Have you been waiting to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation? Surely 2020 was not your year, but if you’ve held out a couple of years since the pandemic waiting for the best time to splurge on your next Disney trip, we’ve got all the details on why 2023 could be your year.
With pandemic-era restrictions fully lifted, and most of Disney World already “back to normal,” 2023 is shaping up to be quite the magical year. New attractions will be opening up, several favorite shops and restaurants have already returned to the theme parks and Resorts, and, if you are hoping to become a more frequent visitor, Annual Passes are set to return as well.
RELATED: Disney World 50th Anniversary Experiences You Must Try Before the Celebration Ends
In case you still needed some convincing though, we’ve got five reasons why you should plan your next Walt Disney World vacation in 2023!
Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration is still going on
“The World’s Most Magical Celebration” isn’t over yet! If you plan your 2023 Disney vacation early enough in the year, you will still be able to experience all of the touches that have made this milestone event so special. Disney Enchantment and Harmonious both debuted for the 50th anniversary, and with new shows on the horizon, we can’t be sure how long these nighttime spectaculars will stick around.
On top of that, the celebration came with specialty snacks and dining experiences, exclusive merchandise, and fun touches around the Parks like enhanced decor, new outfits for select characters, and more. The anniversary officially ends on March 31, 2023, so if you are able to visit before then, you can still take in all the 50th-style fun.
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Fantasmic! is back and better than ever
If you did visit Walt Disney World during the pandemic, chances are you missed some of your favorite experiences as not everything has been up and running over the last couple of years. On top of fireworks in EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom (depending on when your last trip was), Fantasmic! has finally returned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
New enhancements to Fantasmic! have been met with overwhelmingly positive reviews from Guests, especially for the inclusion of new scenes featuring Moana (2016), Frozen 2 (2019), Aladdin (1992), and Mulan (1998). The return of Fantasmic! has been so popular that Disney has even added more showtimes into the New Year. We still recommend taking advantage of Fantasmic! Dining Packages, though if it’s in your budget, as they guarantee your seat for the show.
RELATED: After 5 Years, Disney Finally Acknowledges TRON With New Milestone
TRON Lightcycle / Run will open at the Magic Kingdom
TRON Lightcycle / Run, the newest thrill ride at Walt Disney World is set to open in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom in Spring 2023. The attraction has been in the works for a long time, in fact more than the length of time it took to build the Magic Kingdom itself, so we are excited to finally experience the ride firsthand!
Disney’s official description of TRON / Lightcycle Run reads:
Lean forward into the ultimate race of survival! Leave the real world behind and join Team Blue in an epic quest across the Grid—the dark, computerized world with no horizons from TRON. Here, there’s no limit to the excitement.
Climb aboard your very own Lightcycle and take off on a high-speed adventure, racing against the Grid’s most menacing Programs. Surge past your fierce opponents as you attempt to cross through 8 Energy Gates and secure your team’s victory—so you can survive to race another day.
RELATED: Prices to Increase When Sales of Annual Passes Resume at Walt Disney World
Sales of new Annual Passes are set to resume
If you have been waiting to purchase an Annual Pass for your next Disney vacation, then 2023 is your year! Sales of new Annual Passes were paused when the theme parks reopened in 2020, but they are set to finally resume in 2023. Disney did increase prices ahead of passes going back on sale, but the company did also note that they do not expect new passes to be available before the end of 2022.
Annual Passes are still subject to the theme park reservation system, even those without blockout dates, so that is something to keep in mind as you consider purchasing them for your 2023 vacation.
Special events are back!
Throughout 2022 there was some question about whether or not special events and festivals would be back to normal at Walt Disney World. Thankfully by the end of 2022, we can confirm that seasonal festivities are back in full swing, so if you were waiting to experience events like the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival or Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, just to name a few, 2023 could be your year.
On top of everything listed above, 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company. While the Disneyland Resort is set to be the center of Disney100 festivities, special experiences will be coming to each theme park around the world, so we are sure there are even more exciting updates to come for next year’s Disney vacations.
Booking is open for travel to Walt Disney World through the end of 2023, and we will continue to keep you updated on all the latest Disney news here on Disney Tips.