D23 2026 Predictions for Walt Disney World: New Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion Changes, & Figment?!?!

We've put together several lists of our top D23 predictions (grouped by location or division), with some more likely than others to happen. And, of course, there will always be some surprises. Nothing is certain until Disney makes a formal announcement, and even then projects are always subject to cancellation, as we have learned in the past. Here's what we are possibly expecting to hear about our home parks, Walt Disney World Resort:

New Details for Piston Peak National Park, Second Attraction

For some reason, Disney refused to announce what the second ride in the Cars area of Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom would be when initially announcing the project. It is expected that we may finally find out what this ride is, but don't be surprised if it is just a family-friendly flat ride (ala Mater's Junkyard Jamboree or Alien Swirling Saucers).

We should also expect to see more of what the area will include and get more details on its major off-road race ride attraction. Hopefully we will get to see a model for some portion of this area on the show floor which we can inspect meticulously.

New Details for Villains Land, Reveal of Attractions & Offerings

We expect Disney to release more on Villains Land, including attraction and other offering details, and maybe a formal name of the new area. Disney hasn't revealed any additional specifics of Villains Land since announcing it back in 2024, only that it will include two major attractions, dining, and shopping. According to the backstory, a spell has summoned the villains to the land. Disney did release a list of villains inspiring the land, which includes Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove.

At the very least, we suspect to learn more about the Maleficent roller-coaster clearly seen in the concept art, therefore officially debunking rumors that the project changed since its announcement.

Reimagining of Space Mountain

There has not been a lengthy or meaningful refurbishment of Space Mountain in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom in over 17 years, and we have been hearing rumors over the last several months that Space Mountain might be next on the list to be reinvented for a modern audience, and an announcement could come at D23 this year.

The rumors vary from simple track replacement to an entire reimagining of the ride to become a single-track, side-by-side seat coaster, but you can read more about this potential project here.

With major work happening near some of the track, the PeopleMover may also close as well. Perhaps this opportunity would be used to update scenes along the ride path which are remnants of the 1994 New Tomorrowland.

Additional Details on Carousel of Progress

The update is already underway as the attraction is now closed for major reimagining. July 5 was the last day to experience the 1994 version of Carousel of Progress. Though it has seen many changes since its 1964 debut at the New York World's Fair, this reimagining will be the biggest, shifting the timeline of the ride. Instead of beginning at the turn of the century, it will now begin in the '60s. There is a good chance we will get more details on the ride scenes, or maybe they will share the overarching theme for how Carousel of Progress fits into other projects that may be announced, like Space Mountain and PeopleMover, such as an optimistic view of what the distant 100 to 150 years will look like.

Haunted Mansion Updates

In January 2025, a new bride and reimagined attic scene was revealed for Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. Imagineer Kim Irvine at the time said, "The bride that used to be in there was an axe murderer," and "We were celebrating someone chopping off her husband's heads." A similar change could be announced for Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom, which likely needs to close soon for a number of necessary refurbishments. The complete refresh of the facade is nearing completion now, but the inside of the legendary Magic Kingdom attraction could use some help.

We also may find out what's happening near the Haunted Mansion, as permits and plans show development just a few steps away as part of the ongoing expansion. Is this a new extended queue, new restrooms, or something more? We don't anticipate that the venue is a restaurant or bar themed to the Mansion, but either would be a happy surprise.

The Long-Awaited Replacement of Journey into Imagination with Figment

The Imagination Pavilion has suffered since the removal of the original Journey Into Imagination attraction in 1998. The original was replaced by 'Journey into Your Imagination' from 1999–2001, which was largely regarded as a complete disaster, before being replaced by the also heavily criticized 'Journey into Imagination with Figment.'

Over the years, there have been long-standing rumors about different Disney IPs replacing or joining Figment, including Phineas and Ferb and Inside Out. Thankfully, those rumors have subsided, and it seems like The Walt Disney Company finally understands the importance of Figment to EPCOT and Walt Disney World.

It's not the most likely thing given how much spending is already happening at Walt Disney World over the next few years, but we could get an announcement at D23 to finally give fans what they want: a new ride with Figment, and hopefully The Dreamfinder, that puts the complaining to rest once and for all.

The Long-Awaited Update of Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth has previously undergone massive overhauls in 1986, 1994, and 2007. Spaceship Earth was scheduled to close on May 26, 2020, for another full overhaul. The ride's new name would have been Spaceship Earth: Our Shared Story, and all scenes leading up to the Industrial Revolution would have been refreshed, and the scenes after would have seen changes on a grand scale. It would have received new narration and a new score with a "story light" element tying the journey together.

However, due to COVID-19, the overhaul never happened, and the ride has been deteriorating (despite a brief maintenance closure) ever since. While we don't believe the "Our Shared Story" version is what Disney would still have in mind, the ride needs an update badly.

It's worth mentioning that EPCOT's 50th anniversary is just around the corner in 2032, so maybe Spaceship Earth and Figment will have to wait a little longer for some TLC that would culminate at that celebration.

New Details of Monsters, Inc. Monstropolis Land, Reveal of The Glob Theater Show

Monstropolis will be the first land based on Monsters, Inc. at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and construction is rapidly progressing. The project includes the Monsters, Inc. door coaster, Harryhausen's, and The Glob theater. There is a very good chance we may get a reveal of the still unannounced Glob Theater show featuring some new technology, more details on the land (including what awaits guests inside Harryhausen's Restaurant), or even an opening timeframe. Rumors also suggest the land may experience a phased opening, with the first phase opening without the roller coaster sometime next year.

New Details of Tropical Americas Land

When Tropical Americas opens in 2027 (hopefully it will, as originally announced and not be delayed), it will depict one of the most culturally rich regions in the world, representing parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. Tropical Americas will consist of the fictional village of Pueblo Esperanza, featuring a new carousel, an Encanto ride, and DINOSAUR is reimagined as an Indiana Jones ride. There will also be a new playground added to the land.

It is very likely we will get more details about the Encanto and Indiana Jones rides along with an update on how the rest of the land is progressing. Perhaps Disney will take the opportunity to announce that there will be some real animal exhibits in the land and what they might be.

Disney Lakeshore Lodge

In 2018, Disney announced Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge. However, construction was stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resort was thought to be canceled before Disney resurrected the project as Disney Lakeshore Lodge in 2024. Lakeshore Lodge is now set to open in the summer of 2027.

We have been closely following the construction from the exterior, but we expect a reveal of the rooms, dining venues, the lobby, and more at D23. It seems likely they will largely be similar to what we saw with Reflections, but it remains to be seen if the Pocahontas lobby statue and other elements are carrying over.

New Magic Kingdom Area or EPCOT Area Resort Hotel

With the amount of infrastructure work taking place or recently completed right outside Magic Kingdom, including work on Floridian Way and creating a walking path between the park and Magic Kingdom, the area behind Adventureland is a prime spot to build a new resort hotel steps away from the world's most popular theme park.

This will inevitably happen at some point, but the question is whether that time is now or sometime in the future. With Lakeshore Lodge opening in the next year, it's about time for another hotel project to be announced.

On the flip side, if Disney isn't ready to announce a Magic Kingdom area resort, we may hear news regarding an EPCOT entrance hotel. It was rumored to happen during the EPCOT reimagining that began in the 2010's. However, we haven't heard anything regarding this in quite a few years.

We do hope that whatever the next project is, DVC will move away from resorts and rooms devoid of theming, and instead, opt for more immersive projects.

What do you hope to see announced at D23? Let us know on social media.