In case you missed it, we attended the 2026 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event and have shared a whole BUNCH of major updates!

This massive D23 Expo only happens every other year. The big weekend took place in Anaheim, California, and Disney shared MAJOR theme park news, company announcements, and entertainment updates from all aspects of the company. During one of Disney’s biggest events from the weekend — the Disney Experiences Showcase (which features news about Disney’s upcoming attractions and theme park news) — we noticed some major news that was missing! Disney, what’s up?

If you don’t know, the Experiences Showcase is a huge deal for theme park fans. This year, the theme park panel was called Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase. The big panel was hosted by actor Neil Patrick Harris, which we would say was legen — wait for it — dary. (If you know, you know).

The panel took place on August 15th and was easily one of the biggest aspects of the weekend. This year, during the parks panel, we got news about Villains Land coming to Magic Kingdom, Piston Peak coming to Magic Kingdom, Pueblo Esperanza coming to Animal Kingdom, and MORE!

We were thrilled to see these updates; there’s no doubt! That being said, there were a few things missing that had us side-eyeing Disney.

Avatar Land Coming to Disney California Adventure

We did get a look at the new Avatar Land coming to Disney California Adventure at the Imagineering: Horizons pavilion in the form of a new model. While it gave us a look at how the Disneyland Monorail may take us to the land, and a tiny bit of the new boat ride that will be part of the land, we didn’t hear anything about it at the Experiences Showcase.

During the Experiences Showcase, Disney didn’t mention this new expansion at all, which we thought was…interesting. We don’t yet have a timeline for when we can expect to see this new land open, so until then, we’ll just be staring at photos of this gorgeous model!

We FINALLY Have a Look at Disney’s New Avatar Land

Disney’s New Abu Dhabi Park

Disney recently talked about how they’re intent on seeing their Abu Dhabi park project through, but didn’t talk about it at all at the Experiences Showcase.

Well, that’s not entirely true — they mentioned it at the very start of the showcase, but then it never came up again. This is another project that we don’t have a timeline for, we don’t have much concept art for, or really much news at all other than its location and some loose details.

Disney’s Abu Dhabi Is Still In Progress

No Disney World Space Mountain or Tomorrowland Changes

We saw lots of people convinced that Disney would announce some changes, or at least a refurbishment, to the Space Mountain ride located in Magic Kingdom. Alas, there was no mention of such a change, AND it also wasn’t announced that an overhaul is coming to Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland.

However, Disney DID announce a massive overhaul coming to Disneyland’s Tomorrowland (though no concrete details or timeline were announced), and we do know that Disneyland Paris’ Space Mountain will be reverted to its original form, which means no more Hyperspace Mountain. Not to mention, Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain is ALSO changing. Basically, Disney World, for now, you’re out of luck.

NEWS: Space Mountain Is CHANGING In Two Disney Parks

No PLAY! Pavilion Update

For years now, the PLAY Pavilion in EPCOT has been left closed off to the general public. Years ago, Disney had plans to revitalize the pavilion and bring it back to life for guests, but those plans were scrapped. It was supposed to be a “digital metropolis” that featured interactive experiences, games, entertainment, hands-on activities, and favorite Disney characters, both virtual and real.

It’s been over three years since we heard anything more about the PLAY! Pavilion, and Disney has just seemingly totally forgotten about this part of the park. We’re assuming the thought process is, “it’s gone this long without anyone using it, there’s no harm in waiting a bit longer.” Personally, we’d love to see this spot used again, but we can be patient…if we have to be.

Everything We Know About the PLAY! Pavilion Coming to EPCOT

Timeline For Disneyland’s New Coco Attraction

While we did get LOTS of news about the upcoming Coco attraction coming to Disney California Adventure, including new concept art, a storyline, and more, there was one big thing missing — an opening timeline.

We do know that the ride will take place a year after the events of the first film, and it’ll be a boat-style attraction with no height requirement that will walk us through Miguel’s memories of his time in the Land of the Dead. The idea of the ride is that music connects us all, and Disney has said it’ll be a ““truly be a beautiful, moving experience full of fun and surprises, leaning heavily into the music and emotion of the cherished Pixar film while inviting you to live Miguel’s journey alongside your own friends and family.”

NEW LOOK: You Won’t Believe What’s Coming to Disney’s ‘Coco’ Ride

Pecos Bill Restaurant Change To Tiana’s Palace

There’s currently a large amount of speculation that Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland is on its way to becoming Tiana’s Palace, to better fit in with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure being right next door. There was no mention of this possible change during D23.

Tiana’s Palace is currently in Disneyland, right near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and that’s a big reason it’s assumed this change will eventually also hit Magic Kingdom. For now, we’ll be sticking with Pecos Bill, but we’re really curious to see if an announcement is on its way as we get closer and closer to Piston Peak arriving just a few feet away.

REVIEW: Should Disney World Turn This Restaurant Into Tiana’s Palace?!

Villains Land Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment

While we got lots of news on the two attractions coming to Villains Land, as well as the announcement that Cruella is somehow pretty involved in the new land, we didn’t hear any news about the shopping, dining, or additional entertainment coming to the land.

However, we did learn that the story of the new land has to do with a wishing well. While a wishing well is normally for positive, happy wishes, someone made an evil wish in the well, and it cracked the foundation, causing the evil to spread into the land and corrupt it. The Disney Villains were drawn to the power and are intent on taking it for themselves, and have used it to create the land you see around you. Sounds pretty awesome to us, but we’re hoping we’ll hear details on the other parts of the land soon!

Disney Reveals Storyline and Character Inspirations for New Villains Land

Monstropolis Suspended Coaster

We did get the great news that Monstropolis will be opening in 2027, and the confirmation that the suspended coaster in the land, the first of its kind for Disney, won’t be opening with the rest of the land. However, we didn’t get any sort of opening timeline for the attraction, nor any additional concept art or another look at the ride.

While we did get a name for the show going into the Glob Theatre (formerly Muppet*Vision 3D), as well as the name of the quick service restaurant going in the land, a name for the coaster wasn’t announced. Maybe we’ll get some in a few months — that’s what we’re hoping for!

Disney Quietly Shares 4 NEW Details For Monstropolis Land

Firm Timeline For Pueblo Esperanza

Disney gave us tons of news on the new rides coming to Pueblo Esperanza in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including the name of all three rides coming to the area. We know the land is set to open in 2027, but no official, more detailed timeline was shared.

While this normally wouldn’t be too much of an issue, we’re already in August 2026, which means we could be just about a year away from opening. Considering many people have to plan their Disney World trips a minimum of a year in advance, the longer Disney holds off on announcing an opening timeline, the harder it’s going to be for people to plan their trips.

BIG NEWS! ‘Encanto’ Ride NAME and FIRST LOOK for Disney World

New BoardWalk Additions

Back in June, Disney announced that three new experiences would be coming to Disney’s BoardWalk at Disney World, but there was no mention of these additions at D23.

Hurly-Burly is the new lounge coming to the area, suspected to be coming to the former Jellyrolls location. It’s expected to open in late 2026, but no opening date has been revealed. We’re also getting a new Basin on the BoardWalk, as well as a new quick service location, though no news has been released on what type of restaurant it will be, or an opening timeline. We’re hoping to hear more about these additions sooner rather than later!

Disney Dropped 3 MAJOR Announcements Including A NEW Quick Service Restaurant

Lakeshore Lodge Updates

The new hotel coming to Disney World is called Lakeshore Lodge, and while we’ve been getting some pretty steady updates prior to D23, there was no mention of the new hotel at the Experiences Showcase.

The resort is currently set to open in Summer 2027, meaning we’ve got just about a year to go. Earlier this month, Disney released some new concept art for the hotel, introducing a new lounge, a look at the lobby, and a look at two additional restaurants (one quick service, one table service). We do think it was interesting to not hear anything at all about this new hotel, but we’ll keep our eyes peeled for new announcements.

Did Disney Just Quietly Confirm A Major Change In Their Latest Announcement?

Disney Cruises From Japan

Finally, Disney made no mention in their large section about Disney Cruise Line of the new cruises that will be setting sail from Japan. This is in partnership with the Oriental Trading Company, just like Tokyo Disney Resort is a joint ownership between the companies. This could be part of the reason why there was no mention of the new cruises at D23, but we have no way to know for sure.

Back in late July, we did get a price point for the new cruises, which is helpful for planning, and we did see that the timeline has changed for the new ships, but that’s about all we’ve gotten recently. Again, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled!

Disney Cruise Line Changes Timelines For 3 Ships

We really are working on wearing our patience pants; truly we are! At this point, though, we are ready to pull our hair out waiting on more details. I guess it’s true that beggars can’t be choosers, but Disney, if you’re willing to hear our pleas, we’d be very grateful. This year’s D23 weekend was full of exciting updates, behind-the-scenes secrets, and more. So are we really that upset? No, but don’t tell Disney that. Be sure to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for more Disney news, updates, questions, and more.

2026 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event

What news did you want Disney to drop? Tell us in the comments!