By the D23 Team
We kicked off Destination D23: Presented by Topps with extra pixie dust by opening our first day of Disney Magic with the highly anticipated “Connections: A Look at the Future of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products” presentation. Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro gave Destination D23 guests (and viewers of our livestream) a look at new ways Disney is connecting fans to the stories they love most through innovative projects coming to life around the world. We can’t wait to see all the exciting experiences in the future, from joining the Guardians of the Galaxy for an intergalactic adventure at EPCOT and suiting up at Avengers Campus in Paris, to stunning stage spectaculars coming to the newest Disney Cruise Line ship.
“Since the beginning, people have felt a powerful connection to the Disney brand,” said D’Amaro. “As we build original, state-of-the-art experiences that further expand our favorite stories and even tell brand new ones, we look forward to a future filled with connections, endless possibilities and magic for Disney fans everywhere.”
Among some of the awesome demonstrations guests got to see up-close was a new lightsaber from a galaxy far, far away and a full-body exoskeleton system that will bring characters of all sizes to life in the future at Disney Parks. Additionally, the audience also heard first that Walt Disney World Resort will welcome Make-A-Wish®children and their families as some of the very first guests to experience Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser when it launches next year.
That’s not all the epic news that was announced! Here’s more of what’s in store for 2022 for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products:
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Set to Open Summer 2022
EPCOT is undergoing a transformation that includes an especially intergalactic, new attraction: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will open to guests in summer 2022 as part of the Walt Disney World Resort 50thAnniversary celebration. Guests will be invited on in intergalactic chase through time and space in the newly renamed World Discovery neighborhood of EPCOT, where the attraction is located. This family-thrill coaster attraction will match the scale and adventure of the Guardians of the Galaxy films, including two thrilling milestones: It will feature the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster and will be one of the longest fully enclosed coasters in the world.
We received a special transmission from Academy Award®-nominated actress Glenn Close, who revealed that she will be reprising her role as Nova Prime, the Xandarian leader and commander of the Nova Corps. Guests will enter the new Wonders of Xandar pavilion via the Galaxarium and proceed through the Xandar Gallery, where they will learn more about the Xandarian people as well as the similarities that connect Earth and Xandar.
30th Anniversary Celebration of Disneyland Paris Begins March 6, with Avengers Campus Coming Summer 2022
This spring marks the start of a dazzling 30th anniversary celebration for Disneyland Paris, which begins a new era in which every guest is encouraged to dream bigger, laugh louder and smile wider! The 30th Anniversary Celebration will kick off March 6, 2022, with new shows, entertainment, and décor along Main Street, U.S.A. and new costumes for Disney pals, making the resort shine brighter than ever.
That’s not all that will be assembling to Disneyland Paris! As the celebration continues, Avengers Campus will welcome guests in summer 2022. The next chapter of the Global Avengers initiative will offer incredible new experiences for Super Hero fans, right on the heels of the opening of Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel earlier this year.
Disney Wish – Two Dazzling New Stage Shows
While we’ve already heard about the delicious offerings and relaxing opportunities heading to the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Wish, which sets sail for the first time this summer, today we learned about two new shows premiering on the ship in the Walt Disney Theatre: Disney The Little Mermaid and Disney Seas the Adventure. Disney The Little Mermaid reimagines the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic with a modern and innovative take on a young girl learning the power of her voice. The show will feature dazzling special effects, innovative theatrical design, artistic choreography, and a reimagined script and score that will surprise and delight guests of all ages. Seas the Adventure follows Goofy as he discovers his own inner captain with the help of Captain Minnie and an all-star cast of Disney and Pixar characters.
The Society of Explorers and Adventurers Book Series
Disney fans with an adventurous spirit have been following the story of The Society of Explorers and Adventurers through details at Disney Parks around the world—but now, they can full dive into the interconnected lore behind beloved Disney Parks characters, attractions, and more across Disney theme parks, resorts, and cruise ships. The first book in an all-new middle grade adventure series, Shinji Takahashi and the Mark of the Coatl by international best-selling author Julie Kagawa, will be available wherever books are sold in April 2022 from Disney Publishing Worldwide.
MagicBand+ and “Hey, Disney!” Come to the Disneyland Resort
MagicBand+ is headed to Disneyland Resort! The enhanced MagicBand+ wearable technology and “Hey, Disney!” voice assistant, recently announced for Walt Disney World Resort, will come to Disneyland Resort in 2022. This will mark the first time MagicBand+ will be available at Disneyland Resort, and it will have its own unique features to better enhance the guest experience with hands-free convenience and unlock moments of magic unique to Disneyland Resort guests. The “Hey, Disney!” voice assistant, meanwhile, will work alongside Alexa and also will begin rolling out to Amazon Echo devices in guest rooms across the hotels of the Disneyland Resort.
Disney Brings New Magic to the Disneyland Hotel
D’Amaro shared exciting details about the proposed new tower coming to the Disneyland Hotel complex. Disney Imagineers are hard at work infusing the resort with the elements that bring Disney storytelling to life, all inspired by characters and stories from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ classic films. There will be a newly designed pool and recreation area, along with a variety of room types and the ability to explore the magic steps away at the Disneyland Resort.
Work Continues on Exciting Projects Around the World
That’s not all that was announced, as D’Amaro shared new artwork and photos about the work underway on projects in development around the world. We got sneak peeks at the Frozen-themed land coming to Hong Kong Disneyland, the Zootopia-themed land coming to Shanghai Disneyland, and Fantasy Springs (pictured above) coming to Tokyo DisneySea.
In the U.S., D’Amaro shared a look at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser debuting March 1, 2022, at Walt Disney World Resort. In less intergalactic news, he also revealed the name of a new quick-service restaurant, Connections Café and Eatery, debuting in the World Celebration neighborhood of EPCOT as part of the park’s ongoing transformation, along with sharing more about the recently announced reimagining of Mickey’s Toontown and Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort.
We can’t wait to enjoy all the new experiences coming to Disney Parks, Experiences and Products in 2022 and beyond. Stay tuned to D23.com, where we will share every exciting announcement as it breaks.
