D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event just wrapped up this past weekend in Anaheim, California. And wow did this event have some big announcements this weekend! Disney released a ton of information about exciting new updates we have to look forward to over the next few years. Let’s breakdown everything coming to Walt Disney World in the very near future!

Magic Kingdom Expansion

2025 is going to be a big year for Magic Kingdom. Guests will say hello to new experiences, while also having to say goodbye to some beloved classics to make room for new expansions to start. This will be the biggest expansion in Magic Kingdom’s history, so we have a lot to unpack!

New Nighttime Parade: Disney Starlight

Starting Summer 2025, Main Street USA will debut a brand new nighttime parade featuring the newest technology. Nighttime parades have long been a favorite of Disney guests, dating all the way back to the debut of the Main Street Electrical Parade. This new parade will feature a nod to the iconic Main Street Electrical Parade with the Blue Fairy bringing the show to life. Guests can expect to see scenes from Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, and more.

©Disney
Disney Starlight debuts in Magic Kingdom Summer 2025

Pirate Lounge

It was announced at Destination 23 last year that Magic Kingdom would be getting a Pirate themed lounge in the near future. We now know this new tavern will open up to guests sometime in 2025. Magic Kingdom is the only park where alcohol isn’t served outside of table service restaurants, so having a tavern will be a big change for this park.

Cars Frontierland Expansion

Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland is about to undergo a huge transformation. The addition of a Cars themed area will completely reimagine Frontierland, and really that whole part of the park as we know it.

In order to make room for this addition, the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyers Island will be removed. These are iconic areas of Magic Kingdom, and while they aren’t exactly super popular areas anymore, it is still a bit sad to know they are going away.

Cars Expansion Frontierland Magic Kingdom — ©Disney
Cars Expansion in Frontierland

The Cars area will feature two new rides. One ride will be a thrilling rally race through mountains, trails, and geysers. The second ride will be more family focused.

This new area does not take place in Radiator Springs, like the Cars land found in Disney’s California Adventure, but instead will be about new adventures out west. Work will not begin on this new expansion until sometime in 2025, so guests still have plenty of opportunity to say goodbye to the Rivers of America one last time.

Villains Land: Beyond Big Thunder

If princesses and happily ever afters aren’t your cup of tea, then you’ll love the new land coming to Magic Kingdom that is all about villains! This new land will be located behind Big Thunder Mountain.

This new land will feature two major attractions, dining, and shopping. Work has already begun on this fantastical nightmare, but no specific opening year has been announced yet.

Villains Land Magic Kingdom — ©Disney
The first land dedicated to Disney Villains is coming to Magic Kingdom

Coming to Epcot 2025

Epcot has seen a huge transformation over the last five years. While construction walls are mostly down, there are still two new additions to look forward to next year.

Reimagined Test Track

Epcot’s Test Track shut down for a reimagining earlier this year. Guests can expect the new reimagined Test Track to open sometime in 2025. The new attraction will feature today’s innovation with nods to the past, present, and future.

Spaceship Earth Lounge

Magic Kingdom isn’t the only park getting a new lounge in 2025. Epcot will also receive a new lounge that is themed around Spaceship Earth. This new lounge will overlook World Celebration and provide firework views.

©Disney
New Spaceship Earth themed lounge opening 2025

Hollywood Studios New Land

Hollywood Studios will be adding another Pixar themed land with the addition of Monsters, Inc. This new land does not have an official location announced as of yet, so we have to wait to see which part of Hollywood Studios this will transform.

The new Monsters, Inc land will include the very first suspended coaster in a Disney park. Guests will finally get to live out their Monsters, Inc dreams and ride on a door through the factory with Mike and Sulley.

Monsters Inc Coaster — ©Disney
Guests will ride through the doors with Mike and Sulley in Disney’s first suspended coaster

Construction is slated to begin sometime next year on this project, and we can’t wait to see the finished result. Hollywood Studios is desperately in need of more attractions, so this should be quite the addition!

Monsters inc land — ©Disney
Monsters, Inc themed land coming to Hollywood Studios

Tropical Americas Coming to Animal Kingdom

Dinoland USA in Animal Kingdom is about to become extinct and replaced with Pueblo Esperanza. This new area will be themed to the Tropical Americas. It will feature one of the largest quick service locations in Walt Disney World, as well as three rides.

Carousel

A local woodworker has carved all of his favorite Disney animals into a giant carousel for guests to enjoy. This looks like it will be both stunning and adorable. Plus, it will make a nice addition for the little ones.

Encanto Signature Attraction

Disney has announced that the very first Encanto inspired ride will be found here. Guests will enter the Casita, to go on an adventure with Antonio- just after he’s received his gift to communicate with animals.

Indiana Jones Signature Attraction

This shouldn’t come as too big of a surprise. The current ride vehicles and ride system used for Dinosaur attraction in Animal Kingdom are the same used for the Indiana Jones attraction in Disneyland. However, Disney did announce that this attraction will be different than another other Indiana Jones attraction around the world, so we will have to see what all this new adventure entails.

©Disney
Explore a Maya temple with Indiana Jones

Construction is set to begin on this new area starting Fall of 2024. The entire land will debut in 2027.

It Really is Tough to Be a Bug

A new show is coming to Animal Kingdom in Winter of 2025. Zootopia: Better Zoogether will be replacing It’s Tough to Be a Bug in the Tree of Life Theater. I personally am not a huge fan of It’s Tough to Be a Bug, so I am very excited for this new show to debut next year.

Zootopia: Better Zoogether Show — ©Disney
Zootopia: Better Zoogether coming to Animal Kingdom Winter 2025

Other Exciting Disney Updates

Walt Disney World isn’t the only US Disney park with exciting news. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open in Disneyland Park on November 15, 2024. Disneyland will also be getting a new animatronic show that features Walt Disney. California Adventure is getting some additions with a new Coco ride, an Avatar themed experience, and two new Avengers rides.

Disney also announced that four new cruise ships are coming to Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, bringing the new total to 13 ships.

Stay Updated

With so many thrilling updates and changes coming to Walt Disney World, staying informed has never been more important. Make sure you don't miss a single detail, sign up for our newsletter!

You'll receive the latest Disney news, tips, and updates straight to your inbox, ensuring you're always in the know about what's happening at the most magical place on Earth. Don't miss out—subscribe today and discover more magic!

Subscribe to Newsletter