I don’t suppose I’m alone in saying that I’ve reached a degree the place I simply need to joy-maxx. Headlines are terrible, everything is expensive, who is aware of what subsequent month brings? I’m totally leaning into all of the things that make me feel happy, and that features sneaking away to Disney World at any time when possible (and fiscally potential). And if your individual joy-maxxing has led you to place a Disney journey on the books for your loved ones, there’s one thing it is best to know earlier than you go: Quite a bit has modified.
Throughout all 4 parks, Disney World has been busy rolling out new sights, revamping classics, introducing thrilling stay reveals, pumping up character interactions, and even working exhausting to debut fully new lands. A few of these additions are nonetheless a 12 months or extra away, certain, however Summer season 2026 has turned out to be a season of massive reveals and openings. I not too long ago had the chance to preview a bunch of those beginner experiences, and I can actually say this appears like perhaps probably the most thrilling time to be a Disney Parks fan.
Whether or not you’re planning a visit within the subsequent few months or the subsequent few years, right here’s every thing new occurring at Disney World in 2026 so that you’re pumped and ready.
What’s New At Disney World This Summer season
Cool Youngsters’ Summer season Is Again
Should you missed Cool Youngsters’ Summer season final 12 months, you’re in luck! Disney World is internet hosting Cool Youngsters’ Summer season for the second 12 months in a row, packing this seasonal celebration with kid-focused leisure and actions that run via Sept. 8. These choices are designed to make summer time visits (when the muggy Florida warmth can simply result in meltdowns) extra interactive, extra manageable, and extra A/C-filled.
One of many cutest additions I previewed was Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip-Roarin’ Revue. This Toy Story-themed expertise will take over The Diamond Horseshoe saloon in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom. On this space, friends can meet Woody and Jessie, take part in crafts, and dance alongside to music. Indoors. The place it’s cool.
Cool Youngsters is providing the same scenario at Epcot with GoofyCore in CommuniCore Corridor. Youngsters can be part of DJ Dance Pants and the Goof Troop, together with Goofy (after all), for enjoyable actions like Goofy Says and Balloon Bonanza.
Cool Youngsters’ Summer season will even imply particular experiences at choose Disney Resort accommodations, together with scheduled character experiences, pajama and pool events, campfire gatherings, and extra.
Bluey And Bingo Are Lastly Coming To Disney World
In case your youngsters go batsh*t loopy over Bluey — and, actually, who can blame them? — this could in all probability catapult to the highest of your must-do Disney experiences.
Bluey and Bingo are making their strategy to Disney World by way of Animal Kingdom’s Conservation Station, positioned inside Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Personally, I feel this is among the most underrated areas of Animal Kingdom, which implies it’s additionally one of many quietest. It’ll be fascinating to see how Bluey mania does there.
Should you’re unfamiliar with Conservation Station, you’ll must take the Wildlife Categorical Prepare from the Africa part of the park. You’ll additionally want to hitch the digital queue for the expertise (there’s additionally a standby queue), as Bluey is predicted to be extraordinarily standard.
As soon as in, youngsters can “play and dance” with the beloved Heeler sisters, in addition to play iconic video games like Keepy Uppy.
The Muppets Have Taken Over Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster
I 150% approve of this transformation! For greater than 20 years, Aerosmith was the starring theme of Hollywood Studios’ Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster. Did my youngsters know who Aerosmith was? Completely not. They might not have cared much less concerning the queue for that purpose, and actually simply seemed ahead to the coaster itself.
However we acquired to preview the brand new Muppets theming simply forward of the revamped trip’s reopening, and I’m joyful to report that it’s rather more kid-approved. It’s tremendous frickin’ cute and colourful and nostalgic, and the trip itself is as quick and enjoyable as at all times.
Grogu Has A New Mission For You
Star Wars followers, rejoice! You’ve acquired but one more reason to make a beeline for Hollywood Studios. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has a brand new storyline starring Din Djarin (aka the Mandalorian) and Grogu (aka Child Yoda).
This trip has at all times been nice, however the up to date journey actually does make it even higher. Riders get to choose their location, an interactive new choice, plus the expertise has been upgraded for smoother visuals and extra immersive flight sequences.
And for those who used to attract the brief finish of the stick and get the beforehand low-key engineer place, you would possibly need to battle for it now — engineers are actually tasked with serving to take care of Grogu throughout the mission, making the place rather more vital.
Hollywood Studios Simply Acquired A Main Glow-Up
Struggle me if you’d like, however Hollywood Studios deserves far more credit score than it will get among the many parks. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Toy Story Land? The Tower of Terror?! (OK, needed to throw that in there as a result of it’s my consolation trip.) It’s arguably probably the most immersive park at Disney World, and much more so now: The world previously generally known as Animation Courtyard has been fully reimagined into a brand new part referred to as The Walt Disney Studios, impressed by the true Walt Disney Studios campus in Burbank, California.
The redesigned space serves as each a tribute to Disney animation historical past and a playground for among the firm’s most beloved characters. To that finish, just a few new experiences have already rolled out on the Walt Disney Studios lot:
- Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Stay!: One other stage present choice for households with youthful youngsters, this immediate basic brings Mickey, Minnie, and mates to life in a 20-minute interactive efficiency designed particularly for preschoolers.
- The Little Mermaid — A Musical Journey: Technically this opened final summer time, however I’m counting it because it’s one other revamp that lives on this freshly overhauled space of HS. This 20-minute theatrical manufacturing relives Ariel’s story, staying true to the animated basic with songs like “A part of Your World” and “Underneath the Sea.”
- The Outside Courtyard: What a welcome reinvention of an space that used to only really feel so… concrete. You’ll now discover lush bushes, grassy areas, and loads of benches the place the entire household can chill out and play. And, adorably, Disney Imagineers additionally borrowed a little bit of cinema magic from the Chinese language Theatre by incorporating handprints to the courtyard… solely these belong to not celebrities however to Disney characters.
The true anchor of the Walt Disney Studios space, although, will probably be The Magic of Disney Animation, slated to open someday in late summer time 2026. Taking on residence in what was once the Star Wars Launch Bay constructing, this attraction was impressed by the true animation studios the place Disney classics are created.
Contained in the air-conditioned constructing, friends can discover interactive reveals, watch Disney characters virtually leap off the display screen (and meet them!), attend a particular screening of the acclaimed brief movie As soon as Upon a Studio, and study to attract alongside Olaf the snowman. A “Drawn to Wonderland” Alice in Wonderland-inspired play space gives little ones between the ages of 6 months and 5 years an ideal spot to work off some vitality whereas Mother enjoys a break.
Basic Points of interest Are Again
It’s not simply Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster that’s making its large return this summer time. A number of extremely anticipated Disney trip reopenings kicked off in Might.
Buzz Lightyear’s Area Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom, which has been closed since August 2025 for refurbishment, relaunched with new handheld blasters, upgraded trip autos, video screens with real-time scoring updates, and a brand new scene firstly to introduce an audio-animatronics character named Buddy. Much more enjoyable, and simply as aggressive.
Additionally at Magic Kingdom, Large Thunder Mountain Railroad roared again to life after being closed for over a 12 months. Disney changed the complete observe and put in some enjoyable new results. I personally felt prefer it wasn’t fairly as jerky because it was once (which I truly favored, ha), which could make it a bit extra palatable for anxious riders and littles. Professional tip: If you would like it to really feel quicker, sit in direction of the again. You don’t get the identical momentum on hills within the entrance.
At Epcot, Soarin’ has gotten a brand new, limited-time refresh: Soarin’ Throughout America. This model particularly highlights aerial views of america of America, from the bayous of Louisiana to the Grand Canyon.
The Greatest Tasks Nonetheless Coming to Disney World
We’ve lined so much, proper? Which is wild, contemplating how a lot continues to be coming within the close to future — and simply how big the brand new sights and experiences will probably be. On that record?
- Villains Land and Piston Peak Nationwide Park (Vehicles-themed land) at Magic Kingdom
- Pueblo Esperanza/Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom, that includes a carousel, a trip impressed by the casita from Encanto, and an Indiana Jones trip that’s taking the place of Dinosaur (R.I.P.).
- Monstropolis (Monsters Inc.-themed land), that includes Disney’s first-ever suspended coaster and an all-new theater present
- A Carousel of Progress overhaul, shifting the timeline ahead 60 years
And that’s simply what we learn about. It appears protected to say that, by the tip of 2026, Disney World subsequent 12 months will look dramatically completely different than it did even a 12 months in the past.
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