By the D23 Team
It was a memorable Saturday night, August 15, at the Honda Center when Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase—hosted by Neil Patrick Harris—offered up an unforgettable look at the future of Disney Experiences. Throughout the evening, Disney Experiences leaders, Imagineers, and storytellers unveiled exciting new details; shared behind-the-scenes stories; and offered fans exclusive first looks at what's on the horizon!
The spectacle came to life with Harris' show-stopping opening tribute to Disney Audio-Animatronics®, featuring a few of the evening’s surprise special guests—including Darren Criss, Skylar Astin, Megan Hilty, Tig Notaro, and Jack McBrayer! Later in the evening, the crowd was treated to an extra-special treat: Oscar® winner Glenn Close in full Cruella de Vil regalia!
Accompanied all evening by house band The Phoenicians, the night took on the look of a late-night talk show—with Harris, as well as another special guest, John Stamos, interviewing Walt Disney Imagineers and other guests about all the incredible adventures to come from Disney Experiences.
That’s not all: The show included performances from the likes of GRAMMY Award®-winning artists including Sheryl Crow, Beck, Los Lobos and even the queen of disco herself, Gloria Gaynor!
But first, Thomas Mazloum, Chairman of Disney Experiences for The Walt Disney Company, welcomed the assembled crowd. "As we continue expanding and evolving Disney Experiences around the world, our fans remain at the heart of everything we do... events like this allow us to celebrate the incredible connection fans have with Disney while sharing our vision for the future and the stories, adventures, and memories we're creating next."
Here are some of the incredible announcements featured during the Horizons showcase:
Leslie Iwerks joined Walt Disney Imagineering Chief Creative Officer Bruce Vaughn to announce that a second season of The Imagineering Story is officially in production, and will debut on Disney+ next year. With unprecedented access to Imagineers as major new developments move from blue sky to reality, the new season promises to pull back the curtain on one of the most ambitious eras in Imagineering history.
At Disneyland Resort, a refreshed version of the Remember… Dreams Come True nighttime spectacular will light up Disneyland park once again, beginning in February 2027. Additionally, an updated version of the original World of Color will perform at Disney California Adventure park starting in February 2027. Plus, just in time for summer 2027, dancing its way down Main Street U.S.A., once again, magic will happen with the Magic Happens parade at Disneyland Park.
Two new attractions—Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab—will open in 2028, doubling the size of Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure. And yes, some favorite on-screen heroes are reprising their roles for both attractions...
Also at Disney California Adventure, for the first Coco ride ever at a Disney park, Imagineers are working closely with Pixar Animation Studios to nod to the original film and its upcoming sequel, Coco 2. The attraction storyline will pick up a year after the events of the original film.
Plus, a reimagining of Tomorrowland in Disneyland is in the works! The transformation will honor the legacy of the original land while reimagining its future with new attractions, more open spaces and new places for you to dream about the future.
For Magic Kingdom, it was revealed that Disney Legend Jamie Lee Curtis and Emmy® winner Bryan Cranston will join Carousel of Progress as the mom and dad for the show—and the crowd was given a sneak peek at a newly updated 1980s scene, starting late spring 2027.
Meanwhile, the legendary demolition derby champion from Disney and Pixar’s Cars 3 is rolling into Piston Peak in a big way. Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along puts the larger-than-life school bus front and center as she hosts her wildest competition yet. If you’ve ever wanted to get a little closer to one of the most unforgettable racers in the Cars universe, now’s your chance. Plus, Cars Ridge Run Rally will send racers climbing mountain trails, cruising through snowy peaks, racing past erupting geysers, and bouncing their way back down the mountain toward the finish line. And you’re not racing alone, as Lightning McQueen and Mater can be found giving a play-by-play from the sidelines.
A cursed forest. A broken Wishing Well. Disney Villains who have claimed dark magic for themselves. In Villains Land, guests will step into a dark and twisted world shaped by Disney’s most infamous evildoers, from racing through Maleficent’s enchanted briars on a thrilling coaster to venturing into the Magic Mirror’s mystical realm. There’s a little bit of mischievous magic around every corner of this sprawling new land that promises to be unlike anything ever created at Magic Kingdom.
Additionally, the circle of life is taking on a whole new meaning at Disney Adventure World, where the first-ever The Lion King attraction will bring Simba’s story to life like never before. Guests will journey through the Pride Lands alongside Simba as he grows from a curious cub into the king he was destined to become.
Meanwhile, at Tokyo Disneyland, a brand-new Space Mountain adventure is on the horizon. In Space Mountain Earthrise , guests will launch into the cosmos and experience the wonder of Earth from a perspective unlike anything seen before in a Disney attraction. Part of a reimagined Tomorrowland, the new experience is designed to celebrate the beauty of our planet while inspiring guests to look toward the future.
Also at Tokyo Disneyland, the world of Wreck-It Ralph is arriving with Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue, a brand-new attraction inspired by the fan-favorite film. Guests will join Ralph and Vanellope inside the game of Sugar Rush, where they’ll help transform rogue sugar bugs back to their original forms while trying to stay one step ahead of King Candy. Along the way, look out for sweet surprises and familiar faces from the film.
One of the most iconic attractions at EPCOT is preparing for its next evolution: For the first time in nearly two decades, Spaceship Earth will receive updates that expand its story from human communication to the broader theme of human connection, while retaining the optimism and wonder that have defined the attraction for generations.
One little spark can do a lot: Figment and Dreamfinder are getting ready to embark on a new journey into imagination at EPCOT!
Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, yes, it’s true: Expedition Everest’s Yeti will roar to life once again...
Also at Animal Kingdom, it was revealed—via a video message from Indy himself, Disney Legend Harrison Ford—that he will be the official “face” of the Indiana Jones character at the park’s new Indiana Jones attraction. Plus, the name of the attraction was revealed: Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent! Join Indiana Jones on a daring expedition into an ancient Maya temple, encountering legendary creatures, supernatural dangers, and a massive serpent inspired by Maya mythology.
Plus, the Madrigal family is coming to Animal Kingdom with Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto. Guests will be invited into Casita on Antonio’s special gift day—exploring new rooms created exclusively for the attraction. This family-friendly adventure brings you into a vibrant world filled with Antonio’s animals, music, and the magic we love from the world of Disney Animation’s Encanto.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, when the new Monstropolis land opens in 2027, guests will be able to spend time with Mike and Sulley at a new theater show; visit iconic locations from the film like Harryhausen’s; and grab a slice at Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza. An original song by Disney Legend Randy Newman will help bring the city to life, making it feel like the monster world has finally opened its doors to humans.
The skyline of Stark Expo is getting a heroic upgrade: A brand-new Avengers Pavilion is on the way to Hong Kong Disneyland, bringing guests into the world of Avengers Research Testing Labs alongside Peter Parker and some seriously powerful new technology. Add in a new Quinjet landing platform and adventures that reach far beyond Earth, and this expansion is already looking super.
The first Disney parkland dedicated entirely to the iconic web-slinger is swinging into Shanghai Disney Resort, complete with a new coaster, Spider-Bots, and the latest projects from the Worldwide Engineering Brigade (or as the students call it, W.E.B.). Science experiments, super-powered fun, and plenty of Spidey energy? Our Spidey-senses are tingling.
Our friends at Disney Cruise Line had several announcements: The Disney Believe will set sail in 2027, and we’ve got the first look inside and outside of the ship. Greeting guests in the Grand Hall, Moana will welcome everyone on board, embodying the spirit of believing in yourself on all your sea adventures. While the bow of the ship will be adorned with Tinker Bell, the stern features Buzz and Woody getting creative with the overall design. Additionally, a brand-new class of Disney Cruise Line ships is set to arrive in 2029! Sitting between Disney’s classic and newest ships in size, the new class will open the door to new destinations and experiences around the world.
For more information on all the amazing fun to come from Disney Experiences, keep your eyes peeled here at D23.com; on D23’s social channels; and with our pals over at the Disney Parks Blog!