We know it’s only August, but it’s already time start thinking about booking those Disneyland Resort vacation packages for 2025. There are plenty of reasons to come to Disneyland, but we’ve narrowed it down to the top 5 reasons that make 2025 an especially great time to visit the Happiest Place on Earth.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
This new attraction opens for the holidays of 2024, but will still feel brand new in 2025. Visit the newly renamed Bayou Country and check out this musical voyage with Tiana and her friends.
While we expect the attraction themed to The Princess and the Frog to be similar to its counterpart at the Magic Kingdom, there are sure to be differences at Disneyland that are definitely worth checking out.
If that’s not enough, you’ll also find two new shops in Bayou Country, Ray’s Berets and Louis’ Critter Club. Nearby New Orleans Square already features Eudora’s Chic Boutique, a gift shop featuring gourmet items inspired by Tiana’s recipes, and Tiana’s Palace, a restaurant that includes some New Orleans favorites. So, there will be plenty for fans of this Disney princess to enjoy in 2025.
Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree
While you’re in Bayou Country, pay a visit to this updated quick service eatery. The Hungry Bear Restaurant had its fans, but many folks didn’t feel the need to head to the back of the park for a cheeseburger. This update, however, has us excited about the restaurant again.
We expect the updated restaurant to open soon, and it should hopefully be running full speed in 2025. The new menu includes some old favorites, but adds brisket, pulled pork, spareribs, and other barbecue fare. Along with the new menu comes a soundtrack courtesy of our favorite Country Bears.
Ever since the Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue disappeared to make way for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disneyland fans have been missing their barbecue, so we expect this to be a popular change.
Haunted Mansion Updates
After the Haunted Mansion Holiday melts away in mid-January 2025, we should hopefully be greeted by an updated Haunted Mansion, along with a new redesigned queue and gift shop.
While we don’t have any details yet of what the 999 ghosts might have done with the decor inside the mansion itself, we know that the queue will include new gardens inspired by Madame Leota, Master Gracey, and the one-eyed cat. The new gift shop will represent Madame Leota’s carriage house.
Guests with disabilities will have an improved experience as a new exit elevator has been installed in the attraction.
While we don’t have an exact re-opening date for the Haunted Mansion, we expect it to be early in 2025.
Walt Disney-A Magical Life
This new show, featuring the first audio animatronic of Walt Disney, will open sometime in 2025 at the Main Street Opera House. Work has already begun behind the scenes and the Opera House has been closed for awhile, so we hope an opening date will be announced soon.
The attraction will temporarily replace Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln and will take guests inside Walt’s office, where he will share his hopes and dreams for the future.
Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln will eventually return and will play in rotation with the new show, but we don’t know if that will be in 2025.
Disneyland 70
Next summer, Disneyland Park turns 70 years old!
Aside from the new show at the Opera House that could be considered part of the celebration, we don’t yet know any details about the birthday party. You can be sure however, that the entire resort will celebrate in style with fireworks and parades, plus special new merchandise and treats that only the bakers and candy makers of the Disneyland Resort can dream up.
No dates have been announced, but Disneyland turns 70 on July 17th, so look for festivities to happen all summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
That is our top 5 reasons you should visit in 2025, but we’re sure there will be many more surprises announced over the next few months that will make booking a trip to Disneyland even more irresistible. What are you looking forward to during your 2025 Disneyland Resort vacation?
Tom is the former host/producer of the Disneyland Edition podcast and is currently the co-host of the Connecting With Walt podcast, plus is also providing Disneyland content from the parks. He enjoys traveling with friends and spending time with family, including his son and grandson. In his spare time he volunteers with Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts, and helped found his son's former Cub Scout Pack. His favorite Disneyland attraction is Space Mountain.
