Disney fans have plenty to look forward to following D23 2026.
Disney revealed new details about upcoming attractions, resort projects and experiences across Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort and Disney Cruise Line. For Disney Vacation Club Members, some of these announcements are particularly exciting, especially as we look ahead to 2027 and beyond.
From our latest look at Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge to major changes at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the next few years could bring some of the biggest changes we’ve seen at Walt Disney World in quite some time.
Here are some of the biggest D23 2026 announcements and what they could mean for DVC Members.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge Is Coming in Summer 2027
One of the most important announcements for Disney Vacation Club Members involves Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, the new Disney resort currently being built along Bay Lake.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is projected to open in summer 2027 and will feature 967 rooms with accommodations ranging from studios to larger suites.
©Disney – Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is projected to open along Bay Lake in summer 2027.
Disney has also revealed more about the resort’s new one- and two-bedroom Lake Houses.
These waterfront accommodations are designed to connect guests with nature and Disney storytelling. Expect large floor-to-ceiling windows, warm woods, natural materials and subtle references to Disney animated films, including Brother Bear.
The Lake Houses should also provide something many DVC families appreciate: additional space.
With full kitchens, larger living areas and a peaceful location along Bay Lake, these accommodations could become a popular option for families looking for something different from a traditional DVC villa.
The Wetlands Brings a Lazy River to Lakeshore Lodge
©Disney – The Wetlands will feature the Daydream River lazy river, Lakeshore Lagoon feature pool and family recreation areas.
The resort itself is also shaping up to have an impressive collection of recreational amenities.
Disney has announced The Wetlands, a large outdoor recreation area located beyond the resort lobby.
The centerpiece will be Lakeshore Lagoon, a zero-entry feature pool complete with a spiral waterslide.
There will also be the Daydream River, giving Lakeshore Lodge something that should immediately get the attention of Disney resort fans: a lazy river.
Families will also find children’s play areas inspired by Pocahontas, while Cypress Point will offer a quieter leisure pool and whirlpool spa.
Perhaps best of all, Disney says guests at Lakeshore Lodge will be able to enjoy views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
For DVC Members, Lakeshore Lodge will certainly be one of the biggest stories to follow as we move toward 2027.
Big Changes Are Coming to Magic Kingdom
©Disney – A new Cars-inspired adventure is part of Magic Kingdom’s major expansion.
Magic Kingdom has several major projects in development.
Disney provided additional details about Piston Peak, the new area inspired by Pixar’s Cars.
The area will include new attractions such as Cars Ridge Run Rally and Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along.
But that isn’t the only major expansion coming to Magic Kingdom.
Disney Reveals More About Villains Land
©Disney – The upcoming Villains-themed land at Magic Kingdom will feature two major attractions along with dining and shopping.
One of the most anticipated projects announced for Walt Disney World is the upcoming Villains Land.
Disney has revealed plans for two major attractions.
One attraction will be a thrilling coaster involving Maleficent and her enchanted briars, while another will take guests into the mysterious world of the Magic Mirror.
There is still plenty we don’t know about Villains Land, including an opening date, but this could eventually become one of Magic Kingdom’s most significant expansions.
Carousel of Progress Is Getting an Update
©Disney – Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is expected to receive updates beginning in 2027.
A Walt Disney World classic is also receiving some attention.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is expected to receive updates beginning in late spring 2027.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston are joining the attraction’s voice cast as the mother and father.
For longtime Disney fans, Carousel of Progress holds a special place in park history because of its connection to Walt Disney and the 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair.
Updating an attraction with that history can be a delicate balancing act, so we’re interested to see how Disney introduces something new while preserving what has made Carousel of Progress special for generations.
Dreamfinder Is Returning to EPCOT
©Disney – Dreamfinder and Figment will be reunited at EPCOT, bringing back one of the park’s most beloved character pairings.
This might be one of our favorite announcements from D23.
Dreamfinder is returning to EPCOT alongside Figment.
For longtime EPCOT fans, Dreamfinder and Figment are an important part of the park’s history.
The characters originally appeared together in Journey Into Imagination when the attraction opened in 1983. Although Figment remained part of EPCOT, Dreamfinder disappeared from the attraction years ago.
Now they’re finally going to be reunited.
Disney hasn’t revealed every detail about what their next adventure will entail, but simply knowing that Dreamfinder and Figment will be together again is exciting news for longtime EPCOT fans.
Spaceship Earth Will Receive a New Story
Disney plans to reimagine Spaceship Earth with a broader story centered around human connection.
Another EPCOT icon is getting an update.
Disney plans to reimagine Spaceship Earth, expanding the attraction’s story beyond human communication and into the broader theme of human connection.
The attraction will continue exploring humanity’s progress while maintaining the optimism and sense of possibility that have always been part of Spaceship Earth.
Disney has not yet revealed all of the changes, so this is another project we’ll be following closely.
Yes, The Expedition Everest Yeti Will Move Again
©Disney- Disney says the legendary Expedition Everest Yeti will move again.
This announcement certainly caught our attention.
Disney says the legendary Yeti inside Expedition Everest will move again.
The massive Audio-Animatronic figure originally moved dramatically toward riders as trains raced through the mountain. However, the figure has remained largely stationary for many years, with lighting and other effects helping create the illusion of movement.
For longtime Animal Kingdom fans, seeing the Yeti move again could be an attraction all by itself!
Tropical Americas Is Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
©Disney – Tropical Americas will bring the world of Encanto and Indiana Jones to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Of course, the Yeti isn’t the only big change coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The former DinoLand U.S.A. area is being transformed into Tropical Americas, also known as Pueblo Esperanza.
The new land is scheduled to open in 2027 and will feature several attractions.
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent
A new Indiana Jones adventure will take guests into an ancient Maya temple in search of a mythical creature.
Although Indiana Jones attractions exist at other Disney destinations, Disney has said this will be an entirely new adventure.
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto
Disney is also bringing the world of Encanto to life.
Guests will enter the Madrigal family’s Casita and experience Antonio’s special gift day.
El Carrusel de los Animalitos
Families will also find a beautifully themed carousel featuring animals inspired by Disney stories.
Together, these additions should dramatically change this section of Animal Kingdom when Tropical Americas opens.
Monstropolis Begins Opening at Hollywood Studios
©Disney – Monstropolis will bring the world of Monsters, Inc. to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including the highly anticipated door-vault coaster.
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests will soon be able to step into the world of Monsters, Inc.
Monstropolis is expected to begin opening in 2027 with new dining, shopping and entertainment experiences.
Of course, the attraction getting the most attention is Disney’s planned suspended-door coaster.
The attraction will recreate one of the most memorable sequences from Monsters, Inc., sending guests through the door vault.
Disney hasn’t announced an opening date for the coaster yet, so we’ll have to wait a little longer for that one.
Disneyland Resort Has Big Plans Too
©Disney – Coco boat attraction coming to Disney California Adventure
D23 wasn’t only about Walt Disney World.
Disneyland Resort has several major projects underway.
Disney announced that Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park will be reimagined, with Disney looking to honor the area’s history while creating a new vision based on innovation, optimism and possibility.
Meanwhile, Disney California Adventure is getting the first Disney attraction based on Pixar’s Coco.
The family-friendly boat attraction will take guests into Miguel’s memories and the colorful Land of the Dead.
Avengers Campus Is Doubling in Size
©Disney – Avengers Campus expansion at Disney California Adventure
Marvel fans also have something big to look forward to.
Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure will double in size, with two major attractions planned:
- Avengers Infinity Defense
- Stark Flight Lab
The attractions are currently expected in 2028.
Disneyland Resort will also bring back several popular entertainment offerings in 2027, including “Remember… Dreams Come True,” “World of Color” and the “Magic Happens” parade.
Disney Cruise Line Continues to Expand
©Disney – The Disney Believe is expected to join the Disney Cruise Line fleet in late 2027.
Disney Cruise Line also received plenty of attention at D23.
The Disney Believe is scheduled to begin sailing in late 2027 as another addition to Disney’s growing fleet.
The ship’s Grand Hall will feature a Moana-inspired design, including a bronze statue featuring Moana, Pua and Heihei.
Guests will also find Tinker Bell on the ship’s bow and Woody and Buzz Lightyear decorating the stern.
Disney isn’t stopping there.
An entirely new class of three Disney cruise ships is being developed, with the first expected to arrive in 2029.
Disney Cruise Line also plans to increase the number of sailings departing from San Diego, creating additional options for West Coast travelers.
What Do the D23 Announcements Mean for DVC Members?
The biggest takeaway from D23 2026 may simply be the amount of investment Disney continues to make in its parks, resorts and cruise experiences.
For DVC Members, that’s important.
Disney Vacation Club is a long-term vacation ownership program, so what Disney builds five, 10 or even 20 years from now can be just as interesting as what’s available today.
Lakeshore Lodge will provide another resort option. New attractions give existing DVC Members new reasons to return. Major park expansions could also influence where Members choose to stay and how they use their points.
And with projects stretching into 2027, 2028, 2029 and beyond, there is a lot more Disney on the horizon.
Looking Ahead to the Future of Disney Vacation Club
D23 2026 gave Disney fans plenty to talk about.
We’re especially excited to see Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge take shape, Dreamfinder reunite with Figment and the Expedition Everest Yeti finally get moving again.
But we’re equally interested in what these projects mean for Disney Vacation Club Members and the overall vacation experience.
As Disney releases additional information, we’ll continue following these projects and sharing the news and updates that matter.
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Written by:
Jerry Sydow
When it comes to creating Disney magic and maximizing the value of a DVC Membership or a Disney vacation, Jerry is the expert families trust. With more than 25 years of experience at The Timeshare Store, Inc.®, Jerry has helped thousands of guests become DVC Members and secure unforgettable DVC rentals. Whether you’re exploring membership for the first time or searching for the perfect resort stay, Jerry and his team are here to make the process seamless, magical, and truly memorable.