UPDATED December 3, 2024

Okay, can we tell you how EXCITED we are about 2025 in Disney World? So much new stuff is coming and we CANNOT WAIT.

Of course, we’ve got the traditional things we always look forward to like all the EPCOT Festivals (yes, EPCOT Festival of the Arts is a fave). We also love that time around Easter when we get to see the cool Easter Egg displays at the hotels. Then there’s Halloween and the holiday season — SO much to look forward to (and we’re not even done with 2024 yet). However, there are some MAJOR changes coming to Disney World in 2025 that we’re also stoked about, so let’s chat about them!

If you are planning a 2025 Disney World trip, let our friends at Small World Vacations help! They can get you the best deals, work with you and your budget, and so much more!

Magic Kingdom

Lots of Construction

So Magic Kingdom will probably be one of the BUSIEST parks in 2025, and not with people, but with projects — a WHOLE lot will be going on. First off, Magic Kingdom is getting its biggest expansion YET with two new Cars rides in Frontierland AND a new Villains-themed land. You’ll see a lot of construction in 2025, especially around Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island (which are going away for the Cars expansion) and behind Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for the new Villains land.

You’ll want to be prepared for that ahead of time if you’re visiting Magic Kingdom in 2025 because you may have to walk around all that construction during your trip.

I Use This Risky Parade Cheat Every December in Magic Kingdom, and I’m Finally Sharing My Secret

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to close for a year

Another thing you’ll need to make note of is that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed for the whole year. Yes, Disney is closing the popular ride for a yearlong refurbishment (meaning we might see some big changes made to the ride during that time).

Of course, this closure could have something to do with all the construction happening BEHIND the ride as Disney builds its new Villains land.

What a YEARLONG CLOSURE Means for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney World

Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern

A Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern will also be opening in late 2025 in Magic Kingdom. We don’t have a LOT of details yet about the new tavern, but it’s expected to extend the story of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. We also know the Barker Bird will be returning to take up residence at the new tavern.

Disney describes the tavern it as a “rambunctious watering hole will offer a welcoming haven for all pirate-kind, big and small, and everyone in between.”

Everything we know about the Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern so far

Disney Starlight

Something else to look forward to in 2025 in Magic Kingdom is a new nighttime parade. Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away will bring the magic of technology and light to Main Street, U.S.A. every night with a parade hosted by the Blue Fairy who will use her magic to bring “a star-kissed constellation of Disney dreams” to life.

The parade will feature characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios films such as Encanto, Frozen, and Peter Pan. Expect this new parade to debut in summer 2025.

Everything we know about Disney Starlight

EPCOT

New Test Track

Test Track closed in 2024 and is getting a reimagining. Yep, the ride is changing! We don’t know a lot about what Disney has planned for the ride, but we’ve been keeping an eye on the construction in EPCOT. Chevrolet will still be the ride’s sponsor and the new version will highlight the past, present, and future.

Disney also confirmed that Test Track’s new queue will feature six distinct exhibits that will celebrate vehicles, as well as the people behind the vehicles that will “usher in that next chapter in our collective journey.” The new Test Track will reopen in late 2025. 

What Will Disney World Change at Test Track? Here Are the 5 Biggest Theories

Spaceship Earth Lounge

Okay, when we say Spaceship Earth Lounge, don’t get excited thinking a lounge is going INSIDE Spaceship Earth because it isn’t (and, seriously, we think Disney missed an opportunity there). However, a Spaceship Earth-themed lounge is coming to EPCOT and slated to open in late Spring of 2025. 

The look of the lounge will be inspired by the “stories, shapes, and enduring legacy” of Spaceship Earth with “rich textures and warm metallic tones, giving it a mysterious and elegant intimacy.” All we can say is we better hear Dame Judi Dench’s voice welcoming us to the lounge when we visit. Also, can we get a cocktail inspired by that burning Rome scene?

What we know about the Spaceship Earth lounge

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Construction

We’ve got some bad news about Disney World in 2025: you’re going to see loads of construction in the parks. Hollywood Studios will be making way for a new Monsters, Inc. land, which means that part of Hollywood Studios will be closed for construction at some point.

Now, we don’t yet know WHICH part of Hollywood Studios will be demolished to make way for the new land (which will feature Disney’s first suspended roller coaster), but we’re hoping it’s not Muppets Courtyard (team #SAVETHEMUPPETS).

Where Is Monsters, Inc. Land Going in Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

Villains show

It’s good to be bad, and Disney has suddenly figured out that all we’ve ever wanted was MORE villains in the parks! So in addition to the Villains land we’re getting in Magic Kingdom, a new Villains SHOW is coming to Hollywood Studios in summer 2025, taking over the Sunset Showcase (where Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is currently located). Get ready for Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After!

The show will feature a look into the “mysterious, reflective realm of the Magic Mirror” and will feature appearances by villains like Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, Maleficent, and more each “breaking through the glass” where they will take the stage to perform live! WE CAN’T WAIT.

What we know about the Villains Show

The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure

The “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” show in Animation Courtyard has been closed FOR YEARS, and Disney finally announced plans for that space. A NEW show, The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure will be debuting in summer 2025. The new show will be a reimagined show inspired by the original animated classic movie from Walt Disney Animation Studios.

When the new show opens, expect musical numbers like  “Part of Your World” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” as well as a new addition, “Kiss the Girl.”

Learn a little more about the show

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Construction

Are you sensing a theme yet? Yep, Animal Kingdom is going to be having some major construction happening, too. That’s because Dinoland, U.S.A. is going away to make room for Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas-themed land that will have an Indiana Jones attraction PLUS an Encanto ride.

The good news is that Dinoland, U.S.A. will close in phases, so you’ll have a chance to ride DINOSAUR one more time if you visit in 2025! However, expect to see a lot of construction in the area.

When Is DINOSAUR Closing in Disney World?

A new Zootopia show

We’ve got bad news for fans of It’s Tough To Be A Bug — the attraction will be permanently closing to make way for a NEW attraction Zootopia: Better Zoogether! The new attraction will feature Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and other Zootopia characters as they “take guests on an adventure through different biomes seen in the film.”

We only hope the sloths aren’t in charge of loading folks into the theater…just saying! The new show is expected to make its debut in winter 2025.

Everything we know about the Zootopia show so far

Disney World Hotels

Construction

But, wait, we’re not done. Changes are coming to Disney World hotels, too. Yep, the construction trend is going to be happening at Disney World hotels, too. First up, the VERY popular Stormalong Bay pool at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts is getting refurbished from January through May 2025. It’s just a regular refurbishment, but that pool will be closed. Guests of both hotels can still swim at the Tidal, Admiral, and Dunes Cove leisure pools.

Speaking of Disney’s Yacht Club, some of the rooms will also be getting refurbished from January through May 2025, so you can expect to see and hear construction during the day.

Over at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Bay Lake Tower is also going through a complete refurbishment, which started in September 2024 and is expected to last for a year. That includes Bay Cove Pool, too.

Disney’s Port Orleans — French Quarter is also under construction. Select rooms are getting refurbished and the construction is expected to last through May 2025.

Free Water Parks Tickets

One of the best changes could be that you could get FREE water park tickets in 2025 if you’re staying at a Disney World hotel. The only caveat? The tickets are for the day you check into your hotel. But that could be a great first day activity if you arrive in Disney World early (like most of us do because we will absolutely get up at 4 AM to make an early flight to Orlando).

We also learned that if you book a split stay (staying at more than one Disney World hotel), you can get free water park tickets for BOTH stays, so double the tickets!

The Ultimate Disney World Water Park Packing List

New DVC Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

You’ll also have a new place to stay in Disney World in 2025. At the end of 2024, Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will open and will have some really good options for Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members, as well as larger groups who need more space during their vacations.

You’ll also have a new restaurant to check out, Wailulu Bar & Grill, which will feature views of Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom. This casual walk-up pool bar and grill will hve an all-day menu for lunch and dinner, as well as specialty cofrfree and on-the-go morning pastries for breakfast.

Disney Announces 4 (!!!) Exclusive New Perks for Polynesian Village Resort Island Tower

So if you’re visiting Disney World in 2025, you’re going to see a LOT of changes with more on the way! We’ll do our best to keep you updated, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

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What big Disney World change are you most excited about in 2025? Let us know in the comments!