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Big Changes in Disney World in 2023


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One thing that’s inevitable in Disney World is change.

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Change is inevitable in Disney World

New attractions open, while old ones close. There’s always some kind of construction going on. That’s all part of Walt Disney’s original vision, after all — parks that change and expand and grow with the times. So one thing we can be sure of in 2023 is that there’s going to be even MORE change from 2022.

So what will change in Disney World in 2023? Well, let’s take a look!

Resort-Wide

End of 50th Anniversary Celebration

The 18-month long 50th anniversary celebration at Disney World will soon come to an end, on March 31st, 2023. That means everything that came with the celebration will likely also end. We’re not sure what Disney World’s plans are for the 50th anniversary version of Cinderella Castle or the gold character statues throughout the parks, nor do we know if some of the 50th anniversary snacks might go away forever.

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Chip ‘n’ Dale Fab 50 statues

This probably also means the end of the 50th anniversary outfits for the characters, as well as the end of the 50th anniversary cavalcade. However, the end of the celebration could mean fewer crowds in the parks. We will update you if and when we see iconic 50th additions disappear.

Get A FIRST LOOK at NEW Disney World 50th Anniversary FAREWELL Merchandise Coming Soon

100th Anniversary Celebration

Where one celebration will end, a new one will begin. The Walt Disney Company will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023! We’ve already seen 100th anniversary merchandise in Disney World, but we’re sure there will be a LOT more released soon.

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Disney platinum ears

Although 100th anniversary celebrations will begin in Disneyland in January 2023, we don’t know when Disney World will begin celebrating — or how it will be celebrating (other than the two new shows coming to the parks). There is no doubt, though, that there will be SOME kind of celebration, so that could affect crowds in Disney World, depending on how elaborate the celebration is.

ALL of the Disney 100th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Right NOW!

Magic Kingdom

TRON Lightcycle Run

Disney World has SEVERAL new attractions under construction right now, and some of those will open in 2023. We’re going to start in Magic Kingdom with TRON Lightcycle Run, which is set to open in Spring 2023. This new attraction will take guests into the grid from the Tron films to race on two-wheeled lightcycles on a 59-mile-per-hour adventure.

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TRON Testing

The ride, which will be similar to the TRON ride in Shanghai Disneyland, will likely have a virtual queue when it opens, meaning guests will need to get on the My Disney Experience app at specific times of the day to obtain a boarding group to ride. It’s also likely that the attraction will be offered as a separate paid Individual Lightning Lane option through Genie+.

Check out TRON from INSIDE A Magic Kingdom Train!

Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain will permanently close on January 23rd, 2023 to be re-imagined as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a brand new attraction based on The Princess and The Frog. That means early January will probably see some high wait times as guests get that one ride on the attraction.

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Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ©Disney

However, Splash Mountain will be closed throughout 2023 — Tiana’s Bayou Adventure isn’t expected to open until 2024. This could also potentially affect wait times for other rides in Magic Kingdom.

Disney Didn’t Share These Details About Tian’s Bayou Adventure Ride — But We Will

Disney Enchantment

Magic Kingdom’s nighttime spectacular, Disney Enchantment, was introduced in 2021 as part of Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration. However, Disney has confirmed that this nighttime show will be ending in 2023 to be replaced with another fireworks show that will bring back the “Happily Ever After” song.

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Disney Enchantment

Disney has not yet, though, revealed an official closing date for Disney Enchantment.

See Photos & Videos of Disney Enchantment!

Pete’s Silly Side Show

Many character meet and greets are returning to Disney World. We previously got word that Pete’s Silly Sideshow would return to Magic Kingdom. We expect to see characters returning to this circus-themed location in 2023.

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Pete’s Silly Sideshow

Previously, this is where guests could meet Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and the Great Goofini (aka Goofy). In 2022, we did see some of these characters outside this location, but we expect the actual location to open soon.

Where to Find All the Disney Character Meet-and-Greets in Walt Disney World

EPCOT

Harmonious

Another nighttime show that will be ending in 2023 will be Harmonious. A brand NEW show, though will be coming that will focus on the Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary.

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Harmonious

No details or opening date have been revealed for the new show yet.

Journey of Water, Inspired by MOANA

Okay, so there’s been a LOT of change at EPCOT already over the past few years, thanks to a massive transformation. In 2022, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened, but a NEW attraction is coming in 2023. Journey of Water, Inspired by MOANA is coming to EPCOT in late 2023.

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Construction on Journey of Water

The attraction will be a walkthrough trail where guests can “play with magical, living water” in an immersive way. Guests will also learn more about the natural water cycle in the process. We’re not sure how this attraction will be set up with guests or if it will have some kind of queue, but we do expect it could mean more crowds at EPCOT after its opening.

Here’s An EXCLUSIVE NEW Look at EPCOT’s Moana-Inspired Journey of Water Attraction

Tokyo Dining

Tokyo Dining has closed in the Japan Pavilion and is undergoing a refurbishment. It is not expected to reopen until summer 2023. 

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Tokyo Dining

However, Takumi-Tei has reopened in 2022, so there is another dining option in that pavilion.

Read a review of Tokyo Dining

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Changes are happening over in Hollywood Studios, too. Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land has been under construction for some time, but Disney recently revealed that it would not open until spring 2023.

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©Disney | Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ

However, we have had some sneak peeks INSIDE the restaurant, which will be a play arena set up by Andy for all his toys. The food will be themed around a backyard BBQ.

Here’s EVERYTHING We Know About Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Disney World

Resorts

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

BoardWalk Inn is getting some new restaurants, including The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers — we don’t have an official opening date yet, but we expect it to open in 2023. This restaurant will serve delicious pastries and food, as well as offer an afternoon tea service.

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@TheCakeBakeShop via Instagram

In the BoardWalk lobby, Carousel Coffee will be open in 2023 to offer up some pastry options, as well as coffee and tea.

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©Disney

The coffee shop will take the place of the gift shop that used to be in the BoardWalk Inn’s lobby.

See the FULL Menu for Carousel Coffee

Disney Springs

Summer House on the Lake

A new restaurant is coming to Disney Springs in 2023: Summer House on the Lake. We don’t have a menu for the restaurant yet, but other locations feature pizza, sandwiches, salads, pastas, and more on their menus.

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©Summer House Concept Art

Other locations of Summer House on the Lake also offer a weekend brunch.

See ALL the new restaurants announced for Disney World here! 

Other Changes

Price Increases

We’ve already seen ticket price increases, Genie+ price increases, and food price increases in 2022, and although we can’t say to expect more price increases in 2023, guests should be prepared for that to happen.

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Main Street, U.S.A.

Surge pricing for both Genie+ and tickets is now officially a thing, so that could affect when guests visit Disney World in 2023.

Here’s Your Ultimate Guide to Genie+, Lightning Lanes, and More!

It certainly seems like 2023 is going to be a year of HUGE change for Disney World again, and this doesn’t even take into account some of the things that haven’t returned or reopened since Disney World’s historic closure and reopening. Many experiences and entertainment remain unavailable without any word on if or when those things might actually return.

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What are you looking forward to the most in Disney World in 2023? Let us know in the comments!

 

The post Big Changes in Disney World in 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog.

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