9 Things to Look Forward to at Walt Disney World in 2025

Christmas will be here and gone before we know it, and, for many of us, our thoughts will soon shift to planning our 2025 Walt Disney World vacations. Whether you already have the dates set in stone or are still trying to decide when to visit, you’ll want to be aware of a few changes coming to the parks over the next year.

#1 Saying Farewell to DINOSAUR

The end is near for DINOSAUR, the dark and often deemed scary thrill ride attraction in Dinoland, U.S.A., at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. While goodbyes aren’t something we necessarily look forward to on our park visits, this one is necessary. Per Disney, 2025 is your year to visit before the attraction goes extinct. “Now, let’s go get that dino!”

#2 ‘Zootopia: Better Zoogether’ Tree of Life Show Coming in Winter 2025

An all-new 4D production will debut at the Tree of Life Theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Winter 2025. It will replace the current ‘It’s Tough to Be a Bug!’ attraction at the base of the Tree of Life. Disney has not yet announced a closure for the current offering. Better Zoogether will be the first attraction to represent the popular Zootopia film at Walt Disney World. It’s about time, right?

#3 Disney Villains Ever After Stage Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2025

Earlier this week, Disney announced the name of the new villain’s stage show coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2025. Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After will be held in the former home of Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In a recent Instagram post on the Disney Parks handle, the Magic Mirror tells us, “Villains today don’t care who’s the fairest of them all, rather who has been treated most unfairly.” I’m not necessarily sure we should feel sorry for any of the villains, but it’s something I could see them arguing amongst themselves over.

#4 The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Summer 2025

Speaking of shows, The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure will open next summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This production was initially scheduled to debut in the late Fall of 2024 but was pushed back to next year. Per Disney, guests can sing along to long-time favorites like Under the Sea and Part of Your World. Additionally, two new-to-this-theater songs will be part of the performance: Daughters of Triton and Kiss the Girl.

#5 Test Track will Reopen in the Late Summer (2025)

Disney recently announced a targeted timeframe for reopening Epcot’s Test Track for the late summer of 2025. This headliner attraction closed earlier this year for an extensive refurbishment. In case you missed it:

Walt Disney Imagineering has been working with General Motors on an all-new storyline – you’ll want to be all buckled in for an adventure. You might even see cars returning to the track (for testing…at Test Track…nice) with their new look early in the year! 

#6 Spaceship Earth Lounge to Open in Late Spring (2025)

At Epcot, guests can expect a new Spaceship-themed lounge to open in the late Spring. This elevated space will pay tribute to the geodesic sphere we all know and love, Spaceship Earth. The lounge is expected to honor the history of the iconic structure while admiring its future. (I don’t know what this means for Spaceship Earth, but an overhaul is long past due. Hopefully, it has a brilliant future ahead of it.)

Per Disney, the lounge will offer sweeping views of World Celebration Gardens and a unique perspective of the nightly fireworks. This secluded retreat invites you to raise a toast to the enduring spirit of EPCOT.

#7 Pirates of the Caribbean-Inspired Tavern to Open at Magic Kingdom (Late 2025)

I don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to check out the new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern under construction at Magic Kingdom. This lounge is expected to open in late 2025 and will welcome guests (ahem, pirates) of all ages with a selection of grogs and grub. Disney hints that there may be more than a few mysterious and magical surprises in store!  

#8 ‘Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away’ Parade to Debut at Magic Kingdom (Summer 2025)

This next update is at the top of our list. The new nighttime parade is scheduled to debut at Magic Kingdom in 2025. Earlier this week, Disney released the parade’s full name: Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. The parade is expected to bring classics like Peter Pan and Pinocchio to life, along with modern favorites like Frozen, Moana, and Encanto.

#9 The New Resort Guest Water Park Benefit Starts January 1, 2025

Lastly, I wanted to remind you of the new resort water perk benefit in 2025. Here are the details directly from Disney:

Disney Resort hotel guests arriving in 2025 can enjoy admission to one of our water parks, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, on their check-in day – included in their stay. Our water parks have something for everyone: big thrills, lazy rivers, wave pools, interactive play areas for younger kids, and even water slides the whole family can enjoy together. The fun can start on day one at a Disney water park when you stay in the Disney Resorts Collection! And, yes, to all the Disney Vacation Club Members, Annual Passholders, and cast members, you can enjoy this benefit on check-in day for your Disney Resort hotel stay, too!

Learn More: What We Know About the New Water Park Perk for Disney Resort Guests

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed this preview of what’s coming to Walt Disney World in 2025. With so much happening, you can expect many more updates in the coming months. For more on planning a Walt Disney World vacation, you might enjoy:

• 12 Tips For Planning Your Arrival Day at Disney World
• How to Create a Budget for Disney World
• Dining at Disney World (Everything You Need to Know)
• Disney World Vacation Planning Guide

In the Comments

Are you excited about any of these announcements? Let us know in the comments section below.