food IS a theme park
Big news out of EPCOT today!
EPCOT
While it looks like we may not be getting that Spaceship Earth retheme that was indefinitely postponed a few years ago, we are getting a Spaceship Earth lounge coming to EPCOT, and we’re quite excited about that! We’ve been waiting to hear some more information about the lounge, coming in 2025, and now we finally have it — an opening date has been announced!
Some NEW additions are coming to Orlando International Airport (MCO).
©Orlando International Airport
According to the Orlando Business Journal, Signature Aviation has entered into an agreement with MCO to build several new additions to the airport, including an 8,000-square-foot terminal along with two 30,000-square-foot group storage hangars, each of which will include 2,500 square feet of attached office space.
BIG things are happening in Disney World, which means we’re getting ready for a lot of change.
Hollywood Studios
We’re already seeing big changes in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as parts of DinoLand U.S.A. have closed to start making way for Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas-themed land. Magic Kingdom will soon be closing Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America to make way for a new Cars expansion in Frontierland. In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Muppets Courtyard will be closing soon to make way for a new Monsters, Inc. land. That means that everything IN Muppets Courtyard will also close, including one iconic restaurant.
Construction is ramping up on Disney’s newest hotel.
©Disney
Back in 2018, Disney announced that a new Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property was coming to Walt Disney World. The new hotel, to be built on the long-abandoned remains of the resort’s first water park River Country – – was to be called Reflections: A Lakeside Lodge. However, with the onset of the worldwide pandemic, all work on the project stalled, and Disney dropped all mentions of it.
Something brand new is coming to Disney Springs in Disney World!
Disney Springs
Back in 2017, DisneyQuest closed down in Disney Springs, and its home on the West Side was vacant for two years before the NBA Experience replaced it in 2019. Unfortunately, the NBA Experience wasn’t as popular as Disney had hoped, and it never reopened after the 2020 pandemic. But now, LEVEL99 is moving into that same building, and we’ve got some new details about construction!
We are seeing Disney World undergo some major construction over the next few years, including updated rides and new lands.
Cinderella’s Castle
In 2025, there will be several rides that are seeing a refurbishment this year at Magic Kingdom. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently receiving an overhaul and is scheduled to reopen in 2026. Astro Orbiter also closed earlier this year and is set to reopen this summer. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin has recently been added to that list as well so here is what we know about this ride update.
One of Disney World’s coolest and most sought-after pools is still under construction.
Stormalong Bay prior to its closure
Stormalong Bay, located between Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, closed for refurbishment in January of 2025 and is set to reopen again just in time for the Summer season this June. We are seriously impressed by the amount of work going into this refurbishment, and we have a little update about how it’s moving along!
Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District (say that fast!) is in the process of a total overhaul!
Downtown Disney
While many new stores and restaurants have already opened as part of this ongoing refurbishment, even more change is on the way as a new permit was filed to demolish a longstanding Downtown Disney building.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is changing big time!
Grand Floridian Resort
Recently, the iconic Disney resort announced major changes, and one big addition is coming to the resort soon. Disney is wasting no time getting started! We stopped by the resort today to see the progress ourselves.
Disney World and Universal Orlando aren’t the only things making big changes this year.
MCO Airport
Even Orlando International Airport is getting some updates. A new parking guidance system is on the way, Terminal C is getting an expansion, and new shops and restaurants are coming to the airport soon. We previously got a list of new restaurants coming to the airport, but now Orlando International Airport has shared new concept art showcasing those new restaurants PLUS concept art of some new shops.
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