Walt Disney World New Rides: What’s Upcoming?

Following the D23 expo in 2022, many new attractions and features have been proposed for Walt Disney World in Florida this 2023. 

Areas such as Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Magic Kingdom Park are due to see renovations and welcome additional rides, interactive displays, dining spaces, and nighttime shows. 

In this guide, we’ll cover the following planned openings:

• Five upcoming attractions, including fresh, new rides

• Two future dining locations 

• Resort renovations underway

• Transportation to-and-from, and within the park.

Read on to find out all about everything Disney World has planned for 2023!

Walt Disney World New Rides: What’s Upcoming?

Walt Disney World has revamped its attractions, and that means you get to enjoy 10 novel activities! 

Tron LightCycle Run

• Facility Type: Amusement ride

• Ride Height Requirements: Above 48 inches (122 cm) 

• Target Audience: Children, teenagers, and adults

• Scheduled Date of Opening: April 4th, 2023.

Welcome to the Grid! 

A copycat of the attraction that opened in 2016 in Shanghai Disneyland, this coaster could reach up to 60 miles per hour.

Based on its Shanghai counterpart, expect a similar design of sleek, black light cycles, racing through an indoor arena scattered with blue laser beams.

Planned to be located on the outskirts of Magic Kingdom Park near Tomorrowland Speedway and The Barnstormer, the TRON Lightcycle/Run is Disney’s first live-action, animation mashup roller coaster!

Due to be completed on April 4th, 2023, you can expect to feel projected forwards into space from the Launcher-Upload Conduit.

As a beautiful integration between virtual reality and actual reality, we can expect a blast of the senses! 

Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ

• Facility Type: Restaurant

• Restaurant Type: American, character-themed 

• Scheduled Date of Opening: March 23rd, 2023

Toy Story Land is only five years old, and is already getting upgrades! 

Scheduled to open on March 23rd, 2023, the family-friendly Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant will have a thematic twist. Think “true cowboy western” plus Andy’s playground!

When you walk into the restaurant, you’ll see two large dining areas decorated with fun features, such as a toy train, monkeys suspended from the ceiling, and Jessie riding Trixie.

The menu includes slow-cooked succulent smoked pork ribs, beef brisket, and 48-hour brined and smoked chicken.

Vegetarians and vegans, also have plant-based salad options, imitation ribs, and smoky cauliflower, served with a harissa glaze and walnut gremolata.

Is your mouth watering yet? Ours too! There are also plenty of appealing dessert and cocktail options for you to discover when you get there.

For a streamlined dining experience, we recommend making an online reservation or using the My Disney Experience app. This will allow you to book up to two months ahead of your visit to Magic Kingdom. 

Journey of Water

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJU-x3moGfg

• Facility Type: Attraction

• Ride Height Requirements: None

• Scheduled Date of Opening: Fall 2023

• Target Audience: Children, teenagers, and adults

Scheduled to open in Fall 2023, Journey of Water, an all-ages friendly attraction dedicated to the Disney movie ‘Moana’, is located in the EPCOT World Nature region.

Designed to educate us to appreciate nature, you’ll find yourself roaming around and exploring amidst interactive water displays.

The water-filled maze will be an immersive, learning experience for children and perfect for young families.

Will it contain jumping fountains that you can use to cool off in the summer, and aquatic exhibits to observe in awe during the cooler months? You’ll have to go and find out!

With parts of World Celebration and World Nature being sectioned off to make room, it’s no wonder everyone wants to see what the Journey of Water will look like! 

Epcot’s New Nighttime Show + More Transformation 

• Facility Type: Entertainment

• Ride Height Requirements: None

• Scheduled Date Of Opening: April 3rd, 2023

• Target Audience: Aall

The third time’s a charm!

If you’ve been following along since the Disney Parks Blog shirt giveaway in 2019, you’ll be able to relate to us with the wait for this comeback!

After about one and a half years, the EPCOT Harmonious nighttime show is being taken over by the new Forever performance from April 3rd, 2023 for a limited time only.

For an exclusive period, the World Showcase Lagoon will be adorned by a visual spectacle with equally exciting musical accompaniment.

Version one of EPCOT Forever was filled with fireworks and stunt kites, of which the latter was dropped in the second edition.

Will the third rendition of EPCOT Forever be similar to previous displays? Or will it be spectacularly different? Only time will tell!

The Comeback of Happily Ever After 

• Facility Type: Entertainment

• Ride Height Requirements: None

• Scheduled Date of Opening: April 3rd, 2023

• Target Audience: All

In Addition to the return of EPCOT Forever, the Happily Ever After nighttime fireworks and light projections across Cinderella Castle will also be returning on April 3rd, 2023!

From its inception in 2017 to its replacement 4 years later by Enchantment, the show has gathered support from Disney goers and is deemed an all-time favorite by many.

This year, Happily Ever After will also include never-before-seen light and laser projections through Main Street, U.S.A. — the first destination upon entering Walt Disney World.

Happily Ever After is an unmissable final activity to end your Disney day, and will surely leave you with a lasting impression of the park!  

Figment Meet-and-Greet

• Facility Type: Entertainment

• Ride Height Requirements: None

• Scheduled Date of Opening: April 3rd, 2023

• Target Audience: All

As mentioned in the 2022 D23 expo, another EPCOT upgrade includes the return of the meet-and-greet opportunity with cherished character, Figment.

The original Journey Into Imagination ride starring purple dragon Figment was opened in 1983.

However, 15 years later, the attraction closed for renovations (reopening in 1999). 

OG fans were disappointed when they were only shown a glimpse of the dragon at the end of the ride in the newest edition, despite the fact that he was a star attraction in the first rendition of the ride.

The result? A second closure was in 2001. 

Eventually, the reopening also came with a rename of the attraction to Journey Into Imagination with Figment, and the character now appears throughout.

It’s no wonder they’ve decided to bring the charming dragon back for an interactive meet-and-greet!

Figment fans rejoice and get ready to see your fave purple dragon up close!

Hatbox Ghost

• Facility Type: Attraction 

• Ride Height Requirements: None

• Scheduled Date of Opening: 2023

• Target Audience: All

Along with the TRON Lightcycle/Run, the Hatbox Ghost will also emerge again in the Haunted Mansion ride in 2023. 

Once a popular character of the ride, malfunctioning meant its exclusion shortly after.

The Hatbox Ghost still amassed a large following and gained popularity through merchandise and Haunted Mansion-related media. 

The reintroduction of the quirky character aligns with Walt Disney Pictures announcing its release of the new ‘Haunted Mansion’ movie on August 11th, 2023.

The timely addition to the Haunted Mansion will surely add another dimension of excitement to the dark, spooky attraction! 

Walt Disney World Railroad

• Facility Type: Attraction

• Ride Height Requirements: None

• Scheduled Date of Opening: December 23rd, 2022

• Target Audience: All

Following a temporary hiatus in 2018 for the TRON Lightcycle/Run, the Walt Disney World Railroad finally reopened on December 23rd, 2022.

As a keen train-lover, Disney has paid homage to Walt Disney by preserving and maintaining the railroad encircling Magic Kingdom.

After almost four years out-of-service, Walt Disney’s four vintage steam trains now run regularly from 9 am–6 pm.

Trains stop at stations in Frontierland, Fantasyland, or on Main Street, U.S.A., giving you plenty of options for hopping on and off.

Round-trip sessions only take 20 minutes — ideal for a quick tour of Magic Kingdom! 

Disney World Hotels: Room Renovations 

Attractions and nighttime shows aren’t the only things being revamped. Walt Disney World is also seeing changes in its resorts!

Contemporary Resort has seen the introduction of Edna-esque, modern, Incredibles-themed rooms, plus the addition of more spacious bathrooms.

Meanwhile, All-Star Movies Resort has implemented increases in bed sizes from double to queen, as well as added storage space and charging points in their rooms.

BoardWalk Inn also recently added a coffee bar on December 28th, 2022, and will add the Cake Bake Shop to its repertoire of eateries— complete with afternoon tea service and savory and sweet concoctions. 

To make room for this specialized bakery, the original BoardWalk Bakery will also change to the BoardWalk Deli sandwich shop. 

More room theme changes will involve pirate rooms being converted to Little Mermaid rooms at the Caribbean Beach Resort, with completion intended around June 2023.

All-Star Music Resort and All-Star Sports Resort, as well as Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, will also be completed in 2023!

Summer House on the Lake

If you’re excited about more fine-dining options at Walt Disney World, you’ll be thrilled to learn about the California-inspired restaurant Summer House on the Lake making an appearance at Disney Springs. 

As one of many establishments owned by the family-owned Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, you can be sure the culinary director and executive chef have curated a beautifully selected list of palatable plates. 

Imagine the smells of warm, fresh, baking, wafting through the restaurant, as you spot the Grilled Tequila-lime Chicken, Spicy Rigatoni Alla Vodka, and Guacamole heading to your table. 

To pair with your dishes, Summer House on the Lake also offers fun and original cocktails, such as ‘Cinnamon Toast Brunch’ and ‘Watermelon Sugar, Hi!’.

An extremely accommodating and sustainably-sourced eatery, Summer House on the Lake will fit in nicely with the other high-quality restaurants occupying Disney Springs. 

High-Speed Brightline Train Connecting To South Florida

In 2023, it’s anticipated that the Brightline train line connecting Walt Disney World with Orlando International Airport (and all the stops in between) will finally arrive after a long wait!

An attempt was made to replace Disney’s Magical Express that ended in early 2022, but this was put on hold when Disney Springs station was excluded from Brightline’s new route.

At last, the Sunshine Corridor has been developed and approved.

Involving two stations and Brightline’s inner-city service, the route provides a link between the city, the international airport, and Walt Disney World.

This comes as a move to increase accessibility, affordability, and convenience, with transportation that can be used by the general public!

The Princess and the Frog Retheme

• Facility Type: Attraction 

• Ride Height Requirements: None

• Scheduled Date of Opening: Late 2024

• Target Audience: All

Initially unveiled in 2020, this attraction will be based on Disney’s ‘The Princess and the Frog’, appropriately named Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

The ride follows the story of Tiana, a strong young woman who is self-sufficient and able to have the courage to explore her past.

On the ride, you’ll drift down the bayou on your own journey, guided by fireflies and surrounded by the lively sounds of Louisianan zydeco music! 

Saying Goodbye to Splash Mountain in Frontierland

With Tiana’s Bayou Adventure moving in, Splash Mountain will have to make a move-out. 

Many fans have expressed heartfelt sadness with Disney’s plans for Splash Mountain, and it will be hard to let it go.

However, Disney decided to make this difficult removal to increase cultural diversity.

The story behind Splash Mountain was developed with characters and tunes from ‘Song of the South’ and, as such, Disney had already been discussing letting it go. This process was hastened in their response to the George Floyd case.

May you enjoy those cherished memories, and may we all make new ones with Tiana and her adorable character companions! 

In Summary

All in all, Disney is focusing on several vantage points to increase attraction to the entertainment park. 

Multiple major attractions have been put in the works for completion in 2023.

Disney is also introducing more themed accommodation suites, along with minor upgrades and maintenance to resorts and their facilities. Resort transportation between and within the park is also progressing.

Guests are offered more culinary choices this year, as well as changes in the nighttime spectacles and reviving old fan favorites.

For hardcore Disney fans, the changes will be welcome— and yet another reason to head back to Disney World in 2023!