Walt Disney World is preparing to open seven new attractions on the same day later this month, from brand new experiences to exciting reimaginings of longtime rides. Ahead of their general opening, Disney announced that select guests can experience some of these attractions early.
Disney World annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members can preview two new rides before other guests. See all of the details, including eligible dates and the procedures involved for riding early. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including new rides opening in 2027 at Disney World and an update to Magic Kingdom’s Lightning Lane selections.
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AP and DVC Previews for Soarin’ Across America
Soarin’ Across America opens to all guests at EPCOT on May 26, 2026. This new version of the classic simulator ride will replace the current film, Soarin’ Around the World, for a limited time with aerial views of the United States. See many more details about Soarin’ Across America here.
Walt Disney World annual passholders of any pass tier, including Pixie Dust, Pirate, Sorcerer, and Incredi-Pass, can preview Soarin’ Across America on May 19 and 20, 2026. Park reservations may be required, depending on the date.
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A standby line will be open for the passholder preview. Lightning Lane will not be offered, and a virtual queue reservation is not required.
Disney Vacation Club members staying at a qualifying Disney World hotel can preview Soarin’ Across America on May 21, 2026. Members will receive an email with instructions if they’re eligible.
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As a reminder, Soarin’ Around the World will continue operating through May 13, 2026. Soarin’ will be closed starting May 14 before it reopens as the new version.
AP and DVC Previews for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opens to all guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 26, 2026.
This reimagined take on Disney World’s only upside-down coaster permanently replaces Aerosmith with The Electric Mayhem, the house band from The Muppet Show, along with special guests like Def Leppard and Jennifer Hudson. See many more details about Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets here, including the full set list and celebrity appearances.
Walt Disney World annual passholders of any pass tier can preview Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets on May 21, 22, and 23, 2026.
A virtual queue will be in place for this passholder preview, making its access a bit more complicated. Virtual queue availability will be released at three times on each day of the passholder preview:
- 7 AM drop for passholders with a theme park reservation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios that day
- 11 AM drop for passholders with a theme park reservation to any Disney World theme park that day (but they must visit that park before Hollywood Studios)
- 3 PM drop for all passholders; no park reservation required
A standby line will not be open for the passholder preview, nor will Lightning Lane.
Disney Vacation Club members staying at a qualifying Disney World hotel can preview Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets on May 24, 2026. Members will receive an email with instructions if they’re eligible.
No Virtual Queue After Previews
The virtual queue for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will only be in place for the preview period.
Disney shared that when Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opens to all guests on May 26, a virtual queue will not be in place. A standby line and Lightning Lane will be offered from that point forward.
This is great news for guests who prefer simplified vacation plans without having to learn another phone procedure to enjoy a new attraction. It also marks a deviation from the norm, as most new rides the past few years utilized a virtual queue upon opening, including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, TRON Lightcycle / Run, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. None of those attractions uses a virtual queue anymore, and all offer a standby line and Lightning Lane.
Special Perks for Passholders
In addition to the previews for Soarin’ Across America and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, Walt Disney World passholders can celebrate V.I.Passholder Summer Days 2026, happening now through July 31.
During this period, passholders can receive up to 40% off at select restaurants, hang out in an exclusive passholder lounge at EPCOT, and purchase a passholder-only popcorn bucket.
7 New Attractions Opening May 26
Soarin’ Across America and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets are two of seven new attractions opening at Walt Disney World on May 26, 2026.
See our breakdown of all these new attractions, which include a Toy Story 5 takeover at Magic Kingdom.
These arrive just days after the May 22 debut of a new version of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu.
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