What's coming to Disney World in July 2025
Weekly Roundup: A look at when the newest nightime parade and route
July 2025 at Walt Disney World presents a month of significant change, marked by both exciting new experiences and the bittersweet farewell to beloved classics. While guests can anticipate patriotic celebrations for Independence Day, they will also see the first nighttime parade since 2016 and a major shift in Magic Kingdom’s landscape with the permanent closure of several iconic attractions to pave the way for future developments. Simultaneously, EPCOT enthusiasts can look forward to the highly anticipated reopening of a reimagined Test Track, promising a fresh, technologically advanced thrill.
The most notable changes occur in Magic Kingdom, where the Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Liberty Square Riverboat will permanently cease operations on July 7. These closures are part of a massive expansion, transforming the area into Piston Peak National Park, a new Cars-themed land.
To help you navigate these changes and make the most of your trip, we’ve compiled a list of everything open, closed, and coming soon. You can find it here.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the big news from the week.
What to watch on Disney Plus in July 2025: Nine new premieres are coming to the streaming service, including exciting documentaries such as “Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration immersive P.O.V experiences, the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+, and a six-part thriller “Suspicious Minds.”
Destination D23 preliminary schedule announced: D23, the official Disney fan club, has announced the schedule of Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney events from Friday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025.
Disney Starlight parade route and times released: The newest nighttime parade, the Disney Starlight parade is debuting July 20 at Magic Kingdom and will run twice a night. The parade will take place at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. The parade will begin on Main Street U.S.A. and travel along the parade route towards Frontierland to allow for better guest flow at the end of the night.
When Fourth of July fireworks at Disney World are scheduled: Walt Disney World is gearing up for a dazzling Independence Day fireworks celebration as Disney’s Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky has been added to the Magic Kingdom entertainment calendar for both July 3 and July 4, 2025. This patriotic fireworks spectacular is scheduled to light up the night sky at 9:20 p.m. on both evenings.
Disney Jr. Let’s Play! returns to Disneyland in August 2025: Get ready for three days of non-stop fun as Disney Jr. Let’s Play! returns to Disneyland Resort from Aug. 8 to Aug. 10. This special event is designed for families with little ones, packed with crafting, singing, and playtime alongside beloved Disney Jr. characters
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner puts on Disneyland train wraps: In honor of the Disneyland Resort's 70th anniversary, the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency has unveiled a special, limited-time Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train wrap. This whimsically designed train, now rolling down the Southern California coast, brings a touch of Disney joy to your travels and encourages summer trips to "The Happiest Place on Earth."
Menus Flavors of Florida coming to Disney Springs: Get ready for some Sunshine State snacks as the Flavors of Florida returns from June 27 to August 10 at Disney Springs. With over 40 participating locations, this event is filled with Florida-grown ingredients and fresh flavors that will leave you and your taste buds more than satisfied. The menus for the Flavors of Florida have been released.
Boneyard at Animal Kingdom closing date: Dinosaur lovers and young paleontologists, mark your calendars: The Boneyard, the beloved dinosaur-themed play area at Animal Kingdom, is set to close permanently after Sept. 1, 2025. The closure paves the way for the ongoing Tropical Americas expansion, a transformative project that will reshape Dinoland U.S.A. into an immersive new land inspired by the vibrant cultures and natural wonders of Central and South America.
Disney monorail system getting a new feature: The Walt Disney World Monorail System has transported hundreds of millions of guests since it first opened in October 1971, with an annual ridership of about 22 million. To celebrate the resort’s 50th anniversary, Disney engineers designed a feature that illuminates the beam underneath each train at night. This week, they’re adding another new feature, which allows the logo on each train to glow in the dark.