With only a few days of 2024 left, let’s look ahead to what the new year has in store for Walt Disney World. From a new nighttime parade, to new lounges and reimagined attractions, there’s a lot to be excited for. Let’s go by park by park, oldest to newest:
Magic Kingdom
- Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away | Debuts Summer 2025
Perhaps the star of Walt Disney World’s 2025 lineup; this is the resort’s first new nighttime parade since 1991’s SpectroMagic. Fans have eagerly awaited a nighttime parade for Magic Kingdom, and it’s finally happening soon! Brand new illuminated parade floats will feature Peter Pan, Encanto, Moana, and more. The Blue Fairy from Pinocchio is the star of the parade as she will bring it all to life.
- Pirates Tavern | Opening Late 2025
The first-ever Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired lounge opens in Adventureland later next year, welcoming guests of all ages for a sea-worthy selection of grogs and grub, with a “few mysterious and magical surprises in store”. I’m hoping for some Trader Sam’s-level gags and souvenir cups!
EPCOT
- Spaceship Earth Lounge | Opening Late Spring 2025
Celebrating everyone’s favorite EPCOT park icon, just behind our favorite geodesic sphere will be home to a whole new lounge opening in late spring. The Spaceship Earth Lounge promises to be an elegant, elevated experience, honoring the intertwined history of Spaceship Earth and EPCOT itself. The lounge will offer an elegant menu of cuisine and beverages, along with a new perspective when it comes to theme park views; offering peeks over World Celebration Gardens and a unique view of the nightly fireworks. Cheers to EPCOT!
- Test Track 3.0 | Opening Late Summer 2025
Inspired by the original EPCOT Center attraction, World of Motion, the third version of Test Track will celebrate today’s innovation while highlighting the past, present, and future. New queue exhibits and show scenes will highlight technological advancements and explore how our evolving relationship with mobility connects us all. It’ll still be the Test Track we know and love – a thrilling ride through scenes that showcase onboard technology, customization, and personalization – with an added scenic journey through indoor scenes and outdoor vistas, celebrating the simple joys of driving, appreciating the world around us, and sharing quality time with friends and family.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After | Debuts Summer of 2025
This all-new live production is set to take place at the Sunset Showcase (previously home to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy) and promises to immerse guests into a mysterious realm within the Magic Mirror, a thrilling and darkly humorous world led by some of Disney’s most notorious villains, as they break through the glass to take the stage in live numbers — including Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent.
- The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure | Opens Summer 2025
The theater that’s been shuttered since the pandemic is finally reopening, and with a fully reimagined theatrical production. The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure will be based on the animated film, with all-new colorful sets, and will still utilize puppets just like Voyage of the Little Mermaid; featuring a new “Kiss the Girl” scene, along with classic songs like “Part of Your World,” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls.”
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Zootopia! Better Together | Debuting Winter 2025
Replacing It’s Tough to Be a Bug inside the Tree of Life theater, this all-new 4D show will explore through various biomes from Zootopia films alongside favorite characters, including Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. The show will also feature an Officer Clawhauser audio-animatronic.
Happy New Year!
Disney has also confirmed we have a whole year (through 2025) to enjoy our precious DINOSAUR a few more times. And, of course, we can’t forget about Destination D23 taking place August 29th-31st at Disney’s Coronado Springs. Who knows what fun facts and announcements are in store! Which Walt Disney World 2025 addition are you most looking to?
