What’s Coming to Walt Disney World in 2026: New Rides, Festivals, and Magic Galore!
Hold onto your Mickey ears — 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years in Walt Disney World history! With fresh attractions, upgraded favorites, returning festivals, and surprises around every castle corner, it’s a magical year to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth.
Whether you're planning a spring break getaway or a holly jolly holiday escape, here’s what’s coming to Disney World in 2026:
🎉 EARLY 2026
❄️ Frozen Ever After Gets a Tech Upgrade (February 2026 – EPCOT)
Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff are getting a serious facelift with brand-new, ultra-realistic Audio-Animatronics inspired by Hong Kong Disneyland’s World of Frozen. Same storyline, new magic!
🎨 EPCOT Festival of the Arts (Jan 16 – Feb 23)
Back with Broadway tunes, art you can eat, and hands-on creative fun, this colorful fest is your chance to belt out showtunes and explore gorgeous galleries.
🌙 Disney After Hours Returns
Skip the lines, sip unlimited sodas, and get your fill of popcorn and Mickey bars at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios after the gates close.
🌸 SPRING 2026
🌼 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival (Mar 4 – Jun 1)
Whimsical topiaries, Outdoor Kitchens, and Garden Rocks concerts? Yes please. It’s sunshine, food, and photo ops galore.
⛰️ Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopens
The wildest ride in the wilderness returns with refreshed caverns, sparkling Rainbow Caverns, and a new level of detail.
🚀 Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Reopens
New ride vehicles, fresh handheld blasters, and updated targets make it even easier to hit Galactic Hero status. Zurg, beware.
☀️ SUMMER 2026
🕺 GoofyCore, Cool Kids Summer & Character Pop-Ups
Get silly at GoofyCore dance parties in EPCOT, play games across the parks with surprise characters, and enjoy special savings for summer visitors.
💦 Free Water Park Admission for Resort Guests (Arrival Day Only)
Book any Disney Resort Collection stay and start your trip with a complimentary splash at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach.
🌊 Disney H2O Glow After Hours Returns
Late-night water park party with a live DJ, Disney pals, and free snacks. What’s not to love?
⚾ Banana Ball at ESPN Wide World of Sports (May 29–30)
Savannah Bananas bring their wacky, baseball-meets-circus showdown to Disney for the first time ever.
🐶 Bluey & Bingo Character Experience (Animal Kingdom)
Play “butterfly keepy uppy” and meet Bluey and Bingo at Conservation Station in a first-of-its-kind animal twist on playtime.
🎭 Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! (Hollywood Studios)
Dance along with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and pals in this toe-tapping, family-friendly musical adventure.
🖌️ Magic of Disney Animation & Drawn to Wonderland Opens
Step into an immersive animation playground inspired by Disney’s creative legacy — from hand-drawn Rapunzel scenes to larger-than-life storyboards with Mulan.
🎨 Off The Page Character Encounters
Visit departments from Walt Disney Animation Studios and meet characters like Rapunzel, Mulan, and more with mind-blowing themed backdrops.
🎸 Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Gets a Muppet Makeover
Aerosmith takes their final bow in spring — and in summer 2026, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets takes the stage!
🌌 New Millennium Falcon Mission Featuring The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22)
Take flight with Din Djarin and Grogu in a brand-new adventure at Smugglers Run in Galaxy’s Edge.
✈️ Soarin’ Across America (Memorial Day Weekend)
A new flight path over iconic U.S. landscapes launches in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary!
🍂 FALL 2026
🍷 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Returns
More global bites. More sips. More reasons to "Eat to the Beat" with live music and a Festival Passport full of delicious memories.
👻 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Your favorite not-too-spooky party is back with eerie entertainment, trick-or-treat trails, and villainous character sightings.
❄️ WINTER 2026
🎄 Disney Jollywood Nights
This glitzy, glam holiday soirée at Hollywood Studios features exclusive entertainment, festive bites, and red-carpet-ready characters.
🎅 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Snowfall on Main Street U.S.A., cookies and cocoa, and magical parades — need we say more?
🌍 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
Candlelight Processional, Holiday Storytellers, and international dishes bring joy to the world from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.
🛍️ NEW IN DISNEY SPRINGS – LEVEL99
Challenge rooms, interactive art hunts, and Detroit-style pizza. LEVEL99 opens in Disney Springs West Side with two floors of family-friendly chaos and creativity.
🪄 Bonus Magic to Look Forward To
✨ Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade
🧜 The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
😈 Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
🧪 Zootopia: Better Zoogether 4D show at Animal Kingdom
🚗 Reimagined Test Track at EPCOT
🏨 Refurbished rooms across the Disney Resorts Collection
💡 Why Visit Disney in 2026?
Whether you're a first-timer or a lifelong fan, 2026 is packed with reasons to plan your dream Disney vacation:
Dozens of new & returning attractions
Seasonal savings & offers (stay tuned in January!)
Unforgettable celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary
Magic for all ages, all year long
✨ Ready to start planning? Let Explore Orlando help you book your perfect Disney vacation for 2026 — totally FREE!