2025 in the Disney & Universal parks
A whole new theme park and a big birthday celebration
Happy New Year!
This year there’s lots to look forward to in the Disney and Universal parks. (Especially Universal Orlando!)
Let’s take a look at what’s coming, and start dreaming of that next adventure…
Universal Orlando
Third theme park opens May 22nd
By far the biggest addition for 2025 is Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe park. With five new lands and a ton of immersive experiences, Epic Universe is going way beyond anything Universal (or Disney, for that matter) has ever built.
Get ready for big crowds in summer 2025 - don’t go unless you really want to be among the first to see it.
Here’s my post with all the details:
3 new hotels at Universal Orlando
Besides the park, Universal is adding 3 new hotels, all opening in the first half of 2025. The Stella Nova and Terra Luna are moderately-priced hotels (expect to pay $250-$300/night this summer, $200ish/night in the off-season), and the Helios Grand is luxury-style ($400-$500/night).
The Helios Grand is connected to Epic Universe, with its own entrance and theme park view rooms. Unlike the Hard Rock, Portofino Bay, and Royal Pacific, the Helios Grand does not include free express pass for guests.
Disney World
Disney World is going much more low-key with new offerings this year. However, there will be plenty of construction in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom for big changes coming in 2026 and beyond. Here’s what’s new in 2025.
New Magic Kingdom night parade
The Disney Starlight parade debuts summer 2025. Expect lots of lights and elaborate costumes.
Little Mermaid show at Hollywood Studios
This new show replaces one that closed during the pandemic. It’s in the same animation courtyard theater as before. Expected summer 2025.
Zootopia 4-D movie in Tree of Life theater
A lot of guests will be happy to know that the old Bug’s Life 4-D film has departed from Animal Kingdom. Replacing it is a Zootopia attraction, opening in early 2025.
Major Test Track update at Epcot
Test Track has been closed for months, getting a full revamp. Expect the new version to open in the first half of 2025.
Pirates Tavern in Magic Kingdom
Opening in late 2025, Magic Kingdom is getting a Pirates of the Caribbean themed tavern. Finally, a place to get that bottle of rum!
Disneyland already has lots of themed drinking establishments. Here’s where to find them.
New DVC tower at the Polynesian Resort
The Polynesian Resort has a new addition, part of the Disney Vacation Club condo collection. Rooms range from studios to one & two bedrooms. The location is fantastic, close to Magic Kingdom and the TTC.
Early reviews are very favorable, and you don’t have to be a DVC member to stay here. You can book a room on the Disney World website, just like any other hotel room. Just look for the “Disney Polynesian Villas and Bungalows”.
Closures
Major closures in Magic Kingdom are Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (reopening in 2026), the Rivers of America, and Tom Sawyer Island (RIP mid-2025). This is all to make way for a new Cars Land in that same area.
Animal Kingdom’s former Dinoland is turning into Tropical Americas, which means a lot of this land will be off-limits in 2025. The Dinosaur ride is expected to stay open all year, then close for an Indiana Jones “reimagining” in 2026.
Disneyland
70th Anniversary begins May 16
Look for lots of promotions, new shows, and plenty of special merch, as Disneyland turns 70. These celebrations usually last an entire year, so you can catch it even in 2026.
Paint the Night parade returns
This celebration of light is a fan-favorite, returning for the 70th anniversary. You should be able to catch it all summer 2025 and in 2026 too.
New World of Color show
California Adventure gets a new nighttime show for the anniversary too. World of Color: Happiness! features Inside Out characters and plenty of emotional music. Starts summer 2025.
Walt Disney: A Magical Life
For the first time, Disney imagineering has created a show featuring an audio-animatronic Walt Disney. That’s right - you can watch Walt tell the story of Disneyland IRL (sort of).
The show debuts for the anniversary and will run in rotation with Great Moments with Mr Lincoln in the Main Street Opera House. I predict many guests will need a hanky for this one.
Haunted Mansion finally goes back to classic mode
Construction of a new queue, and of course gift shop, forced the closure of Haunted Mansion for most of 2024. When it finally reopened, Jack Skellington had hijacked the mansion per his usual Disneyland holiday tradition.
This year the mansion finally returns to classic mode, and, after that long closure, who knows what surprises are in store? The mansion reopens without Jack Skellington on January 18.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened Nov 15th
Technically new in 2024, but just by a bit, the reimagined Splash Mountain is up and running. Themed after the movie ‘Princess and the Frog’, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is quickly becoming a crowd favorite. This will surely be the hottest ticket at Disneyland in 2025.
What are you most looking forward to?
Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading!