It’s been a wild several months at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Almost every park has major projects underway. From the reconfiguration of Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the peaks and jungles of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Let’s take a look at what’s happening park by park!
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom has several major projects in the works, including two brand-new lands: Piston Peak and Villains Land, which were announced at the D23 Expo in August of 2024.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The big news from Frontierland is that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad returned on May 3rd. The attraction reopened with an expanded backstory (featuring new ride elements) and a reduced height limit of 38 inches.
Thunder Mountain fans were eager to ride the rails again after such a long closure, with standby wait times on Sunday morning sometimes reaching over an hour and a half.
Unfortunately, in the evening on reopening day, the attraction was shut down due to a small fire at the load station under the track. The fire broke out at about 5:45 pm. But the attraction was back up by 10:20 pm, with at least one side running.
Viewer sent video of a small fire coming from below the track in the load/unload area of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom. Cause of the fire unknown. pic.twitter.com/Y1MvkH9o5p
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) May 4, 2026
Read about Big Thunder Mountain’s new magic here:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopens at Walt Disney World with Ride and Story Updates
Piston Peak
As the Thunder Mountain refurbishment project wraps up, Piston Peak is just getting started. Foundations have started being poured, with some retaining walls being built. While ground is broken for the land itself, construction crews are just in the infrastructure building stage. That will take some time to complete. So, don’t expect to see any peaks rising too soon.
With the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer’s Island a thing of the past, we can see how quickly the landscape has changed, so far. We’re hopeful that the natural (looking) features of Piston Peak will help it blend in with Liberty Square and the rest of Frontierland… but that remains to be seen.
The construction walls around the former Rivers of America will take another step forward, with Big Al’s gift shop closing on May 10th and Westward Ho! on June 21st. For our fellow Disney foodies, Westward Ho! is known for their Candied Bacon Skewer and Sausage and Egg Buscuit Breakfast Sandwich.
Also behind scrims is The Haunted Mansion. This has been a fairly long project, lasting several months. We aren’t exactly sure what they are doing here, but it definitely involves the roof and exterior facade.
The attraction is still in operation… though the Mansion unexpectedly closed on Saturday and Sunday of this past weekend due to a maintenance issue. By Monday morning, it was back open again with its usual wait times.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
As we reported a couple of weeks ago, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has completely reopened with some amazing enhancements.
The gift shop is looking great as well. While it appears that nothing has changed in the shop, there is definitely a fresh coat of paint. It’s great to see it all looking so fresh.
We were able to take a spin a couple of weeks before the attraction opened to the public, and we were pleased with the enhancements. Be sure to check our coverage of the renewed and enhanced Buzz Lightyear ride in the article below:
We Rode the Updated Buzz Lightyear Ride at Magic Kingdom… Here’s What Changed
Big Top Souvenirs
In other news, Big Top Souvenirs has been behind construction walls for several weeks, with the big top tent having been completely removed. It is one of the larger gift shops in the park, so its temporary loss has been felt. For now, Minnie and Goofy are greeting guests in other locations. This refurbishment is huge and it is not expected to reopen until later this year.
More Magic Kingdom News
There’s even more news from the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
The separately ticketed Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will take place on 38 select nights from August 7 to October 31, 2026. Yes, you read that correctly… AUGUST 7TH!!! It’s hard to imagine pumpkin spice and all things cool and eerie in the heat of summer, but that’s the new start of the Halloween season.
Guests at Disney Resorts Collection hotels (and other select hotels) can purchase event tickets starting on May 5, 2026, for event dates during their stay. All other guests will be able to purchase tickets starting May 12, 2026.
2026 Event Dates:
- August 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, and 30
- September 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, and 29
- October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, and 31
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is held from 7 p.m. to midnight, but ticket holders can enter Magic Kingdom park 3 hours before the event officially begins.
Event tickets are $119 to $229 per ticket, plus tax (prices vary by event date). Annual Passholders and eligible Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10 per ticket for event nights from August 7 to October 2, 2026.
Find out more about Walt Disney World’s Halloween celebration HERE.
New Ferry on Seven Seas Lagoon
The fleet of ferryboats that provides complimentary transportation from the Ticket and Transportation Center across Seven Seas Lagoon to the Magic Kingdom is growing for the first time since 1976, with a brand-new ferry launching in 2027. The new ship increases the fleet from 3 to 4 vessels.
The resort’s three ferryboats are all named for Disney Legends who played important parts in the resort’s development and construction: the Admiral Joe Fowler, the General Joe Potter, and the Richard F. Irvine.
To continue that tradition, the new ferry will be named the Meg Gilbert Crofton to honor Disney World’s president from 2006-2013. Just like the other three boats, Meg’s portrait will be found on the first deck of the new vessel.
Hollywood Studios
The major projects at Hollywood Studios are well underway, with more visual progress evident every day. Let’s take a stroll around the Studio and see what has changed since we last wrote (It’s a lot!).
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
When the high-speed indoor roller coaster reopens on May 26, it 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.
Thankfully, a super-powered vehicle known as the Lengthy Immediate Motion Object (L.I.M.O.) is parked just outside, courtesy of Muppet Labs.
Last week, the guitar was mostly unveiled, with the scrims and scaffolding gone. The attraction’s name seems to be the only thing missing from the newly painted guitar.
You can read all about the reimagined Muppets-themed coaster here:
Muppets Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Opens May 26: Time to Ride the Music!
Animation Courtyard
The Animation Courtyard is being completely redeveloped and will reopen as The Walt Disney Studios Courtyard on May 26, along with Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, a new show inspired by Disney Jr.’s global hit series, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+, featuring original songs, dance, and interactive fun stars Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto.
The new Animation Academy will have Olaf as your host. A new Sorcerer’s Hat has already been placed on the animation building, giving it a true Disney Studios Burbank look.
Posters for recent animation projects have been installed.
Monstropolis
Over in the new Monsters Inc area, scaffolding is up on every building in the project. Portions of the support for the new attraction track in the land are also starting to go up.
With everything happening in double time at this park, the Muppets’ motifs are rapidly changing into the sprawling look of Monstropolis. We miss the muppets greatly, but are also looking forward to the new Monsters Inc Land, and especially a hanging rollercoaster!
The mural of Mama Melrose is still on the side of the building. It appears to be one of the only remaining pieces of Muppets Courtyard still visible…for now.
Galaxy’s Edge
The refresh of the Millennium Falcon has concluded with scaffolding having been removed from the ship.
Animal Kingdom
With DinoLand USA now extinct, the new Tropical Americas are rapidly growing with changes visible daily.
Tropical Americas
Construction is moving at a rapid pace. Show buildings are going vertical, and permits for show elements have been filed for the new Indiana Jones attraction. Let’s see if there are any interesting views over these construction walls…
Because this large area has been closed, a lot of guest seating has gone away for the duration of the construction project. Benches have recently been added along the construction walls. Some of the benches have umbrellas to shield from the harsh Florida sun.
It wasn’t long ago that we were hanging with Chip and Dale in their dinosaur costumes.
Bluey’s Wild World
Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station opens on May 26. As guests hop off the Wildlife Express Train at Conservation Station, they’ll be able to play games from the popular “Bluey” series, snap photos with Bluey and her sister Bingo, and discover animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia at “Jumping Junction.”
If the success of Disneyland’s Bluey experience is any indication, this is going to be a very popular stop at Animal Kingdom.
EPCOT
2026 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
The fan-favorite EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival returns from August 27 to November 21, 2026.
Although final festival menus are still under wraps, we do know that three popular items will be returning this year:
- Street Corn-style Dumplings: Chicken Dumplings with Tomatillo Salsa Verde, Street Corn Salad, Cotija, Lime Crema, and Cilantro (Gyozas of the Galaxy)
- Grilled Bushberry-spiced Shrimp Skewer with Sweet-and-Sour Vegetables and Coconut-Chilie Sauce (Australia)
- Kirschwasser Torte with Cherry-Brandy Buttercream, Fondant, Sugared Almonds, and Cherry Compote (The Alps)
Also back for 2026 is the family-friendly Remy’s Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt and Emile’s Fromage Montage, the cheese-focused food stroll highlights cheesy dishes at select Global Marketplaces.
Read our review of last year’s festival here:
Here’s What You Shouldn’t Miss at Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2025
Closed for Refurbishment
In a resort the size of Walt Disney World, there’s ALWAYS something closed for refurbishment or transformation, and there are a slew of projects right now:
- WDW Railroad from Main Street – Storybook Circus via Frontierland in Magic Kingdom 7/7/2025 – Unknown. Half of the WDW Railroad is closed while construction beyond Big Thunder continues.
- Meet Dashing Disney Pals as Circus Stars at Pete’s Silly Side Show in Magic Kingdom – 1/4/2026 – Unknown
- Big Top Souvenirs at Magic Kingdom – Reopening Date TBD
- Let the Magic Begin in Magic Kingdom – 01/19/2026 – Unknown
- Impressions de France in EPCOT – 2/22/2026 – 05/10/2026
- Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along in EPCOT – 02/22/2026 – 05/10/2026
- Soarin Around the World in EPCOT – 05/14/2026 – 05/26/2026 as EPCOT prepares for the new Soarin Across America film.
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets – Opening May 26
- Haunted Mansion Courtyard at Magic Kingdom – Reopening June 1
- Wildlife Express Train and Affection Station at Animal Kingdom – Feb. 23 to Summer 2026 as Bluey’s Wild World is readied for guests.
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon 02/15/2026 – 05/12/2026
- Disney Lakeshore Lodge opening in Summer 2027 (More about Lakeshore Lodge HERE)
Here’s a list of Disney’s upcoming permenant closures
- Westward Ho Refreshments 06/22/2026
- CrazyShake Window by Black Tap in Summer of 2026
MiceShots
Now to our favorite part of these updates! We love sharing photos from around the parks. It gives our photographers the chance to show what they see through the lens. We hope you enjoyed this update, and we look forward to bringing you more. There’s always more at Micechat.com!
Did you know that Peter Pan and Wendy now fly in the Disney Starlight Parade?
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Let’s Hear From You!
What do you think about the long list of projects at WDW? Is too much happening all at once or are you glad to have some much to do in the months and years to come? Are you warming up to Piston Peak and Monsters Inc land? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to continue following us as we make future updates on the major projects around the Walt Disney World Resort. There’s a lot to see, and things are shaping up very fast. Thanks again for reading, and we look forward to seeing you for our next update. Stay cool and enjoy the parks!
