What’s Coming to Disney Parks in 2026

Just when we were all finally getting used to 2025, it retired on us. Now, we’re stuck with 2026, and it’s gonna be confusing for Disney fans. So much is in flux right now that it’s difficult to keep up with everything happening at the parks. 

Don’t worry! That’s why you have me. I’ll tell you what’s coming to Disney theme parks in 2026. The magic word is “Bluey.” 

Disneyland Has Big Plans 

Disney has taken the unusual but long overdue step of telling everyone its 2026 schedule. For Disney Vacation Club members, it would have been nice for Disney to do this a few months ago. We could have planned our 2026 vacations a bit better. 

Still, nobody’s complaining! It’s rare for us to know at the start of the year everything we can do at the parks. Also, we’re all excited to know that the Disneyland 70 celebration will continue into early August. So, we’ve all got plenty of time to experience all the events, activities, and anniversary character costumes.

Then, on March 22nd, Disney ups the ante by introducing a new Bluey experience at Fantasyland Theatre. It’s called Bluey’s Best Day Ever, but it’ll really be all the kids in the crowd feeling that way. 

Bluey is a bona fide cultural phenomenon, and it’s a huge coup by Disney to add the character at its parks. While Disneyland Resort will add a few other experiences, please make no mistake on the point. The Bluey interactive event is what will draw the crowds in 2026. 

Disneyland Offers So Much This Year

We’ve got a couple more big-ticket items to discuss, though, starting with an attraction overlay. Ordinarily, that wouldn’t be a big enough deal to mention, but this one’s different. 

On May 22nd, 2026, the same day that The Mandalorian & Grogu debuts in theaters, the characters will also appear on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Imagineers have crafted an entirely new mission in honor of the movie. Since people love Baby Yoda roughly as much as Bluey – that’s a good debate, isn’t it? – you can expect interest in Smugglers Run to soar. 

Speaking of soaring, the signature attraction at Disney California Adventure is also receiving a ride overlay. Once again, this one’s important, as it’s Soarin’ Across America. With the country turning 250 on July 4th, 2026, Disney is injecting a bit of patriotism into the festivities. The new Soarin’ will celebrate the majestic sights and landmarks of our great country. So, you’ll definitely want to ride this version when it debuts on July 2nd, 2026.

By the way, Disneyland After Dark will also return in just a few days, with some events like Sweethearts’ Nite already sold out. I’m mentioning this because Disney Channel returns after a stellar debut in 2023. This is my favorite of various Disneyland After Dark events, as every generation has their own Disney Channel fandoms. This party celebrates all of them. 

Walt Disney World Offers a Ton of New Experiences

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Park officials are taking 2026 seriously, with a shocking number of changes underway. Objectively, Walt Disney World is updating more attractions and experiences right now than at any point in the park’s history. 

Some of the changes are minor, such as Frozen Ever After improving its Audio-Animatronics, while others are a bit more extreme. For instance, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will close permanently on March 1st, 2026. 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios won’t be without that roller coaster for long, though. The new version, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, will debut by the end of summer. 

Speaking of coasters, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will also return in its slightly modified form. Disney reclaimed part of the land so that it could build Villains Land. So, Imagineers laid entirely new coaster track while also creating a new scene, Rainbow Caverns. 

That’s part of Disney’s mission statement right now as the company plusses several attractions. Another is Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, which Imagineers are redesigning. 

Disney is modernizing the laser pistols and introducing entirely new scenes. We’re even getting a friendly help robot named Buddy. She will turn all of us into Galactic Heroes when the ride reopens this spring. 

Disney World Will Be Amazing This Summer

Then, we have the family-friendly entertainment arriving this year. For starters, Cool Kids’ Summer will return, something DVC members had hoped would happen. As if that’s not enough, Bluey will appear at Conservation Station at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this summer, too. 

So, your kids are gonna want to be at Disney World this summer. Parents will love it, too, as The Mandalorian & Grogu join Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 22nd. Three days later, Soarin’ Across America debuts at EPCOT. 

A few weeks after that, The Walt Disney Studios officially reopens Animation Courtyard. As part of its activities, guests can explore the Mary Blair-inspired play area at The Magic of Disney Animation. That’s right, old school Disney fans! This place is back again after a decade-long absence! It’s another experience that will start this summer. I guess what I’m saying is that if you haven’t planned your Walt Disney World vacation yet, I’d suggest that you aim for late summer. Everything should be up and running by then. Also, Bluey.

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