Disney Dining Serving up the latest Disney Eats, Treats, News, and More!
As Walt Disney famously declared, the Walt Disney World Resort is constantly growing and changing as long as imagination is left in their world. With every new addition and idea, the vacation destination becomes even more incredible for Guests who can enjoy an array of attractions, entertainment, dining, shopping, and more.
Many Guests love to spend their Walt Disney World Resort vacations focused on enjoying attractions in the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and with so many new additions constantly in the works visiting even every other year, can lead to plenty of new experiences each time. Let’s check out some of the newest additions to the Walt Disney World Resort that some Guests might not have had the chance to enjoy yet!
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
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The newest attraction at the Walt Disney World Resort can be found in EPCOT’s World Discovery neighborhood and has been wowing Guests since its official opening on May 27, 2022. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind brings the beloved Marvel characters to life in an exciting new adventure that uses incredible technology to put Guests right in the middle of the action.
After Guests discover how Xandarians use jump holes to transport through space, a new villain named Eson appears and steals crucial technology needed for transport. Soon Guests find themselves strapped into innovative ride vehicles that rotate to follow the action as they rocket along a smooth track alongside the Guardians to save the day.
Harmonious
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October 1, 2021, was the official 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort and also the opening night of a new spectacular that lights up EPCOT’s World Showcase Lagoon each evening. Harmonious takes place in the center of the World Showcase Lagoon and can be enjoyed from various vantage points throughout the area. The show combines massive barges with screens, pyrotechnics, fountains, lights, and more to bring the experience to life.
To celebrate the diversity and beauty of our world, Harmonious uses favorite moments and music from Disney and Pixar films, including Coco, Brave, The Lion King, Aladdin, Moana, and more, performed in different languages. With stunning visuals and favorite music, Harmonious is the perfect ending to any night in EPCOT.
Take note! Disney has announced Harmonious will end soon. While no ending date for Harmonious has been announced just yet, we imagine it will be sometime in March 2023 when Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration ends.
Disney Enchantment
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The Magic Kingdom also received a brand new nighttime spectacular to celebrate the Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary, which debuted on September 30, 2021. Disney Enchantment welcomes Guests to gather around Cinderella Castle each evening to enjoy a spectacular show that combines projections of favorite characters on Cinderella Castle, fireworks, pyrotechnics, and beloved Disney music.
The story shares with Guests how dreams can lead to amazing moments in life, and this magical presentation is the ultimate way to end a night in the Magic Kingdom. Guests should note that the fireworks and music from Disney Enchantment can be viewed from around the Disney Park, but the best place to enjoy the projections is on Main Street, U.S.A.
Take note! Disney has announced Disney Enchantment will end soon and be replaced with the previous show, Happily Ever After. While no ending date for Disney Enchantment has been announced just yet, we imagine it will be sometime in March 2023 when Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration ends.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to some of the most iconic attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort, including a new experience that replaced the beloved Great Movie Ride with a grand opening on March 4, 2020. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is located inside the replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard and invites Guests to break through the screen and step into the world of animation for an unforgettable adventure with Mickey, Minnie, and their friends.
The attraction uses immersive technology, screens, and a trackless ride system to make Guests feel as though they are a part of every single scene, and Guests are sure to find themselves laughing along with the chaos on this incredible new attraction that cannot be missed!
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also the home of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, an incredibly immersive location that brings Guests to the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu. The area is home to several amazing experiences, including Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a thrilling attraction that invites Guests to join the Rebel Alliance in their own adventure that debuted on December 5, 2019.
Throughout several pre-shows, Guests learn the location of a secret Rebel base and find themselves prisoners of the First Order and Kylo Ren, who badly wants that information. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance then becomes a daring escape mission as the Rebel Alliance shows up to help Guests escape a First Order Star Cruiser in a daring mission. Featuring some of the most advanced audio-animatronics and technology at the Walt Disney World Resort, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance cannot be missed.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
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Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also home to a second amazing attraction that opened on August 29, 2019. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run offers Guests the unforgettable opportunity to step aboard the infamous ship manned by Han Solo, Chewie, and others and set off on their own adventure. While moving through the pre-show, Guests are introduced to Hondo, who has a special smuggling mission that requires teams of six to take on the roles of pilot, engineer, and gunner and man the ship in real time to complete their mission.
With the thrill of jumping to hyperspace from the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon and the unique real-time reactions, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is a must-do for any Star Wars fan.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
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Over on Sunset Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is another new attraction that debuted on March 31, 2019, that brings the world of Cars to life in a fun and immersive way. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is located behind Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and welcomes Guests into the Sunset Showcase, where the famous racer is waiting to share his tips and advice with Guests.
Once settled into the theater, massive overhead screens simulate what a real race feels like, and things soon take a turn when a rival racecar shows up to challenge McQueen on the track. With favorite faces from the Cars films, impressive audio-animatronics, and immersive theming, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is fun for Guests of all ages.
Slinky Dog Dash
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The final duo of attractions that have been recently added to the Walt Disney World Resort can be found in Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and debuted in the area on June 30, 2018.
Slinky Dog Dash is a fun and thrilling roller coaster Andy constructed in his backyard that invites Guests to hop aboard the loveable Slinky and rocket off down the track. Featuring two launch sequences, fun twists, turns, and appearances by other favorite Toy Story characters, Slinky Dog Dash is a fun adventure that should not be missed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Alien Swirling Saucers
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Also found in Toy Story Land is Alien Swirling Saucers, a fun attraction that stars the loveable green aliens from the Toy Story films. Designed to mimic a classic whip attraction from carnivals of the past, this thrilling experience features a space theme where Guests have the opportunity to board rockets manned by green aliens and set off on a fun and dizzying adventure around two separate sides of spinners.
With quirky music, fun graphics and ride vehicles, and the chance to pose with one of the aliens, Alien Swirling Saucers is a fun experience for Guests to enjoy in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
