NEWS: 23 New & Returning Offerings Coming to Walt Disney World in 2026

The countdown is on to the new year, and at Walt Disney World Resort, 2026 will bring ten all-new and reinvigorated attractions and experiences, plus nine returning festivals and special events. Keep reading to get a glimpse of what’s coming in 2026, offering even more reasons to visit this magical destination all year round.

Throughout 2026

1 – Free Dining for Kids

Throughout all of 2026, guests staying at one of more than 25 Disney Resort hotels will get a free dining plan for their kids (ages 3 to 9) when purchasing a dining plan as part of their package for the other members of their party (ages 10 and up). Dining plans can help guests maximize their stay with added peace of mind, letting them enjoy some of the many dining locations offered from meals to snacks and kid-friendly favorites. The kids free dining plan offering can be combined with other select special offers, meaning guests may still be eligible to take advantage of other deals rolled out later for 2026. For details, visit here.

Early 2026

2 – Frozen Ever After Update

In February 2026, Walt Disney World will welcome newly updated Audio-Animatronics figures of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff at Frozen Ever After at EPCOT. Announced in 2025, these beloved characters will receive a more true-to-film look, taking inspiration from the advancements seen in figures at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland.

3 – EPCOT Festival of the Arts

From January 16 to February 23, 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will transform the park into a creative’s dream, with artisanal dishes, beautiful artwork, and Broadway showtunes from DISNEY ON BROADWAY shows and stars.

4 – Disney After Hours

Disney After Hours will return on select nights in 2026. The after-park-close separately ticketed event invites guests to go on an adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, explore the world at EPCOT, or be enchanted at Magic Kingdom. Select snacks and beverages are included with purchase of a ticket. Guests can secure their ticket for Disney After Hours now at DisneyWorld.com/AfterHours.

Spring 2026

5 – EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival

From March 4 to June 1, the 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will be in full bloom. Guests will be surrounded by whimsical topiaries and lush gardens, savor mouthwatering bites at Outdoor Kitchens, and listen to live tunes at the Garden Rocks Concert Series.

6 – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Updates

In spring 2026, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopenat Magic Kingdom with touches of new magic and a crevasse-deep to mountain-top refurbishment.

7 – Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Updates

In spring 2026, the galactic space battle at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom will resume. This enhanced attraction will bring new fun with updated ride vehicles, new handheld blasters, and interactive targets.

Summer 2026

8 – Cool Kid’s Summer

Cool KIDS’ SUMMER will offer new and refreshed attractions, plus limited-time fun at Walt Disney World in 2026. Discover high-energy dance experiences at GoofyCore in EPCOT, interactive character-driven games across all four parks, and special ticket offers and deals. Guests can check back in January for details on new ways to save on a vacation to The Most Magical Place On Earth.

9 – Free Water Park Admission for Disney Resort Guests

Returning in summer 2026, guests staying at one of the Disney Resorts Collection hotels can enjoy free Disney Water Park admission on their arrival day, included in their stay! Additional details, including specific dates, will be shared at a later time.

10 – Disney H2O Glow After Hours

In summer 2026, keep an eye out for the return of Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon, offering DJ dance parties, plenty of Disney pals, watery attractions, and complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn and select beverages – all after the sun goes down and the water park closes.

11 – Banana Ball

FromMay 29-30, 2026, Banana Ball is headed to ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World. The Banana Ball Ticket Lottery List is currently closed, but a limited number of Tickets Inclusive of Food & Beverage will be available for fans to purchase soon.

12 – Bluey and Bingo

Beginning in summer 2026 at Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll be able to take a fun excursion to Conservation Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where you can play and dance with Bluey and Bingo! Play some of your favorite games from Bluey episodes with a fun animal twist, like butterfly keepy uppy. Grab the whole family and snap some pictures alongside your Blue Heeler pals to remember this one-of-a-kind adventure. Plus, as part of your wild excursion, step outside to discover an experience with animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia!

13 – Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live

Debuting summer 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” will be packed with upbeat tunes and dancing as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse embark on a road trip to find some of their best pals – Goofy, Daisy and Pluto – for the party. This show is currently over at Disneyland Resort in California, and soon guests will be able to join the fun in the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios area at Walt Disney World.

14 – The Magic of Disney Animation

Later summer 2026, “The Magic of Disney Animation” will invite guests to step inside the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Discover animated characters as they leap from their portraits, explore a playground inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s “Alice in Wonderland” concept art, and venture into “Off the Page!,” a stunning area born of collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. Here, characters from beloved Disney stories across six unique departments from the animation studio will be waiting to greet guests of all ages.

Each space will host incredible photo opportunities, like Mulan posing with an oversized storyboard panel in the Story department, or Rapunzel surrounded by a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera in the Layout department.

15 – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will come speeding into Disney’s Hollywood Studios in summer 2026. Guests looking to take another ride with Aerosmith before rolling out the red carpet for The Muppets can keep ridin’ and rockin’ (and rollin’) until spring 2026.

16 – All-New Adventure for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

A new mission is touching down in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Walt Disney World on May 22. The all-new adventure coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is centered around “The Mandalorian and Grogu.”

17 – New Version of Soarin’ Across America

In summer 2026, guests can take flight on an all-new immersive journey with Soarin’ Across America, debuting at both EPCOT and Disney California Adventure Park. This refreshed experience showcases breathtaking vistas across the United States and will be featured as part of the United States of America’s 250^th anniversary and “Disney Celebrates America,” a company-wide celebration commemorating this historic milestone. Guests can get ready for takeoff on this all-new American adventure at Walt Disney World by Memorial Day 2026!

Fall 2026

18 – EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will return in 2026, once again delighting guests with park-wide culinary journey. From Global Marketplaces to the fan-favorite Eat to the Beat concert series and more, the festival offers endless opportunities to celebrate flavors and cultures from around the globe.

19 – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will return in 2026 at Magic Kingdom. Boo-gie with fan-favorite eerie entertainment, enjoy spellbinding sips and bites and well-loved mysterious character greetings to celebrate the spooky season with this separately ticketed event on select nights.

Winter 2026

20 – Disney Jollywood Nights

Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the separately ticketed event that combines holiday cheer and Hollywood glam, will return on select nights in 2026. This event celebrates the season in style with themed entertainment, festive food and beverage offerings, character greetings galore, and of course, all things glitz and glamour.

21 – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom will return on select nights in 2026. This separately ticketed event is packed with seasonal entertainment, delicious food and party exclusive merchandise.

22 –  EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth will return in 2026. Guests will hear tales from near and far told by Holiday Storytellers, savor in the delicious comfort foods at Holiday Kitchens, and experience the glorious Candlelight Processional – ensuring there’s something for everyone to celebrate.

In 2026

23 – LEVEL99 at Disney Springs

LEVEL99, opening on the Disney Springs West Side in 2026, will be home to more than 60 themed challenge rooms, duels and art hunts for guests to explore, discover and experience.

24 – And More Reasons to Visit

There’s always something new to explore at Walt Disney World. From the debut of “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away!” at Magic Kingdom Park to new entertainment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the reimagined Test Track presented by General Motors at EPCOT, and “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the magic keeps growing. Newly refreshed rooms across the Disney Resorts Collection add even more comfort to every stay.

With returning favorites and exciting new experiences, 2026 promises unforgettable moments with family and friends.