Walt Disney World Resort officials have announced an array of new experiences, character greetings, and celebrations set to debut this year, including the Disney100 Celebration, EPCOT's ongoing transformation, and the return of beloved character experiences.
The Florida theme park will join the global festivities for The Walt Disney Company's 100th Anniversary, with EPCOT taking center stage for the celebration at Disney World. More details will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
As part of EPCOT's multi-year transformation, this fall will see the debut of the Moana-inspired Journey of Water, the completion of the new World Celebration neighborhood featuring Communicore Plaza and Communicore Hall, and the launch of a new EPCOT nighttime spectacular in 2023.
New and returning character greetings are also in store, with Moana arriving at Discovery Island at Animal Kingdom on April 22, just in time for the park's 25th Anniversary. Mickey Mouse and friends will welcome guests at the new Communicore Hall, and Mirabel will greet visitors in the Fairytale Garden, surrounded by La Familia Madrigal-inspired decorations.
Following the return of several Magic Kingdom character experiences, other major plans for Disney World in 2023 include the Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Hollywood Studios on March 23, the return of Nighttime Spectaculars on April 3, the debut of TRON Lightcycle / Run on April 4, and Animal Kingdom's 25th Anniversary on April 22.
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is scheduled to reopen on March 19, with the H2O Glow After Hours late-night party kicking off on May 20 and running on select nights through September 2.
Disney has also shared more details about the Disney100 celebrations at EPCOT. Guests can look forward to meeting Mickey and Minnie in their platinum outfits, snapping selfies with a platinum sculpture of Walt Disney's iconic character, and marveling at Spaceship Earth's new Spectacle of Light show. More information on the celebrations will be available in the coming months as the festivities are set to commence in the spring.
