Figment and Dream finder are back together. Did you ever think you would read that sentence again? For thousands of EPCOT diehards, that single reunion stood out. It made the D23 2026 Disney parks announcements the most emotional theme park news day in years.
D23 2026 delivered the biggest wave of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and international park news in two years. Neil Patrick Harris hosted the event. Parks Chair Thomas Mazloum took the stage. A lineup of Imagineers then walked fans through 22 separate reveals. Some updates covered projects first teased back in 2024. Others were brand new. Together, they painted a picture of a company that finally listens to the fans who show up every year.
This matters for anyone planning a trip. It also matters if you track a favorite franchise or simply wonder where Disney parks are headed next. Below, we rank every D23 2026 Disney parks announcement from least exciting to most anticipated. These rankings come from firsthand impressions on the show floor.
Why the D23 2026 Disney Parks Announcements Feel Different This Year
Compared to 2024, this year’s slate leaned less on Wall Street and more on longtime fans. Two years ago, Disney needed to reassure investors that parks, not streaming, drove the company’s growth. That pressure produced flashy, headline-grabbing projects designed to boost attendance and Lightning Lane sales.
This year told a different story. Multiple reveals, from a fixed Yeti animatronic to a nostalgic Jules Verne-themed coaster, carry little obvious financial upside. Instead, they reflect a leadership team that finally understands what makes these parks special. Consequently, the tone throughout the night felt more personal and far less corporate.
That said, depth was lacking in places. Several far-along projects only received a sliver of concept art. A handful of freshly greenlit ideas still feel vague. Even so, the overall direction left many fans more optimistic. This writer included, many haven’t felt this hopeful in a long time.
The Full Ranking: 22 D23 2026 Disney Parks Announcements From Worst to Best
Least Exciting D23 2026 Disney Parks Announcements (Ranks 22–15)
22. A New Class of Disney Cruise Line Ships
Kicking off the bottom of the list is an all-new class of Disney Cruise Line ships arriving in 2029. This class will sit between the classic and newest ships in size and will open the door to new destinations. The problem is that this wasn’t really news. Disney had already confirmed the plan over a year earlier. A recent earnings call had also revealed that three ships will launch in 2029.
21. Spider-Man Swings Into Shanghai Disneyland
Shanghai Disney Resort is getting its first land fully dedicated to Spider-Man, complete with a new coaster and Spider-Bots. It is a solid addition. However, fans who don’t live near Shanghai will feel limited excitement.
20. The Imagineering Story Season 2 Heads to Disney+
Filmmaker Leslie Iwerks is returning with a second season of The Imagineering Story. It gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at current projects. However, documentaries made in real time about ongoing work carry a risk. They often lose the candid edge that made her earlier films so compelling.
19. Miss Fritter Joins Magic Kingdom’s Piston Peak Area
Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along brings the demolition derby character from Cars 3 to life as a flat ride. It is fun for younger kids. Yet after years of anticipation, the reveal felt straightforward rather than exciting. It also does not fit thematically with the rest of the Piston Peak National Park land.
18. A New Avengers Pavilion Rises Over Hong Kong Disneyland
Stark Expo at Hong Kong Disneyland is expanding with an Avengers Pavilion and a Quinjet landing platform. New attractions tied to Avengers Research Labs round out the addition. Marvel lands have become one of the more budget-friendly additions across the Disney portfolio globally. Still, this version fills a gap nicely.
17. Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue Comes to Tokyo Disneyland
Wreck-It Ralph fans get a new attraction at Tokyo Disneyland based on Sugar Rush. Guests will help turn rogue sugar bugs back to normal while dodging King Candy. Given the popularity of the ride it replaces, some fans wonder if the budget could have gone elsewhere.
16. Disney Believe Sets Sail With a Moana-Themed Atrium
The newest Disney Cruise Line ship, Disney Believe, launches in 2027. Moana welcomes guests in the Grand Hall. Tinker Bell decorates the bow, while Buzz Lightyear and Woody appear at the stern. If the Polynesian-inspired design lands well, this could become the best atrium among the Triton-class ships.
15. Avengers Campus Doubles in Size at Disneyland
California Adventure’s Avengers Campus is adding two new attractions in 2028: Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Mackie, and Brie Larson all reprise their roles. The additions are welcome, but the timeline stretches nearly a decade from the original announcement.
Solid but Unspectacular D23 2026 Disney Parks Reveals (Ranks 14–8)
14. The Yeti Animatronic Returns to Life at Animal Kingdom
Disney will finally repair Expedition Everest’s broken Yeti figure. Fans have requested this fix for years, and it represents a real shift in how Disney prioritizes ride quality. Still, Animal Kingdom needs more than one fix. Disney shared no word on a new nighttime show or additional entertainment for the park.
13. Coco Ride Announced for Disney California Adventure
Imagineers are working with Pixar on a brand-new Coco attraction that continues the story a year after the film. Guests will travel by boat through Miguel’s memories of the Land of the Dead. Coco stands among the best animated films of the last decade. This concept sounds like a worthy successor to Pirates of the Caribbean. The catch is timing. Based on current details, this looks like a 2029 project.
12. Spaceship Earth Begins Its Next Chapter
EPCOT’s iconic Spaceship Earth attraction is getting its first major update in nearly 20 years. The storyline will move into the internet age while keeping its focus on human connection. Fans first requested this upgrade back in 2019, so cautious optimism feels appropriate here.
11. Carousel of Progress Reveals New Voice Cast
Carousel of Progress is adding four new decades along with Florida’s first Walt Disney animatronic figure. Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston will voice Sarah and John, the beloved family at the center of the attraction. The refurbished ride reopens in late spring 2027, and early impressions suggest the timeline shift could pay off well.
10. Nighttime Entertainment Returns to Disneyland in 2027
“Remember… Dreams Come True” and “World of Color” are both getting refreshed versions, returning in winter 2027. Meanwhile, the “Magic Happens” parade returns down Main Street in summer 2027. Both shows rank among Disney’s best nighttime spectaculars. Still, the wait until summer for a parade is a bit disappointing.
9. Space Mountain: From Earth to the Moon Returns to Disneyland Paris
Disney will replace Hyperspace Mountain with a restoration of the original Jules Verne-inspired Space Mountain. The ride keeps its original musical score. For longtime Disneyland Paris fans, this represents a major symbolic win. Many had hoped for years to see the classic version return.
8. The Lion King Gets Its First-Ever Ride
Disney Adventure World is building the first-ever Lion King attraction, following Simba’s journey from cub to king. The film’s music and atmosphere make it a natural fit for a ride. It’s also notable that Disney feels comfortable bringing back villains and confrontation in newer attractions.
The Best D23 2026 Disney Parks Announcements Fans Can’t Stop Talking About (Ranks 7–1)
7. Space Mountain: Earthrise Debuts in Tokyo
Tokyo Disneyland’s Tomorrowland is getting a brand-new Space Mountain, called Earthrise. The ride celebrates the beauty of the planet from a fresh perspective. As Imagineering’s most expensive attraction to date, it stands as Tokyo’s biggest addition in 2027. It should also help ease overcrowding at Tokyo DisneySea.
6. Monstropolis Opens Its Doors to Humans
A new land based on Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University, called Monstropolis, begins welcoming guests in 2027. The rollout includes a theater show with an original Randy Newman song, two new restaurants, and a merchandise shop. A coaster remains in development. The phased approach mirrors the popular Zootopia land in Shanghai, which is an encouraging sign.
5. Tropical Americas Lands at Animal Kingdom
This new land draws from the myths and cultures of South America, Central America, and Mexico. It includes a family-friendly carousel and an Encanto-themed attraction featuring the film’s original voice cast. It also adds an Indiana Jones ride built around a giant animatronic serpent modeled after Harrison Ford himself. The concepts are exciting. However, the lack of a confirmed opening year raises some concern about a possible slip to 2028.
4. Cars Ridge Run Rally Races Through Piston Peak
This new coaster-style attraction sends racers through mountain trails, snowy peaks, and geysers, with commentary from Lightning McQueen and Mater. A detailed scale model of the surrounding Piston Peak National Park land appeared at the Imagineering pavilion. It suggests this project has the makings of a modern classic.
3. Villains Land Creeps Into Magic Kingdom
Villains Land ranks among the most anticipated Magic Kingdom projects in years. It introduces a dark forest story involving a corrupted Wishing Well. A cast of Disney villains moves in, including Cruella, the Evil Queen, and Dr. Facilier. The land will include two attractions, dining, and shopping. The scale compares to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Many fans view it as a passion project for new CEO Josh D’Amaro.
2. Tomorrowland Gets a Full Reimagining at Disneyland
Disneyland’s Tomorrowland has long ranked among the weaker lands in the entire Disney portfolio. Disney will finally reimagine it, though details remain limited and the project won’t finish until the 2030s. Even so, leadership across the company now agrees this land needs an overhaul. That alone feels like a long-overdue win for fans.
1. Figment and Dreamfinder Reunite at EPCOT
Topping the list is the return of Figment and his original companion, Dream finder. Both return in a reimagined Journey Into Imagination attraction at EPCOT. This reveal generated by far the most excitement of the night among longtime EPCOT fans. Many had waited decades to see the character pairing restored.
What the D23 2026 Disney Parks Announcements Mean for Your Next Trip
Taken together, the D23 2026 Disney parks announcements show Disney leaning into fan-favorite fixes alongside big new lands. Villains Land and Tropical Americas headline the next wave of Walt Disney World expansion. Meanwhile, Disneyland gets long-overdue attention with the Tomorrowland reimagining. International parks like Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Shanghai Disney Resort are also getting significant new investment.
For travelers, this means more reasons to plan return visits over the next several years. Projects will roll out from 2027 onward. It also means older favorites, like Spaceship Earth and Carousel of Progress, are getting meaningful refreshes rather than neglect.
Final Thoughts
The D23 2026 Disney parks announcements may not match the sheer scale of the 2024 slate, but they hit differently. This year felt built for the fans who show up year after year, not just for investors watching quarterly earnings. From a working Yeti to Figment’s long-awaited return, this news cycle proved a point. Current leadership understands what keeps people coming back to Disney parks.
As these projects move from concept art to opening day, expect plenty of updates on timelines and further details. Guest reactions will follow once the doors open.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the biggest announcement at D23 2026?
The reunion of Figment and Dream finder in a reimagined Journey Into Imagination attraction at EPCOT generated the most buzz. Fans discussed this reveal more than any other.
When will Villains Land open at Magic Kingdom?
Disney has not confirmed an official opening date for Villains Land. Even so, it ranks among the most significant upcoming projects at Walt Disney World.
Is the Yeti in Expedition Everest finally being fixed?
Yes. Disney confirmed at D23 2026 that it will restore the iconic Yeti animatronic in Expedition Everest. The figure at Animal Kingdom will return to full working order.
What new lands are coming to Disney parks after D23 2026?
Confirmed new lands include Villains Land and Tropical Americas at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Monstropolis, inspired by Monsters, Inc., and an expanded Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure round out the list.
When is the Tomorrowland reimagining coming to Disneyland?
Disney has only shared an early concept direction for the Tomorrowland reimagining at Disneyland. The bulk of the project is expected to arrive in the 2030s.
