What Happened to Walt Disney World Resort?
Walt Disney World Resort has continued its evolution as a premier global entertainment destination, marked by significant new attraction openings like TRON Lightcycle / Run and Tiana's Bayou Adventure, alongside extensive park transformations and resort refurbishments. The resort has navigated ongoing legal and political challenges in Florida while introducing new experiences and maintaining its status as a top tourist draw, with a focus on enhancing guest spending and leveraging beloved intellectual properties.
Quick Answer
Walt Disney World Resort has seen substantial investment and transformation, introducing major new attractions such as TRON Lightcycle / Run (2023), Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana (2023), and Tiana's Bayou Adventure (2024). As of June 2026, the resort is undergoing extensive refurbishments and developing new themed lands, including Tropical Americas, Villains Land, and Monstropolis, while also facing ongoing legal disputes regarding property taxes and its Disability Access Service (DAS) policy. Despite relatively flat attendance in recent years, per-guest spending has increased, and the resort continues to host seasonal festivals and events.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Celebration Begins
Walt Disney World Resort launched 'The World's Most Magical Celebration,' an 18-month event commemorating its 50th anniversary with new nighttime spectaculars like Disney Enchantment and Harmonious.
Walt Disney World Railroad Reopens
After a multi-year closure due to construction for TRON Lightcycle / Run, the beloved Walt Disney World Railroad at Magic Kingdom reopened with a modified route and new voiceover.
50th Anniversary Celebration Concludes
The 18-month 'World's Most Magical Celebration' officially concluded, making way for the 'Disney100 Years of Wonder' festivities.
TRON Lightcycle / Run Opens at Magic Kingdom
The highly anticipated TRON Lightcycle / Run, a semi-enclosed launched roller coaster, officially opened in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, becoming one of the fastest attractions at any Disney park.
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana Opens at EPCOT
As part of EPCOT's multi-year transformation, the walkthrough attraction Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana debuted in World Nature, offering interactive experiences themed to the film.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure Opens at Magic Kingdom
The reimagined log flume attraction, replacing Splash Mountain, opened in Frontierland, immersing guests in the world of 'The Princess and the Frog' with new Audio-Animatronics and a New Orleans-inspired soundtrack.
TRON: Ares Overlay Debuts on Lightcycle / Run
TRON Lightcycle / Run introduced a limited-time 'TRON: Ares' overlay, featuring red lights and a Nine Inch Nails soundtrack inspired by the new 'TRON: Ares' film.
Disney Files More Property Tax Lawsuits
Walt Disney World filed over a dozen new lawsuits against the Orange County Property Appraiser, challenging the assessed values for dozens of buildings and parcels for the 2025 tax year.
DinoLand, U.S.A. Permanently Closes
DinoLand, U.S.A. at Disney's Animal Kingdom permanently closed to make way for the new Tropical Americas land, which will feature attractions based on 'Encanto' and 'Indiana Jones' opening in 2027.
Florida Launches Investigation into Disney's DAS Policy
The state of Florida initiated a formal discrimination complaint investigation into Walt Disney World's Disability Access Service (DAS) policy, following changes made in 2024-2025.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring THE MUPPETS Opens
The reimagined Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios opened with The Muppets as the new stars, featuring music from the Electric Mayhem.
Soarin' Across America Reopens
The popular Soarin' attraction at EPCOT reopened with an all-new 'Soarin' Across America' film, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Cool KIDS' SUMMER Event Begins
Walt Disney World Resort launched its 'Cool KIDS' SUMMER' event, running through September 8, 2026, with special family-friendly activities across all four parks.
Disney Wins Decade-Old Property Tax Lawsuit
A Circuit Judge signed a Stipulated Final Judgment in Disney's favor regarding its challenge to the 2015 property valuations of Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge, reducing the assessed value by nearly $44 million.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Since the early 2020s, Walt Disney World Resort has been in a period of dynamic transformation, balancing the introduction of new, highly anticipated attractions with extensive infrastructure projects and navigating a complex external environment. Following the conclusion of its 18-month 50th Anniversary Celebration in March 2023, the resort immediately pivoted to the 'Disney100 Years of Wonder' celebration, which saw the opening of several key experiences.
Key developments include the debut of TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom on April 4, 2023, offering guests a high-speed adventure inspired by the 'Tron' films. This was followed by the opening of Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at EPCOT on October 16, 2023, a walkthrough attraction designed to educate guests about the water cycle. A major reimagining of the classic Splash Mountain attraction culminated in the grand opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom on June 28, 2024, featuring characters from 'The Princess and the Frog' and retaining the thrilling log flume experience.
The resort has also been engaged in a multi-year overhaul of EPCOT, with new areas and experiences continuing to emerge. Beyond EPCOT, significant construction is underway across other parks. At Animal Kingdom, DinoLand, U.S.A. permanently closed in February 2026 to make way for the new Tropical Americas land, slated to open in 2027 with attractions inspired by 'Encanto' and 'Indiana Jones.' Magic Kingdom is set to expand with a new Villains Land, and Hollywood Studios is developing a 'Monsters, Inc.'-themed land, both with opening timelines yet to be fully revealed.
In 2026, Walt Disney World continued to refresh its offerings, with Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring THE MUPPETS opening at Hollywood Studios on May 26, 2026, and Soarin' Across America reopening at EPCOT on the same date. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run also received new missions featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22, 2026. The resort launched its 'Cool KIDS' SUMMER' event from May 26 to September 8, 2026, offering special activities across the parks.
Financially, while domestic theme park attendance was relatively flat in 2024 and slightly down by 1% in 2025, per-guest spending increased by 5% domestically in 2025, contributing to a record operating income for the Disney Experiences division. The resort has also been embroiled in ongoing legal battles with Orange County over property tax assessments, with Disney prevailing in a decade-old lawsuit concerning Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge on June 8, 2026, though new lawsuits for 2025 assessments were filed in late 2024 and December 2025. Additionally, in April 2026, Florida launched a state investigation into Disney's Disability Access Service (DAS) policy following a formal discrimination complaint.
Looking ahead, various resort hotels are undergoing refurbishments through 2026 and 2027, and Magic Kingdom's Carousel of Progress is scheduled for an extensive refurbishment starting July 6, 2026. The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is confirmed to run from August 27 to November 21, 2026. The ongoing development and refurbishment projects underscore Disney's continuous effort to innovate and enhance the guest experience, even amidst external pressures and evolving visitor trends.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Walt Disney World Resort made different choices?