Right now, there are a lot of rumors surrounding the future of Disney parks. Fans have been speculating about what could happen at the former site of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, the future of Disney’s Animal Kingdom seems to be in flux with attractions based on Zootopia and possibly Encanto and Indiana Jones on the way, and Disney themselves shared hints about something new potentially coming to Frontierland.
However, though all of these projects sound very exciting, shovels haven’t hit the ground yet on any of them. When it comes to actual construction projects happening now at Walt Disney World, here’s what’s actually happening around the resort right now.
As always, timelines are subject to change, but as of right now, here is where Walt Disney World’s major construction projects stand:
1: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Park: Magic Kingdom
Opening Date: Summer 2024
Work is progressing quickly on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which is actually moved up its timeline, and will now be opening this summer! This attraction will be a follow-up to the events of the Princess and the Frog movie, acting like a sequel of sorts, and will find Tiana preparing to host a large party for Mardi Gras but missing a key ingredient. To find it, guests will join Tiana on an adventure deep into the bayou, meeting new and familiar faces along the way as they search for this important ingredient and rush to make it to the party.
During the ride, guests can expect to hear familiar tunes from the film as well as voiceovers from the original voice actors from the film, including film including Bruno Campos (Naveen), Michael Leon Wooley (Louis), and Jennifer Lewis (Mama Odie) and, of course, Anika Noni Rose who voiced Princess Tiana, who will all be returning to record new dialogue for the ride.
Testing on logs has already begun, and though construction on the exterior is still very visible, this attraction should welcome its first guests in just a few months!
2. County Bears Musical Jamboree
Park: Magic Kingdom
Expected opening range: Mid-2024
Magic Kingdom opening day attraction Country Bear Jamboree closed down earlier this year, and is in the process of being refreshed as the slightly-rebranded “Country Bears Musical Jamboree.” This updated attraction will have a completely new story and soundtrack, with the Country Bears characters now set to reinterpret songs from classic Disney movies in different genres of country music during the show.
Disney has yet to debut an official tracklist, but a preview showed various musicians working on a country version of the “Bare Necessities” song from The Jungle Book, which will presumably be a part of the show. No opening target was given, but considering Disney has already started work on this project, we’d guess that a mid-2024 opening, perhaps just in time for summer, would be likely.
3. CommuniCore Hall
Park: EPCOT
Expected opening range: Mid-2024
Another project that doesn’t have a specific timeline, but will likely be ready for summer is CommuniCore Hall and Plaza, which will include a new permanent Mickey & Friends meet and greet space, a demo kitchen, gallery space, and a mixology bar. In addition, the larger CommuniCore Plaza will have a stage for live performances.
Though this area was supposed to be complete at the end of 2023, a few snags delayed it to TBA 2024. Disney will likely have an update soon though on when this attraction space will open, as construction seems to be entering its final phases.
4. Fort Wilderness DVC Cabins
Park: N/a
Expected opening range: July 1, 2024
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are currently being reimagined as the next Disney Vacation Club property as part of the overall refreshment of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. More than 350 new cabins are being constructed to replace the existing cabins nestled across 750 acres. Each stand-alone cabin offers spacious accommodations, sleeping up to six adults, and features a bedroom, bathroom, living room, full kitchen, and private patio.
Construction is currently wrapping up on this project, with Disney confirming that these newly-reimagined accommodations will reopen on July 1, 2024. DVC Members can book their stay at this new location beginning next month on March 19 at the official Fort Wilderness website.
