DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: New Soarin Locations & Details; Aerial Photos of Tropical Americas Land Progress; Bluey Experience Details & Virtual Queue; New Food Location Menu; First Look Inside New Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster & More
Wow. A lot of news came out this week from Disney. We’ve got a lot of new details and photos of Soarin Across America and Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster, both opening soon. A bunch of new merchandise reveals, as well as the menu for the new FØØD by Swedish Chef dining location. Typhoon Lagoon has reopened, and we have aerial photos of the construction progress over at Tropical Americas Land at Animal Kingdom. Information on Bluey experiences dropped, and Disney detailed everything new coming to Disney Springs this summer. All this a lot more below in this week’s news roundup.
1 – Soarin’ Across America Locations & Details Revealed
A brand-new version of Soarin’ will debut May 26, 2026, as part of the celebration of the United States 250th anniversary. Disney has revealed new details along with some of the locations of where we’ll be soaring.
2 – Aerial Photos Show Significant Progress on Tropical Americas Land at Animal Kingdom
Construction on the new Tropical Americas Land at Animal Kingdom is coming along nicely. Planned to open in 2027, the new Tropical Americas land replaces Dinoland which closed permanently on February 2, 2026. The land is inspired by South and Central America along with parts of Mexico. Disney recently provided an update on the new land along with some background on the process of bringing this next adventure to life.
3 – Disney Releases New Details on Bluey Experience Including Virtual Queue Info
Bluey is about as hot as it gets right now as far as animated IP goes, which is why Disney World is expecting big things this month when Bluey and Bingo arrive at Animal Kingdom. Disney World has released details on the experience including information on the use of a virtual queue that will be required to meet the duo.
4 – Disney Unveils Menu for New FØØD by Swedish Chef
As part of the Muppets retheme of Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster, the quick service food location next door is getting a makeover as well. FØØD by Swedish Chef will debut with a completely new menu.
Click here for photos and details.
5 – New Photos & Details Released for Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster – Interior First Look
Disney has released a bunch of new photos along with new details for the Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster reboot debuting this month. Time to get excited!
Click here for photos and details.
6 – Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Merchandise Starring The Muppets Revealed
Better make sure you have some room on the credit card because Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Starring The Muppets merchandise is here and some of these items are awesome. Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Starring The Muppets officially opens on May 26, 2026, with previews starting next week.
Click here for photos and details.
7 – Disney Gives Details on Everything New Coming to Disney Springs this Summer
There is a lot going on this summer at Disney World, and the new fun extends beyond the parks. Several new offerings are on the way at Disney Springs, and Disney has provided more details.
8 – Disney Previews Bluey Merchandise Coming This Summer to Animal Kingdom
Bluey is about as popular as it gets right now. So much so that experiencing Bluey activities at Conservation Station will require reserving a spot in a virtual queue (more information below). Naturally, there is also going to be plenty of merch options to choose from.
Click here for photos and details.
9 – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets Already Selling Out
Well, that was quick. Tickets for Halloween night sold out in under two hours. Halloween is always the first night to sell out, but the speed at which it happened this year suggest that tickets for other popular nights probably won’t last long. If you’re hoping to attend the party on a specific night, you probably shouldn’t wait.
10 – Typhoon Lagoon Reopens
Typhoon Lagoon has reopened following its seasonal refurbishment. Both water parks are now open just in time for summer. As a reminder, Disney World resort guests enjoy free water park tickets as park of the Cool Kids Summer celebration.
For more information click here.
11 – Impressions de France and Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along Reopen
Both shows in the France Pavillion in EPCOT’s World Showcase are now open and operating on a normal schedule. The theater that hosts the shows closed on February 22, 2026, for refurbishment.
12 – Disney Cruise Line Announces Frozen Themed Fun This Summer
This summer Frozen fun is coming to Disney Cruise Line along with new enhancements to sail away parties, dance parties, pirate night entertainment and more.
13 – Crew’s Cup Lounge at Yacht Club Reopens
Crew’s Cup Lounge, located at the Yacht Club Resort, has reopened following a refurbishment. The lounge has been closed since February 23, 2026. The refurbished lounge looks fantastic and we can’t wait to stop in for a drink.
14 – Big Al’s Permanently Closes
Big Al’s merchandise kiosk in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland has permanently closed. Located across from Country Bears Jamboree, the structure dates back to opening day and was originally a ticket booth where guests could purchase tickets that were used to ride attractions before Disney World moved to all-inclusive admission tickets in June of 1982. Big Al’s is one of only two remaining ticket booths in the Magic Kingdom. The other is now the Westward Ho, a food location between Frontierland and Adventureland.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
March 4-June 1 – EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival
Click here for dates & details on the 2026 EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival
Now Open – Zootopia: Better Together – Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Click here to learn more about the story of Zootopia: Better Together and learn the opening date.
Now Open – Beak & Barrel Tavern, Adventureland, Magic Kingdom
Click here to step inside the upcoming Beak & Barrel coming to Magic Kingdom.
Click here for a look at the menus at the Beak and Barrel.
Now Running – Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away
Click here to learn more at Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away at Magic Kingdom.
Coming to Walt Disney World
Click here to learn more about the updates on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
Click here to learn more about Soarin’ Across America coming this summer.
Click here to learn more about The Magic of Disney Animation coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
May 26-September 8 – Cool Kid Summer
Click here for full details on all the 2026 Cool Kid Summer special offerings and activities.
Click here for Cool Kid Summer sales offerings.
New & Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
Disney Destiny
Click here to view our Day 1 Instagram Story of our Disney Destiny Preview Cruise.
Click here to view our Day 2 Instagram Story of our Disney Destiny Preview Cruise.
Click here to view our Day 3 Instagram Story of our Disney Destiny Preview Cruise.
Click here to learn about the Disney Destiny’s Christening Ceremony.
Click here for “Family Dining on the Disney Destiny – What You Need to Know”
Click here for 10 Character Encounters on the Disney Destiny You Don’t Want to Miss!
Itineraries in 2025-2026
Click here for details on Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 itineraries; now booking!
Click here to learn more about the 2026 summer itineraries with Disney Cruise Line.
Click here to learn more about the fall 2026 and spring 2027 itineraries for Disney Cruise Line.
Disney Adventure, Sailing from Singapore
Click here for the grand reveal of the Disney Adventure, sailing in 2026!
Click here for details about the Disney Adventure, sailing from Singapore in 2026.
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