Everything Coming to Walt Disney World in 2026: Full Year-at-a-Glance Guide

Posted: Wednesday December 3, 2025 10:45am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World has outlined a full year of new additions for 2026. This overview gives you a quick look at what's coming and when, with links to more detailed coverage throughout the site.

New Big Thunder Mountain Concept Art

Early 2026

Updated Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff Audio-Animatronics debut at Frozen Ever After at EPCOT in February.
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts: Jan 16-Feb 23.
Disney After Hours returns at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney's Hollywood Studios on select nights.

New Frozen Ever After Audio-Animatronics figures

Spring 2026

EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival: Mar 4-Jun 1.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens after a major refurbishment.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin returns with upgraded ride vehicles, new handheld blasters, and updated interactive targets.

Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin Updates 2025

Summer 2026

Cool Kids' Summer rolls out high-energy dance experiences, interactive games, and seasonal offers across all four parks.
Free Disney Water Park admission on arrival day returns for Disney Resort hotel guests.
Disney H2O Glow After Hours returns to Typhoon Lagoon.
Banana Ball at ESPN Wide World of Sports: May 29-30.
Bluey and Bingo meet-and-play experience opens at Conservation Station in Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
The Magic of Disney Animation opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios later in the summer, offering interactive spaces, character greetings, and a Mary Blair-inspired playground.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets launches in summer 2026. Aerosmith's version runs through spring.
New Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run mission featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu begins May 22.
Soarin' Across America debuts by Memorial Day 2026 at EPCOT.

Muppets will be taking over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

Fall 2026

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival returns.
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns to Magic Kingdom on select nights.

Winter 2026

Disney Jollywood Nights returns to Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party returns to Magic Kingdom.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, including Holiday Storytellers and Candlelight Processional, returns.

Also in 2026

LEVEL99 opens on the West Side of Disney Springs, bringing more than 60 themed challenge rooms, duels, and art hunts.

Throughout 2026

Free dining plan for kids (ages 3-9) when a dining plan is purchased for other party members. Offer available at more than 25 Disney Resort hotels and can be combined with select discounts.

Discuss on the Forums

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SirwalterraleighDec 08, 2025

I don’t know about staggs… But if your point is that Florida has become a joke…yes…it has

Notes from NeverlandDec 08, 2025

No mention of Cinderella Castle returning to its old paint scheme. Assuming it's still planned for 2026, it'd be nice to know when scaffolding will be up.

Yep. Just what I was thinking when reading this. Seems to me if I was to visit this year, I would want to wait until the Autumn to be able to seemingly experience all the newest additions and refreshed Attractions. This kind of announcement might end up backfiring for the Company, as we see a slower Spring and Summer season. -

SpectroMagicianDec 08, 2025

3 or 4 refurbishments... that's literally it. The fact that Bob Iger pushed out Tom Staggs will go down in history as one of the worst leadership moves in business history.

SirwalterraleighDec 04, 2025

That’s back on the other side of the river, my friend

monothingieDec 04, 2025

You know what would get a lot of people to visit Disney and not requires billions of dollars in investments? MAKE THE EXPERIENCE SIMPLE AND STRESS FREE! The number two reason behind cost is always, "It's too complicated and stressful". You listening Disney? Focus on the guest experience! And no adding functionality to an already bloated and complicated app is not the answer.

SirwalterraleighDec 04, 2025

…it’s too crowded…so nobody goes there anymore? 🤷🏻‍♂️

monothingieDec 04, 2025

My feeling is that by the end of June, anything announced for summer that doesn't already have a specific date will be online. They underperformed badly this summer and they're going to do everything possible to fix that for 2026. Unless they're going to announce significant promotions, nothing announced is "exciting" enough to overcome the cost issues that are deterring guest from visiting.

SirwalterraleighDec 04, 2025

It’s already behind the booking window This reeks of desperation

wdwmagicDec 04, 2025

For those of you planning trips in 2026, does the vague timelines help with booking now? It seems to me that it may make people wait it out for the second half of the year. Booking spring or even summer could result in missing some of the new things.

monothingieDec 04, 2025

TheGenXerDec 04, 2025

Jesus. How sad.

SirwalterraleighDec 03, 2025

I swear that was NOT the first thing that came to mind when they started floating this stuff on the feeds today… Also, Gepetto, I want to be a REAL boy!!!

monothingieDec 03, 2025

Translation: We really sucked last year in getting people to come to Walt Disney World, especially during the Summer, and We know a lot of people book vacations at least six months out, and with Christmas just around the corner it’s the perfect opportunity to book a Walt Disney World vacation. Please come to our parks in 2026 and spend money. We know we’re the most expensive place around, but look at all this stuff we threw against the wall to see if it would attract people to come. Also, please make sure you’re rich, our CFO said that we only care about rich people. Poor people stay away.