“Destination D23” 2025: What’s Been Announced Around the World

(eap) This past weekend, the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida hosted the fan event “Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney,” a multi-day conference featuring a total of 25 presentations by executives of The Walt Disney Company, including members of the Disney Imagineering team. During the event, numerous announcements and updates from across the Disney universe were revealed. Fans had the opportunity to learn first-hand what Disney is planning and preparing for the coming months. Below, we have summarized the most relevant news concerning the company’s theme parks and leisure offerings.

For European audiences, the most notable announcement is the confirmation that the new “World of Frozen” themed area at Disneyland Paris is now scheduled to open in spring 2026. The expansion, inspired by the animated film “Frozen”, forms part of the ongoing transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park into the new Disney Adventure World.

At the Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort Florida, visitors will in future have the opportunity to encounter Walt Disney himself in the “Carousel of Progress” attraction, located in the park’s Tomorrowland themed area, through the use of an Audio-Animatronics^® figure. “The introduction of a new Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney in Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress marks an exciting milestone in our shared mission to celebrate the story of the man behind the magic and inspire new generations with his innovations and vision for the future,” Kirsten Komoroske, executive director of the Walt Disney Family Museum, said. She added, “We appreciate the continued efforts and meticulous care that Imagineering has taken to keep Walt’s legacy alive.”

Further announcements concerning the Magic Kingdom Park included the news that Disney Legend Andreas Deja – the animator behind iconic Disney villains such as “Gaston”, “Jafar” and “Scar” – will serve as a creative consultant for the development of the new “Villains Land” themed area at the park.

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To promote the upcoming film “TRON: Ares”, which is scheduled for theatrical release on October 10, 2025, Disney revealed a temporary music overlay for the roller coaster attractions “TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise” at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and “TRON Lightcycle Power Run presented by Chevrolet” at Shanghai Disney Resort. Starting on 15 and 16 September respectively, guests will be able to experience the film’s soundtrack on the coasters.

In addition, fans were given a preview of some of the themed beverage specialties that will be available in the lounges aboard the “Disney Destiny,” the latest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Among them are “Mirror Dimension” at “The Sanctum” (inspired by Marvel’s “Doctor Strange”), “My Way” at the Haunted Mansion Parlor, and “Dead Man’s Chest” at Cask & Cannon (inspired by the “Pirates of the Caribbean” attractions). The Disney Destiny is set to embark on its maiden voyage in November 2025. ■