2027 is almost here, and I, for one, am REALLY excited for the future of Disney World!

The year is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in the resort’s 55+ history, with new lands, new rides, new restaurants, a new hotel, and even a new take on a Walt-era classic (which lowkey might be what I’m MOST looking forward to)!

Tropical Americas

Set to open in 2027, the heart of this new Animal Kingdom land will be the fictional South American village of Pueblo Esperanza, which will be home to one of the largest quick-service dining locations on Disney World property.

Tropical Americas will be headlined by an Encanto attraction called Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, a themed ride-through experience where guests will enter Madrigal Casita and join Antonio, who has just received his special gift: the ability to communicate with animals. The ride will have NO height requirement, will feature the film’s original voice cast returning, and will be home to 50 different animal animatronics.

Pueblo Esperanza’s other high-profile attraction will be an Indiana Jones attraction replacing DINOSAUR. Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will be set in the 1950’s in a South American temple where Indy finds a passageway that leads to the Mayan underworld. Once you get sucked into the portal to the underworld, you’re in an all-out chase to escape before time runs out, dealing with bats, scorpions, fire, and of course, SNAKES, including a GIANT one. On top of all that, for the first time, Harrison Ford’s likeness will be used for the Indiana Jones animatronic!

Finally, as far as rides go, the land will also be rounded out by El Carrusel de los Animalitos, which translates to “The Little Animals’ Carousel.” The ride will feature 22 distinct Disney characters as options to ride, including Heimlich from A Bug’s Life, Pua from Moana, and Kevin from Up. 

Monstropolis

Hollywood Studios’ Monstropolis will also be opening its gates to the world sometime next year… well, almost. See, Disney confirmed that the land’s main attraction, the long-awaited door coaster, which will mimic the climax of the film by taking guests inside the Monsters, Inc. factory, lift them 40 feet into the air in four seconds, and utilize Disney’s first suspended ride system, won’t be ready in time for the land’s debut.

However, the land won’t be empty at opening. While it’s not clear when the coaster will debut, the version of Monstropolis that opens in 2027 will feature The Glob Theater — in the former home of Muppet*Vision 3D — and its “Welcome to Monstropolis” show, a presentation hosted by Mike and Sulley which will “introduce humans to Monstropolis.”

Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza quick-service eatery, the Monsters University Alumni Club, the Scareporium store, and Harryhausen’s restaurant — complete with a massive animatronic monster chef — will round out the land’s options at opening.

Lakeshore Lodge

Opening on the former site of the River Country water park right next to Fort Wilderness and the Wilderness Lodge on July 1st, the new Lakeshore Lodge will be “inspired by the majesty of nature and its enduring influence on Disney artists.”

Highlights of the 967-room hotel will include a full water play and pool complex — The Wetlands.

The hotel will additionally be home to several new dining options, including:

• Moonglade will be Lakeshore Lodge’s primary table service restaurant, and will offer a selection of “thoughtfully prepared dishes featuring seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.” We’re already thinking about some of the Florida-tinged dishes that could potentially make their way onto the restaurant’s seasonal menus. Beyond the food — and maybe, to some people, even more important than the food — a major draw of the restaurant will likely be the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.

• Bay Lake Provisions, the hotel’s primary quick-service restaurant, will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner — including a selection of specialty coffees — in a marketplace-style atmosphere. Disney also says guests should “keep an eye out for woodland critters inspired by beloved Disney classics.”

• The hotel’s pool bar — the Paint Out Point Bar & Grill — will sit near the entrance to the Lakeshore Lagoon in the Wetlands. The menu will be made up of shareable bites and specialty beverages, while the decor will feature a collection of original works by Imagineers inspired by plein-air painting that draw inspiration from the Bay Lake landscapes.

• The Branch & Brush Lounge, located just beyond the hotel’s lobby, will offer a selection of handcrafted cocktails for guests to sip as they take in expansive views of Bay Lake. The lounge’s decor will be “inspired by the beauty” of the changing seasons, thanks to rich colors, natural textures, and a matching collection of artwork. All of these elements will play off a “captivating color-changing chandelier that will bring the beauty of all four seasons to life.”

Disney also announced Dandelion Terrace, a lounge where guests can gather “after the sun sets… to see Magic Kingdom Park fireworks lighting up the sky over the waters of Bay Lake”, with “soft lighting and sweeping views” setting the mood for the show.

The NEW Carousel of Progress

The Carousel of Progress — a personal favorite of mine which has been operating in one form or another since its debut at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, meaning it actually predates Disney World by over a decade — is scheduled to reopen in the spring. It will open with a new take on the show that’s updating everything about the 60+-year-old attraction, shuttering what’s left of the original version for good. In an attempt to keep the show “relatable for today’s audiences,” the whole show is being restructured.

The show will now feature a Walt Disney animatronic in the pre-show, followed by new acts based on the 1960s (itself harkening back to the decade the show originally debuted), the 1980s, the 1999-turn of the millennium, and a “possible future” that will imagine a time where “extraordinary innovation has become part of life and proves that a beautiful tomorrow is just a dream away.”

BONUS: BoardWalk Expansion… We Think

Disney’s BoardWalk already saw major change in 2026 with the opening of the Hurly-Burly Lounge, bringing the long-awaited return of nightlife to the former home of JellyRolls, while the Atlantic Dance Hall was shuttered for good. However, more change may be in store in 2027, as new shops and a quick-service dining location have been announced, though Disney has not confirmed an exact date range.

Disney World’s 2027 is shaping up to be huge, as several of the massive construction projects at the resort are set to be completed and opened before the year is out. Stay tuned to DFB for further updates on opening dates and other details.

Let’s run down ALL the major changes coming to Disney World next year. Check out the video below!

Disney World vs Disney Cruise: We Priced Out Which One Is Cheaper in 2027

Which 2027 opening are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below!