What's New at Disney World in 2026: Every New Ride, Show & Experience

2026 turned into one of the busiest years for change at Walt Disney World in a long time. Two Magic Kingdom classics came back with real upgrades, Hollywood Studios got a new coaster story and a whole new area, EPCOT got a new Soarin' film, Animal Kingdom got Bluey, and Disney Springs got a new kind of entertainment venue. A few favorites also closed, some for good and some for refurbishment. Here is everything that opened or changed in 2026, plus what is closed right now and what is coming next, as of October 2026.

Magic Kingdom

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (reopened April 8, 2026)

Buzz reopened April 8, 2026 after a long refurbishment. The big change is handheld blasters in place of the old fixed ones, which makes aiming much easier and more fun. There are new targets, an updated scoring system, and a new robot character named Buddy who helps brief your crew. Your ride photo now shows your score and rank. If you wrote this one off years ago, ride it again.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (reopened May 3, 2026)

Big Thunder reopened May 3, 2026 after its biggest overhaul ever: new track, new trains, and a new Rainbow Caverns scene inside the mountain. The height requirement is now 38 inches (it used to be 40), which opens it up to a lot of younger kids who just missed the cut before.

What's Closed at Magic Kingdom Right Now

• Walt Disney World Railroad: closed for refurbishment since September 28, 2026, expected back around November. When it returns it runs between Main Street and Fantasyland only, because the Frontierland station stays closed for Piston Peak construction.
• Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress: closed since July 6, 2026, returning late spring 2027 with a new 1980s scene.
• Tiana's Bayou Adventure: closes for refurbishment November 2 through December 2026.
• Tom Sawyer Island, the Rivers of America, and the Liberty Square Riverboat closed permanently July 7, 2025 to make room for Piston Peak.

Coming to Magic Kingdom

Piston Peak, the Cars-themed area replacing the Rivers of America, will include Cars Ridge Run Rally and Miss Fritter's Daredevil Spin-Along. Disney also announced Villains Land at D23 in August 2026, with a Maleficent coaster and a Magic Mirror dark ride. No opening years have been announced for either.

Hollywood Studios

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets (opened May 26, 2026)

The Aerosmith version is gone. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opened May 26, 2026 with the same launch coaster and an all-new Muppets story, music, and preshow featuring Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem. It is a Lightning Lane Multi Pass ride. A holiday overlay runs November 4 through January 6.

The Walt Disney Studios Area

The former Animation Courtyard is now The Walt Disney Studios area. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! opened there May 26, 2026, and The Magic of Disney Animation opened September 14, 2026 in the former Star Wars Launch Bay building. It has a production gallery, a screening theater, character greetings, and an indoor play area called Drawn to Wonderland. Great air-conditioned break with small kids.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (new Mission, May 22, 2026)

Smugglers Run added a mission featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22, 2026. Same ride system, new story. Worth a re-ride even if you have flown it before.

Alien Swirling Saucers

Since September 25, 2026, Toy Story Land's Alien Swirling Saucers runs with "Lilypad's Jams," a remixed soundtrack. A holiday playlist starts November 4.

Epcot

Soarin' Across America (opened May 26, 2026)

Soarin' Across America opened May 26, 2026, replacing Soarin' Around the World (which ended May 13). It is a limited-time film celebrating America's 250th birthday, flying over American landscapes and landmarks. Soarin' is a Lightning Lane Multi Pass ride, so book it as one of your Multi Pass selections or ride it early in the morning.

La Poutinerie and Coral Reef

La Poutinerie opened July 1, 2026 between the Canada and UK pavilions, replacing Refreshment Port. Coral Reef reopened September 29, 2026, now serving dinner only from 4 to 9 PM.

Animal Kingdom

Bluey's Wild World (opened May 26, 2026)

Bluey's Wild World opened May 26, 2026 at Conservation Station (Rafiki's Planet Watch). If your kids watch Bluey, plan the train ride out for this alone.

What's Gone

DinoLand U.S.A. closed February 2, 2026 to make way for Tropical Americas, which opens in 2027 with "Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent" and "Antonio's Fiesta de Encanto." It's Tough to be a Bug is also gone; the Tree of Life theater now shows Zootopia: Better Zoogether!

Disney Springs

Level99 (opened June 2026)

LEVEL99 opened in June 2026 on the West Side in the former NBA Experience space. It is a big indoor venue of physical and mental challenge rooms you tackle as a group, with food and drinks. Great for teens, adults, and competitive families.

Closings

Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill closed September 13, 2026, and Sprinkles closed earlier in 2026.

Resorts

A few resort changes worth knowing: Hurly-Burly opened October 1, 2026 at the BoardWalk in the former Jellyrolls space (family trivia early in the evening, 21+ live music after 9 PM). The Grand Floridian Cafe is closed for a refresh, with reservations available again from November 2, 2026. Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace at the Polynesian is closed through late October. And Disney's Lakeshore Lodge, the next Disney Vacation Club resort, opens July 1, 2027.

How to Use All This in Your Planning

If you are visiting in November or December 2026, Tiana's will be down for refurbishment and the railroad may still be closed for part of November, so plan Frontierland time around Big Thunder.

New rides draw crowds. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets and Soarin' Across America are both Multi Pass rides, so put them in your first Multi Pass selections.

Holiday season runs November 13, 2026 through January 6, 2027, with holiday overlays on several rides and holiday parties at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

Openings and closures shift. I track this for every client trip, and my planning help is free. Prices and schedules change often; confirm current details with your travel advisor before booking.

Last updated October 2026.