Walt Disney World Resort is on the cusp of a dramatic evolution. While change is a constant at the Central Florida destination, the upcoming transformations represent one of its most significant overhauls in decades, introducing expansive new lands, attractions, and experiences across its parks.
While updates on these projects have been sporadic, Disney unveiled fresh insights at this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) festival. During a presentation led by Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, the company framed its theme park initiatives under the broader concept of “the future of world-building.”
Among the key revelations was a first look at the new Indiana Jones attraction at Animal Kingdom.
“During the event, Chris Beatty from Walt Disney Imagineering surprised the audience with an unexpected glimpse into what the new Indiana Jones ride that is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be like,” Kenny the Pirate wrote. “The ride will be a completely new adventure with an original storyline that will play into the pillars of Animal Kingdom.” He also confirmed that the attraction will not be a replica of Disneyland Resort’s Indiana Jones Adventure.
For reference, the original Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland transports guests into the crumbling Temple of the Forbidden Eye. “Follow Indy’s footsteps into the crumbling Temple of the Forbidden Eye past intricate booby traps,” the official Disneyland Resort website details. “Inspect carvings and frescos that tell the story of Mara, a powerful deity who promises great treasures—and vengeance to those foolish enough to gaze into its all-seeing eyes.”
The confirmation that Walt Disney World’s Indiana Jones ride will offer an entirely unique experience marks a significant move for Disney, as the company continues to prioritize original attractions over direct duplications across its parks. The attraction will be a central fixture in the Tropical Americas area, officially named Pueblo Esparanza, which is slated to open in 2027.
The project, already in progress, has seen the removal of attractions such as TriceraTop Spin and Fossil Fun Games, as well as landmarks like the DinoRama sign and Cementosaurus. However, the land’s signature ride, DINOSAUR, will remain operational through the end of 2025.
Additionally, the Tree of Life Theater is set to undergo a major transformation, as It’s Tough to be a Bug! is scheduled to close in mid-March. Its replacement, Zootopia: Better Zoogether, will introduce guests to the vibrant metropolis of Disney’s Academy Award-winning 2016 animated hit, Zootopia.
This expansion will arrive ahead of another major transformation at Magic Kingdom—the relandscaping of Frontierland and an ambitious new area located “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain.”
Magic Kingdom’s upcoming additions include a Pixar Cars-themed destination and an area inspired by Disney’s infamous Villains. At SXSW, Disney showcased early development visuals for the Cars experience, though no official opening date has been announced. However, recent construction permits show that progress is actively underway. While the integration of Cars within the rugged American Frontier has sparked debate among fans, Imagineers are focusing on thematic authenticity.
“When we’re designing our attractions, our primary goal is to create an emotional experience for our guests, just like the filmmakers do on the screen,” Imagineer Michael Hudgen stated at SXSW (via The Walt Disney Company). “For this Cars attraction, we need to invent a new type of ride vehicle to create that feeling.”
Hudgen revealed that the creative team traveled to Arizona to study the terrain and test off-road vehicles, which will serve as inspiration for the attraction’s ride system.
As Disney advances its ambitious expansion plans, it faces heightened competition from Universal Orlando Resort, which is preparing for the highly anticipated debut of Universal Epic Universe on May 22, 2025.
With immersive lands featuring franchises such as Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, and Universal’s Classic Monsters, Universal Epic Universe is expected to reshape Central Florida’s theme park landscape, positioning itself as a direct rival to Disney’s evolving offerings.
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