There is no place on earth quite like Walt Disney World, the resort sits on land twice the size of the Island of Manhattan, and within its borders, it holds four distinct theme parks, two dozen resort hotels, and just about anything else you might want to do on vacation. And yet, when you visit Disney World, there’s always something new that wasn’t there the last time you visited.
And there's going to be a lot new arriving at Walt Disney World for the next several years. From new attractions to entirely new lands, Disney World will be undergoing a major transformation over the next few years. Here's everything we know is coming to the most magical place on earth.
The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure - Disney's Hollywood Studios (Fall 2024)
While nearly everything that had closed during the global pandemic has since re-opened, one attraction conspicuous by its absence was Voyage of the Little Mermaid, a live stage show that presented a condensed version of the animated movie. In late 2023 Disney World finally confirmed that the show would not reopen when it announced that a freshly updated version of the show, The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure, was set to debut. It will arrive in the fall of 2024 with updated sequences and effects, though we haven't yet seen what that looks like.
Disney’s Polynesian Island Tower (December 17, 2024)
Just like Walt Disney World theme parks are always getting updated, the same is true of Disney World resort hotels. Disney’s Polynesian Village was one of two resorts to open on day one at Walt Disney World in 1971, and in 2024 it will see the opening of a brand new hotel tower for Disney Vacation Club members. Reservations for the tower are now available with the tower set to open in December.
The Cake Bake Shop - Disney's Boardwalk (Early 2025)
There's no shortage of sweet treats on offer at Walt Disney World, but Gwendolyn Rogers' Cake Bake Shop promises to offer truly unique cookies, French macaroons, and more when it opens its new location at Disney's BoardWalk. Initially planned for a late 2023 opening, things have been moving quite slowly, and in September 2024 it was announced the location is now expecting to open in early 2025.
Disney Starlight Parade - Magic Kingdom (2025)
Ever since the Main Street Electrical Parade said goodbye to Magic Kingdom a number of years ago, fans have wanted a brand new nighttime parade in the park. Prayers have been answered as at D23 the Disney Starlight parade was officially announced to be coming to the park in 2025.
Test Track 3.0 - Epcot (2025)
In the summer of 2024, just after Epcot’s five-year construction journey was complete, Test Track closed. The ride is going down for a significant refurbishment. The core attraction structure is expected to remain, but a new story will be built around it. What that story will be we still don’t know, but fans won’t have to wait too long to experience it as the update is scheduled to be done in 2025.
Pirate Lounge - Magic Kingdom (2025)
Magic Kingdom, like Disneyland itself, opened as a dry park, in accordance with the wishes of Walt Disney. Since then however, alcohol has made its way into the park and beer, wine, and cocktails are now available at every Magic Kingdom table service restaurant. However, what Magic Kingdom has not had, that all other domestic parks do have, is a dedicated lounge. That will change as a Pirate Lounge located near Pirates of the Caribbean, will be coming at some point in the future. The Barker Bird, previously outside the attraction, will be moving into the lounge.
Spaceship Earth Lounge - Epcot (2025)
When Spaceship Earth was first built, it included a VIP lounge, meant to be used by the attraction’s sponsor. For the last several years Spaceship Earth has been without a sponsor, and Disney World has apparently decided that location could be used more efficiently. A new Spaceship Earth lounge, that as far as we know will be open to the public, is set to open in 2025.
Zootopia: Better Together - Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Winter 2025)
After Zootopia received its own land at Shanghai Disney Resort many fans wondered if a version of that land may be on its way to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. That won’t be happening, but Zootopia will get a new attraction in the park. Zootopia 2 is set to open in November 2025 and shortly thereafter a new 3D show, Zootopia: Better Together is set to debut in the theater currently housing It’s Tough To Be A Bug.
The Mandalorian & Grogu Join Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run - Disney’s Hollywood Studios (TBA/2026?)
When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was originally conceived it had a set time within Star Wars canon, during the sequel trilogy. Over time however, that idea has faded as new characters have been added from all over the Star Wars timeline. Now a big change is in store for one of Galaxy’s Edge’s major attractions.
At D23 Dave Filoni revealed plans to add a new mission to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, one that will include The Mandalorian & Grogu. It’s unclear if this will be a permanent replacement, or something that may take place randomly. Exactly when this update will happen is also unknown, but seeing it arrived alongside the upcoming Mandalorian & Grogu movie, slated for 2026, seems likely.
Cars Added To Frontierland - Magic Kingdom (TBA)
One of the biggest changes to one of Magic Kingdom’s original lands is set to start early in 2025. The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island are set to be replaced by a new area which will include two Cars attractions. Both, obviously, are driving style experiences, though one is supposed to be geared more toward younger kids while the other is expected to be a bit more of a thrill ride for older guests.
Monsters Inc. Land - Disney’s Hollywood Studios (TBA)
The announcement at D23 2024 of a new Monsters Inc land, and by Billy Crystal himself, was met with cheers. Construction is set to begin in 2025, and the new land will include the “Door Coaster” Disney’s first hanging coaster, styled after the door chasing scene in the original Monsters Inc. However, many fans are concerned because currently it’s unclear where the new land is going to go, and what part of the current Hollywood Studios park we may lose to make room for it.
Tropical Americas - Disney's Animal Kingdom (2027)
At the 2022 D23 Expo Disney Parks admitted what fans already knew, that Dinoland U.S.A. was in need of replacement. For a year we were in limbo as to what the new land would be, but we now have a bit of clarification. A new land, The Tropical Americas, focused on the area of Central and South America, will take over the space. At D23 2024 it was confirmed the land will include a carousel made up of animals from various Disney and Pixar films. It will also include an Encanto attraction set inside the magical Casita, and an Indiana Jones attraction that will be an original adventure that will see Indy on the hunt for a mysterious creature in a South American temple.
Villains Land- Magic Kingdom (TBA)
Back in 2023 Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro began to tease something called “Beyond Big Thunder.” It would be an entirely new land at Magic Kingdom, an expansion rather than a replacement. Several different themes for the land were teased, so fans didn’t know what we were getting.
Recently Added Attractions
Moana: Journey Of Water - Epcot
While Tron: Lightcycle Run promised to be the most exciting new attraction opening in 2023, there was another new attraction coming that same year that looked to be quite interesting. Moana: Journey of Water is a walk-through attraction that allows guests to interact with water in unique ways. By moving your arms through water you can change its course, create music, and more. Moana is also available nearby as a regular meet-and-greet character.
Luminous: The Symphony of Us - Epcot
Epcot announced it would be replacing Harmonious in 2023, the show that only started in late 2021, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. While some loved the show, the massive barges that filled Epcot's lagoon all day long were less popular. The new show, Luminous: The Symphony of Us, like the classic Illuminations, uses large structures in the water, but only ones that can be removed at the end of the show. Early response to Luminous has been positive.
Hatbox Ghost In The Haunted Mansion - Magic Kingdom
While both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom have versions of the classic Haunted Mansion, they are not perfectly identical. Both versions have elements you won’t find at the other, but in November 2023 the Disney World mansion became a bit more like the one at Disneyland when it added the Hatbox Ghost to the ride. The character, which sees his head transported between his neck and a hatbox he's holding, was a main character in the recent Haunted Mansion movie and has been part of Disneyland's mansion since 2015.
Ahsoka, The Mandalorian, and Cassian Andor In Star Tours - Disney's Hollywood Studios (2024)
Last year it was confirmed that even though Star Wars now has its own land at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, the original Star Wars attraction, Star Tours, would be getting new additions. In April 2024, alongside the beginning of Season of the Force at Disneyland, the new sequences were added to the attraction. A new finale sequence which includes Ahsoka Tano flying among purrgll, has been added, as have three new "transmission" sequences which spotlight, Ahsoka, Cassian Andor, and The Mandalorian with Grogu.
World Celebration - Epcot (June 10, 2024)
Epcot has been undergoing a massive renovation of about half the theme park for the last few years, and while we saw some elements of that update, like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, completed years ago, it wasn't until the summer of 2024 that work was ultimately completed. The new Communicore Hall, while underwhelming, marked the completion of the "new" Epcot.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure - Magic Kingdom (June 28, 2024)
One of the most high-profile updates coming to Walt Disney World is the complete retheme of Splash Mountain. The ride previously based on Disney’s controversial film Song of the South has been completely redesigned with a new story set to be a sequel to The Princess and the Frog. The ride is now open and has been getting rave reviews.
Country Bear Musical Jamboree - Magic Kingdom (July 17, 2024)
Over the last several years there were numerous rumors that the Country Bear Jamboree may get replaced. The opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom hasn't been closed, but it recently saw a major overhaul. The new show, which debuted in July, as The Country Bear Musical Jamboree redesigned all the animatronic characters, and now has them singing a medley of songs from Disney movies in various country music styles.
The future certainly looks bright, and very busy, at Walt Disney World. While many of these projects won’t be coming in the short term, Disney World will be transformed by the time they’re all done.
