Walt Disney World in Transformation! Magical News #9

Walt Disney World is constantly evolving, and over the next few years, the park will undergo a major transformation, with significant updates that will shape the guest experience for years to come. Here’s a summary of the most important news from the past few weeks.

DINOSAUR closing

One of the most impactful changes is the confirmed closure of the DINOSAUR attraction and the entire DinoLand U.S.A. area in Animal Kingdom. Disney has announced that the last day for guests to experience DINOSAUR will be February 1, 2026, and the entire area will permanently close the following day, February 2, 2026. This paves the way for the new themed land “Tropical Americas,” which will include an Indiana Jones attraction replacing DINOSAUR, and the park’s first Encanto experience.

Disney Villians

At the same time, Disney has revealed more details about Magic Kingdom’s brand-new area dedicated to Disney villains. “Villains Land,” announced during D23 in August 2024, will feature two major attractions, restaurants, and shops in a dramatic and dark setting inspired by Art Nouveau architecture from Paris and Barcelona. The design team has introduced the concept of “Conjured Architecture” to describe the magical and enchanted aesthetic that will define the area. Villains Land will be located behind Big Thunder Mountain and will replace areas such as Tom Sawyer Island and parts of Rivers of America. The land will feature villains from Disney films like Maleficent, Jafar, Scar, Ursula, and Gaston, and will explore their “evil ambitions” through attractions and interactive experiences. Although Disney has not yet revealed details about the two main attractions, concept art hints at a roller coaster inspired by Maleficent’s dragon form, as well as an interactive experience that may involve magical duels or dark labyrinths. Additionally, the area will include themed dining experiences and shops with villain-inspired merchandise, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the dark side of the Disney universe.

Cinderella Castle repaint

In a more nostalgic turn, Disney has announced that Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom will be repainted in its classic color palette—gray, blue, and cream—restoring the castle to its original appearance from 1971. The decision was announced during Destination D23 on August 31, 2025, but a specific date for when this will happen has not yet been set.

In Magic Kingdom, TRON Lightcycle / Run has also received a major update. A temporary “Tron: Ares” overlay was launched on September 15, 2025, featuring new visual effects and a new soundtrack composed by Nine Inch Nails, tying the attraction to the upcoming film “Tron: Ares.”

Spaceship Earth in EPCOT has received a visual makeover in connection with the Food and Wine Festival 2025, which began on August 28 and runs until November 22. Each evening after sunset, a light and music show inspired by “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast is presented, and this year also includes music from the film “Wish.”

Zootopia: Better Zoogether opening soon

Finally, over in Animal Kingdom, a new attraction is set to open on November 7, 2025: “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”—a 4D show experience in the Tree of Life Theater. The new attraction will take guests on a celebration called Zoogether Day, where residents from all biomes in Zootopia gather for music, dance, and humor. The show includes special appearances from beloved characters like Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, and concludes with an epic musical finale celebrating community and diversity. The show features exciting elements such as ice dancing from Tundratown and a drone show from Little Rodentia. The attraction replaces “It’s Tough to Be a Bug,” a long-running 3D show experience that had been part of Animal Kingdom since the park’s opening in 1998. The show, based on the Pixar film “A Bug’s Life,” closed in March 2025 after nearly three decades of operation.