Whether you visit Disney World or Disneyland annually, every few years, or are planning your first visit, there’s always something new to see, and 2026 is no exception.
Most of the major construction you may have seen at Disney World lately is part of longer-term projects like the upcoming “Cars” themed land and a New Land themed to “Monsters, Inc.” from Disney and Pixar. under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Meanwhile, at Disneyland, an expansion of the Avengers Campus, the upcoming addition of an “Avatar”-inspired land and a new “Coco”-themed attraction are just a few of the projects we’re looking forward to. These efforts will bring some major additions to both destinations in the coming years, but there is still a lot to look forward to in 2026.
Expect attraction remodels and theme changes, new meet and greets, and new after-hours themed parties. And, if you want new Disney attractions (and a whole new ship!), you’ll want to get your passport, since you can find them beyond US borders.
Here are 14 new experiences you can enjoy in 2026 at Disney World, Disneyland and beyond.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets debuts at Disney World
It was long rumored that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s Aerosmith-themed days were numbered, and Disney confirmed it in late 2024 when it announced 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 a super-wide limousine, but passengers will now enjoy the musical style of Electric Mayhem and see favorite Muppet characters in the ride’s iconic recording studio.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will premiere in summer 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
‘The Magic of Disney Animation’ premieres at Disney World
“The Magic of Disney Animation” is an all-new interactive experience coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, replacing the former Star Wars Launch Bay.
Visitors 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 how to draw them to playing in an “Alice in Wonderland” themed play area, you’ve never experienced Disney animation like this.
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“The Magic of Disney Animation” premieres May 26.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens at Disney World
After being closed for more than a year, the “wildest attraction in nature” will reopen at Magic Kingdom this spring. When Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens, it will feature a new ride through Rainbow Caverns, a colorful natural phenomenon of phosphorescent pools and shimmering stalagmites.
But not everything is as it seems in this cursed mine, and you may encounter some new surprises along the way.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is scheduled to reopen in early May.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopens at Disney World
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will also reopen in spring 2026 at Magic Kingdom after closing for renovations in August 2025.
In the attraction you will still destroy “Z” targets as you take on the evil Emperor Zurg, but the attraction will receive new vehicles with portable blasters, video monitors and interactive targets for a better gameplay experience. You’ll also meet a brand new character named “Buddy” who will help you prepare for your mission before facing Zurg.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will reopen on April 8.
Frozen Ever After Renewal at Disney World
Frozen Ever After at Epcot closed in late January for a minor remodel that included new audio-animatronic figures that more closely resemble those created for the Frozen World at Hong Kong Disneyland. The attraction reopened on February 12.
Disney debuts ‘Soarin’ Across America’ at Disney World and Disneyland
Disney will mark America’s 250th birthday with celebrations across its parks and streaming platforms throughout the summer of 2026, including the debut of “Soarin’ Across America” at both Disney World and Disneyland.
The show, which will take passengers on an adventure through some of America’s most iconic monuments, cities and natural wonders, will temporarily replace “Soarin.” The attraction will open May 26 at Walt Disney World and July 2 at Disney California Adventure Park.
New mission in Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run at Disney World and Disneyland
If you feel like you’ve completely mastered Hondo Ohnaka’s current mission in Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park, you’ll be happy to know that there’s an exciting new mission on the way featuring Grogu and the Mandalorian at both parks.
Starting May 22, you’ll be able to join Grogu and Mando as you fly to familiar “Star Wars” locations like Tatooine, Cloud City and the remains of the Death Star. Passengers in the engineer position, who have previously had little influence on the outcome of the mission, will help communicate with Grogu during the mission.
The return of Cool Kids’ Summer to Disney World
Disney debuted Cool Kids’ Summer in 2025, offering fun activities for families with younger children at Disney World parks and hotels. Last year, this month-long experience included activities like DJ-led dance parties, games, and character meet-and-greets.
Disney is bringing the event back for 2026 between May 26 and September 8. This year, Goofy will take over Epcot’s Communicore Hall, while Jessie, Woody and other “Toy Story” friends will host a party at Magic Kingdom’s Diamond Horseshoe.
‘Disney Jr.’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!’ debuts at Disney World
“Disney Jr.’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” is a show for the younger Disney fans who come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The show based on “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” is already a big hit at Disneyland, but this will mark its debut on the East Coast. Kids can sing and dance along with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Daisy in this high-energy performance.
“Disney Jr.’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” It will open on May 26.
See Bluey and Bingo at Disney World and Disneyland
For the first time, guests will finally be able to meet Down Under’s favorite family of Heelers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom starting May 26. In addition to meeting Bluey and her little sister Bingo at the Conservation Station, they’ll get to see animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia.
At Disneyland Park, starting March 22, Bluey and her sister Bingo will lead a celebration of music, performances and games at the Fantasyland Theatre.
If you sail with Disney this year, Bluey and Bingo can also be found on Disney Dream starting in February and will appear on Disney Wish starting in June.
Disney Adventure World opens its doors at Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris announced in April 2024 that the complex’s second park, Walt Disney Studios Park, would be renamed Disney Adventure WorldBut there’s a lot more to this update than just a name change. When the park transforms into Disney Adventure World on March 29, it will do so with new attractions, entertainment, restaurants and a new world based on the “Frozen” movies.
World of Frozen will transport guests to the Kingdom of Arendelle, including the popular Frozen Ever After attraction and a real-life encounter with Elsa and Anna. World of Frozen will reside on the shores of Adventure Bay, an entirely new body of water that will act as a gateway to the park’s new themed lands that will surround it.
Also along the Adventure Way ride, you’ll find the new Raiponce Tangled Spin attraction (“Raiponce” is the French version of the name “Rapunzel”), a new nighttime show called “Disney Cascade of Lights” and 14 new restaurants.
‘Spider-Man’ roller coaster arrives at Shanghai Disneyland
If you want to ride an exciting new “Spider-Man” themed roller coaster, then grab your passport and keep an eye on Shanghai as the park’s new “Spider-Man” themed area is under construction, which will be the park’s ninth zone. An official opening date has not yet been announced, but it could open in 2026.
Disney Adventure sets sail
This year, Disney Cruise Line will welcome its largest ship to date, Disney Adventure.
This is a massive ship with capacity for 6,700 guests and 2,500 crew members, totaling more than 9,000 people on board at full capacity. Disney’s current largest ship, disney destinyIt has capacity for about 4,000 passengers at full capacity.
Disney Adventure will be based in Singapore, so those used to hopping on all of Disney’s newest ships will have to travel further afield to cross this one off their lists. Those who do will find longest roller coaster at seaIroncycle Test Run, plus seven themed areas, two additional attractions (Pym Quantum Racers and Groot Galaxy Spin) and a variety of other new restaurants and spaces.
‘Sugar Rush’ attraction from ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ arrives at Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland closed Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters in 2024 to make way for the world’s first Disney attraction based on “Wreck-It Ralph.” The new interactive attraction will take guests to the Sugar Rush game with Vanellope, Ralph and other characters from the film. During this interactive adventure, riders will use blasters to shoot “sugar bugs,” as shown in concept art. The attraction is likely to open in 2026.
In a nutshell
Although it will be a year or two before we start to Welcome all-new lands and attractions to Disney parks in the US.There is plenty of “new magic” to be enjoyed in 2026, both inside and outside the US.
And this roundup of what’s new at Disney in 2026 doesn’t even touch on some other Disney improvements 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, continued room improvements at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, new menu items at the parks, and even an old-is-new-again color scheme at Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World.
So if you’re hoping to take a trip to Disney this year, grab those cameras, dust off those points and get ready to enjoy new and old favorites at Disney in 2026.
