Walt Disney World Resort has a comprehensive slate of updates lined up for 2026, headlined by significant retheming and updates across all four theme parks.
The operator confirmed that 2026 will see the debut of ten new or reinvigorated attractions, signalling a continued strategy of leveraging established franchises to drive gate attendance. Most notably for industry observers, the long-standing partnership with Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will conclude. The “Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster” is scheduled to close in spring 2026, reopening in the summer as “Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.”
Hollywood Studios Overhaul
Beyond the coaster retheme, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will see substantial updates. The park will introduce “The Magic of Disney Animation” in late summer 2026. This interactive walk-through experience aims to immerse guests in the production process, featuring a new area titled Off the Page! created in collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. The attraction will feature character interactions in environment-specific settings, such as Mulan in the Story department and Rapunzel in the Layout department.
Additionally, the park will update its simulator attraction, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Starting May 22, the ride will feature a new mission centred around “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” coinciding with the broader company push for the franchise.
Hardware and Technology Upgrades
Significant capital is being directed toward refreshing ageing infrastructure at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. In spring 2026, Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen following a comprehensive refurbishment described as “crevasse-deep to mountain-top.” Simultaneously, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will receive a mechanical overhaul, introducing updated ride vehicles and new handheld blasters to modernise the guest experience.
At EPCOT, the Frozen Ever After attraction will receive a technical upgrade this month. The current audio-animatronics for Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff are being replaced with advanced figures similar to those recently debuted at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland, offering more fluid, true-to-film movements.
Strategic Operational Shifts
To bolster resort occupancy, Disney is implementing aggressive value-add strategies for hotel guests. Throughout 2026, guests staying at Disney Resort hotels can access a free dining plan for children ages 3 to 9 when purchasing a package that includes a dining plan for adults. Furthermore, returning in summer 2026, resort guests will receive complimentary admission to a Disney water park on their arrival day.
Other notable additions include an interactive Bluey experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom conservation station, a new “Soarin’ Across America” film at EPCOT celebrating the U.S. semiquincentennial, and the debut of the LEVEL99 gaming venue at Disney Springs.
