WDW UPDATE: Opening Dates, Bluey’s Debut & Muppets Take the Coaster

Walt Disney World’s next wave of changes is starting to come into focus. Disney has announced opening dates for five new and updated experiences across all four parks, while the broader resort continues its ongoing transformation through closures, construction, seasonal offerings, and a few overdue upgrades. There’s a lot on the horizon… so before we get into everything else, let’s start with what’s opening and when.

Let’s start with WHEN you can start experiencing new things:

• Opening April 8: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom
• Opening May 26: Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom
• Opening May 26: Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! at Hollywood Studios
• Opening May 26: The Walt Disney Studios courtyard at Hollywood Studios
• Opening May 26: Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT

You can find more details about all these experiences below.

And now, let’s take a spin around the Most Magical Place on Earth. 

Adieu to Aerosmith

The latest attraction on the chopping block was Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, which took its final ride on March 1, 2026.

More than a month before the attraction’s final ride, the pre-show segment of the queue was removed (and replaced with a wall of records), a sign that Imagineers have already been working on the new Muppets-themed pre-show.

When it reopens this summer, the high-speed indoor coaster will be reimagined as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. The new version will have the same track and the same problem — The Electric Mayhem are just as tardy to their big Hollywood concert as Aerosmith was to theirs, so of course, they’ve got to race across town to make it to the concert in time. And they are going to need a stretch limo… better make it a super-stretch!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Arendelle Facelift

Updated Audio-Animatronics figures debuted on Feb. 12 in Frozen Ever After at Epcot, with the dated rear-projected faces replaced with the same enhanced figures used for the World of Frozen version of the ride in Hong Kong Disneyland, creating a “more true-to-film look” for Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff.

Here are the World of Frozen figures from Hong Kong Disneyland:

And here are the new figures at Epcot:

The new Frozen Ever After attraction opening March 29 in World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris Resort’s reimagined second gate, Disney Adventure World (formally called Walt Disney Studios) will also have the updated figures along with an adorable free-roaming Olaf figure we REALLY hope makes a visit to Orlando.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Coming Soon to a Theme Park Near You

As we mentioned at the top of this update, five new and reimagined attractions and experiences are coming to Walt Disney World Resort starting April 8, with four of them landing with the kickoff of Walt Disney World’s annual Cool KIDS’ SUMMER event, which is running May 26 through Sept. 8

The Walt Disney Studios (May 26)

“The Walt Disney Studios” outdoor courtyard will be ready on May 26, but The Magic of Disney Animation will debut late summer with the “Drawn to Wonderland” playground, character meet-and-greets in “Off the Page” and “Olaf Draws,” where guests will learn to draw from Disney Animation artists whose pre-recorded guidance brings the class to life along with Olaf.

Soarin’ Across America (May 26)

To celebrate America’s 250^th birthday, Soarin’ Across America is adding a brand-new voyage highlighting the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes, accompanied by a new orchestration of the classic Soarin’ musical theme.

The Soarin’ Across America overlay debuts at Disneyland on July 2.

Cool KIDS’ SUMMER also includes the following limited-time entertainment:

• Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip-Roarin’ Review – A new limited-time Toy Story-themed experience at the Diamond Horseshoe in Magic Kingdom featuring songs, dance, games and other playful activities.

• GoofyCore at EPCOT – A special limited-time summertime party packed with DJ-led dance breaks, interactive games, larger-than-life playground-style activities, and Goofy-approved silliness.

• A Disney Springs Dance Party – On select nights, guests can dance to hits from “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland” and “Camp Rock 3” to celebrate the new original movies coming to Disney+ this summer.

In Case You Missed It

DinoLand U.S.A. and its E-Ticket Dinosaur attraction have permanently closed at Animal Kingdom to make way for the new Tropical Americas land with Indiana Jones and Encanto-themed attractions.

Following the land’s “rolling closure,” Dinosaur was the last to go, with its final day of operation on February 1… and Universal Orlando wasted no time gloating over the ride closure on Instagram.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What to Expect at Tropical Americas

Indiana Jones will be taking over Dinosaur, which Imagineers promise “will be different from any other Indiana Jones experience around the world” — although the Dinosaur attraction shares the same ride system and track layout as the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland.

The new land will also feature the first-ever Encanto-themed attraction, inviting guests into the family’s magical Casita.

Tropical Americas will also include a new carousel and restaurant.

The entire area is under major reconstruction. 

Former Imagineer and Disney Legend Joe Rohde posted about “the late great DinoLand” on Instagram.

“My team and I tried for fifteen years to get a Tropical America land into this park… I congratulate the team on finally being able to lock a deal.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Garden Rocks

The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival runs from March 4 to June 1, 2026, with delicious food and beverages, more than 60 character topiaries, and the Garden Rocks Concert Series.

EPCOT’s entry garden has been taken over my Toy Story topiaries this year…

But the whole park participates in the floral festival. 

World-renowned artists will take the American Gardens Theatre stage on select dates from March 5 to June 1, 2026, with showtimes at 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8 p.m.

Here’s this year’s Garden Rocks line-up:

• The Music Of ABBA (NEW) – March 5, 6, and 7
• Simple Plan – March 8 and 9
• Blue October – March 13 and 14
• Billy Ocean – March 15 and 16
• Chubby Checker – April 3 and 4
• Sugar Ray – April 5 and 6
• Information Society (NEW) – April 10 and 11
• Rick Springfield – April 12 and 13
• Berlin – April 17 and 18
• The Commodores – April 19 and 20
• Firehouse (NEW) – April 24 and 25
• Air Supply – April 26 and 27
• A Flock Of Seagulls – May 1 and 2
• Plain White T’s – May 3 and 4
• Katrina, formerly of Katrina & The Waves (NEW) – May 8 and 9
• 98 Degrees – May 10 and 11
• The Spinners – May 15 and 16
• Josiah Queen (NEW) – May 17 and 18
• Iam Tongi (NEW) – May 22 and 23
• A.J. Croce: Croce Plays Croce – May 24 and 25
• Queensrÿche – May 29 and 30
• Maverick City Music – May 31 and June 1

Garden Rocks Dining Package

At most participating restaurants in EPCOT, you get an entrée and dessert or one full buffet (where applicable), plus a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for Guests 21+). At Spice Road Table, you receive two small plates, a shared tagine, a shared dessert platter, and a beverage.

Dining packages include one guaranteed seat per person to one Garden Rocks concert held the same day.

You may be able to purchase a same-day dining package at Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (subject to availability).

You can find all the details HERE.

Grand Floridian Tea Time

The Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience returns to the Grand Floridian starting March 19, with reservations opening February 19. The whimsical afternoon tea will feature new touches inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

The tea begins with an Orange-Cranberry Scone with traditional accompaniments, followed by a three-tiered tower of treats.

Savory selections include:

• Curried Chicken Salad Playing Card Tart – Curried chicken salad topped with cherry gelée
• Footman’s Feast – Salmon rillette on a miso brown butter crisp
• Tweedledee Egg Salad Sandwich – Traditional egg salad on beet bread
• Caterpillar Cucumber Roll – Butterfly pea-infused cream cheese and cucumbers on pumpernickel

Sweet treats include:

• The Matcha Mad Hatter – Sponge cake with apricot jam and yuzu buttercream
• Tea Party Tart – Vanilla tart with coffee custard and chantilly cream
• Flamingo Croquet Choux – Passion fruit cream with raspberry crunch
• Painting the Rose – Earl Grey teacake painted tableside

Plant-based options are also available.

The Children’s Afternoon Tea includes:
– Queen of Hearts Cheese Toastie
– Fanciful Turkey Wrap
– Sunflower Seed Butter and Jelly Bun

Desserts include:
– Cheshire Cat Raspberry Macaron
– Chocolate Brownie Branch
– White Rabbit Cupcake

Twinings loose leaf teas include classics like London Strand Breakfast and Spicy Chai, along with exclusive blends like Orangery of Lady Grey (exclusive to Walt Disney World), Nutty Chocolate Flavoured Assam, and caffeine-free Blackcurrant & Lavender.

Signature Tea Cocktails

• Mint Tulip – Old Forester 1870 Whiskey, Twinings Peach Mango Tea, and mint
• Mar-TEA-ni – Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Twinings Earl Grey Tea, lemon, and honey

Non-Alcoholic Specialty Teas

• Curiosi-TEA – Strawberry Raspberry herbal tea with shimmering magic
• This Way, That Way – Peach Mango herbal tea with mint

Disney After Hours

The popular after-hours events return to Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT in 2026, offering shorter attraction wait times and unlimited ice cream, popcorn, and select beverages… for a price, of course…

Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom

• Select dates through July 27, 2026
• 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Event guests may enter as early as 7 p.m.)
• $175–$199 (plus tax)
• Rides 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 through September 12, 2026
• 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (Event guests may enter as early as 7 p.m.)
• $155–$189 (plus tax)
• Rides 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 through September 24, 2026
• 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (Event guests may enter as early as 7 p.m.)
• $155–$179 (plus tax)
• Rides include: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Test Track, Frozen Ever After, Soarin’, Gran Fiesta Tour, Living with the Land, Mission: SPACE, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and Spaceship Earth

Construction Kingdom

Magic Kingdom

Rivers of America may be gone, but it’s certainly not forgotten. In its place will be a Cars-themed Frontierland expansion — and eventually the Villains-themed land beyond Thunder Mountain.

The river has been drained, scraped clean, and the pace of change is rapid. 

Big Thunder remains closed while its maintenance barn is relocated to accommodate the nearby expansion. That gave the Imagineers time to work a little new magic on the ride, which will feature a mystical, glimmering caverns scene when it reopens in May.  

Opposite Big Thunder, the Haunted Mansion is also under wraps… but remains open to guests.  

And Cinderella Castle is also getting a facelift.  The pink walls are giving way to the original gray color scheme. You can see both colors currently on the castle walls. Which do you prefer? The pink or the gray? 

Hollywood Studios

Disney’s movie-themed park is also getting into the act with a grand reshuffling. The Muppets were booted out of their courtyard for an upcoming Monsters Inc land, and in turn are kicking Aerosmith out of their coaster so the Electric Mayhem can take over that ride… which we showed you above. 

Monsters Inc. Land

Closed For Refurbishment

Animal Kingdom

The following attractions are closed to make way for the arrival of Bluey and Bingo on May 26:

• Affection Section
• Animal Care at Conservation Station
• Wildlife Express Train
• Wildlife Express Train – Rafiki’s Planet Watch Station
• Conservation Station

Hollywood Studios

• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets (opening Summer 2026)

Magic Kingdom

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (reopening May 2026)
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Reopening April 8 with upgraded guns and a new show scene featuring “Buddy” a friendly support-bot)

This & That

Live @ 5

While Dusty has been traveling, Mike took over our weekly MiceChat Live videos and brought us views of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios:

Sugar Rush

CrazyShake by Black Tap has officially opened at Disney Springs in the former Sprinkles location. Dusty happened upon the location as they were testing the day before opening and got to take a little sneak peek… and try a couple of the very Instagrammable shakes.  

For those familiar with Black Tap’s burgers and fries… note that this location is shakes only.

Hot tip: Share! These are very sweet shakes. It’s a fun sweet treat, but hard to eat all by yourself. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Water Parks Update

Blizzard Beach water park reopened on February 15, and Typhoon Lagoon reopens May 12. Both Walt Disney World water parks will operate simultaneously this summer.

Did You Know? All Disney Resort hotel guests checking in between May 26 and September 8, 2026 receive complimentary water park admission on check-in day. Split stays qualify for admission on each check-in day. This is a great perk, particularly on arrival days when it doesn’t make sense to buy a full-day theme park admission. 

2026 runDisney Events

Disneyland is pausing runDisney while the resort is in epansion mode, but Walt Disney World is picking up the slack with a slate of new races:

April 16–20, 2026: Springtime Surprise Weekend

October 22–25, 2026: Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (registration opens soon)

Gideon’s News

Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs is opening a new dining concept called Six Ravens, featuring “Coffyns” — an old-timey name for a hand pie.

Coffyns will be fluffy yeast bread filled with flavors created by Gideon’s chefs and Orlando culinary collaborators. The cafe will also serve potatoes, local draft beers, and desserts.

Do You Want To Build A Snowman?

Spring has arrived at Walt Disney World, but January and February cold snaps hit Orlando hard, killing entire gardens, causing damage to trees, and causing Disney World’s gardners a lot of extra work.

Even Gaston had to battle frostbite in Fantasyland.

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Let’s Hear From You!

Walt Disney World is heading into a season of big changes.

Will you miss DinoLand? Are you excited for Indiana Jones and Encanto at Animal Kingdom? And how do you feel about the Muppets taking over Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.