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 can 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. A minimum of, 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 rather a lot coming within the subsequent 2 years, together with journey reimaginings, new eating places, and rather more. That’s what this listing takes a take a look at–the largely smaller-scale reimagined rides, eating places, and leisure choices being added between building 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 not too long ago toured the Tomorrow Tower Suite on the Treasure, and it actually didn’t do a lot for me. There have been some enjoyable particulars and beautiful artwork created for it, however as a complete, it was nothing all that particular. I dunno, I assume since we’ve got a pleasant West Elm showroom close to us, I’m not impressed by any such 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 pictures of EPCOT from a recent perspective.
9. Development – Sure, I’m trying ahead to building partitions. Or progress partitions, as we name them round these elements (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. Truthfully, I’m additionally trying ahead to the Massive Thunder closure. As painful because it may be to lose that for 1-2 years, watching that giant crane exchange curler coaster monitor will likely be an attraction unto itself for dorks like me.
Larger image, I’m trying ahead to this growth cycle. It’s going to contain rising pains and painful goodbyes, that a lot is plain. However so did the final one. I like Cosmic Rewind, however nonetheless miss Universe of Power. Ditto Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Rail with Nice Film Journey. And even the Streets of America and, most significantly, what they held at Christmas-time.
I additionally assume that the attraction rosters within the parks are higher as we speak than they have been previous to the final growth cycle. Nostalgic as I may be, there have been quite a lot of nice additions, and there’s a cause why so most of the rides with the longest wait instances are lower than a decade previous. Similar goes for well-liked 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 season 2025 and introduced the new “Villains Unfairly Ever After” for Summer season 2025. Each of those exhibits are coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so we primarily know what the plan is for that park subsequent yr.
I assume I’m trying ahead to the Little Mermaid present. Though on the identical 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 annoyed 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 special story. I’m trying ahead to the present itself, but additionally what it represents and the way Disney may be utilizing this stage present to do market analysis for the upcoming villains land. Through which 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 modifications to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Celebration, 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 performed within the final 8 years are really good. A minimum of, in comparison with what was performed within the ~5 years earlier than 2017.
To make sure, they aren’t good. Criticism about rooms being too bland and sterile is well-taken, even within the rooms which were upgrades on stability. With a few notable exceptions (such because the Incredibles rooms on the Up to date), redone rooms have gotten even higher for the reason that opening of Disney’s Riviera Resort. That leaves a 2-3 yr hole when new types have 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 purposeful enhancements. The upcoming tasks are mushy 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 performed, and I’m actually trying ahead to seeing the result at one in all our favorites, Pop Century, in addition to a couple of 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 ready to open in late 2025 in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom. This brand-new expertise will prolong the traditional 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 count on it to be fairly much like Oga’s Cantina in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, besides themed to pirates as an alternative of area pirates. Past a pair items of idea artwork and Imagineering revealing that it’ll characteristic the beloved Barker Hen Audio Animatronics determine, there’s not a lot that’s identified concerning the tavern that’s taking up Pirates League and a portion of the present 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 incredible addition. On the identical time I’m fearful about Magic Kingdom getting its first actual bar. Not in a pearl-clutching means, 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 individuals via the placement. The identical might 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 well-liked, I assume?
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 visitors 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 so far.
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 mentioned a lot in any respect about Zootopia: Higher Collectively, a lot much less shared a time limit 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 properly–higher than Monsters Chuckle Ground. On the identical time, my response to It’s Powerful to Be a Bug closing might greatest be described as ‘meh.’ Don’t get me unsuitable–it’s a superb present that has additionally aged properly (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 season – I absolutely count on Walt Disney World to do an ‘occasion’ for Summer season 2025. We made the case for a return of Summer season Nightastic lengthy earlier than final yr’s D23 Expo, throughout which bulletins have been made that may very well be integrated into such a celebration. So it appears doable.
On the identical time, it’s honest to notice that I additionally thought all the indicators have been there for an EPCOT summer season pageant final yr, and boy was I unsuitable about that. Whereas I preserve that EPCOT ought to’ve performed one thing–something–for the sluggish summer season months, they opted towards it for no matter cause.
I feel it’s secure to say that Walt Disney World has not less than yet one more card up its sleeve for Summer season 2025. From what I’ve heard, there are nonetheless a few surprises in retailer. What, precisely, these are and the way thrilling they’ll really be stays to be seen. The Disney Goals 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 might use a nighttime spectacular, and that park staying open after darkish in the summertime may be good!
3. Take a look at Monitor 3.0 – A part of Walt Disney World’s summer season advertising and marketing marketing campaign will in all probability revolve round Take a look at Monitor 3.0, which is able to open by late Summer season 2025. In accordance 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 Take a look at Monitor. They’re searching for to push innovation ahead and rejoice humanity’s enduring drive on the thrilling street to a brighter tomorrow.
Whereas it stays to be seen precisely what which means, it’s trigger for optimism. The earlier Take a look at Monitor was displaying its age, and I don’t assume it’ll be missed by many followers–not even these of us who initially preferred the up to date attraction. Take a look at Monitor 3.0 is a low-floor, high-ceiling sort of venture…and one being paid for by another person, so it’s not even coming on the expense of one other (larger precedence) Walt Disney World venture. Win-win!
The reopening of Take a look at Monitor may also mark the primary time (save for like a weeklong window) of EPCOT being freed from building partitions. In order that may be thrilling to a few of you. Personally, I’m extra of an “EPCOT is at all times in a state of turning into” kinda man. A wall-less EPCOT is nearly a international idea to me, and I don’t understand how I’d deal with it.
Joking apart, a part of the explanation I’m trying ahead to this venture wrapping is to see what’s subsequent. EPCOT just isn’t really performed, however overdue overhauls have to be performed 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 & Mates? 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 Night time Parade – Saving the perfect for second-to-last, the most important 2025 addition in all of Walt Disney World is Disney Starlight: Dream the Night time Away, a brand new nighttime parade coming to Magic Kingdom in Summer season 2025. Not even Take a look at Monitor 3.0 can compete with this from the angle of hype–the 2 are miles aside.
Disney Starlight will use the newest expertise 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 once 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 lots of my formative reminiscences of Walt Disney World revolve round nighttime leisure.
When Sarah and I first began visiting WDW collectively, we watched SpectroMagic every time we have been at Magic Kingdom. Each. Single. Night time. 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 Road, listening to Jiminy Cricket’s voice, the lights going darkish and the music beginning, and ready for the primary float to method is a type of significant reminiscences for us.
Now that we’ve got 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 have to be offered 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 listing is nearly meaningless. By way of hype and potential, there are a number of particular sights or complete lands at Epic Universe would make the lower over nearly all the pieces Walt Disney World is doing in 2025.
That’s amongst theme park followers, although. Disney followers want a little bit 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 might journey. These considerations are very legitimate, and one thing that many Common followers gloss over. Massive 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 Artistic flexing its artistic muscle mass, and selecting 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 artistic and industrial success of these lands is the higher comparability. Epic Universe goes to be a complete 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 can on theme parks for many years to return. Most of the individuals at Common Artistic bringing Epic Universe to life are ex-Imagineers, and most of the individuals at WDI who will carry Villains Land (and so forth.) to life will find yourself being ex-Common Artistic. The affect of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter on new Disney lands can nonetheless be felt; anybody who needs a sneak peek at the way forward for Walt Disney World ought to take a drive up I-4 and see what all the thrill is about.
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Your Ideas
Which sights or leisure coming to Walt Disney World in 2025 are you most excited to expertise? At the same time as a Disney fan, are you most excited for Common’s Epic Universe or are you bored with that new gate? Does Disney Starlight Night time Parade take the cake for you, or one thing else? Agree or disagree with our listing? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
