Top 10 Disney Parks & Experiences News in 2025. 2025 was a huge year for anyone who loves Disney. We saw a mix of big construction projects starting up and some long-awaited shows finally opening their doors. Between the 70th birthday of Disneyland and massive changes at Walt Disney World, there was plenty to keep track of.
The theme this year wasn’t just about adding one or two rides. It was about changing the vibe of the parks. Disney focused on bringing back things fans have missed for a long time, like nighttime parades, while also looking far into the future. If you’re planning a trip or just want to stay in the loop, here is the breakdown of the Top 10 Disney Parks & Experiences news in 2025. We’ll cover everything from new international parks to the latest updates on the cruise ships.
This year felt like a turning point. For a while, it seemed like Disney was just treading water. But in 2025, they showed they are willing to take risks. Announcing a brand-new park in the Middle East is a massive move that changes the company’s global footprint forever.
The focus on “limited-time” events, like the TRON red lighting, also shows they want to give people a reason to visit even if they were just there last year. If you like the classic Disney feel, the 70th anniversary at Disneyland delivered that. If you want the new, high-tech stuff, the Abu Dhabi news and the updates at EPCOT have you covered. It’s a busy time to be a fan, but it’s mostly good news across the board.
1. Disneyland Hits the Big 70
The park that started it all turned 70 this year. Instead of just a one-day party, Disney turned it into a year-long celebration. They didn’t build a massive new land for this, but they spent a lot of time fixing up the classics.
Beginning May 16, 2025, and running through summer 2026, the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration will honor seven decades of happiness and many moments of joy in the making. You’ll get to “celebrate happy” with limited-time entertainment, colorful décor, themed food and beverages, collectible merchandise, and so much more!
Hey Mickey Popcorn Bucket Debuted, Walt Disney – A Magical Life, The Savannah Bananas visited, new song by The Jonas Brothers, The 70th Hot Air Balloon that traveled the country and made its finale at Disneyland. There was so much…
2. Nighttime Lights Return to Magic Kingdom
Fans have been asking for a new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom for years. In 2025, they finally got it with Disney Starlight. It uses thousands of tiny lights and drones to tell stories from Encanto and Frozen.
It feels a lot like the old Main Street Electrical Parade, but with better tech. It has been a massive hit for crowds, making the park feel alive again after the sun goes down. Now, if only I could remember the soundtrack!
3. Test Track Gets a Makeover
At EPCOT, Test Track 3.0 opened in the middle of the year. The previous version was very “digital” and neon. This new version feels more like a road trip through nature. It’s smoother and focuses on the future of cars.
Some fans miss the old high-speed testing vibe, but the new aesthetic fits the “New EPCOT” much better. It’s less about a computer simulation and more about the joy of driving.
4. Zootopia Moves into Animal Kingdom
The Tree of Life Theater got a new tenant this year. Zootopia: Better Zoogether! replaced the old bug show. It’s a 3D show where you follow Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde through different parts of their city.
The theater now has “scent-effects,” so you can actually smell the scenes. It’s much less scary than the bug show it replaced, making it a better fit for families with small kids. We have had to rethink our opinion on Zootopia: Better Zoogether. Once Zootopia 2 hit movie theaters, the new show seemed much better than our initial impressions.
5. The ARES Grid at TRON
When the new TRON: Ares movie came out, Disney did something cool with the TRON Lightcycle / Run coaster. For a few months, the whole canopy turned red (for a few moments) instead of blue or orange. They also changed the music to a heavier NIN soundtrack. This was a “limited-time magic” event, but it was so popular that many people are asking Disney to make it a permanent nighttime option. But, it looks like it may be ending sooner than we want.
6. Disneyland Abu Dhabi is Officially Coming
In a move that shocked the travel world, Disney announced its seventh global resort: Disneyland Abu Dhabi. Located on Yas Island, this will be the first Disney park in the Middle East. Disney is partnering with Miral to build it, meaning Disney provides the “magic” and design while Miral handles the construction.
The park is being described as “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.” The most exciting detail? It will feature a “modern castle” that looks nothing like the traditional fairy-tale towers in Florida or California. It’s expected to be the most technologically advanced park Disney has ever designed.
7. Tropical Americas Replaces DinoLand
Over at Animal Kingdom, the old DinoLand U.S.A. is officially a thing of the past. Construction started on the new Tropical Americas land. This means TriceraTop Spin is gone, and work has begun on the new Encanto attraction. It’s going to be a few years before it’s done, but seeing the land cleared out was one of the biggest stories of the year.
8. A New Home for Villains at Hollywood Studios
A new live show called Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After opened at Hollywood Studios. It’s a stage show featuring some of the most famous bad guys. The tech is incredible—they use high-tech mirrors and projections to make the villains look like they are appearing out of thin air. It’s a great way to spend 20 minutes in the AC.
9. The Spaceship Earth Lounge
EPCOT finally put a lounge inside the Spaceship Earth building. It’s called GEO-82. It has a very 1980s look, with lots of chrome and geometric shapes. You can get drinks and snacks while looking out over the park. It’s become the hardest reservation to get in all of Walt Disney World.
10. Disney Destiny Joins the Fleet
The Disney Cruise Line grew again this year. The Disney Destiny started its first voyages. This ship is themed specifically around “Heroes and Villains.” Every corner of the ship has a nod to a famous Disney rivalry. It’s a bit more intense than the other ships, which makes it popular with older kids and adults.
