We recently wrote about the best and most surprising announcements from the D23 2026 Experiences presentation. While Disney did provide some new details about multiple projects, we want to talk about what wasn’t said. Some announcements were vague and some things we expected weren’t announced at all.
Below are some of the burning questions we have after D23 2026. Disney was pretty vague (OK, extremely vague) with quite a few topics.
Where are the opening dates?
One key piece of information was missing from most of Disney’s D23 announcements – opening dates. We heard that parts of Monstropolis (not the door coaster) will open in 2027. Beyond that, Disney didn’t nail down many specific timelines.
We’ve assumed the Tropical Americas would open in 2027 (at least parts of it), but that’s not confirmed. Piston Peak would make sense for 2028, give or take. Disney didn’t provide any new dates and intentionally avoided clarifying project windows. That obviously gives them flexibility and allows them to build at whatever pace they want should anything change either inside or outside of their control.
As disappointing as it is to not have many firm dates, it’s not surprising. Who knows what can happen in a year or two. We don’t blame Disney for playing it more cautious these days despite our desire to start marking up our calendar.
Is the Spaceship Earth update a total overhaul?
This project was breezed over pretty quickly. No real concept art, no firm details, and no actual description. Disney provided one super quick summary: “Spaceship Earth will receive updates that expand its story from human communication to the broader theme of human connection, while retaining the optimism and wonder that have defined the attraction for generations.”
That’s it. We heard more details the last time Disney announced a Spaceship Earth update. That work obviously never happened, and we’re still not sure what this update will even include. The ride could still use a new track. The descent at the end needs a total overhaul. We’ll have to wait and see what Disney has in mind here.
What’s going on with Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom?
Disney talked a lot about the Space Mountains in Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland. To our surprise, they didn’t mention the Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain. Rumors swirled about a major Space Mountain update, but Disney didn’t mention the ride once.
Even the best rumors don’t always pan out. We’ve even seen announcements that were locked in for D23 pulled at the last second. It’s unclear what happened with this one. We’ve heard Disney may have two plans they’re still deciding between, and we’ve heard they may be waiting to see how their other Space Mountain projects are received. Maybe they want to wait until Piston Peak opens.
If this ends up being an update that boils down to new tracks and updated scenes (like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad) rather than totally new ride, it’s possible this type of update will land on the Disney Parks Blog instead of D23.
What exactly is the new Figment and Dreamfinder experience?
The last announcement at the D23 Experiences presentation was also one of the most vague. Figment and Dreamfinder are finally receiving some love, but what’s coming?
We are taking a new journey into imagination at EPCOT with Dreamfinder and Figment!
Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum
Does that mean Disney is bringing back a modern version of Journey into Imagination from the 1980s? Are they planning to create a brand new story? We don’t know. Disney might not either. We’ve heard reports that this project was approved just before D23, and the final details haven’t even been decided.
Disney knows they need to nail this one. They even said they’re giving fans what they want by updating Figment. We’d want them to take their time and get it right than see the return of Dreamfinder fall on its face. Still … maybe one little detail or two would’ve been nice.
What’s planned for Tomorrowland at Disneyland?
The other major announcement that was big in stature but light on substance is the update to Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park. Disney said they were planning to update the land by “reimagining its future with new attractions, more open spaces and new places.”
We know that Autopia is getting rid of its gas vehicles in 2027. Beyond that, all we have are guesses. It’d be amazing to see the PeopleMover return. We’d also like to see the land flow better. Disney says “more open spaces,” but their recent history of doing just that (see: EPCOT) has been a mixed bag. It’d be nice to have at least some idea of what this means.
It’s worth noting that this project is supposedly taking priority over others at Disneyland Resort (Avatar), so maybe we’ll have a more concrete idea in the next few years.
Is there anything planned for Disney World’s empty spaces?
It’s crazy to us that Walt Disney World still has so many unutilized spaces in prime locations. The old building for Stitch’s Great Escape, the Wonder of Life building, the Discovery River Amphitheater, and more. We discussed several of these spots (What’s Next for These 5 Closed Disney World Spaces?) and we’ve only see one area repurposed (Launch Bay).
There’s obviously a lot of work taking place around Walt Disney World. We’re not accusing Disney of sitting back. However, we wonder why Disney still hasn’t figured something out for the Discovery River Amphitheater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. And, we will always wonder why prime real estate (Stitch’s Great Escape) isn’t back to being used for guests at the Magic Kingdom. Letting the Wonders of Life building sit empty is just sad.
We’re critical of Disney demolishing instead of building new, but these empty spaces are due for an investment. And yes, we know the odds of Disney doing anything with Discovery Island are about as good as us becoming the next CEOs of the company.
Minor stuff we’re just wondering about
- It’s kind of funny we still don’t know much about the ride vehicles for several projects. On the Encanto ride we know we’ll board furniture, but is it trackless? Reports say it’s not despite the art really making it look like a trackless ride. Is the dark ride in Villains Land a scoop ride vehicle? Boat ride? Why is everything so vague?
- Every Disney fan would have loved for Villains Land to have three attractions. Why have Glenn Close joke about a third ride and make some fans think one is planned? It was one of D23’s stranger moments.
- Sticking with Villains Land, it would have been nice to have a bit more teased – dining, interactive elements, something. The lack of substance makes this project feel even more on the backburner than it even is.
