D23 2026 Full Recap: Every Major Disney Announcement
WOW, what a weekend of FOMO, y'all. It’s taken me rewatching three times all of the announcements to get my head wrapped around it all. D23 just gets better and better every single time, and one of these days I am going to make it out there in person. But for now, I've definitely been glued to the updates here on the East Coast, refreshing every feed I could find. And this year? It's HUGE.
Honorable mention to all the swag, too — and if I'm being honest, that's the biggest reason I probably shouldn't go. I would want absolutely everything, and let's just be real, I cannot afford that. 😂
This blog would be a million scrolls long if I tried to cover absolutely everything, so I'm breaking it into two parts: the movie and entertainment announcements first, then the Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and parks news — with a quick rundown of everywhere else toward the end.
Part 1: The Movie and Entertainment Announcements
Frozen III
Yes, it's really happening, and yes, it's a big one. Frozen III is confirmed for Fall 2027, and the story picks up with Anna and Kristoff about to get married. Naturally, Disney isn't going to let that go smoothly — a new character is entering the picture, and Olaf may have a love interest of his own this time around. I already know this fandom is going to have a field day with theories before this one releases.
Incredibles 3
Incredibles 3 is officially confirmed for summer 2028, and this time the spotlight shifts to Violet and Dash as they try to prove they're ready to step up as real superheroes. Jack-Jack is still Jack-Jack, which honestly might be my favorite consistency in this franchise. No time jump this time, so the kids stay the same ages we know them as.
Princess Diaries 3
Anne Hathaway herself confirmed on stage that Princess Diaries 3 is in active development. No release date yet, but just knowing this one is officially happening is enough to make an entire generation of us very emotional. And can we talk about the Princess Diaries swag for a second? It is EVERYTHING. Someone get me those ears STAT. 😍
Lilo & Stitch: Live Action 2 (Featuring Angel!)
Following the massive success of the live-action Lilo & Stitch, a sequel is officially on the way for May 28, 2028 — and Angel, Stitch's pink counterpart, is officially joining the story. If you know, you know. This one is going to be so much fun.
Coco 2
Coco 2 is set for November 2029, and it's a big time jump — Miguel is now a teenager, and the story sends him back to the Land of the Dead. Ernesto de la Cruz is back too, and given how that first movie ended, that's a name that should make you a little nervous.
Live-Action Tangled
The live-action Tangled has a release date: March 31, 2028. We got our first look at Teagan Croft as Rapunzel, and Kathryn Hahn has been cast as Mother Gothel — a casting choice the fandom apparently campaigned hard for, and it's easy to see why.
Zootopia 3
Confirmed and official. Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan are both returning, and based on the end-credits tease from Zootopia 2, it sounds like this next chapter is heading somewhere new: the world of Zootopia is "going to the birds." No release date yet, but this one's officially in the works.
The Greatest Showman: The Musical (London)
The Greatest Showman is making its way to the stage, officially opening at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London's West End in Spring 2027. We got a live performance preview, and if it's anything like what was shown, this is going to be a must-see for any Greatest Showman fan making a London trip. I'm just going to say it — this might have me looking into planning a trip across the pond. 👀
The Bluey Movie
Okay, I have to be honest here — I have feelings about this one. The Bluey Movie is coming, but there's an animation style change involved, and I'm just going to say it: it does not feel like the real Bluey to me. I know changes like this always spark debate, so I'm curious whether you're feeling the same way I am on this one.
Oswald (Disney+)
Jon Favreau announced a new three-part series centered on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, coming to Disney+ in February 2027. What makes this one special is the animation style — hand-drawn 2D animation, with a lot of veteran animators involved. It looks like such a sweet, nostalgic throwback, and I am SO excited for this one.
So Much More
And that's genuinely just scratching the surface. There were major reveals across Marvel, Star Wars, and beyond — the full X-Men cast, an Avengers: Doomsday look, Ahsoka Season 2, Star Wars: Starfighter, Kingdom Hearts, VisionQuest, and more. There's clearly a lot to look forward to over the next few years.
Part 2: Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line News
Now for the news I was really waiting for — what's coming to the parks and the ships. Night two, dubbed "Horizons," was hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, and his opening number for the night was built around the theme of a carousel of progress — which honestly felt a little ironic given the real Carousel of Progress is currently under construction. But NPH brought the perfect mix of news and humor to open the night, and it set the tone for an incredible showcase.
Walt Disney World
Carousel of Progress is getting a full update, taking guests from the 1960s all the way through present day and beyond. It's currently underway, and the actor choices for the voices are such a win — Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston are lending their voices, with an expected reopening in late spring 2027.
Spaceship Earth is also being reimagined. This ride debuted back in 1982 and has been updated over the years, but never fully touched — until now. The new version is being built around the theme of human connection, bringing it into present day and beyond, while still keeping that classic EPCOT feel we all love.
The Yeti is BACK at Expedition Everest. I am so, so excited about this one — Everest is one of my favorite rides in all of Animal Kingdom, and we are finally saying goodbye to disco Yeti and hello to the OG beast himself.
Over at Tropical Americas in Animal Kingdom, there's a lot coming:
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, featuring Harrison Ford himself as the animatronic. The ride takes place in a 1950s temple passageway where myth becomes reality, pulling guests into a portal to the underworld and face to face with bats, larger-than-life scorpions, fire, flames, and snakes.
El Carrusel de los Animalitos, a beautiful hand-carved carousel featuring 22 animals from Disney and Pixar films.
Antonio's Fiesta de Encanto, a ride through Antonio's gift day inside the living Casita, moving from room to room in a two-row cart. No height requirement, so this one's fun for literally the whole family.
Magic Kingdom is getting two new Cars attractions. Piston Peak looks absolutely beautiful, and it's home to Miss Fritter's Daredevil Spin (a demolition-derby-style spinner inspired by Cars 3) and Cars Ridge Run Rally, described as "the wildest race in the wheel-derness" — an off-road, bouncy ride you'll want to hold on tight for.
Hollywood Studios is getting a full Monstropolis land. There's a signature show at the Glom Theater featuring Mike and Sulley as hosts, an alumni club with the elite scarers, the Scareporium gift shop, and Harry Housen's restaurant complete with a sushi chef. And the land is also bringing Disney's first suspension roller coaster — the Door Coaster — which was announced back in 2024 and is now officially in the works, sending riders 40 feet in the air within seconds. Monstropolis is opening next year.
And then there's Villains Land at Magic Kingdom, which might be the announcement I'm most excited about. Guests enter a dark forest with a broken, twisted wishing well, surrounded by Cruella, the Evil Queen, and Dr. Facilier. It has a similar feel to Galaxy's Edge in terms of scale, with two major attractions: a thriller coaster racing through the Enchanted Briar with Maleficent to her mountaintop lair, and a boat/cart ride through the Evil Queen's palace, where guests come face to face with the mirror and are pulled into a spirit realm encountering the villains.
And the announcement I did not see coming and am absolutely thrilled about: Dreamfinder is back, with Figment! If you know, you know.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line is expanding again, with a new ship class debuting in 2029 — positioned between the classic ships and the newer Wish-class ships, bringing new destinations and new experiences unlike anything the line has done before.
There's also a new ship named Believe, the fourth ship in the Wish class. The theme centers around believing in magic, family, the power of nature, and believing in yourself. The bow figure will be Tinker Bell, the stern will feature Woody and Buzz, and the Grand Hall icon will be Moana.
A few more cruise updates:
Starting summer 2027, the Disney Wish is heading to Europe, while the Magic and Wonder are returning to Alaska.
Disney Cruise Line is doubling its Southern California sailings out of the Port of San Diego.
Disneyland
Disneyland is getting plenty of love too:
Remember... Dreams Come True, the beloved nighttime spectacular, is returning in February with projections at Rivers of America, it's a small world, and down Main Street.
World of Color is also getting a February update at Disney California Adventure.
Magic Happens, the daytime parade, is returning in summer 2027.
Coco: Anywhere in the World is coming to DCA — a classic-style attraction for the whole family, developed closely with Pixar to make sure it honors both the original film and the sequel. It picks up one year after the movie, focused on the music of Héctor Rivera, and takes guests by boat through the story as it lives on in Miguel's memory. One really special touch: everyone who visited the D23 booth got to write down a memory that will be planted on a memory tree within the ride itself.
Tomorrowland is being reimagined with new attractions and food. As Walt himself said, Disney will never be completed — and that's exactly why this next chapter is beginning.
A Quick Look at Everywhere Else
Because there's genuinely so much more, here's the rest in brief:
Disneyland Paris is bringing back the original Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune, closing the current Hyperspace Mountain in 2027 to make way for the new version — and bringing back the OG soundtrack fans have missed.
Tokyo Disney is getting a brand-new Space Mountain called Earth Rise.
Disneyland Paris is also getting the first Lion King ride in the world, part of a new Disney Adventure World area — a boat and flume ride retelling Simba's journey from cub to king, including his final encounter with Scar.
Tokyo Disney is adding Sugar Rush Sweet Rescue, transporting guests into the world of Wreck-It Ralph.
A new animated series, Cars: Lightning Racers, is coming to Disney+ and Disney Jr., following Lightning McQueen on new adventures, complete with an original song.
Disney World Builders is now streaming on Disney+.
The Imagineering Story is getting a second season, expected early 2028.
Marvel Around the World
Hong Kong Disneyland is getting a new Avengers Pavilion, including an Avengers Testing Lab featuring Peter Parker.
Shanghai Disneyland is getting a Spider-Man Land, complete with a new roller coaster (Spider-Bots) and a WEB experience, plus more than 20 murals featuring the Avengers and Spider-Man.
Disney California Adventure's Avengers Campus is expanding with two new attractions: Avengers Infinity Defense, featuring original cast members reprising their roles, and Stark Flight Lab, where guests train like an Avenger. Both are opening in 2028.
My Overall Thoughts
I am so glad to see Disney bringing back some of the classic, OG pieces that made Disney feel like Disney in the first place — the Yeti, Dreamfinder and Figment, the original Space Mountain soundtrack. There's something so special about honoring where this all started while still building toward the future.
And can we talk about John Stamos making an appearance? Because of course it wouldn't be Disney without him. I loved seeing him taking selfies with people on stage at the end of the show — such a fun, genuine moment to close out the night.
That's the full recap, friends! There is SO much magic headed our way over the next few years. Which announcement has you the most excited (or in the Bluey's case, the most conflicted)? Let me know in the comments! 🤍
xoxo,
Katie
Want help planning a trip to experience any of this new magic once it opens? Visit the travel link on my site and fill out the form, and let's start planning. 🤍
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