Disney World’s Biggest Expansion Ever: New Lands and Attractions Coming in 2027
“Villains Land is one of the most ambitious lands we’ve ever created.”
Walt Disney World is preparing for a sweeping transformation as Disney moves ahead with what Imagineering executives describe as the largest slate of expansion projects in the resort’s history.
The projects span Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT, bringing new themed lands, rides, restaurants, animatronics and upgrades to classic attractions.
The work is part of The Walt Disney Co.’s previously announced $17 billion investment in its Orlando resort, with the first major wave of new experiences scheduled to arrive in 2027.
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Key Takeaways
- Disney is developing Villains Land and the Cars-inspired Piston Peak at Magic Kingdom.
- The first phase of Monstropolis, based on Pixar’s _Monsters, Inc._, is expected to open at Hollywood Studios in 2027.
- Animal Kingdom’s Tropical Americas expansion is scheduled to debut in 2027.
- New attractions will feature characters and technology ranging from a Harrison Ford audio-animatronic to more than 50 animatronic animals.
- Disney plans to refresh the famous Expedition Everest yeti.
- EPCOT will receive updates to Spaceship Earth and Journey Into Imagination With Figment.
- Several major projects, including Villains Land and Piston Peak, still do not have announced opening dates.
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Magic Kingdom Is Getting Villains Land
One of the biggest projects planned for Walt Disney World is Villains Land at Magic Kingdom.
Disney first announced plans for a villain-themed area in 2024 before revealing its official name during the latest D23 showcase.
Walt Disney World Executive Creative Director Caroline May said the project will create an entirely new story for Disney’s famous villains.
Guests will enter an environment centered around a forest poisoned by an evil wishing well, with classic Disney villains integrated throughout the land.
Disney also plans themed restaurants, shops and architecture.
Bruce Vaughn, president and chief creative officer of Walt Disney Imagineering, compared the project’s scale to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, calling it both large and highly immersive.
Two Attractions Are Planned for Villains Land
Villains Land will feature two major attractions.
The first will be a roller coaster inspired by Maleficent, the antagonist from _Sleeping Beauty_.
The second will be a dark ride hosted by the Magic Mirror from Snow White.
Disney has not announced an opening date for Villains Land.
Piston Peak Brings Cars to Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom is also expanding Frontierland with Piston Peak, a new area inspired by Pixar’s _Cars_ franchise.
Rather than recreating Radiator Springs, Disney is designing the area around the landscapes and spirit of America’s national parks.
Two attractions have been announced for the expansion.
Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along
Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along will be a family-friendly attraction featuring a school-bus-sized audio-animatronic version of the _Cars_ character Miss Fritter.
Cars Ridge Run Rally
Cars Ridge Run Rally will use a newly developed ride vehicle designed to simulate off-road racing.
Disney has not announced an opening date for Piston Peak.
The next major Magic Kingdom experience currently scheduled to arrive is the updated Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, which is expected to reopen in spring 2027 with new scenes, animatronics and other enhancements.
Monsters Inc. Land Opens at Hollywood Studios in 2027
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is getting a new themed land called Monstropolis, based on Pixar’s _Monsters, Inc._
The land is expected to open in phases, with the first phase scheduled for 2027.
Its story takes place after the events of the original film, at a time when humans are being welcomed into Monstropolis for the first time.
Guests will be able to explore the new environment, visit the Scareporium and see a new show called Welcome to Monstropolis at the Glob Theater.
Monstropolis Will Include Two New Restaurants
Food will play a significant role in the new land.
Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza will be a quick-service restaurant inspired by college life in _Monsters University_.
Harryhausen’s, the sushi restaurant seen in the original _Monsters, Inc._ film, will become a table-service dining experience.
Disney executives have teased that the menu will be unlike anything else at Walt Disney World.
The restaurant will also feature an animatronic octopus chef inside its dining room.
Disney Is Building Its First Suspended Coaster
The headline attraction for Monstropolis will arrive during the project’s second phase.
Disney plans a suspended coaster recreating the memorable door-vault sequence from _Monsters, Inc._
It will be the first suspended coaster at a Disney park.
Riders will travel through the factory alongside Mike and Sulley. The ride system will lift guests approximately 40 feet in four seconds before launching them into the door vault.
Disney has not announced an opening date for the coaster.
Tropical Americas Is Taking Shape at Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is undergoing another major transformation with the construction of Tropical Americas.
The 11-acre land will draw inspiration from regions of Central and South America and is scheduled to open in 2027.
Disney first announced the project in 2024, and construction began in January 2025.
Three attractions are planned for the new area.
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent
Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will be a dark ride following the archaeologist on a new adventure.
The attraction will include the first Disney audio-animatronic modeled after Harrison Ford, who portrayed Indiana Jones in the film franchise.
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto will take guests inside the magical casita featured in Disney’s _Encanto_.
The attraction will have no height requirement and will feature more than 50 animatronic animal figures.
El Carrusel de los Animalitos
The land will also feature El Carrusel de los Animalitos, a traditional carousel with 22 hand-carved animals inspired by Disney films.
Together, the attractions give Tropical Americas a mix of adventure, family-friendly storytelling and classic theme park experiences.
Expedition Everest’s Yeti Is Getting an Upgrade
Disney also plans to update one of Animal Kingdom’s most recognizable attractions.
The massive audio-animatronic yeti inside Expedition Everest will be refreshed, with Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum saying the company is “bringing the yeti back to life.”
The roller coaster opened in 2006 with a scene in which the yeti lunged and swiped at passing riders.
The figure reportedly stopped working in 2007 and eventually became known among fans as the “Disco Yeti” because the stationary character was illuminated with flashing strobe lights.
Disney has not announced when the restored movement will debut.
EPCOT Will Update Spaceship Earth
Disney is also reinvesting in existing EPCOT attractions.
One of the biggest projects involves Spaceship Earth, the slow-moving dark ride located inside EPCOT’s iconic geodesic sphere.
The current attraction focuses on the evolution of human innovation and communication.
Disney says the reimagined version will instead explore the broader evolution of human connection.
Executives said Spaceship Earth has not received a major upgrade in approximately 20 years.
No construction timeline has been announced.
Dreamfinder Is Returning to Journey Into Imagination
Another classic EPCOT character is also returning.
Disney plans to add a new Dreamfinder audio-animatronic to Journey Into Imagination With Figment.
Dreamfinder appeared in the attraction from 1983 to 1998 and was part of the original version of the experience.
The announcement shows that Disney’s expansion strategy includes more than new movie franchises. The company is also revisiting characters and experiences closely associated with the history of its parks.
Disney’s $17 Billion Orlando Investment Is Reshaping Walt Disney World
The projects are part of Disney’s previously announced plan to invest $17 billion in its Orlando resort.
The spending comes as Central Florida’s broader theme park industry continues to invest heavily in new attractions and experiences.
SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando Resort are also developing and upgrading their properties, creating an increasingly competitive environment for major theme park operators.
The result is a substantial pipeline of new experiences for Orlando visitors.
Disney’s current plans combine:
- New themed lands
- New ride systems
- Large-scale animatronics
- Film and character franchises
- New dining concepts
- Refurbished classic attractions
- Returning characters from Disney park history
2027 Will Mark the First Major Wave of Disney World Expansion
The year 2027 is emerging as an important milestone in Walt Disney World’s expansion.
Tropical Americas is scheduled to open that year, while the first phase of Monstropolis is also expected to debut.
The refurbished Carousel of Progress is scheduled to return in spring 2027.
Other major projects including Villains Land, Piston Peak and the Monsters Inc. suspended coaster still do not have announced opening dates.
That means Disney’s expansion is likely to unfold over several years rather than through a single major opening season.
As construction progresses, the combination of new lands and refreshed classic attractions could significantly reshape Walt Disney World later this decade.
Which upcoming Disney World attraction are you most interested in seeing: Villains Land, Monstropolis, Tropical Americas or Piston Peak?
Following construction updates and official opening announcements will be especially important as 2027 approaches and Disney’s $17 billion Orlando investment begins producing its next generation of attractions.
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