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 12 months–building information, growth 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 could be 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 recent characters than Walt Disney World turning 50.
While the fiftieth Anniversary celebration itself is missing, there are nonetheless large 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 following large experience, restaurant, and extra open. While we don’t but have particular opening dates for many of this, if you need 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 largest issues don’t contain building in any respect. First up is Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, the highly-controversial paid FastPass alternative, which debuted final fall. This modifications the visitor expertise, arguably for the more serious. Everything you might want 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 lots of the largest initiatives are completed or don’t influence the visitor expertise. This consists of the large Disney’s Hollywood Studios overhaul, Animal Kingdom growth, and resort improvement. In reality, 3 of the 4 Walt Disney World theme parks are trying good and largely wall-free.
There’s not almost as a lot building at Walt Disney World proper now than another time within the final 5 years. The major exception is Epcot, which is a sea of building partitions proper now, and will likely be for the foreseeable future–probably 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 challenge 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 bundle, 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 biggest building challenge at Walt Disney World, which leads to numerous visible blight to the entrance of Epcot. Basically, your entire middle of Future World is enclosed by building partitions proper now.
Technically, that is now not Future World. The huge 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 challenge, besides that it gained’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 most probably 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 can turn into CommuniCore Hall & Plaza. This space will likely be dwelling to bushes, an enchanted backyard, planter, and pageant space. It’ll additionally characteristic an out of doors stage, demonstration kitchen, and character meet & greet.
This space has already been torn up for nearly 4 years, and gained’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 12 months, with Imagineering going again to the drafting board. Many components had been scaled again, lower completely, or reworked. The authentic plans had been rather more formidable 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” element 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 surface 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 had been constructed within the former Innoventions constructing, the place MouseGear was beforehand positioned.
On the opposite facet of the constructing, Connections Cafe & Eatery can also 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 photographs.)
The largest 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 12 months. 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 it is best to!), try 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 by way of 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, friends board a particular area elevator that ascends to the celebrities. Upon arrival, you take pleasure in a celestial panorama from the area station, with the flexibility to see 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 likely one of the largest 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 will likely 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 probably that the interim Epcot Forever fireworks will return following that, whereas demolition/building happens within the lagoon.
In the meantime, we’d strongly suggest trying out our Best Harmonious Viewing Locations at Epcot for recommendation on the place to see it. We often see friends 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 growth of the France pavilion. This was delayed by over a 12 months to the beginning of the World’s Most Magical Celebration.
In addition to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, this growth to the France pavilion consists of a wide range of retail and restaurant additions, most notably La Crêperie de Paris. This crêperie provides each desk and quick-service choices that includes a menu from celeb chef Jerome Bocuse.
In a stunning flip of occasions, one other challenge 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 following iteration of the interactive scavenger hunt round World Showcase that beforehand featured Kim Possible and at the moment Phineas & Ferb. It needs to be a great way to interact youngsters in an space of Epcot they usually discover “boring.”
Another addition that’s undoubtedly 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 will likely be a lush atmosphere the place friends can work together with residing water in an attractive and galvanizing 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 be capable of meet Figment in individual at EPCOT “by the end” of 2023 in response to Walt Disney World. No phrase but on whether or not he’ll be joined by Dreamfinder, however we certain hope so!
The method that’s worded, it could possibly be any day between at this time and December 31, 2023. However, that may not be the phrase selection if the intent had 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 challenge: Play Pavilion, which can or would possibly exchange 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 completely, and it’ll by no means open. Walt Disney World has mentioned completely nothing about this challenge in over 2 years. There haven’t even been credible rumors about it. Honestly, the one factor that provides 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 might 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 consequence, Walt Disney World introduced that Happily Ever After will return to Magic Kingdom in 2023! It’s anticipated that the present will characteristic a variety of updates and enhancements, akin to 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 will likely be “plussing” an iconic attraction in 2023 with the addition of the Hatbox Ghost. You could acknowledge this fashionable 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 like 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 heartbeat of what the fan neighborhood desires who’re keen 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 modifications to Hall of Presidents and their motivations are presumably clear.
As for Jungle Cruise, the objective 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 large challenge on the horizon is the TRON Lightcycle Run Roller Coaster being in-built Tomorrowland behind Space Mountain. This addition has zero visitor influence as a result of it’s exterior the present boundary of Magic Kingdom, that 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 won’t debut this 12 months as anticipated. The Walt Disney World Railroad, which was beforehand closed on account of 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 identify of the brand new attraction evolving from the reimagining of Splash Mountain is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The reimagined experience will deliver friends 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 consequence, 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 funds 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 a wide range 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 closing proposal for the plot has not but been determined. The salient level shouldn’t be the specifics–it’s that Walt Disney World intends upon constructing a significant growth on par with New Fantasyland.
Animal Kingdom
There’s probably not 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 comparable, 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 following large growth 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 return 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 exchange 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 improvement. The caveats supplied by Disney point out that they’ve not but been greenlit or funded, that means that they might 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 closing 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 friends by the display screen to take a experience inside a zany cartoon world.
As you’ll be able to learn in our Spoiler-Free Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Review, we take pleasure in this attraction. It’s nothing earth-shattering, however it’s a stable addition. Additionally, the Mickey Shorts Theater has debuted and is enjoying an authentic quick movie within the type of the favored Disney Channel animated collection “Mickey Mouse.”
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge can also be now open–and is now just a few years outdated. This themed universe is the largest addition to Walt Disney World in years. The first section included all outlets, 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 evaluate, 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 provides an immersive go to that additional enhances what friends expertise in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Our Guide to Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort covers the whole lot you might want to learn about this challenge, which may be very completely 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 photographs in our spoiler-free Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Review.
Toy Story Land has now been open for a number of years, however on account of its recognition and crowds, this space is already receiving an growth 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 appeal! 😉
Disney Springs
Then there’s Disney Springs. This is the leisure and procuring district beforehand often known as Downtown Disney. Producing a complete record of what has opened right here within the final ~5 years could 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 20 years within the iconic white circus tent on the Westside earlier than closing.
Next up, Summer House on the Lake will likely be constructed on the positioning that was slated for Beatrix. This California coastal delicacies in a contemporary setting truly seems to be higher than Beatrix to us.
Aside from that, the re-imagining of Disney Springs is just about completed. These modifications have made followers of each of us large time with stable 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 lately opened.
Read our Table Service Restaurant Rankings for Disney Springs and Counter Service Restaurant Rankings for Disney Springs Springs if you need higher perception as to which of the numerous, many eating choices to decide on.
Resorts
Two resorts opened at Walt Disney World comparatively lately. The first of those was Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Our evaluate of this property was combined, with our final conclusion being that it supplied robust bang for buck and was very interesting for a sure kind of traveler.
Next, Disney’s Riviera Resort is the most recent DVC Resort. This property is adjoining to Caribbean Beach and provides 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 related to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios by way of 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 to your subsequent journey to Walt Disney World, because it provides an enormous benefit by way of transportation.
Throughout 2023 and past, a number of resorts are present process refurbishment, building, and growth initiatives. In specific, there are numerous room renovations, significantly at Value Resorts and DVC properties.
We would suggest consulting our record of Construction & Refurbishments at Walt Disney World Hotels, which we replace often for perception into modifications at current accommodations.
As you’ll be able to 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 while you go to!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To get monetary savings on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects 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 start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for the whole lot you might want 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 can assist you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!