Do you immediately get the urge to plan your year once January comes? Same. Although I say “no” to most things, I like to have an overview of the year for the big stuff, like traveling. So knowing what’s coming to Disney World in 2023 is important because it could help you decide whether this is THE YEAR, ya know?

If you’re planning or even thinking of going to Disney World in 2023, this post is all about what’s coming with me rapid-firing what I’m most excited about.

While there are a lot of new experiences coming to Disney World this year, there are a few big closures you should know about. Read through to the end for those!

With Laid-back Magic, you have everything you need to plan your next trip to Disney World. Learn more about it here.

New Things Coming to Disney World in 2023

In no particular order, here’s everything I’m excited about experiencing in the parks this year:

• TRON Lightcycle Run opens on April 4th, 2023 in Magic Kingdom. Yay!
  
  
• The new Carousel Coffee inside Disney’s Boardwalk | When it’s raining — or too hot — it’s a bummer having to walk out to the Boardwalk for a cup of coffee. I’m excited about this! 
  
  
• Speaking of Boardwalk, this new Bake Cake Shop. Yum.
  
  
• EPCOT’s firework show is changing back to EPCOT Forever on April 3rd, 2023 until a more permanent show later this year.
  
  
• Riding the newly re-opened Walt Disney World Railroad.
  
  
• Eating at the new Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land | Can you believe the first movie is going on 28 years?? I can’t. I was secretly hoping this would be character dining but, alas.
  
  
• Seeing more princesses like Belle and Ariel come back to Cinderella’s Royal Table on February 28th.
  
  
• Happily Ever After returns April 3rd, 2023 | This firework show in Magic Kingdom was on hold while the 50th-anniversary’s “Enchantment” took the stage and not to be a downer, it stunk in comparison.
  
  
• Where are my 80s kids at? Cause the DuckTales Scavenger Hunt on Disney’s play app looks cute.
  
  
• Moana’s Journey of Water in EPCOT. Te Fiti is a beaut.
  
  
• The fact that the 50th anniversary ends in April. Phew. I’m curious when the “50” will come off Cinderella Castle?
  
  
• This technically came back in 2022, but: seeing Fantasmic! is high on the list this year.
  
  
• A new restaurant coming to Disney Springs which fits our vibe.
  
  
• Meeting Figment in EPCOT (my niece is going to die.) I mean, there are petitions.
  
  

Closures in Disney World

With all this fun new stuff, some room has to be made. These are the biggest refurbishments and closings announced so far:

January Closures
9-13th: Big Thunder Mountain
9-27th: Frozen Sing-a-long
9th-TBD: Kali River Rapids
22nd-29th: Skyliner
23rd: Splash Mountain *permanently* 

February Closures
20th-TBD: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

In Conclusion…

What are you most excited about in Disney World this year??

I don’t really think some years are better to visit Disney World than others; there’s always a new ride, a new restaurant, and Mickey balloons floating in the breeze. Learning your family’s priorities is the first step in planning.

Watch this video to learn how to sketch out your next trip in 15 minutes. The “bones” if you will, before setting anything into stone. Show your vacation a little love and it will pay off, I promise.

---

For more Disney World planning, here’s how I can be of help:

• Subscribe to my newsletter where I give weekly planning tips and Disney news (the kind you should know, not the silly stuff.)
• Join Laid-back Magic, my members-only planning guide and community to help you plan your vacation.
• Follow me on Instagram where I share tips and tricks for taking the kids to Disney World.