Walt Disney World is in a state of change right now, with multiple new ride openings and rethemes to existing attractions coming this year. These changes will affect Disney’s skip-the-line system, Lightning Lane Multi Pass, especially as new projects are set to open next year.
From changes to specific ride lines to shifts in demand for rides to additions to the Lightning Lane lineups, we have all the details on the expected changes we are looking at now ahead of 2026 trips. Let’s get into all these major changes and how I recommend adjusting your touring strategy this year. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including Disney layoffs reportedly coming and a new perk for Disneyland Magic Key holders.
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Animal Kingdom’s New Land Opening Will Change Strategy
Animal Kingdom currently only has a few heavy hitters that draw large lines that require Lightning Lane. For most guests, the right choice at Animal Kingdom is to skip purchasing Multi Pass and instead purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass for Avatar Flight of Passage instead.
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However, that will be changing next year when the new Pueblo Esperanza land will debut in the former DinoLand, U.S.A. area. The new land will be home to two signature attractions: an Indiana Jones experience and the first-ever Encanto-themed ride-through attraction.
Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto is a family-friendly dark ride that takes place in the Madrigals’ Casita from the movie. Guests will join the family on the day that Antonio receives his gift of talking to animals and will visit Casita as part of the celebration. There will be no height requirement for Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, making this ride available to all guests.
This attraction is going to be extremely popular when it opens due to the popularity of Encanto combined with the ease of an attraction all guests can experience. We might even be able to compare the popularity of this attraction to Frozen Ever After in EPCOT, which offers the same wide appeal to all groups. This means that the Lightning Lane for this ride will be in high demand.
The other Encanto-themed attraction, El Carrusel de los Animalitos, will be a carousel featuring more than 50 animals. This attraction will likely not have a Lightning Lane, as this style of attraction usually doesn’t need it at Disney World.
The other popular attraction opening in this land is Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, which is the repurposed DINOSAUR attraction that will be completely redone as an Indiana Jones adventure ride. This attraction will be similar in style to Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland. If we compare potential popularity, that ride at Disneyland is the fastest Lightning Lane to run out each day. We will likely see similar, if not increased, demand at Animal Kingdom.
We do not know yet when the Pueblo Esperanza land will open nor how it will handle access when it does. It is possible we might see a combination of virtual queues along with Lightning Lane Single Pass to manage attractions before we see any attractions added to Lightning Lane Multi Pass. The good news is that this will help draw out demand at Animal Kingdom by not placing so much emphasis on Pandora- The World of Avatar.
Expedition Everest Removed Single Rider Line
Animal Kingdom’s Expedition Everest recently eliminated its single rider line, and guests without Lightning Lane selections will need to use the standby line without the hack of skipping that longer line by using single rider.
Guests in the past who skipped reserving a Lightning Lane for Expedition Everest to use single rider instead may need to consider a new strategy.
In general, guests will want to plan on purchasing Lightning Lane at Animal Kingdom in 2027 when the new attractions open. What was once a park where guests could easily skip Lightning Lane may become one where purchasing it is necessary to avoid longer lines and increased demand.
Hollywood Studios Begins Opening Monsters, Inc. Land
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also opening a new land in 2027, but this land will be opening in stages. Monstropolis will begin its first wave of openings as it brings the city from Monsters, Inc. to life. The timeline of the new land takes place after the film, as the monsters invite humans into their city of Monstropolis on H.U.MA.N. Day to show humans that monsters are now nice. In the film, the monsters discover at the end that laughter is more powerful than human screams, which is what stops the practice of scaring humans.
As for the first phase, it will open the new indoor theater show, a table service restaurant, a quick service restaurant, and a store in 2027. We do not have a specific opening date yet for the first opening phase of the land, but this is generally earlier than many anticipated. Monstropolis took over the former MuppetVision courtyard, and the new theater and dining experiences can utilize existing buildings from that area. Disney is essentially working with the infrastructure already in place, which is likely why we’re seeing these experiences open first as part of the transformation.
The second phase will likely come in 2028 and feature the land’s highly anticipated suspended door roller coaster attraction.
The new show, Welcome to Monstropolis, will likely be eligible for Lightning Lane, which is typical for Hollywood Studios, as many entertainment experiences offer Lightning Lane options. This will be a popular experience and Lightning Lane, but since it’s an entertainment show and not an attraction, the demand here will likely be manageable.
The show will probably be included with Lightning Lane Multi Pass rather than offered as a Lightning Lane Single Pass, meaning guests won’t have to pay an additional individual fee to experience it.
Shifting Demand for Magic Kingdom Attractions
Magic Kingdom offers more Lightning Lane attractions than any other Disney World park, but there has been shifting demand that guests should expect in 2027. First, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin was previously considered a lower-priority Tier 2 Lightning Lane selection. Since the attraction has now received a major refurbishment this year, the experience is more appealing to guests, making the Lightning Lane selection a bit more competitive than it used to be.
Carousel of Progress is expected to reopen in late spring 2027 and will feature four new decades and updated scenes, including a new Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure. The attraction will likely be much more popular when it reopens, at least initially, as guests will be interested in this new experience.
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While I don’t expect Carousel of Progress to be added to Lightning Lane Multi Pass, increased demand for the attraction could help draw crowds away from other Tomorrowland attractions. This may free up some of the lines in this area of the park, making Lightning Lanes a bit easier to access.
Soarin’ Over America May Switch Back to Previous Version
EPCOT will likely not see any major Lightning Lane changes in 2027.
The only switch-up we might see is Soarin’ Across America reverting to Soarin’ Around the World. Soarin’ Across America debuted at EPCOT on May 26, 2026, replacing Soarin’ Around the World as part of Disney’s celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. While the new version initially increased interest in the ride, it has mostly stabilized since then.
At EPCOT, the most popular attractions for Lightning Lane selections will continue to be Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Test Track. And of course, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind remains popular, but it uses Lightning Lane Single Pass, so it is an individual purchase.
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