6 Things Disney World is Doing for the First Time in 2023

Who’s ready for 2023 in Disney World? Let’s be honest, you’re probably NOT!

Animal Kingdom

What do we mean? Well, there’s a lot coming at us this year, including returning fireworks shows, new rides, park transformations, hotel makeovers…Y’ALL, the list goes on and on. There are also some big things that Disney World is doing for the FIRST time in 2023 — here’s our full list!

1. Opening a Coaster With Bike-Style Seating

Let’s start out with the BIG one coming to Magic Kingdom in 2023 — the TRON Lighcycle / Run coaster is FINALLY opening! This bike-style coaster is the first of its kind in Disney World. (Flight of Passage has bike-style seating, but it doesn’t really count as a coaster since you’re in a simulator.)

©Disney | TRON Lightcycle / Run is opening SOON!

The ride is a copy of its counterpart at Shanghai Disneyland, and it’s finally opening after being under construction for five years. We can’t wait for April 4th, 2023!

Click Here to Learn More About the TRON Opening!

2. Offering Table Service Dining in Toy Story Land

Since Toy Story Land opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we’ve been limited to dining at Woody’s Lunch Box. As much as we love our totchos, we’ve been hoping for some sit-down options in the future, and now our wish is coming true!

©Disney | Roundup Rodeo BBQ

This spring, Disney is opening Roundup Rodeo BBQ, a new table service restaurant in the land. We’re still waiting on more details about an exact opening date and a menu, but we think this spot is going to be pretty popular whenever reservations drop!

Click Here to Learn More About Roundup Rodeo BBQ!

3. Including Ride Photos With Genie+ Purchases

When Disney Genie+ was introduced back in 2021, it came with a few select perks, including the ability to reserve times to use Lightning Lanes for attractions, some fun PhotoPass photo lenses, and a group of Audio Tales with tidbits about the parks. But in 2023, you’ll be able to get your on-ride photos included with your purchase!

Disney Genie+

Typically, you’ll either need to buy Memory Maker (which starts at $169) or purchase the photos individually to get your ride pics, but now you’ll be able to see them in the My Disney Experience app if you purchased Genie+ that day. Genie+ starts at $15 per person, per day, so this could save you some dough! This change is set to start in the next few months.

Click Here to See Our Full Guide to Genie+!

4. Opening an Attraction Based on ‘Moana’

Ever since Moana was released in 2016, it was a big hit with Disney fans, especially little ones. We’ve seen the title character pop up in the parks for things like holiday parties and in cavalcades, but there has been a distinct lack of Moana representation in terms of attractions…until 2023!

Journey of Water Concept Art ©Disney

Before the end of this year, EPCOT will complete its transformation in the middle of the park by opening Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana, CommuniCore Hall, Dreamers Point, and more. Journey of Water is perhaps the most anticipated part of the transformation, as it’s the first attraction to feature Moana, and it’ll be the first time Disney World does an interactive, walkthrough attraction of that caliber. We can’t wait to check it out!

Click Here to Get a Glimpse Inside the New Attraction!

5. Retheming One of the “Magic Kingdom Mountains”

If you’ve ever been to Magic Kingdom, you probably know about the three mountains — Space, Big Thunder, and Splash. Well, in 2023 one of those mountains will be closing and getting a retheme. Splash Mountain is closing after January 22nd and getting transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Splash Mountain is closing permanently in 2023.

The new version will have a very similar ride system but with a new theme, including animatronics, music, and a storyline inspired by The Princess and the Frog. It’s not set to open until 2024, so the ride will be closed for most of this year.

Get More Details on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Here!

6. Celebrating a 100th Anniversary!

And finally, we’ve got to mention the 100th Anniversary of The Walt Disney Company! Disney World has celebrated its own big anniversaries in the past, like the 25th in 1996 and the 50th in 2021, and we even saw them go big for Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday in 2018, but now it’s time for the 1-0-0!

Disney 100th Anniversary Ears

The Walt Disney Company as a whole was founded in 1923, and now the domestic theme parks are celebrating big for 100 years of Disney magic. Many of the offerings will happen at Disneyland Resort, but you can still check out merchandise, a new fireworks show, and possibly some other surprises at Disney World later this year.

Click Here to See How to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary!

So there you have it — 6 things that Disney World is doing for the first time in 2023. There’s a lot to look forward to this year, and we’ll be here to cover all of it and bring you the updates you need to know! Let’s plan some AMAZING Disney vacations together in 2023.

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What change are you most excited about in Disney World in 2023? Tell us in the comments!

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