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10 Newest Attractions At Walt Disney World

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One of the best things about Walt Disney World that keeps many guests coming back trip after trip is the incredible growth of the Disney Parks. Each Disney Park is constantly growing and changing thanks to new additions or updates of current attractions, entertainment, restaurants, and more. With so many new things constantly on the horizon, each Disney vacation feels like a brand new experience! Over the recent few years, the Disney Parks have seen substantial new additions in the way of attractions as we count down towards the fiftieth anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort. Here are the ten newest attractions that have been added to the four Disney Parks in Walt Disney World over the last few years!

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1. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

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In all of the years that Walt Disney World has been open, there had never been an attraction based on Mickey himself until 2020! Opening in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 4, 2020, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway brings guests directly into the animated world from Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts and takes them on an adventure. Guests board a train engineered by Goofy and set off for a picnic in the park, but there are plenty of twists and turns along the way as they experience amazing scenes brought to life through immersive technology.

2. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

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Disney’s Hollywood Studios also saw the addition of the entirely new land Galaxy’s Edge in 2019, including the opening of two amazing attractions. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opened on December 5, 2019 and brings guests on an epic adventure where they take on the role of members of the Resistance who are being evacuated from a base that is under attack. From being captured by the First Order to coming face to face with Kylo Ren himself, this brand new attraction is unlike anything guests have experienced before and an absolute must do!

3. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

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Also new in Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is an attraction that lets many guests live out their dreams of piloting one of the most famous ships. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run opened on August 29, 2019 and introduces guests to Hondo who tasks them with the mission of smuggling precious cargo. Guests then board the iconic Millennium Falcon and are assigned roles of pilots, gunners, and engineers, each with specific tasks to perform to ensure success on their mission! This incredible opportunity to experience the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon firsthand is a guest favorite for sure!

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4. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

The Sunset Boulevard area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios is well known for the thrilling Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Staring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, but there is also a relatively new attraction located just behind the thrills that guests of all ages love. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy opened on March 31, 2019 and features an impressive audio-animatronic of Lightning McQueen who shares tips and tricks he has learned throughout his career by bringing guests on a high speed adventure played out on large screens all around. With cameos by other familiar faces from Cars, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is a great attraction for guests of all ages.

5. Slinky Dog Dash

Further proving that Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been the home of the majority of growth in the most recent years, the park has also been home to a second band new land that brought a beloved world to life. Toy Story Land officially opened on June 30, 2018 and featured a new entrance to Toy Story Mania in addition to two new attractions. Slinky Dog Dash brings guests on a high speed adventure down a roller coaster track that Andy himself constructed in his backyard. With two launches, lots of twists and turns, and some really cute details that bring everything to life, Slinky Dog Dash is a very popular attraction with many guests!

6. Alien Swirling Saucers

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When Toy Story Land opened on June 30, 2018 Alien Swirling Saucers also debuted! Bringing the beloved green aliens to life, this fun attraction has guests board space saucers and whip around a circular area. With a green alien on the front of each ship, intergalactic theming, and a fun soundtrack, taking a whirl on Alien Swirling Saucers is a great way to spend time while exploring all that Toy Story Land has to offer.

7. Avatar Flight of Passage

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has also seen change in recent years with the removal of Camp Minnie Mickey and the addition of a stunning new world. Pandora – The World of Avatar brings the exotic and foreign Valley of Mo’ara to life and features two incredible new attractions. Avatar Flight of Passage debuted with the land on May 27, 2017 and uses state of the art technology to link each guest with an Avatar where they can then enjoy the Na’vi rite of passage of flying on the back of a massive banshee. Using incredibly immersive technology, this popular attraction is on the top of many guests’ lists in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

8. Na’vi River Journey

Also debuting on May 27, 2017 in Pandora – The World of Avatar is the Na’vi River Journey. This serene boat ride brings guests deep into a bioluminescent forest where the beauty and otherworldliness of Pandora is highlighted. Guests can check out larger than life vegetation and interesting species before hearing the call of the Shaman of Song. The Shaman is finally revealed at the end of the experience, and the audio-animatronic is so incredible that she seems to be a living, breathing being!

9. Frozen Ever After

Epcot’s World Showcase is set to enjoy some incredible new attractions in the upcoming years, but it also received a popular new experience several years ago. Frozen Ever After opened on June 21, 2016 and brings guests on a boat ride into the kingdom of Arendelle. Guests are invited to a summer celebration and come face to face with favorite characters including Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Elsa who can be found singing the hit “Let It Go” from her ice palace balcony.

10. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Rounding out the list of most recent attractions added to Walt Disney World is one of the most popular experiences found in the Magic Kingdom. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was part of the New Fantasyland addition to the park and it officially opened on May 28, 2014. The innovative ride vehicles are designed to look like mine carts and gently sway guests from side to side throughout their journey into the mines where the Dwarfs work. With small drops, beautiful glimpses of Fantasyland, and even cameos from several other characters, Seven Dwarfs Mien Train is a must do!

About Caitlin Kane

Caitlin Kane first started visiting Walt Disney World when she was two years old, and despite spending most of that trip quarantined with the chicken pox she managed to fall in love with the place. Visiting WDW every year since, she especially loves learning all about the history and small details of the parks and eating/drinking her way through the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival each fall. When she's not in Disney, Caitlin lives in New York and spends her time counting down the days to her next trip.