✨ Big Destination D23 Announcements for Walt Disney World
- Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you thought the news train slowed down after this summer, think again! Destination D23 2025 brought a whole new round of excitement for Walt Disney World fans—and some of these announcements are going to change the parks in major ways. We’re talking about everything from a brand-new Villains Land at Magic Kingdom to a fiery TRON: Ares overlay, and even a new Walt Disney animatronic debuting in Carousel of Progress. Let’s dive into the highlights that will shape the future of Disney World.
🎡 Carousel of Progress Gets a Walt Disney Upgrade
Talk about a surprise announcement—Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom is getting some long-overdue love, and the update starts with none other than Walt Disney himself. At Destination D23, Imagineers revealed that a brand-new audio-animatronic of Walt Disney will soon appear in the attraction’s opening scene.
This is a big deal. Carousel of Progress has been running since the 1964 World’s Fair and has always been tied closely to Walt’s vision of innovation and the future. Adding a lifelike figure of Walt not only honors that legacy but also breathes fresh energy into an attraction that hasn’t seen a major change in over 30 years.
Disney also hinted that updates may not stop there. Characters like John, Sarah, and the rest of the Carousel family could be in line for upgrades too—think smoother movements, more expressive faces, and some tech refreshes to keep the show timeless while preserving its nostalgic charm.
We love the idea of these enhancements and can’t wait to see Walt join the show. That said, we know there may be some pushback from longtime fans who consider this attraction untouchable.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Carousel of Progress rarely sees long waits, but once this update rolls out, expect renewed interest. If it’s a must-see for you, plan to hit it earlier in the day before curious crowds wander in.
🦹 Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
It’s official—Disney is leaning into the dark side. The long-rumored Villains Land is one step closer to reality. Imagineers shared their design process at Destination D23, and it’s honestly fascinating. They’ve been studying Art Nouveau and Modernisme architecture in Paris and Barcelona to craft what they’re calling “conjured architecture." Think swirling, dramatic facades that feel magical…but with a menacing edge.
Disney Legend Andreas Deja—the animator behind Scar, Jafar, and Gaston—is even consulting on the design, which should make any Disney animation fan geek out a little (us included).
While no opening date is set, land prep is already underway near Frontierland. We saw the newly drained Rivers of America and fresh construction walls this weekend.
This expansion will be part of the largest in Magic Kingdom history, alongside the Cars-inspired Piston Peak National Park area. Don’t expect to stroll through this villainous new land anytime soon, though—groundbreaking is likely still a year or two away, with a possible opening closer to 2030.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Keep your eye on the construction timeline. This is the kind of land that will reshape an entire day at Magic Kingdom—just like Galaxy’s Edge did at Hollywood Studios.
⚡ TRON: Ares Overlay at Magic Kingdom
TRON fans, brace yourselves: starting September 15, 2025, TRON Lightcycle Run is getting a limited-time “TRON: Ares” overlay to coincide with the upcoming film. Instead of glowing blue and orange circuits, the Grid will be lit in fiery red, paired with a brand-new Nine Inch Nails soundtrack that’s going to feel much edgier than the original Daft Punk beats.
This isn’t a new ride—it’s the same TRON Lightcycle / Run coaster—but with a totally different look and vibe. It’s unusual for Disney to overlay a major headliner this soon after opening, which makes this especially exciting. The overlay will run at both Magic Kingdom and Shanghai Disneyland. While Disney calls it “limited,” the buzz is that it will stick around at least through the holidays.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If you’re visiting this fall, don’t miss it! The TRON: Ares overlay will make your ride photos extra epic, and it could be gone by early 2026.
✨ The Bottom Line
Destination D23 gave us a peek at four very different but equally exciting updates coming to Walt Disney World:
Walt Disney himself stepping into the Carousel of Progress
A Villains Land that will bring long-awaited edge to Magic Kingdom
A bold TRON: Ares overlay starting September 15, 2025
And a brand-new deluxe resort on Bay Lake—Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, opening in 2027
Each one represents Disney’s commitment to expanding the parks and resorts in big, creative ways. And for us? It means more magic to plan around on future trips.
See you at the parks—we’re off to Food & Wine at EPCOT tonight.
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim 💖
