More Than 20 New Disney Parks Attractions Are Coming in 2019

If there’s ever a perfect year to visit a Disney park, this may be it. If you loved the Disney house that went viral earlier this year, you can experience the real thing in person, with new and improved attractions. We're still getting over how incredible Disney's gingerbread houses were this winter, and we can't forget the parks' insanely cute Christmas treats! The cheapest time of year to visit Disney World is coming up, so you know we're already planning our next trip!

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There are several upcoming anniversaries happening at the parks, which all lead up to Walt Disney World Resort’s 50 year anniversary in 2021. To celebrate, there are 20 new attractions coming for visitors to experience at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort—and some of them are already open. Find out what attractions will be open when, and start planning your family's next Disney vacation!

Related: The Ultimate Family Vacation Checklist

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Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

A new Star Wars-themed area of the park will open in 2019 at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Disney World, and Disney just released new artist renderings of what Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will look like. The Disneyland Star Wars attraction is scheduled to open in summer 2019, and the Hollywood Studios location is expected to open in late fall.

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Star Wars Attractions

Disney has also revealed two new attractions within Star Wars land. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run lets guests operate the most famous Star Wars ship in three unique roles (which is similar to the premise of the ever-popular Misson: SPACE). The second attraction, called Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, involves stepping into an epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order.

Mickey: The True Original Exhibition in New York City

This interactive experience is all about Mickey’s impact on popular culture. Visitors will enjoy Instagram-worthy installations, but the Exhibition is only open through February 10, 2019, so you have to visit early in the year.

A New Disney Studios Nighttime Show

Disney is revamping their nighttime entertainment, beginning with a new show in Disney's Hollywood Studios. Welcome to a “Wonderful World of Animation.” The new nighttime experience will debut in May 2019 using projection technology to take viewers through more than 90 years of Disney animation.

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Mickey & Minnie Runaway Railway

Mickey and Minnie will celebrate 90 years in 2019. This beloved two-dimensional cartoon is transformed into a real-world experience in what is the park’s first ride-through attraction for Mickey (it only took 30 years!). It will be a new, original story and theme song, drawing inspiration from the world of Disney’s Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts.

Related: 17 Fabulous One-Stop Weekend Escapes

Pixar Attractions at Disney

Walt Disney World Resort visitors are in for more fun after January 18. Fans will see a transformed Pixar Place to include a new area for the Incredibles with a party for the heroes. Visitors will meet Edna Mode, then travel over to a new “Monsters, Inc.” area to meet Mike and Sulley. In the Spring of 2019, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy will open for guests to meet Lightning McQueen and his pal, Cruz Ramirez.

At Disneyland, rides for "A Toy Story" and "Inside Out" will be opening in 2019.

Lion King Dance Party

2019 will bring the 25 year anniversary of the movie “The Lion King,” starting with a special dance party on Discovery Island. You can celebrate with Timon and Rafiki every day from January 18 to September 30, 2019, then explore the park for photo-ops with your favorite characters.

Festival of the Arts 2019

Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts will return from January 18 to February 25, 2019, with seven days of Broadway Concert series. Garden lovers will want to visit later in the year, from March 6 to June 3, when Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival (including 270 concerts throughout the 90-day festival).

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A New Disney Epcot Nighttime Show

IllumiNations nighttime show was a fan favorite but will be leaving halfway through 2019. In 2020, a new nighttime show will celebrate Disney music around the world, including floating set pieces, choreographed fountains, lights, and all the other things that make Disney magic. Fans traveling in the later half of 2019 will get a taste of the two experiences in a show titled “Epcot Forever” which includes familiar music with new fireworks and special effects kites.

New Proposed Disney Hotel and Resorts

Disney’s Riviera Resort is slated to be the 15th Disney Vacation Club property and is projected to open in fall of 2019. You’ll be able to see fireworks, be connected to the parks by the new Skyliner, and enjoy a visit reminiscent of Walt Disney’s European vacation with his family. There's also talks of a nature-themed lodge and a Star Wars hotel, but both are just in the planning phases.

Related: Checking into Kid-Safe Hotels

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Epcot Updates to France and Canada

As part of Epcot’s renovations, the France pavilion will feature new attractions, including Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. A brand new “Beauty and the Beast” sing-along will also be added to the pavilion this year, and guests can visit Canada for an update to the 360-degree O Canada! Show.

More Updates to Disney’s Epcot

Visitors can also watch for a new film in the China pavilion, a new restaurant in the Japan pavilion, and a new restaurant in the Future World. More additions are expected leading up to the big 50 year anniversary, including a new themed ride for “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

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New Disney Mickey and Minnie Experiences

Starting January 18, new entertainment, food, and merchandise will be available at Disneyland as part of Get Your Ears On—A Mickey and Minnie Celebration. “Mickey’s Mix Magic” will be an after-dark dance party that takes over the entire park, followed by the return of Mickey’s Soundsational Parade with a new float.

A similar event (Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration) will be inside the Magic Kingdom from January 18 to September 30, 2019. And Disney cruise fans will find a similar surprise party at sea.

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New Disney Skyliner

Disney fans will be able to travel through the air above Disney’s parks in the fall of 2019 thanks to a gondola system called the Disney Skyliner. It will connect Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels—and some gondolas will include images of iconic Disney characters, so it will look like you’re taking a ride with your favorite Disney friend.

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