Walt Disney World visitors with early 2027 reservations may face a timing decision as several major additions are scheduled to arrive later in the year. Disney has announced 2027 openings for new offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, while exact opening dates for some projects have not yet been released.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the former DinoLand U.S.A. area is being transformed into Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas-themed land. Disney has said the expansion will include Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, featuring the Madrigal Casita and animal Audio-Animatronics, as well as Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, which will replace DINOSAUR. El Carrusel de los Animalitos is also planned for the land.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also expected to begin welcoming guests to Monstropolis in 2027. The Monsters, Inc.-themed area is planned to open in phases, however, and its door-vault coaster is not expected to debut with the land’s initial opening. Disney has said the coaster will use a suspended ride system.
Magic Kingdom’s Carousel of Progress is another attraction with a 2027 timeline. It closed in July 2026 for an extensive update and is expected to reopen in late spring 2027. Disney’s plans include a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic in the pre-show and refreshed scenes spanning several eras.
For travelers who already booked winter or spring dates, moving a vacation later could mean a chance to visit after some of those additions open—but it does not guarantee access to all of them. Disney has not announced exact opening dates for Pueblo Esperanza or Monstropolis, and the phased Monstropolis rollout means a later trip may still precede the coaster’s debut.
Planning Your Trip
Undercover Tourist is an authorized seller of Walt Disney World tickets, often at a discount off gate price.
Early 2027 stays also come with currently announced savings. Select Disney Resort hotel stays from January 3 through April 29, 2027, can qualify for discounts of up to 25%, depending on the resort and travel dates. Disney also has qualifying room-and-ticket package offers with savings of up to $250 per night on select stays through July 28. Guests considering a change can plan Disney World tickets and vacation packages while comparing the dates and offers available to them.
There are reasons some visitors may prefer to keep early-year plans. EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts is scheduled for January 15 through March 1, followed by the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival from March 10 through May 31.
Later in the year, Disney Lakeshore Lodge is scheduled to open July 1, 2027. The 967-room resort is being built on the former River Country site near Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Disney has announced plans for a pool and water-play complex, restaurants, lounges and views toward Magic Kingdom.
