Walt Disney Parks and Resorts president reveals details of new park experiences

At D23 Expo Japan 2018, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts president Bob Chapek shared exciting new details about many of the ambitious projects under way around the world, from the reinvention of popular attractions to entirely new ways for visitors to interact with Super Heroes, Jedi, classic characters and their lifelong Pixar companions.

Continuing the enormous enthusiasm generated at D23 Expo in Anaheim last July, Chapek welcomed more than 2,000 fans to learn about some of the most anticipated projects being developed for visitors worldwide. Visitors to D23 Expo Japan were the first to learn that the Marvel Super Hero universe will come to Disneyland Paris. They also got a preview of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort, and much more.

"We are working hard to create even more ways to experience the magic of Disney at our parks and hotels around the world," said Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "And with our incredible library of beloved stories and characters, we know exciting adventures and magical memories await all our visitors."

Super Heroes on a grand scale. After announcing that Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is preparing to bring popular stories and characters to Disneyland Paris, Chapek said the Marvel Super Hero universe would come to Walt Disney Studios Park, and that Rock 'n' Roller Coaster would be completely redesigned as a hyper kinetic, high speed adventure where visitors join Iron Man and their favourite Avengers.

We are working hard to create even more ways to experience the magic of Disney at our parks and hotels around the world

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Fans also got a preview of one of the rooms opening at Disney's Hotel New York, The Art of Marvel, in 2020. And for visitors eager to meet Marvel at Disneyland Paris, from this June the Marvel Summer of Super Heroes will bring visitors face to face with Captain America, Spider-Man, Star-Lord and Black Widow.

Super Heroes have already arrived at Hong Kong Disneyland with Iron Man Experience, the resort's most popular attraction, and more is coming with a whole Marvel themed area in progress. Chapek gave new details about the second new Marvel attraction planned for Hong Kong Disneyland, where visitors will be invited to join Ant-Man and The Wasp to fight Arnim Zola and his army of Hydra swarm bots in an exciting new adventure.

There is also great excitement around the arrival of Star-Lord and his Guardians of the Galaxy companions at Epcot, where reality becomes fantasy and fantasy becomes reality. This unique, family friendly attraction will feature an innovative new ride system and will be one of the longest enclosed roller coasters in the world.

Star Wars comes to life. After announcing the innovative concept of a Star Wars themed hotel last year, fans have been eager to know more. This Walt Disney World Resort concept combines a luxury hotel with full immersion in an authentic Star Wars story. When guests arrive, the journey through space begins the moment they board a starship and set out together to be part of a multi day Star Wars adventure. Chapek announced that it will connect seamlessly with Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Chapek also shared details about Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, which is coming to life at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Fans got a look at the Millennium Falcon and an impressive fleet of full size X-wing starfighters being built for the opening of these remarkable new lands. Imagineers are pushing the limits of what is possible as they prepare to put fans at the centre of the action so they can live their own Star Wars stories next year.

Twenty years of Pixar. For 20 years Pixar has entertained visitors at Disney parks worldwide. Since the launch of the attractions It's Tough to be a Bug! and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at Walt Disney World in 1998 and Cars Land at Disney California Adventure in 2012, Pixar's iconic storytelling has been hugely popular.

This year is certain to be the year of Pixar at Disney parks, with Disney Pixar Toy Story Land opening at Shanghai Disney Resort in April and at Walt Disney World Resort this summer. Fans were delighted to learn that the much anticipated Pixar Pier will open at Disney California Adventure on 23 June with the Incredicoaster and a future attraction themed on the Disney Pixar film Inside Out. Fans also learned that a new Incredibles float will join Paint the Night in June. The popular parade returns to Disneyland Resort, this time at Disney California Adventure, when Pixar Fest launches on 13 April.

And, just in time for the 20th anniversary of Disney's Animal Kingdom, fans learned that a new family show will debut on 22 April, with Russell and Dug from Disney Pixar's Up discovering different bird species from around the world.