If you missed the past week, here's what mattered: a military flyover revealed Piston Peak's construction footprint from the air, Carousel of Progress closes today for its biggest overhaul since 1994, and a steady run of event sellouts and policy updates.
Piston Peak Construction Spotted from July 4 Military Flyover
The 920th Rescue Wing — the Air Force Reserve's only combat search and rescue unit — flew an HC-130J Combat King II and two HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters over Magic Kingdom and EPCOT at around 10:30am on July 4, as part of the resort's America 250th anniversary celebration. The formation departed from Patrick Space Force Base, and photos captured from the rear cargo door of the HC-130 put the full Piston Peak construction footprint on display behind Magic Kingdom. Piston Peak is one of two major new lands under construction at Magic Kingdom, alongside the Villains-themed land. No opening date has been announced for either project.
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July 4 Wait Times: EPCOT Leads, Magic Kingdom Runs Lightest
Crowds on July 4, 2026 tracked close to a normal summer weekend — no dramatic spike, no thinning out. EPCOT posted the highest average wait of all four parks between 10am and 1pm at 33 minutes, driven largely by Test Track hitting a 130-minute peak and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind averaging 79 minutes. Magic Kingdom, counterintuitively, carried the lowest average at 19 minutes, with several attractions running under 10 minutes during that window. If you were there and skipped "it's a small world" or the PeopleMover, the wait data suggests you had options.
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920th Rescue Wing Flyover Photos: EPCOT and Magic Kingdom
The images show the HC-130J with refueling lines trailing down to each Pave Hawk, the same setup the wing uses on real-world missions including hurricane relief and open-ocean medical evacuations. This marks the first flyover at EPCOT since the Thunderbirds passed over in October 2023, and Magic Kingdom's first since a KC-135 and four F-35s appeared on July 4, 2023.
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Carousel of Progress Closes July 5 for Major Overhaul
The current version of Carousel of Progress runs for the last time on July 5, with Walt Disney Imagineering taking over the attraction on July 6. The show had been largely unchanged since 1994. When it reopens in 2027, all four scenes will be replaced — the 1960s Apollo moon landing, Halloween night 1985, New Year's Eve 1999, and a future scene — plus a new opening featuring an Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney. It's the biggest update the attraction has seen in its history, and if you didn't catch it before closing, you'll have to wait for the new version.
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Voices of Liberty Gets Its First Behind-the-Scenes Video
Disney posted a 250th anniversary video to YouTube titled "Celebrating America Through Song: Behind EPCOT's Voices of Liberty" — the first time cameras have gone behind the curtain with the a cappella group that has performed under The American Adventure rotunda since EPCOT opened in 1982. The video includes rehearsal footage, interviews with current cast members, and personal stories from former performers. If you've always walked past their sets without stopping, it's worth your time.
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EPCOT's Heartbeat of Freedom Fireworks Return for Three Nights
EPCOT's Heartbeat of Freedom fireworks ran July 3 through 5 this year, an unusually long three-night run for the park's Fourth of July show. The show fires immediately after Luminous, giving you back-to-back nighttime entertainment if you're staying late. Launch sites behind The American Adventure and out in World Showcase Lagoon give the show a wide spread across the sky. Full video from opening night on July 3 is in the story.
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Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: 25-Minute Behind-the-Scenes Episode
Disney's Unscripted YouTube series ran a 25-minute episode covering the full transformation of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios, from audio testing on the new onboard soundtrack to the grand opening with Electric Mayhem and John Stamos. The episode reveals that about 80% of the props in the attraction came from existing Muppets productions, explains the Yolanda the Rat narrative thread running through the gallery room, and confirms one hidden Easter egg worth hunting for: an Imagineer rubber chicken tucked into Studio C during the preshow.
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MNSSHP August 11 Sells Out — No $119 Nights Left
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2026 on August 11 is sold out, taking the last $119 night off the board. August 14 went earlier, October 31 sold out on the first day of general public sales, and the sellout pace is tracking closely with 2025. Opening night on August 7 at $159 is the most likely next date to go. The cheapest remaining nights now start at $129 in mid-August.
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Magic Kingdom Disney After Hours Fully Sold Out for 2026
Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom is gone for the year — July 13 and July 27, the last two remaining dates, have both sold out. If you still want an After Hours experience in 2026, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios still have availability from July through September, with tickets ranging from $155 to $179 per person before tax. Annual Passholders and DVC Members save $30 per ticket at both parks.
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Disney Springs Bus Verification Policy Now Live — Official Site Updated
The Disney Springs resort bus verification policy went live June 28, and Disney has since updated the official Walt Disney World website to reflect the full details. To board a bus from Disney Springs to a resort hotel, you need a valid resort room key, or a dining or experience reservation at a resort. Guests with a qualifying reservation can board up to two hours before their reservation time. Cast Member checkpoints and barricades are now in place at two locations covering both main approaches to the bus loop. The policy does not affect guests using Disney transportation from the theme parks.
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New Haunted Mansion Collection Hits DisneyStore.com July 6
A new Haunted Mansion merchandise collection launched on DisneyStore.com on July 6, covering apparel, bags, home decor, and collectibles. Highlights include wallpaper-print pajamas and lounge pants, a Hatbox Ghost Sling Bag, light-up figures of Constance Hatchaway and the Hitchhiking Ghosts, and a Disney Store and Disney Parks exclusive Squishmallows three-pack featuring Ezra, Phineas, and Gus.
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Typhoon Lagoon Closes September 9 — Blizzard Beach Stays Open
Typhoon Lagoon will close temporarily starting September 9, 2026. Blizzard Beach remains open during the closure, and no reopening date has been announced. Resort guests arriving between May 26 and September 8 can take advantage of a complimentary water park benefit on check-in day — valid at whichever park is open, subject to availability.
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Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire Goes Dark July 7–14
The Cinderella Castle stage show at Magic Kingdom has no listed performances from July 7 through July 14. Disney has not given a reason; a stage refurbishment is one possibility, but nothing has been confirmed. Performances resume July 15. If your trip falls in that window, plan your Magic Kingdom day without the castle stage show.
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La Poutinerie Opens at EPCOT's Canada Pavilion on Canada Day
La Poutinerie, hosted by Air Canada, opened July 1 at EPCOT's Canada Pavilion, replacing the former Refreshment Port. The quick-service location offers two poutine options — a classic Québec-style at $10.99 and a Montréal smoked meat version at $12.49 — alongside Canadian beers including Molson Canadian and Unibroue La Fin du Monde. Open daily 11am to 9pm; mobile order is not available. The exterior is a significant step up from Refreshment Port, with stone columns and a sculpted loon centerpiece out front.
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Coral Reef Restaurant Closes September 8 with No Confirmed Return Date
Coral Reef Restaurant at EPCOT will close September 8, with Disney saying only that it should return later in the year. No reason has been given. The restaurant has already been operating on a dinner-only schedule since January 4 without explanation, so this closure may be part of the same ongoing operational shift rather than a planned renovation. If you want to eat there before it goes dark, the window is open through September 7.
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Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Officially Retired for 2026
Disney has posted an official statement on the Grand Floridian's resort page confirming the lobby gingerbread house will not appear for the 2026 holiday season. Miniature gingerbread displays throughout the resort will replace it. The life-sized structure, a fixture in the lobby since 1999, last appeared during the 2024 season — its 25th anniversary. It was also absent in 2025 due to the lobby refurbishment.
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