New Magical Experiences Coming to Disney Parks Around the World

Bob Chapek unveiled a global slate of new Disney Parks projects at D23 Expo, including Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, the Magic Happens parade, a Zootopia land at Shanghai Disney Resort, and a Frozen transformation at Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disney Parks around the world are in the middle of an incredible expansion. At the D23 Expo Parks panel, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Bob Chapek unveiled major projects spanning Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort, and Hong Kong Disneyland — with something magical for every corner of the globe.

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway

Mickey is stepping into the spotlight at last. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway is coming to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, dropping guests inside the world of Disney Channel's Emmy-winning Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts. You'll board a train with Goofy as engineer and take on one zany, out-of-control adventure after another.

At Disneyland, the attraction lives at the El CapiTOON Theater in Mickey's Toontown, where Mickey and Minnie premiere their brand-new short "Perfect Picnic." An exhibit of toon-world costumes and props from the Toontown Hysterical Society will greet you before the show.

Magic Happens: A New Daytime Parade

Magic Happens is a brand-new daytime parade debuting spring 2020 at Disneyland Park. It celebrates the big and small moments of magic across Disney storytelling. Highlights include a Moana voyager wa'a carved to evoke koa wood inset with LED panels, creating a shimmering illusion of ocean magic.

A Coco-themed float bridges the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead with vibrant marigolds, fantastical alebrijes, and Miguel's companion Dante along for the ride.

The grand finale features the fairies from Sleeping Beauty transforming Princess Aurora's gown from pink to blue and back again. The new song powering the parade was co-produced with singer-songwriter Todrick Hall.

Zootopia Lands at Shanghai Disney Resort

Judy Hopps is heading east: a brand-new Zootopia-themed land is coming to Shanghai Disney Resort, using cutting-edge technology to bring the mammalian metropolis to life.

Hong Kong Disneyland Goes Frozen

Frozen fans will celebrate the multi-year transformation of Hong Kong Disneyland. A new coaster, Wandering Oaken's Sliding Sleighs, features Olaf and Sven pulling your sled through Arendelle. The beloved Frozen Ever After attraction from Epcot is also making the jump to Hong Kong.

The park's castle is being reborn as The Castle of Magical Dreams, inspired by 13 beloved Disney stories featuring princesses and heroines.

Disney Cirque du Soleil and the 50th Anniversary

For the first time, Walt Disney Animation Studios is teaming with Cirque du Soleil and Walt Disney Imagineering on a new show at Disney Springs. Previews begin March 20, 2020, with a world premiere on April 17.

And the biggest celebration of all is the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, which will extend festivities across all four parks with new attractions, entertainment, food, and merchandise.

What This Means for Disney+ Fans

The worldwide expansion reinforces how tightly Disney's films and parks are woven together — a Moana trail in Epcot, a Zootopia land in Shanghai, a Frozen coaster in Hong Kong. For Disney+ subscribers, it's a living reminder that the stories you stream at home are the same ones Imagineers are building into the world's most iconic destinations.