As the holiday season nears, Walt Disney World is juggling rising prices, major attraction updates, and a whole lot of construction at Animal Kingdom. We’ll break down what’s new—and if you’ll be in town, join the MiceChat Sip & Nibble at EPCOT on October 24 for a low-key lap around the Food & Wine Festival. All the info below…
Ticket Hikes
Just like at Disneyland, Walt Disney World ticket prices have gone up, with 1-day tickets for November and December 2026 visits priced at $209, breaking the $200 mark for the first time. Keep in mind that ticket prices for the Disney parks is variable and based upon demand. So the cost can vary wildly.
In addition, Lightning Lane Multi-Pass has jumped to a max price of $45 per person per day (previously $39 per person per day).
And just like in Anaheim, Annual Pass prices in Orlando have also gone up for 2026… and by as much as $80:
- Pixie Dust Pass (Florida Residents Only) – $489 + tax (previously $469)
- Pirate Pass (Florida Residents Only) – $869 + tax (previously $829)
- Sorcerer Pass (Florida Residents and Eligible DVC Members Only) – $1,099 + tax (previously $1,079)
- Incredi-Pass (All Guests) – $1,629 + tax (previously $1,549)
To add insult to injury, MagicBands, which were once free for onsite hotel guests (and more recently offered at a $10 discount), will now be… full price.
The Muppets Take Hollywood Studios
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will debut at Hollywood Studios in Summer 2026, replacing Aerosmith with the Muppetsational Electric Mayhem in an updated version of the popular indoor roller coaster.
With a similar storyline as the existing ride, the Electric Mayhem are headlining their biggest Hollywood concert ever, but the band is late. Why? Because they’re across town at G-Force Records, which has recently come under new management (AKA The Muppets).
Thanks to Muppet Labs (and a very fast limo), a high-speed road trip across Hollywood gets the band to the concert in time. The iconic L.A. landmarks along the way will get a Muppet makeover as will the attraction’s soundtrack, which will feature Electric Mayhem covers of rock and roll hits.
The reimagined attraction will also introduce the first-ever Audio-Animatronics figures of Scooter and the penguins, who will be seen hard at work inside the recording studio.
And speaking of Animatronics…
New Animatronics A-Plenty
Audio-Animatronics figures have been featured in Disney attractions since the days of Walt, but in recent years, technology has enabled figures to become more and more advanced, from the lifelike Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean attractions to the amazing Shaman of Songs figure in Na’vi River Journey at Animal Kingdom.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether
The new 4D Zootopia: Better Zoogether experience opening on November 7 in the Tree of Life Theater at Animal Kingdom will feature an all-new Audio-Animatronics figure of Benjamin Clawhauser. And he looks amazing…
The new show invites guests to celebrate Zoogether Day at a watch party hosted by a new character named Heidi Howler. Thanks to special “Carrot Vision” glasses, favorite characters from Zootopia and Zootopia 2 will “jump” off the screen. Off-duty ZPD officer Benjamin Clawhauser will be joining the fun inside the theater.
Find info on Passholder previews further below in our “This and That” section.
Frozen Ever After
When Frozen Ever debuted at EPCOT in 2016, it was the first attraction to have all-electric Audio-Animatronics figures and the first to combine electric motors and 3D printing. But, the rear-projected faces of Anna and Elsa didn’t age well with strange colors on their faces and an odd look when you see the characters from the sides.
But a fix is on the way…
Imagineers enhanced the figures for the World of Frozen version of the ride which opened in Hong Kong Disneyland in 2023. And, now those advanced Audio-Animatronics will make its way back to Orlando early next year with a “more true-to-film look” in the original attraction for Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff.
You can see how great these animatronics look in our video of the Hong Kong Version of the ride:
Carousel of Progress
These figures are all in addition to the Walt Disney figure coming to the Carousel of Progress in Magic Kingdom.
During Destination D23, Disney announced that an Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney will serve as the attraction’s new host, introducing the show in a manner similar to Disneyland’s new Walt Disney – A Magical Life presentation. No debut date has been announced. And while the reception of Disneyland’s Walt figure was mixed, adding him to Carousel of Progress is a new lease on life for the vintage attraction, which has long been on the chopping block and occasionally even treated as a seasonal attraction.
We hope the look of Walt can be perfected and even make its way back to Disneyland’s Opera House.
EPCOT Food & Wine
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will continue though November 22nd, and we’ve got all the tips and tricks to make sure you don’t miss a delicious thing.
During the fan-favorite festival, marketplaces pop up across the park to serve internationally-inspired bites and sips, from returning darlings like the pão de queijo (cheese bread) from Brazil to innovative new creations like French Onion Soup-style Dumplings from Gyozas of the Galaxy.
And, of course, the controversial pickle milkshake at the Muppets-themed Brew-Wing Lab. Will you be brave enough to try it?
To read all about this year’s festival, check out our guide:
Here’s What You Shouldn’t Miss at Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2025
➡️🗓️ Find info on MiceChat’s October 24th Sip and Nibble meetup at EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival HERE.
Holidays On The Horizon
The calendar may say October, but the holiday celebration at Walt Disney World will be here before you know it, including the separately ticketed Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom (select dates from November 7th to December 21st) and Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios (select dates from November 8th to December 22nd), plus the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays (November 28th through December 30th), which includes the beloved Candlelight Processional.
In addition to special seasonal events, the entire resort will be decked out for the festive season from November 14th through December 31st, with holiday overlays of Jungle Cruise (AKA Jingle Cruise) at Magic Kingdom and Living With the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses at EPCOT as well as a special holiday editon of the Tree of Life Awakenings at Animal Kingdom.
You can find everything you need to know about celebrating the holidays at Walt Disney World here:
A Flurry of 2025 Holiday Merchandise Blows Into Disney Parks!
Disney After Hours
The popular after-hours events are returning to Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT in 2026, with the allure of shorter attraction wait times and unlimited ice cream, popcorn, and select beverages.
Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom:
- Select dates from Jan. 12, through Jul. 27, 2026
- Events take place from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Guests with event tickets can enter the park as early as 7 p.m.)
- Ticket prices range from $175 to $199 (plus tax)
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Rides open during the event include: TRON Lightcycle / Run, Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Haunted Mansion, “it’s a small world”, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight, Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid, and Mad Tea Party
Disney After Hours at Hollywood Studios:
- Select dates from Jan. 14 through Sept. 12, 2026
- Events take place from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m (Guests with event tickets can enter the park as early as 7 p.m.)
- Ticket prices range from $155 to $189 (plus tax)
- Rides open during the event include: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story Mania, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Disney After Hours at EPCOT:
- Select Dates from Jan. 22 through Sept. 24, 2026
- Events take place from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m (Guests with event tickets can enter the park as early as 7 p.m.)
- Ticket prices range from $155 to $179 (plus tax)
- Rides open during the event include: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Test Track presented by General Motors, Frozen Ever After, Soarin’, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, Living with the Land, Mission: SPACE, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and Spaceship Earth
Guests staying at select Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green can purchase event tickets starting on Oct. 9, 2025. All other guests can purchase tickets starting Oct. 14, 2025. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Clubmembers can enjoy specially priced tickets for the events at Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.
Construction Kingdom
It’s construction walls as far as the eye can see as DinoLand U.S.A. is reimagined into the Tropical Americas.
As part of the transformation, Dinosaur will permanently close on February 2, 2026, to make way for a new Indiana Jones-themed attraction.
An all-new attraction themed to “Encanto” will also be joining the line-up at Animal Kingdom.
Closed for Refurbishment
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom: January 6 – TBA 2026
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom: August 4 – TBA 2026
- Space Ship Earth at EPCOT: August 25 – October 24
- Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom: October 6 – December 2025
This & That
🍷 MiceChat’s Sip & Nibble Around the World – October 24th🍴
📅 Friday, October 24, 2025 – 11:00 a.m.
📍 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
📍 Meet inside CommuniCore Hall
Join MiceChatters from near and far as we sip, nibble, and laugh our way around World Showcase!
Did you know our “Sip & Nibble Around the World” tradition started back in 2007? It’s been one of our favorite Florida meet-ups ever since. This year we’ll kick things off at CommuniCore Hall (inside World Celebration) before setting out on a leisurely stroll around the lagoon—sampling food, wine, and plenty of festival fun along the way.
🍽️ With over 30 marketplaces to explore, you’ll definitely want a Festival Guide to track your tasty progress. Bring your Disney friends… or come solo and meet a whole crew of fellow MiceChatters!
💬 Thinking of joining us? Join our Facebook Event listing for more info HERE
We can’t wait to share this Epcot classic with you. See you there! 🎉
Better Zoogether Passholder Previews
Walt Disney World annual passholders can preview the new Zootopia 4D show on November 5th and 6th.
There will be two opportunities to join a virtual queue on each preview day:
- The 7 a.m. virtual queue will be available to passholders with a theme park reservation to Animal Kingdom for that date.
- The 1 p.m. virtual queue will be available to any passholder with valid admission (theme park reservation not required)
You do not need to have entered a theme park to join the virtual queue.
TRON Turning Red
TRON Lightcycle / Run in Magic Kingdom has replaced its original blue lighting with red to celebrate “Tron: Ares,” the newest movie in the TRON franchise.
The limited-time themed overlay (which also features music from the movie’s soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails) debuted on September 15th, but no end date has been announced.
Chicken Strips News
Chicken Strips lovers, rejoice, because THIRTEEN new sauced chicken strips have joined (or are coming soon to) Walt Disney World menus:
- Honey Buffalo Chicken Strips with Ranch from Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios
- Sweet Chili Aïoli Chicken Strips from World Premiere Food Court at All-Star Movies Resort, Landscape of Flavors at Art of Animation Resort, Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill at Caribbean Beach Resort, The Artist’s Palette at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Roaring Fork at Wilderness Lodge, and Typhoon Tilly’s at Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
- Waffle Cone Chicken Strips from Beaches Pool Bar and Grill at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Restaurantosaurus at Animal Kingdom
- Buffalo Chicken Strips from Cosmic Rays’s Starlight Cafe at Magic Kingdom
- Lemon Pepper-Parmesan Chicken Strips from Pinocchio Village Haus in magic Kingdom
- Gochujang-glazed Chicken Strips from Capt. Cook’s at stop on Polynesian Village Resort and Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Pop Century Resort
- Jerk BBQ Chicken Strips from End Zone Food Court at All-Star Sports Resort, Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Riverside Mill Food Court at Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Gasparilla Island Grill at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and The Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Spicy Aïoli Chicken Strips from Rosie’s All-American Cafe at Hollywood Studios
- Roasted Jalapeño-Cheddar Chicken Strips from Good Food to Go at Old Key West Resort or Trail’s End Restaurant at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Spicy Ranch Chicken Strips from Comtempo Cafe at Contemporary Resort
- Citrus-glazed Chicken Strips from Primo Piatto at Riviera Resort
- Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strips from Intermission Food Court at All-Star Music Resort and Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill at Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, and coming in 2026 to Lottawatta Lodge at Blizzard Beach Water Park
- Seaside Chicken Strips coming to Columbia Harbour House at Magic Kingdom home, so be shore to come by.
Happy Birthday Bakso!
Bakso, the Sumatran tiger born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, celebrated his first birthday on September 26th with ice treats and goat’s milk.
“For a whole year, this tiger has pounced his way into our hearts and has shone as a beacon of hope for Sumatran tiger conservation around the world,” said Director of Animal & Science Operations Dr. Scott Terrell.
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Let’s Hear From You!
Between new attractions, higher prices, and another round of walls at Animal Kingdom, there’s a lot to unpack at Walt Disney World. What’s on your must-do (or must-avoid) list right now? Share your plans, opinions, and Food & Wine favorites in the comments!