D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event kicks off today, 14 August, in Anaheim, California, running through 16 August. For theme park executives, operators, and industry suppliers, the highlight of the three-day gathering is Saturday evening's Disney Experiences showcase.
Titled Horizons: A Carousel of Progress, the keynote presentation takes place on Saturday, 15 August, at 19:00 Pacific Time at the Honda Center. Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris alongside Walt Disney Imagineering leaders and corporate executives, the presentation will even be streamed live globally via Disney+.
Following the massive slate of multi-billion dollar capital expenditure announcements announced at the 2024 event, industry analysts expect the 2026 presentation to focus on project execution, phased master planning, and timeline updates for all major expansions currently in development.
Below is an overview of the key resort developments and project updates to look out for:
Walt Disney World Resort
Following major rezoning approvals and master plan updates in Central Florida, Walt Disney World is entering a heavy infrastructure and construction phase.
Key updates expected during the showcase include:
- Piston Peak National Park (Cars Land at Magic Kingdom): Imagineering has confirmed that a full-scale model of the new area will be showcased at the event pavilion. Attendees expect technical details regarding site prep, guest flow routing, and ride systems for the planned off-road rally attraction and family ride.
- Monstropolis & Door Coaster (Disney's Hollywood Studios): Groundbreaking and steel installation are underway for Disney's first suspended coaster concept. Construction schedules, vendor partnerships, and capacity metrics may be highlighted.
- Tropical Americas (Disney's Animal Kingdom): Updates on the land transformation, including ride system specifics for the Encanto dark ride and the Indiana Jones attraction replacement of Dinosaur.
- Villains Land (Magic Kingdom): Further concept art and timeline targets for the expansion north of Big Thunder Mountain, which remains in early site design stages targeting the late 2020s or 2030.
- Facility Refurbishments & Infrastructure: Rumoured details regarding capital investment in classic attraction updates, including potential overhaul plans for Space Mountain and Spaceship Earth.
Disneyland Resort
With the approval of the multi-decade DisneylandForward entitlement plan, the resort is clearing the way for major land expansions and multi-year development across the Anaheim site.
- Avatar Experience: Clarification on the land allocation, scale, and environmental design for the Pandora-inspired experience planned for Disney California Adventure.
- Coco Attraction: Technical details and breaking ground timelines for the first-ever Coco dark ride at Disney California Adventure.
- Avengers Campus Expansion: Phasing details for the doubled footprint, featuring the King Thanos E-ticket attraction and the Stark Flight Lab ride system.
- Tomorrowland & Autopia Fleet: Potential announcements regarding the fleet transition of Autopia from internal combustion to fully electric vehicles, alongside broader Tomorrowland master planning.
Disney Cruise Line & Marine Operations
Disney Cruise Line continues its aggressive fleet expansion programme, aiming to nearly double its operational berth capacity by the end of the decade.
- Disney Believe & New Vessel Classes: Detailed specifications, shipyard allocation (Meyer Werft), and deployment itineraries for upcoming ships entering service through 2030.
- Asia-Pacific Expansion: Itinerary and operational strategies regarding the Tokyo-based ship launching in partnership with Oriental Land Company (OLC) in 2029.
International Disney Resorts
For global suppliers and international operators, capital allocation across overseas joint-venture and licensed parks remains a vital indicator of regional market health.
Disneyland Paris
- Disney Adventure World: Construction progress on the Lion King (Pride Lands) water ride and surrounding land.
- Resort Refurbishments: Hotel ecosystem updates, including the ongoing repositioning of Disney Sequoia Lodge.
Shanghai Disney Resort
- Spider-Man Land: Master planning and integration updates for the standalone Marvel-themed expansion.
- Hospitality Capacity: Development updates on the resort's third and fourth hotel properties.
Hong Kong Disneyland
- Marvel Expansion: Project details regarding the upcoming E-ticket attraction expanding the resort's Stark Expo footprint.
Tokyo Disney Resort
- Tomorrowland Reconstruction: Engineering updates on the complete rebuild of Space Mountain and its surrounding plaza, slated for 2027.
- New Attractions: Development status of the Wreck-It Ralph attraction replacing Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters.
