When you’re planning trips, or thinking about it, it’s always helpful to discover what’s coming to Disney World in the future. Should you visit Disney World in 2024 or 2025? The debut of a new attraction or experience can help you make that decision. Disney hasn’t had a massive new project under construction for years. In the last few decades, New Fantasyland, Pandora – The World of Avatar and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge all debuted, changing the footprints of and expanding capacity in their respective parks. So what’s coming to Disney World in the future? We finally have some answers about what new rides and lands Disney is building or reimagining.
What’s Coming to Disney World
As of 2024, things are still getting back to normal after the pandemic Disney World closure.
What’s New at Disney World in 2024
All Day Parking Hopping is Back at Disney World January 2024
As of January 9th, 2024, all day park hopping is back at the theme parks. Guests with date based tickets do not need a park reservation and can park hop any time. Those with a Disney annual pass and those with tickets that are not connected to a date still need to make a park reservation and enter that park in order to park hop.
Disney Dining Plan Returns to Disney World January 2024
The Disney Dining Plan has also returned for arrivals on or after January 9th, 2024.
New Star Tours April 2024
Ahsoka, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Andor and more are now part of flights at Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. This attraction was majorly updated in 2011 and is equipped to offer new show scenes as needed. Each ride shows a different combination of the many destinations and transmissions you are able to get.
Disney Springs Drone Show “Disney Dreams That Soar” May 24th through September 2nd
This summer Disney stories fill the sky at Disney Springs with the help of drones. Music and movie quotes accompany this nightly Disney Springs drone show. The soundtrack includes a new, original song as well. Look up to see Disney characters like Peter Pan, Dumbo, Wall-E and Eve and more. Disney Dreams That Soar runs May 24th through September 2nd on the West Side of Disney Springs.
CommuniCore Hall at Epcot Opened June 10
At Epcot, CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza are the final spaces to open in the park’s multi-year transformation. The new Mickey and friends meet and greet is in this building along with other entertainment. CommuniCore Hall will also be the new Epcot festival center.
Encanto Show at Epcot Through September 6th
There is more Encanto at Disney World this summer. ¡Celebración Encanto! is a new sing-along style show at Epcot on the new CommuniCore Plaza stage. This show features Mirabel and Bruno and runs from June 10th to September 6th.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opened June 28th 2024
The attraction Tiana’s Bayou Adventure picks up where the movie left off. This new attraction took over the place of Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom with dazzling new animatronic characters but the same great drop. Our Tiana’s Bayou Adventure post has lots of the details to help you plan your visit!
New Country Bear Jamboree Show Opened July 17th 2024
The new show Country Bear Musical Jamboree features a fresh, musical take on the classic. The news was revealed with a classic variety show style poster. Disney worked with authentic Nashville artists to refine the sound of the music. This updated version of the show is filled with Disney tunes like The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book and Try Everything from Zootopia.
What’s Coming to Disney Vacation Club Resorts
The year 2024 also brings many more Disney Vacation Club rooms to Walt Disney World resort.
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort replaces the existing cabins at this historical property and opened July 1st, 2024.
The Polynesian DVC tower is also under construction, expanding the resort by hundreds of rooms that will open in December of 2024. This building is confirmed to be part of the existing DVC property at the resort and not a new, separate home resort.
Over at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas, a new restaurant will open in 2024. The Cake Bake Shop has been under construction for quite some time and is replacing the former ESPN restaurant.
See our DVC resort refurbishment schedule for everything that’s going on.
What’s Coming to Disney in 2025
Magic Kingdom Night Parade
It’s been many years since the Magic Kingdom has had a night parade. That changes in 2025 with the all new Disney Starlight parade. Elsa, Mirabel and more will light up the park thanks to the magic of the Blue Fairy.
Little Mermaid Show Hollywood Studios Summer 2025 Reimagining
There are quite a few things that still haven’t reopened since the March 2020 closure at Walt Disney World, Voyage of the Little Mermaid being one of them. This stage show with puppetry was a long time staple at the park since it opened in 1992. Much of the Animation Courtyard has remained closed as there were two shops attached to and near this show.
Disney announced at the end of 2023 that Voyage of the Little Mermaid would be replaced with The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure. At the time, construction was said to be well underway, preparing for a fall 2024 opening. It has since been delayed to the summer of 2025. Songs “Part of Your World” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” will still be part of the show as well as the addition of “Kiss the Girl.” The Disney Parks Blog says The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure will have “stunning new set pieces, cutting-edge effects, and a bold new design.” Disney has also referenced the “Daughters of Triton” song in the show.
Ursula will appear in live and animated form and puppets will return to the stage as well.
Reimagining of Test Track with Chevrolet Opening 2025
Imagineers are also working with Chevrolet to reimagine Test Track again. The attraction closed June 17th, 2024 for refurbishment and construction is well underway. According to the Disney Parks Blog, “New show scenes will be added showcasing technological advances and how our lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone. Enjoy a joy ride through scenes focusing on onboard technology, customization and personalization.”
Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge Opening 2025
A Pirates of the Caribbean lounge is headed to Adventureland. This tavern style establishment will serve food and drinks. It looks like it will take over the place of the The Pirates League which has been closed for years. It will extend the story of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. The Barker Bird, the green parrot from outside the attraction, has taken residence in this new location.
Spaceship Earth Lounge Opening 2025
The area inside the back of Spaceship Earth has been a special event space for years. It has wonderful views of the park and fireworks. Starting in 2025, it will be a lounge for all to enjoy, not to be confused with a Disney Vacation Club lounge. From the Disney Parks Blog, “Taking inspiration from the geometric sphere, the zen space to gather and enjoy refreshments will be draped with rich textures and warm metallic tones, giving it a mysterious and elegant intimacy.”
Zootopia Show at Animal Kingdom Opens “Next Winter”
A new Zootopia show for the Tree of Life theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has been announced. This replaces It’s Tough to Be a Bug. Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and others from the film will introduce guests to more of Zootopia in the initial concept. In the summer of 2024, Disney shared this opens “next winter” but it’s unclear when that is exactly.
What’s Coming to Disney in 2026, 2027 and Beyond
There is a list of additions and replacements that were announced at the 2024 D23 expo.
Many of these are early in development and have a far off opening date or none at all.
Encanto House and Indiana Jones Replacing Dinoland Opening 2027
The future of Dinoland has been changed. Now it seems the land will go along with the regional theming of the rest of the park and become the tropical Americas. Disney says these are biodiverse places people travel for adventure. It’s said to be a land filled with authentic experiences from this part of the world. The house from Encanto will be there along with a carousel and restaurant from the world of the film. Dinosaur will be taken over by an Indiana Jones attraction with a brand new story. In Disneyland, the Indiana Jones attraction has the same track, vehicles and layout as Dinosaur. See more about the Disney tropical Americas land at Animal Kingdom.
Dinoland starts to close on January 13, 2025 with TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures going away.
The Dinosaur attraction and everything else there don’t yet have a closing date.
Cars at Magic Kingdom
Disney says work revs into high gear next year for changes in Frontierland. Two new cars attractions will be built in the land. This seems to be part of the “beyond Thunder Mountain” expansion idea. It actually isn’t an expansion, it replaces the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island.
Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
A Disney Villains land is what lives beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This also potentially takes over some of the Rivers of America area. The Villains land will have two major attractions, dining, and shopping.
What’s Newer at Disney from 2023
If it’s been a while since you’ve been to Disney, or if you’ve never been, you’ll want to know about what’s new at Disney World as of the last few years.
Epcot Construction Ending December 2023
The last three new neighborhoods in Epcot opened in December of 2023. Epcot has been through quite a bit recently. A massive refurbishment with several additions was planned for the park. The pandemic changed and cancelled a few things, like the Mary Poppins attractions slated for the U.K. pavilion. However, the rest of what was announced and built is done and open.
Unless you visited in December, there’s a lot of new space to explore in the front of Epcot. The construction walls are finally down behind Spaceship Earth. You may remember the Fountain of Nations that once stood in the area. A total renovation has taken place, changing the space quite a bit. This area mostly serves as a pathway to get guests forward to World Showcase or left or right to their first order of fun.
Each night, the area lights up with fun colors, complimenting the light show on the giant geodesic sphere. There’s also a new Walt Disney statue in a space appropriately called Dreamer’s Point. You can sit next to this bronze style vision of the man who started it all. This space in World Celebration also brings a lot of seating to the front of the park. In true Disney fashion, there are also outlets creating charging stations.
Luminous The Symphony of Us December 5th 2023
Epcot has a new nighttime show as of December of 2023. Luminous The Symphony of Us lights up the sky with fireworks every night. Plan your visit with our guide to where to watch fireworks at Epcot.
Asha from the Animated Film Wish Meets at Epcot
Asha from Disney’s animated feature film Wish is one of the newest characters at Epcot. The movie Wish debuted in theaters in November of 2023.
Figment Meet and Greet at Epcot September 10th 2023
A Figment meet and greet is now at Epcot as of September 10th, 2023. He’s not the little guy with Dream Finder but a large mascot type Figment.
Journey of Water Inspired by Moana October 16th 2023
This walk through exhibit opened October 16th, 2023. Guests can explore, play with and be inspired by water like Moana.
Moana Meet and Greet at Epcot
Moana has a dedicated meeting space next to the walkthrough exhibit. In terms of streaming, Moana is one of the most popular films of the last few years.
TRON Lightcycle / Run Now Open
TRON: Lightcycle / Run soars through Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park as of early 2023.
Hatbox Ghost Added in Late 2023
Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom now has its own Hatbox Ghost character as of late 2023. This character has been present in the Disneyland version for years and has finally made his way to Liberty Square.
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2 Responses
I like this review. It sparks interest and helps in planning future trips. Jim Nichols DVC
Thank you James! We’ll keep the information coming. Have a magical day!