What We’re Excited About at Walt Disney World in 2017

As we head into the last week of 2016, it seems like a good time to look forward to Walt Disney World in 2017. There are quite a few new things coming to the theme parks (and even one water park) in the New Year and we can't wait to check them all out!

What are you excited about in 2017 at Walt Disney World?

From the new Avatar-inspired land at Disney's Animal Kingdom to a new festival at Epcot (and the expanding Epcot Food and Wine Festival), let's take a peek at what's coming to Disney World next year.

Epcot International Festival of the Arts: Yes, Epcot is adding another festival to its roster with this brand new festival that is scheduled to run for six weekends beginning January 13. Guests will have a chance to enjoy visual, culinary, and performing arts. The festival will feature Food Studios where guests will get to see chefs creating culinary works of art. And the American Gardens Theater will host stars from some of Disney's biggest Broadway shows including The Lion King, Newsies, and Aladdin. The Festival of the Arts runs Fridays through Mondays from January 13 to February 20.

Culinary works of art coming to the Epcot Festival of the Arts

Pandora - The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom: This new immersive land at Disney's Animal Kingdom is scheduled to open in the summer of 2017. The land, inspired by the world of Pandora from the James Cameron film Avatar will feature two new attractions: Avatar Flight of Passage and the Na'vi River Journey. The new land will also feature Satu'li Canteen, the main restaurant in the new land, and Pongu Pongu, a drink kiosk. Avatar-themed merchandise will be available at Windtraders.

Rivers of Light at Disney's Animal Kingdom: This new nighttime spectacular was scheduled to open in the spring of 2016 at the Animal Kingdom but the show has been plagued by delays all year. Disney says guests can expect the show to open in 2017, with "innovative and never-before-seen technology." There is still no "official" opening date for the show...just 2017. We'll keep you posted!

Pandora: The World of Avatar opens in the summer of 2017!

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival: The 2017 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival kicks off March 1 next year and runs through May 29. The festival will once again feature the Outdoor Kitchens, adding two new kitchens to the lineup, for a total of 15 booths. Guests will have a chance to enjoy a new generation of princess topiaries with facial features (including Anna and Elsa from the 2016 Festival). Other new topiaries include Belle, Figment, and a new Epcot entrance topiary garden with Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, and Pluto. The Garden Rocks concert series is expanding to four days a week in 2017, and new Garden Rocks dining packages will be available! We can't wait to check out the Flower and Garden Festival in the spring!

We're so excited for this year's Flower and Garden Festival!

2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival: The biggest news (so far) about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is that for the first time ever the Festival is starting in August. This means the Food and Wine Festival will run for 75 days! That's all the details we know so far, but our friends at the Disney Food Blog will have all the details about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

The 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival starts in August!

More Restaurants at Disney Springs: Just when it seems like Disney Springs is complete, we get news of more restaurants opening in 2017. Paddlefish, which was scheduled to open this fall, will be opening in 2017 in the former location of Fulton's Crab House. The Planet Hollywood Observatory is also slated to open next year, and will be serving up gourmet burgers created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri. Other new locations coming later in 2017 include The Polite Pig and Wine Bar George.

'Star Wars' Experiences at Disney's Hollywood Studios: Fans of the Star Wars saga can take a seven-hour Star Wars Guided Tour at the theme park. The tour includes character greetings at the Star Wars Launch Bay, VIP viewing of Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, a Star Wars dessert party, a Star Wars-themed quick service dinner, Jedi training for the kids, and more.

A seven-hour 'Star Wars' Guided Tour at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Changes at Disney's Wilderness Lodge: The construction project at Disney's Wilderness Lodge looks to be completed in the summer of 2017 when the new Disney Vacation Club pool, Boulder Ridge Cove, is slated to open. The resort is also getting a new bar and grill and a new quick service restaurant. An official opening date for the new waterside cabins has not been announced, but we can't wait to see them!

Wilderness Lodge is getting two new restaurants and more in 2017!

Next year looks to be an exciting year at the Walt Disney World Resort! We can't wait to see what else might be coming to the theme parks and resorts. What are you looking forward to in 2017 at Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments.