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RIDE ON
I went back to Disney World 30 years later – here’s the new additions that are worth the hype
And how to make the most of the relaunched Disney Dining deal
THE last time I was in Orlando, it was 1992 and I was seven years old and overwhelmed by the magic.
It’s more than 30 years since I last visited Walt Disney World in Orlando but my inner child reappears and I am transported back to the magic I felt as a seven-year-old.
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But boy have things changed. It goes without saying the Florida theme park has evolved in the three decades since I last visited.
The sheer technological advances meant I was not just reliving childhood memories but experiencing a totally different side as an adult.
Everything seemed bigger and better attractions - none more so than the astonishing tech marvel that is the Happily Ever After display at the Magic Kingdom.
And there was so much more. With Disney bringing back its Free Disney Dining offer for 2025, here’s the best of the new arrivals that seven-year-old me could never have imagined.
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Tron Lightcycle Run
Tron Lightcycle Run only launched last year, making it one of the newest rides - based around the cult Tron movie franchise.
This epic modern take on a rollercoaster sees you sat astride the futuristic motorbikes as you speed along the futuristic blue grid.
The ride rockets out into daylight, taking my breath away, before you’re plunged back into a world of flashing video screens and pulsating lights.
The attention to detail may be out of this world but the real thrill is the smooth, insanely fast ride.
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I was pleasantly surprised to see that some things haven’t changed since the 90s - such as the Tomorrowland Speedway - and the nostalgia I felt in those moments was overwhelming.
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Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Magic Kingdom’s latest addition, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, opened to the public at the end of June.
First look at new Moana land opening at Disney World
The new Frontierland attraction replaces the much-loved log flume ride Splash Mountain.
It is visually stunning; with lots of trees and greenery covering the outside, while colourful flowers and cute new characters adorn the inside as you sail around in your log, with a few surprises along the way.
Tiana is the lead character in 2009’s The Princess and the Frog - a waitress dreaming of owning her own restaurant one day - and she became Disney’s first black princess.
The film was set in 1920s New Orleans, and Bayou Adventure takes place a year on from the events of the movie, with Tiana heading into the Bayou to find musicians for a one-of-a-kind celebration for the city’s residents.
The team behind the ride described Tiana - who is based on real life New Orleans chef Leah Chase - as “a dreamer and a doer” who is “relatable” and “everybody’s princess”.
I love that her story is being continued with Bayou Adventure, and as ‘everybody’s princess’, it’s no surprise that the ride is suitable for pretty much everybody.
It will definitely cause a big splash, in more ways than one!
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Epcot's World Showcase
Epcot Centre was vivid in my memories, particularly its World Showcase.
Aged seven, I hadn’t really made it past Spain before our family trip to the US, so to see multiple countries from across the globe represented around the lake was breathtaking.
Standing in Mexico, next to a replica of a Maya temple, I was right back to my childhood, looking out across the water to Morocco, France and Japan.
The 11 countries all have something different to offer, with France home to the Ratatouille ride based on the 2007 film, while Norway hosts the Frozen Ever After attraction.
As you might expect, you will find yourself singing along to the classic songs from the hit 2013 movie, all while gliding along on the reverse Shoot the Chute ride.
Like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, this is a fun ride for all the family, but adrenaline junkies will require something a little more high-octane.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride.
And not much comes more thrilling than the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride.
Riders join Chris Pratt and Co on an intergalactic chase through space and time, accompanied by one of six iconic songs.
You don’t know which one you are going to get each time you ride, but one thing is for sure, your head will be left in a spin regardless!
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Avatar Flight of Passage
One park which didn’t exist when I first visited Orlando was Animal Kingdom, which has a safari area for the animals so vast that the whole of Magic Kingdom can fit in it.
It has a slightly more gentle vibe than the other parks but it is not without its thrill-seeker moments, namely Expedition Everest, a classic reverse rollercoaster full of twists and turns.
But the highlight for me was Avatar Flight of Passage in Pandora - The World of Avatar.
Wearing 3D glasses, you straddle a machine that replicates the breathing and movement of a winged Banshee from the hit film, as you take a breathtaking flight through Pandora and all of its otherworldly landscapes.
The imagery is nothing short of incredible and is fully immersive, whooping with delight it was a ride that really took my breath away.
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Use these tips on your next theme park trip
Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.
- Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
- Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer - this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
- Download the park's app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
- Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out "birthday badges" that can get you freebies.
- If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.
I was equally blown away by Disney Dreams That Soar, a drone show over the lake at Disney Springs, the shopping and restaurant district, which features iconic moments and characters from Disney’s history, and sets a high benchmark for what can be achieved as an alternative to traditional firework displays.
Getting to relive my childhood whilst also embracing all the new and wonderful experiences as an adult was truly special, and proves you’re never too old for Disney.
GO: DISNEY ORLANDO
GETTING / STAYING THERE: Free dining and drinks is back on the menu for 2025 holidays with Walt Disney World’s Early Booker Offer.
Book before November 7 for 2025 and depending on the Disney hotel chosen, you’ll get free food and drinks.
Two weeks room-only at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort is from £1,883pp including 14 days for the price of seven Walt Disney World park tickets, one free Disney Quick Service Meal a day and direct Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow, departing August 20, 2025. See virginholidays.co.uk or call 0344 557 3859.