What’s New at Walt Disney World in 2027: Every Ride, Land and Change
Walt Disney World is in the middle of its biggest expansion in decades, and if you’re planning a 2027 trip it’s worth knowing what will be open, what won’t, and what’s behind construction walls.
Here’s the confirmed picture as of August 2026 — with the honest caveat that Disney’s opening dates move, and “2027” sometimes quietly becomes “2028”.
Planning takeaway
The two big 2027 openings are Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom and the Monsters, Inc. land at Hollywood Studios. If either matters to your family, aim for the second half of 2027 rather than the first — and expect enormous queues in opening months.
Tropical Americas — Animal Kingdom, 2027
The biggest change of the year. Tropical Americas replaces DinoLand U.S.A. entirely, and brings two headline attractions:
- An Encanto attraction featuring the Madrigal family and Casita
- A new Indiana Jones adventure ride
- A hand-carved animal carousel completing the land
DinoLand’s closure means Dinosaur has gone, which will disappoint a specific and loyal group of people. Animal Kingdom has been the quietest of the four parks for years — expect that to change sharply once this opens.
Monsters, Inc. Land — Hollywood Studios, 2027 onwards
A full Monstropolis land, headlined by Disney’s first suspended roller coaster. There’ll also be a Mike and Sulley show, Welcome to Monstropolis, in the Glob Theater — the former home of Muppet*Vision 3D, which has now closed.
Current guidance points to 2027, though 2028 is entirely plausible for the full land. Hollywood Studios is already the most congested park in the resort; this will not help in the short term.
Villains Land — Magic Kingdom, date to be confirmed
Confirmed and in development, with two major attractions announced: a Maleficent-themed coaster and a Mirror Realm dark ride, plus dining and shopping. This is a genuinely exciting concept — Disney has never given the villains a land of their own — but no opening date has been committed to, and it will not be open for 2027.
Piston Peak National Park — Magic Kingdom, date to be confirmed
A Cars-themed expansion of Frontierland replacing Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island, with two attractions:
- Cars Ridge Run Rally — a thrill ride through the mountains
- Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along — a family attraction
Rivers of America and the Liberty Belle riverboat have already closed. Again, not open for 2027 — but the construction is visible.
Already open or opening in 2026
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad returned in spring 2026 after a major refurbishment, with smoother track and new effects.
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopens with new vehicles, new animatronics and better blasters.
What’s closed or closing
| Attraction | Status |
|---|---|
| DinoLand U.S.A. and Dinosaur | Closed — becoming Tropical Americas |
| Muppet*Vision 3D | Closed — becoming the Monsters Inc land |
| Rivers of America / Tom Sawyer Island | Closed — becoming Piston Peak |
| Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress | Closed July 2026, expected to return in 2027 |
What this means for planning a 2027 trip
If you’re going early in 2027: expect construction walls at Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland. Nothing that ruins a trip, but it’s worth knowing before you’re surprised.
If you’re going after a major opening: the new land will have extraordinary queues, and the rest of that park will be quieter than usual. Do the new thing at rope drop or late evening, and enjoy the unusually short queues everywhere else.
Either way, this doesn’t change the fundamentals: your ticket, your dates and where you stay still matter far more than which new ride is open. If you haven’t sorted those, start with the complete UK planning guide — and if your dates qualify for free dining, the 4 November 2026 booking deadline matters a great deal more than an opening date that might move.
Frequently asked questions
Will Tropical Americas be open for our 2027 trip?
It’s scheduled for 2027, but Disney rarely commits to a month until a few weeks out. Don’t book a trip solely around it.
Is it worth visiting during construction?
Yes. There is always far more open than closed, and construction periods often mean better availability and lower prices.
What happened to Dinosaur?
It closed permanently to make way for Tropical Americas.
Will the new rides need Lightning Lane Single Pass?
Very likely. Disney’s newest headline attractions are typically Single Pass, and often use a virtual queue for the first several months.
Are ticket prices going up because of the new rides?
Ticket prices rise most years regardless. Buying earlier generally beats buying later — see the UK ticket guide.
Planning a 2027 trip? Start here: Walt Disney World for UK Families — The Complete 2027 Planning Guide.
