10 Big Construction UPDATES From Disney World and Universal Orlando

We’ve seen a BUNCH of construction changes in the Orlando area theme parks this year!

Between new restaurants, new, rides, hotel updates, and even new theme parks, there has been a lot to keep our eyes on. And now, we’ve rounded up all the construction updates from Disney World and Universal Orlando for the month of November!

Magic Kingdom

Let’s start things out in Magic Kingdom, where TRON construction is still in progress! We’ve seen new additions to the landscaping, with more concrete poured and dirt getting laid in the large planters. We’ll be excited to walk back here soon!

Earlier in November, construction was completed on Center Street in Magic Kingdom. Over the course of several months, bricks were replaced on the main part of the road between the sidewalks.

The last bit of Center Street construction before the walls were removed.

Finally, we’ve got to mention Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. This gift shop attached to Space Mountain has been closed for a few months while crews work on the pathway back to TRON.

Not much has changed here, but we expect the shop to reopen along with the walkway when TRON opens this spring.

EPCOT

Heading over to EPCOT, we’ve got an update on everything that’s happening in the middle of the park! First of all, construction is moving slowly next to Guest Relations, where a path used to exist that led over to the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind building.

If you’ve noticed a large two-story building in the construction zone that has been growing over the past month, that’s CommuniCore Hall! When completed, it will be home to festival spaces, meet and greet areas, and more. In the area surrounding CommuniCore Hall, you’ll find outdoor event spaces.

Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana is making big progress! We’ve seen more rock structures added recently, as well as new paint details and faux moss. It’s starting to look quite realistic!

We can’t wait to walk through this attraction and check it out in 2023!

Hollywood Studios

In Toy Story Land, we’ve got some updates on Roundup Rodeo BBQ, the restaurant that’s set to open before the end of the year. We’ve seen scaffolding added to the side of the building, as well as a sign go up in front of the building.

Currently, everything is still mostly covered in tarps, and there’s a large construction wall out in front. Disney hasn’t yet announced an official opening date, but we hope to check it out in the next few weeks!

Disney Resorts

There are multiple projects going on at the Disney World resorts currently, starting with the addition of a new DVC building at the Polynesian Village Resort. We’ve recently seen some dirt moved around, but not much else has happened.

The Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge were under construction for a while, and in the past few weeks, the scaffolding was removed from the building.

We’ve seen lots of room refurbishments in Disney World in the past year, so you might find yourself in a refreshed hotel room on your next visit!

Universal’s Epic Universe

And finally, we’ve got some aerial photos from Universal’s Epic Universe, the new Universal Orlando theme park that’s set to open before summer 2025. Twitter user @bioreconstruct shared these photos a few weeks back.

Aerial look at the intersection of the Kirkman Rd extension and Epic Blvd.
Epic Universe day guest parking accessed by Epic Blvd.
1 Universal Blvd
2 Universal hotel construction
3 Donkey Kong roller coaster
4 Believed to be a roller coaster, in Classic Monsters land. pic.twitter.com/zVZOTPVClL

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) November 25, 2022

This new park is going to be a very big addition to the Orlando theme park world! We’ve noticed a lot of progress since the last photo updates were shared in October.

Aerial overview of Universal's Epic Universe. pic.twitter.com/dNnLLT4Yxf

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) November 25, 2022

Those are all the big updates we have for you this month! Stay tuned to AllEars for more construction news and updates as big projects progress in Disney World and Universal Orlando.

And if you’re traveling to the theme parks this holiday season, then make sure to check out our posts with all the details on seasonal celebrations. We’ve got holiday parties, special merchandise, limited-time snacks, and more!