The final a number of years at Walt Disney World have been very thrilling and fast-paced so far as new points of interest and choices go.
From the opening of Toy Story Land (2018), Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (2019) and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (2020) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the launch of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser lodge expertise (2022), Remy’s Ratatouille Journey (2021) and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (2022) at Epcot to the opening of Disney’s Riviera Resort on the brand new Skyliner route (2019) and the park’s Fiftieth-anniversary celebration, there hasn’t been a boring second at Disney World within the final 5 years.
Nonetheless, 2023 has marked the start of a minimum of a short lived change within the tempo of main new openings at Disney World. That is as a result of implementation of a pandemic pause for brand spanking new initiatives, plus the cancellation or scaling again of some already in movement.
Due to this shift, there’ll inevitably be just a few years with out as many new rides, eating places and different main additions as we’ve grown accustomed to. Even when Disney ramped issues again up tomorrow, there’ll nonetheless be a slowdown within the tempo of large-scale openings within the parks as a result of period of time required to maneuver these initiatives from greenlight to completion.
However pixie mud remains to be alive, and there are nonetheless just a few pre-pandemic initiatives up Mickey’s sleeve. In consequence, 2023 has up to now seen — and can probably proceed to see — some main, new Disney World choices along with some smaller experiences like meet-and-greets and exhibits.
If you’re prepping in your first journey to Disney World in years (or ever), listed below are all the brand new rides, points of interest and experiences to maintain an eye fixed out for at Walt Disney World in 2023.
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Tron Lightcyle Run
That is it. After a number of years of anticipation and delays, Disney introduced the Magic Kingdom’s first new journey since 2014 to fruition with the opening of Tron Lightcycle Run on April 4.
Tomorrowland’s Tron Lightcycle Run is now the quickest journey at Disney World. Visitors sit on their very own Lightcycle and race by means of eight Power Gates in a journey that begins out robust and retains a smile in your face for the complete (admittedly quick) period.
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Tron makes use of a digital queue and a paid particular person Lightning Lane, so you possibly can probably journey it twice in someday. Know, although, that simply displaying up and getting in line is not an possibility.
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Whereas the usual Tron Lightcycle Run seats aren’t size-inclusive for all passengers, there’s a separate cart at the back of some journey automobiles that’s extra accessible, so that is the one to ask for should you aren’t in a position to comfortably sit on the check automobile outdoors the journey’s entrance. No matter which seat you sit in, Tron remains to be numerous enjoyable to journey, particularly because it launches.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
There is a new restaurant on the town as Roundup Rodeo BBQ opened inside Hollywood Studio’s Toy Story Land in March 2023.
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Adorned with decor impressed by Andy’s toys, this come-hungry, leave-stuffed sit-down restaurant joins the favored counter-service restaurant in Toy Story Land.
This can be a family-style venue with a jaw-dropping quantity of fairly darn good meals. Count on consolation classics like ribs, biscuits with candy pepper jelly, macaroni and cheese, baked beans and watermelon salad.
There is a mounted worth of $25 for youths and $45 for adults, so have an empty abdomen if you arrive. You would possibly even be capable of make it work as two meals should you time your go to proper.
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Journey of Water, Impressed by Moana
Epcot has been on a multiyear transformation that’s now nearing completion. Whereas the brand new marquee rides (Remy and Guardians) have already began welcoming visitors, a remaining key part of this park’s overhaul — Journey of Water, Impressed by Moana — will open in late 2023.
Journey of Water shouldn’t be a journey, however quite a themed walk-through space within the park’s World Nature land. The path is not going to solely provide visitors an opportunity to find out about water, its historical past and its function on this planet however may even present alternatives to work together with the water, which, as you might recall from “Moana,” has a “thoughts of its personal.”
New Epcot nighttime present and land
Journey of Water is not the one addition anticipated in Epcot in 2023. The brand new World Celebration land — together with its Communicore Corridor and Communicore Plaza, the place varied festivals and gatherings will happen — can be rumored to be coming later this yr.
Moreover, Disney says Epcot will launch a new yet-to-be-named nighttime present in late 2023. This present will substitute “Harmonious,” which debuted within the fall of 2021 as a part of Disney’s Fiftieth-anniversary celebration and ended on April 3. At the moment, the nighttime present at Epcot is “Epcot Perpetually,” an interim present that was beforehand used earlier than the debut of “Harmonious.”
With this announcement comes the expectation that the controversial barges used for “Harmonious” will, in some unspecified time in the future, say farewell to their residence in the course of the World Showcase Lagoon. Should you take the monorail to Epcot, you possibly can see among the development progress throughout your journey.
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‘Fortunately Ever After’
Disney World’s different nighttime present that debuted as a part of the Fiftieth anniversary, the Magic Kingdom’s “Enchantment,” additionally took its last bow on April 2 when the 18-month celebration concluded. As a substitute, the fan-favorite fireworks present “Fortunately Ever After” returned on April 3, 2023, with what Disney describes as some “updates.”
Because the narrator’s voice kicks off the present with the road, “And so they all lived fortunately ever after,” odds are you may hear cheers throughout, as plenty of Disney followers are pleased to have this present again. Actually, it is higher than ever.
Because of the projections that go all the best way down Principal Road U.S.A., there actually is not a foul spot to observe the present, both, whether or not you are within the hub in entrance of the fort or again on Principal Road itself.
Figment meet-and-greet
This can be a smaller announcement, however the little purple dragon Figment illicits outsize responses from Disney visitors. From sold-out popcorn buckets in his likeness to a complete journey that includes Figment that has a loyal following of devoted followers (myself included), Figment is undeniably common.
As was first introduced at Disney’s D23 Expo within the fall of 2022, Figment will make his strategy to Epcot for the primary time in a few years for character meet-and-greets. Whereas a begin date for the expertise hasn’t been introduced but, it’s anticipated to be in some unspecified time in the future in 2023.
Hatbox Ghost
Very like Figment has his legion of loyalists, so does the Haunted Mansion. Out west on the Disneyland model of Haunted Mansion, there’s been a preferred character inside the journey that Disney World had but to obtain … till 2023.
Later this yr, the Hatbox Ghost will seem at Disney World’s Haunted Mansion. There isn’t any phrase but about whether or not this can fill the journey’s quota for 1,000 pleased haunts or if one other will depart to maintain the depend regular at 999 with room for another.
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Walt Disney World Railroad
Sufficient about enhancements, exhibits and characters. Let’s discuss one thing you may get on and journey.
For the primary time since 2018, you possibly can as soon as once more climb aboard the Magic Kingdom’s 100-year-old steam practice to leisurely make your manner across the park.
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This opening-day attraction started welcoming visitors as soon as once more in late 2022 after being closed for 4 years. The up to date model of this Magic Kingdom mainstay options new narration as visitors make their manner by means of the totally different lands of the park. It is as soon as once more a handy manner to avoid wasting steps whereas transferring from Fantasyland to Frontierland, although you might desire to easily sit for a low-key journey.
Room renovations at a number of common Disney World accommodations
Disney has been very busy waving its magic wand at varied resort accommodations to provide them intensive makeovers. This renovation schedule will stay busy in 2023, as properties like Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Caribbean Seaside Resort and Disney’s All-Star Sports activities Resort are subsequent in line for an replace.
Whereas some Disney Trip Membership rooms and studios on the Grand Floridian debuted stunning, contemporary appears in 2022, different elements of the lodge (together with further rooms) will likely be beneficiaries of some renovations this yr.
Moreover, Disney introduced that the pirate-themed rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Seaside Resort will rework into a brand new “Little Mermaid”-inspired look with muted blue and inexperienced hues, plus nods to life beneath the ocean. These rooms within the Trinidad part of the resort will sleep 5 with a queen mattress, a pull-down Murphy mattress and a single pull-down sleeper.
Disney’s All-Star Motion pictures Resort and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort have been renovated lately, however the third within the trio of worth resorts, Disney’s All-Star Sports activities Resort, is now present process a refresh as properly. Renovations for All-Star Sports activities’ rooms, foyer and extra are anticipated to provide a design that is related in really feel to the opposite All-Star properties, albeit with a sporty twist.
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Summer season Home on the Lake
We will’t go away Disney Springs off this record completely, particularly since it’s getting a brand new restaurant in 2023. Summer season Home on the Lake has outposts in Chicago and North Bethesda, Maryland, however you possibly can anticipate loads of California-inspired fare, together with salads, pizzas and tacos.
Whereas a precise date has not been introduced, based mostly on how far alongside development is, the Disney Springs location will probably open within the latter half of 2023. It should reside on the western facet of Disney Springs close to the AMC movie show.
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What to anticipate when visiting Disney World in 2023
To this point, 2023 is shaping as much as look so much like 2022. With the current return of Bob Iger as Disney’s CEO and a few (wishful) studying between the traces of issues he has mentioned, there’s some hope that some simplification and relaxed restrictions will come to Disney World in some unspecified time in the future in 2023. For now, although, that continues to be a want a coronary heart makes.
Some pandemic-era operational procedures are nonetheless in place. For instance, you can’t park hop till 2 p.m. and wish a Park Move reservation for the primary park you want to go to.
The value to go to Disney World now depends upon the park you need to go to. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the lowest-priced park, whereas the Magic Kingdom fees probably the most to go to.
In broader Orlando information for 2023, the high-speed Brightline practice ought to join town to South Florida later within the yr. Moreover, the near-Disney Evermore Resort improvement (which features a new Conrad lodge) might debut in 2023, although reservations are at present solely obtainable for February 2024 on, so you might have to attend a bit longer earlier than you possibly can ebook a keep.
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Peeking forward to Disney World in 2024
If you’re attempting to determine whether or not to make the journey to Disney World in 2023 or wait till 2024, right here’s a glance barely additional forward at what’s in retailer for 2024.
Frontierland’s Splash Mountain, as we all know it, closed for good in January 2023 to make room for the much-anticipated “The Princess and the Frog” retheme the attraction will endure. That reimagined attraction is at present scheduled to debut in late 2024 as Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
Building is actively underway in Frontierland for Tiana’s Bayou Journey.
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At Animal Kingdom, the Dinoland space can be present process some adjustments and development. It’s doable that the world will likely be rethemed into an area impressed by “Zootopia” or “Moana,” although particulars are nonetheless mild and will not be absolutely revealed till past 2024.
In relation to accommodations, Disney’s Polynesian Village is drawing loads of consideration due to its new Disney Trip Membership tower at present scheduled to open in late 2024.
And whereas not particularly associated to Disney World, should you like to mix a theme park journey with a crusing on the most recent Disney Cruise Line ship out of Port Canaveral, odds are you may have your eye on Disney Treasure, which is now beneath development in Germany and anticipated to affix the fleet in 2024. Its arrival ought to coincide with the completion of Disney’s second island vacation spot within the Bahamas: Lighthouse Level.
Backside line
Massive additions are coming to Disney World all through 2023, with some notable openings already debuting this spring. Nonetheless, 2023 can also form as much as be the yr when Disney visitors study extra about some main future developments coming to the parks within the not-too-distant future.
In 2022, Disney publicly mentioned some huge concepts it was tossing round, together with a possible land close to Massive Thunder Mountain on the Magic Kingdom that would characteristic an “Encanto” or “Coco” theme. Even a possible villain-themed space has been mentioned out loud.
Whereas bigger updates like new lands would not be accomplished within the subsequent yr or two, now that the 2020 pandemic closure is properly within the rearview mirror, it is protected to say that some welcome adjustments are coming to Disney. Even different Orlando locations like Common Orlando, which is on observe to debut its new Epic Universe theme park in 2025, are transferring ahead after years of surprising circumstances.
We won’t wait to see what else is available in 2023 — and what might come within the years past.
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