By Jim Carchidi
August 16, 2026
Dreamfinder is returning to EPCOT and Animal Kingdom's Yeti will start moving again. These momentous announcements were among the reveals and sneak peeks presented at Saturday night’s Horizons: A Carousel of Progress showcase at Disney’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim. Walt Disney World Resort enjoyed its share of the spotlight as Disney Imagineers pulled back the curtain on a range of upcoming experiences.
Carousel of Progress
Tomorrowland's turntable theater closed last month for an upgrade, which includes an animatronic Walt Disney. A timeline starting in the 1960s will end in a possible future where people live in space. One of the scenes takes place on New Year’s Eve, 1999.
The attraction will also feature new voice actors with Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston stepping into the mom and dad roles. For inspiration with the redesign, Imagineers referenced original concept sketches by Disney artist John Hench. Opening day is expected in late spring, 2027.
Tropical Americas
The Indiana Jones ride, officially titled Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, will be among the attractions in Animal Kingdom’s Tropical Americas land. The adventure takes place beneath an ancient temple and features the connections between Maya culture and nature.
Guests will accompany Dr. Jones in the exploration of a temple near an underground cave, which leads directly to the Maya Underworld. The passage is protected by the serpentine creature Tsukán, portrayed by a gigantic, hand-sculpted animatronic figure. An animatronic Indiana Jones is based on a digital model of Harrison Ford, himself.
Tropical Americas also features a ride based on Disney Animation’s Encanto, titled Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, which takes place on Antonio’s gift day. He receives the ability to speak with animals during a celebration at Casita. Original voice actors Stephanie Beatriz, Jessica Darrow, and Diane Guerrero reprise their roles of Mirabel, Luisa, and Isabella.
Ride vehicles are furnishings assembled by the power of Casita. Antonio’s room transforms into a rainforest overflowing with different animal species, and more than 50 animals are represented inside the attraction. The ride will also have no height requirement, welcoming guests of all ages.
Another all-ages ride will be El Carrusel de los Animalitos. The animal-themed carousel includes 22 figures of hand-carved animals from Disney and Pixar stories. And the Tropical Americas shopping and dining experiences will include a large hacienda-style eatery that will be one of the largest quick-service restaurants on Disney property.
Piston Peak
The Cars-inspired, national park-style area coming to Magic Kingdom will be a unique extension of Frontierland. The same adventurous spirit and wilderness landscape will carry into two attractions.
Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along is centerpieced by the huge, school-bus-sized animatronic of the Cars 3 character. She oversees a “stampeding bash” with riders participating in their own vehicles.
Meanwhile, Cars Ridge Run Rally will feature a completely new ride car, designed as an off-road vehicle with tires and suspension moving over bumps and drops. Off-road challenges range from ridges and rivers to mud flats and tree-covered trails.
Monstropolis
Currently under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and opening in 2027, the environment will have its own theme song, “Welcome to Monstropolis.” Written and composed by Randy Newman, the song will be featured in a show by the same title, presented at the Glob Theater and hosted by Mike Wazowski and Sully.
The immersive land will feature the following experiences based on the Monsters, Inc. franchise:
Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza: Monstropolis’ top-rated pizza joint operated by Fear Tech’s six-legged mascot, Archie.
Monsters University Alumni Club: An elite Scarer’s Club will honor famous grads and members of the university’s clubs, fraternities, and sororities.
Scareporium: A shop where human tourists can find the perfect Monstropolis souvenir.
Harryhausen’s Restaurant: The iconic location from the Monsters, Inc. film will be recreated with a unique menu. The famed multi-tentacled sushi chef will be brought to life as an Audio-Animatronics figure.
The land will also feature Disney’s first-ever suspended rollercoaster, launching guests 40 feet into the ride in just four seconds and transporting them through the Monster's Inc. door vault. The coaster will open sometime after the Monstropolis grand opening.
Villains Land
Beyond Frontierland, Magic Kingdom’s upcoming villains environment is taking shape. According to the backstory, the land was created when an evil wish was cast into a wishing well, spreading poisoned magic throughout the surrounding forest. The sinister setting became the perfect home for Disney’s evil icons with each crafting their own fortress. The land will achieve the same immersive size and scope of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with two major attractions.
A Maleficent coaster will race through the enchanted briar surrounding her mountaintop fortress. And the infamous Magic Mirror will host a dark ride, which takes guests into the mystical “Mirror Realm” where special effects and physical set pieces bring favorite Disney villains to life.
Announced at D23 2024, the land is inspired by the architecture styles of Paris, France, and Barcelona, and will offer dining, shopping and meet-and-greets.
Dreamfinder returns, the Yeti moves
“We are taking a new journey into imagination at EPCOT with Dreamfinder and Figment,” said Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum during the Saturday night event. Details were not revealed, but the announcement earned an ovation from the audience. The iconic, tophatted storyteller served as a guide on the Journey Into Imagination attraction with Figment from 1883-1998. Dreamfinder has remained an OG symbol of the park despite a 28-year absence.
Disney also announced the Yeti in Animal Kingdom’s Expedition Everest coaster will finally be repaired. The animatronics stopped working in 2007 due damaged supports and mechanical issues. The 25-foot beast was dubbed “Disco Yeti” for the strobe lights that illuminated its frozen form.
No timelines were given for the Yeti’s maintenance or the unveiling of the EPCOT’s new Imagination experience. Disney Parks Blog will release information as it becomes available.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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