Thousands of fans bent over small tables during their recent participation in the "D23" conference, Disney's newest exhibition held every two years, and wrote down on small cards their fondest memories of Disneyland. Disney plans to bury these cards at the roots of trees that will be planted in a new attraction inspired by the movie "Coco", which is currently under construction.
Disney clearly relied on feelings of nostalgia when it unveiled a series of new projects in front of about 12,000 people at the Honda Center in Anaheim. The public has been waiting for two years for the company's latest announcements regarding the future of its parks and cruises.
Although some fans criticized the lack of clear timelines, the moments that generated the most applause were related to details that were of great interest to Disney fans: the redesign of classic areas, the repair of an animatronic that had been broken for years, and the renovation of a major area in Walt Disney's first theme park.
The Tomorrowland area at Disneyland will witness a major transformation, with the addition of several rides, more open spaces, and new places that allow visitors to imagine the future.
One fan, Frida Kayrouz, said a common complaint was that the Tomorrowland area had become "boring and old," even though it was supposed to represent "the world of tomorrow." She welcomed the project, but expressed her concern about the lack of clear designs or implementation dates.
Sarah White, who came from San Diego, was more optimistic. She said that she has fond memories of spending hours with her father and brother in the "Innoventions" area, and hopes that the new project will bring back the spirit of curiosity and interest in science and inventions to the "Land of Tomorrow."
Disney's plans also include updating the "Carousel of Progress" ride at Magic Kingdom park, with a new story starting in the 1960s, and Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston voicing its animated characters.
The famous "Spaceship Earth" game inside the giant ball in EPCOT theme park will also be updated, nearly twenty years after its last update. The story will shift from the history of human communication to the development of “human interconnectedness,” all the way to the Internet era and beyond.
Also at EPCOT, the beloved purple dragon Figment will get a new adventure, with the return of the Dreamfinder character from the original 1983 game. Disney has also finally promised to fix the animated Yeti character in the Everest ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom, after it remained broken for nearly two decades.
The opening date for Villains Land in the Magic Kingdom is still unannounced. But it will be about the size of “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge,” and will feature a “Maleficent”-inspired rollercoaster and an adventure under the Evil Queen’s palace.
As for the new “Cars” area, called “Piston Peak,” it will include two games, one for a family and the other a fast-paced adventure in which vehicles race over a mountain and then descend through snow and hot springs.
At Disney's Hollywood Studios, the "Monstropolis" area, inspired by "Monsters Inc," will open in early 2027. At Disney's Animal Kingdom, a new ride inspired by "Encanto" will come, along with a new "Indiana Jones" adventure.
In California, the size of the “Avengers Campus” will double when its expansion opens in 2028. A number of Marvel stars, including Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., and Brie Larson, will return to play their roles in the new games.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated projects is the “Coco” water game, which will take place a year after the end of the original film, and will be suitable for all family members. Elsie Kennedy, whose family is from Mexico, said that the film reminds her of her little grandmother, and that her family always remembers her while watching it.
It seems that Disney is trying to combine innovation and tap into the emotional memories of its audience. Not only does it introduce new areas, but it also brings back beloved Disneyland classics, including the “Magic Happens” parade, the original “World of Color” show, and the “Remember Dreams Come True” fireworks show.
Journalist Carly Weisel believes that Disney's success lies in giving old fans more of what they love, while also making the experience attractive to new visitors. As for Thomas Mazloum of Disney Experiences, he summarized the goal by saying that the company, whether it reimagines a beloved classic experience or builds something completely new, wants to provide an experience that makes guests come back again, and then take the next generation with them.
