Disney World has so many new attractions, shows, and experiences that debuted this year. As someone who’s been lucky enough to check out everything firsthand, I want to share my best tips and strategies to help you experience all these fantastic new additions.
From Magic Kingdom’s first nighttime parade in almost a decade to Hollywood Studios’ spectacular new shows, plus the completely reimagined Test Track at EPCOT, there’s so much to see and do. Let me break down everything you need to know to make the most of your Disney World vacation.
Video: My Best Tips for Everything New at Disney World
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Disney Starlight: Magic Kingdom’s Dazzling New Nighttime Parade
After nearly 10 years without a nighttime parade, Magic Kingdom finally has a worthy successor to the beloved SpectroMagic and Main Street Electrical Parade. Disney Starlight is absolutely magical, and I got the inside scoop from Tara Anderson, Disney Live Entertainment Show Director
What Makes Starlight Special
As Tara explained to me, Starlight is “a constellation of Disney dreams brought to life by the magic of the Blue Fairy.” The parade honors its predecessors beautifully – combining the electronic sounds of Main Street Electrical Parade with the orchestral elements of SpectroMagic.
The parade features nine stunning floats showcasing classic Disney films like Pinocchio and Peter Pan, plus modern favorites including Encanto, Coco, and Moana. The grand finale is the Starlight Train featuring Whimsy (who I am a huge fan of), Mickey, Minnie, and the gang, complete with nods to Casey Jr. and a Snow White mine cart.
Best Viewing Spots for Starlight
For iconic views: Main Street or the Hub, especially near the bridge to Liberty Square where you get the castle backdrop.
For fewer crowds: Liberty Square and Frontierland are your best bet. Since the parade starts on Main Street and ends in Frontierland, you’ll have more space to spread out.
Pro tip: The second showing (currently 10:30 PM) is always less crowded since many families leave after the fireworks. But be sure to check the schedule, as the show times can change!
Three Starlight Strategies
Strategy 1: The Classic Experience If this is your first Magic Kingdom visit or you love fireworks, claim your Main Street or Hub spot at least 30 minutes early. Watch Starlight at 8:30, stick around for Happily Ever After at 9:30. It’s crowded, but quintessentially Disney.
Strategy 2: The Family-Friendly Approach For families with small kids, grab a Town Square spot. You’ll see the parade start and can easily exit the park within 15-20 minutes – perfect for tired little ones.
Strategy 3: The Crowd-Avoider Skip the first parade, ride attractions during that time (wait times drop significantly), catch fireworks from Tron or Liberty Square, then watch the second Starlight showing from Frontierland with minimal crowds.
Hollywood Studios’ Spectacular New Shows
Hollywood Studios added two fantastic new live shows.
The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure
This is a vibrant reimagining of the beloved Voyage of the Little Mermaid. The new version features updated musical arrangements, stunning new puppets, and incredible projection technology that creates amazing dimensionality.
My tips:
- Prioritize this over Villains if you have to choose
- Shows run every 40 minutes – check the app for the showtimes
- Arrive at least 25 minutes early (I learned this the hard way)
- Sit up close for the best view of performers and puppets
- Mermaid is available via Lightning Lane MultiPass. I’d skip it for one of your first picks, but consider it for a same day reservation after you’ve used one of your pre-booked LLs.
Villains: Unfairly Ever After
Hosted by the Magic Mirror, this show lets you decide which villain – Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, or Maleficent – has been most unfairly treated. It’s campy, colorful, and features an absolutely infectious theme song that will be stuck in your head for weeks.
My tips:
- Located near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (walk under the upside-down car and head to the right)
- Don’t sit too close – the wide screen presentation is better viewed from middle sections
- Shows run every 40 minutes
- Arrive 20-30 minutes early depending on crowds
Test Track 3.0: Race Into Tomorrow
The completely reimagined Test Track has jumped to #2 in my EPCOT rankings, behind only Guardians of the Galaxy. While the track layout remains the same, everything else has been upgraded with new scenes, story, and that classic EPCOT edutainment feel.
What’s New at Test Track
The ride now celebrates automotive innovation with scenes featuring:
- LiDAR technology demonstration with 29,000 points of light
- Inductive charging roads
- A “House of Tomorrow” with vehicle customization
- Beautiful forest scenes with classic EPCOT music playing
- A spectacular future city finale
Trade-off alert: The design-your-own-car game is gone, which some guests miss.
Test Track Strategy Tips
Lightning Lane Multi-Pass: Absolutely worth it as a Tier 1 selection. I’d pick it over Frozen or Ratatouille.
Single Rider is your best friend: This is a no-brainer recommendation. You skip most of the line and get basically the full experience since there’s no pre-show anymore.
Weather watch: Test Track closes during storms, so check forecasts before trekking across EPCOT.
The Beak and Barrel: Disney’s Best New Bar
Here’s my surprise pick for favorite new Disney World addition: The Beak and Barrel at Magic Kingdom. This immersive Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar combines the best elements of Trader Sam’s, Oga’s Cantina, and the Haunted Mansion Parlor into something truly special.
What Makes The Beak and Barrel Amazing
- Incredible themed details and effects
- New animatronic figures
- Interactive cast member experiences
- Great cocktails for adults and mocktails for families
Scoring Reservations
The reality check: Reservations open 60 days out (plus length of stay for resort guests) and disappear faster than The Flying Dutchman. There’s currently no walk-up waitlist, but that can change at any point.
My tips:
- Book at 6 AM sharp when your window opens
- Keep refreshing for cancellations 24-48 hours before your visit
- Smaller parties (1-2 people) have better availability
- Know your order ahead of time – 45 minutes goes quickly
GEO-82: EPCOT’s Adults-Only Experience
Disney’s first 21+ bar sits behind Spaceship Earth, offering upscale cocktails and classic EPCOT theming. While I haven’t managed to snag a reservation myself (the struggle is real), the space is beautiful with fantastic Spaceship Earth views.
Pro tip: Use the new calendar view in the Disney app to quickly check availability across multiple dates.
Planning Your New Disney World Experience
Remember to book those hard-to-get reservations early, avoid the crowds during Starlight, use Single Rider when possible, and most importantly – have fun exploring everything Disney World has to offer!
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