Hoppin’ news! Universal Epic Universe will open May 22, 2025 — and you can save on your Universal Orlando Resort tickets when you purchase through Undercover Tourist, up to $124 per ticket!
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'Sup! Welcome to Tad's toadally awesome list of what's coming to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and the other Florida theme parks in 2025 and beyond! As the Frog Family’s resident thrill seeker, tech junkie and head frog videographer — thank you very much — I love to keep tabs on all of the attractions and experiences heading to the Orlando theme parks, and I've been doing it for a few years. This year, we've got much to look forward to, so let's break it down!
We're so frogcited about the new rides and experiences hoppening in 2025, including a new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom, a new Disney Villains show at Hollywood Studios and — of course — the grand opening of Universal Epic Universe. (The second half of May is going to be busy, busy for us frogs!)
If you're curious about all of the Universal Orlando and Disney World construction around the parks, you're at the right place. Be sure to bookmark this page because I add to it as new rides, shows and other hoppenings are announced! (Hop here to see what opened in 2024 and previous years.) And of course, openings bring excited fans to the parks, so if you're wondering about the best times to visit Disney World and Universal Orlando, this post should help as you plan your trip, whether you want to be first in line or avoid the elevated crowds.
What's Coming to Disney World in 2025 and Beyond
Download our Closures & Openings infographic (as previewed) for easy reference!
Resort-Wide
Limited-time Summer Activities — May 27 to Sept. 1, 2025 — Be on the lookout for more family-friendly experiences in the theme parks and resorts this summer! New kid zones are coming to Storybook Circus, Tomorrowland (including Stitch) and CommuniCore Hall. Characters will also be out early during Early Entry for resort hotel guests. Plus, at select hotels (Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach and Wilderness Lodge), there will be scheduled character visits and expanded itineraries filled with even more Disney-themed activities.
Magic Kingdom Park
Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away — Summer 2025 — This brand-new nighttime parade will feature new technology, pixie dust from the Blue Fairy and characters from "Frozen," "Encanto," "Coco" and more.
Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge — Late 2025 — A new lounge will extend the story from Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad refurbishment — 2026 — This lengthy refurbishment began Jan. 6, 2025, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will remain closed for at least a year, reopening sometime in 2026. Disney has said it'll return with "a little bit of new magic."
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin — 2026 — This classic Tomorrowland ride is getting an update! In 2026, the ride will feature a new show scene (including a new robot character named Buddy), updated ride vehicles, handheld blasters and interactive targets. It will temporarily close in August 2025 and is expected to reopen in 2026.
New Villains Land — TBD — While there's not an exact timeline yet, plans are in active development for a dark and sinister land that will house our favorite Disney villains and include two major attractions, dining and shopping. Reminder: Just don't eat any apples while you're there!
New "Cars"-themed area — TBD — This land will replace Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island and include two new attractions. One attraction is set to be a thrilling race through the mountains, while the other will be a family-friendly ride. There is no known opening date — however, work will begin in 2025. At The Future of World-Building at Disney panel at SXSW 2025, Disney revealed that they've been working with a motocross company to develop new ride vehicles and shared early sketches of race car personalities that will have their own names and numbers.
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Zootopia: Better Zoogether — Winter 2025 — A new show based on "Zootopia" is in the works for the Tree of Life theater, replacing It's Tough to be a Bug. You'll visit different biomes from the film along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and more furry friends from the movie. It's Tough to be a Bug closed March 17, 2025.
Tropical Americas — 2027 — Tropical Americas is a brand-new land that will replace Dinoland, U.S.A., and will be home to two new attractions (see below!). Construction starts later this year, with the area set to open in 2027. The village will feature a large central fountain, one of Disney World's biggest quick-service restaurants and a carousel with fan-favorite Disney animals. Dinoland, U.S.A. is set to close in phases, with TriceraTop Spin closing Jan. 13, 2025, and DINOSAUR in 2026.
New "Encanto" attraction — 2027 — A new ride where you can step right into the Family Madrigal's Casita! The first-ever "Encanto" ride begins after Antonio receives his gift, transforming his room into a rainforest. Join him as he explores his new space, and you might even run into other family members along the way.
New "Indiana Jones" attraction — 2027 — This new ride will replace the Dinosaur attraction and features Indy in an entirely new storyline. Indiana Jones has heard rumors of a mythical creature that inhabits an ancient Mayan temple, so he's off to explore it and take riders along for the adventure.
EPCOT
Test Track refresh — Late Summer 2025 — The fan-favorite attraction will undergo a reimagining after closing on June 17, 2024. Imagineers and teams from General Motors are drawing inspiration from the original World of Motion attraction to bring "that spirit of optimism" to the ride with an all-new storyline.
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 will also be available to book for new views of Luminous, alongside light bites, champagne poured tableside and event-exclusive drinks. Reservations are available, as of May 6, 2025.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
"The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure" show — May 27, 2025 — A reimagined "Little Mermaid" show is coming to the Animation Courtyard Theater with new scenes, digital puppetry and special effects. Plus, hum along to "Daughters of Triton" and "Kiss the Girl," which will debut 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 will make their case for who is most misunderstood, but in the end, YOU will decide who has been treated most unfairly. Lightning McQueen Racing Academy closed Oct. 7, 2024, to make way for this new show.
New Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run story with Mando and Grogu — May 22, 2026 — A new mission is coming to a galaxy far, far away that will feature Mando and his youngling, once the "The Mandalorian and Grogu" film kicks off in theaters in 2026. Disney Imagineers captured scenes for the ride on the movie set, and you might see familiar places, such as Bespin.
BDX Droids — TBD — The playful droids are coming to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney World soon. They will make an appearance in "The Mandalorian and Grogu" and have already debuted at Disneyland's Galaxy Edge.
New "Monsters, Inc." land — TBD — A new "Monsters, Inc."-themed land is in the works and will feature Disney Parks' first-ever suspended coaster. It will feature a vertical lift that hoists the ride vehicle into the air before sending you through the door vault and zooming through the monster factor. The land's story will pick up after the "Monsters, Inc." events and will also include dining, shopping and a new theater show. Work is scheduled to begin on this project in 2025, as it takes over the Grand Avenue section of the park. Melrose's Ristorante Italiano will close May 10, with Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo following June 7.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster's Muppets retheme — TBD — Don't stress! The Muppets aren't leaving Hollywood Studios — they're just moving to Sunset Boulevard to take over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, which will become the first Disney ride to feature the Muppets.
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels and Disney Springs
Disney Lakeshore Lodge — 2027 — A new DVC resort is coming to the Bay Lake area, between Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
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 is getting a refreshed look, including the addition of a lobby bar inspired by its iconic birdcage.
Level99 — TBD — This interactive social gaming venue is making its way to Disney Springs West Side in the future. It features physical and mental team challenges, one-on-one duels and art scavenger hunts.
What's Coming to Universal Orlando Resort in 2025 and Beyond
Universal Epic Universe
Universal Epic Universe — May 22, 2025 — Universal Orlando Resort announced that it's building a brand-new theme park called Universal Epic Universe. Universal says it will be its most immersive and innovative theme park yet. And now, in exciting news, Universal has announced the five worlds we'll be transported to! Celestial Park will be 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 will nearly double Universal's total available acreage and contain 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 will take 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 will include Yoshi's Adventure, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge and Mine-Cart Madness. Throughout the world, you'll 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 — Now Open— 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 — Now Open — 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's Coming to Other Florida Theme Parks in 2025 and Beyond
SeaWorld Orlando & Aquatica Orlando
World's First Fully Immersive Arctic Flying Theater — May 9, 2025 — Get ready to 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 will take riders on a dynamic adventure through the Arctic's vast and varied ecosystem. This groundbreaking attraction will bring 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 will accommodate 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 — spring 2025 — Soon to be North America's most engaging and interactive adventure realm, the all-new Wild Oasis realm will breathe new life into the tucked-away Treetop Trails of Jungala. Promising non-stop excitement for every member of the family, this game-changing attraction is designed to ignite the imagination and engage all the senses. Get ready to be captivated by the sights and sounds of the rainforest, the rush of 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'll also be able to 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 will feature interactive exhibits centered on marine life and exploration.
Indoor Roller Coaster — 2026 — A first-of-its-kind indoor roller coaster will launch at LEGOLAND Florida (and LEGOLAND California) in 2026. Details are still to come!
I hope you've enjoyed this look at what's coming to Disney World and Universal in 2025 and beyond. Make sure to come back to see what's been added as you get closer to your visit.
Related: Best Time To Visit Disney World
Related: Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando Resort
Stay cool!
