Any announcements from Disney garner attention, but this weekend captivated thousands! The D23 convention is an amazing time for Disney fans to meet up and celebrate their favorites. The hallmark of this convention is its tendency to come with massive announcements on everything from movies to television to parks development. This year definitely did not disappoint!

We asked our planners to chime in on their favorite announcements. Read on to find out what got us the Mose excited!

Michelle

With the announcement of “Wondrous Journeys” – the nighttime spectacular coming to Disneyland – my love of Disney-after-dark grew ten fold! With new projections that pay tribute to all 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios films to date, this is sure to be a seat-saver favorite for all guests who visit.

My interest was also piqued when it was announced that both The Mandalorian and Grogu would be seen roaming about Batuu soon! The appearance of these two characters will help to bridge the gap between diehard Star Wars fans and newcomers who more recently hopped on the bandwagon simply because of Baby Yoda’s irresistible charm.

And what is sure to add the perfect touch to any Disneyland day? A cheese roll from Porto’s Bakery! Soon to have a location right around the corner in Downtown Disney, Porto’s will offer park goers an opportunity to enjoy the sweet & savory goodness whenever they need a little break.

James

I am super excited to see that Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is coming to Disneyland early 2023! Having had the pleasure to experience Mickey’s first ever attraction at Disney World I believe this will fit right in with the upcoming re-theming of Mickey’s Toontown. With bright colors and tons of wackiness, it’s a fun experience for the entire family! 

Bryn

Many new shows and movies are coming from Disney and its affiliated studios. Mickey: the Story of a Mouse looks like it’s going to be a heartwarming kickoff to Disney’s centennial celebration. Animation has so many amazing things happening from Iwájú – a futuristic Nigerian series – to Wish – a classic Disney musical. There is an overwhelming amount of content in production from Star Wars and Marvel. I’m most excited to see Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio return to Daredevil. For those of us who don’t get to the parks as often as we’d like, all of this new at-home Disney entertainment will be wonderful! 

I’ve got to admit that I’m a bit jealous of the expansions and new rides coming to Disney’s international parks. The Fantasy Springs expansion at Tokyo DisneySea will feature Peter Pan, Tangled, and Frozen, plus a hotel “integrated into the park”. I don’t know what that means, but I want to stay there already! Disneyland Paris is getting a new Frozen-themed land and a Tangled attraction. Plus their Disneyland hotel will have a major makeover inspired by Disney’s favorite royal stories. I better get my passport renewed!

Bethany

ConciEAR Bethany here and let me just say, MAGIC HAPPENS!!! I was lucky enough to attend the expo for the first time this year and these announcements did not disappoint. 

I could not be more thrilled to hear that the Magic Parade will finally be returning to the streets of Disneyland! I have been awaiting the return of this parade since the parks re-opened, so I would say that is a big highlight for me! Magic Happens ran for only two weeks before the pandemic shutdown. As one of the few who got to enjoy this parade in person, as well as countless times on YouTube, I can confidently say this parade is absolutely incredible! The parade is set to return to Disneyland in Spring 2023. 

2023 will be a very exciting year, as Disney will be celebrating 100 years of magic. “Disney 100 Years of Wonder” will be the biggest celebration we’ve ever seen from Disney, with Disneyland acting as the home base!

Disneyland will see a new fireworks show called “Wondrous Journeys” that promises to take us through all 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios movies. Disney California Adventure will be receiving an update to the already beloved World of Color. The new show will be called “World of Color – One” and will celebrate the past and future of all things Disney. These shows are set to premiere at Disneyland in late January 2023. 

Disney is bringing the magic next year, and I can’t wait to help you plan your magical vacations so you can experience these amazing spectacles for yourself!

Erik

Holy cow. So many giant announcements at D23 as usual. Perhaps literally the biggest were the concepts revealed about Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World! We have been wondering what will happen with Animal Kingdom for a while. Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama is a large area tucked in the corner of Animal Kingdom and it has long been considered a problem. Its theme of roadside carnival works a little too well, with guests thinking Disney built the land on a parking lot.

It looks like we will see some changes soon. The art Disney revealed shows a big overhaul to the land. We know Disney Imagineers can pull off whatever they set their minds to, so this lush land of trees and water in the painting will be amazing. But will it be a Zootopia area? Moana? We’ll have to wait and see!

The Magic Kingdom’s big change will push beyond Thunder Mountain. Digging past Frontierland is a huge investment, but hey, they have the blessing of size! There’s a great opportunity back there to explore more recent stories like Encanto and Coco. But do those dark clouds imply something more Villainous?

Finally, I’m all in for a return of runDisney to Anaheim. As one of the major events that got me hooked on all things Disney, it’s a big part of my family’s life. These races are literally why I started running and costuming. I’ve been making excuses for a long time, but with runDisney events on both coasts, I think it’s finally time to dust off my shoes and get back into shape!