The Disney Experiences Showcase was at D23 2024 was filled to the brim with exciting announcements for Disney Parks around the world. Not only did we get confirmation of new lands based on Villains and Monsters, Inc., but we also got the reveals of attractions based on Coco, The Lion King, Iron Man, Indiana Jones, Encanto, and so much more.
There were a TON of big moments packed into the show, and this guide will gather all the biggest announcements in one place to ensure you don't miss a thing. Once your done, be sure to let us know what your favorite part of the showcase was!
Disney World's Magic Kingdom Is Getting Its Very Own Villains Land
To end the Disney Experiences Showcase at D23, Disney announced that Disney World's Magic Kingdom will be getting its very own Villains Land with two major attractions, dining, shopping, and so much more.
Per the Disney Parks Blog, this new land is a "place where poison apples are aplenty and magic potions can ruin your whole day." With all these villains in one place, "happily ever after may feel like just a distant dream."
Coco Is Getting Its First Disney Parks Attraction at Disneyland's Disney California Adventure
Coco is getting its very own attraction at Disneyland's Disney California Adventure, and it will draw inspiration from Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Monsters, Inc. Land Is Coming to Disney Hollywood Studios
Monsters, Inc. will be bringing the laughs and fun scares to Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios as a brand-new land. Guests will be able to visit Monstropolis and enjoy Disney's first-ever suspended roller coaster that will make our dream of flying among the doors a reality.
"The first time I saw Monsters, Inc., all I wanted to do was ride on one of those doors like Mike and Sulley," Disney Experiences chairman Josh D'Amaro said at D23. "You’ll go into the factory and
experience the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park. Remember in the movie how those claws grab the doors and hoist them up into the air to take them away? We’re doing that, too. And you’re going along for the ride."
Avatar Land at Disneyland’s Disney California Adventure Gets New Attraction, Concept Art, and Details
Avatar Land is on its way to Disneyland and we learned more about it at D23. Not only will it take inspiration from Avatar: The Way of Water, but it will also incorporate Avatar: Fire and Ash and future Avatar films. There will also be a new attraction that will take guests to the wide-open seas of Pandora.
Indiana Jones and Encanto Disney World Attractions Officially Announced For New Animal Kingdom Area
We learned a lot more about the new Topical Americas area in Disney World's Animal Kingdom, including that it will officially be getting attractions based on both Indiana Jones and Encanto when it opens in three years.
This new land will welcome guests to Pueblo Esperanza, which will be filled with dining, shops, entertainment, and these two new attractions. This new space is 11-acres large and will have one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Disney World and a carousel the features animals from Disney Stories.
For the Indiana Jones ride, Disney revealed it will tell a whole new story that is set within the franchise's universe.
"In this new venture, the man with the hat has recently discovered a perfectly preserved Maya temple, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to explore it," an official description of the Indiana Jones attraction says. "He’s heard rumors about a mythical creature deep within the temple — and he’s got to see it for himself. So, he brings us along on the adventure… but will there be snakes? We’ll just have to wait and see."
As for Encanto, its attraction will take guests into the Madrigal family's home on a journey to visit their rooms and perhaps run into their favorite characters.
Disneyland's Avengers Attraction Is Officially Called Avengers Infinity Defense
Disneyland's upcoming Avengers multi-world attraction starring King Thanos is officially called Avengers Infinity Defense.
Avengers Campus will double in size with the addition of Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab will be its centerpieces. In Avengers Infinity Defense, guests will be able to jump between worlds that have gone missing on their quest to stop King Thanos. This perilous journey will take them to Asgard, Wakanda, and New York City alongside Iron Man, Ant-Man, The Hulk, Black Panther, and more.
Robert Downey Jr. to Become Tony Stark Again for a New Disneyland Attraction in Avengers Campus
Many of us are excited to see Robert Downey Jr. play Doctor Doom in the MCU, but there are just as many, if not more, who would love to see the Oscar-winner return to the role that started it all. Well, D23 shared Marvel is making that dream a reality as Downey Jr. will be playing Tony Stark again for a new Disneyland attraction called Stark Flight Lab.
This new attraction will have guests sitting in two-person pods being transported to a test station. Then, a robot arm will grab that pod and give guests the feeling of a simulated flight.
Cars Is Getting Two New Attractions at Disney World's Magic Kingdom That Aren't in Radiator Springs
Cars is going to be racing to Disney World as it will be getting two new attractions that are set outside of Radiator Springs. The first attraction will be a thrilling rally race through the mountains and the second will be one geared more towards kids.
For the first ride, Disney Parks wrote that you will be able to "take on wild terrain as you race across the landscape climbing mountain trails, dodging geysers, and - Mater's favorite - splashing through mudholes."
The Lion King Is Getting Its Own Attraction and Area at Disneyland Paris' Disney Adventure World
The Lion King will be getting its own attraction and a new area called Pride Lands at Disneyland Paris' Disney Adventure World, and it looks to "bring you alongside Simba's journey from cub to king - it's going to feel like you stepped right into the movie." As for the Pride Lands area, there will be dining, shopping, and a chance to meet some of your favorite characters.
The Mandalorian & Grogu Will Be Part of a New Story on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in 2026
Alongside the theatrical release of The Mandalorian & Grogu in 2026, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge's Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will be getting a brand-new story featuring its two stars.
Star Wars creative executive Dave Filoni stopped by D23's Disney Experiences Showcase to share the news, and confirmed it will be coming to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Furthermore, he shared that Epic's Unreal Engine is being used to bring this new mission to life.
“The intersection of storytelling and innovation has always been central to Lucasfilm and we’re excited to see where this collaboration will take us next,” Dave said. “Just imagine it: you’ll be able to fly alongside Mando and Grogu on thrilling, and dangerous, missions.”
Disney to Create the First-Ever Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic for Disneyland Show
Disney is creating the first-ever audio-animatronic based on Walt Disney himself, and he'll be showing up at Disneyland's Main Street Opera in a show called Walt Disney: A Magical Life. It is set to debut in 2025 and will be in rotation with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure Officially Opening at Disneyland in November 2024
Following its debut at Walt Disney World in June, Tiana's Bayou Adventure will officially open at Disneyland on November 15, 2024.
Fortnite to Get Disney Villains, Incredibles Characters, and a Season With Doctor Doom
— Marvel Games (@MarvelGames) August 11, 2024It’s time for the heroes’ journey. And the enemies’ Absolute Doom.
Save the day starting August 16th! @FortniteGame
pic.twitter.com/xvlPwjN2hi
While Disney wasn't quite ready to reveal more about its big Fortnite "expansive" universe, it did announce a bunch of fun collaborations with the battle royale. This includes the first ever Disney villains in Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, and Captain Hook, the Incredibles' Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, and Frozone, Star Wars' Moff Gideon, IG-11, and Grogu as a Back Bling, and a new Marvel season starring Doctor Doom.
Quick Hits:
World of Frozen to Open at Disney Adventure World in 2026
A New Nighttime Parade Called 'Disney Starlight' Will Debut in 2025 at Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom's Pirates of the Caribbean-Themed Tavern to Open in 2025
A New Lounge Inspired by Spaceship Earth to Open in 2025 at EPCOT
The Reimagined Test Track Set to Reopen in 2025
New Spider-Man Attractions Headed to Both Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland
Zootopia: Better Zoogether! Show Will Open Next Winter at Animal Kingdom
Disney Treasure Will Be the Home of the New 'Disney The Tale of Moana' Stage Production
Disney Destiny's New Stage Show is Disney Hercules
Disney Cruise Line to Add 4 New Ships Between 2027 to 2031
Tokyo Disneyland Getting a New Nighttime Spectacular Called 'Reach for the Stars' in September
Disney Paris Is Getting a New Nighttime Spectacular in January 2025 and Another in 2026 on Its New Lake
Patrick Warburton Returns as the Chief Flight Attendant From Soarin' For a Great Intro
Buckle up, pal. We have some beauties to announce at this year's Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at @DisneyD23 ✨ #DisneyParks #Horizons pic.twitter.com/N99vEkzGJ1
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) August 11, 2024
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Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.
