Vacation spot D23 used to be held at Walt Disney International over the weekend, and even if there used to be no blockbuster information, there have been a number of ‘singles & doubles’ bulletins. This document card ranks the entire bulletins for the Disney Parks from worst to first, and stocks our ideas at the tournament as an entire.
From a theme parks viewpoint, probably the most noteworthy information forward of this 12 months’s Vacation spot D23 used to be that there could be no Disney Parks Panel hosted by means of chairman Josh D’Amaro. Instead used to be the “Walt Disney Studios Exhibit” marquee presentation on Saturday morning, all through which host Yvette Nicole Brown used to be joined by means of creatives in the back of a number of upcoming motion pictures to percentage bulletins and new trailers with enthusiasts.
Despite the fact that it’s slightly past our house of emphasis, this exhibit will also be summed up in a single phrase: refreshing. I’ve attended a number of of those at earlier D23 Expos, they usually had gotten regularly worse up till remaining 12 months. The quantity of reside motion remake and direct to Disney+ slop used to be out of keep an eye on, with films that have been clearly unhealthy simply in response to their trailers. This used to be a go back to shape for the studios, with an excellent mixture of unique motion pictures (I’m 100% offered on Hoppers, a film I prior to now idea used to be about grasshoppers) and sequels to fan-favorites. The inventive output of the studios affects the parks, so this isn’t simply great to look–it’s necessary, perhaps even crucial.
To briefly recap ahead of we get going, our 2025 Vacation spot D23 Announcement Predictions for Walt Disney International have been the next:
- Walt Disney Studios Lot and Magic of Disney Animation Expose
- Sew’s Nice Get away 2.0 Announcement
- Grand Floridian Chicken Cage Bar Menu & Opening Date
- Villains Land Authentic Identify (4-16 phrases lengthy with 2-7 punctuation marks)
- Repainting Cinderella Fortress to Vintage Colours or Dream Lighting Returning for Christmas
- Bluey Coming to DHS Main points
- Spaceship Earth Reimagining
- New Thought Artwork for Present Tasks
That’s it for Walt Disney International. Spoiler alert: I didn’t precisely have a powerful efficiency with the ones selections. In equity, I did make a number of predictions about issues that might no longer occur, reminiscent of imploring enthusiasts to decrease their expectancies about any possible Villains Land information. I’d additionally love to assume that the Cinderella Fortress vintage makeover used to be a just right deep reduce name. Nonetheless, beautiful some distance from my easiest trip with that slate!
Our prior Vacation spot D23 Want Listing contained so much extra (together with a reimagining of Adventure Into Creativeness for just like the ninth consecutive D23 tournament), however it additionally famous that we weren’t anticipating nearly all of that to happen. It used to be idle having a pipe dream, with our viewpoint being that Disney had “shot its shot” with the remaining D23 Expo, so this wouldn’t have just about as many bulletins because the 2023 Vacation spot D23. And it indisputably didn’t.
In opposition to that backdrop, let’s rank the entire Walt Disney International information, adopted by means of a grade for the development as an entire…
15. New Novelty Pieces Coming to Disney Parks
Probably the most “highlights” of the Disney Eats panel used to be the disclose of 8 new novelty pieces coming to the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line ships, together with popcorn buckets, sippers, and mugs.
I’ve shared my viewpoint on popcorn buckets and sippers ahead of, and towards my higher judgment, I’ll reiterate right here: I completely don’t get the enchantment. They serve minimum sensible function, and are generally affordably built as in comparison to different merchandise. If you wish to have a plastic toy…why no longer simply purchase a plastic toy? (Tiki mugs are a wholly other tale; tremendous cool, but additionally impractical or even pricier.)
I’m very mindful that that is an unpopular opinion, and few issues bolstered that up to the D23 crowd going completely wild for each and every novelty disclose. I’ve had some Fundamental Skinner “am I out of contact?” moments in recent times as a part of the fandom, and this used to be simply the most recent. With all of that mentioned, I’m additionally a large believer in letting folks experience what they need to experience. If you happen to love popcorn buckets, extra energy to you. I’ve a number of pursuits that you simply’d more than likely assume are foolish.
14. New Beverages Coming to Disney Future
Throughout your voyage aboard the Disney Future, slip away to The Sanctum, Haunted Mansion Parlor, and Cask & Cannon, all themed areas which might be impressed by means of the larger-than-life personalities of epic Disney tales, dropped at lifestyles via increased interpretation and subtle theming. Every of those will even characteristic distinctive drinks.
No actual opinion in this one. We don’t truly imbibe anymore, and consider (any other unpopular opinion incoming) zero-proof cocktails as a racket, so we seldom purchase the ones. Those beverages indisputably appearance cool, and I admire bold themed meals & beverage techniques. Nice for individuals who will experience them!
13. New Thought Artwork for Napa Rose at Disneyland
When it reopens, the award-winning Napa Rose will be offering an increased eating enjoy, mixing undying Craftsman design with a contemporary tackle fashionable Californian sophistication and heat within the overhauled primary eating room.
The brand new idea artwork displays the out of doors patio that’s being enhanced to welcome extra visitors for al fresco eating. Two new fireplaces will solid a heat glow around the patio, including a comfortable and welcoming contact to the ambience. Because the solar units, you’ll be able to accumulate across the fireplace, reflecting to your Disney day and playing the atmosphere.
I’m having a look ahead to the go back of Napa Rose, which used to be certainly one of our favourite eating places in Southern California via 2019. (It wasn’t the similar post-reopening.) The refreshed out of doors area doesn’t appearance all that other to me, however I’m nonetheless cautiously positive–most commonly a few menu refresh, if I’m being fair. The inner design may cross both method, and can come all the way down to execution.
12. D23 Expo Returns in 2026
It’s no longer an enormous marvel that the D23 Expo is returning to California subsequent 12 months, however it used to be nonetheless great to listen to affirmation and a disclose of dates. We will be able to’t wait to wait, because it’s certainly one of our favourite occasions of all the 12 months.
Despite the fact that D23 Expo indisputably isn’t for everybody (and that’s high quality–don’t be swayed by means of FOMO if it feels find it irresistible’s no longer your scene), we find it irresistible. Whether it is for you, we’d extremely suggest attending. It appears like just a topic of time ahead of D23 Expo is going the way in which of different conventions like this. Frankly, I’m shocked it’s lasted this lengthy.
11. “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Birthday party” Coming to Hong Kong Disneyland
Disney introduced a brand new Halloween Time tournament at Hong Kong Disneyland for the twentieth Anniversary known as “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Birthday party.” The leisure providing options the villains taking up Primary Boulevard, U.S.A. from September 19 via November 2, 2025.
“Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Birthday party” is a mash-up of a cavalcade, side road celebration, and musical quantity. The idea is that Maleficent used to be by accident left off the invitation record (therefore the title), so she leads a adverse takeover of Primary Boulevard. Maleficent then recruits visitors to “name forth her uninvited opposite numbers.” Sounds slightly like Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular at Magic Kingdom, however no longer a level display.
At the one hand, I’m by no means going to knock extra leisure. Then again, we first did Halloween at HKDL over a decade in the past, and it used to be a wholly other enjoy again within the day. Principally, it used to be Halloween Horror Nights: Disney Version. I’m no longer shocked that they’ve made the development extra family-friendly and on-brand (on the contrary, I’m shocked what they did ahead of ever were given company approval), I simply omit the “just right ole days” slightly.
10. Moana Eating place Coming to HKDL
Disney published a first-look on the “new” Wayfinders’ Desk Moana-themed eating place, which can formally open on September 12, 2025 and is situated close to the Moana: A Homecoming Party level display in Adventureland. Thought artwork displays a colourful environment impressed by means of the preferred franchise, together with signage and acquainted characters within the seating house.
For individuals who are unfamiliar with HKDL, the brand new Moana-themed eating place replaces Tahitian Terrace, which seems to be just about the similar as this. The variations are the signage and characters. Tahitian Terrace has/had one of the crucial easiest menus in all the park; expectantly this keeps or complements that. Regardless, seeing HKDL get some love–despite the fact that that implies extra IP injections–is a win.
9. Unfortunate Nugget Saloon Coming to Disneyland Paris
It’s rumoured {that a} grand reception used to be to be held there in honour of the neighbouring Ravenswoods, to have a good time the impending nuptials in their daughter, Melanie. However the eating place has inexplicably fallen into disrepair, prompting locals to rename it ‘The Unfortunate Nugget’.
The eating place stays open to curious guests however warns that they will have to be expecting their discuss with to be relatively… spirited! The Unfortunate Nugget Saloon is a time-limited enjoy together with ghostly ornament and savoury eerie Halloween menus that will likely be to be had most effective all through Disney Halloween Pageant, from October 1st to November 2d at Disneyland Paris.
I’m a large fan of the Fortunate Nugget, Thunder Mesa backstory, and Halloween at Disneyland Paris. I additionally assume that the present menu is already slightly, ahem, unfortunate, so attempting one thing contemporary on this area feels like a win to me. No doubt beats a Toy Tale puppet display!
8. Disneyland Hand made Documentary Coming Quickly
Oscar and Emmy nominated filmmaker (with deep Disney roots!) Leslie Iwerks introduced on level on the panel that her new documentary movie Disneyland Hand made, is coming this iciness to Disney+ and Disney YouTube.
Disneyland Hand made ranks reasonably extremely for me due to “The Imagineering Tale,” which is by means of the similar documentarian. The primary trailer additionally seems to be unbelievable, and it’s nice to look contemporary photos of one thing that’s been lined beautiful exhaustively. “Disneyland Hand made” is probably not the most efficient title, as we’ve already had a number of readers remark that they idea it used to be a products factor.
7. Hidden Main points & Lore About Disney Castles
Imagineers Wyatt Iciness, Jason Grandt, and Katie Gibbs have been joined by means of former Imagineering Ingenious Government Tom Morris and James Silson, Display Director with Disney Reside Leisure, to percentage their favourite moments within the historical past of creating Disney Castles.
This used to be a panel, no longer a selected piece of stories, however it warrants inclusion right here as it used to be arguably the spotlight of Vacation spot D23, and harkens again to the history-oriented tournament Vacation spot D was once. It used to be slightly zany (Sew seemed, capturing bathroom paper in all places the level), whilst additionally being tutorial and providing deep cuts and little-known information.
So I simply sought after to prevent and percentage my appreciation for this, in addition to the 3 Caballeros and Down the Rabbit Hollow with the Disney Archives displays. Extra of this, please. (Despite the fact that I might’ve most popular Steven Vagnini or Becky Cline reasonable, as adversarial to a couple YouTuber.)
Imagineers closed out the panel saying the following episode of “We Name It Imagineering: Construction Castles” will debut at the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel on September 8, 2025.
6. Dr. Facilier’s “Parlor Methods” Coming to Disney Future
Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog will likely be one of the crucial featured villains making “meet and play” appearances aboard the Disney Future when it units sail later this 12 months. The theory is that, as an alternative of a standard meet & greet, Dr. Facilier will likely be a part of likelihood encounters that supply alternatives for interplay and leisure. He’s going to have a parlor in an undisclosed location that visitors may bump into, luring visitors in for a card trick or sleight of hand.
This sounds unbelievable. Now that we’ve got a tender daughter, we indisputably admire devoted meet & greets extra (predictable and constant), however we additionally love the little unplanned moments (in reality magical). Love to look Disney leaning extra into the latter, and making those interactive alternatives extra bold. Right here’s hoping that this additionally serves as a playtest of types for Villains Land at Magic Kingdom.
5. New Tron: Ares Trip Overlay for TRON Lightcycle Run
The following time you step into the virtual frontier with TRON Lightcycle Run, you’ll release right into a Tron: Ares model of the high-speed, adrenaline-pumping trip that bends truth into the online game global.
Changing the blue and orange hues of the trip, you’ll weave via twisting tunnels of colourful crimson and orange mild trails. Including to the immersive visuals, the pulsating commercial sounds of 9 Inch Nails will force the trip’s power, pushing your enjoy between the Grid and truth into an absolutely immersive, futuristic symphony of sunshine, pace, and sound.
That is reputedly this type of little factor, however it’s exactly what repeat guests to Walt Disney International, of which there are lots of, crave. This will likely don’t have any unfavourable have an effect on on first timers, whilst including re-rideability for regulars. It’s win-win. It’s additionally great to look Walt Disney International no longer decline a studio advertising and marketing funds for as soon as! Right here’s hoping we get extra of this at some point; locals, APs and DVC Participants will have to topic extra to WDW, as they’re rising demographics.
4. Conjured Structure for Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
Imagineers at the Villains Land mission staff took a analysis shuttle to Europe to analyze structure, specifically the Artwork Nouveau taste. After seeing similarities with the mystical, fluid, and natural look of each the animated villains and the structure, the staff in the back of coined the time period “Conjured Structure.”
Whilst our observation about this so-called “Conjured Structure” centered most commonly on different possible architectural inspirations past Artwork Nouveau (don’t get me unsuitable–it’s a method I really like), I’m simply happy to look Imagineering doing analysis journeys for Villains Land and drawing inspiration from an bold taste. It doesn’t matter what the result, I view this as certain information.
Some enthusiasts disagree, wondering the need of analysis journeys and suggesting they’re a waste of cash. First, this can be a drop of water within the ocean of the Villains Land funds. 2nd, the open-ended land is prone to have parallels to Avengers Campus, and I might humbly recommend that mission would have benefited vastly from a analysis shuttle someplace as opposed to an place of business park in Los angeles Cañada.
3. International of Frozen Opening Season
By the use of video from France, Michel Den Dulk, Vice President and Portfolio Government Ingenious Director at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, published that International of Frozen will in spite of everything open its gates in Spring 2026.
By means of extension, this additionally implies that the overhaul of the Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Journey International will even wrap in Spring 2026. The previous can’t truly occur with out the latter (even if I’m guessing the Up trip received’t be in a position), and Disney already tied the bigger-picture park reimagining to the International of Frozen.
It’s been a protracted street, however the second one gate is sort of there. We’re truly excited to enjoy this park anew–phrases I by no means idea I’d sort after our first discuss with, and then we argued that the Walt Disney Studios Park used to be no longer if truth be told a “Disney” theme park. This variation will have to in spite of everything put that to leisure (if it hasn’t been already within the intervening years) as soon as and for just right.
2. Vintage Cinderella Fortress Makeover
The up to date paint will characteristic grays, lotions, blues, and touches of gold, aiming to toughen the citadel’s structure. Whilst the mission staff remains to be placing the completing touches at the paint design procedure, WDI began to percentage the fantastic quantity of analysis and care that is going into this mission.
We’re truly having a look ahead to a go back of the vintage Cinderella Fortress colour scheme after 5+ years of the makeover for Walt Disney International’s fiftieth Anniversary. In our view, the purple citadel used to be a omit; it felt like Disney used to be attempting too laborious, chasing colour developments, aiming to enchantment to influencers with one thing extra “princessy,” or perhaps extra just like the whimsy of Disneyland Paris.
The appearance simply didn’t paintings for the extra regal Cinderella Fortress at Magic Kingdom, which advantages from a cooler and subtler taste. I’d cross so far as to name this “nature is therapeutic” information, and can not wait to look Cinderella Fortress restored to its vintage colour scheme. It’s been a very long time since we’ve noticed this–no longer simply ~5 years, since Cinderella Fortress used to be badly pale by the point the remaining repainting rolled round. The lighter appearance will have to truly pop beneath the blue skies and puffy clouds of Central Florida!
1. Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics Coming to Carousel of Development
Walt Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty published that you are going to quickly be capable to see Walt Disney in the course of the magic of Audio-Animatronics generation in Walt Disney’s Carousel of Development at Magic Kingdom.
Earlier than you observe an American kinfolk (and Rover!) over 4 generations of growth as generation transforms their lives and paves the way in which for once-unimaginable inventions, you’ll be capable to catch a brand-new introductory scene and listen to from the mythical guy who by no means stood in the way in which of growth — Walt Disney.
This new Walt Disney introductory scene is possibly changing what’s recently a curtain, brand, and voiceover. That scene is just a couple mins lengthy, which is in keeping with the Audio Animatronics portion of “Walt Disney – A Magical Existence” at Disneyland. Despite the fact that this intro will likely be dramatically other, the use of that as a blueprint for the mannerisms and movement does make sense.
We’ve already lined the explanations why the brand new Carousel of Development improvements are vastly certain information with 0 catch, from paying tribute to Walt Disney to giving Carousel of Development a brand new multi-decade rent on lifestyles. That’s obviously the consensus, which is good to look. To the level there’s skepticism, it’s most commonly concerning the likeness of the present Walt Disney AA, which is truthful.
My most effective reaction is that I’d be expecting to look iterative enhancements there from Imagineering. Glance no additional than Corridor of Presidents for this, the place Imagineering has now created 3 Trump AAs, the primary of which had a melted face (for loss of higher time period) that used to be method worse than the Walt AA.
The second one used to be extra on-model (however much less complex for the reason that Biden AA used to be center-stage), and now the 3rd is arguably probably the most correct human Audio Animatronics ever made. If Imagineering has controlled to refine that facial mould to this type of stage, it stands to reason why that they’ll do the similar for his or her corporate’s founder.
In the end, this used to be no longer a large 12 months for information at Vacation spot D23. No doubt not anything like 2023, however the most obvious distinction is that the former 12 months’s D23 Expo used to be just about a blue sky dreaming consultation. Against this, the 2024 D23 Expo used to be jam-packed with exact bulletins that are actually actively beneath building and will likely be for the following 3-4 years.
I nonetheless left Vacation spot D23 with a renewed sense of optimism about the way forward for Walt Disney International. It’s been an up and down couple of years, particularly after the post-Expo rug-pulls in regards to the Rivers of The us and MuppetVision. The ones have been gut-punches that no less than partly undercut the preliminary pleasure. There’s truly not anything from Vacation spot D23 that may be undercut, except Disney declares the next day to come that they’re paving over the Seven Seas Lagoon “by means of common call for” so as to add extra popcorn stands. Regardless of how a lot you may love popcorn buckets, expectantly you’ll agree that that might be a nasty factor.
Even if it used to be a smaller slate of bulletins, Vacation spot D23 continues to vindicate the perspective that Imagineering is again on target, understands the task, and is stuffed with fellow enthusiasts who need to do proper by means of Walt Disney International and the corporate’s founder. That the Rivers of The us and MuppetVision 3-d have been the outliers, pressured on them from above; that their arms have been tied at the selections, so the most efficient they are able to do is make lemonade out of lemons. This Vacation spot D23 information is 100% certain, despite the fact that no longer emphatically so, suggesting that perhaps there truly is a Nice Large Gorgeous The next day to come for Walt Disney International!
Making plans a Walt Disney International shuttle? Find out about lodges on our Walt Disney International Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to consume, learn our Walt Disney International Eating place Critiques. To save cash on tickets or resolve which kind to shop for, learn our Pointers for Saving Cash on Walt Disney International Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular take a look at artful pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney International Trip Guides will lend a hand. For complete recommendation, the most efficient position to start out is our Walt Disney International Commute Making plans Information for the whole lot you want to grasp!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your reactions to the quite a lot of bulletins for the Disney Parks on the 2025 Vacation spot D23? What has you maximum and least excited? Had been any of those bulletins downright unhealthy or unfavourable information, to your view? The rest you’re hoping does no longer finally end up coming to fruition? Do you compromise or disagree with our tests? Any questions we will be able to can help you resolution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas underneath within the feedback!
Vacation spot D23 used to be held at Walt Disney International over the weekend, and even if there used to be no blockbuster information, there have been a number of ‘singles & doubles’ bulletins. This document card ranks the entire bulletins for the Disney Parks from worst to first, and stocks our ideas at the tournament as an entire.
From a theme parks viewpoint, probably the most noteworthy information forward of this 12 months’s Vacation spot D23 used to be that there could be no Disney Parks Panel hosted by means of chairman Josh D’Amaro. Instead used to be the “Walt Disney Studios Exhibit” marquee presentation on Saturday morning, all through which host Yvette Nicole Brown used to be joined by means of creatives in the back of a number of upcoming motion pictures to percentage bulletins and new trailers with enthusiasts.
Despite the fact that it’s slightly past our house of emphasis, this exhibit will also be summed up in a single phrase: refreshing. I’ve attended a number of of those at earlier D23 Expos, they usually had gotten regularly worse up till remaining 12 months. The quantity of reside motion remake and direct to Disney+ slop used to be out of keep an eye on, with films that have been clearly unhealthy simply in response to their trailers. This used to be a go back to shape for the studios, with an excellent mixture of unique motion pictures (I’m 100% offered on Hoppers, a film I prior to now idea used to be about grasshoppers) and sequels to fan-favorites. The inventive output of the studios affects the parks, so this isn’t simply great to look–it’s necessary, perhaps even crucial.
To briefly recap ahead of we get going, our 2025 Vacation spot D23 Announcement Predictions for Walt Disney International have been the next:
- Walt Disney Studios Lot and Magic of Disney Animation Expose
- Sew’s Nice Get away 2.0 Announcement
- Grand Floridian Chicken Cage Bar Menu & Opening Date
- Villains Land Authentic Identify (4-16 phrases lengthy with 2-7 punctuation marks)
- Repainting Cinderella Fortress to Vintage Colours or Dream Lighting Returning for Christmas
- Bluey Coming to DHS Main points
- Spaceship Earth Reimagining
- New Thought Artwork for Present Tasks
That’s it for Walt Disney International. Spoiler alert: I didn’t precisely have a powerful efficiency with the ones selections. In equity, I did make a number of predictions about issues that might no longer occur, reminiscent of imploring enthusiasts to decrease their expectancies about any possible Villains Land information. I’d additionally love to assume that the Cinderella Fortress vintage makeover used to be a just right deep reduce name. Nonetheless, beautiful some distance from my easiest trip with that slate!
Our prior Vacation spot D23 Want Listing contained so much extra (together with a reimagining of Adventure Into Creativeness for just like the ninth consecutive D23 tournament), however it additionally famous that we weren’t anticipating nearly all of that to happen. It used to be idle having a pipe dream, with our viewpoint being that Disney had “shot its shot” with the remaining D23 Expo, so this wouldn’t have just about as many bulletins because the 2023 Vacation spot D23. And it indisputably didn’t.
In opposition to that backdrop, let’s rank the entire Walt Disney International information, adopted by means of a grade for the development as an entire…
15. New Novelty Pieces Coming to Disney Parks
Probably the most “highlights” of the Disney Eats panel used to be the disclose of 8 new novelty pieces coming to the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line ships, together with popcorn buckets, sippers, and mugs.
I’ve shared my viewpoint on popcorn buckets and sippers ahead of, and towards my higher judgment, I’ll reiterate right here: I completely don’t get the enchantment. They serve minimum sensible function, and are generally affordably built as in comparison to different merchandise. If you wish to have a plastic toy…why no longer simply purchase a plastic toy? (Tiki mugs are a wholly other tale; tremendous cool, but additionally impractical or even pricier.)
I’m very mindful that that is an unpopular opinion, and few issues bolstered that up to the D23 crowd going completely wild for each and every novelty disclose. I’ve had some Fundamental Skinner “am I out of contact?” moments in recent times as a part of the fandom, and this used to be simply the most recent. With all of that mentioned, I’m additionally a large believer in letting folks experience what they need to experience. If you happen to love popcorn buckets, extra energy to you. I’ve a number of pursuits that you simply’d more than likely assume are foolish.
14. New Beverages Coming to Disney Future
Throughout your voyage aboard the Disney Future, slip away to The Sanctum, Haunted Mansion Parlor, and Cask & Cannon, all themed areas which might be impressed by means of the larger-than-life personalities of epic Disney tales, dropped at lifestyles via increased interpretation and subtle theming. Every of those will even characteristic distinctive drinks.
No actual opinion in this one. We don’t truly imbibe anymore, and consider (any other unpopular opinion incoming) zero-proof cocktails as a racket, so we seldom purchase the ones. Those beverages indisputably appearance cool, and I admire bold themed meals & beverage techniques. Nice for individuals who will experience them!
13. New Thought Artwork for Napa Rose at Disneyland
When it reopens, the award-winning Napa Rose will be offering an increased eating enjoy, mixing undying Craftsman design with a contemporary tackle fashionable Californian sophistication and heat within the overhauled primary eating room.
The brand new idea artwork displays the out of doors patio that’s being enhanced to welcome extra visitors for al fresco eating. Two new fireplaces will solid a heat glow around the patio, including a comfortable and welcoming contact to the ambience. Because the solar units, you’ll be able to accumulate across the fireplace, reflecting to your Disney day and playing the atmosphere.
I’m having a look ahead to the go back of Napa Rose, which used to be certainly one of our favourite eating places in Southern California via 2019. (It wasn’t the similar post-reopening.) The refreshed out of doors area doesn’t appearance all that other to me, however I’m nonetheless cautiously positive–most commonly a few menu refresh, if I’m being fair. The inner design may cross both method, and can come all the way down to execution.
12. D23 Expo Returns in 2026
It’s no longer an enormous marvel that the D23 Expo is returning to California subsequent 12 months, however it used to be nonetheless great to listen to affirmation and a disclose of dates. We will be able to’t wait to wait, because it’s certainly one of our favourite occasions of all the 12 months.
Despite the fact that D23 Expo indisputably isn’t for everybody (and that’s high quality–don’t be swayed by means of FOMO if it feels find it irresistible’s no longer your scene), we find it irresistible. Whether it is for you, we’d extremely suggest attending. It appears like just a topic of time ahead of D23 Expo is going the way in which of different conventions like this. Frankly, I’m shocked it’s lasted this lengthy.
11. “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Birthday party” Coming to Hong Kong Disneyland
Disney introduced a brand new Halloween Time tournament at Hong Kong Disneyland for the twentieth Anniversary known as “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Birthday party.” The leisure providing options the villains taking up Primary Boulevard, U.S.A. from September 19 via November 2, 2025.
“Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Birthday party” is a mash-up of a cavalcade, side road celebration, and musical quantity. The idea is that Maleficent used to be by accident left off the invitation record (therefore the title), so she leads a adverse takeover of Primary Boulevard. Maleficent then recruits visitors to “name forth her uninvited opposite numbers.” Sounds slightly like Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular at Magic Kingdom, however no longer a level display.
At the one hand, I’m by no means going to knock extra leisure. Then again, we first did Halloween at HKDL over a decade in the past, and it used to be a wholly other enjoy again within the day. Principally, it used to be Halloween Horror Nights: Disney Version. I’m no longer shocked that they’ve made the development extra family-friendly and on-brand (on the contrary, I’m shocked what they did ahead of ever were given company approval), I simply omit the “just right ole days” slightly.
10. Moana Eating place Coming to HKDL
Disney published a first-look on the “new” Wayfinders’ Desk Moana-themed eating place, which can formally open on September 12, 2025 and is situated close to the Moana: A Homecoming Party level display in Adventureland. Thought artwork displays a colourful environment impressed by means of the preferred franchise, together with signage and acquainted characters within the seating house.
For individuals who are unfamiliar with HKDL, the brand new Moana-themed eating place replaces Tahitian Terrace, which seems to be just about the similar as this. The variations are the signage and characters. Tahitian Terrace has/had one of the crucial easiest menus in all the park; expectantly this keeps or complements that. Regardless, seeing HKDL get some love–despite the fact that that implies extra IP injections–is a win.
9. Unfortunate Nugget Saloon Coming to Disneyland Paris
It’s rumoured {that a} grand reception used to be to be held there in honour of the neighbouring Ravenswoods, to have a good time the impending nuptials in their daughter, Melanie. However the eating place has inexplicably fallen into disrepair, prompting locals to rename it ‘The Unfortunate Nugget’.
The eating place stays open to curious guests however warns that they will have to be expecting their discuss with to be relatively… spirited! The Unfortunate Nugget Saloon is a time-limited enjoy together with ghostly ornament and savoury eerie Halloween menus that will likely be to be had most effective all through Disney Halloween Pageant, from October 1st to November 2d at Disneyland Paris.
I’m a large fan of the Fortunate Nugget, Thunder Mesa backstory, and Halloween at Disneyland Paris. I additionally assume that the present menu is already slightly, ahem, unfortunate, so attempting one thing contemporary on this area feels like a win to me. No doubt beats a Toy Tale puppet display!
8. Disneyland Hand made Documentary Coming Quickly
Oscar and Emmy nominated filmmaker (with deep Disney roots!) Leslie Iwerks introduced on level on the panel that her new documentary movie Disneyland Hand made, is coming this iciness to Disney+ and Disney YouTube.
Disneyland Hand made ranks reasonably extremely for me due to “The Imagineering Tale,” which is by means of the similar documentarian. The primary trailer additionally seems to be unbelievable, and it’s nice to look contemporary photos of one thing that’s been lined beautiful exhaustively. “Disneyland Hand made” is probably not the most efficient title, as we’ve already had a number of readers remark that they idea it used to be a products factor.
7. Hidden Main points & Lore About Disney Castles
Imagineers Wyatt Iciness, Jason Grandt, and Katie Gibbs have been joined by means of former Imagineering Ingenious Government Tom Morris and James Silson, Display Director with Disney Reside Leisure, to percentage their favourite moments within the historical past of creating Disney Castles.
This used to be a panel, no longer a selected piece of stories, however it warrants inclusion right here as it used to be arguably the spotlight of Vacation spot D23, and harkens again to the history-oriented tournament Vacation spot D was once. It used to be slightly zany (Sew seemed, capturing bathroom paper in all places the level), whilst additionally being tutorial and providing deep cuts and little-known information.
So I simply sought after to prevent and percentage my appreciation for this, in addition to the 3 Caballeros and Down the Rabbit Hollow with the Disney Archives displays. Extra of this, please. (Despite the fact that I might’ve most popular Steven Vagnini or Becky Cline reasonable, as adversarial to a couple YouTuber.)
Imagineers closed out the panel saying the following episode of “We Name It Imagineering: Construction Castles” will debut at the Walt Disney Imagineering YouTube channel on September 8, 2025.
6. Dr. Facilier’s “Parlor Methods” Coming to Disney Future
Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog will likely be one of the crucial featured villains making “meet and play” appearances aboard the Disney Future when it units sail later this 12 months. The theory is that, as an alternative of a standard meet & greet, Dr. Facilier will likely be a part of likelihood encounters that supply alternatives for interplay and leisure. He’s going to have a parlor in an undisclosed location that visitors may bump into, luring visitors in for a card trick or sleight of hand.
This sounds unbelievable. Now that we’ve got a tender daughter, we indisputably admire devoted meet & greets extra (predictable and constant), however we additionally love the little unplanned moments (in reality magical). Love to look Disney leaning extra into the latter, and making those interactive alternatives extra bold. Right here’s hoping that this additionally serves as a playtest of types for Villains Land at Magic Kingdom.
5. New Tron: Ares Trip Overlay for TRON Lightcycle Run
The following time you step into the virtual frontier with TRON Lightcycle Run, you’ll release right into a Tron: Ares model of the high-speed, adrenaline-pumping trip that bends truth into the online game global.
Changing the blue and orange hues of the trip, you’ll weave via twisting tunnels of colourful crimson and orange mild trails. Including to the immersive visuals, the pulsating commercial sounds of 9 Inch Nails will force the trip’s power, pushing your enjoy between the Grid and truth into an absolutely immersive, futuristic symphony of sunshine, pace, and sound.
That is reputedly this type of little factor, however it’s exactly what repeat guests to Walt Disney International, of which there are lots of, crave. This will likely don’t have any unfavourable have an effect on on first timers, whilst including re-rideability for regulars. It’s win-win. It’s additionally great to look Walt Disney International no longer decline a studio advertising and marketing funds for as soon as! Right here’s hoping we get extra of this at some point; locals, APs and DVC Participants will have to topic extra to WDW, as they’re rising demographics.
4. Conjured Structure for Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
Imagineers at the Villains Land mission staff took a analysis shuttle to Europe to analyze structure, specifically the Artwork Nouveau taste. After seeing similarities with the mystical, fluid, and natural look of each the animated villains and the structure, the staff in the back of coined the time period “Conjured Structure.”
Whilst our observation about this so-called “Conjured Structure” centered most commonly on different possible architectural inspirations past Artwork Nouveau (don’t get me unsuitable–it’s a method I really like), I’m simply happy to look Imagineering doing analysis journeys for Villains Land and drawing inspiration from an bold taste. It doesn’t matter what the result, I view this as certain information.
Some enthusiasts disagree, wondering the need of analysis journeys and suggesting they’re a waste of cash. First, this can be a drop of water within the ocean of the Villains Land funds. 2nd, the open-ended land is prone to have parallels to Avengers Campus, and I might humbly recommend that mission would have benefited vastly from a analysis shuttle someplace as opposed to an place of business park in Los angeles Cañada.
3. International of Frozen Opening Season
By the use of video from France, Michel Den Dulk, Vice President and Portfolio Government Ingenious Director at Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, published that International of Frozen will in spite of everything open its gates in Spring 2026.
By means of extension, this additionally implies that the overhaul of the Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Journey International will even wrap in Spring 2026. The previous can’t truly occur with out the latter (even if I’m guessing the Up trip received’t be in a position), and Disney already tied the bigger-picture park reimagining to the International of Frozen.
It’s been a protracted street, however the second one gate is sort of there. We’re truly excited to enjoy this park anew–phrases I by no means idea I’d sort after our first discuss with, and then we argued that the Walt Disney Studios Park used to be no longer if truth be told a “Disney” theme park. This variation will have to in spite of everything put that to leisure (if it hasn’t been already within the intervening years) as soon as and for just right.
2. Vintage Cinderella Fortress Makeover
The up to date paint will characteristic grays, lotions, blues, and touches of gold, aiming to toughen the citadel’s structure. Whilst the mission staff remains to be placing the completing touches at the paint design procedure, WDI began to percentage the fantastic quantity of analysis and care that is going into this mission.
We’re truly having a look ahead to a go back of the vintage Cinderella Fortress colour scheme after 5+ years of the makeover for Walt Disney International’s fiftieth Anniversary. In our view, the purple citadel used to be a omit; it felt like Disney used to be attempting too laborious, chasing colour developments, aiming to enchantment to influencers with one thing extra “princessy,” or perhaps extra just like the whimsy of Disneyland Paris.
The appearance simply didn’t paintings for the extra regal Cinderella Fortress at Magic Kingdom, which advantages from a cooler and subtler taste. I’d cross so far as to name this “nature is therapeutic” information, and can not wait to look Cinderella Fortress restored to its vintage colour scheme. It’s been a very long time since we’ve noticed this–no longer simply ~5 years, since Cinderella Fortress used to be badly pale by the point the remaining repainting rolled round. The lighter appearance will have to truly pop beneath the blue skies and puffy clouds of Central Florida!
1. Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics Coming to Carousel of Development
Walt Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty published that you are going to quickly be capable to see Walt Disney in the course of the magic of Audio-Animatronics generation in Walt Disney’s Carousel of Development at Magic Kingdom.
Earlier than you observe an American kinfolk (and Rover!) over 4 generations of growth as generation transforms their lives and paves the way in which for once-unimaginable inventions, you’ll be capable to catch a brand-new introductory scene and listen to from the mythical guy who by no means stood in the way in which of growth — Walt Disney.
This new Walt Disney introductory scene is possibly changing what’s recently a curtain, brand, and voiceover. That scene is just a couple mins lengthy, which is in keeping with the Audio Animatronics portion of “Walt Disney – A Magical Existence” at Disneyland. Despite the fact that this intro will likely be dramatically other, the use of that as a blueprint for the mannerisms and movement does make sense.
We’ve already lined the explanations why the brand new Carousel of Development improvements are vastly certain information with 0 catch, from paying tribute to Walt Disney to giving Carousel of Development a brand new multi-decade rent on lifestyles. That’s obviously the consensus, which is good to look. To the level there’s skepticism, it’s most commonly concerning the likeness of the present Walt Disney AA, which is truthful.
My most effective reaction is that I’d be expecting to look iterative enhancements there from Imagineering. Glance no additional than Corridor of Presidents for this, the place Imagineering has now created 3 Trump AAs, the primary of which had a melted face (for loss of higher time period) that used to be method worse than the Walt AA.
The second one used to be extra on-model (however much less complex for the reason that Biden AA used to be center-stage), and now the 3rd is arguably probably the most correct human Audio Animatronics ever made. If Imagineering has controlled to refine that facial mould to this type of stage, it stands to reason why that they’ll do the similar for his or her corporate’s founder.
In the end, this used to be no longer a large 12 months for information at Vacation spot D23. No doubt not anything like 2023, however the most obvious distinction is that the former 12 months’s D23 Expo used to be just about a blue sky dreaming consultation. Against this, the 2024 D23 Expo used to be jam-packed with exact bulletins that are actually actively beneath building and will likely be for the following 3-4 years.
I nonetheless left Vacation spot D23 with a renewed sense of optimism about the way forward for Walt Disney International. It’s been an up and down couple of years, particularly after the post-Expo rug-pulls in regards to the Rivers of The us and MuppetVision. The ones have been gut-punches that no less than partly undercut the preliminary pleasure. There’s truly not anything from Vacation spot D23 that may be undercut, except Disney declares the next day to come that they’re paving over the Seven Seas Lagoon “by means of common call for” so as to add extra popcorn stands. Regardless of how a lot you may love popcorn buckets, expectantly you’ll agree that that might be a nasty factor.
Even if it used to be a smaller slate of bulletins, Vacation spot D23 continues to vindicate the perspective that Imagineering is again on target, understands the task, and is stuffed with fellow enthusiasts who need to do proper by means of Walt Disney International and the corporate’s founder. That the Rivers of The us and MuppetVision 3-d have been the outliers, pressured on them from above; that their arms have been tied at the selections, so the most efficient they are able to do is make lemonade out of lemons. This Vacation spot D23 information is 100% certain, despite the fact that no longer emphatically so, suggesting that perhaps there truly is a Nice Large Gorgeous The next day to come for Walt Disney International!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your reactions to the quite a lot of bulletins for the Disney Parks on the 2025 Vacation spot D23? What has you maximum and least excited? Had been any of those bulletins downright unhealthy or unfavourable information, to your view? The rest you’re hoping does no longer finally end up coming to fruition? Do you compromise or disagree with our tests? Any questions we will be able to can help you resolution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas underneath within the feedback!
