What’s Changing at Walt Disney World: New Lands, Rides, and Park Updates (2026 and Beyond)
- Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
- Jun 16, 2025
- 17 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Last Updated: February 2026 (Frozen Ever After reopening and Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster closure dates added) This guide is updated whenever Disney announces new attractions, refurbishments, closures, or expansion projects.
Walt Disney World is in the middle of one of its biggest transition periods in years. Across all four parks, Disney is upgrading classic attractions, reimagining experiences, and building entirely new lands that will debut over the next several years.
This page is our continuously updated guide to everything Disney is adding, changing, and building at Walt Disney World — from current ride updates to major expansions still on the horizon.
Many families planning trips right now are asking the same question:
Is 2026 a Good Year to Visit Walt Disney World?
Yes — but it’s a transition year. Walt Disney World in 2026 will have more construction and refurbishments than usual as updated attractions and future expansions develop across all four parks. You’ll likely see fewer rides at Animal Kingdom, higher wait times at Hollywood Studios, and ongoing changes in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland.
However, EPCOT will be in its most complete state in years, and late-2026 trips will benefit from several reopening attractions and upgrades. Guests who plan their park days carefully can still have an excellent vacation — but 2026 rewards strategy more than spontaneity.
Quick 2026 Planning Snapshot
• Best overall park in 2026: EPCOT
• Most construction impact: Animal Kingdom
• Hardest park to tour: Hollywood Studios
2026 Attraction Opening Timeline
For the first time in years, all four Walt Disney World parks are undergoing major updates at the same time. Rather than a single grand opening, 2026 functions as a “reopening year,” where upgraded rides and refreshed experiences matter more than brand-new lands. Here are the confirmed and expected openings currently announced:
✅ Frozen Ever After upgraded animatronics — coming on February 12, 2026
✅ Buzz Lightyear ride refresh — Reopening after a major ride refresh Spring of 2026
✅ Big Thunder Mountain returns — Expected Late Spring/Early Summer 2026 reopening (Disney has not announced an official date)
✅ Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Featuring the Muppets — Summer 2026
✅ Smugglers Run Mandalorian mission update — May 22, 2026 2026
✅ Animation Courtyard transformation (Disney Jr show, playground, Magic of Disney Animation walkthrough & drawing studio) — phased reopening Summer 2026
✅ Bluey & Bingo meet & greets at Animal Kingdom — Summer 2026
🔗 Jump to:
Understanding Walt Disney World’s Big Transition Period
Walt Disney World isn’t experiencing a single grand-opening year — it’s in the middle of a multi-year transformation. Instead of one new land debuting at once, Disney is updating beloved attractions while large-scale expansions like Tropical Americas and future lands continue developing behind the scenes.
Because so many projects are happening at once, visiting Walt Disney World during this period feels different from a typical year — less about one major debut and more about experiencing refreshed rides while new areas are still being built.
🏰 Magic Kingdom: Massive Expansion on the Horizon
👑 Cinderella Castle Returns to Classic Beauty
✨ 2026 Update: Magic Kingdom Castle Entertainment Adjustments
Beginning January 28, 2026, guests visiting Magic Kingdom will notice changes to daytime castle entertainment as Cinderella Castle undergoes a cosmetic refresh restoring its original colors.
During this time:
Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire will be offered only in the afternoon
Morning castle performances are not available
Let the Magic Begin welcome show is temporarily unavailable
These updates are part of broader park refresh work and are expected to remain in place while repainting is underway. This also affects early-morning photos — rope-drop guests will no longer see a castle stage show before park open during the refurbishment period.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Rope drop plans won’t be impacted by the show pause — but if your group loves a “classic Disney morning moment,” consider adjusting expectations or planning an afternoon break near the hub to catch Friendship Faire instead.
Cinderella Castle is getting a brand-new paint scheme, and this time Disney is leaning back into its classic fairytale look. Imagineers have revealed that a fresh color palette of soft grays, creams, deep royal blues, and touches of shimmering gold that will bring the castle closer to its original design. We loved the bright colors of the pink and blue 50th anniversary (and beyond) makeover, but have missed the elegance of the classic coloring, and are excited to see this new glow-up.
👉 Read more about the Cinderella Castle makeover and the history of its changing looks throughout the years in our full guide to Cinderella Castle’s paint jobs.
🎡 Carousel of Progress Gets a Walt Disney Upgrade (Opening TBA)
Talk about a surprise announcement—Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom is getting some long-overdue love, and the update starts with none other than Walt Disney himself. At Destination D23, Imagineers revealed that a brand-new audio-animatronic of Walt Disney will soon appear in the attraction’s opening scene.
This is a big deal. Carousel of Progress has been running since the 1964 World’s Fair and has always been tied closely to Walt’s vision of innovation and the future. Adding a lifelike figure of Walt not only honors that legacy but also breathes fresh energy into an attraction that hasn’t seen a major change in over 30 years.
Disney also hinted that updates may not stop there. Characters like John, Sarah, and the rest of the Carousel family could be in line for upgrades too—think smoother movements, more expressive faces, and some tech refreshes to keep the show timeless while preserving its nostalgic charm.
The date of the updates and reopening have not be announced yet by Disney.
Villains Land (Opening Date TBA)
Yes, it’s finally happening! Disney has officially confirmed that a Villains-themed land is in development for Magic Kingdom—and it’s already turning heads.
This mysterious and mischievous expansion is expected to include:
Two brand-new attractions
Themed dining and shopping experiences
Immersive environments inspired by Disney’s most iconic villains
While Disney hasn't announced a firm opening timeline, Disney has filed permits and begun early site preparation work behind the park, this one is more than just a dream. 👀
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This expansion will likely be the largest addition to Magic Kingdom since New Fantasyland. Destination D23 at the end of August gave some insight into the planning process for the new Villains Land. You can read the details in our post: Big Destination D23 Announcements for Walt Disney World.
Frontierland's Wild Transformation: Big Thunder & Beyond
Hold onto your cowboy boots, sugar—there’s a gold rush of new magic coming to Frontierland that’s nothing short of legendary!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Reawakened in 2026
Picture this: the iconic runaway mine train is whispering tales of rediscovered gold and restless spirits. Disney ignited the buzz with their official Parks Blog announcement of an entire reimagining: new storytelling tied to the legend of Barnabas T. Bullion, and a jaw-dropping new scene in the Rainbow Caverns (glowing crystals, phosphorescent waters, and hundreds of swooping bats!). But don’t just take the press release at face value—you’re about to be fully immersed in the lore AND the scenery. (More on that in our full Thunder Mountain reopening breakdown post!)
Big Thunder Mountain is one of Magic Kingdom’s highest-capacity rides, so its reopening will noticeably reduce standby waits across nearby attractions.
🚗 Coming Soon: Piston Peak National Park
The most exciting piece of this transformation? A brand-new Cars-inspired land called Piston Peak National Park is coming to Magic Kingdom! While it features familiar faces like Lightning McQueen, this land is not a replica of California Adventure’s Cars Land—it’s an original, immersive story set in the wilderness of the American West...
🛑 Not a replica of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, this version is entirely unique to Magic Kingdom—with new stories, characters, and settings exclusive to Walt Disney World.
🏞️ What’s Coming to Piston Peak:
🛞 A terrain-racing thrill ride through high-speed mountain landscapes, featuring Lightning McQueen and friends
🚙 A family-friendly attraction designed for younger adventurers
🏕️ Immersive environmental storytelling, including:
A National Park-style visitor lodge
Ranger HQ and themed outposts
Scenic walking trails with explorable areas
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Piston Peak’s layout is designed to continue the storytelling arc that begins in Liberty Square and travels through Frontierland—blending American history with wilderness adventure and Pixar fun.
🗺️ Frontierland at a Glance (2026)
Guests visiting in 2026 will see active construction walls and rerouted walking paths in this area. Here’s a quick status check on what else had been changing:
✅ Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – Now open as of June 28, 2025, replacing Splash Mountain with a musical journey through the bayou.
🎶 Country Bear Musical Jamboree – Reopened with a Nashville-style musical twist that honors the original’s charm.
🚫 Tom Sawyer Island & Liberty Belle Riverboat – Permanently closed as of July 7, 2025, to make way for a brand-new themed land.
🚀 Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Closing for Reimagining
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland closed August 4, 2025 for an extensive reimagining. Disney has not yet released official details about what’s being replaced or refreshed the ride, but early signs point to a multi-month project that could extend into 2026.
Take a peek at the ride’s history, Disney’s confirmed updates, and some fun rumors in our full Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Reimagining Guide.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If this is one of your family’s favorites, keep an eye on our updates so you can plan your 2026 Magic Kingdom visit with its reopening in mind.
This closure significantly reduces Tomorrowland ride capacity until reopening.
🎬 Hollywood Studios: Animation Magic, Monster Mayhem, Rock 'n' Roll Muppets & Star Wars Surprises
🎨 The Magic of Disney Animation Returns (Opening Summer 2026)
We’re seriously excited for this one. ✏️ Disney is bringing back the heart and soul of the original animation experience with a brand-new, interactive tribute to Once Upon a Studio—and it's set to debut in 2026.
The all-new Magic of Disney Animation will open in the current Star Wars: Launch Bay building—which fittingly once housed the original Magic of Disney Animation experience. This reimagined version brings the nostalgia full circle, with modern magic added to the mix.
🎨 What to Expect:
🖍️ Hands-on drawing stations
🎭 Character meet-and-greets with animated favorites
🎨 Interactive exhibits celebrating Disney’s animation legacy
🌈 A whimsical kids’ play zone called Drawn to Wonderland
🆕 Star Wars: Launch Bay and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will permanently close on September 25, 2025 to make way for the new experience.
The surrounding Animation Courtyard will also be re-themed as The Walt Disney Studios Lot, with refreshed entertainment and staging inspired by Disney’s real Burbank campus.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If you ever experienced the original Animation building—or just want a break from thrill rides—this reimagined space promises interactive fun, family-friendly charm, and plenty of photo ops.
This brings a major indoor, air-conditioned attraction back to Hollywood Studios - something the park has lacked for several years which should redistributes crowds away from Toy Story Land during the hottest part of the day by restoring a large indoor activity space.
👾 Monstropolis Is Coming to Hollywood Studios
Disney has officially confirmed that a Monsters, Inc.–themed land expansion is replacing the former Muppets Courtyard area Disney’s Hollywood Studios! While full details are still under wraps, here’s what we know so far:
🎢 A door vault–style coaster attraction is in the works, sending guests zooming through Monstropolis alongside Mike, Sulley, and Boo.
🏙️ The land is expected to feature city-inspired environments, character encounters, and themed food and merchandise.
🆕 As of June 8, 2025, Muppet*Vision 3D and the surrounding Muppets Courtyard have permanently closed to make way for this new expansion.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Missing the Muppets? We were too. Check out our Muppet*Vision 3D tribute post.
🎸 Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets (Opening Summer 2026)
Disney has confirmed the last day to ride Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is March 1, 2026. The attraction will close beginning March 2, 2026 to begin the transformation into Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, debuting in Summer 2026.
Planning note: With Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster closed, Hollywood Studios wait times may climb even higher in spring/summer 2026 until the ride reopens, especially for Tower of Terror and Slinky Dog Dash.
Get ready for mayhem—Electric Mayhem, that is! Beginning in 2026, Hollywood Studios’ iconic Rock ’n’ Roller Coasterwill be reimagined with a brand-new storyline starring Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.
Disney has already officially removed the classic Aerosmith pre-show from Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests now bypass the recording-studio scene entirely and walk directly to the loading area, with the former pre-show space blocked off behind construction-style walls labeled “G-Force Records.”
This is the first visible step toward the upcoming retheme to 🎸 Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, which is currently scheduled to debut in Summer 2026. Disney has not yet announced a full ride closure date, and for now the coaster remains open and operating normally — just without its original story setup.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Grab your ride while you can — it’s still the same thrilling launch and loops we love, but the experience is officially in its “in-between” era as work begins behind the scenes on the Muppets makeover.
The thrills you love—the launch, the loops, the high-speed chase—will all remain, but the music and story are getting a full Muppet makeover. In the new preshow, Scooter frantically tries to wrangle the band with the help of penguin engineers, while Kermit and Miss Piggy chime in from the studio screens. Guests then blast off into a zany chase across Hollywood, set to the Electric Mayhem’s wildest riffs.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: The giant guitar outside isn’t going anywhere, but it’s getting a psychedelic makeover—sunset photos here will be chef’s kiss once the new design debuts.
📖 Want all the details, concept art, and timeline? Don’t miss our full guide: Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Muppets Reimaging.
🚀 Smugglers Run Gets a Mandalorian Makeover – Launching May 22, 2026 🎬
Buckle up, bounty hunters—Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting a major story and technology upgrade! The updated attraction is set to launch on May 22, 2026, timed with the theatrical release of The Mandalorian and Grogu.
🌌 What’s New in the Mission:
Din Djarin (The Mandalorian) & Grogu – Now part of the crew and featured prominently in the new storyline.
Selectable Mission Destinations – Choose your flight path. The rotating mission destinations are designed to make the ride re-rideable, which is expected to increase both popularity and wait times in 2026.
🌆 Coruscant (high-speed skyscraper chase)
🌫️ Bespin (Cloud City fly-through)
🌑 Endor (navigate the wreckage of the Death Star)
Interactive Engineer Role – Engineers can now interact with Grogu mid-mission, marking a first for the ride.
Expanded Storyline with Hondo Ohnaka – Join Hondo as you hunt down pirates and ex-Imperials across Tatooine before jumping into your chosen adventure.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: With rotating destinations and new in-ride character interactions, this version of Smugglers Run is built for repeat rides. Cloud City one day, Death Star debris the next—start planning your flight crew now!
This is expected to significantly increase wait times at Hollywood Studios in 2026, especially during its opening months.
🌳 Animal Kingdom
🐾 Bluey & Bingo Coming to Conservation Station (Summer 2026)
Disney has officially announced that Bluey and Bingo are heading to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in summer 2026, marking their first-ever in-park appearance at Walt Disney World. The interactive experience will be located at Conservation Station, accessed via the Wildlife Express Train from Africa.
Rather than a traditional meet-and-greet, the experience is expected to focus on play-based character interactions, featuring games and activities inspired by the hit Disney Junior series — with an animal-themed twist that fits perfectly with Animal Kingdom’s conservation message.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Conservation Station is already one of our favorite low-stress, air-conditioned break spots in the park. Adding Bluey here makes it an even better mid-day reset for families with little ones.
Exact dates, hours, and character scheduling have not yet been released — we’ll update this section as more details become available.
🌴 Tropical Americas: A Bold New Land at Animal Kingdom
Big changes are coming to Animal Kingdom as DinoLand U.S.A. slowly transforms into the vibrant world of Tropical Americas, inspired by the cultures, ecosystems, and storytelling traditions of Central and South America. This new land is being built in phases, and construction will continue throughout 2026 and 2027.
Here’s what’s coming to Pueblo Esperanza ("Village of Hope")—the heart of the new land:
🧭 Indiana Jones Adventure
Replacing the current DINOSAUR attraction, this thrilling reimagining will use the same ride system with a brand-new storyline. Guests will follow Indiana Jones deep into a newly discovered Maya temple in search of a mythical creature. Expect ancient traps, high-speed action… and yes, probably snakes. 🐍
Time Rovers have offically stoped as of February 2, 2026 in order to begin contruction on Indiana Jones's Adventure. Want to dive deeper into DINOSAUR's closing and the history of the ride? Take a look back with us in Farewell to DINOSAUR.
🏠 Encanto Dark Ride
We’re finally getting to step inside Casita! This trackless dark ride will use advanced technology, similar to other modern Disney attractions. to bring the magical home of the Madrigals to life. Guests will journey through Antonio’s jungle room, visit enchanted spaces throughout the house, meet family members like Mirabel and Bruno, and conclude with Antonio’s gift ceremony.
✨ Big creative news! Jared Bush, Chief Creative Officer of Disney Animation Studios, is officially writing the dialogue for the new attraction. 🎬 Bush is best known as the director of Encanto and Zootopia—and as a writer for Encanto, Moana, Zootopia, and the upcoming Zootopia 2.
🎠 Animal Carousel
Anchoring the central village will be a colorful animal-themed carousel, featuring custom creatures from across the Americas. Surrounded by lush landscaping and Spanish colonial-style details, it’s designed to be both eye-catching and culturally inspired—a whimsical centerpiece for the land.
🐾 New Play Area for Kids
The beloved Boneyard playground has permanently closed as of September 1, 2025, to make way for this transformation. But little adventurers won’t be left out—Disney has confirmed that a brand-new themed play area will be part of Pueblo Esperanza when it opens.
🌮 New Quick-Service Dining
A new Hacienda-style quick-service restaurant is on the way and is expected to be one of the largest fast-casual dining spots at Walt Disney World. While not yet confirmed, it's likely replacing Restaurantosaurus. We’re hoping for bold flavors, breezy shaded seating, and gorgeous architectural touches that reflect the region’s cultural roots.
The land is expected to open in phases, with smaller experiences likely arriving before the major attractions.
🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Pueblo Esperanza is shaping up to be one of the most culturally rich and family-friendly areas in any Disney park. Keep an eye on our Animal Kingdom Guide for updated planning tips as construction progresses!
The land is expected to open in phases, with smaller experiences likely arriving before the major attractions. This also means construction walls will remain in the park for several years.
🌐 EPCOT: Innovation Meets Nostalgia
✈️ Soarin’ Across America Coming Summer 2026
Disney officially confirmed that Soarin’ Around the World at EPCOT will be replaced next summer with a brand-new film: Soarin’ Across America! This temporary overlay will debut in honor of the United States Semiquincentennial (the United States 250th birthday) and will feature newly filmed aerial footage of iconic U.S. landscapes, cities, and natural wonders — captured with state-of-the-art drones, helicopters, and heavy-lift camera rigs. Expect familiar Soarin’ sensations (motion, wind, scent!) matched with a fresh soundtrack and updated visuals.
👉 Full details + history of Soarin’ here: Soarin' Across America Takes Flight.
Because the change coincides with the U.S. Semiquincentennial celebration, EPCOT attendance is expected to increase during summer 2026.
❄️ Frozen Ever After Getting a Magical Upgrade
Arendelle is sparkling even brighter! ✨ Frozen Ever After has reopen February 12, 2026 after a short refurbishment, and the changes have received a big thumbs up positive reaction from guests.
During the refurbishment, Disney replaced the original projection-mapped facial system on Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff with newly sculpted faces and updated facial animation mechanics. The existing figure bodies remain, but the characters now use physical eye and mouth movement rather than projected expressions, creating a more natural and lifelike appearance.
The ride’s story, music, scenes, and backwards drop did not change — this was a technology upgrade rather than a reimagining of the attraction.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Because Frozen Ever After is one of EPCOT’s highest-demand attractions, wait times are expected to be elevated immediately after reopening as guests return to experience the updated figures.
👉 For more EPCOT planning tips, check out our EPCOT Attractions Guide.
What This Means for a 2026 Disney World Vacation
So what does all of this actually mean if you’re planning a trip?
2026 is not a traditional “huge opening year” like 2025 — it’s a transition year. Across Walt Disney World, Imagineering is actively rebuilding, re-theming, and upgrading major areas at the same time. That’s exciting… but it also changes how you should plan your park days.
Here’s the honest breakdown.
🚧 Expect More Construction Walls
Guests visiting in 2026 will notice something right away: a lot of projects are happening simultaneously.
You’ll encounter construction zones in:
Frontierland at Magic Kingdom
DinoLand/Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom
Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios
This doesn’t ruin a trip — but it does affect walking paths, crowd flow, and sightseeing. Some familiar shortcuts may be closed, and certain areas of the parks will feel busier than maps suggest because available space is reduced.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Touring plans matter more in 2026 than almost any recent year. A good strategy can make the parks feel calm… while a no-plan day can feel surprisingly hectic.
🐾 Animal Kingdom Will Feel Like a Half-Day Park (For Now)
Animal Kingdom is entering its largest transformation since opening day. With DINOSAUR closed and DinoLand U.S.A. becoming Tropical Americas, the park temporarily has fewer major attractions than usual.
The park is still beautiful and absolutely worth visiting — but your expectations should shift.
In 2026, Animal Kingdom works best as:
a relaxed morning park
a rope-drop-and-leave park
or a park paired with an evening at another location (like Disney Springs or park hopping)
This phase won’t last forever — but 2026 is squarely in the construction period before the new Indiana Jones and Encanto attractions arrive.
🎬 Hollywood Studios Will Have the Longest Wait Times
Hollywood Studios is likely to be the hardest park to tour in 2026.
Why? Because new experiences are being added without a big increase in ride capacity yet.
The Mandalorian update to Smugglers Run, the new Magic of Disney Animation building, and the upcoming Muppets Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster will all draw additional crowds — while the park still has a relatively small ride lineup compared to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.
What this means:
Genie-style planning (Lightning Lane Multi Pass & Single Pass) becomes very important
rope drop matters more here than any other park
standby lines will fill early
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If you only rope drop one park in 2026, make it Hollywood Studios.
🤠 Magic Kingdom Improves Later in the Year
Magic Kingdom actually becomes a better park toward late 2026.
Early 2026 visits will see:
Big Thunder Mountain still reopening
Frontierland construction walls
some entertainment adjustments
But as the year progresses and refurbishments wrap up, ride capacity increases again — and that spreads crowds out significantly.This makes late summer, fall, and holiday 2026 trips especially appealing for families whose priority is attractions.
🌐 EPCOT May Be the Best Park of 2026
Surprisingly, EPCOT may end up being the most balanced park during 2026.
Why? Because EPCOT’s major overhaul is largely complete already. In 2026 EPCOT offers:
a full attraction lineup
minimal construction
festivals nearly year-round
and the Soarin’ Across America limited-time experience
While other parks are rebuilding, EPCOT is in its “enjoy it now” era — making it a very reliable full-day park.
The Big Picture
2026 isn’t a bad year to visit Walt Disney World — it’s just a planning-sensitive year.
Guests who go in without expectations may notice closures and construction.Guests who plan around them will actually find shorter waits in some parks, exciting updates, and the rare chance to see multiple new experiences debut within the same trip.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If your travel dates are flexible, late 2026 is the sweet spot — you’ll catch reopening attractions and still beat the crowds that typically follow brand-new lands.
🌟 The Magic of What’s Next
From dazzling parades and cutting-edge rides to immersive lands and luxe lounges, Walt Disney World is entering a bold new era of magic. With major updates stretching into 2026 and beyond, there’s never been a better time to plan—or dream—your next Disney adventure.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Planning early is key! Many of these new experiences will debut throughout 2026 and 2027—so be sure to bookmark this post and check back often. We’ll keep it updated with the latest openings, announcements, tips, and firsthand sneak peeks. Planning a 2026 trip can be trickier than usual because of closures and reopenings. If you want help timing your park days around refurbishments, I’m happy to help you map it out.
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim
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