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D23 Global Disney Snapshot: Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line Updates

Disney fanatics hoping to hear updates about about Disney Parks outside the United States and those clamoring for Disney Cruise Line news were not disappointed this year at D23. From resort updates at Disneyland Resort Hotel at Disneyland Paris, to a Park expansion at Tokyo Disney Sea and the introduction of the newest addition to the Disney Cruise Line ship fleet. The D23 ExpoDisney Parks, Experiences and Products Panel hosted by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro was chock full of exciting news about what fans can expect in the coming years from the Walt Disney Company.

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Tokyo Disney Sea will get a park expansion to include Fantasy Springs that tells the story of Peter Pan, Tangled and Frozen among other stories. The Disney concept art shared at D23 has us extra excited about this expansion. We see Captain Hook’s Pirate Ship near the legendary Skull Rock and Arendelle’s Castle nestled near a plethora of other storybook details.

The newest technology in audio-animatronics is also coming to Disney Sea Fantasy Springs with an Elsa audio-animatronics whose movement perfectly sync with songs from the film. Changes are also coming to the park next door. Tokyo Disneyland will see updates to the Space Mountain attraction. All we know so far is that some storyline and attraction changes to Space Mountain in Tokyo Disney can be expected in 2024. This attraction has come a thrill ride staple at Disney Parks around the world so we are super excited to learn more about these updates as more information is released!

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Hong Kong Disneyland is unveiling a few Frozen updates of its own. The second half of World of Frozen will open at Hong Kong Disneyland in late 2023. This update is especially exciting in that Guests will get to see how the Kingdom of Arendelle is blended with the natural landscape to transport visitors into the movie.

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

In honor of the 100 years of Disney Anniversary Celebration, Hong Kong Disneyland will also be unveiling a new statue of the iconic Walt Disney and the original Disney character- Mickey Mouse.

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Just in case these updates don’t already have you reaching for your passport, we have updates to Disneyland Paris‘ Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland Resort Hotel! A Frozen-themed land will be joining Walt Disney Studios Park and die-hard Frozen fans will be able to stay in a Frozen hotel room at Disneyland Hotel during their vacation at Disneyland Paris!

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

If you are a fan of other Disney Princesses from films like Cinderella, Tangled or Sleeping Beauty you can book a themed room that channels any of these Disney movies to make for an extra magical vacay!

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

If Officer Judy Hops is one of your Disney movie favorites you will be excited to hear about the addition of Zootopia at Shanghai Disney Resort. Some updates and additions to incorporate Zootopia into other Disney Parks were teased in the Disney Parks Panel but this confirmed addition at Shanghi Disney has us really excited.

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

If you’ve ever wished you could experience the hustle and bustle of Zootopia Central Station or meet Officer Clawhauser at the Zootopia Police Department, you are in luck! These new Park updates are sure to be super cute and pay homage to a highly underrated Disney movie.

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Are you ready to hit the sea on the newest Disney Cruise Ship? The newest addition to the Disney fleet, the Disney Treasure was announced at the D23 Expo and will set sail in 2024. Other Disney cruise news that rippled through the Disney Parks Panel centered on the addition of a new Bahamian cruise port location “Lighthouse Point”.

Inspired by the stories of the Bahamas, this new port seeks to be a Caribbean respite for Guests seeking relaxation and culture. One of the most exciting and impressive details about “Lighthouse Point” shared by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro was that the port would run nearly entirely on solar energy!

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

For Guests that prefer sailing a bit farther than usual (Moana-style) on a Disney Cruise there is big news. For a limited time, Guests can experience cruises from locations like Australia and New Zealand. Disney Cruise Line is now cruising to tropical spots like Fiji and Samoa via the Disney Wonder Cruise Ship.

When thinking of such exotic locations, Disney nerds like me may imagine Walt Disney’s Adventure Series from the 1950s and tropical Disney movie classics like The Swiss Family Robinson and Call It Courage. Remember, the South Pacific was a big inspiration for Walt Disney and inspired iconic attractions like The Enchanted Tiki Room, Adventureland in Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Now you can travel to these exotic locations with the comfort of Disney via a Disney Cruise Ship!

Needless to say, this is big Disney Cruise Line news and these specialty cruises will be a huge hit with Guests. Not to mention themed cruises with Disney character meets and activities centered around franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, Disney and Pixar are just around the bend with sailing dates that start in October, 2023.

The updates and news from D23 stretched way past the updates to Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. We hope you’ve enjoyed this global Disney snapshot with previews of what Disney fans can expect worldwide in the coming years!

About Katie Chapman

Hey There! I am a Georgia native with a passion for writing, traveling, cooking, decorating, pugs and of course all things Disney. Growing up in South Georgia just a few hours from Walt Disney World made for a magical childhood. Some of my best memories were made on Main Street U.S.A. with my sister watching SpectroMagic nighttime parade or beside my grandparents, parents and extended family at Chef Mickey’s celebrating on a family vacation. Epcot was my favorite park from a young age and I credit it with my interest in and love for international travel. As a kid I loved meeting characters and watching films around World Showcase and could spend hours exploring each of the countries in Epcot. These days, my husband and I get away to explore a new country whenever we can and even incorporate trips to The Disney Store and Disney Parks around the world in our travels. One of our travel goals is to visit every Disney Park in the world. I love writing about Disney restaurants, park tips, Disney outfit inspiration and Disney history. Pocahontas is my favorite Disney Princess (90s kid here!) but Mr. Toad is my spirit animal. When I’m not at Disney I’m reading about park history, watching Disney documentaries and shopping vintage Disney merch for park outfits. I never pass up a reservation to Ohana, an empty seat on Living with the Land or a Violet Sake.