There's a lot of hype following the big announcements at this year's Destination D23 Event at Walt Disney World. But what many have missed is that several things have changed since last year's big announcements. So what's real, what can be trusted and what's as clear as mud for the future of Walt Disney World?

The Big News for Disney Parks from Destination D23

 

We learned as much from what was said as we did from what was not said.

 

 

Hatbox Ghost will be back at the Haunted Mansion in November, but not in the way you may think. He will appear "wherever and whenever he pleases," implying that you may or may not see him on the ride and likely not in the same place each time.

 

Country Bear Jamboree is changing, this time significantly. An all-new show is coming, complete with a whole new act and new songs. The new show will be modeled after the musical revues of Nashville, featuring some of your favorite country bears singing popular Disney hits in a variety of country music styles, including pop country, bluegrass, rockabilly and more. Disney offered a sneak peak by showing the recording session for Bear Necessities, which will be in the new show.

 

Pirates of the Caribbean is getting new ambiance with the addition of a new tavern near the ride. Remember the Barker Bird who used to chat will guests at the entrance of Pirates of the Caribbean? He will be back and living at the new tavern, chatting it up with guests. Big questions are will this be a reimagining of Tortuga Tavern and will they be selling alcohol?

 

 

We know that Moana's Journey of Water is opening on October 16 (including a new location for the Moana meet and greet), but we now know that all of World Celebration will open in December. Yes, the walls are finally coming down. 

 

Bigger news is that Test Track will be undergoing another complete overhaul and update (still with Chevrolet). No dates as to when it will close and for how long, but it is time for a refresh so this is welcome news. Disney promises the new Test Track will include the best elements from the original version along with new updates that point to a future world for vehicles.

 

World Showcase Lagoon will be getting a new nighttime show entitled Luminous: The Symphony of Us. It will debut on December 5.

 

 

It got interesting here as they teased new information, but in some cases said less than they said last year. Here's what we know.

 

Beyond Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom still appears to be happening, but they did not mention villains or anything else specifically. It still sounds like a new land with significant size and scale and it will include attractions, restaurants, shows and more.

 

They did say that Dinoland at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park will be reimagined into a new land themed as the tropical Americas (geographically the space between North and South America). This land will land be Encanto themed, which removes Encanto from Beyond Big Thunder, as was hinted at last year. So Encanto Moves from Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom. Plus, an Indiana Jones area is likely coming to Animal Kingdom, potentially where Rafiki's Planet Watch is currently located. 

 

Finally, It's Tough to be a Bug in the Tree of Life is being reimagined as a Zootopia themed attraction/show.

 

 

The seventh ship will be called the Disney Adventure.

 

The new island stop in the Bahamas on Eleuthera will be called Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

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Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

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