2018 looks to be a promising year for Disney Parks, which is surprising given it is the calm before the storm which is 2019. With so many new attractions, restaurants, and entertainment options on the way, we are listing the seven (yeah, seven…) things that have us most excited for the new year.
Paint the Night Returns to Disneyland
Paint the Night will finally be making a return to the Disneyland Resort in Spring 2018 as part of PIXAR Fest. I would say we are excited for this event, but it’s really just for the return of this amazing parade, which will now perform at Disney California Adventure. Frozen has been removed from the parade and new float is being added to fit the PIXAR promotion (rumored to be Inside Out-themed). We may not be excited for PIXAR Pier or PIXAR Fest next summer, but we’re sure excited to have Paint the Night back.
Tokyo Disneyland Celebrates 35 Years of Magic
Beginning Spring 2018, Tokyo Disneyland will hold the “Happiest Celebration” for the resort’s 35th anniversary. With a new daytime parade, nighttime spectacular, decorations, specialty food and drink offerings and more, Tokyo Disneyland will have tons to offer to guests visiting during the celebration.
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts Returns
Returning January 12 is the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. The festival was a big success in 2017, so for 2018 it’s expanding to seven days a week until February 19th. We can’t wait to see the changes and improvements to the festival this year!
Animal Kingdom Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Walt Disney World’s youngest park will be turning 20 in 2018, and while Disney has been a little scarce on details regarding a specific celebration, we already know that Flights of Wonder will be replaced by a new bird show featuring the characters from Pixar’s Up. In addition, D23 will be hosting some sort of ticketed event on the actual anniversary, April 22nd.
Caribbean Beach Undergoes a Major Transformation
By the time Caribbean Beach Resort’s transformation is complete in late-summer, the resort will look almost indistinguishable from the original incarnation. We can’t wait to see the new Centertown Marketplace, Shutters Restaurant, lobby and more that will be completely reimagined when the project is finished.
For a better look at what Caribbean Beach used to look like, check out our video tour.
New Restaurants Coming to Disney Springs
The Edison will open at Disney Springs on New Years Day, and that’s just the first restaurant coming to the shopping and dining district in 2018. Terralina Crafted Italian by “Top Chef Master” Tony Mantuano will be opening sometime in 2018 where Portobello’s currently is, Jaleo will open on the West Side of Disney Springs and offer some flavors of Spain from chef José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup, and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill will be opening in Town Center, offering laid back California-inspired dishes. As you can see, there are a handful of new eateries making their way to Disney Springs in 2018 (barring the usual delays we’ve become accustomed to), so stay hungry.
Toy Story Land Opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Perhaps most exciting for 2018 is the opening of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. That’s right, completely new rides will open at Hollywood Studios for the first time since 2008! This new land will have guests shrink down to the size of a toy where they will then enter the world of Andy’s backyard. New attractions, a merchandise store, and a new counter service restaurant make up this land, and guests will be able to experience the whole thing this summer.
As you can see, 2018 has a lot to offer.
What new offerings coming to Disney Parks in 2018 have you most excited? Let us know in the comments, and from all of us at WDWNT, have a Happy New Year!
cant wait for all the new rides at hollywood studios.
HUGELY overdue. This stuff should have been done a decade ago, and they’re way overdue for a 5th park in Orlando. We’re here now. The crowds and lack of enough to do for them is beyond terrible. Disney over holidays or peak time is worse than our biggest nightmare. Never again. Will return when they upgrade some of the parks, put a little more into value for the dollar, and basically make it something more than various lines that you stand in. For everything. For hours.