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'Sup! Welcome to Tad's toadally awesome list of what's coming to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and the other parks in 2019 and beyond! As the Frog Family’s resident thrill seeker, tech junkie and head frog videographer — thank you very much — I live to keep tabs on all the attractions and experiences heading to the Orlando theme parks, and I've been doing it a few years. This is perhaps the BIGGEST year in theme park openings — at least since I've been tracking them — because 2019 is the year the Star Wars land will open at Walt Disney World (officially on Aug. 29, 2019)! There are also gondolas coming to Disney World and a new Harry Potter-themed coaster coming to Universal's Islands of Adventure (which was just named and got an opening date of June 13, 2019 — hop down to read more!) and oh-so-much-more headed to the parks.
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 2018 and previous years.)
Confirmed Disney World 2019 Openings: Disney's Hollywood Studios | Magic Kingdom | Epcot | Disney's Animal Kingdom | Disney Springs | Hotels, Transportation & More
Confirmed Universal 2019 Openings: Universal's Islands of Adventure | Universal Studios Florida | Universal Hotels & More
2020 & Beyond Openings (Or Dates Unknown): Walt Disney World | Universal Orlando Resort
What's Coming to Disney World and Universal Orlando in 2019 and Beyond
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney Junior Dance Party! — Jan. 18, 2019 — Let the tadpoles get their boogey on in this all-new dance party featuring Disney Junior characters, including Vampirina, Doc McStuffins and more.
Municiberg — Jan. 18, 2019 — Pixar Place is transforming into the hometown of The Incredibles where a party is being held in their honor ... complete with Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible and Frozone. Oh, and the oh-so-fashionable Edna Mode will finally have her own meet-and-greet. Be sure to keep an eye out for signs of the mischievous Jack-Jack as well.
Mike and Sulley Meet-and-Greet — Jan. 18, 2019 — Mike and Sulley of Monsters, Inc. fame will be making their grand return to Hollywood Studios for a meet-and-greet.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy — March 31, 2019 — A new show will be coming near Rock 'n' Rollercoaster in which Lightning McQueen showcases all of his tricks of the trade ... but things don't always go according to plan! This new show will feature animatronic cars (your fave characters, of course) and sure to be lots of surprises.
Wonderful World of Animation — May 1 — Honoring 30 years of Hollywood Studios, a new nighttime spectacular will bring characters to life like never before.
Star Wars - Galaxy's Edge — Aug. 29, 2019 — This can't come here fast enough. At 14 acres, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will be the largest land at Disney World. It will transport guests to a never-before-seen planet, with two new attractions. Disney will debut the next generation of all-electric, life-like animatronics called A1000s in the new land. Our full guide to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will take you through all of the details!
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run — late fall 2019 —Guests become the flight crew for this super immersive ride on the fastest ship in the galaxy.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — late fall 2019 — Guests will be taken hostage, resulting in a battle between the First Order and the Resistance ... and Kylo Ren himself.
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway — 2019 — Starring everyone's favorite pair, this new attraction will put guests inside the wacky and unpredictable world of a Mickey Mouse Cartoon Short where they're the star and anything can happen. This new ride will feature "2 1/2 D," a new no glasses required experience. This new experience will replace The Great Movie Ride.
Magic Kingdom
Mickey and Minnie Greeting Guests together! — Jan. 18, 2019 — As part of Mickey & Minnie's Surprise Celebration, on account of Mickey turning 90, these two love bird, ahem mice, will greet guests together at Town Square Theater in brand-new outfits! Guests can sign a guestbook to let Mickey and Minnie know how much they love them!
Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party — Jan. 18, 2019 — Mickey, Minnie and pals will join along during this afternoon street party that plays several times daily during Mickey & Minnie's Surprise Celebration! There will be a brand-new song, "It's a Good Time," just for the occasion.
Pluto Heads to Pete's Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus — Jan. 18, 2019 — Head to Fantasyland to meet Mickey's dog, Pluto, at Pete's Silly Sideshow.
Epcot Forever — Date TBD — Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is coming to a close summer 2019, to be replaced by a limited-time fireworks show shortly thereafter. This show is set to focus on the music and fun of Epcot's past and present attractions.
Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party — Jan. 18, 2019 — Dance along with Timon and Rafiki to celebrate The Lion King's 25th anniversary.
Kevin from "Up" Meet-and-Greet — February 2019 — Kevin from Pixar's "Up" starts meeting guests.
Tree of Life Projection Show — May 25, 2019 — The Tree of Life gets a new projection show.
Disney World Hotels and Resorts
Gran Destino Tower - Disney's Coronado Springs Resort expansion — opening July 2019 — The new, 15-story tower will be the main entrance point for hotel resort guests and will add 545 guest rooms, including 50 suites, and a new, two-story lobby. A themed table-service restaurant will sit atop the tower and offer views of the resort. A second restaurant is also planned for an island in the middle of the resort's 14-acre lake.
Disney Riviera Resort — December 2019 — Disney Vacation Club's 15th property will offer about 300 family-friendly vacation homes, including deluxe studios, one-and two-bedroom villas, and grand villas that sleep up to 12 guests. It's already accepting reservations and will offer transportation by Disney Skyliner. It will have a rooftop signature table-service restaurant called Topolino's Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera and views of nighttime shows at Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Topolino is the Italian name for Mickey Mouse. The restaurant will include an expo kitchen and wood burning grill, and will serve authentic French and Italian dishes. It will offer character dining.
Star Wars-inspired immersive resort — date TBD — Debuting as part of the new Disney 360 vacation concept, this is being billed as a living adventure that allows guests to immerse themselves in an entirely new form of Disney storytelling. From the second you arrive, you will become a part of a Star Wars story! You’ll become a citizen of the galaxy and experience all that entails, including dressing up in the proper attire. Once you leave Earth, you will discover a starship alive with characters, stories, and adventures that unfold all around you. It is 100% immersive, and the story will touch every single minute of your day, and it will culminate in a unique journey for every person who visits. This new resort will be located near Hollywood Studios, so there will be easy access to Galaxy's Edge!
Disney World Transportation
Walt Disney World Skyliner — fall 2019 — A new gondola system is under construction and will connect Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney's Pop Century Resort and Disney's Caribbean Beach resorts and Disney's proposed Riviera Resort to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.
NBA Experience at Walt Disney World — summer 2019 — Located in the space formerly occupied by DisneyQuest, this NBA fan's dream will include interactive games, immersive experiences, a retail store and an adjacent restaurant.
City Works Eatery & Pour House — 2019 — The seventh of its kind in the country, City Works will offer 80 beers on tap and a menu of American food sure to delight every member of the Frog Fam.
Ron Jon Surf Shop — late 2019 — This 10,000-square-foot shop will be located inside Town Center.
What's Coming to Universal Orlando in 2019
Universal's Islands of Adventure
Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure — June 13, 2019 — Ready to take a ride with Hagrid? Hop on his motorbike for a wild roller coaster ride that will have guests soaring along with some of the Wizarding World's most magical creatures. Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will sit where Dragon Challenge was located inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Hogsmeade. This "highly themed coaster experience" will more fully immerse guests in the Wizarding World — including the Forbidden Forest! — where they will encounter favorite characters and other creatures while reaching speeds of up to 50 mph! Your experience will be different depending on whether you're on the enchanted motorbike or in the sidecar!
So far, nothing has been officially confirmed for 2019! Hop back later.
Endless Summer Resort — August 2019 — Endless Summer Resort will encompass Universal's first ever on-property value hotels. The Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites and Dockside Inn and Suites will offer guests the same perks as Universal's existing hotels, complete with a beach and surf theme. With Surfside set to open in 2019, prices as low as $73 per night are being offered. Best of all, more than half of the rooms at both hotels will be family suites.
THE LEGO MOVIE WORLD — spring 2019 — Everything is awesome, indeed! The Quest for Chi will be transformed into a new LEGO MOVIE boat ride in addition to two new rides, character meet-and-greets and a fun playscape. Lily and I *demand* to meet Princess Unikitty ASAP.
What's Coming to Disney World and Universal Orlando in 2020 and Beyond
Tron Lightcycle Power Run — 2021 — Imported from Shanghai Disneyland, Tron Lightcylce Power Run is a coaster-style attraction where riders board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles. The ride pushes you into the energy, lights and excitement of TRON’s high-tech universe.
Epcot
New nighttime spectacular — 2020 — The new lagoon show is listed as “a worldwide celebration of Disney music” with highlights from the show featuring Moana, Brave, Pocahontas, Hercules, Brave and more.
Guardians of the Galaxy-inspired rollercoaster — 2021 — Planned to be one of the world's longest enclosed rollercoasters, the ride will feature a unique story currently being created by Walt Disney Imagineering and include a new innovative ride system that’s guaranteed to “wow” guests. Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Chairman Bob Chapek revealed that the coaster will have one-of-a-kind ride vehicles that will allow each cab to be programmed to direct riders' eyes to the story happening around them.
New restaurant in Japan — date TBD — An all-new, artisan, table-service restaurant will be coming to the Japan pavilion in World Showcase showcasing Japanese craftsmanship and authentic cuisine.
Space-themed restaurant — date TBD — Guests will have the opportunity to dine in the stars in a space-station themed, table-service restaurant to be located next to Mission-Space.
New film in China — date TBD — This World Showcase pavilion will receive a new film.
Updated O Canada! 360-degree show — date TBD — This World Showcase show will be updated.
Remy's Ratatouille Adventure — spring 2020 — The France pavilion will be receiving an imported favorite. Similar to the popular 4-D ride Ratatouille: The Adventure that opened at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris, guests will shrink to Remy’s size and scurry to safety within Gusteau’s legendary Parisian restaurant.
New play pavilion — date TBD — The pavilion in the former Wonders of Life location will showcase first-of-its-kind experiences devoted to play and fun, including an interactive city where guests will be able to interact with characters.
Reimagined main entrance — date TBD — Epcot's main plaza will include new pathways, green spaces and a reimagined fountain. The Leave A Legacy photos will move just outside the park's gateaway. There will be additional redevelopment to the area between Spaceship Earth and World Showcase Promenade.
Experience Center — date TBD — Guests will be able to visualize Epcot's future plans in the Experience Center inside the Odyssey Events Pavilion.
Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along in France — date TBD — This will be shown in addition to the pavilion's current film, Impressions de France.
Disney World Hotels and Resorts
Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge — 2022 — Disney's 16th Disney Vacation Club property is in the works at the former site of River Country water park. Slated to open in 2022, the nature-themed, deluxe hotel will be located between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Disney Springs
New Cirque de Soleil Show — date TBD — With the closure of the current show at Disney Springs on New Year's Eve 2017, Disney has announced Cirque du Soleil will develop a new original show that will pay homage to Disney's history of animation.
Super Nintendo World — date TBD — Universal has partnered with Nintendo to bring to life experiences based on Nintendo's games, characters and worlds. The first new addition — Super Nintendo World — will open at Universal Studios Japan in 2020. Orlando and Hollywood versions are set to follow.
I hope you've enjoyed this look at what's coming to Disney World and Universal in 2018 and beyond. Make sure to come back to see what's been added as you get closer to your visit. Hop on over to our When to Visit Orlando page for more planning tips, part of our Orlando Planning Timeline!
Related: Best Time To Visit Disney World
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