We're so frogcited about the new rides and experiences coming in 2023, including TRON Lightcycle / Run now running at Magic Kingdom, a new Minion Land now open at Universal Orlando and Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at EPCOT.
(Opened April 4, 2023) Inspired by a similar attraction at Shanghai Disneyland, Tron Lightcycle Power Run is a brand new coaster-style attraction that can be found at Magic Kingdom. Originally slated to be a part of Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary, TRON instead opened up in 2023.
Magic Kingdom's Splash Mountain creatures sang their last notes in January of 2023, and Disneyland's on May 31, 2023. Now, the ride has closed its doors forever. The brand new ride replacing it, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, is inspired by Tiana, the radiant star of the 2009 animated hit The Princess and the Frog.
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is scheduled to open October 16, 2023 within World Nature—the EPCOT neighborhood dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty and balance of the natural world.
The closing of the 30-year-old ride — which Princess Diana visited in 1993 — follows years of calls for change because it features several characters from Disney's 1946 film Song of the South, which featured racist stereotypes.
Needless to say, Disney has made no official announcements to close any of its wonderful Theme Parks, and as of now, the Walt Disney World Resort is still home to four: Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disneys Animal Kingdom with each Disney World Park at the Disney Resort having unique rides, ...
The Moana water ride is an exciting addition to EPCOT. By replacing The Seas pavilion and weaving Moana's narrative into its fabric, Disney is ensuring that the park continues to capture the essence of exploration and imagination.
Following controversy, Splash Mountain is now closed for redesign and will reopen as Tiana's Bayou Adventure in late 2024. Fans had one final run down Splash Mountain in Florida's Disney World on Sunday, before it closed for good. It had been in operation since 1992.
Star Wars: Galactic StarcruiserClosing down on September 30, 2023, this is a sad one because it's not coming back. The final Voyage is slated for September 28-30. Bookings are on hold, and the Disney Theme Park is offering those with reservations a 50% discount to move to an earlier date.
While Disney could pick up and move some of its businesses from Orlando to another state, Disney World and its other theme parks aren't going anywhere. Moving all the infrastructure, including hotels, restaurants and shops as well as transportation to move guests around, just wouldn't be feasible.
Currently, Disney has not announced any plans to build in Texas. However, with Universal creating a park in Frisco, Texas, it will be interesting to see if other brands follow suit. For now, we'll keep an eye on all of Disney projects around the globe!