The D23 Ultimate Disney Fan Event kicks off next week in Anaheim and will offer big news and updates for theme park fans. The expo takes place every 2 years, with a massive show floor full of exhibits, panels discussing the history and details of the company and extravagant showcases that tell fans what to expect in years to come. For theme park fans, Saturday, August 15th, is the one to circle on the calendars! In this post, we’ll predict what park announcements will be made at the D23 2026 Expo.

After the rip-roaring Disney Parks & Experiences showcase at the 2024 D23 Expo, the 2026 showcase could be a lesson in expectations. Major expansions were announced in 2024 and are already under construction in 4 of the 6 domestic Disney Parks. 2 of those parks, Magic Kingdom and California Adventure, have multiple expansions being worked on at the same time. To go in expecting Disney to double these projects, or even announce 50% of the new things they did at the last Expo is fairly unrealistic. Maybe Neil Patrick Harris, the host of the showcase, will go rogue and just announce things not on the docket? Crossing my fingers on that one!

I wrote last week about some ‘dreaming big’ projects that I’d love to see announced, and there’s a strong possibility of the domestic parks making a splash announcement or two. But the calendar is booked through 2030 and beyond at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World. Considering the economy and the heavy investments already announced, I expect 2026 to be more muted than the raucous previous edition. There’s plenty of room for smaller but meaningful announcements though.

That’s not to say it won’t be exciting, the updates alone should have any Disney Parks fan thrilled. Pictures of the upcoming expansions will become clearer and questions will be answered. While the last Expo was brimming with big ideas, this year will likely be focusing on details. I’m excited to have some news about existing projects to really sink our teeth into.

With all of the projects stateside, 2026 could also be a big year of news for the Disney Cruise Line and foreign parks. DCL is a little bit outside of my realm so I’ll stay away from any conjecture there. Foreign parks can be tricky to predict, as they have other events where it makes sense to share announcements but I’ve included them below.

This predictions post will reflect that, well, prediction on the update heavy content. I’ve added all of the Disney Parks below, starting with Disneyland, and have at least one announcement (even if it’s just a project update) for each of them. I’ve added the percentage chance I think of these announcements actually happening beside the header before diving into my reasoning for each.

Before diving in, I’ll say that these almost always end up being laughably wrong. While I have my reasons for predicting them, as I’ll detail below each one, there’s usually a few complete surprises and usually a few things everyone thinks will get announced and then don’t. You’re more than welcome to get out your checklist and mark what I miss before teasing me about it at a later date. Just remember, I love baseball and that getting a hit 3 out of 10 times means you’re an excellent player. That’s what I strive for, batting .300. Let’s get to it, starting with Disneyland Resort!

Disneyland

Autopia & Tomorrowland Update – 90%

We already know that an Autopia update is coming to Disneyland. Thank goodness! The gas guzzlers will be going electric and the fumes wafting over Tomorrowland should be no more. I expect a minor update on this project, whether it be on the show floor in the Imagineering pavilion or during the showcase. Along with the new cars, small changes to Autopia’s characters, plot and design could take place. Bye bye, Bird?

Will Autopia be a gateway to more Tomorrowland announcements? I doubt it, even if Disneyland’s edition is in desperate need of an overhaul. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll finally hear about a redo of the land’s entrance. An Autopia update a safe bet, everything else is more of a dream.

Main Street Electrical Parade Rerun & A Surprise Fireworks Announcement – 75%

The rumor that has gained the most steam, just like a runaway train, in the last few weeks is that Main Street Electrical Parade will be back at Disneyland to celebrate the icon’s 55th anniversary. Do we need to celebrate the 55th anniversary of a parade that has had more sendoffs than I have fingers? Probably not, but I’ve heard this rumor from too many places to not believe it at this point. Here’s hoping that it comes with a few enhancements if it is announced.

Along those same lines, I think a return of a beloved fireworks show is likely. My pick would be Remember… Dreams Come True but there’s a long list to choose from. Now that the 70th anniversary has wrapped up, bringing back a nostalgic show for 2027 makes sense. I also wouldn’t be mad about Wondrous Journeys continuing but I think the resort will try to spice things up.

While we’re on the entertainment side, I’d love to see Magic Happens return to Disneyland. This is probably the case of one or the other, when it comes to Magic Happens or the Main Street Electrical Parade. I’ll go with the prediction of MSEP but am crossing my fingers for the other.

Fantasmic Reboot – 60%

We’ll keep the nighttime entertainment predictions coming! Ever since Fantasmic has returned after Murphy (the dragon) burnt down, the show has been a disappointment. The nighttime spectacular along Rivers of America has been running in B-mode for years and it’s time for that to change. Build a new dragon that’s worthy of the hallowed Fantasmic! I think this prediction is less likely than a parade returning but I’m still fairly confident on it. Maybe this is all billed as Disneyland revamping their nighttime entertainment in 2027 and announced in one fell swoop.

California Adventure

Avengers Campus Update – 100%

We know this is coming, as construction progress on Avengers Campus has moved quickly. While there’s a chance an opening season is announced, I expect the news to center around the E-ticket attraction. Revealing the ride system for Avengers: Infinity Defense, which is believed to be like Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure in Tokyo DisneySea, and the plot to the Honda Center crowds seem like easy wins. I don’t think there will be much to share about Stark Flight Lab but they might reveal an animatronic. No matter which way they go, there should be plenty of news about the Avengers Campus expansion.

Coco Update – 100%

Just like Avengers Campus, California Adventure’s Coco attraction should receive an update. The ride construction is underway even though the details have been a little scarce ever since the 2024 update.

When first announced, Walt Disney Imagineering shared that the boat ride will draw inspiration for the attraction from beloved classics, like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. “We’re bringing our skeletal cast of characters to life in a big way through the latest Audio-Animatronics technology,” Josh D’Amaro said. “These figures will appear in ways you’ll have to see to believe.”

Getting more details on the plot of the attraction seems likely. I’d love to see some concept art of the ride’s facade and how it will fit into Pixar Pier but time will tell on that one.

Avatar(?) Update – 90%

The last of the updates at California Adventure centers around Avatar. This has been previously announced. As of late, there have been fan-led rumors that a Zootopia land could take the place of Avatar. I don’t think that’s likely but it’s why I’ve dropped the percentage down to 90. If Avatar isn’t mentioned then it’s safe to assume the project is in flux and Zootopia might happen. An Avatar experience was brought up in the latest earnings call on the graphic below but I wouldn’t take that as confirmation, at least not yet.

If there are Avatar updates, getting any sorts of details on what the boat ride will look like, how it will fit into California Adventure and if it will include a large land would be a plus. While I could care less about the Avatar movie franchise, I think having something beautiful in DCA would go a long ways. Respectfully, I think an Avatar themed land has a better chance at doing that than Zootopia. Sivako!

Original World of Color Return – 65%

Turning away from updates, we’re currently in wait and see mode on what World of Color will come to California Adventure after the holidays. I think a return to the original, perhaps with a few updated scenes, would be an easy win announcement for the company. This could go in the aforementioned nighttime entertainment at Disneyland Resort swoop! Keep the Muppets preshow around forever though.

Disneyland Resort

Eastern Gateway Update – 75%

This wouldn’t be the most exciting update but mentioning the new parking structure and transportation hub coming to Disneyland Resort would be nice. If they wanted to do a sneak peek at what’s ahead for the resort, possibly teasing the future then bringing up the Eastern Gateway makes sense.

Magic Kingdom

Piston Peak Update – 100%

We’ll breeze through some updates that will surely be brought up in Magic Kingdom. The first one of those is the new Cars themed land that is being built in the area formerly known as Tom Sawyer’s Island. A show floor model of the land would be really exciting, giving everyone a better grasp of what will be offered.

Along with that, some new video and plot details on the two rides in Piston Peak feels likely. The project is moving at a pretty fast pace but I doubt that we’ll be hearing anything about an opening season, since it likely won’t be until 2028 at the earliest.

Villains Land Update – 100%

I think the 2026 D23 Expo will be when Villains Land turns from abstract ideas and rumors to actual details! The land has been brought up so many times over the last year, with speculation on what all will be included in the large expansion. Some questions that I hope are answered:

• What are the ride systems for the two main attractions in the land?
• Will there be a third, smaller attraction?
• Is the dinner show Hades themed? Is there actually a dinner show?
• Is there any truth to the Yzma & Kronk roller coaster rumor?
• What is the meaning of life?

Not all of those questions will be answered but having a few of those details come out along with updated concept art would reinvigorate the crowd, after this project got the loudest cheers in the 2024 Expo. We probably won’t have a model on the show floor until 2028 but any updates will be exciting here.

Carousel of Progress Update – 100%

Carousel of Progress is closed and receiving a major update! This is all recent so there’s not much to add in terms of commentary but I think we’ll see a closer look at what Imagineering is adding to the iconic attraction.

Space Mountain Retrack/Reimagining – 85%

Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain needs some help in the worst way. The track is on its last legs and there’s many reasons to believe a redone track is coming. Will that include an overhaul of the attraction? It’s very possible! After the plussings done at Buzz and Big Thunder, along with a host of Epcot attractions, it is now Space Mountain’s turn.

Haunted Mansion Parlor – 85%

With Piston Peak construction ongoing, a building near Haunted Mansion has started coming into focus. I’m going to go along with everyone else in thinking that this is a Haunted Mansion themed bar and lounge. Borrowing from the Disney Cruise Line, this spot would likely be similar to The Beak and Barrel. I’d rather this be a full on counter-service restaurant, improving Magic Kingdom’s offerings but Walt Disney World has had a lot of success with the bar and lounge model recently. Maybe this space is something else entirely but all signs are pointing to a Haunted Mansion Parlor coming to Magic Kingdom.

Starlight/Festival of Fantasy Enhancements – 40%

I think this is the lowest percentage I’m giving anything on the predictions, but it’s such an easy win that I wanted to include. Both of Magic Kingdom’s parades could use a little something extra. Starlight opened last summer and is a great addition to the park but could use another float and some more street performers. On the other side of things, Festival of Fantasy is getting a little long in the tooth and anything new would help it improve. Heck, maybe a whole new daytime parade will be announced?? That’s unlikely, but I’m hoping for some love for these parades one way or another.

Epcot

Reimagining the Imagination Pavilion – 55%

All of my Epcot predictions are big and I can’t get a feel for which one is more likely than the other. I don’t think all three of these predictions will be announced, hence the 55%. I’ll start off with the biggest and that’s with Figment at the Imagination Pavilion. Redoing the ride feels like a when, not an if at this point. Then again, people have been predicting an overhaul for at least a decade so maybe the joke is on us.

Still, all signs are pointing to a reimagined Imagination Pavilion by Epcot’s 50th anniversary. That’s in 6 years from now and the pace of some of these projects is slow. I think announcing this one and doing the whole thing in phases makes sense, beginning with some of the smaller spots in the pavilion before finishing off with the coup de grâce in a brand new Figment ride opening in time for the 50th. There’s a lot of smoke here but I still think it’s either this or…

Spaceship Earth Reimagining – 55%

For as bad as Journey Into Imagination With Figment is, Spaceship Earth needs almost as much work. The concept and bones of the ride are still great but it is tired. A reimagining was announced prior to COVID but then was scrapped. This is another attraction that feels like it’s going to be done by the park’s 50th anniversary one way or another. The recent trajectory of the park makes me think that this gets announced before the Imagination Pavilion but fixing up an existing ride wouldn’t get as much buzz as the beloved Figment.

Illuminations Returns – 55%

Now, for something completely different. Epcot’s fireworks have never been the same since Illuminations: Reflections of Earth left the park. Some have had great pyro, others a great soundtrack, and some had a good concept. Others were complete duds. But none of them have pulled off what Illuminations could – sharing the Epcot’s ethos in an inspiring and beautiful way. If the 2027 summer at Walt Disney World needs a shot in the arm, this is an easy way to give it!

Hollywood Studios

Monstropolis Update – 100%

Monstropolis is another Walt Disney World expansion that’s coming up quickly. There’s an outside shot of an opening season date being given here. More than likely, we’ll get an exorbitant amount of details that could include:

• A new look at the ride system for the door coaster
• What will be inside of the Glob Theater
• How humans are visiting Monstropolis
• A look inside of Harryhausen’s

That’s just scratching the surface! Monstropolis is going to be a hit so I expect Disney to feature it heavily in the showcase. So much so that I think other announcements at Hollywood Studios will be very minimal.

Animal Kingdom

Tropical Americas Update – 100%

For being the next big expansion set to open at Walt Disney World, the amount we know about Tropical Americas feels minimal. That will change next week. I can all but guarantee that there will be a model on the show floor. On top of that I expect the parks showcase to expand on the two major attractions in the land. Sharing plot details on Indiana Jones Adventure should be a no brainer.

There’s even more to talk about with Encanto as we could dive into the ride system, show new concept art and get into the plot. This is all before talking about the counter-service restaurant, carousel and shopping within Tropical Americas. We’re excited to learn more!

Drone Show – 55%

Tropical Americas is (hopefully) opening next year and with that will come expanded park hours and higher crowd levels. Good thing there’s a large amphitheater in Animal Kingdom just waiting to be used! The long rumored drone nighttime spectacular could finally take flight at Animal Kingdom. I expect that to be announced at some point. Whether that’s at this D23 Expo or next year probably depends on how bullish they are on the Tropical Americas opening date. I’ll play it conservative with a 55% in this case.

Walt Disney World

Lakeshore Lodge Update – 100%

The newest DVC hotel coming to Walt Disney World has received plenty of updates lately via the Disney Parks Blog. A recap of those plus a look at the construction progress of Lakeshore Lodge should be in the cards for the showcase panel. I’m not sure that there’s more to announce on that but an update is obvious. Will a new hotel be announced along with that?

Tokyo Disneyland

New Tomorrowland Opening Season & Update – 90%

At the very least, guests should be treated to an update on Tokyo Disneyland’s massive Tomorrowland project. That includes an extremely expensive and brand new Space Mountain, a Wreck-it Ralph ride taking the place of Buzz and a new courtyard. These are all set to open in 2027 and it stands to reason that a season, if not a date, would be announced at the Expo. Oriental Land Company might want to hold the announcement for themselves but I could see the project being heavily featured on the show floor.

Tokyo DisneySea

Port Discovery Teaser – 50%

Aquatopia is closing at Tokyo DisneySea to make way for a large expansion in Port Discovery. What will that Port Discovery expansion include?

But the ride closes in September and it stands to reason that construction (well, first demolition) should start shortly after that. Getting a glimpse at what will fill this expanded area would be a treat. Oriental Land Company does their own thing but they did feature plenty of Fantasy Springs information two years before it opened at a D23 Expo. I might be dreaming here but a Port Discovery reveal seems like it has a shot to be announced.

Disneyland Paris & Disney Adventure World

Lion King Update – 100%

Disney Adventure World needs to keep the momentum going! After adding a Frozen Land and rebranding the park, the next expansion will be the Pride Lands including a water drop ride themed to Lion King. This is another show floor model that feels likely as well as an elaborate update from whoever’s on stage to talk about this. There’s also an outside chance of an opening season being revealed.

Beyond Lion King – 70%

Once Lion King talk is done, I think the attention turns to what is next for Disney Adventure World. There’s land to use and the park desperately needs to keep improving. Once upon a time, Galaxy’s Edge was announced for this park. That has been scrapped. Avatar was batted around for a minute. Now it’s anyone’s guess on what the next step for Disney Adventure World is but I think an announcement of some kind happens.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Spider-Man Drop Ride Update – 100%

A drop ride, similar to Tower of Terror, is coming to Hong Kong Disneyland and this one is Marvel themed. No, the Guardians of the Galaxy aren’t breaking out (or is it BREAK(ING)OUT), instead Spidey and some of the superheroes will try to save guests from the many evils that plague the Marvel universe. Overuse of CGI isn’t one of the known villains in the attraction. This project has been known for 2 years but details are still vague so I expect the picture to become a little clearer with this update.

Shanghai Disneyland

Spider-Man Coaster & Land Update – 100%

Disney recently showed off a bit of the Spider-Man roller coaster coming to Shanghai. There’s a cool animatronic along with visual progress of the coaster being built. I think final concept art will be shown, perhaps a full name will be revealed and there will be video of the animatronic. Similar to all of the updates in the domestic parks, this is an easy way to reintroduce projects and get people excited on what’s coming soon.

New Hotels Update – 100%

Disney Enchanted Star Hotel at Shanghai Disneyland has been announced and will open in 2027 while an additional hotel has been all but confirmed. I think an update on the progress of the hotel will be shown either on the show floor or at the showcase. This is an easy update to throw in, showing off how much is going on in the foreign parks.

Second Park Announcement – 50%

Rumors are swirling about Shanghai Disneyland getting a second theme park. If Disney wants to make a big splash at the 2026 Expo, this is one of the ways to go about it. I’m firmly on the fence about it being announced, as I think Shanghai Disneyland might wait until D23 Asia or at another time. That said, if the rest of the slate is update heavy then this could come up. I think Neil Patrick Harris and Josh D’Amaro talking about this is just as likely, if not more, than them bringing up the announced park in Abu Dhabi.

Final Thoughts

Even if there’s not as many new announcements at this year’s Expo, there is so much to talk about. An entertainment heavy list of new projects makes sense and could easily be packaged together in a 15 minute segment featuring what’s coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World. That along with updates and few big splash announcements would make for a great year. We hope to see you all there enjoying the festivities! We’ll be there and will be updating the site as announcements come out.

Those are our 2026 D23 Expo predictions! What do you want to see announced? Let us know, along with any questions you might have, in the comments below! Planning a trip to Disneyland? Check out our Planning Guide here. Looking for discount tickets? Check out this site! If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. All of those links are on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!