Dec. 29–5. Star Wars Marathon — Though Star Wars Weekends has come to an end, a Star Wars-themed race weekend will make its debut at Walt Disney World Resort in 2016. Star Wars Half Marathon — The Dark Side is set for April 14-17 and includes a 5K, 10K and half marathon, along with kids races.
The inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend kicked off at Disneyland Resort in January 2015. That race weekend will now be known as "The Light Side." Star Wars Launch Bay and a retooled version of the Jedi Training Academy debuted at Hollywood Studios in late 2015. There's also a new "Star Wars"-themed fireworks show at the park, which will get its own dessert party starting Jan. 5.
4. New dining and shopping at Disney Springs — Downtown Disney transformed into Disney Springs in 2015. In 2016, the entertainment and retail complex will see the opening of several new eateries, including the delayed STK steakhouse, The Edison, Sprinkles, Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza, as well as restaurant concepts by chefs Art Smith and Rick Bayless. The Town Center section of Disney Springs will be completed and will feature shops like Lilly Pulitzer, Tommy Bahama and Zara.
3. Update to Soarin' — The popular Soarin' ride at Epcot is getting an update in the new year. With it, the attraction will close Jan. 4 and is planned to reopen in the summer of 2016. Soarin' and its sister attraction at Disneyland currently takes guests on a flyover of California.
The updated version, called Soarin' Around the World, will "take guests on a journey to far-flung lands," according to the official Disney Parks Blog. With the refurbishment, a third theater will be added, which will hopefully reduce wait times.
Frozen Ever After at Epcot — The only brand new attraction slated to open in 2016 at Disney World is the "Frozen"-themed replacement to the former Maelstrom ride in the Norway pavilion at Epcot. Frozen Ever After is set to open in the spring.
The slow boat ride will take guests through scenes from the animated movie, including Arendelle, Elsa's Ice Palace and the ice-blue world of the North Mountain. A new meet-and-greet area with "Frozen" characters will be added in the new Royal Sommerhus at the Norway pavilion.
1. Nighttime at Animal Kingdom — Disney's Animal Kingdom will become a true, full-day park in 2016. The new "Rivers of Light" show is set to debut in the spring and will take place on the park's Discovery River between Discovery Island and the Expedition Everest roller coaster. The addition is an effort to offer more entertainment and extend the hours of the park, which historically closed earlier than the other three.
The park also in planning an after-dark version of its Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction, which will introduce hyenas and African wild dogs to the savanna. Tiffins, a new restaurant at Animal Kingdom, will also open in 2016. Pandora — the upcoming "Avatar"-inspired section of the park — is set to open in 2017.
