'Sup! Welcome to Tad's toadally awesome list of what opened at Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and the other Florida theme parks in 2025! You can consider me the Frog Family's historian, as I like to keep track of all the theme park hoppenings (both future and past). In this post, I'll go over everything that took place in 2025, but you can even check out last year's and the year before that. Without further ado, let's hop to it!
Right now, you can Buy 3 Days and Get 2 Days FREE at Universal Orlando Resort (including Epic Universe!)! Valid for visits through Dec. 16, 2026, excluding blockout dates.
What Opened at Disney World in 2025
Resort-Wide
Cool Kid Summer — May 27 through Sept. 1, 2025 — Cool Kid Summer debuted in 2025 with extra family-friendly experiences in the theme parks and resorts all summer long. New kid zones came to Storybook Circus, Tomorrowland and CommuniCore Hall. Characters were also roaming around during Early Entry for resort hotel guests. Plus, at select hotels, there were scheduled character visits and expanded itineraries filled with even more Disney-themed activities. Disney has confirmed that Cool Kid Summer will return in 2026, so stay tuned for more details!
Magic Kingdom Park
Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away — July 20, 2025 — This brand-new nighttime parade debuted with new technology, pixie dust from the Blue Fairy and characters from "Frozen," "Encanto," "Coco" and more.
Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge — Aug. 29, 2025 — The Beak & Barrel, a new lounge, extended the story from Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom. The immersive, family-friendly watering hole offers special themed cocktails, mocktails and small bites.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Zootopia: Better Zoogether! — Nov. 7, 2025 — An all-new 4D show based on "Zootopia" and "Zootopia 2" has replaced It's Tough to be a Bug at the Tree of Life Theater. Join ZPD rookie cops Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) and other familiar furry friends as they celebrate Zoogether Day, a commemoration of unity amongst the diverse bones across Zootopia.
On a Zoogether Day LIVE! broadcast hosted by slick-talking wolf Heidi Howler, you can witness special performances such as ice-skating spectaculars from Tundratown, synchronized swimming from Marsh Market, tiny mouse drone shows from Little Rodentia and a musical finale by the superstar Gazelle. Benjamin Clawhauser himself is in the theater with us as an Audio-Animatronics figure. Co-written by Jared Bush, directed by Byron Howard and aimed by the talented artists at Disney Animation, this "wild and warm-blooded watch party" (Presented in CarrotVision 3D) brings you deeper into the beautiful world of the animal metropolis than ever before!
Everyone's favorite fox and bunny started greeting guests at Discovery Island near the Tree of Life at the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot, sporting new looks from "Zootopia 2!"
EPCOT
GEO-82 — June 4, 2025 — This adults-only lounge takes inspiration from the iconic geometric architecture of Spaceship Earth and provides scenic views of World Celebration Gardens while sipping on drinks and snacking on small bites. A GEO-82 Fireworks Experience is also available to book for new views of Luminous, alongside light bites, champagne poured tableside and event-exclusive drinks.
Test Track refresh — July 22, 2025 — The fan-favorite attraction underwent a reimagining after closing on June 17, 2024. Imagineers and teams from General Motors drew inspiration from the original World of Motion attraction to bring "that spirit of optimism" to the ride with an all-new storyline.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
"The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure" show — May 27, 2025 — A reimagined "Little Mermaid" show is back with new scenes, digital puppetry and special effects. Plus, hum along to "Daughters of Triton" and "Kiss the Girl," which debuted as new-to-this-theater musical numbers.
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After — May 27, 2025 — In an all-new live production, enter the mysterious realm of the Magic Mirror and encounter the most infamous Disney Villains, including Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent. Each makes their case for who is most misunderstood, but in the end, YOU decide who has been treated most unfairly. Lightning McQueen Racing Academy closed Oct. 7, 2024, to make way for this new show.
BDX Droids — July 17 - Aug. 30, 2025 — The playful droids arrived at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disney World. They will make an appearance in "The Mandalorian and Grogu" and also debuted at Disneyland's Galaxy Edge.
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels and Disney Springs
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa lobby renovation — 2025 — Following general refurbishments of guest rooms and dining experiences (such as 1900 Park Fare, Citrico's, Victoria & Albert's and Narcoossee's), the lobby got a refreshed look, including the addition of a lobby bar, The Perch, inspired by its iconic birdcage.
What Opened at Universal Orlando in 2025
Universal Epic Universe
Universal Epic Universe — May 22, 2025 — Universal Orlando Resort's most immersive and innovative theme park yet is finally open! Step into Celestial Park, the gateway to explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk and Dark Universe, home to classic Universal monsters. Located about 12 minutes away from its existing properties, Universal Epic Universe has nearly doubled Universal's total available acreage and contains over 50 experiences. Discount tickets through Undercover Tourist are available. Let's jump into a few more details on each of these incredible worlds!
Celestial Park — May 22, 2025 — The heart of Epic Universe, Celestial Park is the world between worlds and the gateway to the four additional worlds. Celestial Park puts the "park" back in theme park, with sprawling gardens, fountains and most importantly, the Chronos device: a giant machine that uses the power of the universe to power Celestial Park and its portals that transport you to these additional worlds. In addition to shopping and dining stops, Celestial Park is also home to three attractions: Stardust Racers, Constellation Carousel and Astronomica.
How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk — May 22, 2025 — Enter the portal and step into an eighth-century Viking village that may look familiar to fans of the heartwarming "How to Train Your Dragon" films. (Isle of Berk is set between the second and third films, to be exact.) Explore a world literally built for Vikings, by Vikings: nine-foot-tall doors, chainsaw-carved benches, and Viking ships docked in the breathtaking lagoon. Aspiring dragon riders can get their training started on Hiccup's Wing Gliders, Dragon Racer's Rally and Fyre Drill attractions, or get the wiggles out at the Viking Training Camp play area. Quench your thirst (and appetite) from all of that hard work at Mead Hall, or check out the breathtaking "The Untrainable Dragon" show, where Toothless soars above the audience. And of course, you can even meet dragons (Toothless included) in Isle of Berk.
Super Nintendo World — May 22, 2025 — Wahoo! Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe takes visitors into the iconic world of Nintendo, in two distinct areas: Super Mario Land, and for the first time in the U.S., Donkey Kong Country. Attractions include Yoshi's Adventure, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge and Mine-Cart Madness. Throughout the world, you can find interactive experiences, including opportunities to earn digital coins, stamps and keys with a Power-Up Band, dine in Toadstool Cafe and meet your favorite Nintendo characters such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and more.
Dark Universe — May 22, 2025 — Enter a world where mystery fills the air and monsters lurk in the shadows. In the village of Darkmoor, the stories are real ... and you're about to come face-to-fang with some of the most famous creatures ripped from the silver screen. Help Dr. Victoria Frankenstein and her monster stop Dracula from unleashing a horde of enraged monsters in Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment — one of the scariest rides Universal has ever created. Outrun gnashing teeth and razor-sharp claws in Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning family coaster inspired by "The Wolf Man." Undergo your own terrifying transformation in the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience. Sink your teeth into delicious fare at Das Stakehaus and The Burning Blade Tavern.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic — May 22, 2025 — Get ready to travel through space and time when you enter the third installment of Universal Orlando's Wizarding World. Upon passing through the Phoenix Arch, you'll arrive at Place Cachée, a hidden pocket of 1920s Paris inspired by the "Fantastic Beasts" films. Here you'll be able to step right up to Le Cirque Arcanus, where a greedy ringmaster has stolen Newt Scamander's famed suitcase, procure your own wand at Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique and cast spells on enchanted objects, indulge in French-inspired cuisine at Café L'air De La Sirène, a charming cafe serving breakfast lunch and dinner and mingle with other Dark witches and wizards at Le Gobelet Noir, a timeworn auberge in the shadowy corners of Place Cachée.
While you're here, though, don't froget to stop by the Paris Métro-Floo and travel to the British Ministry of Magic in the late 1990s. Dolores Umbridge is on trial and has wicked plans to repair a broken Time-Turner and restore Voldemort's reign. I have quite the feeling Harry, Ron and Hermione might need your help to stop her from escaping.
Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort — Jan. 21 and March 25, 2025 — Two new hotel properties have opened at Universal Orlando! Each featuring 750 guest rooms in the resort's Prime Value Category, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort are located adjacent to the future site of the new Universal Epic Universe theme park. Universal Stella Nova Resort is inspired by distant galaxies, new stars and mysterious black holes, while Universal Terra Luna Resort is inspired by the massive and diverse planetary elements of the universe.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel — April 16, 2025 — How about a new hotel located inside Epic Universe?! Named after the Greek god of the sun, Helios Grand Hotel continues Epic's celestial theming, with over 500 rooms, incredible views of the new theme park and its very own entrance into the park.
What Opened at Other Florida Theme Parks in 2025
SeaWorld Orlando & Aquatica Orlando
Expedition Odyssey — May 9, 2025 — Soar over breathtaking icy landscapes, chase the dazzling northern lights and dive beneath the frozen waters in this one-of-a-kind flight theater that takes riders on a dynamic adventure through the Arctic's vast and varied ecosystem. This groundbreaking attraction brings you face-to-face with some of the planet's most magnificent creatures, including majestic beluga whales and awe-inspiring orcas and walruses. A cool, thrilling escape for the entire family all year round, this new ride accommodates guests with a minimum height requirement of just 39 inches — ensuring explorers of all ages can enjoy the adventure together. Prepare to embark on a 4.5-minute journey within one of two immersive multi-level theaters and witness jaw-dropping visuals both in the air and underwater, including the stunning Aurora Borealis and remote, untouched areas of the Arctic. It'll be as if you're truly there.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay & Adventure Island
Wild Oasis — July 15, 2025 — North America's most engaging and interactive adventure realm, the all-new Wild Oasis realm breathes new life into the tucked-away Treetop Trails of Jungala. With non-stop excitement for every member of the family, this game-changing attraction ignites the imagination and engages all the senses. Be captivated by the sights and sounds of the rainforest, the rush of a newly reimagined drop tower featuring state-of-the-art digital and sound effects, an interactive water-play wonderland and a multi-level climbing canopy. You can also get up close with some of the world's most fascinating animals in an all-new multi-species habitat. Talk about a roaring good time!
LEGOLAND Florida Resort
SEA Life Florida Resort — May 23, 2025 — This new aquarium features interactive exhibits centered on marine life and exploration.
I hope you've enjoyed this look at what opened at Disney World and Universal in 2025. Hop on over to our planning resources, including our comprehensive Jump Start Guides for Disney World and Universal!
Related: Best Time To Visit Disney World
Related: Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando Resort
Stay cool!
