The D23 2026 announcements came in all at once, with 22 park reveals, 21 movie and TV updates, the return of the Yeti, a purple dragon reunion 28 years in the making, and even a new land that no one expected Disney to tackle. If you only caught the news about Frozen 3 and the X-Men cast, you missed about 80% of what happened over the weekend.
I followed every showcase, read every press release, checked out every show floor report, and kept up with all the fan debates that came after. Here’s what I really think: 2026 wasn’t about making Wall Street happy. It was about making us, the fans happy!
There’s a big difference between those two goals. You’ll notice it in every section below.
So grab a coffee. This is a long one, because the weekend was packed with news.
What Was D23 2026, Exactly?
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event took place from August 14 to 16, 2026. It was held at both the Anaheim Convention Center, which featured the biggest show floor the event has ever had, and the Honda Center right across the street.
Each night featured a major show, making for three big events in total.
- On Friday, the Disney Entertainment Showcase was hosted by Ginnifer Goodwin and Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan, both stars of Zootopia 2.
- Saturday featured Horizons: A Carousel of Progress, the parks panel, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. He is a lifelong Figment fan, which made his casting a thoughtful choice.
- On Sunday, Ryan Seacrest hosted the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony.
New CEO Josh D’Amaro kicked off the event and shared a surprising fact: “nearly half a million people are in our parks and on our cruise ships” at that very moment. Disney now says it connects with over four billion fans around the world.
That’s nearly half the people on Earth. At that scale, Disney isn’t just a business—it’s a culture. The event reached beyond the main venues. D23 Day at Disneyland Resort happened on August 13, featuring Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Party Bash at Tomorrowland Terrace in the afternoon and a Disney+ Hulu Throwbacks Dance Party that lasted until 11:30 p.m. Leading up to the main event, there were also D23 nights at Bottle Logic Brewing, the Anaheim Packing House, and Angel Stadium.
By the time the arena lights dimmed on Friday, Anaheim had already been full of excitement for a week.
D23 2026: The Biggest Announcements, All in One Place
In a hurry? Here’s a quick cheat sheet. Check back later for more details.
Parks and Resorts:
- Tomorrowland at Disneyland is getting a full reimagining
- Dreamfinder returns to EPCOT alongside Figment
- The Expedition Everest Yeti will move again — for real
- Villains Land is officially named, with two E-ticket attractions
- Monstropolis opens (partially) in 2027
- Carousel of Progress returns late spring 2027 with Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston
- Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge opens summer 2027 with 967 rooms
Movies:
- Frozen 3 — November 24, 2027, with a wedding and a brand-new villain
- Avengers: Doomsday — December 18, 2026, tickets already selling
- X-Men cast revealed — May 5, 2028
- Zootopia 3 officially in development
- Coco 2 — November 2029, with Ernesto de la Cruz returning
Streaming and Games:
- Ahsoka Season 2 — January 20, 2027
- VisionQuest — October 14, 2026
- Kingdom Hearts IV — late 2027, featuring a Coco world
- A Kingdom Hearts anime series, greenlit for Disney Channel and Disney+
Here are the highlights you won’t want to miss!
Disney Parks D23 2026 Announcements: 22 Reveals, Ranked by How Loud the Room Got
Figment and Dreamfinder Reunite at EPCOT
This was the final announcement, and the crowd went wild.
Journey Into Imagination is being completely reimagined, and Dreamfinder, the bearded, twinkly-eyed dream-chaser who has been gone since 1998, is coming back with Figment.
After reading all the recaps, I think no other announcement this weekend had less business sense but more emotional impact. No one is buying a Lightning Lane just because Dreamfinder is back. Disney still went for it.
That says a lot about who is making decisions at Disney right now.
One little spark, indeed.
Tomorrowland at Disneyland Gets Reimagined
Parks Chair Thomas Mazloum announced this in the final minutes of the showcase.
What we know:
- New attractions
- More open space
- A return to the “spirit of optimism, innovation, and possibility” Walt described back in 1955
What we don’t know: pretty much everything else. There is no name, no concept art, no timeline, and no closing dates. The project has only just been approved. But this is still important. For about twenty years, Disneyland’s Tomorrowland has probably been the weakest area in any Disney park, with a mix of leftover ideas around a few great rides. Fans have been asking for this update since before the first D23 in 2009. The fact that it’s happening at all is the story.
One detail that got buried in most coverage: the Avatar land planned for Disney California Adventure will open after the Tomorrowland project. So if you’ve been waiting on Pandora West, that wait just got longer.
If I had to guess, the new style will be mid-century modern mixed with retro optimism, more like the world Walt actually imagined instead of the sci-fi mix we have now.
The Yeti Lives Again
Say it with me: Disco Yeti is dying!
The Expedition Everest Audio-Animatronic, which has been stuck in strobe-light mode for almost twenty years, is finally being restored to full motion. Some say it hasn’t worked right since the ride opened in 2006.
D’Amaro reportedly mentioned that his own mom asked him when he’d fix it back when he was VP of Animal Kingdom over a decade ago! Now he gets to tell her it’s done.
There is no date or technical details yet. Fans are already discussing whether ‘come back to life’ means a real mechanical fix or just better lighting effects. I would keep expectations realistic about how it will be done.
But the intention here is huge. Disney is spending real money on a fix that will not bring in any extra revenue, simply because it is the right thing to do. That shows a change in philosophy, not just routine maintenance.
Villains Land Gets Its Name and Its Roster
Magic Kingdom’s darkest expansion is officially called… Villains Land. Sometimes the obvious answer just wins.
The backstory is actually pretty clever. Deep in a cursed forest, there is a broken, twisted Wishing Well that was corrupted by a mysterious villain’s evil wish. That dark magic spread through the ground, and every Disney villain rushed in to claim a piece for themselves.
Two E-ticket attractions:
- The Maleficent coaster will race through enchanted briars and up into a mountaintop fortress, featuring ride elements that Disney says have never been seen before.
- The Magic Mirror dark ride will draw you into the Mirror Realm, using real set pieces and practical effects, all hosted by the Evil Queen’s mirror.
Confirmed residents include Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Cruella de Vil, and Dr. Facilier. Glenn Close reportedly appeared as Cruella during the celebration, which is a flex.
As for size, Disney compared it to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This isn’t just a small area—it’s a full destination, complete with dining and shopping.
There’s no opening date yet. Some sources have mentioned 2028 for the attractions, but construction trackers think it could be 2030 or later based on the current progress. It’s too early to make travel plans.
Piston Peak National Park Is Bigger Than You Think
The Cars-themed expansion in Frontierland will feature two new attractions!
Cars Ridge Run Rally takes you up mountain trails, through snowy peaks, past erupting geysers, and back down to the finish line. Lightning McQueen and Mater provide commentary along the way.
Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along features the demolition derby school bus from Cars 3 as a giant Audio-Animatronic, hosting her most exciting derby so far.
The real highlight wasn’t on the arena stage. Instead, inside the Imagineering: Horizons pavilion, there was a 225-square-foot scale model of the whole land, built by the Florida model shop.
What that model revealed:
- A massive snow-capped mountain anchoring the back of the land, with ice effects near the peak
- A dramatic geyser element beside rocky canyon terrain
- Densely forested winding pathways
- Rustic log cabin and national park lodge architecture with green roofs and stone detailing
- A central hub with paths branching toward attractions, dining, and retail
- A visible connection point to existing Frontierland near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Imagineers said this is one of the first major models from the Florida shop, and it’s clear they’re proud of their work.
Here’s a detail most people missed, Ridge Run Rally is built to run in the rain, which is a big deal in Central Florida. If you’ve ever seen an outdoor coaster close for a quick rain shower, you know how important this is.
I do have one complaint though, Miss Fritter’s spinner doesn’t really fit the theme. A demolition derby in a national park just doesn’t make sense. It’s a good ride for families with young kids, but it doesn’t match the story.
Monstropolis Opens in 2027 (Sort Of)
The Monsters, Inc. land at Hollywood Studios is the only Walt Disney World project from D23 that has an actual timeline.
The idea is fun, Monstropolis residents are getting ready for H.U.M.A.N. Day, which stands for Humans Understanding Monsters Are Nice, to welcome us into their city. “Welcome to Monstropolis,” a show with Mike and Sulley plus plenty of familiar faces
- Harryhausen’s, the famous table service restaurant from the movie, will have a sushi chef Audio-Animatronic and a menu that’s different from anything else at Walt Disney World.
- Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza is a quick service spot themed around Monsters University college life, featuring an Alumni Club that celebrates top scarers and well-known fraternities and sororities.
- Scareporium, the shop
There’s a catch, the main door vault coaster, which lifts riders 40 feet in four seconds before launching them into the vault, won’t open with the rest of the land. It will still be under construction.
One of the best details was barely mentioned, Disney Legend Randy Newman wrote “Welcome to Monstropolis,” his first song ever for a Disney theme park. Newman has scored Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and Cars, but never a park before. This is a real first in his long career.
This new land seems to follow the model of the popular Zootopia land in Shanghai, offering an immersive city with entertainment and great food instead of focusing on just one big ride. If they get that right, the phased opening won’t feel as disappointing.
Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom
The replacement for DinoLand is taking shape, with three new attractions set in the friendly village of Pueblo Esperanza!
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent takes Indy deep into a dry cenote inside a Maya temple. Local legends tell of a passage to the underworld, guarded by the Tsukán, a huge mythical serpent. The Tsukán will be a large, hand-sculpted Audio-Animatronic.
Here’s a big highlight! The Indy figure will be modeled after Harrison Ford himself. This is the first time Disney has done this for any attraction worldwide!
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto is a family ride with no height requirement. Guests visit Casita on Antonio’s gift day, seeing over 50 animals throughout the house and rooms made just for this attraction. The original voice cast returns: Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel, Jessica Darrow as Luisa, and Diane Guerrero as Isabela. So exciting!
El Carrusel de los Animalitos is a carousel with 22 hand-carved animals from Disney film history, all made in the story by a local wood carver!
One concern is that no opening year was confirmed on stage. Earlier reports suggested Tropical Americas would open in 2027, but Disney did not mention this in unfortunately. Lots of people seem to notice that, which I understand.
Spaceship Earth’s First Update in 20 Years
EPCOT’s iconic attraction is getting its first update in almost twenty years! The theme is expanding from human communication to human connection, bringing the story into the internet age and beyond while remaining, as Disney says, “classically EPCOT.”
To be honest, the difference between communication and connection seems pretty minor. Still, Disney promises new magic in every scene while keeping the optimism and wonder that made the ride a favorite for generations. Leadership has earned some benefit of the doubt here. A 2019 version of this project made me nervous. A 2026 version, not as much.
Carousel of Progress Gets Cranston and Curtis
The only other Walt Disney World project with a date: late spring 2027!
- Bryan Cranston voices John, the patriarch
- Disney Legend Jamie Lee Curtis voices Sarah, the matriarch
- Four new decades are being added
- A fully reworked 1980s scene got new concept art at the Parks Panel
- A new scene will feature Florida’s first Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic figure
Take another look at that last line. Walt Disney himself will appear in Florida as an animatronic figure. This is a major announcement tucked quietly into a press release, and it hardly got any attention in the headlines.
If the Imagineers deliver a strong script and a memorable cast, this could be a big success for Magic Kingdom fans!
Disneyland Resort: Coco, Avengers, and Three Beloved Shows Coming Home
The Coco attraction at Disney California Adventure picks up one year after the events of the original film. The queue features a “casa museo” dedicated to the music of Miguel’s great-great-grandfather, Héctor Rivera. On board, you travel by boat through Miguel’s memories of the Land of the Dead.
Imagineers called it a spiritual successor to Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. That kind of comparison is not made lightly, and it changed how I see this project. Coco has the visuals, music, and emotional depth that make it perfect for a boat ride. I’m actually really excited for this one!
In 2028, Avengers Campus will double in size with two new attractions:
- Avengers Infinity Defense will feature huge physical sets combined with large media scenes, and the on-screen heroes will return to their roles.
- Stark Flight Lab, a cutting-edge Stark Industries training experience featuring Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Mackie, and Brie Larson back in character.
Here’s a surprise entertainment comeback:
- “Remember… Dreams Come True” fireworks will return to Disneyland in February 2027, with some updates.
- The original “World of Color” show will be back at Disney California Adventure in February 2027.
- “Magic Happens” will return to Main Street U.S.A. in summer 2027.
All three fan-favorite shows are coming back in the same year. For many, “Remember… Dreams Come True” is the best fireworks show Disney has ever made. Having it return feels like a real treat.
The only drawback is that there won’t be a parade at Disneyland until summer, which is quite a wait.
Don’t Miss These International Announcements:
Disneyland Paris
- Hyperspace Mountain will close at the end of 2027 to make way for Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune, which brings back the original Jules Verne concept and musical score. The Star Wars branding is being removed from this Disney attraction. This might be the most surprising news of the weekend.
- The first Lion King ride is being built at Disney Adventure World and will cover about 30,000 square meters. This water ride will have three drops, including a 16-meter plunge from Pride Rock. It will feature Audio-Animatronics of Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, and, for the first time, Scar in his final showdown with Simba. The area will also offer dining, shopping, and character meet-and-greets. Foundation work near Adventure Bay started in fall 2025.
- A new daytime parade will debut in 2028, the park’s first since 2017. It will feature “elegant, state of the art floats” themed to Aladdin, Coco, The Princess and the Frog, and Tangled, with Mickey and friends leading the way. Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings, a chain-swing ride, will open across from Raiponce Tangled Spin in 2027.7.
Tokyo Disneyland
- Space Mountain: Earthrise is said to be the most expensive attraction Imagineering has ever created. Guests will launch into space and see Earth from a new perspective, as part of a reimagined Tomorrowland developed with Mark Rober.
- Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue, the first Wreck-It Ralph attraction, opens next spring. Guests will join Ralph and Vanellope inside the game to help turn rogue sugar bugs back to normal while avoiding King Candy.
Shanghai Disneyland
This is the first Disney Parks land focused just on Spider-Man. It will have a new coaster, Spider-Bots, and the latest projects from the Worldwide Engineering Brigade. The last piece of coaster track is already in place.
Hong Kong Disneyland
A new Avengers Pavilion is being built above the Stark Expo skyline. It will include Avengers Research Testing Labs with Peter Parker, a new Quinjet landing platform, and adventures that go beyond Earth.
Disney Cruise Line
- Disney Believe sets sail in 2027. When you enter the Grand Hall, Moana welcomes you and encourages you to believe in yourself. Tinker Bell appears on the bow, while Buzz and Woody are featured on the stern.
- A brand new class of ship will launch in 2029. Each ship will be about 100,000 gross tons and carry around 3,000 guests, making them larger than the Magic and Wonder but smaller than the Dream and Wish ships. Three ships are planned: one in spring 2029, another in fall 2029, and the third in fall 2030. These ships will be about 20% bigger than the Wonder.
- The key advantage is that smaller ships can visit ports that larger ships cannot reach. This means Disney can offer new and unique itineraries.
- The Disney Cruise Line fleet will expand from 8 ships to 13.
- The preview showcased the ships’ energy-efficient design, lightweight construction, and improved hull shape.
With Moana featured in a Polynesian-inspired atrium, this could become the best Grand Hall among the Wish-class ships. At first, I was unsure about the Believe, but now I’m genuinely excited.
The Resort News Most Recaps Skipped Entirely
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge on Bay Lake will open in summer 2027. It will have 967 rooms, from studios to larger suites, along with new one- and two-bedroom Lake Houses.
The recreation area, called The Wetlands, will feature the Daydream River lazy river, the Lakeshore Lagoon pool, and spaces for family activities.
If you’re a Disney Vacation Club member, this was probably the biggest news of the weekend, even though it didn’t get much attention in mainstream coverage.
The Movie and TV D23 2026 Announcements
Friday night brought a flood of announcements. Here’s everything that was revealed!
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Hexed is set to release on November 25, 2026
The casting announcements were the highlight! Walton Goggins will voice Beef Roger Crummchuk, a reclusive, magical three-eyed cat who teams up with Billie Doe (Hailee Steinfeld) and her careful mother Alice (Rashida Jones). Two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster will play Queen Celeste, a sinister character determined to keep control over the magical realm of Hexe forever. This is her first Disney animated role.
Moviegoers will also get to see a new animated short called “Lilo & Scratch” before the main feature.
Frozen 3 is set to release on November 24, 2027
There will be a wedding, a new villain with powers as strong as Elsa’s, a new love interest, and brand-new music.
The finale was a true showstopper. Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel performed a new version of “Frozen Heart,” followed by Josh Gad singing “Ooooh, Samantha,” a love song for Olaf’s first crush. Both songs were written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Afterward, new animation showed Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven, along with a glimpse of the new villainess.
Directed by Jennifer Lee and Trent Correy.
Clay (working title) is set to release in 2028
Kieran Culkin will play Flip, a rebellious misfit living in a magical forest who is reluctantly chosen during an annual ritual to mentor a young, impressionable ball of clay named Mushy. The film is directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn.
Zootopia 3 release date TBA
The project is officially in early development, as announced by Goodwin, Quan, and Disney Animation chief Jared Bush, who shared an exclusive custom sequence. The teaser hinted, “the world of Zootopia is about to go to the birds.”
Pixar
Gatto is set to release on March 5, 2027
Mark Ruffalo will voice Nero, a scrappy black cat making his way through the superstitious, canal-filled city of Venice while owing a debt to feline mob boss Rocco (Laurence Fishburne). The film comes from Enrico Casarosa and Andrea Warren, the team behind Luca.
Ghost Market is set to release on March 2028
This is Pixar’s first ghost movie. Kyle, a quick-talking teenage content creator from Chicago, is forced to go on a family vacation to Hawaii. There, he discovers ʻOno Market, a small plate lunch shop hidden on Oʻahu’s North Shore that serves lost spirits who are stuck between life and death. No living person has ever been inside. But
Kyle’s late-night snack run leads to something much bigger.
Trevor Jimenez and Jesse Andrews direct the film. The preview clip was shown in a vertical format, which got a laugh from the audience.
Incredibles 3 is set to release on June 16, 2028
Peter Sohn directs, with Brad Bird and Dana Murray producing. This time, the Parr children are the main focus. Concept art showed off new hero suits and villain designs, and both Frozone and Edna are returning.
Coco 2 is set to release on November 2029
New concept art revealed Miguel as a teenager, and Benjamin Bratt joined Pete Docter onstage to confirm that Ernesto de la Cruz returns, triggering a life-changing trip back to the Land of the Dead. Lee Unkrich directs with co-director Adrian Molina, and Mark Nielsen produces.
Docter also shared that he almost worked on The Simpsons before joining Pixar.
Marvel
Avengers: Doomsday is set to release on December 18, 2026
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Hayley Atwell joined Kevin Feige to show a special preview. The footage included Doom’s tragic backstory, his fight with Reed Richards, stopping Thor’s Stormbreaker with just two fingers, and sending out an army of Sentinels. Tickets went on sale at the event during the event.
The cast is huge: Hemsworth, Pascal, Rudd, Mackie, Pugh, Kirby, Moss-Bachrach, Russell, Tatum, Liu, McKellen, Hiddleston, Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Quinn, Stan, Harbour, Wright, Pullman, Grammer, and many others.
Untitled X-Men film is set to release on May 5, 2028
This was the reveal everyone was talking about. Sadie Sink (Jean Grey), Kit Connor (Scott Summers), Christopher Abbott (Professor Charles Xavier), Samara Weaving (Emma Frost), Inde Navarrette (Rogue), and Maya Boyd (Storm) all appeared on stage together. In a video message, Adam Driver announced he will play Nathaniel Milbury. Jake Schreier directs.
VisionQuest is streaming October 14, 2026 on Disney+
Paul Bettany and James Spader wrap up the trilogy that started with WandaVision and continued with Agatha All Along. Vision, now rebooted and in hiding, talks to the AI personas in his programming: F.R.I.D.A.Y., E.D.I.T.H., J.A.R.V.I.S., and Ultron. When a bounty is placed on him, he goes on the run with Thomas Shepard, a mysterious boy who might be his reincarnated son. The show is created by Terry Matalas.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 2 arrives in January 2027 and will feature the first look at Venom.
Spidey and His Amazing Friends has been renewed for a record-breaking seventh season. With nearly 1.3 billion hours streamed worldwide, it is Marvel’s most-watched series on Disney+ and the longest-running Spider-Man show ever.
Lucasfilm
Ahsoka Season 2 premieres January 20, 2027 on Disney+.
Dave Filoni introduced Rosario Dawson, Hayden Christensen, and Eman Esfandi to reveal the teaser. In the new season, Ahsoka and Sabine journey through a dangerous and unknown world as they try to find their way home, while Hera, Ezra, Zeb, and Chopper confront Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Star Wars: Starfighter is set to release on May 28, 2027.
Director Shawn Levy introduced Ryan Gosling, who appeared in a retro Mickey Mouse Club leather jacket after a video of his Mouseketeer days was shown. Levy then gave him a jacket featuring a key symbol from the film. Gosling stars as Kade Auberon, a cynical rogue facing his mysterious past. The cast also includes Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, and Amy Adams.
LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian is coming to Disney+ on September 2, 2026.
The trailer made its debut at the convention center, introduced by Shelby Young.
Here’s what else is coming up:
- The Bluey Movie arrives on August 6, 2027. The teaser featured giant red balloons and a live game of Keepy Uppy in the arena. Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack are back as Chilli and Bandit.
- Lilo & Stitch 2 is set for release on May 26, 2028. Chris Sanders is directing, with production starting in Hawaiʻi this year. Angel will join Stitch, and Maia Kealoha made an appearance searching for her blue fugitive friend.
- The live-action Tangled premieres March 31, 2028. Kathryn Hahn stars as Mother Gothel, Teagan Croft plays Rapunzel, and Milo Manheim is Flynn Rider, with both filming in Spain. Diego Luna joins as a new character named Hawthorne, alongside Caitríona Balfe as Queen Arianna and Elliot Cowan as King Frederic. Michael Gracey directs.
- Oswald premieres on Disney+ February 17, 2027. Directed by Jon Favreau, this live-action and animation hybrid follows Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, who is freed by an earthquake after being hidden since the 1920s. A middle school boy and his friends help Oswald adjust to the modern world. The cast includes Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Ryder Allen, Al Madrigal, Kathryn Hahn, and Albert Brooks.
- The Simpsons Movie sequel is coming on September 3, 2027. Dana Walden presented the project with Bart Simpson making an appearance.
- Ice Age: Boiling Point arrives February 5, 2027. Queen Latifah and Denis Leary introduced a clip featuring Scrat, Baby Scrat, and their giant prehistoric cousin, Jurassic Scrat.
- Romy & Michele 2 is coming to Hulu in 2027. Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow returned, making an entrance with yellow Post-it notes, and are joined by Alan Cumming, Keegan-Michael Key, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Janeane Garofalo.
- Princess Diaries 3 — Anne Hathaway confirmed the team is hard at work.
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 3 premieres November 20, 2026. Artemis’s hunters introduced Walker Scobell, with surprise appearances by Ming-Na Wen as Hera and Andra Day as Athena.
- Coven Academy premieres on Freeform October 1 and starts streaming October 2. The teaser features Olivia Rodrigo’s song “Brutal.”
- Cars: Lightning Racers is coming to Disney Jr. in 2027. Sheryl Crow wrote and performed the theme “Built to Last” and also performed “Real Gone” for the original Cars 20th anniversary celebration.
- Camp Rock 3 is now streaming. Joe, Nick, and Kevin Jonas introduced performances of “One Beat Away” and “We Rock” by Liamani Segura, Malachi Barton, Hudson Stone, Lumi Pollack, and Casey Trotter.
- Scrubs Season 2 features Scott Foley returning as Sean Kelly. The two-episode premiere airs September 30 on ABC.
- LION, from National Geographic, was filmed over four years and follows a real pride and a cub named Kio on his journey to becoming king. The project comes from Jon Favreau and Mike Gunton of BBC The Greatest Showman stage musical comes to Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the West End in spring 2027, following a sold-out run at the Bristol Hippodrome. The cast includes Oliver Tompsett, Samantha Barks, Malinda Parris, Ben Joyce, and Vajèn van den Bosch. Joyce and Vajèn van den Bosch.
- The Imagineering Story Season 2 is currently being filmed by Leslie Iwerks, who has unprecedented access as major projects move from concept to reality.
Games and Digital: The Sleeper Category
Pay attention to this section. One of the announcements here is actually a big deal, even if it might not seem obvious at first.
Kingdom Hearts IV is set to launch in late 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC through Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store. This time, the game includes a colorful world inspired by Coco, where Miguel and Héctor team up with Sora. The series has sold over 39 million copies and will mark its 25th anniversary next year.
During the “Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts” panel, creator Tetsuya Nomura addressed rumors about a possible delay. He said, “I saw some people online saying that maybe the actual release date might still get pushed back. I just wanted to set the record straight: that is not happening.”
The panel also included co-director Tai Yasue and voice actors Haley Joel Osment, who plays Sora, and David Gallagher, who voices Riku.
A Kingdom Hearts anime series has been approved for Disney Channel and Disney+. It is being developed with Nomura and the creative team from Square Enix. Marvel’s Wolverine will be released on PS5 on September 15, and a new trailer from Insomniac Games is now available.
The most important announcement for the future is Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Fortnite.
While waiting in line for the ride, you can accept a mission through the Disneyland or My Disney Experience app. After that, you unlock rewards by visiting a new Star Wars island in Fortnite called Smugglers Gambit.
Disney Games EVP Sean Shoptaw described it as “a mission that starts on a real attraction and doesn’t end when you step off the ride.” Asa Kalama from Imagineering said this approach meets guests where they already are.
If this idea expands, it could completely change what people experience while waiting in line at theme parks. This is a bigger shift than any single ride announced during the weekend.
Streaming Strategy: What Disney+ and ESPN Revealed
Not many fans paid attention to this panel, but the numbers are actually quite interesting.
Vertical video is catching on. Disney’s short-form feature, Verts, now leads short-form viewing on the ESPN app, with over 24 million users and 1.5 billion minutes watched since launching in August 2025. On Disney+, about 40% of mobile users have tried Verts since it rolled out in March.
Disney is planning to triple the number of local original series on Disney+ in the next three years. Their focus on hyper-local content is also starting to reach global audiences naturally.
Sports content is growing. Formula E will be available on Disney+ and ESPN+ in December. Some college football games and College GameDay simulcasts are also coming to Disney+. ESPN on Disney+ has now launched in Latin America, Australia, EMEA, and some APAC markets.
They also announced Don’t Look Back in Anger, a documentary about the Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour, which will be in cinemas and IMAX this September.
The Show Floor: Things That Never Made the Livestream
This is where the weekend took a fun and unexpected turn.
The Avatar model was on display. Imagineering showed a detailed model of the upcoming Avatar water ride for Disney California Adventure, with the ride winding around the Disneyland Monorail. Imagineers told reporters that the model only shows part of the new land. The area will replace Hollywood Land’s studio backlot and extend toward the bus drop-off area on Harbor Boulevard.
Floating droids made an appearance at Imagineering: Horizons. Disney introduced Hugo’s Sweets & Fizz, a Galaxy’s Edge snack cart designed for levitating droid vendors. Guests can order soda using a mobile app, and the droids float above the cart and perform a short show based on the order. If you buy just one drink, the droid might seem lonely. During the demo, Grogu was at the counter.
The Imagineering: Horizons pavilion was the biggest D23 pavilion Disney has built so far. The stage was inspired by the 1967 Tomorrowland Terrace and was called the “Tom Morrow-land Terrace Stage.” It featured appearances by Tom Morrow 2.0 from the Imagineering YouTube channel.
Mousequerade: The Ultimate Disney Costume Contest, sponsored by AT&T, kicked off on Saturday.
The Disney Experiences Auction, called Rare and Remarkable Finds, started on Sunday. Bret Iwan, a Disney fine artist and the official voice of Mickey Mouse, hosted the event. Verified props, artwork, and treasures from parks, resorts, and ships were available for live and online bidding.
Alan Menken gave a rare solo concert on Sunday night called “A Whole New World of Alan Menken,” where he performed songs and shared the stories behind them. The Jonas Brothers recorded a live episode of their Hey Jonas! iHeartPodcast to celebrate their Legends induction.
Kevin Kidney gave a talk about finding the real Swiss Family Robinson filming locations, including the famous tree house that inspired the Disneyland attraction.
Panels like this are what make D23 special.
The Disney Rewind Concert wrapped up Friday with Disney Legends like Jodi Benson and Bill Farmer, along with soon-to-be Legend Susan Egan, performing Disney classics from the ’80s and ’90s.
Anniversary panels honored Enchanted, Beauty and the Beast, One Hundred and One Dalmatians at 65, Marvel’s Spider-Man at 65, Zootopia, Tinker Bell, and Kingdom Hearts at 25. There were also behind-the-scenes sessions for Bob’s Burgers and The Simpsons.
Disney and Formula 1 have extended their “Fuel the Magic” partnership through 2028, adding another full season to the original plan.
The Mundo Pixar Experience announced its first U.S. tour, starting in 2027, after previous stops in the UK, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Belgium, Seoul, and Tokyo.
The Disney Princess Experience, a new immersive touring adventure featuring Rapunzel, Tiana, Belle, Moana, and Ariel, is being developed by Disney Theatrical Group.
Make-A-Wish was honored all weekend at the Disney VoluntEARS Pavilion, the Rewind Concert, and the Formula 1 booth.
Neil Patrick Harris started the parks showcase with a tribute to Disney Audio-Animatronics. The night also included surprise performances by Sheryl Crow, Beck, Los Lobos, and Gloria Gaynor. The event was set up like a late-night talk show, with a house band and lounge seating.
Merch, Pins, and Collectibles
If you love collecting, you’ll want to check out this section.
Fanniversary Frenzy led the merchandise lineup with ten collections marking big anniversaries:
- The Princess Diaries 25th
- Beauty and the Beast 35th
- One Hundred and One Dalmatians 65th
- Alice in Wonderland 75th
- Dumbo 85th
- Atlantis: The Lost Empire 25th
- Darkwing Duck 35th
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame 30th
- The Fox and the Hound 45th
- The Muppet Show 50th
Other highlights:
- Disney x Bobby Kim Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey long sleeve tee, available one day only
- 500 signed copies of Joe Rohde’s book Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible
- A Disney x Macy’s 100th Thanksgiving Day Parade capsule, unveiled at D23 Day on August 13
- Disney x Formula 1 and Blooms by Disney collections
- Brand collabs with RSVLTS, Spirit Jersey, Nike, and Loungefly at The Walt Disney Company Store
- A brand-new D23 Marketplace Pin Store with fresh limited designs dropping Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- D23 Marketplace Photobooths and Medallions for personalized products
- Mickey’s of Glendale returned, joined by a debut retail concept called Disney .YNSD
- The return of Disney Fine Art, plus collectible vinyl records
- Products from Just Play, Wizards of the Coast, Topps, NECA, KidRobot, Enesco, Pandora, Crocs, Her Universe, BoxLunch, Girls Crew, Little Words Project, and Citizen watches
- Disney Lorcana fans got the limited-edition 2026 D23 Collection and a Winnie the Pooh – Hunny Wizard premium foil playmat at Ravensburger
To shop on the show floor, guests joined a virtual queue with boarding groups, which opened daily at 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. PT. Online sales started at DisneyStore.com/d23-event on August 17 at 8 a.m. PT.
Here’s a tip, the anniversary collections sold out fastest online. If there’s another event in 2028, set your alarm for the online release, not just the show floor opening.
The 2026 Disney Legends Class
On Sunday at the Honda Center, Disney honored eleven new inductees in what it described as the weekend’s biggest ceremony.
- Chris Berman
- Jerry Bruckheimer
- Susan Egan
- Eric Goldberg
- Anne Hathaway
- Bob Iger
- Kim Irvine
- Dwayne Johnson
- The Jonas Brothers
- Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Alan Tudyk
Anne Hathaway was introduced by David Frankel, who directed The Devil Wears Prada. On Friday, she talked about how much being part of the Disney family has meant to her since she began with The Princess Diaries.
Kim Irvine’s induction was especially meaningful for fans of the parks. She is the Imagineer responsible for many of Disneyland’s most memorable and atmospheric projects, including some of the resort’s favorite seasonal overlays. Many felt this recognition was long overdue.
The ceremony was available to stream on Disney+ soon after the event ended.
Why D23 2026 Felt Different
I’ll be honest with you, since a lot of other coverage isn’t.
In 2024, there were more big announcements. That was the year for new lands, new ships, and big investment numbers to reassure investors after Disney decided streaming wasn’t the company’s future. The focus was on Wall Street, and it worked.
2026 seemed quieter at first glance. There were fewer big surprises and not many opening dates were announced. Only Monstropolis (2027) and Carousel of Progress (late spring 2027) at Walt Disney World got confirmed timing. Projects already under construction barely showed any new concept art.
But look at what actually got announced:
- Fixing a broken animatronic that generates zero additional revenue
- Restoring a 1995 Jules Verne coaster by removing Star Wars branding
- Bringing back a character who’s been gone since 1998
- Rebuilding an entire land nobody was demanding on an earnings call
Not one of those sells a single Lightning Lane. Not one of those excites an analyst at Goldman Sachs. Every one of them was aimed squarely at the people who read blogs like this one.
You could argue that 2026 mattered more than 2024, exactly because it felt less commercial. For years, fans have asked, “why does everything need movie IP?” This year, Disneyland Paris is actually taking IP out of an attraction. Imagination, Tomorrowland, Spaceship Earth, Carousel of Progress, and the Yeti are not about adding IP. They’re about restoring what fans love.
Right now, Disney’s leaders seem to truly understand what makes these places special. They also seem willing to spend money on goodwill instead of just focusing on the numbers.
To be fair, there are some real criticisms. The details were lacking, and some announcements felt unfinished. Hearing “We’re fixing the Yeti” is exciting, but knowing how and when would have been even better. The same goes for Tropical Americas losing its opening year.
I think Disney is spreading out their announcements on purpose to keep people talking between events. It’s frustrating if you want answers right now, but it makes sense if you’re planning marketing all the way to 2030.
What This Means for Your Next Trip
Here’s some practical planning advice, organized by the year you plan to visit.
Visiting in 2026
No new attractions from D23 will open this year. You’ll see construction walls at Magic Kingdom (Piston Peak and Villains Land), Animal Kingdom (Tropical Americas), and Hollywood Studios (Monstropolis). On the bright side, crowds are usually lighter during these transition years. If you’re interested, Smugglers Gambit in Fortnite is already live, so you can try out that connected ride mission now.
Visiting in 2027
2027 is the best year to visit by far:
- Monstropolis (partial) at Hollywood Studios
- Carousel of Progress reopens late spring at Magic Kingdom
- Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge opens in summer
- Disneyland gets “Remember… Dreams Come True” in February
- World of Color returns to DCA in February
- “Magic Happens” returns in summer
- Disney Believe sets sail
- Space Mountain: Earthrise at Tokyo Disneyland
- Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue at Tokyo in spring
- Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings at Disneyland Paris
If you want to choose just one year to plan your trip, make it 2027.
Visiting 2028 and Beyond
Looking ahead, you can expect the Avengers Campus expansion at Disney California Adventure, a new daytime parade at Disneyland Paris, a new Space Mountain in Paris, and possibly Villains Land if construction stays on track.
A Timing Warning for Paris Fans
If Hyperspace Mountain is important to you, plan your visit before the end of 2027. After that, it will close for the Jules Verne restoration.
A Booking Tip Nobody’s Saying Out Loud
Each of these new projects will bring higher prices and bigger crowds when they first open. If you want to experience Tropical Americas or Monstropolis without the opening rush, plan your visit six to nine months after they debut. You’ll enjoy the same attractions with much shorter waits.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was D23 2026 and where was it held?
D23 2026 took place from August 14 to 16 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Before the main event, there was a D23 Day at Disneyland Resort on August 13, and D23 nights happened throughout Anaheim all week.
What was the biggest D23 2026 announcement?
The answer depends on who you ask. Fans of the parks were most excited about the Dreamfinder and Figment reunion at EPCOT and the Tomorrowland updates at Disneyland. Movie fans were thrilled by the X-Men cast reveal and new Avengers: Doomsday footage.
When does Villains Land open?
Disney has not announced an opening date yet. Some sources say the attractions could open in 2028, but construction trackers think 2030 or later is more likely based on how things look now.
Is the Expedition Everest Yeti really being fixed?
Disney confirmed the Yeti “will come back to life.” However, they did not give a date or technical details, so some fans are still unsure if it means a full mechanical fix or just new effects.
When is Frozen 3 coming out?
Frozen 3 comes out on November 24, 2027, directed by Jennifer Lee and Trent Correy. The movie will include a wedding, a new villain, a new love interest, and new songs by the Lopezes.
When does Avengers: Doomsday release?
Avengers: Doomsday will be released on December 18, 2026. Tickets became available during D23.
Who is in the new X-Men movie?
The new X-Men movie stars Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Christopher Abbott as Professor X, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm, and Adam Driver as Nathaniel Milbury. Jake Schreier is directing, and the movie comes out on May 5, 2028.
Is Zootopia 3 confirmed?
Yes, Zootopia 3 is officially in early development at Walt Disney Animation Studios. The release date will be announced later.
What happened with the Avatar land at Disneyland?
It’s still planned for Disney California Adventure’s Hollywood Land backlot, extending toward Harbor Boulevard. Imagineering displayed a partial scale model. It will open after the Tomorrowland project.
Is Kingdom Hearts IV releasing?
Kingdom Hearts IV is set to release in late 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC. Series creator Tetsuya Nomura has said there will be no delays.
How many new Disney cruise ships are coming?
The Disney cruise fleet will grow from 8 to 13 ships. Disney Believe sets sail in 2027, and a new class of three ships will arrive in spring 2029, fall 2029, and fall 2030.
Was D23 2026 streamed anywhere?
Yes, D23 2026 was streamed. The Disney Experiences showcase was available to watch at home on Disney+, and the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony was also streamed on Disney+ shortly after the event.
When is the next D23?
D23 happens every two years, so the next event will be in 2028.
Did Hollywood Studios get anything besides Monstropolis?
No, Hollywood Studios did not get anything besides Monstropolis. There was no news about a Galaxy’s Edge expansion or an Original Trilogy addition, which disappointed many fans.
What’s the difference between D23 and the old D23 Expo?
Same event, new name. Disney rebranded it as D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, though plenty of fans and outlets still call it the D23 Expo out of habit.
Do I need a D23 Gold Membership to attend?
Not to attend, but Gold Members get early ticket access. In 2026, Gold Charter Members had an exclusive 24-hour window before general sales opened.
Wrapping Things Up
This is the point I keep returning to.
Disney could have used this D23 weekend to announce five new lands packed with popular characters and a bunch of cross-promotions. But the biggest applause of the whole event went to a chubby purple dragon and a red-headed dreamer in a top hat who hasn’t been around since 1998.
That matters. It shows the company remembers who it is really building for.
Are there still gaps? Definitely. Animal Kingdom still really needs a nighttime show. Hollywood Studios only got one new land and a delayed coaster. Most things don’t have a set opening date, and when D’Amaro says “over the next five years,” that covers a lot.
But with the Yeti finally moving again, Tomorrowland getting the update fans have wanted since 2009, Paris removing Star Wars branding from a coaster, Walt himself showing up as Florida’s first Walt animatronic, and Randy Newman writing his first park song, this really felt like a course correction. A genuine one.
Two years from now we’ll know whether the follow-through matched the promise. For now? I’m choosing unfettered optimism.
It turns out there really is a great big beautiful tomorrow!
