D23 2026 is almost here! That means it’s time to once again whip out the crystal ball and make some predictions on what Disney will announce for Walt Disney World. With so many projects currently under construction around Walt Disney World, should fans temper their expectations? Or will Disney keep the news coming?
Feel free to make your best guesses (or just make fun of us) in the comments below.
Prediction: More Details for Piston Peak
Disney has talked a lot about the vibe and setting of Piston Peak in the Magic Kingdom, but they’ve been pretty vague about the attractions. Last we heard, Piston Peak’s starring attraction is an off-road rally race. It remains to be seen how they’re going to pull that off. Hopefully we’ll learn more about what Disney has decided on here.
Prediction: Space Mountain Update
Remember the rumor about the Space Mountain update? If Disney is giving details about other projects around the Magic Kingdom, it’d make a lot of sense to announce this one too. Space Mountain is due for an update. But, Disney fans are very divided on whether they want a simple track refresh or a totally new experience.
Hope: Something New for the Tomorrowland Speedway
Sticking in Tomorrowland, we’d love to see something – anything – done with the Tomorrowland Speedway. The similar attraction out in Disneyland is removing their gas vehicles, and the very least we’d like to see the same thing done in the Magic Kingdom. Or, maybe it’s time to remove the Speedway entirely and come up with something new. If Disney is updating Space Mountain, maybe a joint project would make a lot of sense.
Prediction: Journey Into Imagination Update
Yes, we’ve predicted this one before. Yes, we’re well aware we’ve been wrong more than once. But it’s time! It’s finally time for Journey Into Imagination With Figment to see some love. The Imagination Pavilion as a whole deserves a massive update. We think newish CEO Josh D’Amaro will want to get some wins with the Disney diehards, and an Imagination Pavilion update could do it.
If not, we’ll see you for this prediction next year!
Hope: A Show for Disney’s Animal Kingdom
It’s crazy to us that the Discovery River Amphitheater has sat empty for roughly four years. Disney just hasn’t been able to figure out what to do with this space. RIP KiteTails (so unintentionally funny) and the many phases of Rivers of Light. We’d love to see something done with the Amphitheater, though we feel a nighttime show at Animal Kingdom remains a longshot.
Prediction: Spaceship Earth Update
Once upon a time, Spaceship Earth was getting a massive update. That major change was cut in the infamous year of 2020, but that doesn’t change the fact the ride could still use some major TLC. We’re not sure whether Disney will stick with their idea of changing Spaceship Earth from a ride about communication to storytelling, but we think they won’t just replace the track and call it a day.
Prediction: More Villains Land Details
OK, this one isn’t a major leap. Disney has revealed almost no major details about Villains Land at the Magic Kingdom. Though the land is still years away, we think Disney will provide some firmer details on what the land will include. We hope Disney bucks the trend of their theme park lands only including two attractions. Villains Land needs to be a hit!
Hope: Continued Expansion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The Tropical Americas is rapidly coming to life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. That said, we hope Disney isn’t planning to stop there. The park would still benefit from more rides even after the Tropical Americas opens. This hope could be tied into our hope for a new show at Animal Kingdom. While we don’t think Animal Kingdom is a half-day park, a couple more rides or animal trails would help kill that idea.
Prediction: New Country at EPCOT
Again, this isn’t the most wild prediction. EPCOT’s World Showcase has several designated expansion plots. Disney has announced (and cancelled) country expansions, but this prediction is about a fully new country. What country? That’s up for debate. This idea has been rumored for ages, and we think it might finally be time if Disney is looking to make something new at EPCOT without committing to an even larger expansion.
Hope: Another New Land at Hollywood Studios
We think Disney will look deeper into the future after Monstropolis is finished and announce what else is on the horizon for Hollywood Studios. Maybe it’s a replacement of the Indiana Jones stunt show in favor of a new land. Maybe it’s connecting The Muppets at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster to a new area that includes a show in the current Villains building. We’re not sure. But we think something else could be coming here. Hopefully.
Prediction & Hope: More Hotel News
It’s a pretty safe bet that Disney Lakeshore Lodge will be mentioned in some capacity during D23. Granted, the finer details of the resort may not make the large parks and experiences presentation. That’s where this prediction becomes more of a hope. We hope Disney talks about plans for a new value or moderate resort. That’d be a big shift from Disney’s recent model of only building Disney Vacation Club resorts.
Hope: New Transportation or Expansions
As Disney grows its theme parks, it’d be nice to see the various transportation options grow too. They are adding another ferry boat for the Magic Kingdom, but it’d be fun to see them expand the Disney Skyliner or finally figure out a way to connect Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Adding some sort of connection there would shoot Animal Kingdom Lodge even higher up our resort rankings.
