Everything Announced for Walt Disney World at the D23: Ultimate Fan Event in 2026

D23: The Ultimate Fan Event returned in 2026 with plenty of news for Walt Disney World fans. Disney used the event to reveal details of several highly anticipated projects, including new attractions, themed lands, reimagined favorites, and updates across all four theme parks.

The biggest Disney World announcements from D23: The Ultimate Fan Event came during the Disney Experiences Showcase, “Horizons: A Carousel of Progress,” hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. From the new Villains Land and Piston Peak at Magic Kingdom to Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a reimagined Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, and the return of Dreamfinder and Figment, there was plenty for fans to take in. Here’s everything announced during the showcase, along with the latest details shared about each project.

1. Voice Actors Announced for Key Roles in Carousel of Progress

Disney announced two new voices for Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, with Disney Legend Jamie Lee Curtis taking on the role of Mom and Emmy-winning actor Bryan Cranston voicing Dad.

Disney also shared concept art for a new scene set in the 1980s, offering a glimpse at the next chapter for the iconic family. Here is a look at new concept art for the attraction shared at the event. The updated attraction is expected to open in late spring 2027.

2. Reimagining Coming to Spaceship Earth at Epcot

Disney Imagineer Ali Rubinstein announced that Spaceship Earth at EPCOT will be reimagined, bringing the classic attraction into the internet age. The updated attraction will expand beyond its current focus on the history of human communication to explore the broader idea of human connection. Per Disney, “connection” is a theme that remains closely tied to the original vision of EPCOT.

Disney has not yet shared specific details about the changes coming to the attraction. As Disney described it, the next chapter of Spaceship Earth is just beginning.

3. The Yeti is Getting Fixed!

In one of the biggest surprises of the D23 presentation, Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum interrupted Neil Patrick Harris with an announcement that the Yeti will be restored to life inside Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

For years, guests have experienced the attraction with the legendary Yeti (Disco Yeti) in a stationary position. Disney now plans to bring this iconic Audio-Animatronic back to full movement, restoring one of the most memorable effects in the attraction. This is a particularly exciting development for fans who remember seeing the Yeti in action, and for those of us who have heard about it forever!

4. New Indiana Jones Attraction Name and Details Revealed

During tonight’s presentation, Imagineers Michael Hundgen and Chris Beatty shared details of the new Indiana Jones attraction coming to Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. For starters, Harrison Ford surprised the audience with a video message confirming that he is the actual model for the Indiana Jones Audio-Animatronic in the new attraction. He also noted that this will be the first Disney attraction anywhere in the world where guests will see his likeness as Indy.

Then, Disney revealed the official name of the new attraction: Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent. Lastly, details of the experience were discussed. The adventure begins as guests join Indiana Jones at a mysterious temple near an underground cave called a cenote. According to local legend, a passage leads to the Maya Underworld, protected by a serpentine creature known as the Tsukán. Riders are unexpectedly pulled through a portal into the Underworld, where they will encounter dangers including giant bats, enormous scorpions, fire, and plenty of snakes. The Tsukán will appear throughout the attraction, building to a final confrontation with the massive Audio-Animatronic creature.

5. Name and New Details Revealed for New Encanto Attraction

Disney has revealed the official name of the new Encanto attraction coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto. The family-friendly attraction will take guests inside Casita during Antonio’s gift day, where they’ll celebrate his special ability to communicate with animals. This attraction will not have a height requirement, making it an option for guests of all ages.

The attraction will also expand beyond what guests saw in the film, introducing new areas of the Madrigal home. Riders will travel through the house aboard animated furniture brought to life by Casita, eventually reaching Antonio’s room, which has been transformed into a lush rainforest. More than 50 animals will be represented throughout the attraction, including a capybara, toucan, and donkey. Here is new concept art for the attraction that was shared at the event.

6. Name Revealed for New Carousel Coming to Tropical Americas

Disney has revealed the name of the new animal-themed carousel coming to the Tropical Americas land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The attraction will officially be called El Carrusel de los Animalitos and will be designed for guests of all ages. New construction photos shared during the presentation also showed the Tropical Americas land beginning to take shape.

7. Two Piston Peak Rides Coming to Magic Kingdom

Michael Hundgen, Vice President Creative for Walt Disney World, and Imagineer Jason Grandt took to the stage to announce details for two Cars-themed attractions coming to Piston Peak National Park at Magic Kingdom.

• Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along: The newly announced attraction will feature Miss Fritter, the “Diva of Demolition” from Cars 3, as a massive school-bus-sized Audio-Animatronic. She’ll host what Disney describes as her wildest demolition derby yet in a chaotic, spinning celebration.
• Cars Ridge Run Rally: The previously announced racing attraction will send guests on an off-road adventure through Piston Peak’s rugged wilderness. The course will climb to a snowy summit, plunge a camelback descent, race through a geyser field, and wind through ridges, rivers, mud flats, and tree-covered trails before a final sprint to the finish.

Here is a look at concept art for Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along.

8. New Details Revealed for Monstropolis at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

During tonight’s event, Michael Hundgen, Vice President of Creative, and Chris Beatty, Vice President, Walt Disney Imagineering, revealed new details about Monstropolis, the land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While work continues on the Monsters, Inc. door coaster, parts of Monstropolis are expected to open in 2027. Here are the details that were discussed:

• Welcome to Monstropolis: Disney Legend Randy Newman has written a new song of the same name for a show at the Glob Theater. This is his first song composed specifically for a Disney theme park. Mike and Sulley will host the experience, introducing human visitors to the city.
• New Dining and Shopping: Guests will be able to grab a slice at Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza, explore the Monsters University Alumni Club, and shop for souvenirs at Scareporium.
• Harryhausen’s Restaurant: One of the most anticipated dining locations will bring the famous sushi restaurant from Monsters, Inc. to life. A new Audio-Animatronic version of the many-tentacled chef will bring the restaurant to life. Don’t like sushi? No problem, the menu will have a variety of offerings.

These new locations will give guests more opportunities to experience Monstropolis even before the new Monsters, Inc. door coaster is complete.

9. Official Name and Two Attractions Revealed for Villains Land

Disney has confirmed that the new villain-themed area coming to Magic Kingdom will officially be called Villains Land. The dark and mischievous land will fit into Magic Kingdom’s existing lineup of themed lands while bringing a very different atmosphere to the park.

The land will feature two major attractions:

• Maleficent Coaster: This thrilling coaster will take guests through the enchanted briar surrounding Maleficent’s mountaintop fortress, bringing riders face-to-face with the Mistress of All Evil. Imagineers also teased that the attraction will feature elements they have never attempted on a similar attraction before.
• Magic Mirror Dark Ride: The second attraction will take guests beneath the Evil Queen’s palace to encounter the Magic Mirror, who will transport them into his mysterious Mirror Realm. Inside, guests will encounter an array of Disney Villains brought to life through a combination of physical sets and special effects.

10. Dreamfinder and Figment

Disney closed its D23 presentation with a major announcement for EPCOT fans: Dreamfinder and Figment are returning together to the Imagination Pavilion. Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum confirmed that the beloved duo will be part of a new journey into imagination, reuniting Figment with the character who helped make the original attraction so memorable.

Disney says more details about their return will be shared in the future, but the announcement confirms that Dreamfinder will once again have a place alongside Figment at EPCOT.

Final Thoughts

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event delivered a lot of news for Walt Disney World. From new attractions and expanded lands to returning favorites like Dreamfinder and Figment, there is plenty for Disney fans to look forward to.

Of course, many of these projects are still in development, so we’ll have to wait for more details. For now, though, Disney has given us a pretty good look at what’s ahead for Disney World in the years to come. Check back with ResortsGal.com for more updates!