Disney World’s Coming Attractions: 2019-2022

Disney World is under MAJOR construction these days. Some of it tastefully hidden behind temporary walls. Some of it, well, not so much.  Today’s post shares a quick list of the major projects currently underway, organized by estimated year of completion.

***Please keep in mind that all of these dates are tentative. I have NOT updated all of the timing in the original post based on the current pandemic. I’m leaving this post here to show what has already been completed at Disney World recently and what is still planned to come. I think it’s fair to say that anything that was currently under construction as on March 2020 will be delayed by months at a minimum. Other projects that haven’t officially started (like the new Reflections hotel?!) could be postponed indefinitely. The delays are partly due to construction ending at Disney World in mid-March and partly due to Disney’s dramatic drop in income (closed parks, closed theaters, no cruising, etc.).***

Got your construction hat on over those Mickey ears? Here’s a list of Disney World’s Coming Attractions for 2019 through 2022.

2019

Coronado Springs Resort:  Fifteen-story guest tower (Gran Destino), rooftop restaurant (Toledo) opened July 9 right on schedule! The casual lake-top bar and table service restaurant (Three Bridges) also opened mid-June.

Caribbean Beach: Riviera Resort (Disney Vacation Club property) and Topolino’s Terrace (rooftop restaurant) opened adjacent to Caribbean Beach in mid-December.

Hollywood Studio: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge featuring Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run (flight simulation attraction), Docking Bay 7 (quick-service restaurant), Ronto Roasters (barbecue stand), Milk Stand (blue milk!), Oga’s Cantina (bar/drink spot) and various retail shops (build your own droids and lightsabers!) opened August 29!

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a new trackless ride also in Galaxy’s Edge, opened on December 5!

Epcot: New signature-dining restaurant (Takuma Tei) opened July 5. Epcot Forever (new temporary nightly show) replaced Illuminations on October 1.

Much of Epcot’s current Future World has been under construction since early September this year. A few popular locations (including Starbucks and the Character Spot) moved to nearby and temporary locations.

Other: Disney Skyliner (gondola transportation) opened on schedule on September 29. The Skyliner provides guest transportation from select Disney resorts (Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Pop Century and Art of Animation) to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. They are not all direct lines, you may have to switch gondolas mid-point kind of like switching monorails to get from Magic Kingdom to Epcot, but they’re super fun!

Disney Springs – Jaleo’s by Jose Andres (Spanish tapas restaurant- opened March 17) and NBA Experience (opened August 12).

2020

Hollywood Studios: Mickey’s Runaway Railway (dark ride) within the Chinese Theater opened on March 4. It’s the first Mickey-based ride-on attraction at Disney World (finally!).

New table service venue (Roundup Rodeo BBQ) is under construction in Toy Story Land. (Originally planned for summer 2020, will be delayed.)

Disney Springs – New Cirque du Soleil show (Drawn to Life) based on the history of Disney animation. Previews were originally set to begin in March. The show has been closed indefinitely.

City Works Eatery & Pour House restaurant (90+ craft beers on tap?!) opened on February 6.

Epcot – New evening show (HarmonioUS) replaces the temporary Epcot Forever. The new show is designed to showcase how the music of Disney inspires people around the world. Disney claimed it will be the biggest night time show they’ve ever introduced at Disney World.

Also at Epcot, the Canadian and Chinese Pavilions in World Showcase received updated films (Canada Far and Wide and Wondrous China) in mid January. Also a new space-themed restaurant called Space 220, is planned to open adjacent to the Mission: Space attraction in Future World. Originally scheduled to open in late 2019, the restaurant was delayed in Spring and now, well, who knows?

The French Pavilion received a new show (Beauty and the Beast Sing-a-long) on January 17. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (trackless dark ride) and adjacent restaurant (La Creperie de Paris) to will open nearby in the summer. (fall? winter? 2021?!?)

2021

Epcot (!): Future World: completely overhauled and turned into three distinct areas: World Nature, World Discovery and World Celebration.

These new spaces will feature the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (indoor coaster with a reverse launch!), an over-the-top indoor PLAY! pavilion, an updated “Awesome Planet” film in the Land pavilion and a Journey of Water attraction, inspired by Moana. The Moana attraction is a walk-through interactive water display.  

The Cove – New hotel on the grounds of Disney’s Swan & Dolphin. Pushed back to 2021 based on the fact that excavation for the structure is still taking place as of March 2020.

Hollywood Studios: New Star-wars inspired resort (Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser). Disney recently shared that the hotel will operate as a two-night experience similar to a cruise ship. Guests will board the hotel, designed to look like a space cruiser, and enjoy in-hotel entertainment and food during their journey to and from Batuu, the official name of the outpost portrayed in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge portion of Hollywood Studios. It sounds and looks truly amazing.

Magic Kingdom: Tron cycle-coaster behind/near Tomorrowland Speedway and Space Mountain. Construction is well underway. No official date for the opening yet, but Disney hopes it will be ready prior to October 2021 to celebrate Disney World’s 50th anniversary. A few Lightcycles (ride seating) are on display at Magic Kingdom as of mid-December 2019.

2022

Disney’s Reflections – A new nature-themed resort near Ft. Wilderness and across the lake from Magic Kingdom is scheduled to open by fall. The resort will feature tree top accommodations and a Bayou restaurant themed after Princess and the Frog. (Guessing this one could get cancelled, depending on how long the closures/partial re-openings last.)

Epcot – At the D23 in August 2019 Disney also announced plans for a brand new World Pavilion within the existing Future World space of the park. The multi-story building will offer views of World Showplace as well as meeting space to accommodate additional activities related to Epcot’s many festivals (Flower & Garden, Food & Wine, etc.).

Disney also announced a new attraction based on Mary Poppin’s Cherry Tree Lane home will open in the United Kingdom pavilion. Since construction has not started yet, I’m guessing 2022 as an estimate. No official time line was given.

WHEW! Excited yet? Although the specific timing of the projects is of course subject to change, Disney hopes to complete the majority of them in time to celebrate the resort’s 50th Anniversary in October 2021.

Could turn out to be quite the party, don’t you think?

Add a little (construction) magic to your world!