9 new rides, attractions, changes coming to Disney World in 2025

A new nighttime parade, two attractions returning after being reimagined, a new stage show, new lounges, some resort changes, and the start of major construction for new lands are all part of the new rides, attractions, and changes coming to Walt Disney World in 2025.

As crosstown rival Universal prepares to open its new Epic Universe theme park on May 22, 2025, Disney is finishing major changes to the popular Test Track ride at EPCOT and is bringing a new version of the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” back to Hollywood Studios. In addition, there will be several other changes coming to the parks in 2025, mostly expected during the summer.

Let’s jump in and see what’s new in 2025:

1. Complimentary Water Park Day: Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests arriving in 2025 will be able to enjoy a complimentary water park admission, either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, at the start of the trip on check-in day. This benefit is exclusive to registered Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel with a check-in date from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025. All guests must be on the room reservation. Usage of this benefit is subject to availability. At this time, a park reservation is not required to visit a water park. However, reservation requirements are subject to change. Water parks are subject to extended rehabilitation, seasonal, capacity, and weather closures, or may close for other reasons.

2. “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”: The Tree of Life Theater will debut an all-new 4D production, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” in the winter of 2025. Families can join their favorite herd from the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios movie including Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and more for an exhilarating new story.

3. “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After:” Deep in the shadows of Sunset Boulevard, this all-new live stage production will appear in the summer of 2025. “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” invites guests into the Magic Mirror’s mysterious realm, where the most fiendish of foes – Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent – take center stage. With witty humor, mischievous charm, and dazzling performances, this show will keep audiences spellbound as Disney’s most infamous evildoers gather for diabolical fun.

4. “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” – Prepare to shell-ebrate! “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” is making its splashing debut in the summer of 2025. This all-new theatrical production replaces the previous production of Voyage of the Little Mermaid, which never reopened after shutting down due to the COVID-19 epidemic in March 2020. The show brings Ariel’s undersea world to life with dazzling physical sets, vibrant puppetry, live performers, and breathtaking visuals. Fans can enjoy the unforgettable songs like “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World.” Plus, audiences will be treated to two new musical numbers, “Daughters of Triton” and “Kiss the Girl.”

5. Test Track: Test Track – now presented by General Motors – is expected to make open in late summer 2025. Walt Disney Imagineering has been working with General Motors on a new storyline for this beloved attraction.

Test Track will celebrate today’s innovation while highlighting the past, present, and future. The queue will feature six distinct exhibits, and within each room celebrate the vehicles – and people behind the vehicles – that push the envelope and help get people to our next chapter in our motion journey. 

New show scenes will be added showcasing technological advances and how lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone. Enjoy a joy ride through scenes focusing on onboard technology, customization and personalization. Followed by a trip through a scenic outdoor route.

6. “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away: – It’s been about eight years since the Magic Kingdom hosted a nighttime parade. This summer 2025 will debut “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away,” an all-new spectacle with a blend of nostalgia, innovation, and enchanting storytelling. Featuring beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios classics like “Peter Pan” and “Pinocchio” alongside modern favorites from “Encanto,” “Frozen,” and “Moana,” each float is a radiant celebration of Disney magic. Join the Blue Fairy from “Pinocchio” as she weaves the transformative magic of starlight throughout the parade to illuminate the stories in a stunning constellation of wonder, hope and imagination.

7. Spaceship Earth Lounge: An elegant and elevated lounge experience is coming to Spaceship Earth late spring 2025. This lounge will offer guests a comfortable and intimate setting, inspired by the stories and legacy of the iconic structure. Guests can savor in culinary creations developed to complement the timeless yet timely drinks, each reflecting the elegance of the extraordinary setting. With sweeping views of World Celebration Gardens and a unique perspective of the nightly fireworks, this secluded retreat invites guests to raise a toast to the enduring spirit of EPCOT.

8. Pirates of the Caribbean-Inspired Tavern: Ahoy, mateys! Making landfall in late 2025, bandits and buccaneers-to-be are invited to step into a swashbuckling world of fun and adventure and join the crew at a new Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired tavern. This immersive lounge experience will welcome pirates of all ages with a sea-worthy selection of grogs and grub and more than a few mysterious and magical surprises in store. Returning to Adventureland is the Barker Bird, akso known as Peg-Leg Pete. The Barker Bird was an Audio-Animatronics figure stationed outside the entrance to the attraction that, as its name suggests, was a ‘barker’ who used lines and lyrics to attract guest attention

9. Disney Vacation Club McKim’s Mile House: A new Disney Vacation Club member lounge is opening in Frontierland in the former Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade for the club members. It will have comfortable seating, complimentary soft drinks, a children’s entertainment area, Wi-Fi, charging cords available upon request on a first-come, first-served basis. This is expected to open in summer 2025.

What Else To Look For in 2025 and Beyond

There is a lot of construction expected to take place around Disney World during the next few years and there is some indication that it could begin in 2025. Here are some things to know:

Tropical Americas: Dinoland at Animal Kingdom will be closing to bring way for the new Tropical Americas land. The new 11-acre section will have two major attractions plus one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Disney World. The town of Pueblo Esperanza will be the focal point and The Casita, which will be home for an all-new ride featuring the Madrigal family.

In addition, there will be a new Indiana Jones attraction in a preserverd Maya temple with rumours a mythical creature. This is expected to open in 2027. There will be some closings of the land coming in January. The big ride Dinosaur will remain open throughout 2025 and close in 2026.

Villains Land: A new land in Magic Kingdom beyond Big Thunder Mountain featuring two major attractions, dining, and shopping all themed to villains will be coming sometime in the next few years. No timetable has been announced.

Cars Land: Another new land will be coming to Magic Kingdom, featuring a version characters from Cars. This will mean that Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America will be closed. The new land will have two new Cars-themed attractions – a rally race through mountainous terrain, and a family-friendly attraction for smaller racers. Construction is expected to begin sometime in 2025, Disney is awaiting approval from South Florida Water Management District before construction can continue.

Monsters Inc. Land: A new land is coming to Hollywood Studios. A new not-at-all-scary Monsters-inspired area is coming where you’ll be able to stroll the streets alongside some of your favorite monsters.  Picking up after the events of Pixar Animation Studios’ beloved film, humans have now been invited to visit the world of Monsters, Inc. — and the monsters need laughter to power the city and keep it running smoothly. But it’s not a true visit without the factory itself. You’ll be able to see the sights, hear the laughs and zoom through the building just like James P. Sullivan (a.k.a. Sulley) and Mike Wazowski — via a door.

This new land will take over the Grand Avenue section of Hollywood Studios and means that Muppet Vision 3D will be closing. The loss of the beloved Muppet attraction was a blow to many Disney World fans. This was one of the last projects Jim Henson worked on before his death in 1990. There is some expectation that Muppet Vision 3D will close sometime in 2025 with construction of the new land beginning. However, this causes a bit of a domino effect as the . . .

Muppets Take Over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is going to be rethemed with the Muppets, and according to artist concept, specifically Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. No timetable has been established for this, other than the Disney Parks Blog stating in November “there’s still enough time to catch a super-stretch limo to the Forum to enjoy Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and catch Muppet*Vision 3D again before their final curtain calls.”