There’s already countless reasons to visit Disney World, but 2026 is bringing seven new ones that you need to know about before you visit.
Disney has yet to announce official opening dates for some of these, but if there is one you know you just have to experience on your next visit, keep checking the Disney Parks Blog or Disney’s social media channels for updates.
Some are brand new rides, attractions and shows, others are updated versions of current favorites and all of them are going to make your next visit even more fun and exciting.
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Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
- Opening date: Sometime in 2026
- New or refurbishment?: Retheme from Aerosmith to the Muppets
- Things to know:
- This high-speed coaster may be too intense for young kids, but the family-friendly theme makes it a great option for their first “big kid” coaster.
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster has a minimum height requirement of 48 inches and speed through three inversions.
When Disney shared that Muppet*Vision 3D would close its doors in June, fans of Kermit, Fozzy, Miss Piggy and all of their friends were heartbroken. Luckily, Disney revealed the same day that the Muppets weren’t leaving Hollywood Studios for good – they were simply “moving right along” to Sunset Boulevard and taking up residence in Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Since opening in 1999, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster featured music by the band Aerosmith. But, beginning in 2026, the thrilling launch coaster is getting a Muppets retheme. The track layout will remain the same (as will those super stretch limos), but the experience will soon feature Muppets characters and the Electric Mayhem playing hit music as you speed around the track.
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Zootopia: Better Zoogether
- Opening date: Nov. 7, 2025
- New or refurbishment?: Retheme of the existing show inside the Tree of Life
- Things to know:
- This 4D show is entertaining for the entire family and it’s a great break from the sun.
- Technically opens in November, but unless you have a holiday visit planned you’ll have to wait until 2026 to catch the new Zootopia-themed 4D show inside Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether will replace the long-running show It’s Tough to Be a Bug!. Guests will still don 3D glasses, but the new show will feature Nick Wilde, Judy Hopps and the rest of the furry, scaly, feathered gang celebrating Zoogether Day. The show will also introduce a new character named Heidi Howler.
Heidi will serve as the host of a big Zoogether Day party, and just outside the theater, be on the lookout for a Nick and Judy meet-and-greet at the new Zoogether Day Gathering Spot.
The Magic of Disney Animation
- Opening date: Sometime in 2026
- New or refurbishment?: New experiences in an existing building
- Things to know: When lines are long for Disney World rides, indoor experiences like this give you a blast of cool air conditioning and activities to keep kids busy.
Long before you could visit a Disney theme park, you could watch Disney animated films on the big screen. When it opens, The Magic of Disney Animation will allow guests to experience Disney’s most iconic films and characters in all-new ways.
Housed in the former Star Wars: Launch Bay location at Hollywood Studios, guests will encounter several interactive experiences within a recreation of Walt Disney Animation Studios.
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Inside, you’ll find a “curious” playground inspired by Mary Blair’s concept art for the original “Alice in Wonderland,” character meet-and-greets and opportunities to draw your own versions of Disney characters.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Opening date: Sometime in 2026
- New or refurbishment?: Refurbishment and addition of a new show scene
- Things to know: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has a 40-inch minimum height requirement. If your kid isn’t yet tall enough to ride, ask a cast member about rider switch so you don’t have to wait in line twice.
Big Thunder Mountain claims to be the wildest ride in the wilderness and millions of Disney visitors have barreled along the coaster’s tracks into its cavernous depths since the ride opened in 1980.
This classic Magic Kingdom attraction has long been a fan-favorite, but fans of the ride’s lore are about to love it even more. When Thunder Mountain reopens in 2026, the family-friendly coaster will feature a new Rainbow Caverns scene, complete with colorful phosphorescent pools, stalagmites and stalactites.
But, all is not as it seems inside Rainbow Caverns and you may soon realize you’re in for more than just your everyday train ride.
Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
- Opening date: May 22, 2026
- New or refurbishment?: New locations and missions
- Things to know: If your kids are younger, you might have a smoother (and more successful) flight if they sit in the engineer position.
It’s pretty much a universal fantasy to pilot the Millenium Falcon and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is the only ride in the world that lets you do just that. Riders can choose between being a pilot, gunner or engineer on this famous ship, helping to steal precious cargo from the First Order.
This interactive ride is a blast, but the storyline hasn’t changed since the ride opened. If you’ve been on this ride several times and you’re clamoring for a new challenge, you’ll soon get your wish.
In 2026, Disney is adding the ability to choose which location you’d like to navigate through. Riders can choose from Bespin, Coruscant or the wreckage of the second Death Star around Endor. The engineer, who historically had the fewest responsibilities during the ride, will also be able to interact with Grogu during the mission. That’s right, the Mandalorian and Grogu are being added to this ride, as well.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Opening date: Sometime in 2026.
- New or refurbishment?: Refurbishment, including new ride vehicles and blasters.
- Things to know: This ride has no height requirement, so families can enjoy it together.
Even if you know the location of every high-point target on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, your Galactic Hero Status is about to be in danger. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin closed in August for a major refresh, including updated ride vehicles, a new show scene and new interactive targets.
When it reopens, the ride vehicles will feature video monitors with real-time scoring updates and interactive handheld blasters with lights, sounds and vibrations for more accurate targeting (especially helpful for little space rangers).
The return of Cool Kid Summer
- Opening date: Summer 2026
- New or refurbishment?: This will be the event’s second year
- Things to know: Cool Kid Summer is geared at families with younger kids and offers tons of activities to keep little bodies busy.
Cool Kid Summer debuted this summer at all four
This year, Cool Kid Summer featured family-friendly activities like dance parties, games, character appearances, magic shows and more. There were spots in each park for these activities and some were even indoors so families could cool off.
Disney hasn’t yet shared what Cool Kid Summer will entail in 2026, but any opportunity for young kids to see their favorite characters and get a break from the sun is a welcome one.
Should you wait until 2026 to visit Disney World?
Of course not! There are so many projects underway at Disney World right now that you might not visit until 2030 if you are waiting for all of them to be complete. Disney is always building and updating attractions, so no matter when you visit, there is always something new to enjoy.
If you visit before most of these rides, attractions and shows open, you can still enjoy many of Disney’s latest offerings like The Beak and Barrel, a pirate-themed lounge at Magic Kingdom, the Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom, the updated version of Test Track at Epcot and the two new shows that recently opened at Hollywood Studios, “The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure” and “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After.”
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