If you’re planning a visit to Walt Disney World in 2025, get ready for some exciting updates! One of Magic Kingdom’s most popular entertainment offerings, the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, has now expanded to two daily performances. But that’s just the beginning. While this brings more magic to the park, Disney World is also gearing up for some major transformations—including new attractions, refurbishments, and some surprising closures across all four parks.
Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade Now Running Twice a Day
Since its debut in 2022, the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade has become a staple of Magic Kingdom’s entertainment lineup. Featuring a mix of nearly 30 beloved Disney and Pixar characters like Mulan, Pocahontas, Mirabel, and Bruno, the cavalcade brings high-energy fun to guests along the park’s traditional parade route.
Previously, guests could only catch the cavalcade once per day at 5:10 p.m. But now, Disney has added a second performance at 6:25 p.m., a change that will be in place at least through April 5, 2025. Adjustments like these are typically made in response to crowd levels, ensuring that more guests have the chance to enjoy the character-filled procession.
Big Things Are Coming to Magic Kingdom
While the cavalcade’s expansion is great news, Magic Kingdom is also seeing some major shifts in 2025. A brand-new nighttime parade is set to debut, featuring dazzling floats, advanced lighting effects, and a fresh mix of Disney characters. This marks the first new nighttime parade in years, and fans are eager to see how it transforms the park’s after-dark experience.
Beyond the parade, Magic Kingdom is undergoing a massive expansion, including a Cars-themed attraction replacing Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. Meanwhile, the long-rumored Villains Land is finally coming to life, offering immersive attractions and themed experiences inspired by Disney’s most notorious antagonists.
However, these exciting changes come at a cost. The Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island will permanently close by the end of 2025. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will undergo an extended refurbishment through 2026, and the Walt Disney World Railroad may face temporary closures due to ongoing construction in Frontierland.
Major Overhauls at EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
EPCOT’s transformation continues into 2025, with the most significant update being a full reimagining of Test Track. Chevrolet and Disney are redesigning the popular ride with inspiration from the classic World of Motion, promising an upgraded experience when it reopens in late summer 2025.
Over at Hollywood Studios, some entertainment offerings are being retired. The Jedi Training Academy is permanently closing, and Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is being replaced with a Villains-themed show. Meanwhile, Voyage of the Little Mermaid is returning in summer 2025 with updated effects and a fresh look.
Animal Kingdom’s Major Makeover
Animal Kingdom is set for its biggest transformation since 2017. DINOSAUR will be closing to make way for a brand-new Indiana Jones attraction, while It’s Tough to Be a Bug will be replaced with a Zootopia-themed experience.
Additional changes include the seasonal refurbishment of Kali River Rapids and the permanent removal of TriceraTop Spin. As part of a larger reimagining, Disney is beginning construction on Tropical Americas, a new land that will introduce even more experiences to the park.
2025 Is a Year of Change at Disney World
With new parades, ride expansions, and unexpected closures, Disney World is evolving in ways that will shape future guest experiences. Whether you’re looking forward to the second daily showing of the cavalcade, the revamped Test Track, or Magic Kingdom’s biggest expansion yet, there’s plenty to be excited about.
Stay tuned for more updates as Disney continues to roll out its ambitious plans, ensuring that the magic never stops in 2025 and beyond.
