A huge part of your Walt Disney World vacation is experiencing the latest and greatest across the parks and resorts. If you’re like me and are someone who frequents the parks at least once a year, then checking out what’s new makes each vacation unique and exciting! Indeed, Disney World has been up to a lot this year, with many more projects coming down the pike over the next few years.
I just returned from a trip to Walt Disney World where I was able to experience all of the major new additions to the parks this summer (and there’s STILL more coming this year that hasn’t opened yet!). Let’s recap what has arrive at Walt Disney World this summer and what you should prioritize on your next visit if you want to check out what’s new.
Disney Starlight
Perhaps the most highly anticipated addition to the Disney World roster this summer was Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. This marks the return of nighttime parades to Magic Kingdom in nearly a decade (if you don’t count the nighttime parades offered at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party). Magic Kingdom and nighttime parades go together like peanut butter and jelly, so this addition was very much needed.
For its initial run (and hopefully beyond that), Disney Starlight has two showings: 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM. If you and your party can stay up a little later, I highly recommend the 11:00 PM show. I was able to grab a great spot on Main Street just 10 minutes before the parade stepped off. For both showings, the parade starts on Main Street and makes its way towards Frontierland (where it exits by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure).
The parade itself is on the shorter side — the night I saw the parade, the lights turned off in my location at 11:09 PM and the last float passed by 15 minutes later at 11:26 PM. A shorter run time can be good if you have little ones who are reaching the ends of their batteries at night. If you catch the 9:00 PM parade and have a good spot on Main Street, stay put, as the nightly fireworks spectacular “Happily Ever After” takes place at 10:00 PM (though, in my opinion, there are great viewing locations all around Magic Kingdom).
The majority of Disney Starlight is comprised of floats, with very few “ground performers” in between. Whether you are seated along the front row or standing a few rows back, you should have a great view of most of the parade. The floats feature characters from films like Frozen, Wish, Encanto, Moana, and more.
Like many nighttime parades, there’s also a designated Disney Princess float:
The finale float is my personal favorite. It features a new character, a train named Whimsy, and it’s where you’ll see the Fab Five along with some bonus characters.
Overall, Disney Starlight is a welcomed addition to Magic Kingdom’s entertainment lineup. My personal favorite nighttime parade is still Paint the Night, currently running at Disneyland Park.
THAT’S NOT ALL: EVEN MORE CHANGES ARE COMING TO MAGIC KINGDOM
Test Track
Test Track was my favorite ride at EPCOT as a kid when it first opened in 1999. Since then, the ride has gone through a couple of major changes, with the most recent opening for the public on July 22. “Test Track 3.0” as it’s referred to by fans brings the latest in automotive technology front and center as you test out the “Test Vehicle of Tomorrow.”
The new version of Test Track is a love letter to EPCOT and the rides that came before it. Fans of previous versions of the ride will love the nods, and fans of the World of Motion, the pavilion that existed in the same spot before Test Track, will love the tributes found throughout the ride.
The layout of the ride is exactly the same, complete with all of its usual hair-pin turns and surprises along the way. With a refreshed soundtrack and stunning visuals, it’s a must-see attraction for thrill seekers.
Test Track is historically one of the more popular rides at EPCOT, so plan accordingly. It is currently included with the purchase of Lightning Lane Multi Pass as a Tier One attraction.
READY TO SAVE FOR YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION? WE KNOW HOW MUCH TICKETS WILL COST IN 2026!
GEO-82
While Disney World is built for guests of all ages, adult-exclusive respites are few and far between. That’s why GEO-82, the new lounge that opened at EPCOT this summer, was such a welcome addition for many. Admission to GEO-82 is limited to guests ages 21 and above. Despite the age restriction (or perhaps because of it), it’s one of the trickier reservations to grab right now and, as of this writing, GEO-82 is not accepting walk-ups.
GEO-82 is tucked in the back of Spaceship Earth (you’ll find its entrance, almost speakeasy-style, near one of the exits to Project Tomorrow as you depart Spaceship Earth). Head upstairs and you’ll find a sophisticated space themed after the flagship EPCOT attraction.
Its menu features mostly craft cocktails, each of which has a culinary infusion (our server told us that the culinary team at EPCOT has as much of a say in crafting the drinks as the bar team). Beer, wine, and mocktails are also available, as well as small bites.
There are a couple of “off-menu” drinks as well, like this delicious Banana Espresso Martini that I ordered.
Even a conservative visit GEO-82 will cost you a pretty penny: our two cocktails and one charcuterie board was nearly $100 after tip. But if you are looking for a quiet, calm break from the hustle and bustle of a theme park, GEO-82 is a great spot to do so.
PRIORITIZE THESE DINING RESERVATIONS ON YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION.
New shows at Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios also has a couple of new additions if you’re looking for something different this summer and beyond. A pair of shows, Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid — A Musical Celebration are excellent ways to enjoy a brief air conditioned break while enjoying some catchy tunes.
The Little Mermaid — A Musical Celebration can be found in the former location of Voyage of the Little Mermaid, the long-running stage show that retells the story of the 1989 animated classic The Little Mermaid. This new show does the same, but with updated theatrical technology and effects that will surely wow the entire family.
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After is a fun interactive show that has the audience decide which Disney villain is the most misunderstood. It’s quick, running at just around 17 minutes, but it is visually engaging and quite fun (with a catchy original song to boot).
Both shows are worth checking out on your next visit to Hollywood Studios, especially if you’re traveling with young ones. Be aware that these shows tend to fill up (both of the ones I checked out filled to capacity), so line up early. Thanks to the shorter run times, both shows have performances throughout the day, so if you miss a show, you won’t have to wait long to catch the next one.
IS DISNEY AFTER HOURS AT HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS RIGHT FOR YOU? READ ABOUT MY LATEST EXPERIENCE!
Still to come in 2025
There is still a lot to look forward to in 2025 at Walt Disney World, even after a busy summer season. If you’re like me (which is a major fan of Pirates of the Caribbean), then you’re probably chomping at the bits to check out The Beak and Barrel, a new tavern inspired by the classic boat ride coming to Magic Kingdom.
The tavern will be located near the attraction’s exit and will feature a menu designed for guests of all ages. Given the anticipated demand, I would imagine the experience will be much like Oga’s Cantina at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with time limits, drink limits, and such (and hopefully with more seating).
Late in 2025, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” will open at the Tree of Life theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This new show replaces “It’s Tough to Be A Bug,” which concluded its run earlier this year.
And, of course, there are the seasonal favorites returning later this year in addition to all of these new park enhancements. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicks off in just a few weeks, followed by the return of the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival to round out the early fall season.
Then, this November, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights return as headliner events for the holiday season.
In all, 2025 has turned into quite the busy year at Walt Disney World, and there’s plenty more where that came from. This summer in particular brought on an array of excellent attractions, dining, and more for the entire family. Whether you are looking for your favorite Disney character, top-speed thrills, or a quiet adult-exclusive lounge, it’s all available for you at Walt Disney World. Be sure to follow along for even more of the latest news and happenings around the Disney parks.
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New at Walt Disney World This Summer: Experiencing the Latest Theme Park Offerings originally appeared on The World of Spark.
