Awesome New Rides, Attractions, Shows, 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.

What’s NEW at Walt Disney World

2025 brings us some exciting new shows and experiences at Walt Disney World, and 2026 marks the arrival of new rides! Here's what's already open:

• 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 Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian: we experienced a pre-opening tour and a tasting at Wailulu Bar & Grill – yum!
• 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.
• NEW SHOW: Country Bear Jamboree: Country Music fans enjoy 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!
• EPCOT's “¡Celebración Encanto!” continues: What was meant to be a summer sing-along, has stuck around! Featuring the beloved songs of “Encanto” this new “¡Celebración Encanto!” runs several times throughout the day and you’ll also spot Mirabel and Bruno on the newly opened CommuniCore Plaza stage.
• GEO-82 Lounge for adults only: If you get an evening to yourselves, book a reservation at the NEW adults-only lounge at EPCOT's Spaceship Earth.

While there are many awesome new things to do at Walt Disney World on the horizon, this last year has been a big one with the debut of new attractions, new shows, and a new nighttime parade. And there are more things in store next year too!

Let's recap the newest additions to Walt Disney World.

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 Disney Villains Show: Can you believe it? The Disney Villains now have their own live show! But is Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After okay for kids? Our sibling site takes a closer look.
• The Little Mermaid Show Returns in a NEW Way: Kids at heart can share the magic with the next generation during The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure. This bright and colorful revamped show debuted May 27, 2025.
• 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.

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure

Located in the Animation Courtyard, this reimagined production replaces the long-running Voyage of the Little Mermaid. The new show brings Ariel’s story to life with a blend of live performances, puppetry, and cutting-edge digital effects.

• Classic and New Songs: Features beloved songs like “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” along with additions like “Kiss the Girl” and “Daughters of Triton.”
• Innovative Puppetry and Effects: Incorporates new puppets, including Max the dog and a sea turtle, alongside digital imagery and motion capture for characters like King Triton and Ursula
• Enhanced Visuals: Utilizes stunning set pieces and imaginative costumes to capture Ariel’s underwater world.

READ MORE: The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure (A Parent's Review)

Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After

Set in the Sunset Showcase Theater, formerly home to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, this show offers a fresh perspective on Disney’s iconic villains.

• Interactive Narrative: The Magic Mirror summons the audience to hear the villains' sides of their stories, asking who has been treated most unfairly.
• Villainous Lineup: Features live performances by Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, and Captain Hook, with digital appearances by other villains.
• Theatrical Elements: Combines witty humor, original musical numbers, and immersive staging to engage the audience in the villains' tales.

Here's why adults are enjoying the new Disney Villains show.

As you can see, there is a lot happening at Walt Disney World, and there are even special deals and limited-time offerings for this summer!

Now Open at EPCOT

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.

The new GEO-82 Lounge overlooks this beautiful area, which is stunning at night.

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 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 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.

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.

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 June 30, 2025.

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.

For details on how to experience this new ride, check out our Parent’s Guide to TRON Lightcycle / Run.

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. And the Walt Disney Company recently made some big announcements – including ‘Bluey' Coming to Walt Disney World!

COMING SOON to Magic Kingdom:

• NEW TAVERN: The Beak and Barrel A first-of-its-kind Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern is coming to Magic Kingdom's Adventureland! Join Captain Meridian “Merry” Goldwyn and her first mate, Rummy, for delicious fare in the mess hall. Enjoy a bite to eat in the Captain's Quarters where swashbucklers and scoundrels can get a glimpse into the lavish life of a Pirate Captain!
• NEW Nighttime Parade: Starting July 20, 2026 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.
• Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin will close in August 2025 to make way for major upgrades including new ride vehicles, new blasters, and more!
• 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.

We spoke with Ali Manon, former Walt Disney World Ambassador, about what's coming in 2025, “The new Disney Starlight parade will feature dazzling new technology and floats featuring some of our beloved characters like Peter Pan, Elsa, Moana, and the Blue Fairy [from Pinnochio] will be lighting the way for us!”

COMING SOON to EPCOT:

• REVAMPED RIDE: Test Track at EPCOT will be reimagined with the help of Chevrolet

COMING SOON to Hollywood Studios:

• 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!
• 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.

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!

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 in the process of reimagining Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom into a new land, “Pueblo Esperanza” – 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 began in fall 2024 and will open in phases, with anticipated completion in 2027.

COMING SOON to Disney Springs:

Coming soon to Disney Springs West Side – Level 99! Level 99 is a first-of-its-kind destination for adults featuring real-world, interactive social gaming with over 50 physical and mental challenges set in artistic environments. In addition to fun and games, check out Night Shift Kitchen & Tap at Level99, serving legendary craft beers, hand-made creative cocktails, award-winning Detroit-style pizza, and more.  

Related: The Coolest Things to Do at Disney World that are NOT at the parks

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