Disney Parks Will See Exciting Changes in 2023

The D23 Expo 20022 was a biennial event that brought together thousands of Disney fans in Anaheim, California.

It featured pop-up shops, celebrity appearances, and lots of announcements about the Disney universe.

Expo this year revealed many new shows and movies that will be coming to Disney+ next season, but we are particularly excited about the upcoming updates to Walt Disney World as well as Disneyland.

On Sunday, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products chairman Josh D'Amaro gave a 90-minute presentation--complete with musical numbers and confetti--on what fans can expect from the Disney parks in the near future. These are the 10 most exciting new attractions and updates that you need to be excited about.

Disneyland is getting new Star Wars and Marvel attractions

Disneyland will soon have more representation for Star Wars and Marvel, two of Disney's most popular franchises.

The Avengers Campus opened in 2021 with only two rides: Spider-Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy. The D23 Expo saw Disney CEO Bob Chapek reveal that a third attraction was in development. Although the ride is still in development, Chapek said that it would feature the multiverse and allow guests the opportunity to fight intergalactic foes.

Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel Studios, took to the stage along with Mark Ruffalo (via video) in order to announce the new walk-around character at Avengers Campus: The Incredible Hulk. For a limited time, guests will be able meet the full-size character (as in Hulk-size), beginning mid-September.

Jon Favreau, the executive producer of "The Mandalorian", shared the first glimpse at Grogu (a.k.a. Grogu) and the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge park. Baby Yoda and the Mandalorian. In mid-November, both characters will greet guests.

Pacific Wharf will be transformed into San Fransokyo

Near the Avengers Campus at Disneyland is Pacific Wharf, a waterfront shopping and dining area that will transform into San Fransokyo in the movie "Big Hero 6". This reimagination will include new places to eat, shop, and meet and greets at Baymax, the film's huggable robot.

Disneyland's most popular spots are being remodeled

Other Disneyland locations will also be given magical makeovers. Mickey's Toontown will reopen in the early 2023 after it was closed for renovations in March 2022. It now has tons of fun and inclusive play areas for children. A new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction will be added to the area. It is currently only available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando.

Paradise Pier Hotel is located in Anaheim just a few blocks from the Disneyland parks. It will soon become Pixar Place Hotel. D'Amaro claims that the redesign will give guests the feeling of stepping into a Pixar gallery complete with new interpretations and favorite Pixar characters.

More than a dozen venues will be reimagined in the Downtown Disney District, including a new Porto's Bakery & Cafe. This beloved SoCal institution is set to return to the district in 2024. The runDisney marathon, in which runners wear Disney costumes, will return to the resort in 2024.

Splash Mountain will be transformed into Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Disney has hinted at a "Princess and the Frog-themed transformation" coming to Splash Mountain for some time, and D'Amaro provided more details at the D23 Expo. Tiana's Bayou Adventure will be available at Walt Disney World Resort as well as Disneyland Resort in the latter part of 2024. It will feature the voices from the original film cast.

The New Orleans-focused aesthetic of the ride will be prominently featured jazz. Tiana's voice, Anika Noni rose (voice of Tiana), performed "Almost There" as a preview of what was to come.

EPCOT's construction is finally over

The EPCOT park at Disney World has been in construction for over three years. But there's finally light at the end. Presenters revealed that two new major attractions, the World Celebration neighborhood and the World Celebration district, which is a central hub for large events and festivals, will be open to the public in the latter half of 2023. Journey of Water, an attraction inspired by Moana that allows guests to walk along a tropical trail with water features and learning opportunities, will be the other.

Magic Kingdom will soon have a TRON roller coaster

The TRON Lightcycle Ride roller coaster was inspired by the TRON movie franchise and has been in construction in Tomorrowland since a few years. In spring 2023, the ride will be open to the public.

A beloved attraction that had been on a temporary hiatus is being brought back by the Magic Kingdom. The nighttime fireworks display above Cinderella Castle did not leave the park. However, Disney World's 50th Anniversary saw the replacement of the show's main theme song, "Happily ever After" with a new tune. D'Amaro made the announcement that "Happily ever After" would be playing during the nightly fireworks display. This announcement was received with a roaring applause at D23 Expo.

International parks will soon be home to three 'Frozen-themed attractions.

Over the next few years, several international Disney parks will get "Frozen-themed" attractions. The first is World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland, which will be open in the second half of 2023. It will combine elements of the film's magical town, Arendelle, with natural landscapes from Lantau Island.

Disneyland Paris is developing a new "Frozen-themed" land. It will be situated on a lakeside promenade. It will look similar to the animated films' winter wonderland.

Tokyo Disney Resort has finally built Fantasy Springs. This new area will feature stories from "Frozen," Peter Pan, and Tangled, as well as a brand new hotel right within the park. Fantasy Springs will also feature an animatronic Elsa, who sings in Japanese to capitalize on the "Frozen” mania.

Shanghai will be the home of the company's first Zootopia-themed attraction

It was only natural that the animated film Zootopia, which was released in 2016, was a huge success. Shanghai Disney Resort will be the first Disney park to bring to life the characters and cartoonish aesthetics from the Oscar-winning film.

D'Amaro shared some sneak peeks of the neighborhood. It looks absolutely adorable. The entrance to the land doubles as Zootopia Police Department. Here, guests will be welcomed by an animated version of fan-favorite Officer Clawhauser. Guests will also find Zootopia Central Station where they can observe animals living their day. It is not yet known when the Zootopia Central Station will open, but construction continues so it should be ready in the next year.

For Disneyland's 100th Anniversary in 2023, expect tons of new attractions

D'Amaro ended his presentation by showing a glimpse of the many celebrations planned for Disney100, which is the official title for next year's 100th anniversary. While parks around the globe will unveil new decorations, character experiences, specialty food, and beverages, the majority of the celebrations will be held at California's Disneyland Resort.

Two new nighttime fireworks shows will light up Disneyland in January 2023. The fireworks show "Wondrous Adventures" will take guests on an amazing journey through Disney's history, with nods to any of the 60 films produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. The second spectacular, "World of Color - One," is about Walt Disney himself. It will feature his story through the eyes of fan-favorite characters. There will also be many entertaining moments throughout the resort including the return to the Magic Happens parade in spring.

EPCOT's World Showcase Lagoon will get a new nighttime spectacle in the latter part of 2023. However, details are still scarce. In Hong Kong Disneyland, a new statue will be unveiled near Cinderella’s Carousel. This is in line with the anniversary celebrations.

Bonus: Disney Cruise Line will launch new routes and a brand-new ship

There's good news for those who prefer their Disney adventures to be at sea, not at the parks. Disney Cruise Line will be launching its sixth ship, Disney Treasure, in 2024. It already looks amazing. The ship's center is the Grand Hall. This three-story atrium was inspired by the fictional palaces in Agrabah, "Aladdin." The center of the hall will be home to a statue of Aladdin and Jasmine as well as the Magic Carpet.

Disney Cruise Line will begin limited-time cruises departing from Australia and New Zealand in October 2023. These cruises will focus on Disney, Pixar and Marvel stories. A luxurious, solar-powered cruise port in the Bahamas is also in the planning stages. The Disney Wonder ship will sail to South Pacific destinations such as Fiji and Samoa.

 

Source: tripsavvy.com