It’s been three years since Disney fans gathered for D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif., but on Sept. 11, 2022, their patience was rewarded when Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney parks, experiences and products, shared details about new experiences coming to Disney parks around the world.
“'Every step we take brings a new hope,’” D’Amaro said, quoting the theme song from the fan-favorite “Happily Ever After” Walt Disney World fireworks spectacular (which he later announced will be returning to the Magic Kingdom next year). “None of us could have predicted what would happen when we left this room in 2019, but … you kept the Disney magic alive when we were all at home, so now that we're finally back here together, I want to thank you. I understand how much Disney means to you, and I feel lucky that it’s my job to give you brand-new reasons to feel that way.”
Presiding over his first D23 Expo parks presentation since being promoted to chairman in 2020, D’Amaro enthusiastically launched into a flurry of exciting park announcements.
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland news kicked off with huge character reveals: Beginning in November, clients can see the Mandalorian (and Grogu/Baby Yoda) in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and thanks to new “exoskeleton” technology from Walt Disney Imagineering, the Hulk will soon make his park debut in Avengers Campus.
The Mandalorian will be appearing in Galaxy’s Edge beginning in November 2022.
Credit: 2022 Disney ParksAlso coming to Avengers Campus is a highly anticipated third attraction. According to Kevin Feige, president and chief creative officer at Marvel Studios, it will now incorporate Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) Multiverse in a battle against a brand-new villain, King Thanos.
“This is a new version of Thanos coming into the MCU for the very first time via this attraction,” Feige explained. “This is the Thanos that won.”
We already knew Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway is making its Disneyland debut in early 2023 (along with a reimagined Mickey’s Toontown), but we now also know that California’s version will be enhanced to fit into the Toontown story, including a queue themed to the all-new El Capitoon Theater, which D’Amaro describes as “a celebration of all things Mickey.”
Walt Disney World (WDW) Resort
One WDW announcement fans hoped for was the opening date for Tron Lightcycle Run, which was initially announced at D23 Expo 2017. Finally, D'Amaro confirmed that Magic Kingdom’s newest coaster will open in spring 2023.
Tron Lightcycle Run will open at Walt Disney World in spring 2023.
Credit: 2022 Disney ParksWith the resort’s 50th anniversary celebration winding down, D’Amaro also announced that, in addition to the return of “Happily Ever After” at Magic Kingdom, an all-new fireworks spectacular will debut in Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon in 2023.
In other Orlando news, next year, clients will be able to meet Epcot’s beloved purple dragon Figment in person, and Disneyland’s iconic Hatbox Ghost will finally materialize inside Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Imagineers also revealed new details for Tiana's Bayou Adventure — the "Princess and the Frog" re-theming of Splash Mountain opening in late 2024 in Anaheim and Orlando.
And, according to imagineer Ted Robledo, the ride’s brand-new story picks up where the movie ends, with Tiana preparing to host a Mardi Gras celebration at her restaurant.
If you’re from New Orleans, you should feel like you’re coming home; if you’ve never been to New Orleans, this attraction will make you want to go.
“Even though Tiana is a character in a story, her culture and the place she comes from is very real,” said imagineer Carmen Smith. “We want this attraction to be a love letter to New Orleans. If you’re from New Orleans, you should feel like you’re coming home; if you’ve never been to New Orleans, this attraction will make you want to go.”
In addition, the voice cast from the original film will reprise their roles, including Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana, Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Michael Leon Wooley as Louis the Alligator and Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen.
International Disney Parks
D'Amaro broke plenty of news about Disneyland and Walt Disney World, but he also shared details about what clients can expect at Disney parks in Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai, including three “Frozen” themed lands.
Hot on the heels of the July 2022 grand opening of Avengers Campus at Disneyland Paris, the resort’s ongoing expansion also includes one of the three upcoming “Frozen” lands and an all-new lakeside promenade featuring a new "Tangled” attraction.
At Tokyo Disney Resort, the highly-anticipated eighth port-of-call at Tokyo DisneySea — called Fantasy Springs — will include areas themed after "Peter Pan," "Tangled" and "Frozen."
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The port's "Frozen" attraction will feature several new audio-animatronic figures, creating a "Frozen" experience, D'Amaro promises, that “won't be found anywhere else.” Plus, in 2024, Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland will bring a new story to the iconic attraction, anchoring a new plaza that will be completed in 2027.
Hong Kong Disneyland will be home to the third new “Frozen” land, which will open in the second half of 2023 with two new attractions, including the first “Frozen” themed coaster, Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs.
The first land themed to Zootopia will open at Shanghai Disneyland.
Credit: 2022 Disney ParksLast but certainly not least, the world’s first land themed after “Zootopia” will open at Shanghai Disneyland with a signature family attraction inside the Zootopia Police Department. It will feature police car ride vehicles and a cutting-edge Officer Clawhauser audio-animatronic figure.
Disney 100 Years of Wonder
Disney marks its milestone 100th anniversary in 2023, which D’Amaro promises will be the “biggest celebration in Disney’s history,” as each Disney destination uniquely showcases the momentous occasion.
I believe the best is to come — and that’s saying something, considering we’re about to celebrate our 100th anniversary. Imagineers are always thinking about the next great experience you can’t find anywhere else. It’s how we defined ourselves for the first 100 years and it’s going to define our next 100, as well.
“I believe the best is to come — and that’s saying something, considering we’re about to celebrate our 100th anniversary,” D’Amaro said. “Imagineers are always thinking about the next great experience you can’t find anywhere else. It’s how we defined ourselves for the first 100 years and it’s going to define our next 100, as well.”
The heart of the celebration will take place at Disneyland in California, with the return of the much-too-short-lived “Magic Happens” parade (which debuted shortly before parks closed) and the premiere of two new nighttime spectaculars. "World of Color: One" at California Adventure will celebrate Walt Disney's storytelling legacy and “Wonderous Journeys” at Disneyland will feature all 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios films.
