Looking to 2020: Highlights for Disney’s Year Ahead

As hard as it may be to believe, we’re mere weeks away from the end of the year — and the decade. So what’s in store for Disney in 2020? Let’s take a look at some of the highlights ahead:

January 13: College Football Playoff National Championship

The first big Disney event of the year is the annual College Football National Championship which is taking place in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is the biggest ESPN broadcast of the year and will feature promotion across the entire Walt Disney Company

January 17: Star Wars – Rise of the Resistance Opens at Disneyland

While the attraction has already opened at Walt Disney World, the delayed experience will finally be open at the Disneyland Resort.

February 21: The Call of the Wild

Adapted from the beloved literary classic, The Call of the Wild brings to the screen the story of Buck, a big-hearted dog whose blissful domestic life is turned upside down when he is suddenly uprooted from his California home and transplanted to the exotic wilds of the Alaskan Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. As the newest rookie on a mail delivery dog sled team–and later its leader–Buck experiences the adventure of a lifetime, ultimately finding his true place in the world and becoming his own master. The film stars Harrison Ford and is directed by Lilo & Stitch’s Chris Sanders

March 4: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

The first ride-through attraction featuring Mickey and Minnie debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The experience will feature dazzling visual effects, a lovable theme song and surprising twists and turns that, according to Disney. will be fun for the entire family.

March 6: Onward

Set in a suburban fantasy world, Pixar’s Onward introduces two teenage elf brothers who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there.

March 27: Mulan

When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.

April 15: Fantasyland Expansion at Tokyo Disneyland

Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast and the Fantasyland Forest Theatre open at Tokyo Disneyland as well as The Happy Ride with Baymax in Tomorrowland and Minnie’s Style Studio in Toontown. These new offerings will excite guests that visit the Tokyo Disney Resort ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

May 1: Black Widow

Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow in the first film of Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

June 15: Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel

The first hotel themed to Marvel opens at Disneyland Paris.

June 19: Soul

In Pixar’s Soul, just when Joe thinks his dream might be in reach, a single unexpected step sends him to a fantastical place where he is forced to think again about what it truly means to have soul. That’s where he meets and ultimately teams up with 22, a soul who doesn’t think life on Earth is all it’s cracked up to be.

Summer 2020: Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Loosely inspired by a similar attraction at Walt Disney Studios Park, Epcot’s latest ride will shrink guests to the size of Chef Remy and race through Gusteau’s restaurant

Summer 2020: Avengers Campus

The first Avengers Campus will open its first phase at Disney California Adventure. The Avengers are looking for some new recruits and perhaps you can fit the bill. I just hope something unexpected doesn’t happen with all that cutting-edge Avengers tech laying around.

July 17: Disneyland’s 65th Birthday

The kingdom that started it all celebrates a milestone birthday. With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in its recent past and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in its future, the happiest place on earth will continue to get happier.

July 24: Jungle Cruise

Inspired by the classic Disney Parks attraction, Jungle Cruise is an adventure-filled, Amazon-jungle expedition starring Dwayne Johnson as the charismatic riverboat captain and Emily Blunt as a determined explorer on a research mission

August 27-30: Star Wars Celebration

With the Skywalker Saga haven been concluded, we expect to find out more about what the future of the galaxy, far, far, away will include. With more movies and Disney+ series on the way, expect lots of news to come out of this special event.

Fall 2020: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

The first MCU Disney+ series features the friends of Captain America as they face a world without Steve Rogers, but with Baron Zemo.

November 6: The Eternals

If after Maleficent: Mistress of Evil you are yearning for more Angelina Jolie, you are in luck. She is part of the diverse ensemble that will hit theaters as The Eternals.

November 20-22: Destination D – Fantastic Worlds

D23’s smaller-scale event returns to Walt Disney World. While details are a bit scarce at this early juncture, expect many presentations celebrating the past, present, and future of Disney.

November 25: Raya and the Last Dragon

Following Frozen 2, the next feature from Disney Animation is set in a mysterious realm called Kumandra where a warrior named Raya searches for the last dragon in the world.