We got SO MUCH news from Destination D23!
Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Josh D’Amaro
Some of the biggest announcements from yesterday’s panels were that many different rides in Disney World are going to change in the near future. Here’s a list of which rides and attractions will be changing and what we can expect when they’re finished!
EPCOT
Test Track
It was announced that Test Track is getting a makeover in World Discovery!
Test Track
We don’t yet know WHEN this is taking place or how soon it may occur, especially since the park is still in the midst of its major transformation.
©Disney
Many fans are looking forward to this change, as Disney has announced they’re planning to “take inspiration from EPCOT’s old World of Motion attraction” which was loved by many guests.
Soarin’ Around the World
We got the news that Soarin’ Around the World will be changing later this month!
Soarin
On September 22nd, Soarin’ Over California will be returning to the park for a limited time.
Soarin’ Over California in Disney California Adventure
This version of Soarin’ used to be in EPCOT many years ago. Since we don’t know how long it’ll stick around, head over to The Land Pavilion ASAP!
Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana
We’ve known for months that Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana is on its way, but Disney announced that the attraction will officially open on October 16th.
Journey of Water
Not only that, a Moana meet and greet will also open at this attraction on the same date.
©Disney
We can’t wait to meet Moana here!
Magic Kingdom
Country Bear Jamboree
Country Bear Jamboree is getting a revamp in Disney World! While some of the songs in the beloved show are staying the same, they’re being given a new sound, sung in the styles of country, rockabilly, and bluegrass.
©Disney
The show will be a take on the classic variety shows found in Nashville, Tennessee, and Nashville musicians are involved in the new arrangements. We do know we’ll be seeing a new version of “Bare Necessities” in a rockabilly style!
Haunted Mansion
We previously heard that the Hatbox Ghost was coming to Magic Kingdom’s version of Haunted Mansion, but now we know about WHEN he’ll arrive!
Haunted Mansion
We’ll be meeting the HatBox Ghost in Disney World’s Haunted Mansion in late November of this year!
©Disney
This ghost has been popular over in Disneyland for many years, so we’re excited to finally know when he’ll be joining the happy haunts in Disney World.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
We’ve known about the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride for a while, but we got an UPDATE on this ride transformation.
©Disney
Disney shared a first look at one of the animatronics coming to the ride — it’s the alligator, Louis!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Star Tours
Over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it was announced that Star Tours will be getting new adventures with Ahsoka!
©Disney
These new adventures will be available in Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
POSSIBLY: It’s Tough To Be A Bug
Disney also announced that a new Zootopia show is in the works for the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom. While they haven’t specified exactly where this will be yet, it sounds like it will replace the “It’s Tough To Be A Bug” attraction inside the tree.
©Disney
We don’t know much else, other than that it will be filled with humor and action.
POSSIBLY: DINOSAUR
Disney also revealed that DinoLand U.S.A. will be rethemed to the Tropical Americas, which could feature stories like Encanto and Indiana Jones. This also leads us to believe that DINOSAUR may be rethemed to Indiana Jones.
Dinosaur
The Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland is the same ride system as Dinosaur, so we wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up being the case. Regardless, as DinoLand will be going away, it’s unlikely Dinosaur would remain untouched.
Magic Kingdom
There are a LOT of changes headed for the Disney World parks in the next few months, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news!
Here are the 20 MASSIVE news bombs Disney dropped on us yesterday!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Which of these are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
I love It’s Tough to Be a Bug and Dinosaur! Can’t they keep those and just add the other attractions?
I for one will be glad when the Around the World show returns to Soarin’.
Star Tours features original SW characters. I hope that won’t change.
We are skipping AK when we go in December, so I am so grateful we did Tough to be a Bug when we went last year. So cute. But I know most little ones are afraid of it, so hopefully the new Zootopia show will be a better choice for children.
I’m probably most excited over soaring and the hat box ghost because I love the haunted mansion and soaring so much.
Disney would be making a mistake to get rid of the dinosaurs. They just need to refresh this area and add another attraction to replace Primeval Whirl. Kids (including little girls) love dinosaurs. Getting rid of the dinosaurs would be just another reason for families to spend extra day at Universal instead of Disney.