Though all eyes are on Disney’s Hollywood Studios as the August opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge approaches, Disney will be making a few new additions this spring across the resort. From a new show that has already debuted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to the much-anticipated Cars attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and even a few fun little extras at Disney’s resorts, here’s every new experience coming to Walt Disney World this spring!
1. Bollywood Beats (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Image: Disney
Open: Now
The brand new Bollywood Beats show, which brings traditional Indian dance together with the fire of Hindi film opened last week at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the Asia area of the park. This show will be performed several times daily at the stage across from the Anandapur Theater, and is expected to stick around for awhile.
2. Mariachi Cobre Presents … The Story of “Coco” (Epcot)
Image:Disney
Open: Now
Earlier this month a new show debuted in the outside area of the Mexico Pavilion that tells the story of Coco in a whole new way. For this new show the Mariachi Cobre group is joined by a pair of Folklórico (traditional Mexican folk dance) dancers who perform to the music of the film, pulling everyone into the story of the film. Miguel himself also appears in the show in the form of a whimsical, hand-crafted puppet who comes to life along with the dancers as the music from the film is performed. This show has been very popular in its opening days, and Disney has been changing the schedule at Epcot to try and control crowds in this area of the park.
3. Mermaid School (multiple resorts)
Open: Now
Select hotels at Walt Disney World are now offering a special “Mermaid School” experience where guests can wear a mermaid tail and learn how to swim with it. This experience is available for guests ages 4 and older in this hour-long class, which is available at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Cost for this experience is $50/person (plus tax)
4. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Image: Disney
Open: March 31
Later this month, Disney will open a new Cars attraction will immerse guests in the world of Cars and bring them face to face with racing legend Lightning McQueen. Taking on the role of rookie racer, guests will cruise into the theater and find yourself face-to-face with this character, who will appear “live” on stage in animatronic form, while giant, wraparound screens that are nearly two stories tall and stretch more than 200 feet from end to end, pull guests into into the action.
The show will take place after the events of Cars 3, and feature McQueen going through some of his career highlights while testing out a new racing simulator before, inevitably, things go wrong (as they always do in theme park attractions!)
5. Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew (Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club resort)
Image: Disney
Open: April 28
Now that the Pixar kids’ experience is ending at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, a new kids’ experience at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club will be taking place from 5pm to 8:30pm. In this new experience, Captain Hook will be looking for a new band of adventurers to learn the pirate code and follow clues leading to hidden treasure. As part of Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew, these young buccaneers will comb through the resort and set sail on a pontoon boat around Crescent Lake including an escape room type experience. Once the treasure is unearthed, all join in a Pirate Feast that includes selections such as Cannon Meatballs with marinara or macaroni and “gold” sauce for entrees, along with a treasure chest treat or fruit for dessert. This new offering will cost $55 (plus tax) per child and is available for ages 4 to 12.
6. Fancy Nancy meet and greet
Image: Disney
Open: May 1
Disney Junior character Fancy Nancy will be coming soon to an all-new character greeting location at Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Animation Courtyard, where she’ll be meeting in front of her backyard playhouse. Nancy will also soon be part of breakfast at Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood & Vine – alongside Vampirina, Doc McStuffins and Roadster Racer Goofy. This new character experience will replace Sofia the First, who will no longer be meeting guests in this area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
