Destination D23 | All theme park news from Disney convention, updated all weekend
Destination D23 2025 is underway, and we’re updating this page with all the Disney theme park news announced. Bookmark this page and come back for every big reveal in one place.
Destination D23 overview
Destination D23 is Aug. 29-31, 2025, at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Fla. The weekend includes Kuzcotopia at Typhoon Lagoon and a packed slate of programming at the convention center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort (some of which are livestreamed for D23 gold members). Day 1, Aug. 29, was mainly a shopping opportunity. Days 2 & 3, Aug. 30 & 31, will have panels with news.
While there’s no “parks panel” at this year’s Destination D23 as in previous iterations of the event — meaning, no specific panel devoted entirely to theme park news — instead we can expect some theme park-related announcements sprinkled throughout other panels when the topic is relevant to the panel’s subject matter.
Attractions Magazine is here at Destination D23 in person, and we’re updating this page all weekend long with all the breaking Disney theme park news. Check out the first news bits below, and stay tuned for more!
News from Sunday, Aug. 31
Cinderella Castle classic paint scheme will return
Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom will be restored to its classic color scheme of white and blue. Several years ago, Disney painted the castle shades of gold and pink in preparation for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary.
Here’s concept art of the new, old look:
See our separate coverage for more about Cinderella Castle’s new paint transformation and photo comparisons from over the years.
Opening date for Frozen in Paris
World of Frozen, the previously announced expansion of Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris, will open in spring 2026.
Along with this expansion, the park will change names to become Disney Adventure World (also previously announced).
Legendary villains animator helping create Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
Disney Legend Andreas Deja — who served as the supervising animator for such villains as Jafar in “Aladdin” and Scar in “The Lion King” — is part of the team bringing Villains Land to Magic Kingdom. The project, originally announced at D23 2024, is currently under construction.
Imagineers appeared in person at Destination D23 2025 to share photos from their research trips to France and Spain in search for a design style they’re calling “conjured architecture.” Learn more in our separate coverage of the Villains Land announcements.
Dr. Facilier onboard the Disney Destiny
Dr. Facilier from “The Princess and the Frog” will be onboard the upcoming Disney Destiny cruise ship, setting sail in November 2025, with a “play & greet” experience involving parlor tricks. Disney revealed the experience at Destination D23 along with a piece of concept art.
Disney Villains take over Hong Kong Disneyland for Halloween
Disney announced new entertainment programming under the banner of “Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Party” for Hong Kong Disneyland. The festivities will debut on Sept. 19, 2025, and will include a “cavalcade, street show, and musical spectacle.”
News from Saturday, Aug. 30
Carousel of Progress update with Walt Disney animatronic in Florida
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress will be updated at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, and including a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure. The world’s first Walt animatronic only just debuted in July 2025 at Disneyland.
This marks the first major update to Carousel of Progress since 1993. Disney did not provide a timeline for the project, which will also include changes elsewhere throughout the Carousel of Progress attraction.
More details in our separate coverage on this project.
New Disneyland documentary
From director Leslie Iwerks will come “Disneyland Handcrafted,” a new documentary about the park’s early years, inspired by over 80 hours of archival material she and Marty Sklar found while Iwerks made “The Imagineering Story.” The documentary will stream on Disney+ and on the Disney YouTube channel this winter.
Tron: Lightcycle / Run overlay at Magic Kingdom
Starting Sept. 15, 2025, for a limited time, the Tron: Lightcycle / Run roller coasters at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and at Shanghai Disneyland will debut a red overlay in time for “Tron: Ares,” debuting in movie theaters this October.
Officer Clawhauser makes his stateside debut
After previously appearing at international Disney theme parks, Officer Clawhauser from “Zootopia” appeared onstage at Destination D23, marking the character’s first time in the U.S.
Clawhauser was in Florida exclusively for Destination D23; he will not have a regular meet & greet at Walt Disney World.
D23 2026 dates
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will return to Anaheim, Calif., from Aug 14-16, 2026. This is the event formerly known as D23 Expo, and it’s much larger in scale than Destination D23.
As with the 2024 iteration of The Ultimate Fan Event, the official Disney convention will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center (next door to Disneyland) with evening presentations at the Honda Center, an arena venue.
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is typically Disney’s biggest opportunity every two years for major theme park news. It was at 2024’s event when Disney revealed Villains Land and new “Cars” rides for Magic Kingdom, as well as the upcoming “Monsters, Inc.” roller coaster for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and much more.
More news to come!
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