Disney World has just released the calendar of seasonal events and openings slated for 2026. They announced all seasonal events and festivals, as well as the opening details for new and updated attractions.
In the last few years, Disneyland has been releasing this look ahead in December. Now, Walt Disney World has followed with a similar information release. Keep reading for everything you need to know as you are planning your 2026 trip! At Mickey Visit, we report on the latest Disney news, including the Disneyland special events calendar released for 2026 and Disney World permanently removing the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Aerosmith preshow.
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Free Kids Dining Plan 2026
Disney confirmed that throughout 2026, guests staying at the Disney Resort hotels will get a free dining plan for kids (ages 3 to 9) when they purchase a dining plan as part of their package for the other members of their party (ages 10 and up). This is an extension of this offering already running this year.
This can be combined with other select special offers, so guests can take advantage of other deals released in 2026.
Updated Audio-Animatronics In Frozen Debuting
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Disney has announced that the newly updated Audio-Animatronics figures of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff at Frozen Ever After at EPCOT will debut in February of 2026.
Disney previously shared that the Audio-Animatronics figures in Frozen Ever After would be receiving a much-needed update. Right now, Disney World uses projections for the faces of these Audio-Animatronics figures, but they will soon receive new faces with a more “true-to-film” look, taking inspiration from the advancements of the figures used at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland. You can see all details about these changes in our original announcement here.
We don’t yet have a closing date for the addition of these new Audio-Animatronics figures, but would expect this to be a quick closure to swap in the new figures. We can assume that the closure will start some time after the end of the EPCOT International Festival of Holidays and run to sometime in February.
2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
As previously announced, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts returns from January 16 to February 23, 2026. This is EPCOT’s most underrated festival, which is a favorite among locals and Disney adults, featuring food studios across the park, artwork, and the popular Disney on Broadway Concert Series.
You can see all details about the International Festival of the Arts here, including a new experience announced, as well as the Disney on Broadway Concert Series lineup.
2026 Disney After Hours
Disney announced that Disney After Hours will return on select nights in 2026. These separately ticketed nights include after-hours access to Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, or Magic Kingdom, with select snacks and drinks included with the ticket.
You can see all of the 2026 Disney After Hours dates here and our take on why you should do an after-hours event at Hollywood Studios.
2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Disney World announces that the 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will take place from March 4 to June 1. This popular festival features elaborate Disney-themed topiaries and gardens, food marketplace booths, and live music with the Garden Rocks Concert Series.
Details have not yet been revealed for this festival beyond dates, but you can check out all of the International Flower & Garden Festival offerings from last year here.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopening
Disney World has now shared the long-awaited opening period for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! The ride closed at the beginning of this year for an extensive refurbishment. Disney has announced that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen “with touches of new magic” in the spring of 2026. We have already seen Disney actively testing Big Thunder Mountain, so it doesn’t surprise us that this is reopening earlier than summer. Perhaps this will be on the earlier end of Spring.
We previously got a look at concept artwork for new changes coming to the lift hill scene. Disney shared that during the moment when the trains go underground into caverns of phosphorescent pools, the rainbow caverns will transform to red caverns with a loud crack of thunder. During that reveal, Disney teased that there will be “more new magic” when the ride returns, which will be shared soon.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Reopening
Disney World also revealed the reopening period for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, which is currently receiving a major overhaul. Disney shared that this ride will be reopening in the spring of 2026.
The overhaul will introduce updated ride vehicles, new handheld blasters, and interactive
targets, as well as a new character and ride scene. You can see all of the details about the changes coming to the attraction here.
Cool Kids Summer Returns
Disney World shared that Cool Kids’ Summer will be returning in 2026 with new and refreshed attractions. They announced that guests can look forward to the return of high-energy dance experiences at GoofyCore in EPCOT, interactive character-driven games across
all four parks, and special ticket offers and deals.
These limited-time offerings were a great success for Disney World last summer, so we’re happy to see they are returning. You can see all of the details about the most recent Cool Kids Summer here.
Summer Free Water Park Admission
Disney World shared that the free water park admission perk is returning in the summer of 2026! During this time, guests staying at one of the Disney Resorts Collection hotels can enjoy free water park admission on their arrival day, included with their stay. Disney shared that specific dates will be shared soon. You can see details about this perk from last year in our separate article here.
Disney H2O Glow After Hours Returns
Disney World shared that Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon will return in summer 2026. These after-hours parties will feature DJ dance parties, Disney characters, attractions, and complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select beverages.
We do not yet have exact dates announced, but you can see all details on Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon here.
Banana Ball at Disney World
The popular Savannah Banana’s Banana Ball is coming to Disney World in 2026! From May 29-30, 2026, Banana Ball will be at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World.
While the Banana Ball Ticket Lottery List is currently closed, there will be a limited number of Tickets Inclusive of Food & Beverage available for purchase soon. You can see everything that was announced for Banana Ball at Disney World in our original report here.
New Bluey Experience at Disney World
Disney World announced that starting in summer 2026, guests will be able to enjoy some fun with Bluey and Bingo at Conservation Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
During this experience, guests can play favorite games from Bluey episodes, like butterfly keepy uppy, and get photos with the characters! Plus, they will be able to enjoy “an experience with animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia!”
There was also a new Bluey show announced for Disneyland on the other coast that you can read about here.
Disney Jr. Show Debuting
Disney World shared a new detail about the Disney Jr. show that will be featured at the new Walt Disney Studios area in Hollywood Studios! In summer 2026, “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” will debut.
This new show debuted at Disneyland earlier this year for the 70th anniversary celebration and is now coming to Hollywood Studios! It follows Mickey and Minnie as they go on a road trip to find their friends for the party. See all details about the show in our separate article here!
Magic of Disney Animation Debuting
Another big addition coming in the summer of 2026 is a new animation-inspired experience called “The Magic of Disney Animation,” which will be a reimagining of Star Wars Launch Bay at Hollywood Studios. Here, you’ll find a playground inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s “Alice in Wonderland” concept art and an area called “Off the Page!” where characters from favorite Disney stories across six unique departments from the animation studio will greet guests.
Each space will have 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. Disney shared new concept art for this, which you can see above!
You can see all of the details about this new Disney animation-inspired experience coming here.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Closing Period
Right now, Disney is in the process of retheming Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith into Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. Disney previously shared that this will open in the summer of 2026.
Now, we have the new detail that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will be available until spring 2026. This is about the timeline that we expected, as the transformation will be a pretty quick one. We just reported how Disney World has closed the preshow for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith so they can complete the work in phases while keeping the attraction operational.
New Mission for Millennium Falcon Ride Debuting
Another big new addition coming in the spring of 2026 is a new storyline for Millennium Falcon, which will debut on May 22. This new version of the ride is centered around “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” the new Star Wars feature film releasing the same weekend.
The ride will take guests to iconic locations across the Star Wars universe, including Bespin, Endor, Tatooine, and Coruscant. You can see all details about this new storyline and the changes Disney shared are coming here.
Soarin’ Across America Opening Date
Disney World announced the opening of Soarin’ Across America! This will actually open a couple of months sooner than the version of the ride at Disneyland on the other coast. The ride will be opened at Disney World by Memorial Day 2026!
This new version of the ride, created as part of Disney’s celebration of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary, will take guests on a journey across the United States, highlighting some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes. You can see everything that has been announced so far for the new experience here.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Disney confirmed that the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will return in 2026. This very popular festival features Global Marketplaces across the park, the fan-favorite Eat to the Beat concert series, and more.
While dates and details have not yet been announced for the 2026 festival, you can see all general details about the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival here.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Disney World confirmed that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will return in 2026 at Magic Kingdom! This separately-ticketed event during the Halloween season features seasonal entertainment, themed foods and drinks, and special character meet-and-greets.
We do not yet have event specifics for 2026, but you can see all of the details about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party here.
Disney Jollywood Nights
Disney shared that the separately-ticketed Disney Jollywood Nights will be returning on select nights in 2026 at Hollywood Studios! This event features holiday-themed entertainment, festive food items, and exclusive character interactions.
We do not yet have details for the 2026 Disney Jollywood Nights parties, but you can see all details about the Disney Jollywood Nights happening this year and 10 changes to Disney World Jollywood Nights in 2025.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
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Disney also confirmed that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will return on select nights in 2026. This special after-hours event features seasonal entertainment, themed foods, and party-exclusive merchandise.
Details have not yet been announced for the 2026 parties, but you can see this year’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party foods and the free cookie lineup for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party here.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
During the holiday season, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return in 2026. This fan-favorite festival is a celebration of international holiday traditions from around the world, featuring holiday marketplace booths, the famous Candlelight Processional, the Holiday Cookie Stroll, and more.
Details have not yet been announced for the 2026 festival, but you can see details about the current EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays here, as well as the EPCOT 2025 International Festival of the Holidays food guide here.
LEVEL99
Disney Springs will be getting a new experience in 2026! Level 99 will be opening on the West Side, offering more than 60 themed challenge rooms, duels, and art hunts. This new experience is taking the real estate left behind by Disney Quest and the NBA Experience.
Disney shares that activities include everything from “solving mysteries in an ancient temple to walking a pirate’s plank to beating a giant pinball game,” and teams have one to four minutes to beat each challenge.
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