Disney World Is Opening These 8 New Rides and Attractions in 2026

There is a lot to look forward to in 2026 at Walt Disney World Resort, as there are several new (or recently rethemed/updated) rides coming to the parks. There are also exciting new events and offerings coming in 2026.

From classic roller coasters such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to newer attractions like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, there are some exciting changes coming to various rides at Disney World. At Mickey Visit, we report on all the recent Disney news, like construction updates to be aware of in 2026 at Disney World and major changes coming to Disneyland. See the 2026 Disney World Lightning Lane changes.

READ MORE – These 10 Disney Rides Are Far Better Than The Ones They Replaced

1. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is getting an upgrade. Take on the Galactic Empire as a member of the Rebel Alliance in this thrilling ride, soon to have new missions and updated storylines featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu. Launching in May 2026 to coincide with the movie release of The Mandalorian and Grogu, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will feature new story elements, updated tech, and guest immersion.

Some of the key changes coming to the attraction are a new narrative following Din Djarin (more commonly known as The Mandalorian) and Grogu as they challenge imperial forces across the galaxy, guest-operator-controlled destinations, and updated gameplay to improve the immersive experience of the ride. Currently, Hondo Ohnaka leads a group of rebel guests as they embark on a journey battling the forces of the First Order. Guests will join Mando and Grogu as they journey from Tatooine to guest-operator-controlled voyages to Cloud City, Endor, or Coruscant. The soon-to-be reimagined Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will offer more autonomy to guests and this immersive and interactive gameplay. There is a lot of excitement buzzing around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and within Star Wars fandom as this new ride experience and the new film are both being released on May 22, 2026.

2. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Closing on March 2, 2026, and reopening in Summer 2026, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is getting a reimagined upgrade. The beloved coaster of Hollywood Studios’ Sunset Boulevard is undergoing a retheming as Aerosmith will no longer be the stars of the show, but rather The Muppets will have their chance to shine on the center stage. The attraction will feature fan-favorites from The Muppets, including Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem band, as well as their friends Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the gang as they travel to a concert in a super-stretched limo.

The mechanics of the ride will remain the same as the former Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aersomith, but the preshow experience as well as the artwork in and around the ride’s pavilion will undergo a significant retheming. This coaster has been a crowd favorite since opening its doors in 1999, but guests have a lot to look forward to with its retheming set to open in Summer 2026.

3. The Walt Disney Studios (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Soon to be renamed “The Walt Disney Studios”, the former area known as Animation Courtyard is experiencing a makeover in 2026, with changes such as the current attraction, Star Wars: Launch Bay attraction, being converted into a new Disney animation experience titled “The Magic of Disney Animation”. This new experience will pay homage to the Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, in this immersive animation experience. Mickey’s sorcerer hat, once on Display at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (and its prior naming of Disney’s MGM Studios) from 2001-2015, will even make its return as it will be located on the top of the Magic of Disney Animation building!

This tribute to the legendary Walt Disney Studios Lot located in Burbank, California, will include Studio Theater, which will continue to house “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” and also a new Disney Jr. show. The Animation Courtyard area of Hollywood Studios was closed on September 25, 2025, and is scheduled to reopen as “The Walt Disney Studios” in Summer 2026.

4. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom) 

A guest favorite since its opening in 1998, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is getting a tune-up in 2026. With new ride vehicles and new handheld blasters, this new experience is sure to bring about fun for the whole family. New character content, including a friendly robot named “Buddy”, will create a more immersive experience for guests. Another key upgrade is the incorporation of video monitors located inside each ride vehicle, allowing guests to view scoring in real-time.

If you’ve ever experienced this attraction, you can likely attest to the fact that it was difficult to know whether it was your blaster or your partner’s hitting the targets during gameplay. An exciting new feature with these changes coming in 2026 is that each star cruiser will be equipped with two different color lasers, making it simpler for each guest to follow their own blaster as they try and defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg in this galactic space battle. The newly improved attraction will open in Spring 2026.

5. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom) 

Disney Parks’ and Magic Kingdom classic, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, is experiencing a refurbishment. While the primary reason for refurbishment is to maintain the quality shape of the nearly 50-year-old coaster, while also allowing work to be completed behind the scenes for the major land expansions in Magic Kingdom, some new magic is coming this ride’s way as Big Thunder Mountain will feature new magic for guests to discover, including a journey through the natural wonders of the Rainbow Caverns. These new effects, lighting, and scenery, accompanied by a smoother track, will provide guests with many more years of the wonder that is Big Thunder Mountain.

The upgrades coming to this coaster are sure to continue providing smiles for guests as they embark on the wildest ride in the wilderness. Big Thunder Mountain closed for refurbishment on January 6, 2025, and is set to reopen in Spring 2026.

6. Soarin’ Across America (EPCOT)

In honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration, Disney Parks are making a change to the beloved Soarin’ attraction at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World parks. Since its opening as Soarin’ in 2005 and its later retheming as Soarin’ Around the World in 2016, this attraction has been a tribute and paid homage to the various wonders of scenery from around the globe.

Coming in 2026, the Soarin’ attraction will undergo its third reimagining, this time with a tribute to the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration as Soarin’ Across America. The latest adaptation of the ride is set to open in Summer 2026.

7. Frozen Ever After (EPCOT) 

Closing for refurbishment at the end of January and expected to reopen just one short month later, the infamous Frozen Ever After attraction will be experiencing an upgrade in audio-animatronics, the incorporation of 3D-printed ride components, and new, fully sculpted heads and facial features of Elsa, Anna, and friends to improve the realistic effects of the ride.

While there is no exact date set for reopening, guests can expect to be able to experience the newest upgrades to this attraction in February 2026.

8. Bluey and Bingo Experience (Animal Kingdom)

Set to hit the stage in Summer 2026, Bluey and Bingo are coming to Animal Kingdom! While the Bluey and Bingo experience wouldn’t be considered a ride itself, guests will soon be able to take a short train ride to Conservation Station, located at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Guests can board the Wildlife Express Train and take a short ride to Conservation Station to play and dance with Bluey and Bingo. The Wildlife Express Train boarding area is found at Harambe Station (located in the Africa area of the park), and the last train departs to head to Rafiki’s Planet Watch daily at 4:30 pm.

With the park’s permanent closure of DinoLand taking place on February 2, 2026 to make way for the new Tropical Americas Land, guests have a lot to look forward to as the new Bluey and Bingo attraction, in addition to the some of the other big changes coming to Animal Kingdom, is sure to bring fun for the whole family for many years to come. There is no specific date set for Bluey and Bingo’s arrival, but guests can expect the Heeler sisters to arrive at the park in Summer 2026.

First photo concept art via Disney.

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