Walt Disney World Provides Several Attraction Updates

Walt Disney World just provided updates on several attractions. Some of them are new, some are old, and one falls somewhere in the middle as a ride re-theming. So, here are the details you need to know about the big changes coming to five Disney attractions.

New Scene for Big Thunder Mountain

Frontierland’s roller coaster, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, has been closed throughout 2025 as Disney preps the area behind it for Villains Land. We already knew that Disney had torn up the old roller coaster tracks here, fundamentally changing the ride.

Apparently, that’s not all. The Disney Parks Blog published information about changes coming to the ride. In the Rainbow Caverns early at the start of the ride, Imagineers will introduce something ominous. A loud crack of thunder will provide the early warning signal of danger.

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Soon afterward, an eerie red glow will descend over the cavern, adding a creepy effect to the stalagmites and stalactites. Disney hosted a media preview event for all the attractions we’re discussing today. The implication was that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad would grow a bit more intense. 

Park officials gave no indication about whether it’ll end with the same explosive finish that Disneyland Park added a few years ago. So, we’ll have to wait and see on that front.

The Muppets Take Over G-Force Records 

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Muppet*Vision 3D hasn’t been gone for long, but The Muppets are already preparing for their next attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney revealed details about The Muppets’ takeover of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. 

You should expect a splash of color everyone where Aerosmith once was, starting with the giant guitar in the courtyard outside the ride building. Disney showed images of a splashier version of the iconic park landmark. 

We also learned about the new story, which somehow plays into the original premise. J.P. Grosse has taken over G-Force records, the label that formerly employed actress Illeana Douglas. Who is Grosse? Why, he’s Scooter’s uncle! You can probably guess where this is going.

Yes, Scooter suddenly finds himself tasked with transporting G-Force’s new star band to their next concert. And that band is Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem! So, it’ll be the same limos you’ve always known and loved. They’re getting a Muppets paint job, though. 

From the illustrations Disney showed, this attraction doesn’t appear to be changing much. You may recall that Disneyland Paris switched to Avengers: Flight Force, which isn’t exactly beloved. This Muppets conversion looks better, at least based on the images I’ve seen.

Engineers Will Level Up on Smugglers Run 

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Everyone loves Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, the attraction that allows people to live out their fantasies. Two of the six guests in the cockpit can fly Han Solo and Rey’s starship, the Millennium Falcon.

Behind them, two other guests get to wreck stuff as the Gunners. They target ships and landmarks to acquire coaxium. It makes them feel like an integral part of the action.

Then, we have the Engineers, the two people on the attraction who…push a button every once in a while. Being an Engineer is boring, and everybody knows it, including Disney.

That’s why the presentation proved so momentous. Next May, Smugglers Run will add a new mission, one that gives the Engineers all the power. With multiple missions now available, only two people can decide which one the Millennium Falcon will do. It’s the Engineers! 

The two of them will pick the mission, but that’s not all. Disney will also add an interaction with a character, Grogu from The Mandalorian. Guess who gets to talk with Grogu! Again, it’s the Engineers. So, Disney has heard your criticism and is doing something about it.

In a few months, the Engineer will switch from being the worst job on the Millennium Falcon to the absolute best. Disney has indicated that more surprises are in store for us as the release date approaches for the movie, The Mandalorian & Grogu. So, stay tuned!

Disney Announces Other Newsy Details

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

During the presentation, park officials showed off the new ride cart on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. As a reminder, Disney just closed this attraction for retooling. 

Once Imagineers have finished the overhaul, the previously dated ride will become quite modern. Disney had already shown off the new laser blasters. Now, we’ve had our first look at the new ride cart. It’s much more colorful with lots of red and a splash of blue on the front. 

As part of the presentation, Disney revealed that the on-ride digital display will update to add new targets, thereby making the game more immersive. Plus, it’ll play out differently each time. My favorite part of the digital display is that you can easily track your score. Galactic Hero, here I come! 

Finally, Disney revealed the opening date for Zootopia: Better Zoogether. The new show will debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on November 7th. That’s just a couple of weeks before Zootopia 2 debuts in theaters. So, the Zootopia hype will rev up at Walt Disney World in about eight weeks.

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