There are several things we’re DREADING about Disney World in 2023, like surge pricing, larger crowds, and several major ride closures. But there are also many ways in which Disney World is going to be BETTER than ever in 2023.

New rides are going to open, some existing rides and shows will change, LOTS of new restaurants are coming, and there’s still more to look forward to. Here’s a complete list of how Disney World is getting better in 2023!

UPDATE: It’s a NEW YEAR! If you’re looking for Disney World Dates to Know for 2024, CLICK HERE!

New Rides and Attractions

Some of the most exciting changes at Disney World in 2023 are the new rides and attractions coming to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT!

TRON Lightcycle Run

TRON Lightcycle Run is a roller coaster with motorcycle-style ride vehicles opened in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland on April 4, 2023!

The ride is based on the TRON movies and is very similar to the coaster at Shanghai Disneyland. Get ready to board a train of Lightcycles and “launch into the Grid for a race through a dark, computerized world” reaching speeds up to 59 miles per hour.

Note that, in order to ride TRON during its opening phase, guests need to secure a Boarding Pass via Disney World’s Virtual Queue system OR purchase an Individual Lightning Lane through Disney Genie, as this attraction does NOT offer a Standby line.

WE RODE TRON in Disney World — Here’s Everything You Need to Know! And you can CLICK HERE to see our full ride-through VIDEO!

P.S. TRON also offers an on-ride attraction photo through Disney PhotoPass, AND utilizes a new complimentary locker system for guests to store their belongings!

Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana

Journey of Water, Inspired by MOANA is NOW OFFICIALLY OPEN in EPCOT as of October 16th, 2023! 

The attraction is a walkthrough trail where guests can “play with magical, living water” in an immersive way. We’ve enjoyed sharing a look inside — along with a FULL WALK-THROUGH — with you!

Click here to GO INSIDE EPCOT’s Moana-Inspired Journey of Water Attraction! And find our FULL VIDEO WALK-THROUGH here!

Changes at Existing Attractions

Walt Disney World Railroad Is Open

The Walt Disney World Railroad has been closed for YEARS, but it finally reopened this holiday season!

The trains were refurbished and updated during the attraction’s closure, and some of the changes include new tracks, a new voiceover narration, and a path through a tunnel near TRON Lightcycle Run.

Step aboard the train in Disney World with us here!

A New Character at Haunted Mansion

The Hatbox Ghost has been added to the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom! You can see him near the endless hallway scene in the ride.

If you’ve been to Disneyland — or seen this year’s Haunted Mansion film — you might be familiar with the Hatbox Ghost, one of the spooky characters that inhabit the mansion at the ride in Disneyland Park. Even though this haunting character is well-known for living (or, umm… NOT living) in Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion attraction, he hadn’t previously appeared in Disney World’s Haunted Mansion ride…but, as of November 30th, that has now changed!

Check out the Hatbox Ghost in Disney World here!

New Fireworks Shows

Happily Ever After Returns

Magic Kingdom’s evening fireworks spectacular, Disney Enchantment — which made its debut on the 50th Anniversary of Magic Kingdom (October 1, 2021) — ended its run with its final showing on April 2, 2023.

Then, April 3, 2023, delivered the RETURN of the Happily Ever After fireworks show to Magic Kingdom! The return of this beloved spectacular has a nod to Disney Enchantment, though, as Happily Ever After now features all-new projections which come to life all the way down Main Street, U.S.A.!

Click HERE to see the return of Happily Ever After!

Luminous Debuts at EPCOT

Like Disney Enchantment, Harmonious was introduced for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World. And sadly, this EPCOT fireworks show ended on April 2nd, as well.

With Harmonious ending, EPCOT Forever returned for a temporary run on April 3rd. Disney brought back this classic show as a placeholder while the Entertainment team prepared the World Showcase Lagoon for an entirely new production to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of The Walt Disney Company!

That’s right… Luminous The Symphony of Us made its debut on December 5th, 2023!

The production brings guests together nightly around World Showcase Lagoon.

Disney shares that the show is meant to “reflect the commonality in all of us,” and that the show invites “everyone to gather around World Showcase Lagoon for a show that will unite us through commonalities of the heart in a dazzling display of fireworks, lasers, music and light. Featuring an original composition along with select songs from the Disney songbook, this new spectacular will remind us that we’re more alike than different, connecting our hearts together as one.”

Click HERE to see pics and videos of LUMINOUS!

MORE Characters Are Coming Back to — and Debuting at — the Parks

Character Meet-and-Greets continue to return to – and make their debut in — Disney World!

For instance, Moana is now greeting guests in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! If you want to meet her, you can find her on Discovery Island (of course, she’s on an ISLAND for her meet and greet) at Animal Kingdom. As you walk over the bridge towards the Tree of Life, make a right turn towards DinoLand. The entrance for visitors will be right before the DinoLand sign.

For times on when you can meet Moana, be sure to check the My Disney Experience app when you’re in Animal Kingdom!

Click HERE to check out the NEW Moana Meet-and-Greet with a VIDEO!

Also Moana is now meeting guests in EPCOT’s World Nature, right near the entrance to Journey of Water!

A new meet and greet with Ariel from the live-action version of The Little Mermaid officially opened on May 26, 2023 — the opening date of the film — in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

You can meet the live-action Ariel in Walt Disney Presents. 

See pics and videos of this NEW Meet-and-Greet HERE!

Mirabel from Encanto now (as of September 15th) has her own meet-and-greet in Magic Kingdom!

Fairytale Garden (on the path to the right facing Cinderella Castle) has been “transformed with whimsical decor inspired by La Familia Madrigal,” so you’ll get an extra special experience if you stop by to say hello to Mirabel.

Not only that, but Mirabel’s uncle, Bruno, is a new part of the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, also at Magic Kingdom! (We finally can talk about Bruno, apparently. 😉 )

Click HERE to see the MIRABEL Meet-and-Greet!

As of September 10th, Figment is NOW MEETING GUESTS in the Imagination Pavilion in EPCOT!

If you’re planning to meet Figment, we definitely suggest checking that My Disney Experience app consistently to keep track of his appearance times, and be prepared for a potentially hefty wait time!

Come with us to MEET FIGMENT in EPCOT!

Return of After Hours Events

After Hours events returned to Disney World in January 2023. They kicked off on January 4th in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and on January 9th in Magic Kingdom. 

New in 2023, After Hours has come to EPCOT! The event kicked off at EPCOT on June 1st, 2023.

After Hours events are separately ticketed parties where you can stay in the Disney theme parks for 3 hours after the park closes.

There are specialty treats and drinks included in your ticket, and because the number of tickets sold for the parties is limited, you can often find lower wait times than usual on the rides and attractions.

EPCOT Transformation Updates

The Walt the Dreamer statue officially opened to guests in EPCOT on December 5th, 2023 – in celebration of Walt’s birthday. The statue features Walt sitting, “dreaming up the overall Florida Project and the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, EPCOT.”

Walt sits in the new World Celebration Gardens, at Dreamer’s Point, overlooking all that he dreamed up as it sits today. Four gardens can be found in the center of World Celebration, including Dreamer’s Point, and connect together at a central planter that is based on the EPCOT logo.

The area evolves with the seasons and includes lighting elements that “take on a whole new life” at night.

And with this most recent update, the historic transformation of EPCOT has nearly reached completion. However, the opening of CommuniCore Hall and Plaza — which was set to debut in late 2023 in World Celebration — has met with delays. 

The new area will serve as a central location for EPCOT’s rotating festivals throughout the year. While CommuniCore was previously set to open in late 2023, Disney has now confirmed that it will open in 2024. 

Click HERE to check out more about “Walt the Dreamer” and the World Celebration Gardens!

New Restaurants

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

A NEW Table Service restaurant is NOW OPEN in Toy Story Land!  Roundup Rodeo BBQ officially opened on March 23, 2023. 

The new table service spot serves barbecue fare served family-style, and you can see the FULL MENU for this Family-Style dining experience here. Though this spot is NOT a Toy Story character meal, the theming is pretty incredible nonetheless!

During a media preview, we got the chance to step inside the NEW Roundup Rodeo BBQ, and there is SO MUCH TO SEE!

We also got to DIG IN to TONS of BBQ fare… TOY STORY-style!

Find out our thoughts on the FOOD at Roundup Rodeo BBQ here!

Take a FULL PHOTO and VIDEO TOUR of Roundup Rodeo BBQ HERE!

Energy Bytes

Welcome to Energy Bytes! This new futuristic spot opened up on March 20th right near TRON Lightcycle / Run in Tomorrowland.

Those BYTES include doughnut holes and cold brew coffee, plus a few more sweet snacks and sips.

Click HERE for a First Look at Energy Bytes!

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya

A brand new restaurant is NOW OPEN in EPCOT’s Japan pavilion: Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya! The menu features “Japanese delights like sushi and teppan items,” plus an open sushi bar and grill. Sushi fans can enjoy the Kobore Sushi, Tokyo Negi Roll, and Funamori.

Not only that, but you can enjoy Japanese Izakaya, a type of casual pub-style restaurant that puts an emphasis on drinks and conversations with friends.

The restaurant is located in the Japan Pavilion, on the second floor — above the Mitsukoshi Department Store (where Tokyo Dining was previously located), so it boasts the same World Showcase and fireworks views that guests loved at Tokyo Dining!

JOIN US for our Opening Day visit at Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya HERE!

EET by Maneet Chauhan

EET — a new restaurant by James Beard Award-winning chef and Food Network star Maneet Chauhan together with hospitality entrepreneur Vivek Deora — has officially opened in Disney Springs!

The new location serves Indian cuisine in Quick Service fashion. Disney shares that EET presents a “modern, fun Indian-inspired concept.”

Click HERE to check out the NEW restaurant, EET by Maneet Chauhan!

Summer House on the Lake and The Cookie Bar

Summer House on the Lake opened on December 14, 2023 in Disney Springs! You’ll find it on the West Side near Jaleo, Splitsville, and Salt & Straw.

So that means YOU can look forward to California-inspired bites including everything from pizza and pasta to fresh salads and sandwiches during your next visit to Disney Springs! (Oh, and don’t forget the weekend BRUNCH!) You can enjoy any of these meals on one of the three expansive patios. And tucked inside Summer House on the Lake you’ll find The Cookie Bar! The Cookie Bar is “a dessert-focused market” that serves “freshly baked cookies and house-made pastries.”

Step INSIDE Summer House on the Lake with us!

Rosa Mexicano

Rosa Mexicano has opened its first Orlando-area location at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin!

The new restaurant offers “an elevated fiesta dining experience” which includes signature menu items and award-winning margaritas.

You can check out our very first visit HERE!

Step inside the NEW Rosa Mexicano with us by clicking HERE!

Dining Changes

Along with the new restaurants, there will be a few changes to existing restaurants in Disney World.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Cinderella’s Royal Table is a popular table service restaurant in Magic Kingdom (it’s located inside the castle!), but the princesses that usually walked around and interacted with guests during the meal have been missing for quite a while now.

Cinderella would greet guests as they entered the dining room and occasionally make brief appearances on the balcony, but the full character dining experience has been on pause…until NOW!

Characters — Disney Princesses, specifically 😉 — are BACK at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom as of February 28th, 2023! It is a full-fledged Character Meal featuring several Disney Princesses once again! In fact, Character dining around the Resort has slowly been bouncing back since Disney World reopened from its temporary closure in 2020, and we are thrilled that we can add Cinderella’s Royal Table to that list!

See pics of the RETURN of the PRINCESSES to Cinderella’s Royal Table HERE!

Chef Mickey’s

Chef Mickey’s — a Character Dining experience featuring every single one of The Fab Five: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto — has switched BACK to buffet service once again as of March 1st, 2023!

Previously, Chef Mickey’s was serving an all-you-care-to-enjoy Family Feast, featuring a family-style dining experience, but now the spot is offering its traditional Buffet. 

Click HERE to learn more about the return of BUFFET service to Chef Mickey’s!

Narcoossee’s

Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort closed for refurbishment on July 14, 2022. But this signature restaurant reopened on April 1, 2023!

Guests can now enjoy a new menu featuring both classic favorites (such as Narcoossee’s Bisque and the classic Surf and Turf), and new additions such as an Ocean-Inspired Charcuterie Board and much more. The restaurant has received a refreshment as well (as seen above), and it continues to make the most of its signature waterfront views through the panoramic windows.

Click HERE to see the changes at Narcoossee’s!

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall — Princess Storybook Dining

Get ready to eat like royalty because breakfast and lunch are BACK at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT’s Norway Pavilion as of May 14th, 2023! (Until this date, Akershus did not begin serving daily until 2:45PM.)

Akershus offers a beloved Disney Princess Character Meal, and you can check out the breakfast menu here!

Garden Grill Restaurant — Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast

Hooray! You can now start your EPCOT day with Chip ‘n Dale, Pluto, and Farmer Mickey once again as of June 14, 2023… that’s when BREAKFAST returned to Garden Grill!

This family-style breakfast is All-You-Care-to-Enjoy!

Click HERE to check out BREAKFAST at Garden Grill!

NEW Holiday Offerings

The Holiday Season will officially kicked off on November 11th in Disney World (though select festive events began before then), and along with returning classic experiences like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the Merry Menagerie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom there will be NEW festivities to enjoy this year!

For instance, a new Frozen show is now taking place in front of Cinderella Castle throughout the holiday season called “Frozen Holiday Surprise!” This new show brings Olaf and more than a hundred of his Snowgie siblings along with Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff in new holiday looks to decorate the castle for the festivities. The show culminates with Elsa adding shimmering and sparking touches which “transform Cinderella Castle into a shimmering crystallized palace.”

This show kicked off on November 7th and is occurring nightly throughout the holiday season. There will be two performances on nights when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is taking place in Magic Kingdom: one at 6:15PM and another at 8:15PM. On nights when there’s no holiday party, only one show, starting at 6:15PM, will take place. (You do NOT need to have a ticket for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in order to see the show, since that 6:15 show takes place BEFORE the exclusive holiday party begins!)

And Disney Jollywood Nights is a new, separately ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that is now running on ten select nights from November 11th through December 20th, 2023. 

As part of the event, guests can view the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime fireworks and projections spectacular, enjoy exclusive treats, meet rare characters, and more! Tickets are NOW ON SALE.

Click HERE for LOTS of details on Jollywood Nights!

Resort Hotel Benefit Updates

“Hey, Disney” Devices

A new complimentary perk is currently in the process of rolling out to guests at the Disney World hotels.  “Hey, Disney!” offers “custom voice assistance” to guests staying at Resort hotels in Walt Disney World! The service, which works with Alexa on Amazon Echo devices, assists guests with room amenities, guest services, planning, and weather info… AND it will bring along LOTS of extra Disney MAGIC to make all of these things a lot more FUN!

In late November 2022, “Hey Disney!” made its debut in a testing phase in a limited number of rooms at Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Disney had previously shared that this initial launch is taking place “before expanding in phases to additional Disney Resort hotel rooms across Walt Disney World.” 

In May 2023, we saw that the ‘Hey, Disney!’ Alexa Voice Assistant had been added a room at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and we’ve also been informed that “Hey, Disney!” has arrived at Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter and Saratoga Springs Resort, and we’ve spotted it at Disney’s Riviera Resort. So the rollout to other Resorts has officially begun!

 You can see “Hey, Disney!” in action HERE!

Individual Hotel Updates

Some hotels are getting updates in 2023, so you may see refurbished rooms and lobby areas soon.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Over at Caribbean Beach, more room changes have taken place! In 2022, Disney revealed that the hotel’s pirate-themed rooms would NOT be available in 2023. We later learned that the rooms were being refurbished and decorated with “characters from under the sea.” Then we finally got the big reveal and brought YOU on a ROOM TOUR of these new rooms with theming inspired by The Little Mermaid!

The updated rooms have new artwork, brighter decor, pastel colors, and a 5th sleeper bed that will let each room fit more guests. The refurbished rooms are in the Trinidad section of the hotel.

Check out the new Caribbean Beach Resort rooms with a FULL PHOTO TOUR here!

Remember that several other Disney World hotels recently had updates made to some guest rooms. Check out those changes here:

• Incredibles Rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Moana Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Mary Poppins Returns Rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
• Rooms at the Swan Reserve Hotel
• A Fireworks View Room at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• FIRST LOOK at the NEW Rooms at Disney’s Beach Club Resort!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023! And, it’s getting a bit of a sprucing up for its birthday, too. The resort has undergone a LOT of changes in recent years with the opening of new Disney Vacation Club villas, an updated Narcoossee’s restaurant, and changes at Citricos and Victoria & Albert’s, too.

And the renovations continue! The Disney World website does warn that the hotel “is currently undergoing refurbishment. Guests will be able to see and hear construction around the resort – including the lobby – during daytime hours.” But, they note that “Most Resort hotel amenities will remain available.”

Ultimately, the lobby itself will also receive its own refurbishment. Disney has shared that the new look “will maintain the classic theming [guests] know and love with some fresh new enhancements.”

Check out the new Grand Floridian Resort rooms here.

New Deals and Discounts

There are some new deals and discounts that can save you money on your upcoming 2023 Disney World vacation (and even into 2024!). For example, a Dining Promo Card promotion is available for guests who are buying room-and-ticket packages for trips in late 2023 and early 2024. It’s valid for trips that take place most nights from October 27th through November 1st, 2023, most nights from November 25th through November 29th, 2023, most nights from December 9th through December 25th, 2023, and most Sunday to Tuesday nights January 9th through March 5th, 2024. Find full details HERE!

There are a bunch of other discounts available as well — check out our Deals and Discounts page to see them all!

See all the Disney deals and discounts here.

Park Pass Changes

As of April 18th, Annual Passholders are now able to visit the Walt Disney World theme parks after 2PM WITHOUT a Park Pass reservation (with some exceptions).

The exception applies to Annual Passholders wanting to visit Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays. If an Annual Passholder wants to go to Magic Kingdom on Saturdays or Sundays, they’ll need a Park Pass regardless of what time they want to visit. Keep in mind, Annual Passholder blockout dates continue to apply, so you’ll want to take a close look at those when planning your visit.

Read more about this change for Annual Passholders HERE!

Annual Pass Sales Resume

Speaking of Annual Passholders… In November 2021, Disney paused the sales of three out of the four Disney World Annual Pass options: the Pirate Pass, the Sorcerer Pass, and the IncrediPass. But NEW SALES for Disney World Annual Passes RESUMED as of April 20th, 2023! 

There are four different Annual Pass tiers. The new sales include all four: the Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer Pass, and Pirate Pass, and the Pixie Dust Pass (which has been available for purchase). Please be aware, though, that Disney has stated that the number of passes for sale are limited, and any pass type “may become unavailable for purchase at any time.” 

Hoping to purchase an Annual Pass? Find more details HERE!

Disney Genie+ Changes

A MAJOR change came to Disney Genie+ on June 27th. Disney World guests now purchase Genie+ based on the park that they want to visit.

Guests can either buy a single-park Genie+ option or a multi-park option. See the new purchasing process HERE.

As of March 20th, 2023, guests who purchase the Disney Genie+ service are now able to download their on-ride attraction photos on the day of purchase at no additional charge!

These photos are available at many attractions throughout the parks, including Space Mountain, Slinky Dog Dash, Test Track, and Expedition Everest, and more!

Click HERE to see ALL the On-Ride Photos You Can Get for FREE with Genie+ in Disney World

Disney’s 100th Anniversary

EPCOT is serving as the HOST of the 100th Anniversary celebration in Walt Disney World! The festivities officially kicked off on September 22, 2023 and will last through December 31, 2023. 

LOTS of new additions have joined the park for the occasion, including a new, platinum Mickey Mouse statue, a character-filled mural, and more platinum decorations in World Celebration, and an evening light show on Spaceship Earth (set to “When You Wish Upon a Star”). And of course, Mickey and Minnie are decked out in their best for a new meet and greet in the Imagination! pavilion.

UPDATE: It’s a NEW YEAR! If you’re looking for Disney World Dates to Know for 2024, CLICK HERE!

There’s a lot to look forward to in Disney World if you’re visiting next year! If you want to do some planning before your trip, check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. We’ve compiled all of our BEST tips and tricks from years of Disney World travel into one eBook that you can download to your tablet or smartphone and take with you! We’re offering our readers 25% off with code WDW2023.

Keep following DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news and new tips on how to make the most of your next Disney World vacation.

Find out what we’re DREADING about Disney World in 2023.

Are you planning a Disney World trip for 2023? Let us know in the comments.