At the annual Destination D23 2023 Parks Panel, Disney revealed their latest batch of plans for the parks around the world. Chief among these was an update to Disney’s blue sky plan to replace Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In the video above, we analyze all news from the panel at length! Below are the Walt Disney World news announcements taken from the Disney Parks Blog.
Journey of Water Inspired by Moana – Opens October 16th
UPDATE: Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will open on Oct. 16, 2023!
Journey of Water is a new walk-through experience located within World Nature – the EPCOT neighborhood dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty and balance of the natural world.
Also, on Oct. 16 – Moana will arrive in World Nature and make her first appearance in her own dedicated space near Journey of Water.
Hatbox Ghost – Opens Late November
BREAKING: Hatbox Ghost is coming to the Haunted Mansion attraction in Florida in late November!
Disney Imagineer Daniel Joseph is joining Josh on stage for the exciting announcement and sharing more about Hatbox Ghost – one of our most well-known grim grinning ghosts.
Hatbox Ghost will be materializing in the Haunted Mansion as you pass the attraction’s Endless Hallway.
Luminous – Opens December 5th
BREAKING: A new nighttime spectacular at EPCOT called “Luminous The Symphony of Us” will debut on Dec. 5, 2023!
Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World, is with Josh on stage to announce the brand-new show that’ll feature fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects and music.
***NOTE:*** We have behind-the-scenes details regarding the DELAYING of this new fireworks show here.
New Country Bear Act – Opens 2024
At Walt Disney World, the Country Bear Jamboree is getting new songs and the bears will be performing a new act in 2024!
Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty is on stage with Josh and says when the show debuts, the bears will be reinterpreting favorite Disney songs in different genres of country music. Imagineers are envisioning the new experience as a homage to the classic musical revues in Nashville and they’re working with Nashville musicians to get the authentic country sound.
The Country Bear Jamboree will still have the fun and friendly tone fans enjoy with the same famous characters like the loveable Trixie, Big Al and others.
Test Track 3.0 – No Date Given
Test Track will be reimagined!
Imagineers along with teams from Chevrolet are reaching back into history for inspiration – from the original World of Motion – and bringing that spirit of optimism to the next iteration of the Test Track attraction! More to come in the future.
Zootopia Show Replacing “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” – No Date Given
At Destination D23 2023, it was announced that a new show based on “Zootopia” is being created for the Tree of Life theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The current concept for the new “Zootopia” experience has guests visiting the different biomes seen briefly in the film, traveling along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and other characters. Imagineers are currently finalizing the concept and more details will be coming in the future.
Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge – Blue Sky
JUST ANNOUNCED! A new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. This first-of-its-kind experience will extend the story of Pirates of the Caribbean. Imagineers are in the design process now and more details are coming in the future.
Dinoland U.S.A. Replacement – Blue Sky
Walt Disney Imagineering is planning to reimagine Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom into a new land – inspired by a region sometimes referred to as “tropical Americas.”
As part of their research, Imagineers are looking at some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet in the regions just north and south of the equator here in the Western Hemisphere – the northern part of South America, stretching up into Central America.
This exciting location has been the inspiration for many magical stories over the years!
