Walt Disney World has revealed a wonderful new look at what to expect from the Most Magical Place on Earth in 2026, and it includes exciting updates to Frozen Ever After, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Soarin', and more, The Magic of Disney Animation, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, the return of Cool Kids' Summer, and a ton of other experiences to look out for.
There is a lot planned for Walt Disney World in the coming months, so we thought, with the help of Disney Parks Blog, that we'd create a Walt Disney World 2026 Guide that will help you plan your trip or learn what's new and in the works. And yes, we will be updating this guide throughout the year as new details are revealed!
Be sure to let us know what you are most looking forward to and to check out our Disneyland in 2026 Guide!
Early 2026
Frozen Ever After Upgraded With Updated Audio-Animatronics of Anna, Elsa, and More
In February, Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff's Audio-Animatronics are getting a major upgrade at EPCOT's Frozen Ever After. The Imagineers have taken inspiration from the figures currently at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland to create a "more true-to-film look" that will no longer use projection mapping on their faces.
2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
The 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will return from January 16 through February 23, bringing with it "artisanal dishes, beautiful artwork, and sing-your-heart-out Broadway showtunes" from Disney on Broadway shows and stars." There will also be Figment's Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt, a Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game Collection Quest, and much more.
Disney After Hours
Disney After Hours events are set to light up the night once more in 2026, giving guests a chance to experience Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT with lower wait times, awesome character meet-and-greets, free snacks, and much more.
These are separately tickets events and usually run from 9:30pm or 10pm to 12:30am or 1am. However, guests can enter as early as 7pm, allowing them to enjoy the parks before the official event kicks off.
Spring 2026
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Guests visiting EPCOT from March 4 through June 1 will be able to enjoy the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, which will let them "stroll past whimsical topiaries and lush gardens, savor mouthwatering bites at Outdoor Kitchens, and jam to live tunes during the Garden Rocks Concert Series."
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Is Re-Opening With 'New Magic'
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will welcome guests back with some "new magic" in spring for the first time since January 2025, including a new area that will be an underground section with natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, stalagmites, stalactites, and the colors of the rainbow all around you. Don't get too comfy, however, as a crack of thunder will turn things much more dangerous and bask the cave in an "eerie red" glow.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin Returns With Improved Ride Vehicles, Blasters, and a New Robot Named Buddy
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin closed on August 4 of 2025 and will reopen in 2026 with some big changes. There will be a new ride vehicle inspired by Buzz, and the blasters will now be able to come off the vehicle for an even more enjoyable experience. The targets are also being improved and will flash the color of the blaster that shot them (red or green!), and scores will be displayed on a new digital screen. Oh, and did we mention you'll be able to earn one million points? Because you will!
Lastly, Imagineering and Pixar have created a new charming robot named Buddy that will welcome guests into the attraction, give them tips, and even help them to play the game the best way.
Summer 2026
Cool Kids' Summer Is BACK
We loved Cool Kids' Summer when it first debuted in 2025, and it's officially returning in 2026 from May 26 through September 8. Cool Kids' Summer is an initiative by Walt Disney World to encourage guests to visit during the warmest months of the year with great deals, lots of fantastic experiences inside and away from the heat, and so much more. To get an idea of what to expect, keep reading on below!
Summer Deals Include 'Some of the Best Ticket Prices of the Year'
Some of the biggest deals of the year at Walt Disney World happen during the summer, and you can begin booking them on January 6. One of the deals allows guests to add two free room nights and theme park days when they purchase a select 4-night, 4-day (or longer) Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package. This specific deal is good for most nights between May 26 and September 15, but it has to be booked between January 6 and February 15.
Guests can also save up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotels from May 1 through October 4, and Florida Residents (35%) and Annual Passholders (40%) can also take advantage of great offers at Disney Resort hotels.
These deals, especially when combined with the offer to get a free dining plan for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a package that includes a dining plan for guests age 10 and up and a room at a Disney Resort hotel, make this time one of the most affordable times to visit Walt Disney World.
Early Theme Park Entry, Character Appearances, and More at Disney Resorts Collection Hotels
Those who choose to stay at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel will be able to enter the parks 30 minutes before everyone else, but the fun doesn't stop there. For summertime only, guests of Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside will have scheduled visits from fan-favorite Disney pals.
Disney Water Park Admission Summer Vacation Deals
One of the more exciting offers during the summer is that guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel between May 26 and September 7 can enjoy free admission to one of the Walt Disney World water parks (Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach) on their check-in day! It's also exciting to note that both the water parks will be open, so you can choose where you want to go!
Disney H20 Glow After Hours at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
Speaking of Typhoon Lagoon, Disney H20 Glow After Hours at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon will be back this summer as a separately tickets event that lets guests "splash the night away with a DJ dance party, meet up with fun Disney pals, enjoy your favorite watery attractions, and indulge in complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select beverages – all after the sun goes down and the water park closes."
Bluey and Bingo Finally Arrive at Walt Disney World at Animal Kingdom's Conservation Station
Bluey will finally have a presence at Walt Disney World as guests will be able to play and dance with Bluey and Bingo over at Animal Kingdom's Conservation Station. There will be special games directly from Bluey episodes (Keepy Uppy?!), the chance to grab a photo with the pair, and also discover animals native to Bluey's home country of Australia.
Party With Your Toy Story Pals at Magic Kingdom's Diamond Horseshoe
At Magic Kingdom's Diamond Horseshoe, Jessie, Woody, and other Toy Story friends will be hanging out at Jessie's Roundup, where guests can "craft, dance, and yodel [their] hearts out in this western revue."
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is a new stage production headed to Hollywood Studios that will let guests sing and dance with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Mickey and Minnie have invited Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto, but they haven't arrived yet, and we'll all need to find them to get the fun started!
The Magic of Disney Animation and Off the Page!
Hollywood Studios' The Magic of Disney Animation and Off the Page! are going to be two of the biggest additions to Walt Disney World this year (and the one I'm most excited for!), and they will be experiences inspired by Disney Animation's headquarters.
The Magic of Disney Animation will be a place where 'kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore animated new experiences." This will include "silly" takes on Disney Animation's headquarters and its departments, "playful and interactive moments" like portraits coming to life as they did in "Once Upon a Studio," a short film filled with inspiration, a chance to draw "your very own character sketch," character meet-and-greets, and more.
Furthermore, the 'Drawn to Wonderland' playground will welcome kids into an "oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area. To make it even more special, these areas are all inspired by Alice in Wonderland and its concept art by Disney Legend Mary Blair.
There will also be an area called 'Off the Page!,' which is a collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, and it will be a place to meet beloved Disney characters across six departments from the animation studio, including Story, Layout, Hand-Drawn Animation, Computer Animation, Lighting, and Effects.
Each space will offer photo opportunities, and one example given was Mulan in the story department. What's more is she will be posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel. Rapunzel, on the other hand, will be in the Layout department in a setting inspired by the multiplane camera. So, not only will guests be able to have incredible Disney moments with characters, but also learn and be inspired about animation and how our favorite stories are brought to life.
Oh, and we have to mention this area used to be the home of Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida, which was responsible for such films as Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, and Brother Bear.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Will Debut in Summer 2026
Hollywood Studios' Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is set to close on March 1 and make way for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. In this new ride, J.P. Grosse purchases G-Force Records and asks his nephew, Scooter, to run the place. This will bring Electric Mayhem to the forefront as they will replace Aerosmith as the headliner of this attraction.
The courtyard will also undergo a transformation, as the massive red guitar will now have a "psychedelic wrap" and the piano motif at the bottom will feature a gold key in honor of Dr. Teeth. Speaking of Scooter, he will become an Audio-Animatronic alongside some penguin audio engineers!
The Mandalorian and Grogu Join Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to being Star Wars back to the movies for the first time since 2019 on May 22, but that's not all out favorite pair from that galaxy far, far away will be up to on that day.
There will be a new mission in Hollywood Studios' Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (and at Disneyland!) where Hondo Ohnaka "catches wind of a deal on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and pirates, setting the stage for a high-stakes chase across the galaxy. Guests will team up with Mando and Grogu to track them down and claim a bounty in a dynamic, galaxy-spanning adventure."
This new choose-your-own-adventure-style will let Engineers take care of Grogu, and it may take guests to Coruscant, Tatooine, Bespin, and/or Endor. To learn more, we had the chance to speak with Walt Disney Imagineering's Asa Kalama, and he shared a bit more about what we can expect.
"Throughout the mission, we're going to be giving the engineers the opportunity to actually get to communicate with Grogu," Kalama said. "So, we think it's going to be a ton of fun. There may be times when Mando has to deboard the Razor Crest and Grogu, left to his own devices, might get a little happy on the control panel. So, we love the idea of there being these fun little vignettes and moments where you're sort of on the comm with Grogu."
As for the choose-your-own-adventure side of it, Kalama tells us there will be "sort of a critical moment in your adventure where you are strapped for time and have to make a lightning quick decision about which of our particular bounties we want to pursue. And that's going to be the sort of inciting incident that allows us to decide which are the different destinations we go to."
Soarin' Across America and a Celebration of the United States' 250th Anniversary
In celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary, EPCOT and Disneyland's Soarin' will transform into Soarin' Across America. This new "bi-coastal offering will showcase the United States - from sea to shining sea - highlighting some of the country's natural beauty and iconic cityscapes."
This exciting update was introduced in a video that once again sees Patrick Warburton acting as our chief flight attendant, and we also learned more from the team at the time.
“Our goal was to offer guests a sampling of the diversity of America’s beauty and urban wonders with the hope it would paint an emotional portrait for the nation’s Semi-quincentennial celebration,” Tom Fitzgerald, Portfolio Executive Creative Director and Chief Storytelling Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, said.
“Contrasting shots of different American locales — scenic wonders, amazing cities, and the beauty of the coasts. The use of the physical landscape of the United States as a unifying element,” Bernice Howes, Executive Creative Media Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, added. “Then, using continuous camera movement to smoothly transition between these scenes, linking them together to show the geographical ‘whole’ of the nation, from natural locations to large cities to national monuments that represent America the beautiful.”
Soarin' Across America is part of a new initiative called "Disney Celebrates America," which runs through July 4 and will be filled with celebrations, shows, deals and offers for U.S. Military service members, veterans, and their families, and much more.
Banana Ball Arrives at ESPN Wide World of Sports For the First Time
Banana Ball is headed to ESPN Wide World of Sports for the first time on May 29 and 30, and "whether you’re team Loco Beach Coconuts or team Party Animals, the trick plays, diving catches, and on-the-field shenanigans are sure to deliver a home run of fun."
Fall 2026
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will return this fall and, while dates and details will be released at a later date, Disney encourages guests to "Come Eat to the Beat (IYKYK) and explore all that EPCOT has to offer while soaking in the fall vibes … and munching on some delicious bites."
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
The 'gourd times" will roll this fall when Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party once again takes residence at Magic Kingdom.
"Get ready to boo-gie with fan-favorite eerie entertainment, enjoy spellbinding sips and bites, and well-loved mysterious character greetings to celebrate the spooky season with this separately ticketed event on select nights," Disney wrote.
Winter 2026
Disney Jollywood Nights
While no dates have been announced, Disney is wants guests to "get ready to celebrate the season in style with themed entertainment, festive food and beverage offerings, character greetings galore, and of course, all things glitz and glamour at Disney Jollywood Nights."
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will end the year in a festive style, and will once again be "packed with seasonal entertainment, delicious food, and cozy merchandise that will make you fall in love with the holiday season all over again."
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Lastly, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will be in full swing at the end of the year with Holiday Storytellers, delicious comfort foods at Holiday Kitchens, the Candlelight Processional, and much more.
The Fun Is Just Beginning at Walt Disney World
This is only the tip of the iceberg of things planned for Walt Disney World, and we will continue to update this guide as more details are revealed. We don't know everything going on behind the curtain, but we do know some of the exciting projects in the works, including a Villains Land, the Cars-themed land called Piston Peak National Park, the Monsters-Inc.-themed land, the Tropical Americas land with Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions, the update to Carousel of Progress that will add a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, and so much more.
Until then, be sure to check out our Disneyland 2026 guide, the exciting details on World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris' Disney Adventure World, and our thoughts after sailing on the Disney Destiny.
Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst, Instagram, and TikTok, and listen to his show, Talking Disney Magic.
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