There are several things we’re DREADING about Disney World in 2023, like surge pricing, larger crowds, and several major ride closures. But there are also many ways in which Disney World is going to be BETTER than ever next year.

New rides are going to open, some existing rides and shows will change, LOTS of new restaurants are coming, and there’s still more to look forward to. Here’s a complete list of how Disney World is getting better in 2023!

New Rides and Attractions

Some of the most exciting changes at Disney World in 2023 are the new rides and attractions coming to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT!

TRON: Lightcycle Run

TRON: Lightcycle Run is a roller coaster with motorcycle-style ride vehicles that will open at Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland in Spring 2023.

The ride is based on the TRON movies and will be very similar to the coaster at Shanghai Disneyland. Get ready to board a train of Lightcycles and “launch into the Grid for a race through a dark, computerized world” reaching speeds up to 59 miles per hour.

Lighting is going to be a major factor in this ride — there are more than 1,200 light fixtures across the canopy. So it sounds like the ride will be even more impressive when it’s all lit up at night!

We’ve been keeping an eye on the construction site, and we’ve noticed ride vehicle testing and heard some of the music that will be used for the ride.

We’re watching for a specific opening date, but for now, Spring 2023 is the timeline.

Click here to learn more about TRON: Lightcycle Run.

Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana

Over in EPCOT, Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana is a walk-through attraction that will open in World Nature sometime in late 2023.

This attraction is a “lush exploration trail” that allows explorers to “play with magical, living water.” Disney Imagineers wanted guests to be able to “learn about the importance of the natural water cycle.”

The trail will feature a huge model of Te Fiti (from Moana), which is 15 feet tall and made of over 3,000 pieces of foliage.

There will also be fountains, rock structures, trees, and other natural elements.

Click here to learn more about Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana.

Figment Character Meet-and-Greet

Disney announced that a Figment meet-and-greet is coming to EPCOT sometime in 2023. We don’t have any specific date, but Figgy fans are VERY excited about this new additon.

The announcement was made at the 2022 D23 Expo, and the only information released was that “Fan-favorite character Figment will appear to meet park guests by the end of 2023.”

Learn all about EPCOT’s huge transformation here.

Changes at Existing Attractions

Walt Disney World Railroad Will Be Open

The Walt Disney World Railroad has been closed for YEARS, but it’s finally reopening this holiday season! Whether that’s in 2022 or early 2023 remains to be seen, but either way, we’ll be on the train soon.

The trains were refurbished and updated during the attraction’s closure, and some of the changes include new tracks, a new voiceover narration, and a path through a tunnel near TRON: Lightcycle Run.

Learn more about the changes at the Walt Disney World Railroad here.

A New Character at Haunted Mansion

Disney announced that a popular Disneyland Haunted Mansion character will be making his way to Disney World in 2023. The Hatbox Ghost is coming to Florida!

We don’t have a specific date for the Hatbox Ghost’s arrival in Magic Kingdom, but we’ll be watching for more details.

Click here to learn more about the Hatbox Ghost.

New Fireworks Shows

Enchantment Replacement

The Disney Enchantment fireworks show in Magic Kingdom will be ending. The fireworks show arrived for the 50th Anniversary and it will be departing in 2023.

At the 2022 D23 Expo, Disney announced that the “Happily Ever After” song would be returning in the next fireworks show.

However, that doesn’t mean that the Happily Ever After fireworks are returning as a full show — it’s possible that just the song will return as part of an entirely new show. We’ll be watching for more details!

Click here to learn about Disney Enchantment.

Harmonious Replacement

Like Disney Enchantment, Harmonious was introduced for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World. And sadly, this fireworks show is leaving as well. Disney announced at the D23 Expo that it will be replaced with a new show for the 100th Anniversary of The Walt Disney Company.

No opening date for the new show or closing date for Harmonious has been announced yet. The 100th Anniversary is officially on October 16th, 2023, but celebrations will begin as early as January 1st.

Learn more about Disney’s 100th anniversary celebrations here.

Return of After Hours Events

Disney announced that After Hours events will return to Disney World beginning in January 2023. They’ll kick off on January 4th in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and on January 9th in Magic Kingdom.

After Hours events are separately ticketed parties where you can stay in the Disney theme parks for 3 hours after the park closes. There are specialty treats and drinks included in your ticket, and because the number of tickets sold for the parties is limited, you can often find lower wait times than usual on the rides and attractions.

Check out a full list of DATES and PRICES for Disney World’s After Hours events.

EPCOT Festival Changes

We’ll see all of the usual EPCOT festivals in 2023, but those festivals might look a little bit different toward the end of the year! Disney Imagineers are currently working on the new CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza areas, which will be finished in late 2023.

Both of the CommuniCore areas are in World Celebration in EPCOT. Disney says this area will bring EPCOT international festivals to the center of Walt Disney World.

CommuniCore Plaza is an outdoor space where guests can come to relax and experience all the festivals have to offer. There is also an area that can host large-scale concerts or an intimate performance that extends out into the gardens nearby.

CommuniCore Hall is within the plaza, and will be the first fully purpose-built structure in festival programing, designed with flexibility in mind. This hall will be able to host a wide variety of experiences with food, art, live music, and more. 

There will even be a demonstration kitchen, a mixology bar, and exhibition and gallery space here. The hall should also help extend the festival experience and give chefs new ways to connect and experiment.

Learn more about the new festival areas here.

New Restaurants

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Roundup Rodeo BBQ is a table service restaurant coming to Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests will experience a “rootin’ tootin’ meal” in a dining room themed to look like a rodeo arena that was built by Andy himself!

You’ll dine among “play sets” of a western town and train station while “rodeo festivities” take place around you. The fare is a meal of barbecue eats, served family style. Platters will feature house-smoked meats, classic sides, and miniature “sweet surprises.”

Roundup Rodeo BBQ was originally supposed to open in 2022, but its opening was delayed, and it’s now expected to be ready in the spring of 2023.

Learn all about Roundup Rodeo BBQ here!

The Cake Bake Shop

The Cake Bake Shop is coming to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. It’ll have both a table service dining room and a counter service bakery, so you can enjoy pastries, cake slices, brunch, dinner, or an afternoon tea service. Disney says that this spot will offer a “whimsical atmosphere that complements the magic of the idyllic charm of Disney’s BoardWalk that guests know and love.”

A quick glance at the menu of existing Cake Bake Shop locations shows savory items like Truffle Pommes Frites, Quiche, Sandwiches, and more. Of course, TONS of cakes, pies, and other sweet treats are featured on the menu, too, including French pastries, cheesecake, and other goodies.

We were able to learn more about the Cake Bake Shop owner and founder Gwendolyn Rogers, including — but not limited to — her sources of inspiration, her excitement about this new partnership with Disney World, what Afternoon Tea Service is like, and MUCH more (like her favorite Disney World eats!) — in an exclusive DFB interview!

The Cake Bake Shop will open at the BoardWalk sometime in 2023.

Check out our FULL REVIEW of a Cake Bake Shop location here!

Carousel Coffee

If you want a quick snack or drink to go, you’ll be able to stop by Carousel Coffee, located in the BoardWalk Inn’s lobby. This spot will have lots of options for coffee drinkers, including Joffrey’s blends and a variety of other drinks.

There will be some breakfast items, pastries, and treats available as well. We recently got a look at the FULL MENU for this spot, which you can see here!

Carousel Coffee doesn’t have an opening date yet, but Disney said that it should open “soon.”

Learn more about Carousel Coffee here.

Summer House on the Lake

Summer House on the Lake is coming to Disney Springs in 2023! Currently, this restaurant has locations in Chicago and Maryland, and one of the DFB editors did a full review of the Chicago location, which you can read here.

The other locations serve items like pizza, sandwiches, salads, pasta, wood-grilled dishes, and more, so we’re expecting to see more of the same at the Disney Springs restaurant.

We’re keeping an eye on construction for this restaurant, and we’ll let you know when Disney announces an opening date.

Click here to learn all about Summer House on the Lake.

Rosa Mexicano

Rosa Mexicano will open its first Orlando-area location at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in early 2023. The new restaurant will offer “an elevated fiesta dining experience” which will include signature menu items and award-winning margaritas.

The CEO of Rosa Mexicano said that this spot will introduce “Mexican culinary traditions and authentic Mexican heritage” and feature “a fresh take on Mexican food, authentic Mexican heritage, culinary techniques, and lively dining.”

The menu will have authentic Mexican cuisine, including both classic and innovative dishes. There will be over 100 varieties of tequila and agave-based spirits on the menu as well. This restaurant is known for its signature frozen pomegranate margarita, which was named the best in New York City!

Learn more about Rosa Mexicano here.

Dining Changes

Along with the new restaurants, there will be a few changes to existing restaurants in Disney World.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Cinderella’s Royal Table is a popular table service restaurant in Magic Kingdom (it’s located inside the castle!), but the princesses that usually walked around and interacted with guests during the meal have been missing for quite a while now.

Cinderella would greet guests as they entered the dining room and occasionally make brief appearances on the balcony, but the full character dining experience is on pause…until February 28th!

On February 28th, princesses are going to return to Cinderella’s Royal Table! We’re expecting to see the princesses walking through the dining room like they used to before the pandemic-related park closures.

Learn more about Cinderella’s Royal Table here.

Chef Mickey’s

Speaking of popular character meals, Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is going to see some big changes soon. This spot has been serving up meals family-style for a while now, but the restaurant will switch BACK to buffet service once again beginning on March 1st, 2023!

Disney shared, “Now through February 28, this restaurant offers family-style dining. The buffet experience will return on March 1st. Check back soon to view the buffet menu.”

Remember that characters have returned to this restaurant as well, so you can say hello to Mickey and his pals during your meal.

Click here to learn all about Chef Mickey’s.

Narcoossee’s

Over at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, the upscale restaurant Narcoossee’s has been closed for several months now. It’s scheduled to reopen sometime in 2023 with an “enhanced dining experience.”

This seafood restaurant has an elegant-yet-casual feel, and some tables have views of the Electrical Water Pageant and Magic Kingdom fireworks. Narcoossee’s is an upscale, yet casual, seafood restaurant located in that very cool circular building that juts out into Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

Read our recent review of Narcoossee’s here.

Hotel Updates

Some hotels are getting updates in 2023, so you may see refurbished rooms and lobby areas soon.

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Lots of guests have enjoyed the pirate-themed rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, but unfortunately those rooms are gone now. They’re being replaced with Little Mermaid-themed rooms instead!

The rooms that will be refurbished are in the Trinidad section of the hotel. Disney shared some pictures of the new rooms, which have new “fin-tastic” touches like new artwork, brighter decor, pastel colors, and a 5th sleeper bed. 

Check out the new Caribbean Beach Resort rooms here.

Remember that several other Disney World hotels recently had updates made to some guest rooms. Check out those changes here:

• Incredibles Rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Moana Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Mary Poppins Returns Rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
• Rooms at the Swan Reserve Hotel
• A Fireworks View Room at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is celebrating its 30th anniversary on July 1st, 2023! And, it’s getting a bit of a sprucing up for its birthday, too. We’ve seen Citricos open with a gorgeous new theme, and several of the rooms have been renovated including the DVC villas in the Big Pine Key Building.

But, Disney just announced that as part of these ongoing renovations, the Grand Floridian lobby will be undergoing a refurbishment as well!

Disney said that the new look “will maintain the classic theming [guests] know and love with some fresh new enhancements.” Will we see a similar Mary Poppins Returns theme as the popular Citricos? Or even more Poppins theming like the new DVC rooms? We’ll have to wait and see! Disney hasn’t announced a start or end date for this project yet.

Check out the new Grand Floridian Resort rooms here.

New Deals and Discounts

There are already some new deals and discounts that can save you money on your upcoming 2023 Disney World vacation. For example, anyone who has a Disney Visa Card can save up to 25% on Disney hotel stays in early 2023. This offer is valid for select Disney World Resort hotels for stays on certain nights from January 2nd, 2023, through April 30th, 2023. (You must use your Disney Visa Card when booking to apply the discount.)

There are a bunch of other discounts available as well — check out our Deals and Discounts page to see them all!

See all the Disney deals and discounts here.

Disney’s 100th Anniversary

The Walt Disney Company is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023, with the party officially kicking off in Disneyland on January 27th. Disneyland will be getting some new shows and even a new ride for the occasion, but not much has been said about the festivities in Disney World.

We’ve already spotted some 100th anniversary merchandise in the parks, so it’s likely that more celebrations will follow. Could there be a new show? Maybe a new parade? Surely some special treats and snacks will show up! We’ll have to wait and see, and we’ll be sure to let you know what we find out.

Learn all about Disney’s 100th anniversary here.

There’s a lot to look forward to in Disney World if you’re visiting next year! If you want to do some planning before your trip, check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. We’ve compiled all of our BEST tips and tricks from years of Disney World travel into one eBook that you can download to your tablet or smartphone and take with you! We’re offering our readers 25% off with code WDW2023.

Keep following DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news and new tips on how to make the most of your next Disney World vacation.

Find out what we’re DREADING about Disney World in 2023.

Are you planning a Disney World trip for 2023? Let us know in the comments.

The post How Disney World Is Getting BETTER in 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog.