Disney D23 2024 Parks and Entertainment Announcements – A Complete Recap

Disney’s D23 2023 event begins this weekend and runs through Sunday at various spots in Anaheim, California near Disneyland.

Disney has gone very dark with news and updates over the past few weeks and many anticipate some massive news coming out of this year’s D23 event, so I’ve setup this post to track all of the major entertainment and experiences announcements as they happen.

The latest D23 2024 News:

Here you will be able to keep up with all of the event’s major announcements. Be sure to check back often throughout the weekend!

Day 1 of D23 2024: A Comprehensive Recap of Disney’s Biggest Entertainment Announcements

The D23 Expo 2024 kicked off with a bang at the Honda Center, delivering an electrifying presentation that left Disney fans buzzing with excitement. From long-awaited sequels to brand-new projects across the Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars universes, the Disney Entertainment Showcase provided a stunning preview of what’s to come.

A Grand Opening and Moana 2:

The night began with an energetic performance featuring Auliʻi Cravalho, the voice of Moana, singing “We’re Back,” a brand-new song from Moana 2. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who voices Maui, joined the festivities, hyping the crowd with a call-and-response that shook the Honda Center. The upcoming film, set to release on November 27, 2024, sees Moana as a leader and a big sister, navigating new threats and adventures. The first trailer, which garnered 200 million views in just 24 hours, was showcased, giving fans a taste of the exciting journey ahead.

Pixar’s Blockbuster Lineup:

Pixar delighted fans with a series of major announcements. Inside Out 2 was celebrated as the highest-grossing animated film of all time, and fans were treated to the announcement of Dream Productions, a Disney+ series set between the two films. The series will premiere in 2025, providing a behind-the-scenes look at Riley’s dream factory. Pixar also unveiled Win or Lose, its first long-form series, premiering on Disney+ on December 6, 2024, and featuring a baseball team’s different perspectives through diverse animation styles.

Looking further ahead, Toy Story 5 was officially announced for a summer 2026 release, with Andrew Stanton at the helm. The film promises a “toy meets tech” narrative, featuring an army of rogue Buzz Lightyear toys. In addition, Pixar revealed a new original film titled Hoppers, coming in spring 2026, which stars Jon Hamm, Bobby Moynihan, and Piper Curda in a quirky tale of humans swapping brains with animals.

The biggest surprise of the night came with the announcement of Incredibles 3, which is currently in development under the direction of Brad Bird. This highly anticipated sequel will see the return of the beloved superhero family.

Disney Animation Unveils Future Hits:

Zootopia 2 was highlighted with new footage revealing Marsh Market, a semi-aquatic area, and the introduction of a shady snake character named Gary, voiced by Ke Huy Quan. The sequel will expand on the world of Zootopia and is set to release on November 26, 2025.

Jennifer Lee, Chief Creative Officer of Disney Animation, teased Frozen III with concept art and hinted at even more to come, indicating that a fourth installment might be necessary to answer all the lingering questions from the franchise. The new film is slated for release in 2027, with a potential follow-up to continue the story.

Fans of Disney’s musical adaptations were also thrilled to hear about the upcoming Frozen Broadway musical coming to Disney+ in 2025, a Hercules stage adaptation set for London’s West End in summer 2025, and a new stage production of The Greatest Showman currently in development.

Live-Action and Star Wars Thrills:

Disney’s live-action slate was equally impressive, with Avatar 3 officially titled Avatar: Fire and Ash and set to premiere on December 19, 2025. Director James Cameron, along with stars Zoë Saldaña and Sam Worthington, shared concept art that teased high emotional stakes and visually stunning new environments.

The Mandalorian & Grogu, the first Star Wars film in theaters since The Rise of Skywalker, was introduced with new footage, including a glimpse of Grogu in full Mandalorian armor. The film is set for a May 22, 2026, release, promising to bring the beloved duo’s adventures to the big screen.

Daredevil: Born Again also made waves, with the cast, including Charlie Cox, Jon Bernthal, and Vincent D’Onofrio, revealing intense footage that teased the gritty action and complex character dynamics fans can expect when the series hits Disney+ in March 2025. The Marvel segment continued with the announcement of Ironheart, set for 2025, and a teaser for Agatha All Along, which promises a spellbinding experience with its release on September 18, 2024.

New Adventures and Big Surprises:

Other notable reveals included Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2, which will tackle the Sea of Monsters storyline, and David Blaine’s new National Geographic series Do Not Attempt, slated for 2025. Freaky Friday 2, now titled Freakier Friday, was previewed with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis reuniting on stage.

Live-action adaptations were also front and center, with a first look at Stitch from the upcoming Lilo & Stitch movie and a teaser for Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. The Tron: Ares presentation stood out with a surprise appearance by Nine Inch Nails, who will compose the film’s soundtrack, while Mufasa: The Lion King closed the show with a powerful musical performance and a new trailer exploring the early days of Mufasa and Scar.

Day 2 of D23 2024: Unveiling the Future of Disney Experiences

After a thrilling Day 1 focused on upcoming films and television shows, Day 2 of D23 2024 shifted gears to spotlight Disney’s ambitious plans for its parks, resorts, cruise lines, and even digital experiences. The Disney Experiences Showcase, led by Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro, delivered a night of monumental announcements that promised to redefine how fans interact with their favorite Disney stories worldwide.

A Bold Vision for Disney Parks:

Josh D’Amaro opened the evening with a sweeping overview of Disney’s expansion plans across its global destinations, emphasizing a future filled with new lands, attractions, and innovative storytelling experiences. The showcase featured a mix of surprise celebrity appearances, live performances, and exclusive reveals that left the audience in awe.

One of the most significant announcements was the largest land expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. The expansion will introduce a brand-new Villains-themed land, bringing Disney’s most notorious antagonists to life with two major attractions, themed dining, and shopping experiences. D’Amaro hinted at the grand scale of storytelling that will make this new area a must-visit for fans who revel in the darker side of Disney.

The new Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom.

Alongside the Villains land, Magic Kingdom will also welcome a Cars-themed area in a reimagined section of Frontierland. This new area will feature two attractions, including a thrilling off-road rally race and a family-friendly experience that will immerse guests in the world of Radiator Springs. These additions promise to bring new energy and excitement to one of Disney’s most beloved parks.

New Cars attraction s coming to Frontierland at Magic Kingdom.

New Adventures at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is set to undergo a significant transformation with the introduction of the Tropical Americas, a new land inspired by the rich cultures and diverse ecosystems of Central and South America. This land will include an attraction based on Indiana Jones, where guests will follow the legendary archaeologist through a mysterious Maya temple. Additionally, the land will feature the first ride-through attraction themed to Disney’s Encanto, allowing guests to explore the magical Casita and experience the wonders of Antonio’s gift.

New Indiana Jones ride coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Monsters, Inc. Comes to Life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

Fans of Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. were delighted to hear about the upcoming Monsters, Inc. Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This new area will introduce the first suspended coaster in a Disney park, allowing guests to soar through the door vaults of the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Factory. The land will bring the magic of Monstropolis to life in an entirely new and immersive way, celebrating the power of laughter and friendship.

New Monsters, Inc. land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Expansions at Disneyland Resort:

Disneyland Resort in California will see significant growth with the expansion of Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure. The campus will double in size, adding two new attractions: Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. These new experiences will expand the presence of Marvel’s iconic heroes in the park, offering guests thrilling encounters with their favorite characters.

Avengers: Infinity Defense ride coming to Disney California Adventure.

In addition to the Marvel expansions, Disney California Adventure will introduce an Avatar experience inspired by Avatar: The Way of Water and the upcoming films in the franchise. This new attraction will transport guests to the awe-inspiring world of Pandora, combining cutting-edge technology with Disney’s signature storytelling to create an unforgettable adventure.

Disney Cruise Line’s Ambitious Fleet Expansion:

Disney Cruise Line, already a leader in family cruising, announced plans to expand its fleet with four new ships set to launch between 2027 and 2031. These new vessels will bring the total number of Disney ships to 13, offering guests even more opportunities to experience Disney’s world-class entertainment and service on the high seas. The expansion will also support Disney’s global reach, with plans for year-round Disney cruise vacations in Japan beginning in 2029.

A Magical Life: Walt Disney in Audio-Animatronics:

In a heartfelt nod to Disney’s rich history, the showcase revealed the creation of the first-ever Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney. This lifelike figure will be featured in a new show titled Walt Disney – A Magical Life at Disneyland’s Main Street Opera House. The show will bring together the past, present, and future of Disney storytelling, allowing guests to experience the wisdom and warmth of Walt Disney in a way never before possible.

New show “Walt Disney – A Magical Life,” coming to Disneyland .

Disneyland Paris’ Transformation:

Disneyland Paris made waves with the announcement of its Lion King-themed land, the first of its kind in any Disney park worldwide. This immersive area will transport guests to the African savannas, featuring an innovative water-based attraction that follows Simba’s journey from cub to king. The Lion King land will be part of a broader transformation at Disneyland Paris, which includes the opening of World of Frozen in 2026 and a new nighttime spectacular over the central lake of Disney Adventure World.

New Pride Lands area coming to Disney Adventure World at Disneyland Paris

A Digital Leap: Collaboration with Epic Games:

The showcase also highlighted Disney’s partnership with Epic Games to create a new digital universe where fans can watch, play, and even create their own Disney stories. This groundbreaking collaboration will bring Disney’s most iconic characters and stories into the digital realm, with new characters and skins coming to Fortnite and beyond. The partnership promises to revolutionize how fans engage with Disney content in the digital age.

New Disney content coming to Fortnite.

Musical Performances and Celebrity Guests:

Throughout the evening, the audience was treated to live musical performances by artists like Meghan Trainor, Shaboozey, and Rita Ora, each adding to the celebratory atmosphere. Celebrities like Billy Crystal and Josh Gad made surprise appearances, further energizing the crowd as they shared their excitement for the new projects.

A Spectacular D23 2024: Celebrating the Magic of Disney’s Future

D23 2024 proved to be a celebration of Disney’s past, present, and future, with two days of unforgettable announcements, thrilling performances, and exclusive previews that captivated fans from around the globe. From the stunning reveals of upcoming films and television series on Day 1, including new chapters in beloved franchises like Moana, Toy Story, and Avatar, to the ambitious expansions and innovative experiences unveiled on Day 2, Disney demonstrated once again why it remains the leader in entertainment and storytelling.

Whether through the magic of its parks, the excitement of its films, or the limitless possibilities of its digital platforms, Disney continues to inspire and enchant audiences of all ages. As the curtain closes on D23 2024, the anticipation for what’s to come only grows, promising a future filled with more stories, more magic, and more moments that only Disney can deliver.