Every couple of years, Disney pulls back the curtain at its D23 fan event and gives the world a glimpse of what's coming to its parks. The 2026 edition — held in Anaheim, California — may well be the most ambitious yet. From a long-awaited Villains Land at Magic Kingdom to a supercharged Avengers Campus expansion and brand-new additions at Disneyland Paris, there's a huge amount for Disney holiday fans to get excited about. Whether you're dreaming of your first trip to Walt Disney World or looking to return with older children who've outgrown their last visit, here's everything you need to know — and why the timing has never been better to book.

Walt Disney World, Florida: The Biggest Transformation in Years

Walt Disney World has always been the benchmark for Disney experiences worldwide, and the D23 2026 announcements confirmed that Florida is about to take things to a whole new level. Several major new lands and attractions are in the pipeline across all four parks.

Villains Land Is Coming to Magic Kingdom

Arguably the most talked-about announcement of the entire event, Villains Land is officially in development at Magic Kingdom. Set within a cursed forest surrounding a mysterious Wishing Well, the new land will be home to two headline attractions: a high-speed roller coaster themed to Maleficent's mountain fortress, and an immersive dark ride hosted by the Evil Queen's Magic Mirror. For families with older children or teenagers who've been clamouring for something with a bit more edge, this is the announcement you've been waiting for.

Piston Peak Brings the World of Cars to Frontierland

Also heading to Magic Kingdom is Piston Peak, a new Cars-themed area that blends the Rocky Mountain frontier setting with the beloved Pixar franchise. Two attractions were confirmed: Cars Ridge Run Rally, an off-road racing ride with terrain-reactive vehicles, and Miss Fritter's Daredevil Spin-Along, a more family-friendly spinning attraction perfect for younger guests.

Monstropolis Arrives at Hollywood Studios in 2027

Monsters Inc. fans, this one's for you. Monstropolis, a fully immersive new land inspired by the beloved Pixar films, is set to begin opening in 2027 at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Expect a suspended "door vault" roller coaster, the Glob Theater (with an original new song by Randy Newman performed by Mike and Sulley), and themed dining including Harryhausen's Restaurant — complete with a sushi chef animatronic — and Archie's Scare Pig Pizza. It's the kind of detail-rich land that rewards curious guests who take time to explore every corner.

Tropical Americas Transforms Animal Kingdom in 2027

DinoLand U.S.A. is making way for one of the most ambitious Animal Kingdom expansions ever. Tropical Americas — an 11-acre development known internally as Pueblo Esperanza — will open in 2027, featuring two major new rides. Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will be the first Disney attraction to feature a lifelike animatronic modelled after Harrison Ford himself, while Antonio's Fiesta de Encanto promises a beautiful family boat ride through the world of the Madrigal family. There's also a hand-carved carousel with 22 unique animals for younger guests.

EPCOT: Beloved Favourites Reimagined

EPCOT is getting two significant updates. Spaceship Earth will receive its first major story refresh in over two decades, shifting its focus to the theme of "human connection". More exciting for many long-term Disney fans: Journey Into Imagination is being completely reimagined, with the official return of both Figment and Dreamfinder — a pairing that fans have campaigned for since Dreamfinder was removed nearly 30 years ago. Meanwhile, over at Animal Kingdom, the Yeti animatronic on Expedition Everest — broken for many years — will finally be restored to full roaring operation.

Disneyland Resort, California: Marvel Goes Even Bigger

If you're visiting California or considering combining a Disney holiday with a West Coast road trip, the Disneyland Resort announcements were equally impressive — particularly for Marvel fans.

Avengers Campus Doubles in Size by 2028

The existing Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure is already a fan favourite, but D23 confirmed it's about to double in size with two brand-new headline attractions arriving in 2028.

• Avengers Infinity Defense — Recruits join forces with Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Captain America (Anthony Mackie), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) to battle King Thanos.
• Stark Flight Lab — Guests train in gyro-kinetic pods alongside Iron Man, Captain America and Captain Marvel — ideal for teens and adults who want something genuinely thrilling.

Also confirmed for Disney California Adventure: a new Coco boat ride that takes guests through Miguel's memories of the Land of the Dead, and a full reimagining of Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park. On the entertainment front, the fan-favourite "Remember… Dreams Come True" fireworks spectacular and the beloved "Magic Happens" daytime parade will both return in 2027.

Disneyland Paris: Great News for UK Families

For many UK families, Disneyland Paris is the natural first choice — and the D23 2026 announcements gave the resort plenty to shout about.

Lion King Land Is Coming to Disney Adventure World

A brand-new Lion King land is under construction at Disney Adventure World (formerly Walt Disney Studios Park). The centrepiece attraction is a major flume ride recreating Simba's journey, featuring a dramatic 52-foot drop and an all-new animatronic Scar — one of Disney's most iconic villains. This is exactly the kind of headline addition that gives families who've already visited Paris a compelling reason to return.

Space Mountain Gets Restored to Its Classic Form

In a move that will delight Disneyland Paris purists, Hyperspace Mountain will close in late 2027 to be painstakingly restored to its original 1995 form — Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune. The classic Jules Verne-inspired theming will return, bringing back one of the most atmospheric indoor coasters Disney has ever built.

What Does All This Mean for Your Disney Holiday?

The sheer scale of what was announced at D23 2026 makes one thing very clear: Disney is investing heavily in its parks, and the next two to three years are going to be an extraordinary time to visit. But with that investment comes increased demand. Popular dates around the 2027 openings will be in high demand — and the best hotel packages, dining reservations and experience slots go quickly.

That's where having a specialist travel agent in your corner makes a real difference. At KBN Travel, our Disney-experienced consultants can help you time your visit perfectly, navigate the booking system, secure the right accommodation for your group and put together a holiday that goes far beyond simply buying park tickets. Whether you're looking at a first-time family trip to Walt Disney World, a romantic break to Disneyland Paris or a California adventure combining the Avengers Campus expansion with wider West Coast highlights, we'll make sure every detail is taken care of.