23 New (And Returning!) Things Coming To Disney In 2023
New year, new Disney! Here’s a list of 23 new and returning things coming to Disney in 2023. Think new attractions, new experiences, and new magic for the new year!
Table of Contents
23 New Disney Experiences For 2023
When people ask why we return to Disney World or Disneyland so often the simple answer is that there’s always something new to experience.
You can count on something new at Disney. That’s a fact.
From movies to Disney+ to theme parks and the cruise line, here are 23 new Disney experiences for 2023 that YOU can look forward to.
We’re throwing in a few honorable mentions that haven’t been announced, but we’re crossing our fingers for them as well.
1. TRON Lightcycle Run Comes To Disney World In Spring of 2023
Its been long awaited- but we finally have an official opening announcement
Sorta.
TRON Lightcycle Run will be opening sometime in Spring 2023 at Disney World.
We hope it comes with an epic Disney ride photo op!
2. Hey Disney! Echo Devices In Disney Resort Rooms
The tech plusses continue with a partnership with Amazon.
Hey Disney! Echo devices were announced for a 2022 installment, but… we’re thinking 2023 is on the table at this point.
3. New at Disney in 2023: Walt Disney World Railroad Returns
Okay, so this hasn’t been announced but we are seriously wishing it into existence.
It’s been closed since 2018 in part due to TRON coaster construction, and in part due to Covid closures.
But we’re hearing the railroad began testing, so that’s got to be a hopeful sign that we see the Walt Disney World Railroad return sometime in 2023.
If not… sooner? Stay tuned!
4. NEW Walt Disney And Mickey Statue Coming to Hong Kong Disneyland
Everyone loves a good Walt statue- even better when his best pal Mickey is right beside him.
This one is coming to Hong Kong Disneyland in 2023.
5. Disney Cruise Line Goes To Australia and New Zealand For The First Time In 2023
For the first time, Disney Cruise Line is bringing the magic of a Disney vacation to families and fans in
Australia and New Zealand when the Disney Wonder brings the brand-new Disney Magic at Sea cruises beginning late October 2023.
6. Disneyland runDisney Comes Back In 2024- But Registration Should Be In 2023
And we cannot be more excited about this news!
While the races are slated for 2024, typical runDisney race calendars mean registration for the events should be announced in 2023.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed for the return of some of our favorites like the Superheroes Half Marathon and the Disneyland Half Marathon weekend.
7. Figment Meet and Greet In Epcot: New at Disney in 2023
2023 a Figment meet and greet will be returning to Epcot!
For the first time in over 15 years, fans of the fussy little dragon will get a chance to meet their hero in person.
No news on the nature of the meet and greet (walk-around character or puppet or animatronic) just yet.
8. World Of Frozen Comes To Hong Kong Disneyland In Late 2023
World of Frozen will open at Hong Kong Disneyland in the second half of 2023.
They’re not letting it go- and we’re not mad about it!
9. Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland Park: New Nighttime Spectacular
Debuts in January 2023 as part of Disney100.
10. Marvel’s Ironheart Debuts On Disney+
We’ll have to wait a bit, but Riri Williams is coming to Disney+ in late 2023.
Meet her in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in November.
11. New At Disney In 2023: World Celebration Neighborhood Opens In Epcot
World Celebration neighborhood in EPCOT will be completed in late 2023 at Walt Disney World.
With lush, green space for guests to relax, plus the opening of Communicore Hall and Communicore Plaza, this central location in the park will be the new home for festivals and the perfect space to gather with family and friends.
12. Dreamers Statue: Walt Disney at Dreamers Point
We’ll be able to sit with Walt for a spell in front of this new statue to be located at Dreamers Point.
13. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Comes To The Big Screen In 2023
This one opens on February 16, 2023, and it promises to be a very BIG movie for the smallest superhero in Marvel’s cast of characters.
Watch the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania trailer here.
14. World of Color – One Coming To Disneys California Adventure
Debuting in January 2023, this new World of Color show will celebrate Disney100.
15. Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana Opens In 2023
The Te Fiti statue will be used to develop Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana.
The actual size of this model in the land will be 16 feet tall!
16. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway: New at Disneyland in 2023
The west coast will finally get its Toontown back- starring the Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
This attraction is adorable and perfect for kids of all ages.
This one opens on January 27, 2023, at Disneyland!
17. Magic Happens Parade Returns To Disneyland
This parade had a super short lifespan: about 3 weeks in the winter of 2020.
You know what happened.
But it’s coming back in the Spring of 2023 and we know the Disneyland folks cannot wait to experience this one again!
18. Loki Season 2 Comes to Disney+
Hey, we love Tom Hiddleston as Loki and this might be the biggest fangirl squeal we let loose at D23 Expo Marvel panel.
It didn’t hurt that Tom was there in person to announce it either!
19. New At Disney: Hatbox Ghost Joins The Haunted Mansion At Disney World
We love him at Disneyland and we’re sure excited to hear he’s making it to the Walt Disney World attraction as well!
Hatbox Ghose will join the spooks sometime in 2023 at the Haunted Mansion.
20. DVC Villas At Disneyland
While there isn’t an official opening date just yet, construction is moving along at a pretty decent clip.
We feel comfortable making the call that the new DVC properties will either be open and ready to book OR at least will go on sale in 2023.
21. NEW Epcot Nighttime Spectacular To Replace Harmonious
And this one, honestly, cannot come soon enough.
We only hope this also means the taco barges in the middle of the World Showcase lagoon are going away as well.
For the love of Mickey, make it so.
22. The Marvels: In Theaters On July 28, 2023
If you watched Ms Marvel and loved Iman Vellani as much as we did, then this is going to be high on your must-see summer movie list.
23. New At Disney: Happily Ever After Fireworks Return In Spring of 2023
Well, sorta.
The announcement was made at D23 Expo with a caveat: it sounds like a new show will be put to the old song.
But… we’ll take it.
And that wraps up the list of 23 things and experiences that will be new at Disney in 2023.
BONUS: Bob Iger Returns as CEO For 2023-2025 Tenure
This news was announced on November 20, 2022, and it was a BIG one!
Bob Chapek is out; Bob Iger is back effective immediately.
Iger will take over as CEO for the next two years while working with a replacement.
See how the fans reacted with these Disney CEO memes– they are golden!
Honorable Mentions: Hopefully These Experiences Return or Open as New To Disney in 2023
Unannounced, but anticipated for 2023 are the following:
- New Disney Dining Plan offering
- Monsieur Paul
- Restaurant Marrakesh
- Meet And Greets With Ariel in her grotto
- Belle’s Enchanted Tales
- Adult Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: AKA, Character Couture
- Hyperion Theater at Disney’s California Adventure (fingers crossed for a Rogers The Musical run!)
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Patty Holliday has been running Disney since 2011. She knows just about every tip, trick, and hack there is to cover the runDisney Magical Miles at Disney World and Disneyland. She knows every mile isn’t *always* magical- but with training, tips, and a little bit of pixie dust, they can be a lot of fun! You can also find her at noguiltlife.com and noguiltfangirl.com
