The 2023 record

What changed at Disney World in 2023

Every verified opening, closure and rule change we hold for 2023, with the date and source for each.

20 completed

20 records

2023 in full

NEWOpened December 16, 2023

Walt Disney World Railroad

Magic Kingdom • attraction

The steam train circle tour returned after a five-year closure.

Then: Closed since 2018 for TRON construction
Now: Running again around the park

Source · Parkstalgia Research

NEWOpened December 5, 2023

Luminous

EPCOT • entertainment

EPCOT's current nighttime spectacular.

Now: Nightly lagoon show

Source · Walt Disney World

NEWOpened December 5, 2023

CommuniCore Hall

EPCOT • land

A new event and festival venue replaced dormant Innoventions buildings.

Then: Wonders of Life / Innoventions area
Now: New festival and event space

Source · Walt Disney World

REPLACEDDecember 5, 2023

EPCOT Nighttime Show

EPCOT • entertainment

EPCOT went through Epcot Forever and Harmonious before settling on Luminous.

Then: Illuminations
Now: Luminous: The Symphony of Us

Source · Parkstalgia Research

NEWOpened October 16, 2023

Journey of Water

EPCOT • attraction

A walk-through interactive water trail.

Now: Open in World Nature

Source · Walt Disney World

GONEClosed September 30, 2023

Galactic Starcruiser

Hollywood Studios • resort

The immersive Star Wars hotel ran for only about 18 months.

Then: Two-night immersive hotel
Now: Permanently closed

Source · Walt Disney World

CHANGEDAugust 2023

After Hours Ticketed Events

Magic Kingdom • planning

Separately ticketed party nights cost far more than most returning guests remember.

Then: Around $100 per adult
Now: $150+ on peak nights

Source · Parkstalgia Research

NEWOpened April 4, 2023

TRON Lightcycle / Run

Magic Kingdom • attraction

A high-speed indoor coaster in Tomorrowland and the biggest Magic Kingdom addition in years.

Now: Open in Tomorrowland

Source · Walt Disney World

CHANGEDApril 4, 2023

Virtual Queue

Resort-wide • planning

New attractions often require a virtual queue join at set times.

Then: Standby lines only
Now: 7am and 1pm virtual queue drops

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGEDApril 3, 2023

Happily Ever After

Magic Kingdom • entertainment

The fireworks line-up swapped back after a two-year run of Enchantment.

Then: Disney Enchantment
Now: Happily Ever After nightly

Source · Walt Disney World

REPLACEDApril 2, 2023

Harmonious

EPCOT • entertainment

EPCOT cycled through two nighttime shows in three years.

Then: Harmonious
Now: Luminous: The Symphony of Us

Source · Walt Disney World

NEWOpened March 23, 2023

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Hollywood Studios • dining

Toy Story Land's first table-service restaurant.

Now: Open in Toy Story Land

Source · Walt Disney World

CHANGEDMarch 2023

Festival of Fantasy Parade

Magic Kingdom • entertainment

Parade times move seasonally and are posted day-of in the app.

Then: Single afternoon showing
Now: Times vary and second showings are rare

Source · Parkstalgia Research

GONEClosed January 23, 2023

Splash Mountain

Magic Kingdom • attraction

The log flume closed for good and was rebuilt as Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

Then: Open since 1992
Now: Closed and rethemed

Source · Walt Disney World

CHANGEDJanuary 10, 2023

Overnight resort parking

Resort-wide • resort

Disney reversed the overnight self-parking fee for resort guests.

Then: Nightly parking charge
Now: Standard parking included again

Source · Walt Disney World

CHANGEDJanuary 10, 2023

Resort Overnight Parking

Resort-wide • resort

Overnight self-parking fees were dropped.

Then: $15-25 per night
Now: Free again for resort guests

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2023

Festival Center

EPCOT • planning

Festival seminars and events now happen in the new CommuniCore Hall.

Then: Festival Center in Odyssey
Now: Events moved to CommuniCore Hall

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2023

Memory Maker

Resort-wide • planning

Photo package pricing rose and single-day options changed.

Then: $169 advance purchase
Now: $210 with new options

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2023

Theme Park Parking

Resort-wide • planning

Daily standard parking rose to $30.

Then: $25 standard parking
Now: $30 standard parking

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2023

Theme Park Tickets

Resort-wide • planning

Unused date-based tickets keep value but require paying the difference.

Then: Flexible unused ticket value
Now: Date-based tickets expire and need upgrades

Source · Parkstalgia Research

Your trip, your report

Was 2023 your last trip?

Pick your month and we'll show everything that changed after it, not just during this year.