D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event arrives in Anaheim, California, August 14–16, and it's traditionally the moment Disney drops its biggest theme park news. With Walt Disney World in the middle of an ambitious expansion wave, the roster of potential announcements is unusually long this year.
At Magic Kingdom, two projects are ripe for more detail. The Cars-themed Piston Peak National Park area in Frontierland has yet to reveal its second attraction, and a Space Mountain reimagining has been circulating in rumors for months — possibilities range from a simple track replacement to a full redesign with side-by-side seating. Haunted Mansion is also in the conversation: after Disneyland's attic scene was updated in early 2025, a similar refresh for the Magic Kingdom version could be announced, along with clarity on mysterious construction permits just outside the attraction.
Over at EPCOT, the two most passionate fan wishlist items are a new Journey Into Imagination ride restoring Figment (and hopefully the Dreamfinder) and a long-overdue Spaceship Earth overhaul. A full Spaceship Earth renovation was actually scheduled for 2020 before COVID shelved it, and the ride has been declining ever since. WDWNT notes that with EPCOT's 50th anniversary coming in 2032, Disney may choose to time both projects around that milestone rather than announce them now.
Hollywood Studios fans are hoping for a reveal of what's inside The Glob Theater at the upcoming Monstropolis land, plus an opening timeline — with rumors suggesting a phased debut that could arrive without the roller coaster. Animal Kingdom's Tropical Americas, currently on track for a 2027 opening, may yield new details on its Encanto ride and Indiana Jones reimagining of DINOSAUR. And Disney's planned Lakeshore Lodge resort — revived in 2024 after COVID killed its predecessor, Reflections — could finally get a proper showcase of its rooms, dining, and lobby design.
Villains Land, announced in 2024 with two major attractions and a Maleficent roller coaster visible in concept art, has received no additional public details since then; D23 is considered a likely moment for Disney to fill in those gaps, and possibly reveal the land's official name. This roundup of predictions comes from WDW News Today.
