On Saturday, Chairman Josh D’Amaro hosted a morning full of exciting Disney Parks announcements and sneak peeks during the Destination D23 event at Walt Disney World. We covered all the news in individual articles, but if you’re looking for the short version, this post will guide you through the information in highlights. All articles are linked for more in-depth information.

D23 Announcement

Disney has announced the dates for D23 2024. The event will take place on August 9, 10, and 11 in Anaheim, CA, and, as the official Disney D23 account wrote on X, is “no longer just an expo, but a Disney fan event like no other,” with some panels shifting to Honda Center.

Disney Parks Decade-Long Expansion Project

Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Josh D’Amaro promised more shows, lands, and characters coming to Disney Parks around the world. He noted the parks will be expanding for the next decade and beyond.

Walt Disney World Announcements

Magic Kingdom

As teased at D23 Expo 2022, Imagineers spoke about “looking to tell stories ‘Beyond Big Thunder Mountain,’” with many new offerings being considered, like attractions, restaurants, shows, and more, in the biggest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.

A new Pirates of the Caribbean tavern is being developed for Magic Kingdom, featuring the return of Peg-Leg Pete, also known as the Barker Bird, who was once stationed outside the attraction.

In 2024, a reimagining of the classic Country Bear Jamboree will open at Magic Kingdom. The new show will be called “Country Bear Musical Jamboree” and feature Disney songs.

Liver Lips McGrowl appears to be renamed and reimagined for the new show.

The Hatbox Ghost will finally materialize at the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom in late November.

EPCOT

The Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana walkthrough attraction at EPCOT will have its grand open on October 16, 2023.

Guests will be able to meet Moana near Journey of Water starting October 16, 2023.

Everybody’s favorite purple dragon will start meeting with guests in the Imagination! Pavilion at EPCOT beginning on September 10.

Figment would first meet Destination D23 guests at World Showplace on the evening of September 9.

Test Track is set to be reimagined at EPCOT, and will take inspiration from World of Motion, which it replaced back in the ’90s.

The new nighttime spectacular for EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort has been announced — “Luminous: The Symphony of Us” will debut on December 5, 2023.

World Celebration at EPCOT will open to all guests this December. The project is part of a larger EPCOT reimagining that has been ongoing for several years.

Soarin’ Over California will return temporarily to EPCOT this month.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

A “Zootopia” 3D show is in the works for the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney announced at Destination D23 on Saturday. The show will replace “It’s Tough To Be a Bug.”

Disney has a “blue sky” project to reimagine Dinoland, U.S.A. into a Tropical American-themed land. This land will feature stories from the “Encanto” and “Indiana Jones” franchises.

They also announced plans to retheme DINOSAUR to an Indiana Jones-inspired attraction as part of this shift.

Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, & Disneyland Paris Announcements

Josh D’Amaro showed off the first look at the Louis animatronic that will be present in the upcoming attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, at Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom.

Josh D’Amaro announced that Asha from Disney’s new film, “Wish,” will be arriving at Disneyland, EPCOT, and Disneyland Paris for meet and greets.

In 2024, Ahsoka Tano will appear in new Star Tours adventures at Disneyland, Hollywood Studios, and Disneyland Paris.

Disney California Adventure Park

We got our first look at the world-jumping vehicle that will be used in the new Avengers Campus attraction at Disney California Adventure.

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris shared a sneak peek at the construction progress and photos of the audio-animatronic for Kristoff coming to the Kingdom of Arendelle, the new “Frozen”-themed land being built as part of the reimagining of Walt Disney Studios Park.

Disney shared a look inside the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris as it undergoes renovations.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Guests at Destination D23 received a special glimpse inside World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney has announced that the newly developed Lighthouse Point location will be called, “Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.”

The newest and seventh Disney ship joining the fleet will be named “Disney Adventure.”

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Dylan Kennedy Grey