What You Can Expect at Walt Disney World in 2026

On Tuesday, Disneyland Resort revealed its entire 2026 schedule. The following morning, Walt Disney World did the same. We now the dates for the 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Here’s what you can expect at Walt Disney World in 2026. 

EPCOT’s Exciting Start to 2026

A few weeks ago, Disney announced that Frozen Ever After would get better. Since EPCOT’s version was the first one in the world, its Audio-Animatronics have grown a bit outdated. Disney has since created several variants of this ride, each of which has improved the tech. So, in February, the original Frozen Ever After will add these improved robotics. In about two months, Imagineers will make Anna, Elsa, and Olaf look better than ever!

That’s just the start of an amazing first half of 2026 at EPCOT. We already knew that the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will run from January 16th through February 23rd. On Wednesday, Disney announced the dates for the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival as well! The 2026 version of the event will begin on March 4th and last through June 1st. 

Openings and Reopenings 

History will remember 2026 as the year of openings and reopenings at Walt Disney World. We’ll even have some closures thrown in for good measure, starting with DinoLand USA, which shuts down for good on February 2nd. 

We’d known about that one for a while, but Disney just announced a new piece of intel. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will permanently close this spring. Don’t worry, though! The coaster won’t stay offline for long! Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will debut this summer. 

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

In the interim, Disney has already made a big change here. The pre-show is just plain gone at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Guests head straight to the line queue now. 

At Magic Kingdom, we’ve got a couple of reopenings happening soon-ish. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen this spring. The new version of the ride will introduce the gorgeous but treacherous Rainbow Caverns. 

Spring will have another big reopening with the return of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Disney has modernized the attraction to make it feel more appropriate at Tomorrowland. It’ll feature an entirely new scene in addition to better laser blaster tech.

I’ve got some more good news for those of you who visited Walt Disney World this past summer. The biggest hit that season is back for 2026! Yes, the instantly popular Cool Kid Summer is back. Disney says you should get “ready to dance at GoofyCore in EPCOT, play games with favorite characters while out and about in the parks, and enjoy new and refreshed attractions.” 

Walt Disney World’s New Offerings for 2026

Disney promises all sorts of exciting new offerings as well, including a new societal obsession. Yes, Banana Ball will debut at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World on May 29th and 30th. Note that these aren’t the Savannah Bananas playing, though. The league is expanding, with Disney hosting matchups between the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Party Animals.

Disney’s next big character greetings arrive in the summer. That’s when fans can finally meet Bluey and Banjo for the first time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This park will also add an “experience with animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia!”

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! will begin this summer. This is the same show from Disneyland Resort brought east to Florida. 

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Importantly, the show will begin a few weeks earlier than expected. I say this because The Magic of Disney Animation will debut later in the summer. So, the new themed land, The Walt Disney Studios, will host a show well before The Magic of Disney Animation officially opens. 

Still, the highlight of a visit here will most assuredly be The Magic of Disney Animation. Disney surprised us with the news that this building will focus on six aspects of movie-making. They are:

• Story 
• Layout 
• Hand-Drawn Animation 
• Computer Animation 
• Lighting  
• Effects  

You’re probably thinking, “So what?” Well, that’s not the big news here. What matters is that each of these sections will feature a meet-and-greet with a beloved Disney character! For example, you can meet Mulan in the Story department or Rapunzel at Layout. So, Disney just sneakily revealed half a dozen new character greetings coming to Hollywood Studios! Disney even posted a teaser video:

As if that weren’t enough, Disney also confirmed that The Mandalorian and Grogu will appear in a new mission starting on May 22nd. So, you can watch The Mandalorian & Grogu in theaters and then experience parts of their story on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. 

Three days later, EPCOT guests can experience Soarin’ Across America for the first time. It fittingly debuts on Memorial Day 2026. So, EPCOT fans get to enjoy it a few weeks before Disney California Adventure guests. 

Okay, there you have it. I’ve just given Disney Vacation Club members more than a dozen reasons to visit Walt Disney World in 2026. It’s going to be a massive year at the parks!

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