As we approach the end of 2022, and we begin to look forward to the new year ahead, here in Orlando we have so much to look forward to in 2023, including lots of new additions in Walt Disney World!
In 2022 we had 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, but it looks like 2023 is going to be a much bigger year at the resort, with some very exciting new attractions getting ready to make their debut next year.
Of course, timelines are subject to change, but as of right now, (fingers crossed), we have all the following new additions throughout Walt Disney World to look forward to in 2023!
The 8 New Attractions Coming In 2023
1. 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 2023's headline new attraction at Walt Disney World, and yes we have been waiting forever to ride it, but its stilll 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. Walt Disney World Railroad
Park: Magic Kingdom
Expected Opening: Early 2023
Ok, so not technically a new attraction, but 2023 will mark the return of the beloved Walt Disney World Railroad that has been closed ever since December 3, 2018, due to the construction of the new Tron Lightcycle Run roller coaster in Tomorrowland.
During the closure, many of the wooden railroad ties along the route were replaced with plastic ties. Additionally, the stations in the Main Street, U.S.A. and Frontierland sections were refurbished.
In May 2022, work began to relay the Railroad's track through the Tron Lightcycle Run attraction area. with the Railroad travelling through a new tunnel underneath the walkway to the Tron attraction.
So with the new track, we'll call theWalt Disney World Railroad a new attraction!!
7. 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!
8. 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!
Plus...
Bonus Opening. 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!
