There have been a lot of changes to Disney World over the past five years, and even more are coming soon!

With hotel transformations, new rides, and all the logistics that go into planning a trip to Walt Disney World, it can be confusing to navigate it all. So, we’re laying out everything you need to know about the biggest changes coming to Disney World in 2025 and beyond!

Magic Kingdom

New Nighttime Parade “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away”

Magic Kingdom will welcome a brand new nighttime parade called “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” on July 20th, 2025! It will feature new technology and A TON of Disney characters. You can expect to see the Blue Fairy from Cinderella and others from Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, and more make their way down Main Street, U.S.A. on all-new sparkling floats.

Beginning July 20th, Disney World will require Annual Passholders to make a Park Pass Reservation for Magic Kingdom (until Disney changes the policy again). This even applies if you’re planning to get to the park after 2PM. So be sure you have a reservation if you’re hoping to catch the new parade!

Pirates of the Caribbean-Themed Lounge

Coming in late 2025, Disney has revealed that they are working on a new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed Lounge for Magic Kingdom. The Beak and Barrel will invite you inside a “lively pirate pub” where guests of any age can stop by for a drink. Long-time Disney fans will get to see a small piece of Disney history here, with Rummy (a bird who “bears a striking resemblance to the original Barker Bird that previously sat at the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean,” according to Disney) serving as the tavern’s quartermaster and keeping a watchful eye on the place high above the bar.

There will be seating in a “Mess Hall” dining area and the “Captains’ Quarters.” More details are to come!

Major Updates To Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

The beloved Toy Story attraction at Magic Kingdom, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, is getting some major updates in 2026! According to Disney, the ride vehicles are getting a facelift as part of a major renovation. Once open, they will feature a brand new design and digital video monitors to keep you better updated on your score in real time. Plus, when it comes to scoring, you’re almost guaranteed to climb the galactic ranks with new handheld blasters that have additional features to help you rack up more points.

The updates also include new interactive targets in the ride scenes and a brand new scene! All this is expected to open in 2026, with the ride closing temporarily for these renovations in August 2025.

Pixar Cars Land Expansion

Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America are permanently closing to make way for one of the largest expansions in Magic Kingdom park history! Disney has officially named the new area dedicated to all things Disney and Pixar’s Cars, Piston Peak National Park. And there’s a lot in store for fans of the movies!

The new land will draw inspiration from the Rocky Mountain area and feature “rugged mountains with dramatic peaks will be nestled along a calming waterway across from Grizzly Hall and soaring geysers from the famed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will stretch into the trails of our off-road rally,” according to Disney.

Plus, Piston Peak National Park will have two new major attractions. One will be a thrill ride that takes you on a “rally race through the mountains,” and another will be geared more towards families with little ones.

Currently, there is no opening timeline for Piston Peak National Park. However, construction will begin in July 2025.

Disney Villains Land

As part of Magic Kingdom’s big expansion, Disney is adding an entire land dedicated to Disney Villains. This big change to Disney World’s most iconic park will be added beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland. It will include two new attractions, dining, and shopping.

Disney revealed that they have already begun work on this area, though they have not yet announced an opening timeline.

EPCOT

GEO-82 Lounge

Calling anyone 21+ — there’s a new place to grab a cocktail in EPCOT! Named GEO-82 as a nod to Spaceship Earth’s opening date in 1982, this brand-new adults-only lounge is inspired by the park icon and is one of the most elegant places to relax in the park. Inside the secluded space, you can find “sweeping views of World Celebration Gardens and a unique perspective of the nightly fireworks.”

Note that, as of this writing, reservations are required to get a seat here.

Test Track Reimagined

Test Track is one of the most popular rides in EPCOT, and big changes are coming soon! Disney revealed that they are working on reimagining Test Track. The refurbishment will draw inspiration from the original World of Motion attraction, which was one of EPCOT’s opening day attractions back in 1982.

The current version of Test Track officially closed for the changes on June 17th, 2024. According to Disney, the queue will feature six new exhibits highlighting vehicles “that push the envelope” and the people behind them. And, on the ride, you’ll go through “scenes focusing on onboard technology, customization, and personalization.” But, don’t worry, the classic high-speed outdoor track isn’t going anywhere – that will still cap off every ride!

The ride is expected to open in late summer 2025 with a new exterior design inspired by the original pavilion design when EPCOT opened.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure — NOW OPEN!!

The popular stage show inspired by Disney’s The Little Mermaid got an update! The new show debuted on May 27th, 2025, and retells the story of Ariel in a brand new way. During the live show, you’ll hear your favorite songs, including “Part of Your World” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls.” Plus, there are also two new numbers that were added to the show, including “Daughters of Triton” and “Kiss The Girl.”

Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After — NOW OPEN!!

The Disney Villains now have a permanent spot in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! The brand new live stage show replaced Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Sunset Showcase and takes you on a wicked adventure to discover who is the most wicked of all. Throughout the show, you’ll see various musical numbers from Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent. Plus, you never know who else might be lurking around the stage.

New Missions Coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda will officially appear in a major update coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in both Disney World and Disneyland.

Beginning May 22nd, 2026, the ride will feature a brand new storyline where Hondo Ohnaka sends guests on a mission to learn more about a deal “going down on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and a band of pirates.” With a generous bounty as motivation, you’ll team up with Grogu and Mando onboard the Millennium Falcon.

Your journey will start with a visit to Tatooine. Then, crews get to choose their next destination–Bespin, Endor, or Coruscant. Additionally, the updates will include a new role for the Engineers–communicating with and caring for Grogu!

New Monsters Inc. Land

You’ll soon be able to enter Monstropolis from Monsters Inc. as part of a major reimagination at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! As one of the biggest changes to Disney World coming in the next few years, Disney has announced that Monsters Inc. Land will be a themed area where you can walk the streets with the monsters, dine, shop, enjoy a brand new theater show, and visit the factory where an entirely new thrill ride will be located.

The new roller coaster will be Disney’s first-ever suspended coaster. It will whisk you away on an adventure inspired by the doors room from the iconic scene in the movie.

The new land will take over that is currently devoted to all things Muppets. But, don’t worry, Kermit the Frog and friends will still be in Disney’s Hollywood Studios — they’re just moving to Sunset Boulevard (more on that next!). Work on this project will begin in 2025 with Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano closing on May 11th and both Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo closing on June 8th.

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Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster to Be Re-Themed

While the area where The Muppets currently reside is being taken over by Mike and Sulley from Monsters Inc., the gang is headed over to Sunset Boulevard for something new!

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Disney announced that The Muppets are taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, bidding goodbye to the current Aerosmith theming. This will be Disney’s first-ever ride to feature characters from The Muppets and you can expect brand-new music and updates to the merchandise location at the exit of the attraction.

Disney has announced that this change to Disney World will happen in 2026, though exact dates have yet to be revealed.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Reimagination of DinoLand U.S.A.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will see some MAJOR changes to Disney World over the next few years, with a brand new land bringing some of the most beloved franchises to the park!

According to Disney, Imagineers are planning to reimagine Dinoland U.S.A. into a new land inspired by the Central Americas. It will be called Pueblo Esperanza and will feature two brand-new attractions inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones.

The new land will also include a new quick-service restaurant. It will be one of the largest in all of Disney World.

It will still be a little while before you can experience this. Construction has already begun and is expected to be completed in 2027.

Zootopia: Better Together

Located below the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests will soon say goodbye to the It’s Tough To Be a Bug attraction as they make way for more changes to Disney World! Zootopia characters are officially coming to Disney World with a new show that will take you to the “different biomes you only glimpse in the film, traveling along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and other characters.”

The show will be called Zootopia: Better Together and will open in winter 2025, with the current show, It’s Tough To Be A Bug! closing on March 17th, 2025, to make way for the changes.

Disney World Resort Hotels

Disney Lakeshore Lodge

The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is expanding! Disney announced that a brand new DVC property is being built in the former home of Disney’s River Country water park (which has been permanently closed since 2001) near Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds. The new resort replaces Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge Resort (which was announced back in 2019) and will be called Disney Lakeshore Lodge.

The new hotel will pull inspiration from “the majesty of nature and its enduring influence on Disney artists.” It is set to open sometime in 2027.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney has been updating its flagship hotel, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, for many years now, and more changes are on their way! Soon, the lobby will be getting a major refresh with new carpeting, furniture, and paint. And, perhaps the biggest change is that a brand new bar will open on the first floor! It will replace the iconic birdcage that currently sits in the lobby area, but (don’t worry!) you’ll still find many nods to it in the bar’s design.

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Comments

So, are you ready to start planning your 2025 vacation? What changes to Disney World are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!