There are a lot of changes underway at Walt Disney World Resort, from the closure of several beloved attractions to new exciting experiences. Yesterday, a new parade rolled down Main Street as Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away made its debut. And today EPCOT’s Test Track is zooming through a new mission.
We begin this Walt Disney World update with mixed emotions as we fondly remember what we’ve lost while looking forward to what’s ahead…
Farewell to Rivers of America
The Rivers of America – including the Liberty Belle riverboat and Tom Sawyer’s Island – closed forever on July 7, 2025, to make way for a new Cars-themed Frontierland expansion called Piston Peak National Park.
And now on to happier news…
Magic Kingdom Lights Up With Disney Starlight
“Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” officially made its way down Main Street U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park on July 20, 2025.
The new parade features characters from both classic and modern Disney and Pixar films – some for the very first time in a nighttime parade – included in the new parade are The Blue Fairy, Peter Pan and Wendy, Asha, The Family Madrigal from “Encanto,” Elsa, Miguel from, Moana, plus Aurora and Prince Phillip, Tiana and Prince Naveen, Belle and the Beast, and Cinderella and Prince Charmin.
The finale float inspired by the iconic Main Street Electrical Parade train float, features Goofy, Pluto, Donald, and Daisy leading a procession of “Disney moments” that includes Snow White and Dopey in a mine car, Rapunzel and Flynn on their boat, and Aladdin and Jasmine taking a magic carpet ride.
The parade is a bit of an homage to the Main Street Electrical Parade, with riffs of the Baroque Hoedown playing in the soundtrack, and thousands of twinkling lights of course. But it’s also updated with some of the modern technology you might expect in Disneyland’s Paint the Night parade. And while the parade has a short run time of about 15 minutes, it’s also quite whimsical and charming.
Test Track 3.0
Our Walt Disney World reporter, Laura Gonzales and her son Johnny, attended a preview of the new attraction and shared their feelings…
After a lengthy closure, Test Track officially reopened on July 22, 2025, with new ride vehicles, an all-new musical score, and new scenes that highlight technology.
Following two previous versions, the latest (dubbed Test track 3.0) demonstrates how the newest automotive technology will make our cars smarter, both at home and on the road.
Test Track fans will be happy to know the attraction still has all the twists, turns, and high-speed thrills we love.
On our visit, we found the new queue to be more open and modern, leaning into the ride’s theme of innovation. The line is also wider than any queue we can think of – and there’s definitely more than enough space for ECVs, rollators, and walkers to fit comfortably.
A window has also been added to see the start of the ride (right before the seat belt check).
The previous queue featured the fan-favorite activity of designing your own vehicle. Before joining the final ride, you were given five minutes to design a concept vehicle, and upon boarding the ride, you could scan your magic band to see how your concept vehicle performed. All of that has been removed in favor of additional queue space.
Throughout the queue experience are several concept car models, smaller models of future innovative concept cars, and an exhibit on how General Motors is working to make cars more sustainable.
The ride is now narrated by an AI navigation system and a systems control voice. You drive through GM’s process of innovation lab, showing prototypes and what the future has in store for new vehicles. Some of the ride has an almost Spaceship Earth feel to it, particularly when driving through the garage of a house (similar to the Steve Jobs/Apple computer section of Spaceship Earth).
But don’t worry, thrill seekers, the track itself hasn’t changed so you’ll still experience favorites like swerving to avoid the truck and the speedy loop around the building.
After exiting the ride, the area where you used to be able to look at the statistics of your concept car and rate it against the other cars created for the day has been replaced with this mural.
GM also still has multiple vehicles on display. During our preview, there was a mix of Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles to take a peek at. Now that the ride has officially opened, we expect there will be more information, vehicles, and of course, sales representatives.
There have been multiple changes to both the queue and the ride itself since the attraction first opened in March 1999. But this new refurbishment felt smoother, without some of the jerkiness of Test Track’s previous version. The storytelling elements feel more familiar to the original EPCOT pavilions, which we appreciated. It felt very “EPCOT” to us.
Johnny gave an overall approval of 9 out of 10, but he missed being able to create a concept vehicle and seeing how it would perform. He also pointed out that there are no longer racing games at the exit to the attraction, which makes sense from a storytelling perspective since you’re no longer racing your concept car creation.
New Animated Adventure
A brand-new animation-based experience called The Magic of Disney Animation is coming to Hollywood Studios in 2026.
The animated adventure inspired by the short film “Once Upon a Studio,” will debut next year in the building that currently houses Star Wars: Launch Bay, which will be reimagined as a “whimsical twist” on the iconic Sorcerer’s Hat-topped Walt Disney Animation Studios building in Burbank. The exteriors of several other nearby buildings will also feature new design elements inspired by buildings found in Burbank.
Inside The Magic of Disney Animation, guests will discover what their favorite Disney characters get up to when the animators are away as they explore different studio departments, including the Production Gallery, where portraits come to life just like in the short film.
“Working on [‘Once Upon a Studio’] was the highlight of my career – the most fun I’ve ever had,” said the film’s co-director, Dan Abraham. “And now, to collaborate with the wonderful talents at Walt Disney Imagineering to bring the short and our studio to guests in this exciting way is beyond our wildest dreams.”
The experience will include Drawn to Wonderland, an all-new indoor playground inspired by Mary Blair’s concept art for “Alice in Wonderland,” complete with an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area, as well as, the chance to learn how to draw fan-favorite Disney characters—and, of course, meet them in real life).
Animation Courtyard will also be reimagined into “The Walt Disney Studios” offering shaded seating, new landscaping and a few surprises.
Another plus for die-hard Hollywood Studios fans is the return (sort of) of a Sorcerer’s Hat, the park’s icon from 2001 to 2015.
Animation Courtyard, Star Wars: Launch Bay, and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close beginning Sept. 25, 2025;“The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” and Walt Disney Presents will remain open.
If you haven’t seen “Once Upon a Studio,” you can watch it here:
MuppetVision Says Goodbye
It’s been months since Disney announced that MuppetVision 3D and the Grand Avenue area would be closing to make way for a new Monsters, Inc. land—but now the walls are up, the theater’s gone dark, and the loss feels very real.
But a new family-friendly land is already under construction and will include a thrilling coaster inspired by the door scene in the movie.
But don’t mourn the Muppets just yet. While their time in Grand Avenue may be over, at least a few familiar felt faces are expected to resurface in a rethemed version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. So while one curtain closes, another rises… with even more chaos and screaming than an Aerosmith concert.
Holiday Time Fun
It’s never too early to get into the holiday spirit, and while the big ticket items are Mickey’s Very Merry Holiday Party at Magic Kingdom and Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios, there’s still plenty of holiday fun for those who opt out of purchasing a ticket for the after hours parties.
The Walt Disney World holiday celebration runs from November 14 through December 31, so let’s see what the parks have in store.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
The International Festival of the Holidays returns to EPCOT from November 28 through December 30 with seasonal bites and beverages at Holiday Kitchens and returning entertainment, including the Candlelight Processional, “JOYFUL!,” World Showcase Storytellers and more.
More EPCOT holiday experiences:
- Olaf’s Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Embark on a jolly journey to locate Olaf in 13 different locations throughout EPCOT. (Map for purchase)
- Holiday Cookie Stroll: Purchase any five cookies from the official locations and collect the corresponding stamps in their Festival Passport. Once completed, guests can redeem a special surprise.
- Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses: The classic attraction transforms into a glittering greenhouse tour, featuring sparkling Christmas lights and dazzling decor.
Holiday Fun at Magic Kingdom
- “Frozen Holiday Surprise”: Olaf and over 100 of his snowgie siblings add garlands, ornaments, wreaths, and more to Cinderella Castle during the “Frozen Holiday Surprise.”
- Jingle Cruise: Guests can hear and see plenty of holiday-themed gags as a trusty skipper expertly navigates guests through some of the world’s most treacherous waters.
Holiday Fun at Hollywood Studios
- Sunset Greetings: The Hollywood Tower Hotel is transformed into a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a “Toy Story” toy hotel, a snowy corner of Arendelle and a Dickensian village from “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.”
- Minnie’s Holiday Dine: Spot Minnie Mouse and friends at Hollywood & Vine during Minnie’s Holiday Dine. This reservation-only dinner features sensational soirees with festive music, decor, and tantalizing menu items.
Holiday Fun at Animal Kingdom
- Merry Menagerie: Beautiful artisan-sculpted puppets of artic animals come to life around Discovery Island during the Merry Menagerie. In addition, original artwork from artist Rob Kaz will be available at Island Mercantile in Discovery Island (Kaz will greet guests inside Island Mercantile from November 1 to November 20).
- “Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition”: Beginning after dark each night, the “Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition” lights up Animal Kingdom.
Holiday Fun in Disney Springs
- Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll: Guests can discover a wide collection of extravagantly decorated Christmas trees throughout Disney Springs, with decor inspired by Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Super Hero favorites that interact with your MagicBand+.
- Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar: Jock Lindsey’s Bar transforms into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar during this festive season, featuring plenty of holiday decorations and of course, themed holiday sips and bites.
In Case You Missed It:
This & That
Epcot Portrait Exhibit Extended
The “Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors” exhibit that debuted on June 9th at the American Adventure Pavilion in EPCOT has been extended through Spring 2026.
The exhibit consists of more than 60 vibrant oil portraits painted by former U.S. President George W. Bush depicting service members and veterans who have served with honor since 9/11—and who the former president has come to know personally since leaving office.
A special streaming on Hulu titled “Our America: Portraits of Courage” tells each service member’s journey, with President Bush’s reflections on the portraits and his ongoing work to support veterans.
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Let’s Hear From You!
From the emotional farewell to Rivers of America and MuppetVision 3D, to the dazzling debut of a new nighttime parade and a high-speed Test Track makeover—there’s no shortage of change at Walt Disney World right now.
What do you think of Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away? Will you miss the Liberty Belle and Tom Sawyer Island? And how do you feel about the Muppets trading wisecracks for G-forces?
Share your thoughts in the comments below—we want to hear it all: the good, the bad, and the sarcastic.
Our thanks to Samantha Davis Friedman and Laura Gonzalez for today’s Update and the entire MiceChat WDW crew.