Among Walt Disney World’s high-tech rides and impressive resorts, an overlooked category of theme park attractions can be Disney’s many play areas. Created with its youngest guests and parents in mind, these playgrounds extend the stories of favorite Disney characters into a medium where kids can let their imaginations run wild. Disney announced a new theme playground for the future and shared updates on others.
Four new playgrounds are coming to Walt Disney World, and parents will be glad to hear about some of the custom features planned. Below, we break down each upcoming play area and check in on current construction progress. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including an underrated Disney World sit-down restaurant and a new freebie with Disney Gift Card purchases.
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Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular!
Just announced, Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It will be located next to the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! amphitheater, near the Backlot Express quick service restaurant.
This playground is already under construction, with beams visible to guests in the park behind a wall of planters. The above photo was captured in October 2026.
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This new space will adapt many signature moments from the stunt show in playground form, including the show’s marketplace façades and airplane. I like the inclusion of a movie camera, echoing the fake “filming” of the stunt show being the “real” Indiana Jones movie set.
Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! is also being created with parents in mind. Note the area on the right side of the concept art with shaded seating for grown-ups. This is a huge win. It also doubles as being on-theme and representing the audience from the stunt show!
This wider photo may help you get your bearings for where Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! will be located in relation to the amphitheater and Backlot Express.
Disney says Epic Jr. Stunt Spectacular! will open “in the coming months.”
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Tropical Americas Playground
A playground will be part of the new Tropical Americas land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The space will exist within the fictional Pueblo Esperanza, a village in the middle of a rainforest.
Disney says this new playground will “expand how young explorers can connect with Disney storytelling in new immersive and active ways.”
Construction is ongoing, with the above photo captured in November 2026 showing early progress.
Other attractions part of the Tropical Americas project include:
- Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto, an indoor family-friendly dark ride
- Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, an indoor thrill ride
- El Carrusel de los Animalitos, a carousel with Disney animal character steeds
- a quick service restaurant
- shops
The Tropical Americas playground is good news for families who miss The Boneyard, the digsite-themed playground that closed, along with the rest of DinoLand, U.S.A., to make room for Tropical Americas.
Tropical Americas will open sometime in 2027. See more details about all of the Tropical Americas attractions here.
Otter Springs and Heron Shores
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge is a new hotel coming to Walt Disney World, complete with lake houses as an overnight option for guests. See all the Lakeshore Lodge room types with pricing.
A huge component of Lakeshore Lodge will be The Wetlands, one of Walt Disney World’s most expansive pool areas. Many distinct features will comprise The Wetlands, including two play areas.
Otter Shores will be a new splash pad featuring larger-than-life otters. Kids can even go down slides on the otters’ tails!
Thematically, Otter Shores seems pretty much complete, with both otters in place and ready to welcome guests.
Heron Shores is another play area coming to Lakeshore Lode. This dry playground will be woven into the landscape of The Wetlands. A bridge, for example, goes directly over the Daydream River, aka the lazy river.
Like Otter Springs, several large structures for Heron Shores are already in place, including its namesake birds.
Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge will open on July 1, 2027. See all amenities coming to the hotel here.
These playgrounds come after the recent opening of the Magic of Disney Animation which features indoor, air conditioned space at Hollywood Studios. Inside there are cute playground spaces for kids. Plus, very cool other fun centered around animation. See all the details on those additions here.
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