Disney turned Saturday night’s D23 showcase into a star-studded concert, with A-list talent performing classic songs from Disney films and introducing a slew of new attractions and lands based on the company’s intellectual property. Performers included Meghan Trainor, Shaboozey, Rita Ora, Plain White T’s, Pentatonix, Chromeo, Abi Carter, Tank and the Bangas, and All-4-One, with appearances from Billy Crystal, John Stamos, Darren Criss, Skylar Astin, and Ke Huy Quan.
The presentation was led by Disney parks, experiences, and products chairman Josh D’Amaro, who introduced all the new offerings on tap. D’Amaro emphasized the importance of Disney’s fans and their passion for the company’s stories and cast members. The event took place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, with a capacity of about 12,000 people, doubling the attendance from past years.
Disney’s parks and experiences business is a top priority for the company, with a commitment of $60 billion to expand at Disneyland in California, Walt Disney World in Orlando, its international parks in France, China, and Japan, and elsewhere around the world via its Disney Cruise Line.
One major announcement was the introduction of a Disney Villains Land at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, featuring shopping, dining, and two new attractions. Another exciting addition is the Monsters, Inc. Land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with attractions bringing visitors into the world of Monstropolis.
Avengers Campus in Disneyland will double in size with two new attractions, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab, featuring Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as Tony Stark. Additionally, new ‘Encanto’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ attractions are coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, based on the popular film franchises.
Disney’s California Adventure will see the addition of a new Avatar land inspired by the films, with a boat ride taking guests on an excursion in search of natural wonders on Pandora. Disneyland Paris will get a Lion King ride, themed dining, and shopping, allowing visitors to follow Simba’s journey from cub to king.
One of the most anticipated additions is the audio-animatronic version of Walt Disney coming to Disneyland in a show titled “Walt Disney – A Magical Life.” This show will debut in 2025 and will rotate with “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.”
Overall, Disney’s D23 showcase was a magical event filled with exciting announcements and performances, showcasing the company’s commitment to creating immersive and unforgettable experiences for its fans around the world.
