Disney shares more about villains land, parade, Animal Kingdom rides
More details and descriptions of upcoming Walt Disney World attractions were revealed at D23 Brazil this weekend.
No new rides or projects were announced during the fan club gathering, but Disney officials – including Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, and Michael Hundgen, a vice president with Walt Disney Imagineering – shared fresh observations, renderings and timelines on multiple fronts.
For the first time, Disney revealed the “Moana” float for the “Disney Starlight,” a nighttime parade at the Magic Kingdom theme park set to debut in the summer of 2025. The artist’s concept shows the title character on a boat riding a tall ocean wave enhanced by lighting effects. Also on board from the film are Pua the pig and Heihei the chicken.
Another image of the Magic Kingdom’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” themed lounge was shared. It shows families with beverages, a fireplace with ships in bottles and the East India Co. logo, many candles, a telescope and walls decorated with paintings (a mermaid, a ship overcome by a sea creature) and several swords.
The space, which Disney refers to as a tavern, is now under construction in Adventureland and is scheduled to open next year.
“You’ll feel like a real swashbuckler when you step into this dimly lit tavern,” Hundgen said. “It’s full of great stories and all kinds of fun to discover. … There’s going to be some really great special surprises in this place.”
They touched upon the “Zootopia” film coming to the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the revised version of Test Track set for Epcot. Both are expected to be available to park guests in 2025.
Disney officials also discussed the two “Cars” attractions to be added to Frontierland.
“The first one is a thrilling rally race across the frontier. You’re going to get to climb mountain trails and dodge geysers and splash through the mud as you take on the terrain,” Hundgen said.
D23 attendees also watched a video of Imagineers on a full-scale dirt track used for testing and design of the attraction. The second “Cars” attraction will be geared to “our smallest racers,” Hundgen said. Construction begins on the rides next year, D’Amaro added.
The duo also discussed Magic Kingdom’s upcoming villains land, which was announced in August.
“In our story, a mysterious spell has been cast, summoning all these villains from every realm. And in this land, the heroes, they don’t come to save the day, and there might not be a happily ever after,” Hundgen said. The land will have two “massive” attractions, plus dining and shopping, he said.
A big screen graphic during the presentation showed villains such as Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, Ursula, Chernabog, Jafar, Yzma and Gaston. But they were referred to as inspirations for the land.
“I’m looking forward to breaking ground on this land. We’re going to do that very, very soon,” D’Amaro said. “This, everybody, is going to be storytelling on just an absolutely grand scale.”
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there are plans for a Tropical Americas land to replace DinoLand USA. Among its attractions will be an “Encanto” experience, a fresh “Indiana Jones” ride and a carousel that, according to Disney’s back story, features a wood carver’s favorite animals from Disney stories.
“It’s a beautiful, special take on a classic Disney attraction that we know young families are just going to absolutely love,” Hundgen said.
The “Encanto” attraction will feature the film’s famed house.
“We are arriving on the day that Antonio, the young boy from the film, receives his magical gift, which I’m sure you’ll all remember – Antonio can communicate with animals,” Hundgen said.
“Casita has magically kind of put furniture together from the house so that we can go on a journey throughout, and ultimately, we end up in Antonio’s room, which has been transformed into this beautiful, amazing rainforest full of animals,” he said.
The “Indiana Jones” ride, which will replace the current Dinosaur attraction, “will be a completely new story from any other Indy attraction that we’ve ever done anywhere in the world,” Hundgen said. “This one will take place in an ancient Mayan temple that Indy has recently discovered. He’s heard some rumors about this rare artifact that is buried deep within this temple and so he’s bringing us along for this wild exploration.”
The duo repeated some information about a “Monsters, Inc.” land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including the introduction of a suspended coaster. They did not specify the attraction’s location, and fans have speculated about it going up in the Animation Courtyard area or at Muppet Courtyard in the park.
Construction begins next year, D’Amato said.
Disney D23 Brazil, held in Sao Paulo, was the fan club’s first foray into the country. The three-day event also included news about Disney Cruise Line, the company’s upcoming film releases and other businesses.
It was the first trip to the country for D’Amato and Hundgen, they said. D’Amato received a standing ovation before the park’s presentation and later was greeted with chants of “Josh! Josh! Josh!”
D’Amato talked about Walt Disney’s visit to Brazil, which exposed him to the Jose Carioca character (later seen in “The Three Caballeros”), Brazilians’ participation in the Disney College Program and their enthusiasm for Walt Disney World.
“You’re very easy to spot,” he said, referring to the tour groups’ matching T-shirts in the theme parks. “It’s so clear that you’re having the time of your lives.”