Encanto voice actors are returning to lend their voices to the experience.

So yes … We don’t talk about Bruno, but apparently, we DO talk about Antonio’s attraction

Indiana Jones Gets a New Adventure

And then there's Indiana Jones.

Because apparently Animal Kingdom wasn't adventurous enough already.

Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will send guests deep into a Maya temple built around a mysterious cenote.

Indy is searching for archaeological discoveries when he encounters an ancient passage said to lead to the underworld.

And naturally, there’s a giant mythical serpent involved.

Because if Indiana Jones has taught us anything, it's that archaeological expeditions never go exactly according to plan.

The creature, known as Tsukan, will be brought to life as a massive Audio-Animatronics figure.

And here's a detail Indiana Jones fans are going to LOVE: The Audio-Animatronics version of Indy will be modeled after Harrison Ford himself, the first time a Disney attraction will feature an Audio-Animatronics Indiana Jones based on the actor.

So grab your fedora, hold onto your whip and try not to think too hard about the fact that we're willingly walking into a temple containing a giant snake.

Snakes? Why did it have to be snakes?

And That’s Just the Beginning

If there's one thing Disney made very clear at D23, it's that Walt Disney World isn’t finished evolving.

From classic attractions getting new life to brand-new lands bringing some of our favourite movies into the parks, there is an incredible amount of change happening across the resort.

And while some of these projects are still a few years away, that's part of the fun of being a Disney fan.

We get to speculate.

We get to make predictions.

We get to debate which attraction we'll ride first.

And, of course, we get to start mentally spending money on merchandise that doesn't even exist yet.

Because that's what Disney fans do.

We plan the trip before the attraction opens, make dining reservations before we know what we're eating, buy the souvenir before we know what it looks like and somehow convince ourselves that this next Disney vacation will be the one where we finally don’t overpack.

Spoiler alert: It won't be!

But one thing is certain, there is a LOT of magic on the horizon at Walt Disney World. And with new attractions, returning favourites, familiar characters and completely new worlds waiting to be explored, the future of the Most Magical Place on Earth is looking pretty magical indeed.

Now the big question is…

Which of these new experiences are YOU most excited about?

Because personally, I'm already adding things to my Disney must-do list, and I'm pretty sure that list is going to need its own suitcase.

Just Keep Dreaming and Disney’ing!

Terri Lee

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