The Top 5 Things We’re Looking Forward to in 2016 at the Walt Disney World Resort

It's that time of year again! It's time to think about what we're looking forward to next year when it comes to the Walt Disney World Resort. After all, 2016 is just a few days away and there are so many great things happening next year at our favorite place!

What are you looking forward to in 2016 at Walt Disney World?What are you looking forward to in 2016 at Walt Disney World?

There are actually more than just five things on this list, but it made more sense to categorize stuff by location, so let's dive right in!

5. Big changes at Disney's Animal Kingdom: Next year is going to be a really big year at Disney's Animal Kingdom. This amazing theme park is going to be even more amazing and it's going to become a nighttime park for the first time! Disney's 'River of Light' show is debuting in the spring and will feature floating lanterns, water screens, and more. Guests will also be able to enjoy Kilimanjaro Safaris at night for the first time ever in 2016. And, a new signature dining restaurant is also coming to the park in the spring when Tiffin's opens its doors for lunch and dinner. We can't wait to experience all the changes at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Tiffin's brings signature dining to Disney's Animal KingdomTiffin's brings signature dining to Disney's Animal Kingdom

4. Frozen Comes to Epcot: OK, we know. We KNOW. We miss Maelstrom too. But we're going to have to let it go and move on. And if that means trying to embrace all things Frozen in Epcot's Norway pavilion we'll do our best to enjoy it. In all honesty, we're a little excited to see the Frozen Ever After attraction when it opens in the spring, and we'll probably stand in the queue to meet Anna and Elsa at the new Royal Sommerhaus.

And don't forget that Soarin' is going through some (non-Frozen) changes too! The attraction is closing in January and will reopen later in 2016 as Soarin' Around the World. We're pretty sure Anna and Elsa won't make an appearance in this attraction. ;)

We are excited about Frozen Ever After at EpcotWe are excited about Frozen Ever After at Epcot

3. 90 days of the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival: Our favorite time of year at Epcot is the annual Flower and Garden Festival and in 2016 we can enjoy it for 90 days! OK, we won't be there for all 90 of those days but wouldn't that be awesome? Hashtag: VacationGoals. The festival kicks off March 2 and runs through May 30 with all new topiaries featuring Donald Duck's nephews, Ranger Mickey Mouse, and more.

The Outdoor Kitchens are also returning to the festival enticing guests with fresh garden produce, sweet treats, and other new food and beverage options. Guests can also enjoy the Floral Sun garden behind Spaceship Earth and follow the yellow sunbursts that pop up throughout Future World. We can't wait!

We can't wait for the Flower & Garden Festival!We can't wait for the Flower & Garden Festival!

4. Star Wars at Disney's Hollywood Studios: Sure we know the Star Wars Launch Bay opened earlier this month and it'll be fun to check that out. But we're more excited about the nightly fireworks 'Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular' and the accompanying dessert party. But if you want to check out the dessert party you only have until March 19 as of press time. And of course we can't forget that construction on the new Star Wars themed-land is supposed to start very soon.

5. New Dining Experiences at Disney Springs: This year we welcomed new eateries including Jock Lindsay's Hanger Bar, Morimoto Asia, and The BOATHOUSE to Disney Springs. But 2016 looks to be ever more delicious with more restaurants opening including The Edison, STK Orlando, Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza, Sprinkles (yes, more cupcakes!), and Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine by Chef Art Smith. We'll definitely be arriving hungry to Disney Springs!

The Edison is opening at Disney Springs in 2016!The Edison is opening at Disney Springs in 2016!

That's just a few of the things we're most excited about for 2016. What are you looking forward to at Walt Disney World Resort next year? Let us know in the comments.

ThatMouse wrote on Tue, 12/29/2015 - 04:31:

Soarin is really the only thing. River of Light looks good in that it doesn't look based on a movie like all the other shows, but you have to wait around in line and sit down for it.

PickyD wrote on Sat, 01/02/2016 - 03:27:

PickyD's picture

Did you know the article is numbered 5, 4, 3, 4, 5? I had to look twice but it's definitely an "infinite" way to list your favorites!

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