Disney¡¯s Destination D23 was held over the weekend in a new home at Disney¡¯s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World.
Fans gathered from Aug. 29-31 for?Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney, a weekend of events, panel presentations, entertainment showcases and retrospectives, and a few reveals and updates for Disney Parks, Resorts, and Disney Cruise Line.
Here¡¯s a recap of all the highlights to have on your travel radar.
Walt Disney World
Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park Will Be Restored to Its Original Color Palette
After a major color change to pink for Walt Disney World¡¯s 50th anniversary in 2021, Cinderella Castle is going back to its original 1971 color scheme. During the?¡°Beyond the Spires: An Insider Look at Disney Castles¡±?panel, Walt Disney Imagineers revealed plans and shared concept art for the castle¡¯s restoration to its iconic look ¡ª?a softer, stone-toned facade in grays and creams, with blue rooftops and strategic gold accents designed to shimmer in Florida¡¯s blazing sun. No timeline was shared for the project.
Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics Figure Is Coming to Carousel of Progress
At the ¡°Creating the Happiest Place on Earth¡± panel, Walt Disney Imagineering executive creative director Chris Beatty announced that an Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney will be added to?Walt Disney¡¯s Carousel of Progress?at Magic Kingdom in a new introductory scene, paying homage to Walt¡¯s role in originating the attraction at the 1964 New York World¡¯s Fair.
The first-ever Audio-Aninatronics figure of Walt Disney debuted at Disneyland Park earlier this year in a new attraction, ¡°Walt Disney ¨C A Magical Life.¡± The new, permanent show in the Main Street Opera House was launched?as part of the?Disneyland¡¯s 70th anniversary celebration.?
TRON Lightcycle / Run Will Get a Limited-Time Tron: Ares Overlay
The ¡°Walt Disney Studios Showcase¡± included the announcement that TRON attractions at Walt Disney World and Shanghai Disneyland will get a limited-time orange and red overlay paired with a custom soundtrack, composed by Nine Inch Nails for the upcoming?Tron: Ares?film. The overlays debut Sept. 15 at Magic Kingdom and Sept. 16 at Shanghai Disneyland, ahead of the film¡¯s release Oct. 10, 2025.?
Villains-Themed Land Update
At the ¡°Disney Villains: Icons of Evil¡± presentation, Disney Legend and former animator Andreas Deja revealed he is consulting on the villains-themed land in development for Magic Kingdom. The land will feature two attractions, dining, and shopping, with a style Imagineers are calling ¡°Conjured Architecture.¡± Imagineers shared photos and described research trips to Paris and Barcelona, explaining how they¡¯re blending history and fantasy, drawing inspiration from the swirling, ¡°cursed¡± natural forms of Paris¡¯ Art Nouveau architecture and the ¡°otherworldly, unnerving¡± feel of Barcelona¡¯s Modernisme. Details like colorful stained glass and painted metalwork bring real-world inspiration to a jewel-toned palette meant to reflect the villains¡¯ animated worlds.
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event Returns in 2026
Head of D23 Michael Vargo announced that D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will be back in Anaheim on Aug. 14¨C16, 2026, with programming once again spread across both the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center. The event will include marquee showcases, immersive fan experiences, exclusive shopping, and extended celebrations throughout the week leading up to the event weekend, including D23 Day at Angel Stadium and D23 Day at Disneyland. Disney Legend Jodi Benson was also named the first official FAN-bassador, a role that will see her connecting with fans and representing D23 at special appearances throughout the year. Tickets will go on sale in Spring 2026.?
Upcoming 2025 events were also detailed, including a WDI Spooktacular Spotlight in Orlando, a Halloween ¡°Boo-nanza¡± in California, and a December celebration of?Percy Jackson and the Olympians?Season 2.?
The?D23 On the Road?tour begins Nov. 1, with interactive screenings of?Home Alone?in 18 U.S. cities marking the film¡¯s 35th anniversary. Also on the horizon:?A Jolly Holiday on the Lot?on Dec. 14 at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, a new Walt¡¯s Los Angeles Tour for Gold Members, an updated Walt Disney Studios Walking Tour, and a virtual Gold Theater event hosted by Don Hahn with a behind-the-scenes look at Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Rendering of new Walt Disney Animatronics Figure for Carousel of Progress (Photo Credit: Disney)
Disneyland Resort
Napa Rose Updates
At Destination D23, Disneyland Resort culinary director John State shared a first look at concept art for the new outdoor patio at Napa Rose, part of the ongoing renovation at Disney¡¯s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
The expanded patio will add seating with views toward Disney California Adventure, along with two fireplaces and updated landscaping to create a more functional al fresco space.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Destiny Bar and Cocktail Details Revealed
Ahead of the Disney Destiny¡¯s Nov. 20 maiden voyage, Disney Cruise Line revealed new details about signature lounges and cocktails.
Haunted Mansion Parlor, already featured on the Disney Treasure, will debut an all-new menu of cocktails on the Disney Destiny, including an alternate take on the Chilling Challenge, made with Camus VSOP Cognac, Cointreau Noir, Joto Yuzu Sake, orange blossom foam, and edible viola flowers.
New concept art and a new drink were revealed for Cask & Cannon, the ship¡¯s Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar. Dead Man¡¯s Chest, a rum cocktail for two, will be made with Zacapa 23 Solera rum, pineapple, lime juice, agave nectar, and coconut froth.
In The Sanctum, inspired by Marvel¡¯s Doctor Strange, the Mirror Dimension will be made with Stoli Elit vodka, lychee, fresh lemon juice, pink peppercorn, and Eletricdust Buzz Rock. Served in a touch-reactive glass, the ¡°electrifying dust¡± will tingle taste buds.
New Dr. Facilier Experience Coming to the Disney Destiny
Guests may encounter Dr. Facilier during a new ¡°meet and play¡± experience aboard the Destiny. The shadowy illusionist could appear around the Grand Hall¡¯s upper levels or in ¡°his own makeshift parlor¡± where he will perform card tricks and sleight of hand for guests.?
New Popcorn Buckets, Sippers, and Mugs Coming to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line
At the ¡°What¡¯s Cooking with Disney Eats¡± presentation, Disney previewed eight new novelty items that will roll out across Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line.
This holiday season brings a Mickey and friends Holiday Christmas Tree Truck popcorn bucket to Disneyland Resort, Aulani, and on select Disney Cruise Line ships, and a Trader Sam¡¯s Holiday Zombie Mugs with Disneyland and Walt Disney World outposts each getting their own unique edition.?
When Disney Cruise Line¡¯s newest ship, the Disney Destiny, sets sail on its maiden voyage Nov. 20, the ship¡¯s Haunted Mansion Parlor will debut two new mugs ¡ª a Poseidon Mug and a Siren Mug.
A new Monsters, Inc. Scream Canister popcorn bucket is headed to Disneyland Resort and select Disney Cruise Line ships and a Little Green Men Jetpack sipper is coming to Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and on select Disney Cruise Line ships, though no time frame was shared.?
Next year at Disneyland Resort and on select Disney Cruise Line ships, a Winnie the Pooh & Piglet Spring popcorn bucket is coming in the spring and a Star Wars Bantha sipper will debut at some point next year.?
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International Parks
Disneyland Paris
During the ¡°Beyond the Spires¡± panel, Imagineers announced that?World of Frozen?will open in?spring 2026, marking the official transformation of Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Adventure World.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Beginning?Sept. 19,?Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Party?will launch as part of the Hong Kong Disneyland¡¯s Halloween season. Featuring Maleficent and other Disney villains, the show combines elements of a cavalcade, street performance, and musical spectacle.
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