What’s Coming to Walt Disney World in 2026

The countdown to the new year is officially on, and we can hardly contain our excitement for all the amazing experiences coming to Walt Disney World in 2026! Get ready for fantastic deals, like the Disney World Free Dining Plan for Kids!

This year is shaping up to be spectacular with ten brand-new and revamped attractions, along with nine returning festivals and special events. That means over 200 days of supercalifragilistic-extra-lidocious fun awaits you! Plus, there are endless opportunities to create unforgettable memories with beloved Disney, Pixar, and Lucasfilm stories for the entire family. Let the adventure begin!

Early 2026

Earlier this fall, Disney shared some exciting news about the Audio-Animatronics figures of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff at Frozen Ever After in EPCOT. They’re getting a fabulous makeover, inspired by the amazing advancements seen in the figures at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland!

Guests will be able to see these updated figures starting in February 2026! We can’t wait to set sail through this beloved story while enjoying the latest and greatest in Audio-Animatronics technology.

And while you’re at EPCOT in the early part of the new year - belting out your favorite tunes- don’t miss the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts! From January 16 to February 23, you can indulge in delicious artisanal dishes, admire beautiful artwork, and sing your heart out to Broadway showtunes performed by stars from your favorite DISNEY ON BROADWAY shows.

What’s the perfect way to wrap up a magical day at Walt Disney World? With Disney After Hours, of course! This beloved after-park-close event is returning in 2026, and whether you’re looking to embark on an adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, explore the wonders of EPCOT, or feel the enchantment at Magic Kingdom, there will be plenty of fun, magic, and complimentary snacks and beverages waiting for you!

Spring 2026

Springtime in Florida is simply magical! With the sun shining, birds singing, and flowers bursting into bloom, there’s no better time to visit the 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, returning from March 4 to June 1.

Prepare for a delightful stroll through enchanting topiaries and vibrant gardens, indulge in delicious treats at the Outdoor Kitchens, and enjoy live music during the Garden Rocks Concert Series.

And speaking of fresh air, we can’t wait for the return of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom this spring! With some enchanting new touches and a thorough refurbishment from the depths of the crevasse to the mountain peak, this ride is sure to thrill. You might remember the tales of the beautiful yet mysterious Rainbow Caverns hidden deep within this mountain. Who knows what adventures await in that wild wilderness!

Over in Tomorrowland, gear up to take on Evil Emperor Zurg! With revamped ride vehicles, awesome new handheld blasters, and interactive targets, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is ready for action. Guests of all ages won’t have to wait long to earn that Galactic Hero rank, as the attraction is set to reopen in spring 2026!

Summer 2026

Guess what? Summer is the ultimate time to visit Walt Disney World! While it's true that there's never a bad time to experience the magic of Disney, summer shines especially bright for families with kids out of school, making it the perfect opportunity to explore the parks together.

Get ready to groove at GoofyCore in EPCOT, join in the fun with beloved characters throughout the parks, and check out exciting new attractions during this Cool KIDS’ SUMMER when even more family-friendly adventures return to Walt Disney World in 2026! And don't forget, new summer vacation offers and deals are on the horizon, so be sure to circle back in January for details on how you can save on your trip to The Most Magical Place On Earth.

Start your summer getaway with a refreshing splash as you check into one of the Disney Resorts Collection hotels. Whether you dream of a tropical paradise or a snowy wonderland, families can enjoy complimentary admission to Disney Water Parks on their arrival day, included with their stay!

Speaking of water parks, keep an eye out for the return of Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon! This special ticketed event lets guests enjoy a lively DJ dance party, meet some fun Disney pals, experience favorite water attractions, and indulge in complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select beverages - all after the sun sets and the park closes.

If you're in the mood for some baseball fun, here’s something exciting – for the very first time, Banana Ball is coming to ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World on May 29-30! Whether you cheer for the Loco Beach Coconuts or the Party Animals, the trick plays, diving catches, and on-field antics are sure to hit a home run of fun. While the Banana Ball Ticket Lottery List is currently closed, a limited number of Tickets Inclusive of Food & Beverage will be available for fans to grab soon!

Starting in summer 2026, guests can embark on a whimsical excursion to Conservation Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where they can play and dance with Bluey and Bingo! Families can enjoy fun games inspired by Bluey episodes, like butterfly keepy uppy, and snap some memorable photos with their Blue Heeler pals. Plus, they’ll get to explore an experience featuring animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia!

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” will make its debut this summer, filled with catchy tunes. Guests will be dancing along with Mickey and Minnie as they set off on a road trip to find their friends - Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto, of course! After seeing this show at Disneyland Resort in California, you can now join in on the excitement at the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios area at Walt Disney World.

Later this summer, “The Magic of Disney Animation” will open its doors, inviting everyone into the enchanting world of Walt Disney Animation Studios and its beloved creations. Just like in the award-winning short “Once Upon a Studio,” animated characters will leap from their portraits, draw with us, and welcome us into a “Drawn To Wonderland” playground inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s original “Alice in Wonderland” concept art.

And that’s just the beginning! Guests will also be able to explore “Off the Page!,” a stunning area created through collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. Here, they can meet some of their favorite characters from beloved Disney stories across six unique departments from the animation studio:

• Story

• Layout

• Hand-Drawn Animation

• Computer Animation

• Lighting

• Effects

Each area offers fantastic photo opportunities: guests can meet Mulan in the Story department, posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel, or step into the Layout department where Rapunzel awaits in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera. Align that perfect shot, and watch as layers of backgrounds and painted cells come together like magic!

And if we head over to Sunset Boulevard, there’s a Muppetational transformation happening – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will open in summer 2026! If guests want to take another ride with Aerosmith before the Muppets roll out the red carpet, they can keep ridin’ and rockin’ (and rollin’) until spring 2026!

A new mission is also launching in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on May 22, centered around “The Mandalorian and Grogu!”

Not only is 2026 shaping up to be a fantastic time to visit Walt Disney World, but it also marks the 250^th anniversary of the United States of America!

The Walt Disney Company, founded over a century ago in Los Angeles, California, has recently announced “Disney Celebrates America,” a company-wide celebration honoring this significant milestone in U.S. history. This includes Soarin’ Across America, an immersive flight experience showcasing new scenic vistas aboard the beloved Soarin’ attractions at Disney California Adventure Park and EPCOT. Soarin’ to new heights, we’ll be ready for takeoff on this all-new American adventure at Walt Disney World by Memorial Day 2026!

Fall 2026

What embodies fall more than the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival? Absolutely nothing! Join the Eat to the Beat (IYKYK) and discover everything EPCOT has to offer while enjoying the autumn atmosphere and savoring some tasty treats. With a variety of global flavors to try, guests can embark on a culinary journey around the world with their Festival Passport.

Let the gourd times roll when Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns in 2026 at Magic Kingdom! Prepare to dance to spooky tunes, relish in enchanting drinks and snacks, and meet beloved mysterious characters as you celebrate the Halloween season with this special ticketed event on select nights.

Winter 2026

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the exclusive event that blends holiday joy with Hollywood glamour will be back on select nights in 2026! Prepare to celebrate the season in style with themed entertainment, festive food and drinks, numerous character greetings, and, of course, all the glitz and glamour at Disney Jollywood Nights.

Cocoa, cookies, and Santa – oh my! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom is all wrapped up and returning on select nights in 2026. This exclusive event is filled with seasonal entertainment, delicious food, and cozy merchandise that will make guests fall in love with the holiday season once again.

Completing the holiday events at the parks is the ever-delightful EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth, also making a comeback in 2026. From the stories told by Holiday Storytellers, the comforting dishes at Holiday Kitchens, to the magnificent Candlelight Processional, this festival will always hold a special place in my heart.

That's a lot of fun to be enjoyed across the theme parks and resorts – and we can't forget Disney Springs! LEVEL99 is coming to Disney Springs West Side. This entertainment powerhouse will open in 2026 with over 60 themed challenge rooms, duels, and art hunts to test the mental and physical skills of families. Plus, guests can grab a drink and one of LEVEL99’s signature Detroit-style pizzas at the venue’s two-story bar once the games are over.

So Many New Reasons to Visit Disney World in 2026

No matter when you decide to visit Walt Disney World, there's always something amazing to witness and new to experience. Consider the latest nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom, "Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away!"

You'll find "The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure" and "Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After" at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the revamped Test Track presented by General Motors at EPCOT, and the newest 4D show, "Zootopia: Better Zoogether!" at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Plus, there are many newly renovated rooms to make your home-away-from-home within the Disney Resorts Collection!

This year promises to be fantastic for revisiting beloved attractions, exploring new magic, and spending quality time with loved ones during your next trip to Walt Disney World—be it in spring, summer, fall, or during the winter holidays.

Plan Your Adventure with Kyle Vacations

Ready to make the most of 2026? Let Kyle Vacations help you plan every detail of your magical getaway. From park tickets and event reservations to expert itineraries and insider tips, Kyle Vacations ensures a seamless and stress-free Disney experience.

Click here to get a free quote! 

Book now and start planning your 2026 vacation with the help of a travel planner who knows Disney magic inside and out.