This weekend has been such a whirlwind of news and excitement that it’s hard to put the next steps into words. While I am still recovering from the back-to-back announcements of what we can expect for the Disney Parks over the next few years, there are already more details to be shared. Take a look at the additional information released about some of the hot-topic projects that Disney is working on:
First Suspended Coaster in a Disney Park
That’s right. Hopefully, you saw the announcement that a brand-new land themed around Pixar Animation Studios’ Monsters, Inc. will be coming to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. The land will feature new rides that will include the first-ever suspended coaster in a Disney Park!
During D23 Event 2024, Josh D’Amaro revealed plans to build a Monsters, Inc.-inspired area, including an attraction that lets you take a look inside the factory from the Pixar film. To ideate the layout of the attraction, the project team created a study model of the attraction, enabling them to fine-tune every detail.
If you’ve ever dreamed of riding through the door vault, as Sulley and Mike did in the film, this is what you’ve been waiting for! As the first suspended coaster in a Disney park, this attraction will put you right in the middle of the action and have you roaring with laughter.
New Avatar-Themed Land Coming to Disney California Adventure
The previously-teased Avatar land destined for the Disneyland Resort was expanded on this weekend with more details about its location and what it will include. The new area will be installed in the Disney California Adventure Park, influenced by the first two films as well as the upcoming third installment, Fire and Ash.
We’re venturing further into Pandora with a new destination at Disney California Adventure. Within the pavilion, Imagineers have created a ‘working desk’ display, showcasing the inspiration and creative tools the project team is using to brainstorm future developments.
Finally, the announcement we have all been waiting for, the fate of Dinoland USA in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We all knew that this land was going to be re-themed at some point, and after much speculation about what might be included in the re-imagined area, some concrete details were released by Disney at the D23 Expo about the new Tropical Americas. Since then, more images and details have been released to add to your excitement. Take a look:
A new adventure awaits at Pueblo Esperanza at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with a new addition themed around Tropical Americas, the area just north and south of the equator in the Western Hemisphere — from the northern part of South America stretching up into Central America. This exciting location gives Imagineers so much to play with when bringing timeless stories to life, like Indiana Jones exploring a recently excavated, ancient Maya temple or magical Casita of the Madrigal family from Walt Disney Animation Studios Oscar award-winning film Encanto.
Imagineers created a model of Casita, including a magical candle and nods to the home’s vibrant personality with fluttering shutters.
To ensure the authenticity of the Tropical Americas, Imagineers conducted numerous research trips, drawing inspiration from various places, including Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, to authentically reflect the region’s people, architecture, and more. Their efforts are reflected in a stunning model of the land, featuring a large fountain in the center where the villagers like to gather and tell stories. The model even features a special lighting effect around the fountain!
We absolutely loved this year’s D23 event, with so many new announcements and a distinct lack of (pie-in-the) Blue Sky fluff. For all the updates, visit our page here.
Zoë Wood is a travel writer from Sydney, Australia. Since her first visit to Disneyland at the age of 6, she has spent her years frequently visiting Disney Parks and traveling around the world.
Join Zoë as she lets you in on all the tips, tricks, anecdotes, and embarrassments that arise from her family adventures.
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