Walt Disney World is always evolving, and 2025 has brought an impressive wave of updates across the parks. From dining plan improvements to immersive entertainment enhancements, there’s plenty of new magic to discover. This year’s changes redefine what a Disney vacation can be.
Whether you’re planning your next trip or staying informed from afar, here are four essential updates shaping the Walt Disney World experience in 2025.
Updated Dining Plan Options and New Perks
After several years away, Disney’s dining plans returned in 2024, and in 2025, they’ve been refined for even more flexibility and value, especially for families.
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Slight Price Increase, Better Value – Prices rose modestly in early 2025, but the value remains strong for adults ordering premium entrées or specialty drinks.
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New Package Deals – As of August 2025, select resort packages for 2026 bookings include Free Dining for children or a complimentary drinks package—limited-time offers that can save families hundreds.
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Streamlined Booking Tools – The My Disney Experience app and Disney’s website now feature redesigned dining search filters, allowing you to browse by cuisine, meal time, and table-service availability with ease.
💡 Tip: Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel? Bundling your hotel, park tickets, and dining plan is often the most cost-effective option.
2. Park Entertainment and Attraction Overhauls
The 2025 park calendar is packed with closures, reopenings, and new attractions. Disney used the year to deepen storytelling across every land. Expect more immersive environments than ever before.
Magic Kingdom
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Nighttime Parade Returns—Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away debuted July 20, 2025, the park’s first nighttime parade in nearly a decade. It featured dazzling floats, modern lighting effects, and a soundtrack blending classic and contemporary Disney music.
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Piston Peak Construction—Ongoing work has temporarily closed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and permanently closed Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. The Walt Disney World Railroad now temporarily operates a modified route that skips Frontierland.
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New Dining & Lounges – Beak and Barrel Lounge, inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean, serves swashbuckling cocktails and light bites in Adventureland.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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Farewell to a Classic – MuppetVision 3D closed permanently on June 7, 2025 to make way for a new Monsters, Inc.-themed land.
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New Land in Development – Expected to feature a suspended coaster and a Monstropolis-inspired quick-service location (details still tentative).
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Fresh Stage Shows – Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid Adventure bring new theatrical energy to the park.
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EPCOT
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GEO82 Lounge – Inside Spaceship Earth, this stylish new space offers rotating seasonal drinks with panoramic park views.
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Test Track Reimagined – Reopened July 22, 2025, the attraction now sports a sleek new design, enhanced interactivity, and a storyline inspired by the original World of Motion.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
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DINOSAUR’s Last Years: The attraction will remain open until 2026 before its planned transformation.
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Boneyard Closure: The dig site playground closes September 1, 2025, as work begins on the park’s new Tropical Americas Land, which will feature lush environments, cultural storytelling, and new attractions inspired by Central and South American wildlife and legends.
5. Lightning Lane & Mobile App Enhancements
If it’s been a while since your last visit, the Lightning Lane system has now fully replaced FastPass and Genie+. It’s the centerpiece of Disney’s line-skipping tools.
- Faster Navigation: My Disney Experience app features an upgraded Lightning Lane interface that’s easier to use. Booking and modifying selections is now smoother.
- Tip Boards & Personalized Suggestions: The app now recommends attractions based on crowd levels, past park history, and wait times.
- Same-Day Swaps Are Simpler: Need a change last-minute? Swapping your Lightning Lane selection is now more flexible, with fewer screen taps.
Whether you’re switching between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios or spending a full day at Magic Kingdom, these tools help keep your plan responsive.
Final Thoughts
Walt Disney World continues to innovate with more value, immersive experiences, and smarter tools than ever before. These four major updates in 2025 signal a bold new chapter in guest experiences.
Plan ahead, use the My Disney Experience app actively, and book dining reservations early. You’ll be ready to make the most of every magical moment.
Which of these Disney World updates are you most excited about? Share your 2025 plans and experiences in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
