The Timeline
Welcome to the Timeline! This interactive page will give you a glimpse at all the upcoming projects and refurbishments currently underway at the Walt Disney World Resort. These are projects we cover more in-depth in various news reports and construction updates, so be sure to visit the Blog and check out the Channel for all the latest project activity!
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EPCOT International Food
and Wine Festival
August 28th - November 22nd, 2025
EPCOT
EPCOT's most popular festival has officially made its annual return! Experience classic festival favorites, including the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, Emile’s Fromage Montage, and lots more.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether!
November 7th, 2025
Animal Kingdom; Discovery Island
A new 3D show is coming to the Tree of Life theater in November, featuring Walt Disney Animation Studio's hit film, Zootopia. Planned to coincide with the theatrical release of Zootopia 2, the show will breathe some new "life" (see what I did there?) into the theater.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
November 28th - December 31st, 2025
EPCOT
The most festive of EPCOT's festivals will make its annual return this Winter, shortly after the conclusion of the Food and Wine Festival in November. As always, fan favorites such as the Holiday Cookie Stroll and Candlelight Processional will be making their annual return.
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa Lobby Refurbishment
Late 2025
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Walt Disney World's flagship resort has been getting a lot of enhancements lately, and the update to its lobby is certainly no exception. The new Grand Floridian lobby will infuse turn-of-the-century botanical accents and warm colors to create a new inviting look with the same "grand" feel. The most noticeable change will be the addition of a new lobby bar inspired by the resort's iconic birdcage.
DINOSAUR Goes Extinct Forever
February 2nd, 2026
Animal Kingdom; Dinoland U.S.A.
The countdown to extinction is officially on, as the third and final closure of Dinoland U.S.A draws closer. Your last chance to experience DINOSAUR and dine at Restaurantosaurus will be on Sunday, February 1st, 2026 before permanently closing forever the next day. Read more about the upcoming Tropical Americas land replacing Dinoland U.S.A below.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster: Starring Aerosmith Closes
Early 2026
Hollywood Studios; Sunset Boulevard
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster: Starring Aerosmith won't be starring Aerosmith for much longer, as next year in 2026, the iconic rock band will be replaced by none other than the Muppets. We're still awaiting an official closing date, but you can read more about the upcoming reimagining down below.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin Reopens in Tomorrowland
Spring 2026
Magic Kingdom; Tomorrowland
Big updates are currently underway over at Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom. Imagineers are in the process of enhancing many different aspects of the ride experience, including easier playability, interactive targets, redesigned ride vehicles, and even a brand new opening scene - featuring an original character named Buddy!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopens with "New Magic"
Spring 2026
Magic Kingdom; Frontierland
The wildest ride in the wilderness is expected to reopen in the Spring of next year with some brand new magic! So far, Disney has confirmed updates to the very beginning of the attraction (as indicated by the concept art), with even more enhancements to come as well.
New Missions on Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
May 22nd, 2026
Hollywood Studios; Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Brand new missions are coming soon to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, featuring the Mandalorian! Set to debut right alongside the feature film of "The Mandalorian and Grogu", the new missions will feature thrilling action-packed adventures that's sure to add some much needed variety to the attraction.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster: Starring The Muppets
Summer 2026
Hollywood Studios; Sunset Boulevard
As Monsters Inc. takes over Grand Avenue, the Muppets will be moving over to Sunset Boulevard and taking over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster! The rethemed coaster will be starring Doctor Teeth and his band, Electric Mayhem, as they prepare for a rockin' musical escapade around Hollywood.
The Walt Disney Studios
2026
Hollywood Studios; Animation Courtyard
Next year in 2026, Animation Courtyard will be transformed into a new area dubbed as "The Walt Disney Studios." Featuring a brand-new interactive experience called "The Magic of Disney Animation," the area will take inspiration from the real Walt Disney Studios lot located in Burbank, California. Kids and families alike will be able to meet and draw their favorite Disney characters, explore an indoor playground themed to Alice in Wonderland, and much more. Additionally, a brand new version of the kid-friendly Disney Jr. show will also debut in the adjacent soundstage.
Cinderella Castle Original Color Palette Restoration
2026
Magic Kingdom Park
In honor of the Magic Kingdom's 55th Anniversary next year, the original color scheme will be restored to the icon of the park itself - Cinderella Castle! Disney will be reverting back to grays, creams, and rich blues, restoring the castle back to its pre-2020 royal color palette.
Walt Disney Update Coming to the Carousel of Progress
2026
Magic Kingdom; Tomorrowland
The Carousel of Progress is about to get some massive and long-overdue upgrades, as a brand new, A-1000 Audio-Animatronic figure of Walt Disney will soon kick-off the beginning of the attraction! Additionally, the remaining scenes will receive some updates too, ensuring that John, Sara, Rover, and the rest of the family can continue to live a great big beautiful tomorrow.
Future Projects
Projects at the Walt Disney World Resort scheduled for 2027 and beyond.
Disney's Lakeshore Lodge
Spring 2027
Magic Kingdom Resort Area
Projected to open in 2027, a brand new Deluxe Disney Resort is being constructed right along the shores of Bay Lake. Situated west of Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds, the new hotel will fuse a modern aesthetic with the unique majesty of nature to create a whole new Disney Resort experience. Recent construction permits indicate a potential completion date of March of 2027, but remains unconfirmed by Disney.
The Tropical Americas at Disney's Animal Kingdom
2027
Animal Kingdom; Dinoland U.S.A
Dinoland U.S.A will soon be completely transformed into a new land themed around South and Central America. Featuring brand new attractions with Disney IP's from the region - including Encanto and Indiana Jones - guests will begin their adventure by stepping into the small town of Pueblo Esperanza, which translates to "Village of Hope." In addition to the two major E-Ticket attractions in the land, visitors will also have the opportunity to take a ride on a festive carousel and taste delicious regional cuisine in a large Hacienda. Get excited for a bold new chapter at Disney's Animal Kingdom, as this 11-acre land will be the park's biggest expansion since Pandora: The World of Avatar in 2017.
Monstropolis at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Under Construction
Hollywood Studios; Grand Avenue
New doors are opening soon for Disney and Pixar's Monsters Inc. - all in a brand new land at Disney's Hollywood Studios! The land is replacing Grand Avenue and will feature a brand new theater show, themed shopping and dining experiences, and a major E-Ticket attraction that will boast to be the first-ever suspended rollercoaster in a Disney Park. Construction is currently underway, but an opening timeframe still remains unknown at this time.
Piston Peak National Park in Frontierland
Under Construction
Magic Kingdom; Frontierland
Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom is undergoing some massive changes, as both the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island have now permanently closed. They will be replaced with not one, but two new attractions inspired by Disney and Pixar's "Cars." One will be a thrilling outdoor rally race as guests explore the American wilderness along rugged terrain and uncharted paths, while the second attraction will be geared more towards younger guests and families. An opening timeframe still has yet to be announced.
Disney Villains Land at Magic Kingdom
In Development
Magic Kingdom Park
After decades of circulating along the rumor mill in the Disney community, it has been officially confirmed that an all new land themed around Disney Villains will be coming to the Magic Kingdom! The area will be situated just north of Frontierland and will feature two new major E-Ticket attractions, themed shopping and dining, character meet and greets, and much more. The land will be an amazing culmination of Disney storytelling on an incredibly dark, twisted, and grand scale and will be "a fearless new vision for what a Disney experience can be.” As if this wasn't exciting news enough, the land, along with the rest of Magic Kingdom's future plans, will represent the largest expansion to the park in its entire history.
Recent Additions
New additions previously added to the Walt Disney World Resort.
The Beak and Barrel
August 29th, 2025
Magic Kingdom; Adventureland
A new tavern inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean is no open in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom! Located in Caribbean Plaza right across from Tortuga Tavern, this new space immerses guests further into the daring story of the infamous swashbucklers that rule the high seas.
Test Track 3.0 - Presented
by General Motors
July 22nd, 2025
EPCOT; World Discovery
The popular and fan-favorite Test Track has recently reopened at EPCOT! This third iteration of the reimagined attraction takes lots of inspiration from the original World of Motion attraction that used to be at the park, focusing on the exciting possibility of the future of transportation.
Disney Starlight: Dream
the Night Away
July 20th, 2025
Magic Kingdom Park
After 9 long years of not having one, the Magic Kingdom has finally debuted a brand new nighttime parade! Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away features a colorful kaleidoscope of both classic and contemporary Disney characters in ways you've never seen them before, all led by the powerful magic of the Blue Fairy.
GEO-82
June 4th, 2025
EPCOT; World Celebration
A new bar and lounge themed to the iconic geodesic sphere is now open right behind Spaceship Earth at EPCOT! The new zen space offers sweeping views of the World Celebration Gardens and the nightly fireworks as guests ages 21+ enjoy a unique and luxurious atmosphere with a "mysterious and elegant intimacy."
Disney Villains: Unfairly
Ever After
May 27th, 2025
Hollywood Studios; Sunset Boulevard
The Sunset Showcase theater is now home to a brand new stage show featuring your favorite Disney villains! The Magic Mirror is summoning fiendish foes like Maleficent, Captain Hook, Cruella De Vil, and more in this new live production.
The Little Mermaid: A
Musical Adventure
May 27th, 2025
Hollywood Studios; Animation Courtyard
A reimagined version of the former Voyage of the Little Mermaid stage show debuted at Disney's Hollywood Studios! Based off the classic 1989 Walt Disney Animation Studios film, the show combines the latest technology with stunning sets, new choreography, and a bold new design aesthetic to bring the tale we all know and love to life.
The Island Tower
December 17th, 2024
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
A major expansion to the Polynesian recently debuted along the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon - the Island Tower. Boasting incredible waterfront views of the Magic Kingdom, this new Disney Vacation Club wing takes a more modern approach towards the tropical oceanic theme, infused with Polynesian culture and cuisine.
