WHAT’S NEW?

WHAT’S NEW AT WALT DISNEY WORLD?

Updated on 2/21/25

As much as Disney fans bemoan change, can you honestly imagine a year without ANYTHING new? Theme parks aren’t monuments. New stuff is why we go back again and again, right?

While nothing in the Disneyverse is guaranteed, here is a list of what’s NEW, what’s been announced, and what Blue Sky Ideas are out there in the great big beyond.

MOST RECENT OPENINGS!

Island Tower (Polynesian Resort)

December 17, 2024

Island Christmas! The new 10-story Island Tower at the Polynesian Resort is now open and boasts magical views of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Located along the coveted monorail loop, Island Tower is a deluxe resort. It also sits along the walking path to the Magic Kingdom.

Guest rooms inside Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort feature details, patterns, and textures from the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Moana,” including characters and other references to the story. (Photo Courtesy of Disney, Kent Phillips, photographer)

Wailulu Bar (Polynesian Resort)

December 17, 2024

Island Christmas! Wailulu, the new pool bar and grill at the Polynesian Resort, has it all – a tempting menu influenced by the islands of Guam, Fiji, New Zealand, and Easter Island; a view of the nightly fireworks at Magic Kingdom; and a perfect name (in Hawaiian, Wai means water, and lulu means calm).

Cake Bake Shop (BoardWalk)

October 25, 2024

For the Sweet Tooth! The Cake Bake Shop serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, snacks, and dinner. It offers both a sit-down restaurant and a quick-service bakery. The cakes look amazing, but at $22+ a slice, expect greatness! If you love everything prim, pink, and princess, put this adorable shop on your vacation splurge list.

Country Bears Jamboree Update (Magic Kingdom)

July 17, 2024

Meet the fuzziest band around – the Five Bear Rugs, featuring Zeke, Zeb, Ted, Fred, and a bear named Tennessee. All of them can be seen at the Country Bear Musical Jamboree, which opened on July 17, 2024, at Magic Kingdom. (Image Courtesy of Disney)

The Country Bear Musical Jamboree attraction in the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland reopened with a new show this summer. The act pays homage to Nashville and includes Disney tunes sung in different country music genres. Fans of the attraction’s 50-year history should be on the lookout for easter eggs.

New Cabins (Fort Wilderness Resort)

July 1, 2024

Artist rendering of the new cabins. (Image Courtesy of Disney)

On July 1, Fort Wilderness Resort began phase I, swapping the campground’s log buildings for luxury cabins! While the cabins are Disney Vacation Club accommodations, the general public can also rent them. The cabins provide much more space and privacy than traditional hotel rooms. Not only can they sleep more guests (6 people), but they also include a kitchen, living room, deck, and outdoor grill.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Magic Kingdom)

June 28, 2024

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened June 28 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida! The ride takes guests on a musical adventure, picking up after the events of the Walt Disney Animation Studios film, “The Princess and the Frog.” (Image Courtesy of Disney. Olga Thompson, Photographer)

Take one of the most popular rides (Splash Mountain) and combine it with one of the hippest Princesses (Tiana) and what do you get? Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The water ride itself — a log flume with a giant drop — hasn’t changed, but the decor and music are all new and the biggest update to the attraction since it opened in Frontierland on July 17, 1992.

CommuniCore Hall & Plaza (EPCOT)

June 10, 2024

Artist rendering of CommuniCore Hall courtesy of Disney

Opening as a part of the new World Celebration neighborhood in EPCOT on June 10, CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza are places to celebrate, relax, and meet with friends (as in Mickey & Friends).

New Star Tours Adventures (Hollywood Studios)

April 5, 2024

Star Tours, the first Star Wars attraction at Walt Disney World, has been a part of Hollywood Studios since 1989.

On April 5, a new destination and new characters came to Star Tours – the OG Star Wars attraction at Hollywood Studios. The new location that may pop up on your next journey is the planet of Peridea, featured in the Ahsoka series. New characters you may meet on the flight include Din Djarin and Grogu, Cassian Andor, and Ahsoka Tano. Remember, Star Tours mixes and matches its adventures, so you’ll have to ride more than once to see all the new additions.

COMING IN 2025

Spaceship Earth Lounge (EPCOT)

Spring 2025

Thank The Phoenicians! Spaceship Earth will house a new elevated lounge with décor based on the attraction’s geometric sphere.

Views of the World Celebration Gardens and EPCOT’s nighttime fireworks will be part of the draw into the new Spaceship Earth lounge. (Image Courtesy of Disney)

Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After (Hollywood Studios)

Summer 2025

Character Takeover! The Disney Villains intend to invade Hollywood Studios with a new show celebrating all that is dastardly.

Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away (Magic Kingdom)

Summer 2025

Main Street Electric Parade Replacement! The Blue Fairy, classic and new characters, a Mary Blair-inspired princess float, Easter eggs, and new light technology combine into one for the newest Magic Kingdom nighttime parade entitled “Disney Starlight.”

Disney Starlight debuts this summer! (Image Courtesy of Disney)

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure (Hollywood Studios)

Summer 2025

Ariel and Friends return to the Animation Courtyard Theater this summer. The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure will feature live performances and puppets based on the animated film.

Will the new musical be a sing-along? It’s possible! (Image Courtesy of Disney)

Better Zoogether! (Animal Kingdom)

Winter 2025

Zootopia Takeover! A new show, Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, debuts in the Tree of Life theater on Discovery Island. Guests will visit the different biomes featured in the animated film.

Better Zoogether! is a 4D movie experience. Image Courtesy of Disney

Test Track Update (EPCOT)

Summer 2025

In Tribute To Motion! Test Track adds “edutainment” back to EPCOT with a reimagined inside that will celebrate the evolution of mobility. But don’t worry, a thrilling trip remains.

General Motors sponsors the updated Test Track attraction coming in 2025. (Image Courtesy of Disney)

Pirates Tavern (Magic Kingdom)

Late 2025

Yo, Ho, Ho! A new spot to grab grog and grub arrives in Adventureland shortly with the opening of the Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern.

Pirates fans can’t wait to find out what the new tavern will be named. Image Courtesy of Disney

Plans In The Works For 2026 & Beyond

Smugglers Run Update (Hollywood Studios)

2026

Fly With Grogu! Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run embarks on a new mission featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu.

Image Courtesy of Disney

Tropical Americas Land (Animal Kingdom)

2027

Goodbye DinoLand USA! The new land that was announced last year is moving forward at the Animal Kingdom theme park. The 11-acre Tropical Americas will include the town of Pueblo Esperanza, an Indiana Jones attraction, an Encanto-themed attraction, and a carousel featuring carved animals from Disney stories.

You have all of 2025 to visit Dinoland. After that, the land will close to construct the new Tropical Americas Land. (Image Courtesy of Disney)

Villains Land (Magic Kingdom)

TBD

A Villains Domain! Imagineers will begin fulfilling the wishes of millions of fans when they conjure up a new land for the Magic Kingdom dedicated to Disney Villains. The space will spawn behind the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction and include two new attractions, dining, and shopping.

Image Courtesy of Disney

Cars Attraction (Magic Kingdom)

TBD

Cars Are Comin’! Hitch up the horses and make way for Cars in Frontierland. Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, and friends are taking over Frontierland’s Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America. The area will be reimagined with rugged racing terrains. Once complete, the spot that connects Frontierland and Liberty Square will house two new Cars-themed attractions.

Image Courtesy of Disney

World of Monsters, Inc. (Hollywood Studios)

TBD

Laughter, Not Screams! Work begins this summer on a new land for Hollywood Studios based on the Monsters, Inc. stories. The land recreates the familiar city powered by laughter and will feature Disney’s first-ever suspended coaster attraction.

Fans have until May 10, 2025, to experience Grand Avenue and dine at Mama Melrose and until June 7, 2025, to enjoy Muppets 3D and Pizza Rizzo before all three close for good to make way for a new Monsters Inc. land. (Image Courtesy of Disney)

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios)

TBD

Time To Light The Lights! In the future, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will be featuring The Muppets. The crew will be moving from Grand Avenue to Sunset Boulevard sometime in the near future for a re-theming of the popular indoor rollercoaster currently featuring Aerosmith. A revamp of the gift shop at the end of the ride is also scheduled for a redo.

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