Whether you visit Disney World or Disneyland every year, go every few years, or plan your first visit, there’s always something new to see. 2026 will be no exception.
For example, most of the major buildings you see around Disney World these days are part of long-term projects, such as the upcoming “Cars” themed land and a new land themed after Disney and Pixar’s “Monsters, Inc.” Under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. At Disneyland, the expansion of Avengers Campus, the upcoming addition of Avatar Land and a “Coco” themed attraction are just a few of the projects worth looking forward to. These efforts will bring some headlines to the park in the years to come, beyond 2026.
However, Disneyland still has some exciting changes and additions planned for 2026. Expect rides to be renovated and re-themed, new meet-and-greets and a newly themed after-hours party. And if you want brand new Disney rides (and brand new rides!), you’ll want to bring your passport, as you can find these rides outside the United States.
Here are 15 new experiences you can enjoy in 2026 at Disney World, Disneyland and beyond.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets Opens at Disney World
It’s long been rumored that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s Aerosmith -themed days are numbered, something Disney confirmed when it announced in late 2024 that the Muppets would be taking over the popular coaster.
The ride experience itself will remain the same, with its signature twists, turns and inversions in the ultra-stretchy limousine, but passengers will now enjoy electric mayhem musical styles and see favorite Muppet characters in the ride’s iconic recording studio.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets is slated to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in summer 2026, but you can still experience the current version until spring 2026 (excluding the Aerosmith previews, which have ended).
“The Magic of Disney Animation” Opens at Disney World
“The Magic of Disney Animation” is a new interactive experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that replaces the former Star Wars Launch Pad.
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Guests can explore an interactive version of Disney Animation Headquarters and watch their favorite Disney animated films come to life in new and exciting ways. From meeting your favorite characters, to learning to draw them, or playing in the Alice in Wonderland themed play area, you’ve never experienced Disney animation like this.
“Disney Magic” is expected to be released in summer 2026.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens at Disney World
After being closed for more than a year, the Wildest Ride in the Wild will reopen at the Magic Kingdom in spring 2026. When the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens, it will bring new rides through the Rainbow Caves—a colorful natural phenomenon with phosphorescent pools and sparkling stalagmites.
But all is not as it seems in this cursed mine, and you may encounter some new surprises along the way.
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger spin reopens at Disney World
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will also reopen at the Magic Kingdom in spring 2026 after closing for renovations in August 2025.
The ride will still blast the “Z” targets as you face the evil Emperor Zurg, but the attraction will get new rides equipped with handheld blasters, video monitors, and interactive targets to provide a better gaming experience. You’ll also meet a brand new character named “Buddy” who will help you prepare for your mission before confronting Zurg.
Disney World’s renovated Frozen
Epcot’s Frozen will close on January 26 for about a month. When it reopens in February, passengers will see new audio-animatronic characters that more closely resemble those in the Frozen world at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Disney debuts “Flying Over America” at Disney World and Disneyland
Disney will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with events across its parks and streaming platforms in summer 2026, including the debut of “Soaring Over America” at Disney World and Disneyland.
The show, which will temporarily replace Soarin, will take passengers on an adventure to some of America’s most iconic landmarks, cities and natural wonders. It is expected to begin on Memorial Day at Epcot and on July 2 at Disney California Adventure.
Millennium Falcon’s New Mission: Smugglers’ Tour of Disney World and Disneyland
If you feel like you’ve completely mastered Hondo Ohnaka’s current missions in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park, you’ll be happy to know that both parks are about to launch exciting new missions featuring Grogu and The Mandalorian.
Starting May 22, you can fly with Grogu and Mando to familiar “Star Wars” locations like Tatooine, Cloud City and the wreckage of the Death Star. Riders in engineer positions, who previously had little influence on the outcome of the mission, will assist in communicating with Grogu during the mission.
Disney World Cool Kids Return for Summer
Disney is debuting Cool Kids Summer Events in 2025, offering fun activities for families with young children at Disney World parks and hotels. Last year, the months-long experience included DJ-led dance parties, character meet-and-greets, games and more. This year, Goofy will take over Communicore Hall at Epcot, and Jesse, Woody and other Toy Story friends will host a party at the Diamond Horseshoe at Magic Kingdom.
Disney will resume the event in 2026, which will run from May 26 to September 8.
“Disney’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” Debuts at Disney World
“Disney’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” is the summer 2026 stage show for the youngest Disney fans coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The show based on “The Mickey Mouse Club” is already a hit at Disneyland, but this will be its East Coast debut. Children can sing and dance with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Daisy in this high-energy show.
Watch Bluey and Bingo at Disney World and Disneyland
Starting in summer 2026, guests can finally meet everyone’s favorite Australian Heels family at the long-awaited Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In addition to meeting Bluey and her sister Bingo at the conservation station, you can also view animals native to Bluey’s native Australia.
Beginning March 22, Bluey and her sister Bingo will host a celebration of music, performance and theater at Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theater.
If you happen to be sailing with Disney in 2026, you can also find Bluey and Bingo on the Disney Dream starting in February and the Disney Wish starting in June.
New “Disneyland After Dark” Party: “70 Years of Favorites”
Disneyland is hosting a new after-hours party March 3-5, themed around iconic eras and historical moments from Disneyland’s 70 years (which coincides with the park’s 70th anniversary).
Special events and experiences you can look forward to during the party include an ’80s-themed Videopolis dance party at Tomorrowland Terrace, swing dancing at Fantasyland, and a line dance at The Golden Horseshoe in homage to “Woody’s Round Up.” These parties run from 9pm to 1am, but you can get in with a party ticket starting at 6pm, so take a break and get ready to celebrate Disneyland’s seventh anniversary.
Disney World of Adventure opens at Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris announced in April 2024 that the resort’s second park, Walt Disney Studios Park, would be renamed Disney World of Adventures. But this update is more than a simple name change. When the park transforms into Disney World of Adventures on March 29, it will offer fresh attractions, entertainment, dining and new worlds based on the “Frozen” movies.
The world of Frozen will take guests to the kingdom of Arendelle, including the popular Frozen: After Ever After attraction and royal meet-and-greets with Elsa and Anna. The world of Frozen will be located along the shores of Adventure Bay, a new body of water that will serve as a gateway to new themed lands surrounding the park.
Additionally, along Adventure Way, you’ll find the new Raiponce Tangled Spin ride (“Raiponce” is French for “Rapunzel”), a new nighttime spectacle called Disney Falls, and 14 new dining options.
“Spider-Man” roller coaster is coming to Shanghai Disneyland
If you want to ride the new, thrilling “Spider-Man” themed roller coaster, grab your passport and keep an eye on Shanghai, because construction is underway on the park’s new “Spider-Man” themed area, which will be the park’s ninth. An official opening date has not yet been announced, but it could be as soon as 2026.
Disney adventure sets sail
In 2026, Disney Cruise Line will welcome its largest ship ever, the Disney Adventure.
this is a A lot of The ship can accommodate 6,700 guests and 2,500 crew members, with a total of more than 9,000 people on board when fully loaded. Disney’s current largest cruise ship, the Disney Destiny, can accommodate approximately 4,000 passengers when fully loaded.
Disneyland Adventure will be homeported in Singapore, so those used to sailing on all the latest Disney cruises will have to look further afield to check this ship off their list. Fans will find Ironcycle Test Run, the longest coaster at sea, as well as seven themed areas, two additional attractions – Pym Quantum Racers and Groot Galaxy Spin – and a variety of other new restaurants and spaces.
Tokyo Disneyland will launch “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Sugar Rush” attractions
Tokyo Disneyland is closing Buzz Lightyear’s Space Blaster in 2024 to make way for the world’s first Disney attraction based on “Wreck-It Ralph.” The new interactive ride will take guests into the “Sugar Rush” game with Vanellope, Ralph and other characters from the movie. In this interactive adventure, riders will use blasters to shoot “sugar bugs,” as depicted in concept art. The ride is expected to open in 2026.
bottom line
While we’re still a year or two away from welcoming new lands and attractions to Disneyland America, there’s plenty of “new magic” to enjoy in 2026, both within the U.S. and abroad
This overview of what’s new for Disney in 2026 doesn’t even touch on the other Disney upgrades we’re excited about this year, like some renovated rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, a new zero-entry pool at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, ongoing room upgrades at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, new menu items throughout the parks, and even an old-for-new color scheme at Cinderella Castle. Walt Disney World.
So if you’re hoping to take a trip to Disney this year, grab your camera, dust off that dust, and get ready to enjoy old and new Disney favorites in 2026.
