Coming to Walt Disney World in 2026!

Disney released a preview of what’s coming to Walt Disney World in 2026. Let’s look at the highlights:

Early 2026

EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts will begin January 16th and run through February 23rd. This is a short festival but the weather is always glorious and are there are so many included activities that it’s worth a visit.

Frozen Ever After in EPCOT is set to close for refurbishment on January 20, 2026 and reopen in February with new facial enhancements for Elsa and team. The new faces should blend with the animatronics and look less separate and projection-like than they do now.

Spring 2026

Big Thunder Mountain in the Magic Kingdom will finally reopen with some “new magic” and we can’t wait! The wildest ride in the wilderness has been closed for nearly a year!

Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin in the Magic Kingdom will reopen, too! We’ve all figured out the targets to hit Galactic Hero on the old ride, so it will be great to have new gameplay and characters on the refurbished version.

EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival will run from March 4th until June 1st and we all know what that means! The Butterfly House and free Uncrustables! This is the most wonderful smelling, visually pleasing, and least sweaty of all EPCOT Festivals. The topiaries, honey accented food, and delightful floral smells around every corner should compel you to book a visit if you haven’t already.

After Hours begins next spring, too. We cannot say enough good things about the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios After Hours events. We have spent lots of Len’s money and too much of our own going to both of these. Hopefully 2026 will bring some enhancements to the EPCOT After Hours nights to make them more manageable and a better value.

Summer 2026

Next summer is looking booked and busy in Disney World! Disney announced the return of Cool Kids’ Summer again next year. Summer of 2025 saw special character meets, crafts and activities for kids, and lots of small giveaways. The 2026 Cool Kids’ Summer is set to have ticket offers and deals, too, according to Disney’s announcements today.

Disney’s Water Parks are going to be packed day and night with the return of the Water Park Benefit and H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon. The Water Park Benefit was such a hit last summer that guests were having to change buses at Disney Springs just to get to the water parks! If you’re thinking of H2O Glow, the first several nights are always less packed since locals can’t manage the “colder” temperatures in the low 80’s and high 70’s at night. Crowds will get heavier as the weather gets warmer.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets in Hollywood Studios will be done with the pending refurbishment and ready to, well, rock! The current Aerosmith version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster still has hours showing on Disney’s website through February 1, 2026, but we’ll keep checking and report back with closure dates when they’re posted.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Hollywood Studios will receive a new mission with The Mandolorian and Grogu in Summer of 2026. We will post closure dates when they’re announced by Disney.

Soarin’ Around the World in EPCOT’s Land Pavilion will be updated to Soarin’ Across America next summer.

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is coming to Hollywood Studios next summer so it’s time to get your Hot Dog Dance kicks in order.

The Magic of Disney Animation is also coming to Hollywood Studios in “late summer 2026” and it’s giving us MGM Studios feels! Disney has announced this area will include new character meets and will bring back a look into the art of Disney animation!

Bluey & Bingo are about to cause some serious train delays in Disney’s Animal Kingdom next year! These two will be meeting at Conservation Station – a move that we think might just be a temporary fix until the construction in Hollywood Studios is done. Either way, look out for dates announcing when you need to board the Wildlife Express!

Banana Ball! The Loco Beach Coconuts will be playing the Party Animals at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Disney World, May 29th & 30th. You can fill out a Banana Ball Premium Ticket Option Interest Form if you’re looking to attend. These two games will absolutely sell out, which will hopefully mean this becomes a regular event.

When in 2026 are you planning to visit Walt Disney World?