Walt Disney World has a number of new lands, sights, leisure, eating places, resorts, reimagined rides, and extra on the horizon at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. This ranks the highest 10 additions that followers and first-timers alike ought to most excited to expertise in 2025.
Walt Disney World is starting a brand new growth cycle in 2025 that can end in $17 billion of spending on new lands, rides, eating places, and resorts. That’s the excellent news. This may bear fruit over the following decade, and end in huge new additions between now and 2035.
The unhealthy information is that there’s not as a lot on the “coming quickly” aspect. Not less than, not in 2025. There are many additions–and a few that we’re actually excited to expertise–however the subsequent brand-new journey doesn’t open till 2027. Within the meantime, there’s nonetheless loads coming within the subsequent 2 years, together with journey reimaginings, new eating places, and rather more. That’s what this checklist takes a take a look at–the principally smaller-scale reimagined rides, eating places, and leisure choices being added between development cycles at Walt Disney World in 2025…
10. Spaceship Earth Lounge – In Spring 2025, the Spaceship Earth Lounge will open. Walt Disney World says this elegant lounge will honor the intertwined historical past of Spaceship Earth and EPCOT itself, celebrating the legacy of the icon’s previous whereas admiring its future.
As for the menu, Disney’s cooks have created scrumptious culinary creations to enhance the setting. With sweeping views of World Celebration Gardens and a novel perspective of the nightly fireworks, this intimate lounge invitations you to boost a toast to the enduring spirit of EPCOT.
I just lately toured the Tomorrow Tower Suite on the Treasure, and it truthfully didn’t do a lot for me. There have been some enjoyable particulars and beautiful artwork created for it, however as an entire, it was nothing all that particular. I dunno, I suppose since we have now a pleasant West Elm showroom close to us, I’m not impressed by one of these factor? I’m anticipating extra of the identical from the Spaceship Earth lounge. It’ll be good trying, however the views would be the spotlight. That’s what I’m trying ahead to–taking “aerial” evening photographs of EPCOT from a contemporary perspective.
9. Development – Sure, I’m trying ahead to development partitions. Or progress partitions, as we name them round these components (we undoubtedly don’t usually name them that–I really feel icky simply writing that).
Dino-Rama is the very first thing to get walled-off, and I couldn’t be extra excited to see that go extinct. Actually, I’m additionally trying ahead to the Huge Thunder closure. As painful because it is perhaps to lose that for 1-2 years, watching that giant crane substitute curler coaster observe shall be an attraction unto itself for dorks like me.
Greater image, I’m trying ahead to this growth cycle. It should contain rising pains and painful goodbyes, that a lot is simple. However so did the final one. I like Cosmic Rewind, however nonetheless miss Universe of Vitality. Ditto Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Rail with Nice Film Experience. And even the Streets of America and, most significantly, what they held at Christmas-time.
I additionally suppose that the attraction rosters within the parks are higher right this moment than they had been previous to the final growth cycle. Nostalgic as I is perhaps, there have been loads of nice additions, and there’s a motive why so most of the rides with the longest wait instances are lower than a decade previous. Similar goes for widespread eating places and resorts, too. I’m trying ahead to seeing what’s on the horizon take form, warts and all.
8. All Issues Villains – Disney delayed “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey” till Summer time 2025 and introduced the new “Villains Unfairly Ever After” for Summer time 2025. Each of those reveals are coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so we primarily know what the plan is for that park subsequent 12 months.
I suppose I’m trying ahead to the Little Mermaid present. Though on the similar time, I fear the refreshed ‘Musical Journey’ will pull an excessive amount of from the present on the Disney Want, which I view as inferior to the decades-old present that occupied this area. And greater than something, I’m pissed off that it’s taking so lengthy to carry this present again, and that feeling overshadows my enthusiasm for the reimagined Little Mermaid present.
Villains Unfairly Ever After is a distinct story. I’m trying ahead to the present itself, but in addition what it represents and the way Disney is perhaps utilizing this stage present to do market analysis for the upcoming villains land. Wherein case, I’m hoping that is the tip of the iceberg with villains choices at Walt Disney World within the subsequent couple of years. Deliver again Villains After Hours, make extra consequential adjustments to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, and so forth. The stakes are excessive for Villains Land in Magic Kingdom–Imagineering must nail it.
7. Reimagined Resort Rooms – One in all my seemingly unpopular opinions, not less than judging by the reader feedback, is that a lot of the room refurbishments that Walt Disney World has carried out within the final 8 years are truly good. Not less than, in comparison with what was carried out within the ~5 years earlier than 2017.
To make sure, they aren’t excellent. Criticism about rooms being too bland and sterile is well-taken, even within the rooms which have been upgrades on steadiness. With a few notable exceptions (such because the Incredibles rooms on the Modern), redone rooms have gotten even higher for the reason that opening of Disney’s Riviera Resort. That leaves a 2-3 12 months hole when new kinds had been good, however not nice.
The spherical of room redos introduced for 2025-2026 are on the resorts final redone proper across the time when Disney began getting good at room redesigns, making huge practical enhancements. The upcoming tasks are tender items refurbishments, that means they’ll freshen the fixtures and make stylistic updates with out gutting the rooms or altering something layout-wise. From my perspective, that is all that must be carried out, and I’m actually trying ahead to seeing the result at certainly one of our favorites, Pop Century, in addition to just a few different resorts. Then there are the Royal Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside, which I’m extra nervous about than something.
6. Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern – A brand new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern is about to open in late 2025 in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom. This brand-new expertise will prolong the basic story and supply a welcoming haven for all pirate-kind, large and small. The tavern will invite bandits and buccaneers-to-be from each nook of the seven seas to boost a toast to the pirate life.
Walt Disney World has described this as a first-of-its-kind expertise, however we anticipate it to be fairly much like Oga’s Cantina in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, besides themed to pirates as a substitute of area pirates. Past a pair items of idea artwork and Imagineering revealing that it’ll function the beloved Barker Chicken Audio Animatronics determine, there’s not a lot that’s recognized concerning the tavern that’s taking on Pirates League and a portion of the reward store.
After loving the Haunted Mansion Parlor aboard the Disney Treasure, I’m much more enthusiastic for the Pirates Tavern. If it’s even half nearly as good as that, it’ll be a implausible addition. On the similar time I’m nervous about Magic Kingdom getting its first actual bar. Not in a pearl-clutching manner, however extra in a logistical one. Oga’s Cantina falls kinda flat for me, and that’s largely a byproduct of its excessive demand and Disney’s need to churn folks via the placement. The identical may occur right here, making this much less of a nice hangout and place to truly eat an actual meal of meals (which Magic Kingdom badly wants), and extra a one-and-done attraction. So right here’s hoping Pirates Tavern is not widespread, I suppose?
5. Zootopia Higher Collectively – In Winter 2025, Zootopia: Higher Zoogether will debut within the Tree of Life, changing It’s Powerful to Be a Bug. The idea for Zootopia: Higher Zoogether has friends visiting the totally different biomes you solely glimpse within the movie, touring together with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and different characters. That’s all Disney has revealed to date.
A winter opening timeframe would imply someday between January and early March, that means this might debut any day now! It’s secure to say that won’t occur. Provided that Disney hasn’t stated a lot in any respect about Zootopia: Higher Collectively, a lot much less shared a cut-off date for It’s Powerful to Be a Bug, this means to us they really imply Zootopia: Higher Zoogether is opening in Late 2025.
I really feel nearly hypocritical for being such a zealous advocate for saving MuppetVision 3D, arguing that it has aged effectively–higher than Monsters Chortle Flooring. On the similar time, my response to It’s Powerful to Be a Bug closing may greatest be described as ‘meh.’ Don’t get me flawed–it’s a superb present that has additionally aged effectively (therefore the hypocrisy). It simply doesn’t resonate with me, personally. I’ve loved doing it through the years, however I’m additionally over it.
Anyway, I’m trying ahead to seeing what Imagineering cooks up with Zootopia: Higher Zoogether. This present has large potential and may reinvigorate curiosity within the Tree of Life. I additionally suspect it’s not the final we’ll see of Zootopia at Walt Disney World, as this franchise has large potential for a fully-fledged land.
4. One thing for Summer time – I absolutely anticipate Walt Disney World to do an ‘occasion’ for Summer time 2025. We made the case for a return of Summer time Nightastic lengthy earlier than final 12 months’s D23 Expo, throughout which bulletins had been made that may very well be integrated into such a celebration. So it appears potential.
On the similar time, it’s honest to notice that I additionally thought the entire indicators had been there for an EPCOT summer season competition final 12 months, and boy was I flawed about that. Whereas I preserve that EPCOT ought to’ve carried out one thing–something–for the sluggish summer season months, they opted in opposition to it for no matter motive.
I feel it’s secure to say that Walt Disney World has not less than yet one more card up its sleeve for Summer time 2025. From what I’ve heard, there are nonetheless a few surprises in retailer. What, precisely, these are and the way thrilling they’ll truly be stays to be seen. The Disney Desires That Soar drone present was the shock hit of final summer season, so maybe it’s time to lastly do one thing greater and higher with that idea. I hear Animal Kingdom may use a nighttime spectacular, and that park staying open after darkish in the summertime is perhaps good!
3. Check Monitor 3.0 – A part of Walt Disney World’s summer season advertising marketing campaign will in all probability revolve round Check Monitor 3.0, which can open by late Summer time 2025. In keeping with Walt Disney World, Imagineers and Chevrolet are reaching again into historical past for inspiration from the unique World of Movement, and are bringing that spirit of optimism to the following iteration of Check Monitor. They’re looking for to push innovation ahead and have fun humanity’s enduring drive on the thrilling street to a brighter tomorrow.
Whereas it stays to be seen precisely what meaning, it’s trigger for optimism. The earlier Check Monitor was exhibiting its age, and I don’t suppose it’ll be missed by many followers–not even these of us who initially appreciated the up to date attraction. Check Monitor 3.0 is a low-floor, high-ceiling type of mission…and one being paid for by another person, so it’s not even coming on the expense of one other (greater precedence) Walt Disney World mission. Win-win!
The reopening of Check Monitor may also mark the primary time (save for like a weeklong window) of EPCOT being freed from development partitions. In order that is perhaps thrilling to a few of you. Personally, I’m extra of an “EPCOT is at all times in a state of changing into” kinda man. A wall-less EPCOT is sort of a overseas idea to me, and I don’t know the way I’d deal with it.
Joking apart, a part of the rationale I’m trying ahead to this mission wrapping is to see what’s subsequent. EPCOT isn’t truly carried out, however overdue overhauls must be carried out one-at-a-time from a park capability perspective. So the query is…what’s subsequent? Spaceship Earth? Journey into Creativeness? The Seas with Nemo & Buddies? My cash is on Spaceship Earth, which was already overdue for an overhaul 5 years in the past when its reimagining was shelved. It’s time.
2. Disney Starlight Evening Parade – Saving the most effective for second-to-last, the most important 2025 addition in all of Walt Disney World is Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away, a brand new nighttime parade coming to Magic Kingdom in Summer time 2025. Not even Check Monitor 3.0 can compete with this from the angle of hype–the 2 are miles aside.
Disney Starlight will use the newest know-how to inform new tales concerning the characters you like. All of this is dropped at life by the magic of the Blue Fairy, along with beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios movies “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen,” “Moana” and extra.
I’m past excited for Walt Disney World to lastly get an evening parade once more–to the purpose that this rivals the #1 entry for me, which is foolish while you distinction their scale. However greater than something that’s gone lacking from Walt Disney World within the final decade, I miss the evening parade. The factor is, so a lot of my formative reminiscences of Walt Disney World revolve round nighttime leisure.
When Sarah and I first began visiting WDW collectively, we watched SpectroMagic each time we had been at Magic Kingdom. Each. Single. Evening. A lot concerning the Walt Disney World fan expertise is chasing moments and reminiscences from the previous, attempting to recapture fleeting emotions or what makes us nostalgic for the previous. Sitting on the finish of Primary Avenue, listening to Jiminy Cricket’s voice, the lights going darkish and the music beginning, and ready for the primary float to method is a kind of significant reminiscences for us.
Now that we have now a daughter, this need has been dialed as much as 11 for us. I can not wait to see the brand new Disney Starlight evening parade mirrored in her eyes–actually and figuratively. It’ll be like a visit down reminiscence lane for us as we keep in mind these bygone days of watching SpectroMagic, melded with a brand-new reminiscence of no matter this evening parade has in retailer for us and our household.
1. Epic Universe – Theme park followers don’t must be bought on Epic Universe. The thrill is palpable, and it’s so clearly #1 regardless of not being “at” Walt Disney World that the remainder of this checklist is sort of meaningless. When it comes to hype and potential, there are a number of particular sights or whole lands at Epic Universe would make the minimize over nearly every part Walt Disney World is doing in 2025.
That’s amongst theme park followers, although. Disney followers want somewhat extra “promoting,” particularly those that have been to Common Orlando and been underwhelmed with the themed design or discovered there’s little or no they may journey. These issues are very legitimate, and one thing that many Common followers gloss over. Giant swaths of the 2 present parks are nothing particular–they’re barely higher than Dino-Rama.
Epic Universe is totally different than the present gates. It’s Common Inventive flexing its inventive muscular tissues, and choosing up the place they left off with the Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter (plural) and Tremendous Nintendo Worlds (additionally plural). These lands mirrored a paradigm shift for Common, and though particular person attraction output within the intervening years has been uneven, the inventive and business success of these lands is the higher comparability. Epic Universe goes to be an entire park of Harry Potter and Mario lands…actually and figuratively.
Disney followers are solely doing themselves a disservice in dismissing Epic Universe out-of-hand. Each for its personal expertise and the colossal affect it’s going to on theme parks for many years to come back. Most of the folks at Common Inventive bringing Epic Universe to life are ex-Imagineers, and most of the folks at WDI who will carry Villains Land (and so forth.) to life will find yourself being ex-Common Inventive. The affect of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter on new Disney lands can nonetheless be felt; anybody who desires a sneak peek at the way forward for Walt Disney World ought to take a drive up I-4 and see what all the joy is about.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study resorts on our Walt Disney World Inns Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every part you should know!
Your Ideas
Which sights or leisure coming to Walt Disney World in 2025 are you most excited to expertise? Whilst a Disney fan, are you most excited for Common’s Epic Universe or are you bored with that new gate? Does Disney Starlight Evening Parade take the cake for you, or one thing else? Agree or disagree with our checklist? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
