Who says the magic stands still? Not at Walt Disney World. There’s a wave of change coming—big upgrades, brand-new lands, reimagined classics, and plenty of sparkle for every style of Disney fan. Whether you’re planning a trip soon or just want to keep your Disney dreams fueled, this post is for you. We’re talking everything from swanky lounges to entire new lands. Get your snacks ready. It’s a lot. If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s coming up next?” or “Will my favorite be closed on my visit?” take a deep breath. Here’s your clear, personal guide with the latest scoop.
2025, 2026, 2027, 2028—let’s make reading those dates a little more fun and a lot less confusing. Staying up to date means you get to skip surprises, save stress, and plan with eyes wide open. Isn’t that the best way to do Disney?
What’s New and What’s Next at Disney World: Right Now & Soon
Buzz in the parks is real. If you’re packing your bag for summer 2024, 2025, or planning into 2026, check out these quick-fire updates. Some of these are happening as you read, some are right around the corner. You want to hit the latest before anyone else, right?
Quick highlights for travelers now and into early 2025:
- Brand-new adults-only GO82 Lounge at Epcot
- Limited-time Phineas and Ferb meet & greet
- Stormalong Bay pool reopening soon
- Shoula Steakhouse closing, Bourbon Steak coming
- Test Track reimagining at Epcot
- Disney Starlight Dream Parade makes its debut
- Seasonal events with fresh takes
- Temporary ride and area closures for upgrades
Planning for the near future just got easier. Here’s the down-to-earth, reader-first breakdown.
Epcot’s GO82 Lounge: Let the Grown-Ups Have Their Fun
Tucked near Spaceship Earth, the new GO82 lounge is making a splash—it’s for adults only. No kids running circles around this one. The bar program is creative with zero-proof cocktails, wine, beer, and some elevated bites. Jumbo lump crab, canolini hummus… actual real food, not theme park filler.
There’s also a fireworks experience, giving you a private table for the “Luminous” show. Sip champagne, share savory bites, and take in the custom views.
Price is $179 per person, plus tax and tip.
You’ll need to book 60 days in advance for this one.
It’s a splurge, but if you’re looking for something really special, this could be a new favorite.
Meet Phineas and Ferb—For Just a Minute
It’s short but sweet.
Phineas and Ferb are doing a meet and greet at Epcot from June 1 through June 28, 2025. If summer’s calling your name and these guys are your favorite, don’t miss the window.
Stormalong Bay Pool (Yacht and Beach Club): Ready for Swimmers Again
Ask Disney fans about their favorite pools and Stormalong Bay is almost always in the top three. It’s been closed for a while, but is back in time for summer—just when everyone needs to cool off most. Sources point to June 2025 for the re-opening.
Other pools that remain fan favorites:
- Polynesian’s Lava Pool (open)
- Art of Animation’s Big Blue Pool (open)
- Stormalong Bay (reopens June 2025)
Swan and Dolphin Dining: Goodbye Shoula, Hello Bourbon Steak
If you love steak, you probably know Shoula Steakhouse. It’s closing soon, but don’t worry—the space is transforming into Bourbon Steak, coming from celebrated Chef Michael Mina. This new concept opens midsummer 2025. Bring your appetite…and maybe a sense of adventure.
Epcot’s Test Track: From High-Speed to Feel-Good Story
Test Track closed in June 2024 for a real glow-up. When it returns late summer 2025, Disney promises a ride that’s more than speed and noise. Inspired by the classic World of Motion, expect more storytelling, a dash of nostalgia, and new ride vehicles.
What’s changing:
- New vehicles (think updated look and feel)
- Less focus on car design, more on the evolution of transportation
- A story-focused experience with plenty of call-backs to early Epcot creativity
This one could become a new must-do for classic fans and new visitors alike.
New Nighttime Parade for Magic Kingdom: Disney Starlight Dream
Parade fans, this is your year. The brand new Disney Starlight Dream: The Night Away parade arrives July 20, 2025. Expect classic stories like Frozen, Moana, Pinocchio, and more—plus gorgeous floats with princesses and princes. If you get goosebumps thinking about Disney magic, this parade was made for you.
Sneak Peek: Temporary Closures in 2025
Dreaming of a summer trip to Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios? Heads up. Some big areas are going dark, but there’s good reason.
Magic Kingdom (July 7, 2025 suspend):
- Rivers of America
- Liberty Square Riverboat
- Tom Sawyer Island
August 2025:
- Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run (Hollywood Studios)
- Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom)
All these closures are making room for bigger new projects and upgrades. Check this list before picking dates.
Fall and Winter Events: Fan Favorites with a Twist
Walt Disney World events in late 2025 have a few tricks and even more treats.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
August 15 – October 31, 2025
- All the usual exclusive shows, snacks, and characters
- Mickey & Minnie meeting together in full Halloween costumes for the first time ever at Tony’s Town Square Theater
- Jack Skellington returns, with a more movie-accurate look
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
August 28 – November 22, 2025
- Expect new food booths, specialty bands, and fresh event merchandise
- Fans are hoping for the return of beloved culinary demos
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Holidays After Hours
- Holiday overlays, limited edition treats, snow on Main Street
- Santa’s Christmas Carnival comes back in style
- Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios could return as well
New and Unique Fun for Late 2025
Sometimes Disney switches it up. Not just new rides—think new ways to play, new ways to eat. If you like adventures with your friends or family that feel a little different, check these out.
Level 99 at Disney Springs: Escape Room Meets Obstacle Course
What if you could play through 60+ mind-bending rooms, solve puzzles with friends, and cap it all off with Detroit-style pizza? Level 99 is coming late 2025 and it’s a big one. This place is built for tweens, teens, and grown-ups who want something more social and hands-on.
What sets Level 99 apart:
- Over 60 challenge rooms and dual rooms
- Mix of art installations and physical tests
- Award-winning pizza for when you need to recharge
- Real teamwork and bragging rights
This isn’t your parents’ Disney Springs.
Beacon Barrel Lounge: Pirates Take Over Adventureland
If you’ve ever left Pirates of the Caribbean wishing you could keep the spirit going, here it is.
The Beacon Barrel Lounge opens late in 2025 and brings park history to life:
- Pirate-inspired décor and a story that continues the ride
- New pirate captain character (Midian Mary Goldwin) plus her feathered friend, Rummy (Barker Bird lookalike)
- Creative bites for families, plus exclusive cocktails for the 21+ crowd
- Rumors of interactive, immersive experiences like Trader Sam’s
A lounge that’s actually part of the story? Count us in.
Resort Updates (and Free Water Park Days): Disney Magic Just for You in 2025
Hotels are more than a place to crash. They’re part of the magic, and Disney’s giving lots of hotels a refresh. At the same time, they’re sweetening the deal for anyone staying overnight.
Rooms Get a Makeover (But You Can Still Swim and Eat)
If you notice more construction walls than usual, don’t worry—it’s all about better rooms and more comfort.
- Port Orleans Riverside: Rooms under remodel through January 2026
- Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Villas: Refurbishment to September 2025
- Polynesian Village Resort: Construction ongoing into 2026
Despite all this, pools and restaurants typically stay open.
Pop Century fans get a small treat, too. The main dining area reopened in April 2024 and added a dedicated coffee/treat window along with a giant, sharable sundae.
Everyone Loves a Freebie: Water Park Access for Resort Guests
Here’s a smart perk for anyone staying at a Disney hotel in 2025. You get one free day at a Disney water park for each stay. That’s Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. Bring sunscreen—and maybe your inner kid!
Disney’s Big Bets: What’s Arriving for 2026 and 2027
Some changes need more than an off-season to finish. These projects shift what Disney fans can expect from their visit, forever.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: More Wild Than Ever
Beloved by thrill-seekers and families, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad gets a full makeover, reopening in 2026. It goes way beyond a new paint job.
What’s being added:
- Fresh track for a smoother, safer ride
- New lighting effects to turn scenery into a show
- Added water features, like rainbow geyser pools and tire-shaped splash effects
Everything points to an experience that feels wilder and more immersive—just what fans hope for.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge: A Resort Unlike Any Other
Every few years, Disney builds a new hotel. Lakeshore Lodge stands out thanks to its setting and theme.
- Slated for 2027 on the old River Country water park site by Fort Wilderness
- Inspired by nature and classic Disney animation art
- Will be a Disney Vacation Club property, so great for families who visit often
There’s not much revealed about dining or pool features yet, but the “back to nature” theme is unique for the area. More details as construction moves ahead.
Animal Kingdom’s Huge Shift: DinoLand USA Becomes PBLO Esparonza
Say goodbye to DinoLand. By 2027, Animal Kingdom welcomes a whole new land themed to the Tropical Americas: PBLO Esparonza.
Here’s what’s inside:
- Encanto-themed boat ride: Travel inside the magical casita, explore transforming rooms, see Antonio’s rainforest, and meet favorite characters like Bruno
- Indiana Jones adventure: Replacing the current DINOSAUR ride, you’ll explore a Maya temple in a fast-paced, story-driven experience similar to what’s offered in Disneyland and Tokyo
Both rides bring new technology, clever theming, and fresh characters into the mix. Animal Kingdom fans have a lot to look forward to.
Magic Kingdom Explodes Outward: Piston Peak National Park Expansion
This one could change the entire park experience. Piston Peak National Park rises where Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America live now. The size is huge, and it’s clear Disney wants to make this area a tip of the cap to nature and classic Americana, but with a Cars twist.
Expansion Overview: What’s Happening?
- Area takes over Tom Sawyer Island and much of the Rivers of America
- Connects near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure for a more seamless story
- Giant mountains, geysers, and wooded pathways set the scene
The New Rides (and Fun) Coming: What to Expect
1. Main race ride:
- Race through the mountains, dodge geysers, hit splashing mud
- Designed to feel like Cars—and Planes—in a national park setting
- Ride vehicles are personified cars with attitude
2. Smaller Cars ride:
- Perfect for younger kids and families wanting a gentler adventure
3. Carousel of Disney Animals:
- Huge new carousel featuring animal favorites carved into each seat:
- Kevin (Up)
- HeiHei (Moana)
- Timon & Pumbaa (The Lion King)
- Scuttle (The Little Mermaid)
- Abu (Aladdin)
- Iago (Aladdin)
Other planned features:
- Beautiful water features, lots of natural shade
- Ranger J animatronic telling stories and greeting guests
The vibe is friendly but epic, with plenty to keep every age exploring.
Upgrades for Your Classic Favorites: Returning in 2028
Patience pays off at Disney World. Sometimes, you lose an old favorite for a bit. But what comes back is often something better.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin: Shooting for the Stars
When it reopens in 2028, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin gets a total overhaul.
- New ride vehicles, with real-time scoring showing up where you can actually see it
- Handheld laser blasters (choose your color)
- Enhanced targets that react and light up when you hit them
- Introduction of a new robot buddy to guide you through every mission
If this was your family’s go-to competition ride, the updates will make it even more fun.
Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run: New Destinations, New Surprises
Also back in 2028, Smugglers Run doesn’t just reopen—it comes with new stories.
- All-new missions, not just the old ones
- Possible destinations: Best Bin, Tatooine, Death Star Ruins, Chorus Canyon, and Biggers Canyon
- More direct control over where you fly and how your story ends
- Ties to upcoming Star Wars film releases
- Storyline brings in returning characters like Hondo Ohnaka, set on Tatooine
And here’s a wild one: some sources say Goku (yes, from Dragon Ball Z) could appear in the new missions. Crossover? Maybe. Fans are watching this rumor very closely.
Looking Even Further Out: 2028 and Beyond
Disney never stands still. If you’re dreaming of a trip years out, or just want to know what the future holds, here’s your sneak peek.
Villains Land in Magic Kingdom: Where Bad Guys Rule
Fans have begged for a villains land for years. By the end of the decade, it looks like it’s finally happening.
Villains Land brings together all the dark favorites:
- Queen of Hearts
- Jafar
- Evil Queen
- Cruella
- Hook
- Maleficent
- Gaston
- Mother Gothel
- Ursula
- Hades
- Chernabog
The concept: A spell pulls villains from every story, but this time, the heroes don’t save the day. The tone is described as darker, moodier, and a real shake-up for the park.
What’s rumored to be inside:
- Major new coaster with thorny tracks and even a possible inversion
- Dark, cavern-like attraction with an immersive, atmospheric setting
If you’ve ever rooted for the bad guy or just wanted something new, this could be the most creative addition in years.
Monstropolis at Hollywood Studios: Fans of Monsters Welcome
One last whisper: A new Monsters Inc. land could be coming to Hollywood Studios. The plans call for:
- New stage show with all your favorite monsters
- Suspended coaster experience called Monstropolis
While there’s no date yet, the size and scope suggest Disney’s just getting started with park expansions in the years to come.
Why All This Matters for Your Disney Trip (or Just Your Love of Disney)
Here’s the thing. It’s hard to keep up with every announcement, rumor, and construction wall. The Disney you grew up with is changing into something bigger, more layered, more…well, new every time you look.
If you’re planning a trip, all these dates help you avoid missing a must-do ride or walking into endless construction. If you’re not, it’s still comforting (or just plain exciting) to know what magic’s on the horizon.
Think about how these changes weave together—a wild new national park, a tropical Americas adventure, a pirates’ tavern, Moana riding floats, and the ultimate bad guy hangout. Is Disney going for a single creative vision? Or is the future about throwing the doors open for every kind of story? Maybe it doesn’t matter. What matters: there’ll be something for absolutely everyone.
Thanks for hanging out here and dreaming a bit ahead. If you want to keep all this handy or share with a Disney trip buddy, bookmark this post or send them the source YouTube video from Once Upon A Mouse.
All of this is just the start. Like so much at Disney, what’s here today might be totally new in another blink. Isn’t that kind of magical in itself? ✌️ Mouse ears up—see you real soon.
