Awesome New Rides, Attractions, and MORE at Walt Disney World
It’s an exciting time at Walt Disney World with so many new rides, new experiences, and more openings for your family to experience! So, let’s dive in and explore all that’s new at Walt Disney World’s theme parks and resorts.
New for 2024
With 2024 in its final months there are some new exciting experiences at Disney to enjoy.
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- NEW Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort: We got a first look at these beautiful new cabins by Disney Vacation Club, but anyone can book to stay.
- NEW RIDE at Magic Kingdom: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: Splash Mountain has made way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in 2024. This completely revamped attraction “digs a little deeper” into Tiana’s story after the events of the Walt Disney Animation Studios film “The Princess and the Frog.”
- NEW SHOW: Country Bear Jamboree: Country Music fans are enjoying the new Country Bear Musical Jamboree! Country music versions of Disney classics filled the room and dazzling new audio-animatronics and bring modern flair.
- NEW Mickey & Friends meet and greet area!
- NEW SHOW at EPCOT “¡Celebración Encanto!” continues: What was meant to be a summer sing-along, has stuck around! Featuring the beloved songs and story of “Encanto” this new limited-time show, “¡Celebración Encanto!” runs several times throughout the day and you’ll also spot Mirabel and Bruno on the newly opened CommuniCore Plaza stage.
What’s NEW at Walt Disney World
While there are a ton of awesome new things to do at Walt Disney World on the horizon, this last year has been a big one with the debut of two new rides, new attractions, and even a new place to snap an unforgettable photo…
NEW World Celebration Gardens at EPCOT
We will start where it all began…with the man himself, Walt Disney. On December 5, 2023, what would have been Walt’s 125th birthday, the new “Walt the Dreamer” bronze statue was unveiled in the new World Celebration Gardens area of the park which opened on the same day.
This statue pays tribute to Walt later in his life when he was imagining ideas for the Florida Project and what ultimately became EPCOT. It’s pretty incredible to think of what has grown from this original idea, especially as the park undergoes the biggest transformation in its history.
Among the planned transformations is the NEW World Celebrations Gardens area of the park which also serves as a place of respite during the day with seating nooks and tables. And at night, it’s a spectacular sight to see as it lights up from the ground up.
Long-time fans of Epcot will appreciate the touches here that pay tribute to the park’s early days. “At the heart of the park, we’ve got a brand new location that is inspired by the five-ring logo of Epcot. But what’s really unique and one detail I love is we’re bringing this illuminated pavement detail so at night you’re actually getting the effect, and this is actually inspired by something that lived at Epcot before,” said Zach Riddley, Portfolio Executive, New Experience Development with Walt Disney Imagineering.
NEW Fireworks Show at EPCOT
“Luminous: The Symphony of Us” debuted at EPCOT on December 5, 2023. This Disney expert guide to Luminous (EPCOT’s Fireworks) will help you with the best viewing spots. And, there’s a guide to Viewing Fireworks Outside the Parks that will help you find a good spot if you wish to see the show without a theme park ticket.
NEW Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana
Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana opened on October 16, 2023. The World Nature section of the park, formerly known as Future World West, near The Seas with Nemo and Friends is home to this new playful attraction.
Journey of Water features a 16-foot tall statue of Te Fiti, the Mother Island in the movie Moana. We’re sharing the things we love about Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana here.
NEW Ride at EPCOT: Guardians Of The Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
The Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride remains a new favorite during its first two years. We talked with Kevin Doxey, Show Set Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, during the ride’s media preview. “The overall experience, especially in the Phase Chamber [the preshow area before the ride], when I was working on it and thinking about it, the kids are going to think they’ve been teleported to space.”
NEW Characters to Meet at EPCOT: Moana, Figment, Asha
Fans are now able to meet the beloved character, Figment, at EPCOT. This adorable purple dragon has been a part of EPCOT since 1982!
The female character Asha from the new Disney Animated Film “Wish” debuted at EPCOT, near the start of World Showcase. Her schedule currently shows through November 30, 2024.
What’s New at Magic Kingdom
There are some exciting new additions at Magic Kingdom too, including the much-anticipated thrill ride, TRON Lightcycle, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Country Bear Musical Jamboree!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Taking over for Splash Mountain, the new spin on the classic attraction brings a fairy tale and joyful celebration to Magic Kingdom.
Although all the same thrilling drops are still there, families can relax knowing there is no villain as part of the storyline – everything is bright and cheerful. Plus there are lots of great details, authentic New Orleans culture and music, and beautiful scenery.
Country Bear Musical Jamboree
The newest show at Magic Kingdom will get your paws clapping and your toes tapping. The Country Bear Musical Jamboree breathes new life into the classic Country Bear show with all new songs, costumes, and effects.
Best of all, genuine Nashville musicians and artists worked with Walt Disney Imagineering to bring an authentic flair to the show.
NEW Ride: TRON Lightcycle / Run:
The FASTEST coaster at Walt Disney World officially arrived on April 4, 2023. Now that the attraction has been open for over a year, guests can utilize a standby queue or the Lightning Lane Single Pass.
Besides being super fast it is a multi-sensory experience. So what do parents need to know about Disney’s new TRON coaster?
For details on how to experience this new ride, check out our Parent’s Guide to TRON Lightcycle / Run.
What’s NEW at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has undergone some major transformations over the last few years with the addition of Toy Story Land and the much-anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. And the new things to do at Hollywood Studios keep on coming…
- NEW Star Wars Characters: The beloved character and star of her own Disney+ series, Asohka Tano joined the Star Tours attraction as of Friday, April 5, 2024, as well as new environments from the latest additions to the Star Wars universe.
- Live-action Ariel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: You can now meet the live-action version of “The Little Mermaid.” Her location is inside Walt Disney Presents – a great museum-like attraction that is a must-do for any Disney fan. Be sure to check the calendar.
Exciting Things to Come in the Future at Walt Disney World
There are some awesome new rides, attractions, and experiences in the works at Walt Disney World in the near future. Some big announcements were made at the D23 Convention, and Disney Parks continues to share more info regularly.
COMING SOON to Magic Kingdom:
- NEW TAVERN: Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge: A first-of-its-kind Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to Magic Kingdom! At the D23 Expo last year it was hinted that the beloved barker bird that used to reside at the ride’s entrance will be part of the experience.
- NEW Nighttime Parade: Next summer (2025) Magic Kingdom will have a new nighttime parade featuring classic Disney characters, in “Disney Starlight”
- A portion of Frontierland will receive TWO attractions based on Cars characters, one that is thrilling and another geared toward young families.
- Lastly, an entire Disney Villains Land is coming to Magic Kingdom! No timeline given just yet, but it will be the park’s biggest expansion – ever!
IMPORTANT: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom Park will close for an extended refurbishment on Jan. 6, 2025. The last day to ride before it closes is Jan. 5. That means Disney guests will not be able to ride Big Thunder Mountain for most of 2025.
The ride is planned to reopen in 2026 with new enhancements.
COMING SOON to EPCOT:
- REVAMPED RIDE: Test Track at EPCOT will be reimagined with the help of Chevrolet
- NEW SPACESHIP EARTH LOUNGE opening in 2025, although not confirmed, this looks like it may be inside a lounge above the attraction’s exit, previously reserved for VIPs and other private functions. (Read more)
COMING SOON to Hollywood Studios:
- NEW SHOW: “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” will debut in the Animation Courtyard in summer 2025. You can expect new set pieces, incredible special effects, and your favorite songs from the original animated film.
- NEW VILLAINS SHOW: A new Villains show will magically appear at the end of Sunset Boulevard in the summer 2025, replacing Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy.
- NEW LAND: A Monstropolis-themed land is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, based on what happens after the Monsters Inc. movie, including a “laugh floor” coaster – the first suspended roller coaster at a Disney Park, ever!
The Monsters Inc area will replace the Muppets Courtyard in Grand Avenue, which does mean MuppetVision 3D will close. We will miss this nostalgic, classic attraction. But in unexpected news, the Muppets are going to Hollywood!
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will get a new house band, the Muppets! The Electric Mayhem will become the focus of Rock n Roller Coaster.
READ MORE: Swim over to Orlando-Parenting.com with a look at what to expect at “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure”
COMING SOON to Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
- NEW REGION: Walt Disney Imagineering is planning to reimagine Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom into a new land – inspired by a region sometimes referred to as “Tropical Americas.”
- NEW RE-THEMED RIDE: The Dinosaur ride will be replaced by a new Indiana Jones themed ride with a new story
- NEW ENCANTO RIDE: The first-ever ride based on Encanto will be based on Antonio’s birthday and the ride vehicle will be ‘furniture’ of Casita, ending in Antonio’s rainforest
- NEW CAROUSEL: The new “Pueblo Esperanza” land will also include a new carousel, replacing Triceratop Spin
- NEW SHOW: Also at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a new Zootopia-inspired show will come to the Tree of Life. This new show is replacing “It’s Tough to Be a Bug.” and will debut Winter 2025.
The last day for TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures at Animal Kingdom is Jan. 12, 2025. DINOSAUR, the Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Bite Snacks, and Trilo-Bites will remain open, no closing date has been announced.
Work on the “Pueblo Esperanza” land begins this fall (2024) and will open in phases, with anticipated completion in 2027.
Related: The Coolest Things to Do at Disney World that are NOT at the parks
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