🚨 BREAKING: New Walt Disney World Attraction & Entertainment Openings for 2026

Disney Parks Blog has released updated opening timelines — here’s what’s officially coming to the parks and when you’ll be able to experience it.

Friends… we have been WAITING for this update. 👀✨

Between the three of us, we’ve refreshed Disney Parks Blog more times than we care to admit as we tracked rumors, tease photos, and not-so-subtle hints about when all these long-promised ride updates and new experiences would finally arrive. And today? We finally got real answers.

Disney just released official timeline details confirming what’s reopening — and what’s debuting — across Walt Disney World in 2026, including:

• Major updated attractions like Buzz Lightyear, Big Thunder Mountain, and Frozen Ever After, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Staring the Muppets, new missions for The Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run Featuring Grogo and the Mandelorian, and Soarin Across America! have opening timelines

• A FULL Summer 2026 Animation Courtyard transformation at Hollywood Studios

• A brand-new Disney Jr. live stage show

• And yes… finally… Bluey & Bingo coming to Animal Kingdom in the Summer of 2026 💙😭

Let’s be honest — this announcement absolutely blew up our 2026 planning boards. Our carefully color-coded “maybe this week? maybe that month?” plans went straight out the window. We are officially plotting to be in the parks as close to some of these openings as humanly possible, because the overlap of refreshed rides and brand-new kid-friendly entertainment is just too good to miss.

Below is your complete breakdown of what’s opening and WHEN — with Pixie Dust Pro Tips sprinkled in so you can decide exactly how much this reshapes your own Walt Disney World plans.

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Today’s update focuses on what’s opening in 2026 specifically, but if you’re dreaming even bigger (Villains Land, Cars Land, Tropical Americas, parade updates, lounges, and beyond), don’t miss our full long-range roadmap in What’s Coming to Walt Disney World in 2026 and Beyond — it’s where we track ALL the projects Disney has confirmed or teased next.

🎢 Major Ride Updates Headed Into 2026

🚀 Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — Ride Refresh

📅 Reopening: Spring 2026

Disney officially confirmed that Buzz Lightyear’s refresh project continues into 2026, with reopening projected for spring 2026.

What’s changing:

• Brand-new ride vehicles

• Enhanced interactive targets

• Upgraded lighting & visual effects

👉 Ride breakdown:Buzz Lightyear Update Guide

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This is one of the most significant Magic Kingdom attraction upgrades in years — worth targeting your visit around if Buzz is a must-ride in your house.

⛏️ Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — Major Refurbishment

📅 Reopening: Late Spring → Early Summer 2026

Disney confirmed Big Thunder’s extensive track replacement and control system overhaul extends into early 2026, with reopening expected in the late spring to early summer timeframe.

Updates include:

• New track installation

• Ride system modernization

• Enhanced show lighting

👉 Follow progress here: Big Thunder Mountain Reimagining Guide

🎸 Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Staring The Muppets — Reimagined Ride

📅 Opening: Summer 2026

One of Hollywood Studios’ most iconic thrill rides is officially getting a hilarious twist — Disney confirmed that **Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster will reopen in summer 2026 as Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Staring The Muppets.

Concept art - Image Credit Disney

This full retheme replaces the Aerosmith storyline with a brand-new adventure starring:

• Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the entire Muppet gang

• New music and dialogue tracks

• Reimagined pre-show sequences featuing a brand new animatronic of Scooter

• Updated ride visuals layered onto the existing coaster layout

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This is one of the biggest headliner changes at DHS in over a decade. The thrill ride experience stays intact, but the storyline refresh makes this a “must-do” re-ride even for longtime fans.

👉 Full retheme tracking: Muppets Takeover Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster

🔥 Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — Mandalorian Mission Update

📅 Opening: Summer 2026

Disney confirmed that Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is receiving a brand-new story update inspired by The Mandalorian and Grogu, debuting summer 2026 at Hollywood Studios.

This new mission refresh will include:

• A fully updated storyline featuring Din Djarin and Grogu

• New cockpit animation sequences and visuals

• Fresh dialogue and in-ride action beats

• Updated pre-show storytelling elements

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This is one of the most exciting upgrades coming to Galaxy’s Edge since opening day. Smugglers Run is already a fan-favorite for Star Wars fans — the Mandalorian update is expected to drive a HUGE surge in demand.

Read more in What's Coming to Disney World in 2026 and Beyond

✈️ Soarin’ Across America — Reimagining

📅 Opening by Memorial Day 2026 (May 25, 2026)

EPCOT’s fan-favorite hang-gliding attraction is getting a patriotic glow-up! Disney confirmed that Soarin’ Across America will return by Memorial Day weekend 2026 as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration (America250).

What’s new for 2026:

• Brand-new aerial footage highlighting iconic U.S. destinations

• A completely new musical score

• Refreshed in-theater scents timed to the scenes

• A reimagined story celebrating America from coast to coast

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Fresh footage and a holiday-weekend debut mean huge opening-season demand. Expect longer waits at EPCOT once the updated flight launches — especially through summer 2026.

❄️ Frozen Ever After — Enhanced Animatronics Upgrade

📅 Reopening: Winter 2026

EPCOT’s beloved Frozen Ever After attraction is receiving significant animatronic upgrades and show improvements, with reopening confirmed for winter 2026.

Image Credit: Disney Parks Blog

What’s coming:

• New next-generation AA animatronics

• Refined facial projection mapping

• Lighting enhancements within key show scenes

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Frozen consistently earns some of the longest EPCOT wait times — the refreshed version in winter 2026 is guaranteed to spike demand even higher.

👉 Read more about this popular EPCOT ride's update:Big Changes announced for Frozen Ever After

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Families hoping to ride all three refreshed attractions — Buzz, Big Thunder, and Frozen — should focus on late winter through summer 2026 travel windows once Frozen returns online.

🎬 BREAKING: Animation Courtyard Transformation — Opening Summer 2026

One of the biggest entertainment expansions in 2026 is the complete transformation of Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios, with multiple experiences debuting together in Summer 2026.

Magic of Disney Animation Concept Art - Image Credit Disney

Disney has confirmed four distinct experiences will open during this rollout:

✨ The Magic of Disney Animation

📅 Opens: Summer 2026

A fully redesigned indoor walkthrough inspired by Once Upon a Studio where beloved characters “step off the page.”

Guests will encounter:

• Spontaneous interactive character meet-and-greets

• Environments themed to real animation departments:

  • Story

  • Background & Layout

  • Hand-Drawn Animation

  • Computer Animation

  • Lighting

  • Effects

👉 Read about all the detailes here: Magic of Disney Animation Coming to DHS

🛝 Drawn to Wonderland Playground

📅 Opens: Summer 2026

A whimsical new Alice in Wonderland–inspired playground based on Mary Blair’s original concept art, giving younger guests a place to climb, explore, and burn energy.

🎭 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!

📅 Opens: Summer 2026

This beloved interactive preschool stage show — already a hit at Disney California Adventure — officially arrives at Walt Disney World.

Expect singing, dancing, audience interaction, and Mickey & friends on stage in a short, high-energy format ideal for little ones.

✏️ Character Drawing Studio

📅 Opens: Summer 2026

A dedicated drawing experience where Disney artists lead step-by-step lessons teaching guests how to sketch popular characters — and, of course, take home their creations.

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This entire Animation Courtyard slate transforms Hollywood Studios into a much more family-friendly park for younger kids starting in summer 2026.

🐾 BRAND-NEW Character Debuts — Bluey & Bingo

Bluey and Bingo - Image Credit: Disney

📍 Animal Kingdom – Discovery Island

📅 Debuting: Summer 2026

Disney confirmed that Bluey & Bingo will debut as official meet-and-greet characters at Animal Kingdom starting Summer 2026.

What we expect:

• Rotating meet-and-greet times daily

• PhotoPass capture opportunities

• Short interaction sets

🧚‍♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: These will likely be among the most in-demand character meets on property, especially during opening months.

🗓️ 2026 Attraction & Entertainment Timeline Snapshot

Here’s your simple-at-a-glance opening calendar:

Experience	Park	Opening Window
Buzz Lightyear Refresh	Magic Kingdom	Spring 2026
Big Thunder Return	Magic Kingdom	Late Spring → Early Summer 2026
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Featuring The Muppets	Hollywood Studios	Summer 2026
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – Mandalorian Update	Hollywood Studios	Summer 2026
Magic of Disney Animation Walkthrough	Hollywood Studios	Summer 2026
Drawn to Wonderland Playground	Hollywood Studios	Summer 2026
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!	Hollywood Studios	Summer 2026
Character Drawing Studio	Hollywood Studios	Summer 2026
Bluey & Bingo Meet & Greets	Animal Kingdom	Summer 2026
Frozen Ever After Animatronic Upgrade	EPCOT	Winter 2026
Soarin’ Across America — America250 Reimagining	EPCOT	By Memorial Day 2026 (May 25)

🧭 💙 Final Thoughts from Team Pixie Dust

We don’t say this lightly — 2026 is shaping up to be one of our favorite Disney planning years in a long time.

It’s not about new lands or massive construction reveals — it’s about something we honestly love just as much:

✨ Refreshed classic attractions

✨ A huge expansion of preschool and “little kid” entertainment

✨ Long-requested character meets finally happening

✨ More balance across the parks for families of every age group

This round of announcements has already sent the three of us back to the drawing board, reworking our own 2026 trips so we can be there to experience all these openings right as they debut — and we cannot WAIT to bring you opening-week photos, first-day crowd tips, wait-time patterns, and real-world touring strategies when they launch.

If you’re eyeing a 2026 visit, now is the fun part — building a trip that lets you catch these moments as they unfold. Need help with planning your practically perfect Disney vaca? Click on Book with Bren - your travel advisor and Disney Expert affiliated with MEI-Mouse Fan Travel. I’ll be right there in 2026 chasing those opening-day vibes right alongside you. 💙✨

Here are the best next clicks to start dreaming and scheming:

✅ Buzz Lightyear Update Guide

✅ Big Thunder Mountain Refurbishment Guide

✅ Muppets Take Over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

✅ Frozen Ever After Ride Updates

✅ Magic of Disney Animation Updates Guide

✅ Animal Kingdom Meet & Greet Guide - Featuring Bluey and Bingo

✅ EPCOT Festival Maps & Planning Hub

✅ Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World in 2026

Pixie Dust Hugs,

Bren, Lyn and Kim