Disney announces new attractions and updates for Orlando theme parks
ORLANDO, Fla. —
Disney has announced exciting updates and new attractions for its Orlando theme parks, with details revealed during the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, on Saturday night.
Big changes are coming to Epcot, including a major makeover for one of the park’s most iconic landmarks. Disney said Spaceship Earth will be reimagined for the first time in nearly 20 years. A previous overhaul was announced but ultimately canceled during the pandemic.
Another Epcot favorite is also getting a new chapter. Journey Into Imagination is being reimagined, and fans will see the return of Dreamfinder, the character from the original 1983 attraction. Figment, the purple dragon who has been an Epcot staple since 1983, will also be part of the ride.
At Hollywood Studios, Monstropolis, a new land inspired by “Monsters, Inc.,” is now expected to open in 2027, earlier than previously anticipated. The door-themed roller coaster planned for the land will open at a later date.
Construction continues at Magic Kingdom on Villains Land and Piston Peak, but Disney has not provided opening dates. Villains Land will be massive, comparable in scale to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with two major attractions planned. One is a coaster featuring Maleficent, and the other is a dark ride hosted by the Magic Mirror, taking guests into a realm filled with Disney villains.
At Animal Kingdom, Disney revealed names and new details for two attractions coming to Tropical Americas. Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto will take guests inside Casita during Antonio’s Gift Day, with more than 50 animals represented throughout the ride. There will be no height requirement. Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will send guests beneath an ancient Maya temple and into the Maya underworld, where they will face bats, scorpions, fire, and snakes.
Disney also revealed that a massive new Yeti animatronic is coming to Expedition Everest. The figure has been in need of repair for years, and this will mark its first major fix since the attraction opened nearly two decades ago.
Disney said more details, including opening dates for several of the projects, will be announced as construction continues.