Disney World will turn 50 years old on October 1st, 2021. To celebrate, Disney is making a lot of new additions to the parks. If you've been there recently, you've seen the construction happening everywhere. There will be new rides, new areas, and more. And not just in Magic Kingdom, but all over Disney World.
We're taking a look at the best additions coming to the parks between now and the 50th anniversary. These will be listed in order from the closest debuting addition to the one farthest away. Some of these have an opening season set, others just have an opening year, and some still have no opening date. A few may even come after the 50th anniversary but in time for Epcot's 40th anniversary the following year. So, the most recent estimated timeframe will be listed. Here at the 10 best additions coming for Disney World's 50th anniversary.
Remy's Ratatouille Adventure (Summer 2020)
Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is a ride coming to the France pavilion in Epcot, based on the existing ride in Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris. It's a trackless dark ride that makes guests feel like the size of a rat as they race through a French restaurant.
Like the Paris ride, Epcot's version will use 3D screens and various effects to tell the story. No official release date has been set, but banners on the construction area advertise a summer 2020 opening timeframe.
HarmonioUS (Summer 2020)
HarmonioUS will be Epcot's new nighttime show, being the new regular fireworks show following IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth and the temporary Epcot Forever. Like the previous shows, it will use floating set pieces on the World Showcase Lagoon, lasers, fireworks, and fountains. Drones are planned to be used in the show as well.
Originally set for a spring 2020 opening, the show has been delayed due to the temporary closing of all Disney Parks. Right now, a summer opening date seems more likely.
Galactic Starcruiser (2021)
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will be a new Star Wars-themed hotel next to Hollywood Studios. It will also be just outside the Galaxy's Edge section of the park. The hotel will offer a two-night stay that will fully immerse guests in the unique and fantastic world of Star Wars. Guests will get to wear clothing inspired by the galaxy far, far away, and they'll be experiencing their own Star Wars adventure.
This experience will be so immersive that it isn't even a come-and-go hotel. Every moment of the stay will be part of the story. Galactic Starcruiser will open in 2021, with reservations beginning in late 2020.
Journey of Water (2021)
This Moana inspired attraction will be coming to Future World in Epcot. It will be part of the renamed World Nature area, which also contains the existing pavilions of Imagination, The Land, and The Sea. It will be located where the Innoventions West building was.
This walkthrough attraction will feature interactive water features, giving guests the experience Moana has in the film. The trail will be full of nature for guests to take in as well.
PLAY! (2021)
The PLAY! pavilion will be located in the old Wonders of Life pavilion in Epcot. It will be a part of the renamed World Discovery area. The building is located between the old Universe of Energy building (soon to be Guardians of the Galaxy) and Mission Space.
This pavilion will be an interactive area for guests to play games featuring favorite Disney characters. Among the announced features are a new Animation Academy with Edna Mode from The Incredibles, an interactive heist game with Judy and Nick from Zootopia, and an arcade. Many old and new character meet and greets will take place here as well.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (2021)
This roller coaster is replacing the old Universe of Energy ride (also known as Ellen's Energy Adventure) in Epcot. It will be a part of World Discovery, joining the PLAY! pavilion, Mission Space, the Space 220 restaurant, and Test Track. The indoor coaster will be able to spin completely around, and it will reportedly launch backward.
The story of the ride will have guests learning about Xandar, with things kicking-off when the Guardians of the Galaxy show up. It is set to be one of the longest indoor coasters in the world.
Tron Lightcycle Run (2021)
Tron Lightcycle Run is a roller coaster coming to Magic Kingdom, based on the ride in Shangai Disneyland. It will be located in Tomorrowland behind Space Mountain and Tomorrowland Speedway. Guests will ride their own light cycle as they travel through the Grid of the Tron movies.
The launch coaster will go both inside and outside like its Shanghai counterpart. Going up to 60 mph, this will be the second-fastest ride at Disney World, behind only Test Track's 65 mph.
Reflections (2022)
Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge will be a new resort located between Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge, on the former site of Disney's first water park, River Country. It will be nature-themed, going along nicely with its neighbor resorts, and continuing Walt Disney's love of nature that's used in the parks.
The resort will feature many tributes to nature from Disney movies in the lobby, the hallways, and the rooms. Concept art shows off an amazing Pocahontas statue that will stand in the lobby.
Dreamers Point (TBA)
Dreamers Point will be a three-story festival center with a 360 view of the park, located just past Spaceship Earth in the renamed World Celebration area. Previously, the old Wonders of Life pavilion and the Odyssey Center acted as festival centers for Epcot's four annual festivals.
Dreamers Point is sure to be a great addition to the park, and it's likely to be popular to visit even when there aren't festivals going on at Epcot. But it will be used for the International Festival of the Arts, the International Flower & Garden Festival, the International Food & Wine Festival, and the International Festival of the Holidays. There will also be a new statue of Walt Disney in the area.
Cherry Tree Lane (TBA)
Cherry Tree Lane will be a new part of the United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot, based on the Mary Poppins movies. Whether or not this will contain a ride has yet to be confirmed. It's also unknown if the area will be extended from the existing version of the United Kingdom, or if it will take over the courtyard area that previously held the performances of the rock band British Revolution.
This area will be the first true Mary Poppins attraction at Disney World, although Mary Poppins and Bert do have meet and greets already. The recreation will immerse guests in the world of the movies, including the Admiral's house and the Banks family home itself.