It’s no secret that Disney World has been going through an incredible transformation all throughout the property.

From major construction in the parks and the resorts to updates on fan-favorite shows and more, your next Disney World trip could look markedly different from your last! We’ve been bringing you construction updates as we get them, but now we’re taking a look at every single Disney World project in the works — or at least the ones we know about!

Magic Kingdom

TRON: Lightcycle Run

Disney announced that a TRON coaster would be coming to Magic Kingdom all the way back in 2017, and we’ve been not-so-patiently waiting ever since. Located in Tomorrowland, TRON is meant to be similar to its Shanghai Disneyland counterpart with incredible light effects and motorcycle-like ride vehicles. 

Construction was halted when the parks shut down due to the global pandemic, and Disney hasn’t shared any recent updates on when we might be able to actually experience this attraction.

Despite not opening with the 50th Anniversary Celebrations as originally intended, work is still continuing on TRON, and we hope to be able to share some news about its opening with you soon!

Read all about the TRON coaster here!

Walt Disney World Railroad

Disney guests were saddened to see that the Walt Disney World Railroad had to close in order for construction on TRON to begin.

Disney took this as an opportunity to do some refurbishment on the beloved railroad and the trains that chug along the tracks, and we’ve even spotted it testing recently!

Walt 👏 Disney 👏 World 👏 RAILROAD TESTING! 🚂 The excitement is *beyond* real ✨

Thank you to @DisneyfiedAsh for the video! 🎥 pic.twitter.com/CvcN6LRDYV

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) February 1, 2022

Unfortunately, Disney is staying quiet on when the work will be done on the railroad, but you can be sure we’ll update you!

Splash Mountain Re-Theme

Back in June 2020, Disney announced that Splash Mountain would be closed in order to reimagine the attraction based on the Disney film, The Princess and the Frog.

So far, we know that there will be “powerful music from the film” as Princess Tiana and Louis prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance. Imagineers have also shared that guests will be active participants in the adventure, being whisked away with Tiana.

The timing for this update has not yet been shared by Disney, and Splash Mountain remains open at both Disney World and Disneyland.

Read everything we know about the Princess and the Frog retheme here! 

EPCOT

Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana

This innovative new attraction coming to EPCOT promises to be an immersive walk-through attraction complete with “lush exploration trails” and “magical, living water.” Guests will also be able to learn about water and the natural cycles it goes through.

Disney recently shared some additional concept art for the attraction, and we’ve been getting some pretty great views of the construction taking place.

Unfortunately, this is another Disney World project that doesn’t have a timeline — or at least not one that Disney has shared with the public just yet!

Take a closer look at this new Moana-inspired experience here! 

CommuniCore Hall and Plaza Festival Area

Originally, Disney was planning on creating a “Festival Center” in EPCOT as part of the transformation, and now it looks like that plan has been updated to include CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza. 

CommuniCore Plaza will be an outdoor space where guests will be able to experience all that EPCOT festivals have to offer, including live events like concerts, while CommuniCore Hall promises to be the first fully purpose-built structure in festival programming and will host food, art, music experiences and more. And glowing sidewalks will also be returning (if you know, you know)!

Disney is staying quiet on when these projects will be completed, but you can be sure we’ll keep an eye out for updates!

Learn more about the festival additions here!

PLAY! Pavilion

Another project in the works at Disney World you might have forgotten about is the PLAY! Pavilion, which will replace the Wonders of Life Pavilion. Disney has shared that this new location is going to be a “digital metropolis” complete with interactive experiences and games.

The PLAY! Pavilion was originally scheduled to be open by Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, but was ultimately delayed and we haven’t heard much since. We were able to spot some construction in the area at one point, but we haven’t seen or heard much about this experience in quite some time.

Click here to see why the Play! Pavilion could be more than we think!

Mary Poppins Attraction

Disney has officially put the Mary Poppins Attraction coming to the United Kingdom Pavilion on hold, and unfortunately, that is the last we’ve heard.

The attraction is supposed to take guests on a journey down Cherry Tree Lane past Admiral Boom’s house and into Number 17, the Banks’ Family home. We could see this idea resurrected in the future as Disney hasn’t canceled it completely, so stay tuned for updates.

Click here to learn more about the Mary Poppins attraction!

Wondrous China

In addition to the PLAY! Pavilion debuting for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, a new Circle-Vision film was supposed to be released in the China Pavilion called Wondrous China.

Other new films have come out in EPCOT, so what gives? Well, we’re not sure yet, and Disney is staying quiet on when we might be able to finally view Wondrous China. 

Click here to learn more about Wondrous China!

Spaceship Earth Refurbishment

Perhaps the most controversial project supposedly taking place in EPCOT is the reimagining of Spaceship Earth. The attraction is set to undergo some updates including a new storyline, scenes, effects, and narration. Disney had even announced the date that Spaceship Earth would be closing for these updates, but this was ultimately delayed due to the pandemic.

We then learned that Disney had officially “postponed” this refurbishment, much like the Mary Poppins Attraction. Disney stated, “As with most businesses during this period, we are further evaluating long-term project plans. The decision was made to postpone development of [the] ‘Mary Poppins’-inspired attraction and Spaceship Earth at this time.” Here’s a look at some concept art for changes that were originally announced for the attraction.

We will continue to keep you posted as we learn more about these changes.

Click here to read more about the Spaceship Earth transformation!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Mania Gift Shop

Over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the gift shop that once greeted guests as they exited Toy Story Mania has been closed for quite some time, and guests are being re-routed through a detour to exit.

Disney hasn’t shared what exactly is going on behind these walls, but could this be the new location of Jessie’s Trading Post? Disney hasn’t confirmed anything, so be sure to stay tuned!

Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ

This exciting new table service restaurant will take guests on a rootin’ tootin’ dining experience in a rodeo arena created by Andy himself, and is supposed to open later this year!

It was originally set to open back in 2020, but its opening was delayed indefinitely during the pandemic. Disney has shared since the park’s reopening that Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ will finally open its doors to guests in 2022.

Get all the details on Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ here! 

Fantasmic!

Disney’s exciting stage show Fantasmic! is set to return this year, with a new segment including new characters, stunt performers, animation, and more! We can expect to see Mulan, Pocahontas, Aladdin, Moana, and Elsa with the biggest changes coming to Pocahontas’ storyline.

In typical Disney fashion, the official opening date for Fantasmic! has not been announced, but you can be sure we’re keeping an eye out for any news — so stay tuned!

Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters

Have you heard about the all-new MagicBand+ coming to the parks? If not, we’ve got everything you need to know so far here! But, one of the most exciting things about the new MagicBand+ is how guests will be able to use them to interact with certain aspects of the parks.

With MagicBand+ there will be fun games included like this Bounty Hunter Assignment activity! 💫

You will be on the hunt for a specific bounty that your MagicBand+ will help you locate and then you will earn Galactic Credits! #mediaevent #DisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/2M0gD7b5r3

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) May 4, 2022

In Galaxy’s Edge, guests can play “Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters,” — a virtual bounty hunt where your MagicBand+ (along with the Play Disney Parks app) will alert you of potential virtual bounties you can collect for galactic credits.

Read more about this new experience in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge here! 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Finding Nemo — The Big Blue…and Beyond!

When Disney World began its phased reopening in 2020, Finding Nemo: The Musical in Animal Kingdom did not reopen along with the park. Eventually, Disney shared that the show would be transformed into Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! 

So far, we know that the revamped show is going to be shorter than the original and will feature some familiar music along with some new tunes, set pieces, and Finding Dory characters. An opening date has not been announced, but we’ll be sure to update you as soon as we hear something!

Blizzard Beach

Disney is home to two different water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, which did reopen after the pandemic-related closures — but Disney quickly announced that Blizzard Beach would be closing for refurbishment at the beginning of 2022. 

The details of the refurbishment — or just how long it’s going to last — have not been shared with the public. Hopefully, Disney won’t keep us out in the cold for too much longer!

Disney Resort Hotels

Grand Floridian

Disney announced that the Big Pine Key building at the Grand Floridian Resort would be undergoing a massive transformation to include 200 new DVC villas.

The new studio villas are themed after Mary Poppins Returns, similar to the new theming at Citricos located in the same hotel.

We got to tour a model of the new rooms and they’re so beautiful — we definitely feel those luxurious Grand Floridian vibes!

Take a tour of the new rooms here! 

Polynesian Village

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort isn’t the only hotel undergoing a massive transformation, as the Polynesian Village Resort will also be getting brand new DVC Villas!

According to Disney, the new villas are “inspired by the early concepts for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort,” and will sit on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon. Not only that, but there will be new recreation offerings and dining options as well!

The new Polynesian Village Villas are projected to open sometime in late 2024 — so stay tuned!

Read more about the transformation here! 

Magnolia Golf Course

Did you know that Disney World is home to multiple full-sized golf courses? Yep! You can hit the links on your Disney vacation — but Disney’s longest golf course won’t be an option for a while.

The Magnolia Golf Course has been closed for refurbishment since May 9th, 2022, and there is no end in sight — or at least, not one that Disney has shared with guests! For now, you’ll have to get your golf in at Disney’s Palm or Lake Buena Vista courses instead.

Check out the newest Disney golf technology!

It’s clear that Disney World doesn’t ever plan on evolving — new innovations, technology, and information is popping up all the time, and it’s important for Disney to stay at the forefront of all of it!

For the latest on Disney construction news and more, don’t forget to stay tuned to DFB.

How many of these RARE Disney characters have you met?

Which Disney World project are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!