New rides, eating places, leisure, and extra is coming to Walt Disney World in 2023 & 2024. Here’s what’s subsequent after the fiftieth Anniversary celebration concludes subsequent yr–building information, enlargement plans, and opening dates so you realize what to anticipate when planning your WDW trip. (Updated December 26, 2022.)
According to Walt Disney World, the “big” factor taking place proper now’s the World’s Most Magical Celebration, an 18-month anniversary occasion operating now by March 31, 2023. Honestly, the additions fiftieth Anniversary festivities have been underwhelming. The fireworks aren’t nearly as good as what they changed, and the entire thing feels extra like a celebration of latest characters than Walt Disney World turning 50.
While the fiftieth Anniversary celebration itself is missing, there are nonetheless huge long-term additions coming to Walt Disney World within the subsequent few years. At this level, we’re largely trying ahead to Spring 2023, as that’s when the subsequent huge experience, restaurant, and extra open. While we don’t but have particular opening dates for many of this, if you would like notifications about Walt Disney World information or rumors, join our FREE Walt Disney World Email Newsletter.
When it involves what’s new, two of the most important issues don’t contain building in any respect. First up is Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, the highly-controversial paid FastPass substitute, which debuted final fall. This adjustments the visitor expertise, arguably for the more serious. Everything it’s worthwhile to know is roofed in our Guide to Genie+ and Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World.
Second, the MagicBand Plus. This is extra of a combined bag, which you’ll learn all about in our MagicBand+ Review: The Good, Bad & Ugly! The MagicBand+ is now obtainable and options color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition. It additionally options two interactive minigames.
With regard to building, the excellent news is that most of the greatest initiatives are completed or don’t impression the visitor expertise. This contains the large Disney’s Hollywood Studios overhaul, Animal Kingdom enlargement, and resort growth. In reality, 3 of the 4 Walt Disney World theme parks are trying good and largely wall-free.
There’s not practically as a lot building at Walt Disney World proper now than every other time within the final 5 years. The major exception is Epcot, which is a sea of building partitions proper now, and might be for the foreseeable future–doubtless by late 2023.
Here’s a park by park take a look at the whole lot new and coming quickly to Walt Disney World…
EPCOT
At Epcot, the entrance of the park is trying good because the reimagined park entrance venture is completed. Redesigned landscaping, flags, topiaries, and an iconic prismatic pylon fountain in entrance of Spaceship Earth have all been put in. These are additional enhanced at evening by an upgraded lighting package deal, together with the Beacons of Magic mentioned under.
Between Spaceship Earth and World Showcase, it’s a sea of partitions. The work right here is at the moment the most important building venture at Walt Disney World, which leads to lots of visible blight to the entrance of Epcot. Basically, your complete heart of Future World is enclosed by building partitions proper now.
Technically, that is not Future World. The large redesign on the entrance of Epcot eradicated Future World and changed it with 3 new neighborhoods. Walt Disney World hasn’t introduced a timeline for this venture, besides that it received’t be “done” till 2023. (That a lot is clear simply by taking a look at it. If the torpid tempo of previous progress is any indication, late 2023 is when it’ll almost certainly be completed.)
The excellent news is that there’s now a walkway operating straight from the primary entrance to World Showcase that passes in entrance of Creations Shop and Connections Cafe & Eatery. This is way simpler and extra environment friendly than utilizing the bypass on the opposite facet that winds across the Land, Seas, and Journey into Imagination pavilions.
Not a lot goes to be constructed within the Giant EPCOT Dirt Pit™️ above, which is able to change into CommuniCore Hall & Plaza. This space might be dwelling to bushes, an enchanted backyard, planter, and pageant space. It’ll additionally characteristic an outside stage, demonstration kitchen, and character meet & greet.
This space has already been torn up for nearly 4 years, and received’t be completed for no less than 1 extra. The closure of Walt Disney World resulted on this overhaul being paused for roughly one full yr, with Imagineering going again to the drafting board. Many parts have been scaled again, reduce fully, or reworked. The unique plans have been rather more bold than merely planting bushes and rebuilding a construction they demolished.
Moreover, Walt Disney World has indefinitely delayed or cancelled a handful of Epcot initiatives. In Future World, there’s the Spaceship Earth Overhaul & Enhancements. The “story light” part of this has been delayed indefinitely.
Other upgrades have debuted with Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary, together with “Beacons of Magic” and an all-new projection mapping impact on the skin of the geodesic sphere. It’s nothing to plan your night round, however it’s a pleasant contact, and there are additionally seasonal variations of the present for the park’s varied festivals (and, for now, EPCOT’s fortieth Anniversary).
Right behind Spaceship Earth, the Creations Shop and Club Cool are each now open. These have been constructed within the former Innoventions constructing, the place MouseGear was beforehand positioned.
On the opposite facet of the constructing, Connections Cafe & Eatery can be now open within the area that used to accommodate Electric Umbrella. In addition to a counter service restaurant, that is now Epcot’s everlasting Starbucks location. (See our Connections Cafe & Eatery Review for suggestions and images.)
The greatest latest addition at Epcot is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which is a hybrid curler coaster. This blockbuster attraction opened at Walt Disney World earlier this yr. Cosmic Rewind is superior–the most effective new experience at Epcot in a long time.
Experiencing the brand new curler coaster is a bit difficult, so if you wish to expertise it (and you need to!), take a look at our How to Ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind & Virtual Queue Speed Strategy to enhance your probabilities of success for becoming a member of the free digital queue. Another various is shopping for line-skipping entry through the Individual Lightning Lanes.
Nearby in Future World, Space 220 Restaurant adjoining to Mission: Space is now open. We’ve dined right here a number of occasions, and have already shared Photos & Video Inside Space 220 Restaurant in addition to our Space 220 Lunch Review that appears at whether or not the meals is well worth the price ticket
At Space 220 Restaurant, visitors board a particular area elevator that ascends to the celebs. Upon arrival, you get pleasure from a celestial panorama from the area station, with the flexibility to look out and luxuriate in daytime and nighttime views of Earth from 220 miles up.
Harmonious, a brand new nighttime spectacular has debuted in World Showcase Lagoon. This is without doubt one of the greatest leisure spectacles Walt Disney World has ever created. We’ve seen it a number of occasions and discover Harmonious to be a combined bag.
Because of this, Walt Disney World has already introduced that Harmonious might be changed with a brand new present in late 2023. While an finish date has not but been formally introduced, Disney has strongly hinted that it’ll finish on March 31, 2023 with the remainder of the fiftieth festivities. It’s doubtless that the interim Epcot Forever fireworks will return following that, whereas demolition/building happens within the lagoon.
In the meantime, we’d strongly advocate trying out our Best Harmonious Viewing Locations at Epcot for recommendation on the place to see it. We recurrently see visitors camped out in spots that supplied good views of the earlier fireworks, however are subpar for Harmonious.
Moving deeper into World Showcase, the most recent E-Ticket attraction to open at Epcot is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. This family-friendly trackless darkish experience is a part of an enlargement of the France pavilion. This was delayed by over a yr to the beginning of the World’s Most Magical Celebration.
In addition to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, this enlargement to the France pavilion contains quite a lot of retail and restaurant additions, most notably La Crêperie de Paris. This crêperie affords each desk and quick-service choices that includes a menu from celeb chef Jerome Bocuse.
In a shocking flip of occasions, one other venture that had radio silence for over 2 years simply debuted: DuckTales World Showcase Adventure. You can now play this recreation when you’ve downloaded (or up to date) the Play Disney Parks app.
Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure is the subsequent iteration of the interactive scavenger hunt round World Showcase that beforehand featured Kim Possible and at the moment Phineas & Ferb. It ought to be a great way to interact children in an space of Epcot they usually discover “boring.”
Another addition that’s positively coming to the entrance of Epcot is Moana: Journey of Water. This is the first-ever attraction based mostly on the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit movie, Moana. This water maze might be a lush setting the place visitors can work together with dwelling water in a lovely and provoking setting.
Construction is now vertical on Moana: Journey of Water, and progress is coming alongside properly. At the D23 Expo, Disney introduced Moana’s Journey of Water will debut in late 2023. The firm additionally revealed an enormous shock–a towering Te Fiti determine that would be the centerpiece of the water maze!
Speaking of surprises, a Figment Meet & Greet is coming to EPCOT! You’ll as soon as once more have the ability to meet Figment in individual at EPCOT “by the end” of 2023 in accordance with Walt Disney World. No phrase but on whether or not he’ll be joined by Dreamfinder, however we certain hope so!
The means that’s worded, it might be any day between at this time and December 31, 2023. However, that may not be the phrase selection if the intent have been to open this anytime quickly. I do know staffing shortages are nonetheless impacting character appearances, however this isn’t that. Perhaps that is in some way associated to the new Figment characteristic movie being made by Seth Rogen?
Finally, we flip to the unsure Epcot venture: Play Pavilion, which is able to or would possibly change Wonders of Life. At one level, this was additionally supposed to open “in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary.” An official date has not been introduced for this, however it’s doable that Walt Disney World will open this pavilion sooner or later in 2023.
It’s additionally doable that Play Pavilion plans have been deserted fully, and it’ll by no means open. Walt Disney World has mentioned completely nothing about this venture in over 2 years. There haven’t even been credible rumors about it. Honestly, the one factor that offers us hope is that, just like the DuckTales recreation, a lot of the work for this was finished pre-closure. So it’s nonetheless doable that, additionally like that, Disney may make an announcement out of nowhere that the Play Pavilion goes to open this summer time.
Magic Kingdom
Next up is Magic Kingdom, the place Cinderella Castle is all decked out for the World’s Most Magical Celebration. It’s additionally the centerpiece of Disney Enchantment, a nighttime spectacular that debuted for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary.
Like Harmonious, this fireworks present has been met by a combined response from followers. As a end result, Walt Disney World introduced that Happily Ever After will return to Magic Kingdom in 2023! It’s anticipated that the present will characteristic a spread of updates and enhancements, resembling projections on Main Street and extra. No date has been set for Happily Ever After’s return, however our expectation is April 2023.
Magic Kingdom might be “plussing” an iconic attraction in 2023 with the addition of the Hatbox Ghost. You could acknowledge this in style character from the attraction at Disneyland Resort in California.
If you’re unfamiliar with the historical past of this character, right here’s a primer. Adding Hatbox Ghost to Haunted Mansion after so a few years looks as if thinly-veiled fan service, and it most likely is. But who cares? the determine is cool, the impact is superior, and it’s a pleasant plussing for the attraction. Plus, is it actually so dangerous that there are Imagineers with their finger on the heart beat of what the fan neighborhood needs who’re prepared to lovingly embrace the historical past of the park?.
Two extra recently-finished Magic Kingdom initiatives are the refresh to Hall of Presidents and the reimagining of Jungle Cruise. The adjustments to Hall of Presidents and their motivations are presumably clear.
As for Jungle Cruise, the aim was so as to add extra humor, wildlife, and skipper coronary heart, whereas additionally reflecting and valuing the range of the world round us. Gone are some antiquated stereotypes; added are a ton extra monkeys.
Magic Kingdom’s subsequent huge venture on the horizon is the TRON Lightcycle Run Roller Coaster being in-built Tomorrowland behind Space Mountain. This addition has zero visitor impression as a result of it’s exterior the prevailing boundary of Magic Kingdom, which means no building partitions in pathways.
This is one other attraction that was deliberate to open in time for the beginning of Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary. Disney introduced that TRON Lightcycle Run will open in Spring 2023, which implies it is not going to debut this yr as anticipated. The Walt Disney World Railroad, which was beforehand closed attributable to TRON building, has returned.
Following that, there’s the Princess and the Frog reimagining of Splash Mountain at each Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The title of the brand new attraction evolving from the reimagining of Splash Mountain is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The reimagined experience will convey visitors into the world of “The Princess and the Frog” after the occasions of the film. According to Disney, the reimagined experience will open at Magic Kingdom in Florida and Disneyland in California in late 2024.
As a end result, Splash Mountain will shut in January 2023 at Walt Disney World. It’s a decent turnaround time for Imagineering, particularly given how drawn out latest initiatives have been. Hopefully creatives are given the time and price range essential to make this good.
After Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is completed, it seems that Walt Disney World will flip its consideration to that experience’s neighbor. At the D23 Expo, the corporate shared quite a lot of Villains, Encanto, and Coco Concepts for “Beyond Big Thunder.”
It’s untimely to get enthusiastic about any of those, as these are solely concepts being thrown round at this level, and a last proposal for the plot has not but been determined. The salient level just isn’t the specifics–it’s that Walt Disney World intends upon constructing a serious enlargement on par with New Fantasyland.
Animal Kingdom
There’s not likely something main on the horizon for Disney’s Animal Kingdom that’s official, neither is there a lot that’s new.
There was KiteTails for the fiftieth, however that concluded its run. The solely different factor is Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond, which is a reimagined model of Finding Nemo: The Musical. The present is considerably related, however it’s a tighter manufacturing with a shorter runtime. Still has the songs and puppets that made the musical a winner!
What’s subsequent for Animal Kingdom is unclear. Primeval Whirl completely closed and there have been rumors and hypothesis, of various levels of credibility, that what’s at the moment Dino-Rama is the subsequent huge enlargement website at Walt Disney World. This was basically confirmed through the “A Boundless Future: Disney Parks, Experiences and Products” presentation at D23 Expo.
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro supplied a sneak peek at idea artwork for the long run as well as and teased what was to come back in just a few years. He revealed blue sky pitches and “potential expansion” alternatives and “early concept exploration” for Dinoland USA at Animal Kingdom. One of these included detailed idea artwork for a Moana Mini-Land at Animal Kingdom that may change Dino-Rama.
The different is a Zootopia Expansion for Animal Kingdom that may be constructed past Dino-Rama. The idea artwork present that each of those proposals are concurrently viable. The element of the idea artwork suggests they’re far alongside within the growth. The caveats supplied by Disney point out that they’ve not but been greenlit or funded, which means that they could by no means occur.
Pessimistically, Walt Disney World has slowed and stretched out building timelines, and already has initiatives lined up between now and 2023 or 2024. The firm’s conservative method and torpid tempo doesn’t instill confidence that something with Dino-Rama is opening within the subsequent 5 years. But we will see!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, all main initiatives at the moment are completed. The last piece of the puzzle within the relaunch of Disney’s Hollywood Studios was Mickey & Mickey’s Runaway Railway. It’s impressed by the latest cartoon shorts and brings visitors by the display to take a experience inside a zany cartoon world.
As you possibly can learn in our Spoiler-Free Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Review, we get pleasure from this attraction. It’s nothing earth-shattering, however it’s a strong addition. Additionally, the Mickey Shorts Theater has debuted and is enjoying an unique quick movie within the model of the favored Disney Channel animated sequence “Mickey Mouse.”
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge can be now open–and is now just a few years outdated. This themed universe is the most important addition to Walt Disney World in years. The first part included all retailers, eating, and the Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run experience.
That was adopted by Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the flagship attraction of Galaxy’s Edge. As we lined in our spoiler-free overview, this experience is completely well worth the wait. It’s one among Walt Disney World’s prime 5 sights, and the most effective factor added to Walt Disney World in no less than 25 years.
Although technically behind the park within the Disney’s Hollywood Studios Cast Member parking zone, Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser is now open behind Galaxy’s Edge. This affords an immersive go to that additional enhances what visitors expertise in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Our Guide to Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort covers the whole lot it’s worthwhile to find out about this venture, which may be very totally different from each different lodge at Walt Disney World–and is extra like a cruise ship on land meets immersive theater. We’ve finished this and share a ton of ideas and images in our spoiler-free Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Review.
Toy Story Land has now been open for a number of years, however attributable to its recognition and crowds, this space is already receiving an enlargement within the type of a present store, lined seating space, and new restaurant.
That final merchandise is the one noteworthy addition: Roundup Rodeo BBQ Table Service Restaurant Coming as an Expansion to Toy Story Land. Construction of the constructing that can home this restaurant is now completed, and Walt Disney World has introduced that it’ll open in late 2020, late 2022, Spring 2023. Here’s hoping that the third time’s the allure! 😉
Disney Springs
Then there’s Disney Springs. This is the leisure and buying district beforehand referred to as Downtown Disney. Producing a complete listing of what has opened right here within the final ~5 years can be daunting, as round 75% of this space has been overhauled.
Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life is the latest factor to debut, starting its run final vacation season. This is the successor to “La Nouba,” which ran for nearly twenty years within the iconic white circus tent on the Westside earlier than closing.
Next up, Summer House on the Lake might be constructed on the location that was slated for Beatrix. This California coastal delicacies in a contemporary setting truly appears higher than Beatrix to us.
Aside from that, the re-imagining of Disney Springs is just about completed. These adjustments have made followers of each of us huge time with strong additions such because the Boathouse, Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar, Morimoto Asia, the Edison, 4 Rivers Cantina, and extra. Jaleo by José Andrés and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill have additionally not too long ago opened.
Read our Table Service Restaurant Rankings for Disney Springs and Counter Service Restaurant Rankings for Disney Springs Springs if you would like higher perception as to which of the numerous, many eating choices to decide on.
Resorts
Two resorts opened at Walt Disney World comparatively not too long ago. The first of those was Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Our overview of this property was combined, with our final conclusion being that it supplied sturdy bang for buck and was very interesting for a sure sort of traveler.
Next, Disney’s Riviera Resort is the newest DVC Resort. This property is adjoining to Caribbean Beach and affords direct Skyliner entry to Epcot. Our Disney’s Riviera Resort Review covers the professionals & cons of those Disney Vacation Club lodging.
This DVC resort, together with Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Art of Animation are linked to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios through the recently-added Disney Skyliner gondola system, which opened a few years in the past.
For the entire fundamentals and our full ideas, learn our Skyliner Gondola Review: Walt Disney World’s Most Magical Flight on Earth article. We’d go so far as recommending a Skyliner resort in your subsequent journey to Walt Disney World, because it affords an enormous benefit by way of transportation.
Throughout 2023 and past, a number of resorts are present process refurbishment, building, and enlargement initiatives. In explicit, there are lots of room renovations, significantly at Value Resorts and DVC properties.
We would advocate consulting our listing of Construction & Refurbishments at Walt Disney World Hotels, which we replace recurrently for perception into adjustments at present motels.
As you possibly can most likely inform, there’s a lot that’s new and coming quickly to Walt Disney World within the subsequent few years.
With that mentioned, don’t fret an excessive amount of concerning the building–even with an unprecedented quantity, should of its out-of-the-way of visitor areas, and there are nonetheless a ton of sights to do at Walt Disney World irrespective of once you go to!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about motels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips submit takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for the whole lot it’s worthwhile to know!
Your Thoughts
Which sights coming to Walt Disney World in 2023 or past are you most excited to expertise? Are you delaying your subsequent go to to maximise seeing ‘new stuff’ or transferring it ahead to keep away from the crowds? Any questions we might help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!