11 new attractions, restaurants coming to Disney World in 2023

There’s a number of attraction, restaurants and stores that were expected to open in 2022 at Walt Disney World but were pushed back to 2023, and there are just a handful of new things so far announced for this year.

One big thing we have not been privy to yet is how Walt Disney World will be celebrating Disney’s 100th anniversary. The anniversary kickoff takes place at Disneyland starting Jan. 27. Disney World still has three months left of the resort’s 50th anniversary celebration. Disney should be announcing soon what happens at Disney World after the 50th anniversary party ends on March 31.

In the meantime here are 11 new attracrtions, restaurants scheduled to open at Disney World this year. In no parrticular order:

1. A new nighttime spectacular at EPCOT. Harmonious is out. What the show will be is unknown, but we do believe that the huge barges which are an eyesore in the middle of the World Showcase Lagoon will also be gone. The new show is exepcted in late 2023 as part of the Disney 100 celebration.

2. Figment meet-and-greet. Figment founds are excited about the possibility of again seeing everyone’s favorite purple pigment dragon. Now, whether or not he will be with Dreamfinder, if he will be wandering near the Imagination! Pavilion or will be an animatronic character is still unknown.

3. Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will be open in late 2023. The new attraction is in the World Nature neighborhood. The new exploration trail will allow guests to learn about the story of water on our planet. As you may have seen through Moana’s bond with the ocean, water has a mind of its own, and you’ll get to interact with it throughout this attraction. This includes a 16-foot tall statue of Te Fiti, the Mother Island and Goddess from Moana.

4. “Walt the Dreamer” statue. With lush, green space for you to relax, plus the opening of Communicore Hall and Communicore Plaza, this central location in the park will be the new home for festivals and the perfect space to gather with family and friends. It will also be home to Dreamers Point, an inspiring new area where you can view the new Walt Disney statue called “Walt the Dreamer.” This is expected by late 2023.

5. TRON Lightcycle Power Run will open sometime in the Spring of 2023. The new coaster built next to Space Mountain is based on the Shanghai Disneyland attraction.  Guests will board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles that will take them inside and outside the attraction’s building, reaching speeds of nearly 60 miles. The ride lasts about two minutes.

6. The Hatbox Ghost is coming to the East Coast. The ghost which is located in Disneyland’s version of Haunted Mansion, is now also coming to the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom sometime in 2023. The head of the Hatbox Ghost vanishes from atop its shoulders and reappear alternately inside the hatbox.

7. Happily Ever After fireworks return – with a twist. The fan-favorite fireworks show is returning to the Magic Kingdom in an updated way sometime in 2023. The current show, “Disney Enchantment” will remain at least until the end of March 2023 and the end of the 50th anniversary celebration. When the new show will be announced is unknown.

8. Cake Bake Shop coming to Disney’s BoardWalk. Opening sometime in 2023, the shop replaces the ESPN Club. The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers, is a new table service restaurant and bakery that will offer both savory and dessert menus, along with afternoon tea service, in a whimsical atmosphere.

9. Narcoossee’s is undergoing a major refurbishment at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. From what we’ve heard the second level of the restaurant is being removed to make way for a larger dining area and the kitchen is being expanded. It is unknown when this will be completed.

10. Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant at Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios will open in Spring 2023 to welcome guests for delicious barbecue and toy-sized fun. This will be the world’s first “Toy Story” table service restaurant. Using his imagination, Woody’s Roundup toys, and other playthings, Andy has built a rodeo restaurant for all his pals to enjoy barbecue-inspired comfort foods served family-style, with platters of house-smoked meats, a roundup of sides and some miniature sweet surprises along the way.

11. Summer House on the Lake opening at Disney Springs. Summer House on the Lake is part of the stable of restaurants owned and operated by Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, which also operates Beatrix Restaurants, which was originally supposed to open at Disney Springs prior to the pandemic. Summer House on the Lake, which has locations in Santa Monica, Chicago and North Bethesda, has a California-inspired menu, led by Chef Ben Goodnick, and features simple ingredients sourced from local grower partnerships and sustainable products. This will open directly across the AMC Theatres.