New Rides at Disney World: What’s Coming in 2025, 2026, & Beyond

What are the new rides at Disney World? Walt Disney World is always growing and improving each year, which means we can expect something new at the parks constantly. Whether it is a brand new attraction, a park celebration, or improved areas, there is always something new at Walt Disney World.

This year at Walt Disney World brings some exciting reimaginings, new shows, and new themed lounges. Work is currently underway for some major expansions at the parks as well. Keep reading for new rides at Disney World in 2025 and beyond, including details on current and major upcoming projects! 

READ MORE – Hidden Secrets of the Disney World Hotels You Haven’t Heard Of

New Rides at Disney World

Recently, we have received some new details about the major expansions currently under construction, as well as some reimaginings and ride overhauls slated to open next year. There are also several newly debuted additions in 2025, including new entertainment and new lounges.

Before we dive into all the details of what is opening at Walt Disney World, let's first look at the calendar of new Walt Disney World additions. These are all the dates we have now for what is new at Walt Disney World in 2025 and beyond.

Opening in 2025 

• New Zootopia show coming to Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom
• Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge in Magic Kingdom

Opening in 2026 

• New mission featuring Mandalorian and Grogu coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Hollywood Studios
• Overhaul of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom
• Overhaul of Animation Courtyard in Hollywood Studios with a new animation experience and Disney Junior show
• Retheming of Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios to star The Muppets

Opening in 2027 

• Tropical Americas land featuring Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions opening in Animal Kingdom (work underway in 2025)

No Specific Date 

• Magic Kingdom expansion introducing new Villains Land
• New Cars area with two new rides coming to Magic Kingdom (work underway in 2025)
• Monsters, Inc. land with doors coaster coming to Disney Hollywood Studios (work underway in 2025)

Recently Opened

• New lounge inspired by Spaceship Earth in EPCOT
• New villains show in Hollywood Studios
• Reimagined Little Mermaid show in Hollywood Studios
• Reimagined Test Track at EPCOT
• New nighttime parade “Disney Starlight” in Magic Kingdom
• Tiana's Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom
• Country Bear Musical Jamboree in Magic Kingdom
• Magic Kingdom Park's TRON Lightcycle Run
• Hatbox Ghost added to Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom

Keep reading for specific details about new rides at Disney World!

New Zootopia Show Coming to Tree of Life

A new Zootopia show is coming to the Tree of Life Theater at Animal Kingdom, replacing the former “It's Tough to Be a Bug” show here.

“Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” features Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and more Zootopia friends. Disney describes that this show is “filled with humor and action, taking you into some of the different biomes you see in the film and some you have yet to see yet.” The show is slated to open in the winter of 2025.

The Beak and Barrel – Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge

A new Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge called “The Beak and Barrel” is coming to Adventureland in Magic Kingdom! This new space is where “bandits and buccaneers-to-be from every corner of the seven seas” will come together to toast a pirate's life. The storyline of the lounge features two new characters, including Rummy the talking parrot, who will be “sharing tales of piracy and leading the bar in a rousing toast or two.” You can see details about the storyline and design of the lounge here. This lounge will open later in 2025.

Beyond Big Thunder Mountain Expansion

A potential expansion behind Big Thunder Mountain was teased at the 2022 D23 Expo, which began with the question, “Do you ever wonder what's behind Big Thunder Mountain?” In the D23 presentation, Imagineers and Disney Animation took viewers on an imagination journey and discussed the possibilities that this space in Magic Kingdom could hold. Three clear land options were discussed, including a villains land, an area focused on Encanto, and the World of the Dead from Coco.

Now, we know what this expansion “beyond Big Thunder Mountain” will entail…

Villains Land

Disney has confirmed that a Villains Land will be coming to Magic Kingdom! The new land will feature villains from favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios classic films. It will have two major attractions, dining, and shopping. “Be prepared, you poor unfortunate souls,” Josh D'Amaro said. “It’s going to be a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be.”

See everything we know so far about this Villains Land at Magic Kingdom and our breakdown of the concept art Disney released.

We also then learned that another aspect of the expansion in this area will include…

Cars Area Coming to Frontierland

A new area inspired by Cars will be coming to Magic Kingdom as part of a reimagined section of Frontierland, which will be replacing the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. We recently learned more about this new area, which will be called Piston Peak National Park, and how it fits into the overall concept of Frontierland. The area will draw inspiration from Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks, featuring natural wonders that will make you feel like you're in the American wilderness. See some of the new concept art and inspirations revealed in our separate article here.

The area will feature two new Cars-themed attractions. One will be a rally race through the mountains as you climb mountain trails, dodge geysers, and splash through mudholes, and the other will be a family-friendly attraction for younger kids. Disney is developing a new type of ride vehicle for the rally race ride, which will navigate “racing over rocky terrain, ascending to mountain peaks, and dodging around geysers.” Work on this new part of Frontierland is underway in 2025.

Tropical Americas Land Featuring Encanto and Indiana Jones Coming to Animal Kingdom

DinoLand U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom is getting replaced by an area themed to the Tropical Americas called “Pueblo Esperanza” that will feature two signature attractions inspired by Indiana Jones and Encanto. See all of the details Disney has shared so far in our guide to the new Tropical Americas land that will open in 2027.

In the land's new Indiana Jones ride storyline, Indy has gone to explore a Mayan temple after he hears rumors of a mythical creature within, and he brings us along for the journey.

The land will also be home to the first-ever Encanto-themed ride-through attraction. Inside the Casita, Antonio has just received his special gift that enables him to communicate with animals. On the ride, you'll explore Antonio's room transformed into a rainforest alongside him, and according to Disney, “you never know what member of the family you might bump into.”

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Getting New Mission Featuring Mandalorian and Grogu

The Lucasfilm team uses Epic’s Unreal Engine to make some of the virtual sets for The Mandalorian, and now, as a product of the partnership between Disney and Epic Games, Epic's Unreal Engine will help to bring a new mission to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Star Wars creative executive Dave Filoni shared that the ride will enable guests to “fly alongside Mando and Grogu on thrilling, and dangerous, missions.” The new mission will debut in 2026, the same year that the new film The Mandalorian and Grogu comes to theaters.

During the ride, guests will have the opportunity to visit iconic destinations from across the Star Wars universe. After visiting Tatooine, guests will be able to choose between Bespin, Coruscant, or the wreckage of the second Death Star around Endor for their next destination. The engineer position on the ride will also be getting some upgrades, including the ability to interact with Grogu during the mission. See details about the improvements to the ride and new concept artwork here!

Monsters, Inc. Land Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

A new Monsters, Inc. Land is coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios, replacing the Muppets Courtyard area, including Muppet*Vision 3D. This land picks up after the events of the film, where humans are invited to visit, and monsters need laughter to keep the city running.

The Monsters, Inc. land will feature a new coaster that will enable guests to zoom through the building of the factory via a door! This will be the first-ever suspended coaster in a Disney park. Disney recently revealed an animatic of the vertical lift after boarding, which looks so cool! There were also some new details and changes we spotted when new concept art for the land was revealed on the construction walls. Work on this new land is underway in 2025.

Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets

The Muppets will be taking over Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith as the first Disney ride ever to feature The Muppets! Disney describes that The Muppets will be “teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival” in this new experience. Disney recently revealed that this will be opening in 2026! See that announcement and what we imagine changes to the ride will entail.

Overhaul of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

Magic Kingdom's Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin will be getting some major upgrades and new additions, including a new show scene, updated ride vehicles, and gameplay enhancements. These changes will include new video monitors with real-time scoring updates and other features, upgrades to the static Z targets that will light up when hit, and more. You can see all of the details about the overhaul in our separate article here. The updated ride is expected to reopen in 2026.

New Disney Animation Experience

Star Wars Launch Bay at Hollywood Studios will soon be transformed into a new animation-inspired experience called “The Magic of Disney Animation.” The courtyard will be reimagined into “The Walt Disney Studios,” where you'll find the newly debuted Little Mermaid show and a new Disney Junior show. You can see all of the details about these changes and what the new animation experience will include here. These new changes will debut in 2026.

Recently Opened Rides and Experiences at Disney World

See all of the new Disney World rides and experiences that recently opened below, including some recently debuted Disney World rides in 2025.

New GEO-82 Adults-Only Lounge at EPCOT

At EPCOT, there is a new adults-only lounge inspired by Spaceship Earth that recently debuted. The space is “inspired by the stories, shapes, and enduring legacy of this timeless icon” and offers views of both the World Celebration gardens and World Showcase Lagoon. The lounge features high-end cocktails and appetizers, and a luxury fireworks viewing experience is offered at a premium price. You can see our full review of this adult-only theme park bar with photos here.

Villains Show at Hollywood Studios

A new live show featuring favorite Disney villains has debuted at Sunset Showcase in Hollywood Studios. Sunset Showcase is transformed into the “mysterious, reflective realm of the Magic Mirror” for this show, featuring live numbers by Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook. These villains make their case for who has been treated the most unfairly, and at the end, the audience votes on this! You can see our full review of this new show with photos here.

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure in Hollywood Studios

The former “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” show in Hollywood Studios has been reimagined into “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.” The show features new set pieces, cutting-edge effects, and a new design that “captures Ariel’s imagination and emotions through her unique view of the world around her.” It includes favorite songs like “Daughters of Triton,” “Part of Your World,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and “Kiss the Girl.” Here is our review of the new Little Mermaid show and how it's different from the previous version!

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Reimagined Test Track

Test Track at EPCOT has been reimagined! This reimagining reached back to the original World of Motion attraction for inspiration. There are new scenes added, focusing on onboard technology, customization, and personalization, followed by a spin through the outdoors, highlighting the joys of driving and the importance of soaking in the world around us and spending quality time with loved ones. The queue has also been updated to include six exhibits focused on different vehicles and the people who created them. See our review of the reimagined ride and the changes here!

New Nighttime Parade “Disney Starlight”

A new nighttime parade has debuted at Magic Kingdom called “Disney Starlight.” The new parade will continue the legacy started by “Main Street Electrical Parade” using the latest technology to highlight favorite characters. The Blue Fairy brings this to life with her magic, and the parade features characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios films like Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, and more. You can see our review of this new nighttime parade with photos of each of the floats here!

Tiana's Bayou Adventure Splash Mountain Retheme

Tiana's Bayou Adventure is the new ride theme for Splash Mountain inspired by Disney's “The Princess and the Frog.” The story of Tiana's Bayou Adventure begins after the film ends. Guests join Tiana and Louis on an adventure through the bayou to find musical critters to perform at their Mardi Gras celebration, which is the finale scene. See our review of Tiana's Bayou Adventure here!

TRON Lightcycle/Run

TRON Lightcycle/Run recently opened in Magic Kingdom! On this roller coaster ride, you'll join Team Blue and participate in a thrilling race across the Grid as you cross through 8 Energy Gates. TRON Lightcycle/Run is one of the fastest coasters at any Disney park and features a 0-59 mph launch!

READ MORE – Hidden Secrets of the Disney World Hotels You Haven’t Heard Of

Country Bear Musical Jamboree

Country Bear Musical Jamboree is a newly reimagined version of Country Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom. In the updated show, the bears have updated looks and sing favorite Disney songs in different genres of country music, like bluegrass, pop-country, Americana, rockabilly, and more. You can see our review of the new Country Bear Musical Jamboree and the full set list here!

Hatbox Ghost Now Appearing in Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion

The popular Hatbox Ghost, which was only featured in the Disneyland Haunted Mansion, has now been added to the Magic Kingdom Haunted Mansion. This was such a no-brainer for an addition to one of the most popular attractions in both theme parks. You'll find the Hatbox Ghost next to the Endless Hallway in the ride.

Other Recent New Additions at Disney World

EPCOT recently finished its large redesign of the previous “Future World,” which is now split into three different World neighborhoods: World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature. And of course, the original World Showcase remains unchanged by this project, as the main focus has been a facelift of the previous Future World area of EPCOT.

New to the World Celebration area are the new CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza, a multi-use facility and outdoor event space. Next to this hall is a new Mickey & Friends location for character meet and greets. This is a large expansion highly focused on creating more space to expand and enjoy the popular EPCOT festivals, which is a good use of this space, in my opinion! The World Discovery neighborhood is where you'll find the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction, which has been very popular since its opening. This area also includes Test Track and Spaceship Earth, plus the Space 220 Restaurant.

In the World Nature neighborhood, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, recently opened. This attraction invites guests to interact and play with water at various points along a trail as they learn about the global water cycle. The eye-catching part of this experience is the 16-foot-tall Te Fiti that you will encounter in this new Moana experience!

There are also a few more recent additions to EPCOT. You'll now find a “Walt the Dreamer” statue, which has been placed in the area of World Celebration called Dreamers Point. There is also a new nighttime spectacular called Luminous: The Symphony of Us running at EPCOT that debuted during Disney's 100th anniversary celebration. Figment is also meeting guests in EPCOT at the Imagination Pavilion! If you don't know who Figment is (how dare you!), he's the small purple dragon that is in some ways the mascot of EPCOT.

At Magic Kingdom, you'll find some recent additions, including a new interactive experience presented by Scentsy. This new Dumbo-themed experience called “Smellephants on Parade” is a family-friendly search and sniff adventure in Storybook Circus. A Cast Member gives you a map of the land and a sticker sheet, then you embark on a scavenger-style hunt to find all these scratch-and-sniff locations in Storybook Circus. Fragrances include popcorn, churro, cotton candy, and more.

Another recent update was the return of Happily Ever After, arguably one of the best fireworks spectaculars at Walt Disney World. Happily Ever After was replaced by Enchantment, a show created for Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary. Many guests are thrilled to see Happily Ever After return. Find out how to get the best fireworks spot in our Walt Disney World fireworks guide. 

At Hollywood Studios, a new restaurant recently opened in Toy Story Land! The story goes that Andy built this new restaurant to be a rodeo arena made out of his favorite games and play sets. Guests will feel like they've been shrunk down to the size of a toy themselves. See our full review of the new Roundup Rodeo BBQ in our guide!

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