Walt Disney World, through its official blog, has revealed exciting updates on attractions and experiences for 2025 and beyond, including the opening of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Little Mermaid show and a new “Zootopia” attraction in EPCOT.
Customers can also look forward to the new “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” nighttime show is scheduled to debut in the summer of 2025.
All the New Rides and Attractions at Disney World in 2025 and Beyond
Below is a comprehensive guide to all the new and updated rides, attractions, and character greetings coming to Walt Disney World in 2025 and beyond.
Magic Kingdom
Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away
Opening: Summer 2025
A brand-new nighttime parade featuring cutting-edge technology to tell new stories about beloved Disney characters. Announced at the D23 Ultimate Fan Event in August 2024, this parade promises to bring magic and innovation to Magic Kingdom’s evenings.
EPCOT
Test Track Reimagined
Status: Temporarily closed for refurbishment
Reopening: Late Summer 2025
This reimagining of Test Track will draw inspiration from EPCOT’s former World of Motion attraction. The updated experience, developed in collaboration with Chevrolet, will highlight themes of innovation, mobility, and optimism. Guests will enjoy new show scenes and an enhanced ride experience, including an outdoor finale.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
Opening: 27 May 2025
Hosted in the newly transformed Sunset Showcase, this live show will feature iconic villains like Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent. The premise revolves around the Magic Mirror summoning villains to plead their misunderstood cases, culminating in a wickedly dramatic finale. (Note: Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy closed on 7 October 2024 to make way for this show.)
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
Opening: 27 May 2025
Replacing Voyage of the Little Mermaid, this reimagined stage show will retell Ariel’s story from her point of view. It will feature puppetry, digital animation, live motion capture, and songs such as Daughters of Triton and Kiss the Girl. The original show has been permanently closed.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Zootopia: Better Zoogether!
Opening: 2025 (Date TBC)
Replacing It’s Tough to Be a Bug!, this new show will take place in the Tree of Life Theatre. Guests will join Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and other characters in an adventure through the biomes of Zootopia. Originally slated for winter 2025, the project has experienced delays. The previous attraction officially closed on 17 March 2025.
Coming in 2026
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – New Missions
Debuting: 22 May 2026
This popular Star Wars ride will feature new missions starring the Mandalorian and Grogu. Guests will be able to explore destinations such as Bespin, Tatooine, Coruscant, Beggar’s Canyon, and even the ruins of the Death Star. For the first time, riders will control the mission’s destination as they join Hondo Ohnaka on a high-stakes bounty hunt.
Coming in 2027
Pueblo Esperanza – New Land in Animal Kingdom
Opening: 2027
A brand-new land themed to the Tropical Americas will replace DinoLand U.S.A. It will feature two signature attractions:
- Encanto Boat Ride
Journey with Antonio Madrigal into his rainforest-themed room, with potential appearances from other members of the family. - Indiana Jones Adventure Ride
A completely original storyline following Indiana Jones as he explores a newly discovered Maya temple in search of a mythical creature.
Note:
DinoLand U.S.A. is undergoing phased closure, beginning on 13 January 2025. TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures closed permanently on 12 January 2025. The DINOSAUR ride is also expected to be retired in 2025.
Coming – Date to Be Announced
Cars-Themed Attractions – Magic Kingdom Frontierland
Two new Cars-themed rides are coming to Frontierland:
- A high-speed race through rugged terrain with geysers and mudholes
- A family-friendly attraction for younger guests
Construction is expected to begin in early 2025.
Villains Land – Magic Kingdom
A brand-new Villains-themed land featuring two major attractions, dining, and shopping on a grand scale. While no opening date has been confirmed, preparations are underway.
Monsters, Inc. Land – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
This new land will include:
- A suspended roller coaster – the first of its kind in Disney parks
- A new theatre show
Set in Monstropolis, guests will help power the city through laughter.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Retheme – Hollywood Studios
The Muppets will take over this Sunset Boulevard attraction, previously themed to Aerosmith. The updated ride will feature a Muppets-led music festival and marks the first time The Muppets are the stars of a Disney attraction.
Visit the Travel Pursuit News Hub for more exciting updates.
