Things are always changing in Walt Disney World. In fact, there are A LOT of things to experience in 2026…and beyond, including new rides in Disney World and more!

From new roller coasters that reach speeds of almost 60 mph, the chance to meet some of your favorite Disney characters, and the completion of the long-awaited EPCOT Transformation, there are so many new things to do in Disney World. And, we don’t want you to miss a thing!

That’s why we’ve compiled a FULL LIST of new rides & attractions that opened (or are coming soon) to Disney World in all four theme parks! So, whether this is your first or 50th time visiting, here are all the new things you need to check out on your next visit.

New Disney World Rides & Attractions Opening Soon

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Re-Themed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Opening Summer 2026

The monsters from Monsters Inc. are taking over the area currently dedicated to all things The Muppets in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But, they’re not going far! Disney announced that Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and friends will be bringing their shenanigans to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

The ride will feature new music and an entirely new theme when it reopens sometime in Summer 2026. Keep in mind that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will permanently close on March 1st, 2026, to make way for these changes.

Frozen Ever After Refurbishment — Reopening February 2026

Frozen Ever After is one of the most popular attractions in EPCOT, and it’s overdue for some TLC! Disney will be updating all of the Audio-Animatronic characters to have a more “true-to-film look” that mirrors the technology used at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland.

The attraction will close January 26th, 2026, and reopen in February 2026.

New Missions Coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Debuting May 26th, 2026

The Mandalorian and Baby Yoda will officially appear in a major update coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in both Disney World and Disneyland.

Beginning May 22nd, 2026, the ride will feature a brand new storyline where Hondo Ohnaka sends guests on a mission to learn more about a deal “going down on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and a band of pirates.” With a generous bounty as motivation, you’ll team up with Grogu and Mando onboard the Millennium Falcon.

Your journey will start with a visit to Tatooine. Then, crews get to choose their next destination-Bespin, Endor, or Coruscant. Additionally, the updates will include a new role for the Engineers: communicating with and caring for Grogu!

Soarin’ Around the World Becomes Soarin’ Across America — Debuting Memorial Day Weekend 2026

EPCOT’s Soarin’ is getting set to fly over a brand new set of monuments in 2026 as Disney presents, Soarin’ Across America! To honor America’s 250th birthday, the scenes of Soarin’ Around the World will be replaced with scenes from some of America’s “natural beauty and iconic cityscapes.” According to Disney, there will be a total of more than a dozen new locations to soar over!

This limited-time change will be coming to both EPCOT at Walt Disney World and Disney California Adventure Park at Disneyland by Memorial Day Weekend.

“The Magic of Disney Animation” and “The Walt Disney Studios” Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Opening Summer 2026

In summer 2026, there will be a brand new way to experience your favorite Disney animation movies, as “The Magic of Disney Animation” takes over Star Wars: Launch Bay and the entire Animation Courtyard area is reimagined by Disney. Inspired by the Emmy Award-winning short film, “Once Upon A Studio,” Disney has revealed that Star Wars: Launch Bay is being transformed into the iconic Disney Animation headquarters where families can “laugh, draw, dream, and explore.” The building will house fun, interactive animation elements, an animation drawing experience, an Alice in Wonderland-inspired indoor playground, and SIX highly-themed character meet-and-greet locations.

And, just outside, Animation Courtyard will be reimagined into “The Walt Disney Studios,” drawing inspiration from the many buildings that make up the legendary Walt Disney Studios Lot in Burbank, CA. The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure will remain the same, but the soundstage will feature a new Disney Jr. show and the open space will transform with more green space and trees. According to Disney, this will also be a place to spot some of your favorite Disney characters out greeting guests!

Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! closed beginning September 25th, 2025, to make way for these changes, and will reopen in summer 2026 as the reimagined show, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! The rest of the changes will open a little after in late summer 2026. But don’t worry! The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure will remain open during construction.

New Bluey Experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom — Opening Summer 2026

It’s official – Bluey is coming to Disney World! Starting summer 2026, you’ll be able to play and dance with Bluey and Bingo at Conservation Station inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Between dance modes, you’ll be able to play some of your favorite games from the Bluey TV show (like keepy-uppy!) and even learn about the animals native to Bluey’s home in Australia.

Dinoland U.S.A. Reimagined at Disney’s Animal Kingdom — Opening 2027

Disney will soon reimagine Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom into a land themed to the Central Americas. Specifically, it will be called Pueblo Esperanza and will feature three new attractions and one of the largest quick service restaurants in Disney World.

Disney has confirmed that the land will include a carousel…

…an Indiana Jones-themed attraction that is unique to Disney World…

…and an Encanto-themed attraction that will take guests inside Antonio’s rainforest room as he learns about his magical gift to communicate with animals.

Work began with the permanent closure of TriceraTop Spin, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, and Fossil Fun Games on January 13, 2025, and has expanded to other restaurants and attractions in the area. It will officially close in early February 2026, with the new land projected to be completed in 2027.

Monsters Inc. Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — TBD

A brand-new Monsters Inc. Land is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and will feature Disney’s first-ever suspended roller coaster. The ride will take you inside the doors room from the scene in the 2001 movie.

Outside of the factory, you’ll be able to walk the streets of Monstropolis.

Disney has not revealed an opening timeline, but Muppets Courtyard is currently closed during construction.

TWO Pixar Cars Attractions in Magic Kingdom — TBD

Disney announced at D23 that Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America at Magic Kingdom will soon be replaced with TWO brand-new Cars-themed attractions. The first will be a thrill ride that invites guests on a rally race through the mountains. The other will be geared towards younger guests.

Disney hasn’t revealed more about these new rides just yet, but they already began work in Frontierland in early 2025.

Disney Villains Land in Magic Kingdom — TBD

TWO brand new rides in Disney World are coming to Magic Kingdom in the future that will be inspired by Disney Villains. Both attractions will be part of the new Disney Villains Land coming to the park as part of a major expansion beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Disney has not yet revealed any details about the rides, but we do know that construction is already underway!

Other New Disney World Rides & Attractions

If you haven’t been to Disney World in the past five years, then here are a few other new rides and attractions to check out while you’re visiting!

What’s New at Magic Kingdom

TRON Lightcycle / Run

The long-awaited roller coaster is finally open in Magic Kingdom, taking guests onto “the grid” from the TRON franchise! Located in Tomorrowland, the roller coaster first gained popularity in Shanghai Disneyland (where the original attraction is located). And, it’s now in Disney World!

What makes this ride so unique is that the ride vehicles are like nothing you’ve been on before. Guests board a two-wheeled Lightcycle and launch into a partially indoor and outdoor ride through the digital world, reaching speeds of up to 59 miles per hour. 

It’s important to note that TRON Lightcycle / Run is also available for purchase as a Lightning Lane Single Pass in the My Disney Experience App.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Disney World’s (and Disneyland’s) Splash Mountain got a MAJOR overhaul in 2024! The ride was transformed into a brand new attraction featuring new characters and an original storyline based on The Princess and the Frog. Now, the attraction picks up after the final kiss, and you get to join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure (including some favorites from the movie!) as they get ready for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.

“Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” Nighttime Parade

Magic Kingdom welcomed a brand new nighttime parade called “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” in 2025! It features new technology and A TON of Disney characters. So, now you can see the Blue Fairy from Cinderella and others from Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, and more make their way down Main Street, U.S.A. on all-new sparkling floats.

Note that due to the popularity of the nighttime parade, Disney now requires Annual Passholders to make a Park Pass Reservation for Magic Kingdom (until Disney changes the policy again). This even applies if you’re planning to get to the park after 2PM. So be sure you have a reservation if you’re hoping to catch the new parade!

Updates to Country Bear Jamboree

The classic country bears picked up a brand new show to perform for guests at the Country Bear Jamboree! The updated show features all the classic Disney music we’ve come to know and love, with a twist.

The new Country Bear Musical Jamboree takes inspiration from classic variety shows found in Nashville, Tennessee. In fact, several Nashville musicians worked with Disney to update the music in new styles like country, rockabilly, and bluegrass.

“Smellephants on Parade” Scavenger Hunt

A new interactive experience is now available in Storybook Circus in Magic Kingdom called “Smellephants on Parade.” The new family-friendly “search and sniff” is presented by Scentsy and features a variety of elephant statues that are decorated (and smell) like different things. For example, there’s a popcorn-scented elephant, a candy corn-scented elephant, and more.

You can pick up a free scavenger hunt map from the ticket booth in front of Big Top Souvenirs. Then, hunt down all the statues and scents across Storybook Circus!

Meet Mirabel

Welcome to the family Madrigal! Now you can meet Mirabel from Disney’s Encanto in Magic Kingdom every day.

Mirabel currently greets guests in Fairytale Garden (which is located on a pathway to the right of Cinderella Castle). Just look for the whimsical decor inspired by the movie!

What’s New at EPCOT

Test Track Reimagined

The fan-favorite ride, Test Track, got a major overhaul, and now you can experience it for yourself! The updates take inspiration from EPCOT’s original World of Motion attraction, which was an opening day attraction that closed in 1996 to make way for what we now know as Test Track. Plus, you’ll even see some nods to the most recent version of Test Track in its new and improved form.

Take a test drive into the future of cars to see all of the ways that technology is changing the way we drive. During your journey, you’ll learn about some of the ways that cars keep you safe now, imagine how you may be able to customize your own cars in the future, take a joyride through country roads, and even a high-speed circuit around the exterior of the attraction!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

The Marvel Universe has officially made its way to Disney World with the debut of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. The new ride, which is one of the longest indoor roller coasters ever built, sits in World Discovery at EPCOT and takes you on an adventure as an honorary Guardian of the Galaxy.

When you ride, you board a Starjumper vehicle, which spins a full 360 degrees on the track, all while reaching high speeds. Plus, you’ll even get to experience a reverse launch into “space” and it’s all set to a unique soundtrack of one of six rotating songs (so you never know what you’ll get!).

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

A brand new interactive attraction based on Disney’s Moana is now open in EPCOT! Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is located in the World Nature pavilion at the center of the park. It takes you through a “lush exploration trail” filled with magical, living water that comes to life when you interact with it in different ways.

In the immersive walk-through attraction, you’ll encounter some of your favorite characters from the movie. This includes a huge Te Fiti model, the Kakamora, and more! You might get wet, but you can also enjoy a dry walk-through experience – just follow the signage! And, be sure to stop by to meet Moana in her dedicated meet-and-greet spot near the entrance to this attraction.

Luminous: The Symphony of Us Nighttime Spectacular

As the home of the Disney 100 celebrations (which celebrates 100 years of The Walt Disney Company), EPCOT welcomed a brand new nighttime fireworks show in 2023 – Luminous: The Symphony of Us.

The show celebrates the “commonalities of the heart” with a soundtrack full of Disney hits. Plus, there’s an original song just for the park. So, be sure to stay late and gather around World Showcase before the park closes to enjoy a breathtaking combination of fireworks, lasers, music, and light that only Disney could pull off.

CommuniCore Hall and Communicore Plaza

Now there’s even more to experience when you’re visiting during an EPCOT festival! The brand new CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza are the entertainment hubs for the four festivals that take place on an annual rotating basis – the EPCOT Festival of the Arts, the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, and the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.

The CommuniCore Plaza is an outdoor space where you’ll find live music and areas to relax while you enjoy all the eats and drinks from the festival. And, at the CommuniCore Hall, you can find more food, art, live music, and more, with everything from kitchen demonstrations, a mixology bar, and an exhibition and gallery space.

Meet Mickey & Friends

Inside the CommuniCore Plaza, you can finally meet Mickey and Friends in EPCOT! 

Mickey and his pals were absent from EPCOT for nearly three years, so it’s nice to have them back. Be sure to bring your cameras!

Meet Figment

The little purple dragon has a lot of fans, and now you can meet him yourself! Figment now greets guests daily at the Imagination Pavilion.

What’s New at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure

Disney may have permanently closed Voyage of the Little Mermaid at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, fans of Princess Ariel have a new show to look forward to! The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure is a brand new show in the recently updated Animation Courtyard Theater in Hollywood Studios.

The show is overall very similar to its predecessor, but it now includes updated technology, fan-favorite songs like “Part of Your World,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and a brand new “Kiss The Girl” scene.

“Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” Stage Show

The Disney Villains now have their very own show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” replaced Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy in summer 2025. Expect to see all your favorite Disney baddies, including the Magic Mirror, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent, when you stop by during your park day.

What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Zootopia: Better Together

Located below the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, It’s Tough To Be a Bug has permanently closed to make way for more changes to Disney World! Zootopia characters are now officially in Disney World with a new 4D show that takes you to the “different biomes you only glimpse in the film, traveling along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and other characters.”

Zootopia: Better Together opened in 2025, along with a new meet-and-greet with Judy and Nick from the movie at the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot on Discovery Island.

Meet Moana

EPCOT isn’t the only place you can find Moana while you’re out and about! You can also find her at Character Landing near Isle of Java (which is the path when you’re heading toward Dinoland USA) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

As you can see, there’s a lot to keep you busy during your Disney World trip…and these are just the new rides and attractions! There’s so much more to explore. So, be sure that you’ve secured your Park Pass Reservations (if applicable), tickets, and get ready to have some fun!

Comments

Have you been on any of these new rides in Disney World? What new attraction are you most looking forward to experiencing on your next? Leave us a comment below and let us know!