New Attractions Coming to Disney Parks in 2018
From a TRON-themed roller coaster to Mickey Mouse’s very first ride to even more Marvel experiences, many of the most exciting new Disney attractions are set to debut in the next few years.
And while some of the new Disney rides are a ways off, there will be many that Disney fans will want to experience in 2018 — especially if you missed the many new additions at Disney World and Disneyland in 2017.
Here's what you can expect at the parks this year.
New Attractions at Disney World in 2018
Walt Disney World guests will notice some convenient changes throughout 2018 — many hotels are in the process of completing room refurbishments and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will welcome the new Spy Glass Grille Restaurant.
But one of the most highly anticipated is the first-ever members-only club arriving on property. Club 33, the elite restaurant and bar hidden within Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland, is set to open at all four Disney World theme parks in 2018.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The much-anticipated Toy Story Land will arrive to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, in Florida, this summer, bringing new rides and experiences while unveiling the first wave of the cinematic park’s multi-year transformation.
Guests will “shrink down” to the sizes of toys to enjoy two exciting new family-friendly rides — Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster and Alien Swirling Saucers — and join the gang from Andy’s Room at quick-service restaurant Woody’s Lunch Box. A new “Up”-themed show will also debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Disneyland Resort's New Attractions in 2018
In mid-April, Disneyland, in California, will launch PixarFest, a full-scale celebration of beloved animated films across both parks, and “Together Forever — A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” will take over Disneyland’s current fireworks show.
Disneyland will also introduce a new late night “After Dark” series throughout the year, starting with a ‘50s-inspired Throwback Night in mid-January.
New York City’s popular Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer will bring its sky-high milkshakes to Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney in 2018 along with Splitsville, an inventive bowling alley with live music and dining. And, on January 5, virtual reality experience Star Wars: Secrets of The Empire will debut at the downtown district.
New Attractions at Disney California Adventure
2018 will see a parade switch: Disneyland’s popular Paint The Night returns to Disney California Adventure while last year’s Pixar Play Parade lands at Disneyland Park, both with brand-new character-centric floats. The big event will occur at some time in early summer, when Paradise Pier at Disney California Adventure trades its seaside roots for a full Pixar reimagining that will bring an Incredibles-themed roller coaster in place of California Screamin’ and character enhancements to Mickey’s Fun Wheel.
The new land, Pixar Pier, will also include new retail locations, midway games and entertainment honoring the animated films. An “Inside Out” attraction is set to debut in the future, along with two dining concepts that’ll see Ariel’s Grotto and Cove Bar eateries rethemed to the popular movies.
Disney Springs' New Attractions in 2018
Though visitors and locals alike flock to Disney Springs for its celebrity chef-helmed restaurants and popular eateries, 2018 will bring even more options. James Beard Award-winning chef-helmed Terralina Crafted Italian is going to take the place of recently-shuttered Portobello Country Italian Trattoria. Wine Bar George will provide small plates and over a hundred different pours while Jaleo, a José Andrés chain with locations in Las Vegas, Mexico City, and the Washington D.C. area, will serve traditional Spanish dishes when they land in 2018.
Disney Springs will also welcome Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante and Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar in early 2018; Pizza Ponte, which opened at the end of 2017, rounds of the trio of new italian concepts serving an assortment of traditional Sicilian and Roman delicacies including meat-stuffed rice balls and Bucatini alla Carbonara. The Edison, a nightclub-and-entertainment concept with a steampunk vibe, will open at the start of the new year.
The New Attractions to Expect on Disney Cruises
Though Star Wars — Galaxy’s Edge won’t open at Disney parks until 2019, guests can immerse themselves in live entertainment, themed fireworks and snap photos with their favorite villains, Jedi and droids aboard special Star Wars Day at Sea sailings on Disney Cruise Line throughout 2018. Other select sailings will include a full ship takeover with a superhero stunt performance, interactive Doctor Strange show and characters from “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Thor,” among others during Marvel Day at Sea.
New 2018 itineraries for Disney Cruise Line including first-ever stops in Bermuda and Quebec City and a few special Disney Magic sailings from New York with stops at guest favorite Castaway Cay as well as Walt Disney World, with Park Hopper tickets included for each guest. Disney Magic will also welcome a new restaurant, Rapunzel’s Royal Table, on board in March. The table-service eatery will be themed to the musical “Tangled” with visits from the namesake princess as well as familiar faces from the Snuggly Duckling. Disney Magic is also taking on other redesigns within its Vibe teen club and Cove Café coffee shop and updating Disney’s Oceaneer Club with Disney Junior activities and the popular Rainforest Room at Senses Spa.
