Check Out The New Attractions Coming To Central Florida Theme Parks In 2023

As we say goodby to 2022, it's time to look ahead to a new year, and check out all the new attractions and experiences coming to Central Florida's Theme Parks in 2023.

Here in Orlando we have so much to look forward to in 2023, with new attractions planned for every theme park in the area!

Quickly looking back first, 2022 saw Walt Disney World continuing the 50th Anniversary Celebrations, plus of course it was the 40th Anniversary of EPCOT, and the big news of 2022 was the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, while SeaWorld Orlando opened Ice Breaker, and Busch Gardens opened Iron Gwazi, plus we welcomed an oinktastic Peppa Pig Theme Park to LEGOLAND Florida Resort too.

Yes, 2022 gave us quite a few new attractions, but it looks like 2023 is going to be a much bigger year at Central Florida's theme parks with some very exciting new attractions getting ready to make their debut in the year ahead.

Of course, timelines are subject to change, but as of right now, visitors, and locals will have lots of new experiences to look forward to enjoying in 2023, from new coasters, family attractions, and more!

New Additions Coming To Central Florida Theme Parks In 2023

Walt Disney World

Tron Lightcycle Run

Park: Magic Kingdom

Expected Opening: April 2023

It's hard to believe that TRON Lightcycle Run has been under construction for over five years now, and while the attraction was due to open for the start of the big 50th Anniversary Celebrations, it looks likely that the ride will reopening just about the same time that the anniversary celebrations are ending in April 2023.

TRON Lightcycle Run is of course going to be the new year's headline new attraction at Walt Disney World, and yes we have been waiting forever to ride it, but its still very exciting to finally know that we will entering the grid in Aril next year!

When the ride is ready to go, guests can look forward to climbing aboard their very own Lightcycle and racing against the Grid’s most menacing Programs, crossing through energy gates as well as thrilling twists and turns.

The attraction will also have the distinction of being the fastest at Walt Disney World when it opens, reaching a top speed of 60 MPH.

Journey of Water - Inspired by Moana

Park: EPCOT

Expected Opening: Late 2023

Moana fans, get excited! Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is set to open in late 2023.

Walt Disney World first announced back in 2019 that the first ever attraction anywhere in the world based on the Walt Disney Studios hit film Moana would be coming to EPCOT here in Orlando.

This new addition to the park will be a walkthrough attraction allowing guests to interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting that includes fountains, waterfalls, and more.

Of course, characters and more from the Moana film will feature heavily in the attraction, with Te Fiti being a part of the future attraction, standing at 15-16 feet tall, containing over 180 feet of vines

Work on this exciting new attraction is ongoing, but Disney have confirmed that the attraction will officially be opening at EPCOT before the end of the year, in late 2023, with the attraction located in the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT.

Dreamer's Point

Park: EPCOT

Expected Opening: Late 2023

Another exciting and much anticipated new addition to EPCOT coming in late 2023 is Dreamer's Point featuring Walt The Dreamer.

This beautiful new area of the park will include lush gardens that guests can explore as well as a newly commissioned statue of Walt Disney, called Walt The Dreamer, the statue of Walt will sit in the shadow of Spaceship Earth.

Dreamer’s Point will be located in the World Celebration neighborhood at EPCOT, and will also be home to Communicore Hall and Communicore Plaza, the new home for festivals at EPCOT.

New Nighttime Spectacular

Park: EPCOT

Expected Opening: Late 2023

Walt Disney World announced earlier this year that the current nighttime spectacular at EPCOT, Harmonious, would be replaced by an entirely new 100 Years of Wonder nighttime spectacular in 2023. We knew “Harmonious” would be replaced in 2023.

This was a very surprising announcement considering that Harmonious only debuted in 2021 as part of the resort's 50th Anniversary Celebrations.

While no information at all has been revealed what the new show will include, Disney have confirmed that the giant barges that are part of the Harmonious show will be torn down to make way for the new nighttime show.

Figment Meet & Greet

Park: EPCOT

Expected Opening: 2023

It was announced that the much loved Figment Meet and Greet will be returning to Walt Disney World resort in 2023!

This much loved and very lively purple dragon still stands as the mascot of EPCOT four decades after the park first opened, and guests will soonhave the opportunity to meet him when visiting EPCOT.

We don’t have an opening date yet, but you can expect to find him at the Imagination Pavilion in World Celebration by the end of 2023!

Hatbox Ghost

Park: Magic Kingdom

Expected Opening: Late 2023

Earlier this year we got word that a happy haunt from the West Coast will be materializing at Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion sometime next year.

While guests can enjoy this classic Disney attraction on both coasts, it’s known that Disneyland and Magic Kingdom have slightly different ride experiences. Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion is known for the Hatbox Ghost and now Magic Kingdom guests will soon be able to visit him in Liberty Square, too!

Haunted Mansion opened with the Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971, so seeing a piece of Disneyland make its way to Orlando is sure to have those 999 happy haunts excited!

Happily Ever After

Park: Magic Kingdom

Expected Opening: Late 2023

Just like the nighttime spectacular Harmonious at EPCOT, Disney's much hyped nighttime fireworks and projection show Enchanted at the Magic Kingdom will also be ending after only a short run.

The most surprising news is that the much better received show Happily Ever After that Enchanted replaced will be coming back, and will be even better than before as the show will be receiving an update, so yeah, it's a new attraction for 2023!!

Plus, as Disney is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company, we could even see a few surprise additions to mark such a major milestone for the company!

What we do know is that with so many openings in coming year, we’re in for a great big beautiful tomorrow at Walt Disney World Resort!

Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant

Park: Hollywood Studios

Expected Opening: Spring 2023

Toy Story Roundup Rodeo BBQ is coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios in Spring 2023.

The newest sit-down restaurant in Hollywood Studios is being added to Andy’s backyard in Toy Story Land, this unique, fun, family-friendly dining experience, guests will enjoy delicious barbecue fare while surrounded by a kaleidoscope of toys, games, and playsets that Andy has brought together to create his one-of-a-kind rodeo.

Stepping into the lobby and waiting area, guests will experience first-hand what it feels like to be one of Andy’s honorary toys, before progressing into two larger dining room spaces where Andy’s rodeo takes place.

Here, the rodeo will be in full swing, with the western town and train station playsets mixing with surprising, playful details, like some fan-favorite Pixar characters as they’ve never been seen before!

Plus

The Walt Disney Company begins celebrating 100 years in 2023, and while most of the celebrations are concentrated in Disneyland, special experiences hat have yet to be anounced are planned for Walt Disney World throughout the year.

In addition, Walt Disney World will introduce storybook sweet treats and dreamy desserts at The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers, a new table service restaurant and bakery that’s sure to delight.

Opening at Disney’s BoardWalk in 2023, this restaurant will offer both savory and dessert menus, along with afternoon tea service.

Universal Orlando Resort

Get ready to go bananas at Universal Orlando as a new Minions Land, complete with family attraction and themed cafe, and as yet unannounced surprise additions is coming to Universal Studios Florida in summer 2023.

Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast

Park: Universal Studios Florida

Expected Opening: Summer 2023

The minions are going to be taking over Universal Orlando in the summer of 2023 as the resort is set to open an all-new attraction: Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast.

The new family attraction will be an interactive blaster-game experience which guests will walk through on a moving walkway which will combine innovative screen technology, state-of-the-art gaming interactivity and elaborate physical sets to create a unique, game-based adventure.

Minion's Themed Cafe

Park: Universal Studios Florida

Expected Opening: Summer 2023

While not much is know about the new Minion's theme cafe, we do know it will be taking over the former Universal Monsters Cafe space next to the new under construction Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast.

SeaWorld Orlando

Pipeline: The Surf Coaster

Park: SeaWorld Orlando

Expected Opening: Spring 2023 Pipeline is a first-of-its-kind surf coaster coming to SeaWorld here in Orlando in Spring 2023.

Youll experience the rush of launching 110 feet up and sensing every bank and curve as though you’re really riding the waves, thanks to an inventive harness that keeps you secure while giving you unparalleled freedom of movement.

When it opens early next year Pipeline: The Surf Coaster will reach top speeds of around 60 mph. Each rider will get the “rush of cutting through waves” as they race up to heights of 110 feet in the air along 2,950 feet of track.

Pipeline will feature a unique surfboard ride vehicle will give riders an immersive experience when their seats rise and fall to mimic the sensation of riding on a wave.

Riders will encounter the rush of hanging loose on a massive wave while in a standing position as the coaster sends them through several gnarly twists and turns with five airtime movements and an innovative 'wave curl' inversion.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Serengeti Flyer

Park: Busch Gardens Tampa

Expected Opening: Spring 2023 Busch Gardens Tampa will introduce a swinging new attraction 2023, and when the new ride swings into action in Spring 2023, Serengeti Flyer will be the world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind, a screamin’ swing.

With each swing, riders will soar higher and higher above Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s expansive 65-acre Serengeti Plain while experiencing multiple negative-G moments before plunging back toward the Earth.

Serengeti Flyer will feature twin dueling arms that soar progressively higher reaching speeds of 68 mph and a maximum height of 135 feet at the ride’s peak.

Guests will be seated back-to-back in rows of 10 across two gondolas, allowing for 40 guests to experience the ride at once.

LEGOLAND Florida

Pirate River Quest

Park: LEGOLAND Florida

Expected Opening: January 12, 2023

Pirate River Quest will be Central Florida's first new attraction to open in 2023 when it officially opens on January 12.

Originally scheduled for 2022, the attraction was delayed due to issues caused by Hurricane Ian.

On this all-new attraction, captain-driven boats will navigate the natural passageways of Lake Eloise and the historic Cypress Gardens.

The quest to uncover the lost treasure of Captain Redbeard of this family-friendly boat ride unfolds brick by brick with a variety of exciting sequences that tell the tale of a rowdy LEGO pirate crew, a troop of mischievous monkeys, and even a fearsome Kraken.