UPDATED May 1, 2025
Okay, so if you’re planning a Disney World trip in 2025, well, you’ve got a LOT to look forward to, and that includes a lot of NEW things.
If you haven’t been to Disney World in the past year or so, you’ve got some new restaurants to check out (like The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers and Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs). Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom is still also pretty new. We’ve seen new shops open up in Disney Springs recently, as well. However, a LOT of NEW things will be opening for the FIRST TIME EVER in Disney World in 2025.
So here’s what’s coming to Disney World in 2025.
Magic Kingdom
Disney Starlight
Magic Kingdom is getting a nighttime parade called Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away that will feature floats all lit up for the night with some of Disney’s most iconic movies, including Encanto, Moana, and Peter Pan. Disney said the parade would be “using the latest technology to tell new stories about the characters you love.”
Disney Starlight will be “brought to life by the magic of the Blue Fairy” from the Disney animated classic, Pinocchio. The parade is expected to premiere in summer 2025.
Learn more about Disney Starlight
Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern
A new Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern is coming to Magic Kingdom! This lounge will be a “first-of-its-kind experience will extend the story of Pirates of the Caribbean.” The tavern will bring together pirates of all ages to “gather to tell their tales!” The Barker Bird, who used to greet guests at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, will also be part of the experience.
This “rambunctious watering hole will offer a welcoming haven for all pirate-kind, big and small, and everyone in between.” Expect it to open in late 2025.
Here’s more about the tavern!
EPCOT
New Test Track
A brand new version of Test Track is coming to EPCOT! Disney is collaborating with Chevrolet, the ride’s sponsor, to celebrate the spirit of innovation while also looking forward to the human “drive” for a brighter tomorrow. The new version of the ride is expected to look at past, present, and future with the queue having six distinct exhibits.
The new version of the ride will feature new show scenes featuring technological advances that show “how our lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone.” It should open in late summer 2025.
Here’s more about Test Track’s opening timeline
Spaceship Earth Lounge — OPENING JUNE 4, 2025!
In August 2024, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro announced a NEW tribute to Spaceship Earth coming to EPCOT: a Spaceship Earth LOUNGE is opening on June 4th, 2025! Get ready to visit GEO-82!
Disney shares the meaning of the name: “The name GEO-82 is a nostalgic nod to Spaceship Earth—which opened in 1982. At GEO-82, you’ll be immersed in the storied history and enduring legacy of this timeless EPCOT icon.”
The decor draws inspiration from “the ball’s” unique geometric sphere and hopes to offer a “zen space” to guests, filled with “rich textures and warm metallic tones, giving it a mysterious and elegant intimacy.”
Disney has also promised “delicious culinary creations” specially designed for the location! While we await specific menu details, Disney further shares that “Here, you can experience global flavors blended with culinary artistry in classic cocktails and small plates.”
You can check out a TON of menu highlights for GEO-82 HERE!
Please be aware that Disney has also stated that GEO-82 will require Advance Dining Reservations, and these will open on May 6th for dates starting June 4th, 2025. Additionally, GEO-82 will be exclusively for guests 21 years or older.
P.S. Oh! And the new GEO-82 Fireworks Experience will be part of the Enchanting Extras Collection, where you can watch Luminous: The Symphony of Us from inside the lounge!
Click HERE to check out the upcoming Spaceship Earth Lounge!!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After — Opening May 27th, 2025!
Last October, Lighting McQueen’s Racing Academy closed to make way for Disney Villians: Unfairly Ever After. This brand new show will make its debut on May 27th, 2025!
In this show, the Magic Mirror summons some of your favorite Disney Villains who will break through the glass and explain why we’ve misunderstood them. After the villains share their side of the story, “In the end, it will be on you to make the final call in a delightfully wicked finale filled with dozens of the most infamous evildoers awaiting your decision from within the Mirror’s realm.”
Learn more about the NEW Disney Villains show
“The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” — Opening May 27th, 2025!
Get ready to see “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” when it opens on May 27th, 2025! That’s right… Hollywood Studios is also getting a brand new Little Mermaid show that will replace the closed Voyage of the Little Mermaid show.
The story will be retold almost entirely from Ariel’s point of view and will feature two songs that weren’t in the previous show: “Daughters of Triton” and “Kiss the Girl.” The show will feature live actors, puppets, digital animation, and even some live motion capture integrated together to fully replicate the underwater setting!
Check out the NEW Little Mermaid show!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Zootopia: Better Zoogether!
It’s Tough to be a Bug!, which is presented inside the Tree of Life, is going away to be replaced by a brand new show, Zootopia: Better Zoogether! The new show will follow some of our fave Zootopia characters like Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, in a production that “will take guests on an adventure through different biomes seen in the film.”
Please be aware that the It’s Tough to Be a Bug! attraction, which was previously housed in the Tree of Life Theater is now officially closed at Animal Kingdom (as of March 17th, 2025) to make way for the new Zootopia show (for which an opening date is yet to be announced).
Learn more about the new Zootopia show!
Disney World Water Parks
Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is OPEN as of May 1st for guests to enjoy as Blizzard Beach has closed for its own refurbishment. But guess what…?!
Blizzard Beach will only be closed for a short time and will reopen on May 21st! Beginning May 21st through September 7th, BOTH Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be available for guests.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Island Tower
Disney’s all new Disney Vacation Club tower, Island Tower, just opened in December 2024, so we have to include it on the list because it will still be VERY new in 2025!
The 10-story tower features rooms perfect for groups of all sizes. It also have its own swimming pool, as well as a new eatery, Wailulu Bar & Grill.
EXPLORE Disney’s Polynesian’s NEW Island Tower in Disney World!
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
The Grand Floridian Resort’s refurbishment has been going on for YEARS now, and they’re culminating the changes with a big update to the lobby…which includes a new lobby bar!
This lobby bar will be located across from the cage-style elevator, and will be inspired by the lobby’s iconic birdcage. Disney says, “The bar will pay tribute to the resort’s Victorian roots with intricate woodwork, stained glass, and brass accents.”
Work has already begun in the lobby of Disney World’s flagship Resort.
It is anticipated to last through November 2025.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina
Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina is coming to the Swan and Dolphin! It will open in mid-summer.
Chef Mina is a well-known chef with restaurants all over the country, mainly in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has multiple Michelin stars and has a few restaurants in Florida, including Bourbon Steak in Aventura and Prime 54 in Miami Beach. We’re excited to see what Chef Mina is bringing to Orlando! So far, we know that the restaurant menu will feature a reimagined modern take on the quintessential American steakhouse with premium cuts of beef and seafood infused with global flavors, along with decadent signature desserts, and world-class beverage offerings.
Please be aware that The Walt Disney World Dolphin confirmed that Bourbon Steak will replace Shula’s Steakhouse in the Walt Disney World Dolphin.
So if you’re going to Disney World in 2025, there’s a lot of new stuff you have to look forward to! With even MORE being added to the parks, you’ll probably want to form a game plan BEFORE your trip so you can prioritize the new stuff you want to check out!
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
See all of the MAJOR Changes Coming to Disney World in 2025
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Will you be visiting Disney World in 2025? What new thing are you looking forward to doing there? Let us know in the comments!
I’m just looking forward to getting back down there again sometime.
Thunder Mtn is myfavorite ride at MK. Has Disney announced when it’ll be reopened?