The Complete List of the Best New Things Coming to Disney World

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Walt Disney World is always changing. There have been some new things that have been recently added, other things currently in progress, and some old favorites that are being changed or canceled. To keep you up-to-date on all the changes and help you better prepare for your next trip, here is the best list of all the new things coming to Disney World over the next few years.

This list covers the changes in each of the parks, as well as the hotels, transportation, and Disney Springs. As a bonus, I’ll throw in a few credible rumors too!

NOTE–The prolonged closure of Disney World in 2020 due to the global pandemic caused many of the things originally planned to be unexpectedly delayed or canceled.

We will update this article as new information becomes available. (Last updated June 18, 2023.)

COVID Restrictions Currently in Place

Since Disney World opened back up in the summer of 2020, they have put many restrictions and policies in place to keep cast members and guests safe. These restrictions are slowly being taking away so things can get back to normal. The precautions that are still in place include:

• Character meals are slowly coming back, but not all of them are back open yet.
• There are currently no dining plans. They will be back starting January 9, 2024. (You can book your 2024 trips now.)
• You must have a park reservation in addition to a park ticket for each day you attend a park. Park reservations go away beginning January 9, 2024.
• You can only hop to another park after 2:00 pm and only if the park you are hopping to has availability.
• Enchanted Tales with Belle has finally reopened in the Magic Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom Changes

• Disney has given Cinderella Castle a makeover as part of the 50th celebration! The castle now has pink hues with darker blue roofs and gold accents.

• Disney has added a new roller coaster, called TRON Lightcycle Run, next to Space Mountain. This is by far one of the most anticipated additions to Disney World!

• The Tomorrowland Speedway and the Walt Disney World Railroad have now reopened.

• Happily Ever After, the nighttime show at the Magic Kingdom has returned.

• Splash Mountain has now closed. It will be rethemed to Princess and the Frog. The new name will be “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.” It is expected to open in 2024.
• Mirabel from Encanto will beginning meeting guests at Fairytale Garden beginning on September 15, 2023.

• Jungle Cruise has just received an update, including some new scenes.

• The Hall of Presidents has recently been updated to include a Joe Biden audio-animatronic.

• The famous Hatbox Ghost will be added to the Haunted Mansion in 2023.

• Disney executives recently hinted that they are in the very early stages of a new land located behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad that would include elements from Coco, Encanto, and villains. Disney has not yet approved this plan. There is currently no timeline for when it would actually open.

• The official 50th anniversary celebration ended on March 31, 2023.

Epcot Changes

If you are visiting Epcot anytime soon, be prepared. You will see lots of construction walls up. Disney is currently working on a major update of Epcot. Don’t expect to see an end to the construction until at least 2024 or 2025.

The pandemic has changed the plan for Epcot’s overhaul. While we don’t know exactly how, it is clear that some plans will change, others will be canceled, and the construction will probably last longer than originally anticipated.

New Neighborhoods

What was the Future World half of Epcot has now been turned into three new neighborhoods: World Nature, World Discovery, and World Celebration. Throughout these new neighborhoods, expect less concrete and more landscaping and winding pathways.

Epcot: World Discovery Additions

• Guardian of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, a new roller coaster, is now open! It features rotating ride vehicles and a reverse launch, which is a first for Disney.
• Space 220, a new space-themed restaurant is also now open. It is located between Mission Space and Test Track.
• Disney is transforming the old Wonders of Life pavilion into a new Play Pavilion. It will include lots of interactive experiences, characters, and hands on activities. Think of this as one huge indoor playground. It is unknown when this will open.

Epcot: World Celebration Additions

• The massive refurbishment of Spaceship Earth, the icon of Epcot, is delayed. Disney has yet to announce when it will take place.
• Additionally, a new statue of Walt Disney will be added to an area called Dreamer’s Point.
• Also, there is now a new fountain.
• Creations Shop, the new flagship souvenir shop for Epcot is now open. A new Club Cool, located next door, is also now open.
• Connections Cafe and Eatery, a quick service restaurant, is also now open next to Creations Shop.
• A new Festival pavilion is still scheduled, but it will look different than what was announced. We have no details yet.

Epcot: World Nature Additions

• Awesome Planet, a new film, is now open in the Land pavilion.
• Also, Disney is adding “Journey of Water”, an interactive fountain/water feature inspired by Moana, near the Seas Pavilion. Expect this to open in the fall of 2023.
• Figment will return to meet guests beginning late Summer of 2023.

Epcot: World Showcase Changes

• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, a new Ratatouille themed ride, is now open in the France pavilion.
• The Canada pavilion now has a new film, Canada Far and Wide, and new projection system.
• World Showcase’s China pavilion is also getting a new film, called Wondrous China. There is no word on when this will debut.
• Additionally, a Beauty and the Beast sing-a-long is now sharing theater space with Impressions de France in the France pavilion.
• La Creperie de Paris, a new crepe restaurant is also now open in the France pavilion.
• Due to the pandemic, Disney cancelled plans for a Mary Poppins and Cherry Tree Lane experience in the United Kingdom pavilion.
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts and Barbecue is now open in the American Adventure. It features a huge smoker in the middle of the outdoor seating area.
• A new nighttime show will be coming to Epcot in late 2023. Epcot Forever will return on April 3, 2023 until the start of the new show.
• Lastly, Duck Tales World Showcase Adventure will replace Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure. There is no word yet on when the Duck Tales game starts.

Hollywood Studios Changes

The most anticipated addition in the history of Disney World, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, is now open at Hollywood Studios. This 14-acre addition lets you be part of the Star Wars franchise. Disney also recently added Toy Story Land to Hollywood Studios.

• Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, one of the land’s two new rides, Oga’s Cantina and Savi’s Workshop (a build-your-own specialty lightsaber experience), is now open.
• Rise of the Resistance, the other new ride in Galaxy’s Edge, is also now open.
• Mickey’s and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the other big ride is now open in the Chinese Theatre!
• Disney has also added a new table service restaurant to Toy Story Land. Roundup Rodeo BBQ opened on March 23, 2023.
• Jessie’s Trading Post is a new gift shop in Toy Story Land. It is located at the exit of Toy Story Mania.
• Lastly, a new theater called Mickey Shorts Theater is also now open! It shows Mickey Mouse short cartoons in the park’s theater district. This is a nice compliment to Mickey’s and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Animal Kingdom Changes

Of all the changes coming to Disney World, there are very few happening in Animal Kingdom. Here are the few things happening in Animal Kingdom.

• Primeval Whirl has now permanently closed.
• Disney KiteTails, a daytime show at the Discovery River Theater, the previous home of Rivers of Light, will close on September 30, 2023.
• Moana will be out for meet and greets beginning on April 22, 2023.
• Lastly, Rivers of Light, the nighttime show at Animal Kingdom, has also permanently closed.
• There are very preliminary plans to replace DinoLand USA with a land themed after either Moana or Zootopia. There is no timeline for this conversion yet.

Resort Changes

Disney World has 25+ resorts and hotels scattered throughout the property. And there’s more in the works. So, here’s the current news on changes coming to Disney World as it relates to the resorts.

• Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, a Star Wars hotel, is now open. It is adjacent to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios. It is a small, boutique hotel with 2 days and 2 nights of highly immersive, interactive elements.
• Another new hotel, Disney Riviera Resort, a new Disney Vacation Club resort, is now open. Find it next to Caribbean Beach Resort.
• Not only is the Riviera Resort new, but Storybook Breakfast Dining Experience is now open in the Riviera Resort’s rooftop restaurant, Topolino’s Terrace, Flavors of the Riviera. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy make appearances.
• Lastly, Enchanted Rose, a Beauty and the Beast inspired lounge, is now open in the Grand Floridian. Stop by for drinks and small plates.
• The Polynesian Village is undergoing an update and refurbishment. The rooms will have touches of Moana in them.

Disney Springs Changes

As you can probably imagine, there are also quite a few of the changes coming to Disney World are coming to Disney Springs over the next few years as well. Here is a rundown of what we know.

• First, a new Cirque du Soleil show, called Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life, about Disney animation is now open in Disney Springs.
• Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew is now open at Disney Springs.
• A new Target store is also coming to Disney Springs.
• Disney Springs now has a new eating & drinking location in its lineup. City Works Eatery & Pour House is now open. It offers 80+ beers on tap, tons of TV’s for watching the big game (including a 165″ screen), and bar food. It should be a great place to take a break from the crowds to watch some sports and hang out.
• Additionally, a new 10,000 square foot M&M’s Store is open in Disney Springs. It is an immersive and interactive experience.
• Lululemon Athletica, an athletic clothing store, is now open in Disney Springs.
• Another new addition to Disney Springs is Hot Diggity Dogs, a gourmet hot dog food truck.
• The NBA Experience has also permanently closed.
• Disney Springs is now hosting a Kids Club every Saturday morning. This family friendly entertainment is designed for the whole family. The acts vary and include bands, dance parties, singalongs, games, DJ’s, and more.

Miscellaneous Changes

In addition to everything above, there are a few changes coming to the Disney World resort as a whole. Here’s the information on those changes.

• First, Disney Skyliner, a gondola system, is now a part of the transportation lineup at Disney World. Use it to get to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Pop Century Resort, Art of Animation Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, and Riviera Resort.
• You can also now get an in-park photo session from Photopass photographers. Capture the Moment will cost $50 for a 20 minute session and $100 for a 40 minute session.
• Disney Genie, a digital assistant, will help you plan your trips with customized itineraries, dining and other things.
• Sadly, Disney is no longer giving out complimentary MagicBands to onsite guests. You can still buy and use them however. Disney is currently testing a new system that will allow you to use your smartphone like a MagicBand, accessing your park tickets and other elements.
• And finally, Genie+ and Lighting Lane have now replaced the Fastpass+ system. Both of these are paid services. With them, you can skip the lines at select rides during your trip.

Conclusion

Walt Disney once said the parks are “something that will never be finished.” And the many changes coming to Disney World over the next few years is a prime example of this. All in all, it is definitely an exciting time to visit this unique vacation destination.

Be sure to check back here periodically for updates.

For an updated list of refurbishments, see touringplans.com.

For help planning your Disney World vacation, see my step-by-step guide, best resources, and quick tips.

Happy travels!

P.S. Are you planning a trip to Disney World and not sure what you need to do or when? Do you feel completely overwhelmed by it all? My Disney World Trip Planning Checklist can help! It will guide you through every step of the planning process! And it’s FREE! Grab yours in the box below!