WDW NEWS: What’s Coming in 2026 – New Missions, Makeovers & Must-Know Dates

Walt Disney World is heading into 2026 with a packed slate of updates: new ride missions, refreshed favorites, expanded festival schedules, and a few surprises across the parks and Disney Springs. With the Muppets moving into Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, a Mandalorian mission landing on the Millennium Falcon, Bluey arriving at Animal Kingdom, and upgrades hitting Magic Kingdom and Epcot, there’s a lot to keep track of.

Here’s what you’ll want to know before you start planning for 2026.

The Holidays Are Here

But before we start thinking about 2026, Walt Disney World’s holiday celebrations are still going strong for another month with festive decor and holiday storytellers in Epcot’s World Showcase.

The Living with the Land boat ride in Epcot also gets a festive holiday makeover.

Here’s a video of what to expect from EPCOT’s “Glimmering Greenhouses”

Nearby, Figment is decked out in his holiday best on the “Journey Into Imagination with Figment” ride.

Tickets are still available for the swanky Jollywood Nights in Hollywood Studios on December 10, 13, 17, 20, 22. All 2025 party dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom have sold out.

RELATED READING:

• UPDATED! Your 2025 WDW Holiday Guide
• WDW Holiday Foodie Guide 2025: Parks, Hotels & Disney Springs

What’s Coming to Walt Disney World in 2026

2026 is shaping up to be a busy year in Orlando, as Walt Disney World Resort wraps up a couple of long refurbishments, updates four fan-favorite attractions, and introduces a few all-new experiences.

We’ll go park by park:

Hollywood Studios

The most notable changes are coming to Hollywood Studios—and that’s not even counting the park’s upcoming Monsters, Inc.-themed land currently under construction (but not opening in 2026).

The new mission in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, inspired by the upcoming “The Mandalorian and Grogu” movie, will debut at Walt Disney World on May 22, 2026, the same date the film premieres in theaters (and the same date the mission will be added to Disneyland’s attraction).

We finally have an opening date for the Muppets retheme of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster… well, sort of. It seems the Muppets will be taking over the indoor coaster in the summer of 2026, but if you want one last ride with Aerosmith, the rock and roll hall of famers won’t clear out until spring (though their somewhat dated 1999 pre-show is already gone).

This summer, the crowd-pleasing Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live musical stage show starring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto that debuted at California Adventure for Disneyland’s 70^th anniversary will also hop over to Orlando.

Later in the summer, the all-new The Magic of Disney Animation experience will invite guests into the world of Walt Disney Animation, where characters come to life, just like in the animated short “Once Upon a Studio.”

A highlight of the interactive experience will be Drawn To Wonderland, a playground inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s original concept art for the classic “Alice in Wonderland” animated movie.

In Off the Page—a collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering—will feature character meet-and-greets in areas inspired by six animation studio departments: Story, Layout, Hand-Drawn Animation, Computer Animation, Lighting, and Effects.

At this point, we know that Mulan will meet guests in front of an oversized storyboard panel in the Story department, and Rapunzel will be positioned in the Layout department in a setting inspired by the Disney animation’s signature multiplane camera. We’ll have to see who we’ll meet in the other four departments.

Magic Kingdom

After a several-month-long closure, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen in spring 2026 with a refurbished track and “touches of new magic,” such as the mysterious Rainbow Caverns deep inside the mountain.

According to the attraction’s backstory, after striking gold in the Big Thunder region, Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.) member Barnabas T. Bullion founded the Big Thunder Mountain Company. Unfortunately, “them shiny dreams rarely come without a cost,” and Barnabas (who looks remarkably similar to Disney Legend Tony Baxter) found himself in a battle with the forces of nature. When the attraction reopens, riders will find out what happened.

Also reopening in spring 2026 is the souped-up Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland, which will return with updated ride vehicles, new handheld blasters, and interactive targets—basically, similar to Disneyland’s Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.

The Tomorrowland attraction will also feature a brand-new show scene and enhanced gameplay for an “out-of-this-world adventure.”

Epcot

In February, the high-tech Audio-Animatronics figures that debuted in World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland will finally make their way to Epcot, with new Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff figures being added to the original Frozen Ever After attraction (Disneyland Paris will also be getting Elsa and friends 2.0).

You can see Hong Kong Disneyland’s figures here, they’re impressive:

As part of Disney’s company-wide “Disney Celebrates America,” celebration of the 250^th anniversary of the United States of America, Epcot’s Soarin’ attraction will get the same Soarin’ Across America overlay as the California Adventure counterpart; however, Walt Disney World guests will be able to see America’s iconic landscapes and cities by Memorial Day 2026, two months before Disneyland’s July 2^nd debut.

Animal Kingdom

Debuting next summer, guests can finally meet Bluey and Bingo from the hit preschool animated series “Bluey” at Conservation Station.

Kids will be able to dance with Bluey and Bingo and play games inspired by “Bluey” episodes, with a fun animal twist. There will also be an experience with animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia.

Epcot Festivals

International Festival of the Arts (January 16 to February 23)

Epcot’s first festival of the year features talented artists and performances from some of our favorite stars from Disney on Broadway productions.

Check out our guide to find out everything we love about the International Festival of the Arts:

Why EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts Tops Our List

International Flower & Garden Festival (March 4 to June 1)

In spring, the park is blooming with colorful gardens and whimsical topiaries of Disney characters, many located in the World Showcase pavilion representing the country where their story takes place, including Belle and the Beast in France, Snow White in Germany, Anna and Elsa in Norway (we know they aren’t really from “Norway” but Nordic-ish), and Miguel and Dante in Mexico.

The festival’s Garden Rocks concert series features live performances by well-known musical acts (and it’s included with your park ticket).

Read our guide to learn more about the International Flower & Garden Festival:

Now Blooming: EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival 2025

International Food & Wine Festival (Fall 2026 – Dates TBA)

The Epcot festival showcasing flavors from around the globe, is usually the longest of the year, in 2025 stretching nearly 90 days from August 28th to November 22nd. Similar to Garden Rocks, the Food & Wine Eat to the Beat concert series features popular performers from a wide range of musical genres.

This year, the Beach Boys (featuring Disneyland super fan John Stamos) performed at the festival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by John Stamos (@johnstamos)

Here were our favorites at the 2025 festival:

Here’s What You Shouldn’t Miss at Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2025

International Festival of the Holidays (Winter 2026 – Dates TBA)

Epcot’s seasonal festival showcases flavors and entertainment from winter celebrations from around the world. This festival also features the beloved Candlelight Processional, which runs from around Thanksgiving to the end of December. The annual holiday tradition features a celebrity narrator reading the biblical story of Christmas, accompanied by a live orchestra and choral singers.

Find out more about the 2025 Candlelight Processional here:

Disney Candlelight Processional 2025 Narrators, Dates, and History!

2026 After Hours Events

The separately ticketed Disney After Hours events return to Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot in 2026.

• Magic Kingdom on select evenings from January 12 to July 27
• Hollywood Studios on select evenings from January 14 to September 12
• Epcot on select evenings from January 22 through September 24

This & That

Banana Ball

Do you remember Savannah Bananas Day at Disneyland? Well, now Banana Ball is headed to ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World, where the Loco Beach Coconuts will take on the Party Animals on May 29 and 30. You can sign up to receive information about Premium Tickets HERE.

LEVEL99

Level99 will open at Disney Springs next year, featuring over 60 themed challenge rooms, duels, and art hunts to test both mental and physical skills. The venue’s two-story bar will serve up cocktails and signature Detroit-style pizzas.

MiceShots

Here’s a look at Jollywood Nights to get everyone into the holiday spirit.

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Kids Dine Free in 2026

Disney has rolled out a new offer for families visiting Walt Disney World in 2026: kids ages 3 to 9 can get a free dining plan when you book a package that includes:

• A stay at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel
• A paid dining plan for each guest age 10 and up

That’s it. If the adults are on a dining plan, the kids can be added at no extra cost.

The offer is valid for all 2026 arrival dates, and it can be paired with theme park tickets or added to an existing booking.

If you’d like help adding the Kids Dine Free offer to your trip, you can contact our travel partners at Get Away Today.

Speaking of which… here’s how you can snag all those Walt Disney World deals.

Discount Disney Tickets and Travel