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Are you heading to Disney in the upcoming year? You may be curious about what’s coming to the Disney Parks in the future. Well, there are quite a few things happening in all of the parks this coming year! Whether you’re ready for a new ride to release or you want to do a little celebrating to honor Disney, this is the year to do it! Find out what’s coming to Disney World in 2023!

Rosa Mexicano Opening at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels
Replacing the Fresh Mediterranean Market at Disney’s Dolphin Hotel, this new restaurant will feature a bar and seating area with a Mexican flair. Rosa Mexicano opens on March 19, 2023. The restaurant will feature a breakfast buffet and a la carte items for morning guests and table service for lunch and dinner. Bring on the margaritas!
Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant in Hollywood Studios
Something new and exciting that’s coming to Walt Disney World is the Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant in Hollywood Studios. This restaurant will open on March 23, 2023. This restaurant is going to be a table service restaurant and is sure to be popular. Be sure to grab your reservations early! As you enter the restaurant, you’ll be an honorary toy. The restaurant will be located right behind the large Woody statue as you enter Toy Story Land. This sit down restaurant will give families something to do while in Toy Story Land and it will be a great place to grab a bite of BBQ. The menu looks great!
Happily Ever After Fireworks Show in Magic Kingdom
One thing I am super excited for is the return of the Happily Ever After Fireworks Show in Magic Kingdom. Enchantment will end and Happily Ever After will be back starting April 3, 2023. From the immersive soundtrack to the stunning projections – this nighttime spectacular is sure to move you, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
TRON Lightcycle/ Run in Magic Kingdom
TRON Lightcycle/Run will finally open on April 4, 2023. I had the pleasure of riding it during a Passholder Preview and let me tell you, my adrenaline was pumping with every curve! While the daytime ride is thrilling, I can only imagine the beauty of cruising beneath the canopy of lights at night. Ready to experience the magic for yourself? Head over to my blog post What You Need to Know About TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom to learn all the details about how to ride this new Disney attraction. Suit up, strap in, and get ready for a one-of-a-kind adventure!
Animal Kingdom’s 25th Birthday Celebration
Animal Kingdom will be celebrating 25 years on Earth Day, April 22, 2023. There will be new ways to join in the celebration including new sweet and savory treats, specialty merchandise, and limited-time character sightings in the park. There will be more surprises on April 22, when the park officially turns 25. More details to come!
New Character Meet and Greets Coming to the Parks
Beginning on Animal Kingdom’s 25th Birthday (April 22, 2023) Moana, from the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film, will greet voyagers on Discovery Island for the first time. She has only done meet and greets during the seasonal parties at Magic Kingdom previously. This will definitely be a popular character meeting!
Mirabel from Disney Animation’s Academy Award-winning film “Encanto” will greet guests in the Fairytale Garden at Magic Kingdom, which will be transformed with whimsical décor inspired by la Familia Madrigal. The Fairytale Garden is where Merida from Brave has been meeting guests to the right of Cinderella’s Castle.
Later this summer, you will have the chance to hug long-time Epcot icon, Figment, at the Imagination! pavilion.
Epcot Transformation Completed
If you’ve been to Epcot recently, you’ve likely seen all of the progress happening around World Celebration and World Nature. It will all be completed later this year!
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana will debut in the fall of 2023 in World Nature. This is self-guided exploration trail that will take you through the natural water cycle.
When CommuniCore Hall opens in World Celebration later this year, it will be the center of festival programming throughout the park. You’ll also be able to meet Mickey Mouse and some of his besties in this colorful space.

Celebrate Disney100 at Walt Disney World
Epcot will host the Disney100 celebration at Walt Disney World to commemorate this monumental milestone later this year. As we honor the legacy of Disney storytelling and unforgettable characters that have entertained and inspired people of all ages for a century, now is the time to relive those beloved Disney memories and delight in making new memories with friends and family in the Disney theme parks. You will be able to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their gorgeous platinum attire, there will be a platinum sculpture of the one who started it all, and Spaceship Earth will be illuminated in the evenings with a special lighting design.
A new nighttime spectacular will also debut at Epcot later this year. Featuring an original composition along with select songs from the Disney songbook, this new spectacular will remind us that we’re more alike than different, connecting our hearts together as one.
New Additions Coming to Disney Springs
A stunning new restaurant will open at Disney Springs in late 2023. Summer House on the Lake embodies a breezy, beach house vibe. Enjoy a California-inspired menu featuring simple, sustainable ingredients – from pizza and pasta to fresh salads and sandwiches.
An all-new Corkcicle kiosk is coming to Disney Springs. Their obsession-worthy, high-performing insulated drinkware, coolers and accessories are available in a variety of gorgeous colors and they also have some Disney pieces in their lineup. This kiosk will be Corkcicle’s first-ever retail location and will open later this spring.
The Cake Bake Shop Coming to Disney’s BoardWalk
Slated to arrive at Disney’s BoardWalk in 2023, The Cake Bake Shop will be open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. They will have a grab-and-go case of treats, afternoon tea service, and table service dining options. The Cake Bake Shop will be in the location of the former ESPN Club and I’m sure it will look like it’s straight out of a fairytale. The original Cake Bake Shop is located in Carmel, Indiana so be sure to check it out to get an idea of what is coming to Orlando.

Other Events at Walt Disney World 2023
- Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2023
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2023
- Epcot International Festival of Holidays 2023
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2023
What are you most excited about for what’s coming to Disney World in 2023? So many great new options, right? I really can’t wait to see a completed Epcot. It is my favorite park and I will be glad to see all of the construction finally complete!

Jenifer Wetle
I am looking forward to Happily Ever After fireworks show and the new Tron ride. Of course, I want to go to Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween party too.