The Walt Disney Company hosted Destination D23, one of their biyearly conventions that introduces upcoming films and announces minor theme park news.
The event ran from Aug. 29 to 31 at the Convention Center at the Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World. While it was a smaller convention compared to the biyearly D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event (formerly D23 Expo) that is hosted every year in Anaheim, California, Disney still had a few tricks up their sleeves.
Walt Disney Animation Studios announced their upcoming animated film “Hexed,” which is directed by Josie Trinidad and Jason Hand. According to the studio’s Instagram post, the film is about “an awkward teenage boy and his type-A mom, who discover that what makes him unusual, might just be magical powers that will turn their lives and a secret world of magic upside down.”
The film is slated to come out next fall.
Movies from popular franchises were also announced. “Toy Story 5” will be released on June 19 and “Ice Age: Boiling Point” will be in theaters on Feb. 5, 2027.
Pixar’s new original comedy “Hoppers” is set to release on March 6. Looking to the future, Pixar announced that “The Incredibles 3” is in development and will be part of their film releases between 2028 and beyond.
Disney and Pixar also announced that “Coco 2” is set to be released in 2029.
Not much came out surrounding the theme parks, but fans did receive updates on the upcoming villains-themed land that is coming to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Disney legend and former animator Andreas Deja — known for animating characters Gaston, Jafar and Scar — is consulting on the project.
“Imagineers” — what Disney refers to as the people who come up with ideas for their theme parks and construction workers — have been traveling to famous European cities in search of “Art Nouveau” architecture to help design the upcoming land.
Disney also announced that an overlay will be coming soon to TRON Lightcycle/Run, based on “Tron: Acres” with “striking red hues” and “the pulsating industrial sounds of Nine Inch Nails will drive the ride’s energy”.
It was also announced that Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom will get a new paint job, reverting back to the original classic look, and that a Walt Disney animatronic will be coming to the Carousel of Progress in Tomorrowland.
This year’s announcements offered fans a glimpse of what they can look forward to learning more about until Disney’s flagship D23 event to be held in Anaheim next year, which will include further updates on the company’s current and upcoming projects.
