Here are all of the new rides coming to Disney World in 2025 and beyond.
Walt Disney’s vision for Disneyland (and Disney World) was that they would be constantly evolving and never be “finished”.
That means we always have a lot to look forward to at the Disney theme parks! These are the new rides and attractions that were announced at the 2024 D23 Expo for Walt Disney World in Florida, listed park by park.
Magic Kingdom
For years we have known that Disney had plans for “beyond Big Thunder Mountain” but now we know with certainty what is being done there.
A “Cars” themed area is coming to this part of Frontierland with two new attractions. One we expect to be similar to Radiator Springs Racers in Disney California Adventure park which is one of my favorite attractions. Guests ride in cars in a rally-style race through a desert landscape.
The other ride will be for the whole family (meaning likely a low or non-existent height requirement) but we don’t know more about that yet.
Current attractions Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America will be replaced by this new land, so we will have to say goodbye to those.
Work will begin on this area in 2025 and we don’t know when it will open.
The other big expansion at Magic Kingdom is a villians-themed land which has been teased for years. We don’t know much at this point except that it will include two attractions, shopping, and dining.
We don’t have an opening date but Disney says work is already underway on this new area at Magic Kingdom.
Coming to Magic Kingdom sooner rather than later is a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed “tavern” in Adventureland.
This food and beverage location will open in 2025 so we don’t have long to wait to be immersed into the world of Pirates.
And last, a nighttime parade is returning to Magic Kingdom in summer 2025. If you have been missing the Main Street Electrical Parade like I have, then you are likely very excited about this news!
The new parade will be called “Disney Starlight” and feature characters from Peter Pan, Frozen, Encanto, and more.
EPCOT
Over at Epcot, Test Track closed for refurbishment in June 2024 and we know it will reopen in 2025. It is being “reimagined” and will includes nods to the original attraction on that site, World of Motion.
We don’t have an opening date yet but I expect summer of 2025.
We can also look forward to a new lounge opening adjacent to Spaceship Earth. It will open in 2025 so there isn’t long to wait for somewhere to take a load off and enjoy the air conditioning in Epcot.
This space is will look out over World Celebration and will also be a potential viewing location for the nighttime show.
Hollywood Studios
The big news at Hollywood Studios is a new land that will immerse you in the story of Disney and Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.”
The setting is the city of “Monstropolis” and will definitely include character meet and greets with the popular monsters from these movies.
Disney’s first suspended coaster will be the main attraction in the new land. I love coasters and am very excited about the potential for this ride!
Work on this new land is scheduled to begin in 2025.
Though not a new attraction, a new storyline is coming to the popular attraction Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run at Hollywood Studios.
It will include characters from the Mandalorian but you’ll have to wait until 2026 for the new version of this ride.
Animal Kingdom
We’ve know for a while that Dinoland USA was going to get reimagined, but now we know exactly what is going on there.
The area will be themed to the Tropical Americas and will include three new attractions.
We know there will be an Encanto ride through the family’s casita, as well as a new carousel.
There will also be a large quick-service dining location in this land.
The DINOSAUR ride will be rethemed to Indiana Jones, which shouldn’t be difficult since the ride track is indentical to the Indiana Jones ride in Disneyland!
This new land is scheduled to open in 2027.
And last, “It’s Tough To Be A Bug” will be replaced by a Zootopia-themed show inside the Tree of Life.
We don’t know when the current show will close but Zootopia: Better Together is expected to open in winter 2025.
What do you think of the new rides coming to Disney World in 2025 and beyond? Please leave a comment below!
Wilda
Wednesday 14th of August 2024
Thank you for such a concise and comprehensive guide to the park news out of D23! I couldn't keep up with all the bits and pieces elsewhere. This, however, was perfect!
Leah
Wednesday 14th of August 2024
Oh I'm so glad - that was exactly my intention!