The Walt Disney Company outlined some major changes coming to its Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida over the weekend at the D23 Expo, as part of the company’s billions in future investments for the property.
The announcements come not long after the company made peace with Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointed oversight district for the area, leading to an official investment pledge of up to $17 billion and the capability for Disney to construct a fifth theme park in the future.
Among the announcements include a villains and Cars expansion at the Magic Kingdom.
“As we develop the next generation of Disney Experiences, we’re always looking for new ways to tell the stories people love,” Disney Experiences Chairman D’Amaro said. “We’re thrilling Cars fans by building on this incredibly successful franchise and creating the next chapter in this story.”
Disney is also bringing Indiana Jones and Encanto-themed lands and attractions to the company’s Animal Kingdom theme park.
“Guests will enter the land through Pueblo Esperanza, a fictional village in heart of the rainforest that will feel lived-in, with a long, rich history,” the announcement said, regarding Encanto.
“On the outskirts of the town, an adventure awaits with pop culture’s most beloved archeologist, Indiana Jones. The attraction takes place inside a mysterious Maya temple and will be an all-new adventure, unlike any of the existing Indy attractions around the world,” it continued.
At Hollywood Studios, Disney is going to create a new Monsters, Inc. land, and build its first suspended coaster themed around the “Laugh Factory” door transports in the original movie.
Disney’s announcements come as a local competitor, Universal Orlando Resort, is slated to open a third theme park named “Epic Universe” in summer 2025.
Earlier this year, DeSantis had urged Disney to “respond” to that with new attractions and potentially a new park of its own.
Not all of the lands have an exact opening time frame, but the Indiana Jones and Encanto lands are reported to open in 2027, nearly two years after the new Universal Park.