Here's everything new at Walt Disney World right now (including my favorites)

I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World my whole life. 

As a kid, I remember casting my vote for the future on Horizons, feeling the heat of burning tankers on the Studio Backlot Tour and marveling over the Main Street Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic as they lit up the night. 

I may never have some of those experiences again, but I recently got that familiar feeling of wonder watching the new Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade for the first time. 

It’s among several newer experiences at the Florida resort, which I had a chance to try during a media event. Instant favorites included the nighttime parade and to my surprise, EPCOT's new adults-only GEO-82 bar and lounge.

Here’s what longtime and first-time Disney guests should know. 

Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away at Magic Kingdom 

It’s so nice having a nighttime parade down Main Street, U.S.A. again, beyond those offered at after-hours events. Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away carries on the tradition of the Main Street Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic. 

“That was really important to us, to give nods to the past but keep our eyes on the future, to create a new experience, new memories for families to hopefully talk about the way you think about the Electrical Parade,” said Tara Anderson, show director with Disney Live Entertainment.  

Those nods include "Pinocchio’s” Jiminy Cricket at the parade's tail and music that mixes the orchestral and electronic styles of its predecessors. 

There aren’t many street-level performers in between the floats, like at other Magic Kingdom parades, but the floats are stunning with vibrant multicolored lights that dance with the audio.  

“Technology has come so far, right?” Anderson said. “We utilized everything that was in the arsenal, as long as it served our story.” 

Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away runs twice nightly when there is not an after-hours holiday event. It begins on Main Street and ends in Frontierland, traveling in the opposite direction of the daytime Disney Festival of Fantasy parade. 

The Beak and Barrel at Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom’s new Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired tavern, The Beak and Barrel, feels like stepping into the iconic attraction and films.   

"If you don’t know the movies at all, it’s still a great experience, but if you’re very, very familiar with the experience, there’s so many little details to find,” said Chris Weck, senior creative director with Walt Disney Imagineering. 

Fans will quickly notice a hairy pirate leg dangling from a hammock near the bar and an animatronic green parrot named Rummy, who are both tied to the ride. Flags strewn overhead and portraits on the walls are among props from the films. 

Special effects like simulated lightning and boisterous cast member banter may remind guests of Trader Sam’s, but louder and rowdier. It’s a pirate hangout after all.

In that same vein, the food and drinks are also inspired by the spirit of adventure. “International waters bring international flavors, right?” said Chef Bobby Rivera, chef de cuisine for Concept Development at Walt Disney World. “We have culantro, we have arepas, we have chipotle, we have octopus. So, all those things come together and created a very diverse but very approachable menu.” 

One of the tastiest things I tried was the non-alcoholic Treasure Trove, which reminded me of an ube lemonade that wasn’t acidic at all. I could have downed that drink by the barrel. Kids will enjoy the vanilla cake plank, chocolate cannonball and golden caramel popcorn that come with it.  

The all-ages Beak and Barrel opens Aug. 29. Reservations are required and can be made through Disney World’s website or My Disney Experience app. Visits are limited to 45 minutes. 

GEO-82 at EPCOT 

This is the bar you visit to unwind.  

EPCOT’s new adults-only GEO-82 is a total vibe, and photos don’t do its subtle Spaceship Earth-inspired interior and panoramic views justice. The real star of this space, though, is its menu.  

“In this space, we knew that the elevation of the beverage program was key. Knowing that it was adult-only, we wanted to have a little more of that curation of focus,” said Stephanie Dold, beverage director for Walt Disney World.  

I’m not a big drinker, so bars aren't my go-to, but I could immediately taste why the velvety smooth Brown Butter Old Fashioned is already a fan favorite. My husband would have loved it. I preferred the non-alcoholic, basil-forward Walk in the Garden inspired by The Land.  

“Everything around our World Showcase is kind of featured in little ways, hidden gems on each dish,” said Chef James Kleinschmidt with Disney’s Flavor Lab. 

The food was among the best I’ve had at the resort. I usually prefer my fish cooked, but the Truffled Ahi Tuna was delicate and fresh, and the silky Cannellini Hummus was so good, I cleaned my plate. 

For the price, which ranges from $14 for that hummus to $28 for that Old-Fashioned, fellow guests will also want to savor every bite and sip. Reservations are required.

Test Track 3.0 at EPCOT 

I wasn’t able to ride the reimagined Test Track, having sprained my back just days before my trip. However, I spoke with an Imagineer who worked on it and fellow media members who rode it.  

One thing guests will notice right away is the car design activity that used to be in the ride queue is now gone. 

“This time it’s really about the future, so we’ve removed that interactive element, but you’ll be able to experience the history of General Motors in first half of our queue, and in the second half, you’ll get to see future-forward ideas like sustainability and car customization that should really entertain our guests while they’re waiting in line,” said Kerry Chan, project manager with Walt Disney imagineering.

“I really hope guests who come on are inspired and excited about the future,” Chan said.  

She said there are some Easter eggs in the future garage scene, but by and large, the scenery in both the queue and on the ride have changed. Fellow reporter friends say the actual ride experience is the same, including the high-speed stretch outdoors. 

My kids loved the previous version of Test Track as much as I loved World of Motion. I can’t wait to come back and try the new version with them. 

“The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

I was not expecting to nearly cry at “The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure.” I'm no Ariel stan, but the moment King Triton realizes how she’s grown up and lets her go really pulled at my parental heartstrings.  

The whole reimagined show is well done with a mix of live performers, puppetry and video. 

“We still wanted to preserve the original successes of the show, so we kept the puppeteering. We kept that black light night number that is iconic, ‘Under the Sea,’ because that’s the heart of the show. We kept that, but we just plussed up with the technology,” said Katrina Mena Rick, a senior visual media creative producer with Disney Live Entertainment.  

The new set uses more screens that add dimension to show scenes. She said projections of all new media run on a video game engine, which makes the action feel dynamic and fluid. The show also includes new musical arrangements and two additional songs that weren’t in the previous version: "Daughters of Triton" and "Kiss the Girl."

During my viewing, a little girl beside me sang along and squealed with excitement throughout the show.  

“I see the gasps. When Ursula comes in and you hear the lightning, I see the shudders,” said Mena Rick, for whom “The Little Mermaid" was a childhood favorite. “Just seeing the way that our guests are feeling and experiencing that story is amazing and it’s an honor, and we hope that we can continue to do that for many years to come.” 

“Disney Villains: Unfairly Every After” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios 

“Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” is an all-new show that plays on the Evil Queen’s age-old question to her mirror on the wall. Instead of who’s fairest of all, the show asks guests to consider which Disney villain has been treated most unfairly. 

Matt Fiuza, senior art director with Disney Live Entertainment, led more than two dozen different artists on the project. “They were so excited, like ‘Can we get this character?’ We have over 80 different villains in this show,” he said. 

Most of the villains appear on video screens surrounding the stage, but three live characters – Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent – plead their cases to the audience, and the audience chooses the winner. 

“This show really allows you to be in the theatre and be present and be vocal and be loud and cheer for your favorite villain,” Fiuza said. “Your reaction changes the outcome of the show every time. It really does.”  

It would be fun to have more live characters, but the screens are well utilized to change backdrops and bring other villains into view, including some that are rarely seen outside of their films.  

Both “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” and “The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure” run throughout the day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Showtimes can be found on the resort's app. 

The reporter on this story received access from Disney. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of reviews.