Every D23 2026 announcement that matters for Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line
Disney's Horizons: A Carousel of Progress showcase at D23 2026 delivered updates across every Walt Disney World park and the Disney Cruise Line fleet: new Carousel of Progress voices, a Spaceship Earth update, the Yeti's return, two Piston Peak attractions, Villains Land, Monstropolis, Tropical Americas, the Disney Believe, and an all-new class of cruise ships arriving in 2029.
Monsters, Miguel, serpents, and Space Mountains: the Horizons: A Carousel of Progress showcase at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by Visa ran through updates on nearly every project Disney Experiences has in motion, with host Neil Patrick Harris and a lineup of special guests and musical numbers along the way. For Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line fans, it was the densest news night since D23 2024. Here is every announcement that touches the Florida resort and the fleet, plus a quick look at the rest.
Key details
- Magic Kingdom: New Carousel of Progress cast in late spring 2027, two Piston Peak attractions, and Villains Land details
- EPCOT: Spaceship Earth updates and a new Journey Into Imagination with Figment and Dreamfinder
- Hollywood Studios: Monstropolis opens to humans in 2027
- Animal Kingdom: The Yeti returns to life, plus two Tropical Americas attractions for 2027
- Disney Cruise Line: First look at the Disney Believe, sailing 2027, and an all-new ship class arriving 2029
Magic Kingdom: new voices, Piston Peak racers, and a bewitched forest
Disney Legend Jamie Lee Curtis and Emmy winner Bryan Cranston are joining Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress as the show's mom and dad, with a newly updated 1980s scene, starting late spring 2027. It is the most significant refresh for the Tomorrowland classic in decades.
In the Cars-themed Piston Peak area coming to Frontierland, Miss Fritter's Daredevil Spin-Along puts the legendary demolition derby school bus from Cars 3 front and center as she hosts her wildest competition yet. Its neighbor, Cars Ridge Run Rally, sends racers climbing mountain trails, past erupting geysers, and bouncing back down toward the finish line while Lightning McQueen and Mater call the play by play.
Villains Land got its most atmospheric description yet: a cursed forest, a broken Wishing Well, and Disney Villains who have claimed dark magic for themselves. Guests will race through Maleficent's enchanted briars on a thrilling coaster and venture into the Magic Mirror's realm in a sprawling land Disney promises will be unlike anything ever created at Magic Kingdom.
EPCOT: Spaceship Earth evolves and imagination returns
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 keeping the optimism that has defined the attraction for generations. And in the show's closing moments, Disney confirmed Figment and Dreamfinder are embarking on a new journey into imagination at EPCOT, reuniting the pavilion's original duo for the first time since 1998.
Hollywood Studios: Monstropolis opens its doors
When Monstropolis opens in 2027, guests will spend time with Mike and Sulley at a new theater show, visit Harryhausen's from the film, and grab a slice at Archie's Scare Pig Pizza. An original song by Disney Legend Randy Newman, his first written for a theme park, will make it feel like the monster world has finally opened its doors to humans.
Animal Kingdom: the Yeti lives, and Tropical Americas takes shape
"Yes, we're bringing the Yeti back to life!" was all Disney needed to say about Expedition Everest, and the arena answered. The massive Audio-Animatronics figure has stood motionless for most of the coaster's two decades.
In Tropical Americas, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will send guests on a daring expedition into an ancient Maya temple filled with legendary creatures, supernatural dangers, and a massive serpent inspired by Maya mythology.
Next door, Antonio's Fiesta de Encanto brings the Madrigal family to Animal Kingdom. Guests will step inside Casita on Antonio's special gift day and explore new rooms created exclusively for the attraction, filled with Antonio's animals and the music of Encanto.
Disney Cruise Line: the Disney Believe and a whole new class of ships
The Disney Believe will set sail in 2027, and Disney showed the first look inside and out. Moana will greet guests in the Grand Hall, embodying the spirit of believing in yourself, while Tinker Bell adorns the bow and Buzz and Woody get creative on the stern.
Bigger news for the fleet's long-term future: an all-new class of ships arrives beginning in 2029. Sized between Disney's classic ships and its newest vessels, the new class is designed to open the door to new destinations and experiences around the world.
The Imagineering Story returns
A second season of The Imagineering Story is officially in production from Leslie Iwerks and will debut on Disney+ next year, with unprecedented access to Imagineers as these projects move from blue sky to reality. Given how much of that reality is being built in Florida, expect Walt Disney World to feature heavily.
Announced for Disney parks beyond Walt Disney World
The showcase's remaining headlines belong to Disney's other resorts, useful context for how wide this investment cycle runs. At Disneyland Resort, Remember... Dreams Come True and World of Color return in refreshed versions in February 2027, the Magic Happens parade is back for summer 2027, Tomorrowland will be reimagined, and Avengers Campus doubles in size in 2028 with Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab, plus a first-ever Coco ride at Disney California Adventure.
Internationally, Disneyland Paris restores Space Mountain: De la Terre a la Lune with its original name and score, Tokyo Disneyland gets Space Mountain: Earthrise and a Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue attraction, Hong Kong Disneyland adds an Avengers Pavilion, Shanghai Disney Resort builds the first land dedicated entirely to Spider-Man, and Disney Adventure World in Paris gains the first-ever Lion King attraction.
What this means for guests
Walt Disney World now has dated commitments stacking up: Monstropolis and Tropical Americas attractions in 2027, new Carousel of Progress scenes in late spring 2027, and the Disney Believe sailing the same year, with a new cruise ship class behind it in 2029. If you are planning a Florida trip or a sailing for 2027 and beyond, these announcements are the framework, and GenieGrove will cover each project's dates, previews, and booking windows as Disney releases them.
