D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Recap 2024 — New Lands, Rides, Ships, and More

D23, the Official Disney Fan Club, held its annual expo over 3 days in Anaheim, California. The event was packed with stars, sneak peeks, news, and more.

Disney understood the assignment this year and delivered information about new lands at Walt Disney World in Florida and rides at Disneyland in California. Yes, that means we are finally getting a Villians Land!

Plus, we’ll see new rides for Cars, Coco, Encanto, Indiana Jones, Monsters, Inc., and more!

Let’s take a look at what’s coming to Disney parks and experiences!

D23 2024 Recap

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event ran from August 9 to 11, 2024, at the Anaheim Convention Center and Honda Center in Anaheim, California. It was packed with Disney stars, Disney Legends, celebrities, and fans.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro walked everyone through the upcoming plans for the parks, experiences, and more.

“Disney Experiences is embarking on an accelerated path of ambitious growth and innovation. With so many great Disney stories to tell, we’re excited to bring an unprecedented number of new projects to life in the near future, whether it be in our theme parks, on our cruise ships or through our partnership with Epic Games in the digital space.”

Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences Chairman

New attractions will be added to parks around the world; here is what guests in the U.S. can look forward to.

Walt Disney World

Out of all the announced news, fans of Walt Disney World have the most to look forward to.

With 7 new attractions coming to Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom, park hopping will be a popular choice.

Villains Land

Fans have been asking for this, and Disney will deliver as part of Magic Kingdom’s largest expansion in history.

Work is “already underway” on a new land — in a space that’s been known as Beyond Big Thunder — for Disney Villains at Magic Kingdom. But beyond that, no timeline has been announced.

This new land will feature 2 new attractions plus dining and shopping options.

Monsters, Inc. Land

Monsters, Inc. Land is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and will feature the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park.

Guests will be able to zoom through the door vault in the factory, just like Mike and Sulley, and walk the streets alongside their favorite monsters!

Cars

Ka-Chow! Magic Kingdom is getting 2 new “Cars” attractions in Frontierland!

To make room for Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, and friends, Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America will be transformed into a “Cars” -themed area that will take guests beyond Radiator Springs.

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2025.

Tropical Americas

We’ve been hearing rumors about Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom for years; we finally have some solid answers.

The 11-acre area will feature 2 new signature attractions, dining, shopping, and more.

Indiana Jones will take over what is currently Dinosaur, and guests will follow Indy deep into an ancient Maya temple.

Tropical Americas will also feature the first-ever “Encanto” -themed ride where guests will travel alongside the Madrigal family inside the beloved Casita!

Construction is scheduled to start later this year and be complete by 2027.

Nighttime Parade

Magic Kingdom is getting a brand-new nighttime parade!

Disney Starlight will carry on the legacy of the Main Street Electrical Parade using the latest technology and will feature films including “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen,” and more.

Guests can experience this new parade in the summer of 2025!

Disneyland

Disneyland is getting some big improvements as well, with new rides and even a Walt Disney audio-animatronic!

Avatar

Avatar is heading to Disney California Adventure!

This new land and ride will be based on the film “Avatar: The Way of Water” and upcoming Avatar films, so it will feel much different than the Animal Kingdom version.

Unfortunately, no timeline has been provided for this new area.

Coco

Seize your moment! Coco is coming to Disney California Adventure!

The first-ever “Coco” ride at a Disney park will take inspiration from Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean and will feature your favorite characters and music as you make your way to the land of the dead.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026.

Avengers

The presence of superheroes is expanding with 2 new attractions at Disneyland.

Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab will double the size of the Avengers Campus at Disneyland California Adventure.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025.

Disney Cruise Line

The magical news doesn’t stop on land; Disney Cruise Line had lots to share, as well.

New Ships

Disney Cruise Line will add 4 new ships to its fleet, bringing its future count up to 13 — though only 5 are currently sailing.

These new ships still don’t have names, designs, or itineraries available to the public but are expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2031.

Final Thoughts

D23 is always a big event for Disney fans, but this year’s made headlines for all the right reasons.

Disney “understood the assignment” and delivered what fans were asking for: more lands, more rides, and — finally — a land for villains!

Only time will tell when we’ll actually see all of these promises come to life, but based on recent construction permits, it could be sooner than later!