Disney is Opening 9 New Rides in 2026 at Their Theme Parks. Here’s Every New Ride

This is shaping up to be a major year for Disney Parks worldwide. Across the global Disney theme park portfolio, Disney will debut 9 ride openings and major refurbishments, giving guests plenty to anticipate as they plan upcoming trips. Some of these attractions will launch in multiple destinations, including both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, while others will remain exclusive to a single park. 

Below, we break down all 9 ride openings and refurbishments coming to Disney Parks around the world in 2026. At Mickey Visit, we report on recent news like new food items coming to Disneyland and major construction at Disney World in 2026. You can also see all the new rides and attractions opening at Disney World.

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1. Soarin’ Across America (EPCOT and Disney California Adventure)

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, Disney Parks are making a big change to the Soarin’ attraction at both Disneyland and EPCOT parks. Since its opening as Soarin’ in 2005 and its later retheming as Soarin’ Around the World in 2016, this attraction has paid homage to the amazing wonders of scenery from around the globe.

However, coming in 2026, the Soarin’ attraction will undergo its third iteration, with this latest reimagining serving as a tribute to the United States’ 250th birthday as Soarin’ Across America. This latest iteration of the ride is set to open in Summer 2026.

2. Wreck-It-Ralph Ride (Tokyo Disneyland)

The first Wreck-It-Ralph attraction in any Disney park, this new ride brings a lot of excitement and anticipation along with it! Guests will have the opportunity to join Ralph and Vanellope as they transform “sugar bugs” back into the sweets that are so well known in the Wreck-It-Ralph movies. The ride will be themed as the infamous Sugar Rush racing game from the Wreck-It-Ralph films and will take the form of an indoor shooting game.

This new attraction will be located in Tokyo Disneyland’s Tomorrowland and will replace Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters ride, which closed in October 2024 for the preparation of the new Wreck-It-Ralph ride. A specific date for the ride’s opening has not yet been announced, but Disney has previously announced that the ride will open sometime in 2026.

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

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, one of the most infamous coasters of Disney Parks, is undergoing a significant reimagining as Aerosmith will no longer serve as the concert act, but rather The Muppets will soon take center stage. The new ride will feature Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem band, as well as other friends from The Muppets, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the gang. The mechanics of the ride will remain the same as the former Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, but the preshow experience as well as the artwork in and around the ride’s pavilion will undergo a significant retheming.

While many Disney fans were saddened to hear the news of MuppetVision 3D closing permanently in 2025, the transition from The Muppets from this once-loved attraction to this new reimagining sparked new interest and excitement at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as this new adaptation of the ride is set to open in Summer 2026.

4. Frozen Ever After (Disney Adventure World)

Set to open on March 29, 2026, World of Frozen in Disney Adventure World (the park’s name being changed from Walt Disney Studios Park to Disney Adventure World on this same date) will be home to Frozen Ever After, the beloved Frozen-themed attraction currently available at EPCOT, located in Walt Disney World. Guests of Disneyland Paris will soon be able to sit aboard a log flume boat and venture through a frozen willow forest, experiencing Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and friends like never before.

A note worth mentioning is that the ride’s adaptation, located in EPCOT at Disney World, is closing for refurbishment at the end of January and is expected to reopen just one short month later. The ride 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.

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

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is getting a tune-up in 2026. Since its opening in 1998, this ride has been a staple of Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. Almost 30 years old, it was time for some upgrades with this attraction. With new ride vehicles and new handheld blasters, this new experience is sure to bring about fun for the whole family. Additional upgrades to the ride include new character content and the incorporation of video monitors located inside each ride vehicle, allowing guests to view scoring in real-time.

Another exciting new feature with these changes coming in 2026 is that each star cruiser vehicle will be equipped with two different color lasers for gameplay, 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 is set to open in Spring 2026.

6. Spider-Man Roller Coaster (Shanghai Disneyland)

Set to be a one-of-a-kind attraction, the high-speed Spider-Man roller coaster will take guests on a wild ride as they follow Spider-Man’s escape from trouble. This ride will be located in Spider-Man Land and is Shanghai Disneyland’s first major Marvel expansion. Spider-Man Land will be located adjacent to Zootopia Land, which opened in late 2023. Guests can expect to experience a thrilling coaster with this ride’s opening, as the coaster will use both forward and reverse launches, track switches, and indoor and outdoor track segments.

Construction for the new Spider-Man Land began in 2025, and construction for the new coaster began later that year in September. While no specific date has been announced for the ride’s opening, guests can expect that the land and the new coaster will be opened to the public sometime around the park’s 10th anniversary in June.

7. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park)

Soon coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in both Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios parks, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting an upgrade. Guests will soon take on the Galactic Empire as a member of the Rebel Alliance in this thrilling ride with new missions and updated storylines featuring two of the most recent fan favorites of the Star Wars franchise: The Mandalorian and Grogu. Launching on May 22, 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 for gameplay.

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. Guests will now be able to control the destinations of the mission, creating a more autonomous atmosphere for gameplay. In the current state of the attraction, Hondo Ohnaka leads a group of rebel guests as they embark on a journey battling the forces of the First Order. With the ride’s new launch in May of 2026, 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 a more immersive and interactive gameplay and has created a significant buzz for Star Wars fans around the world. 

8. Raiponce Tangled Spin (Disney Adventure World)

Soon to be available to guests, the Raiponce Tangled Spin attraction will be an exciting addition to Disney Adventure World at Disneyland Paris. The ride will feature a spinning gondola experience, much like that of the classic teacups attraction found at various Disney Parks.

The theming of the ride features the iconic lantern scene from Tangled and features exciting ride components such as Rapunzel’s artwork and music provided from the movie. This new Rapunzel ride is scheduled to open on March 29, 2026, to coincide with the park’s renaming from Walt Disney Studios Park to Disney Adventure World. 

9. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom) 

A staple of Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is experiencing a refurbishment, currently scheduled to reopen in Spring 2026.

While the primary reason for refurbishment is to maintain the quality shape of the nearly 50-year-old coaster, 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.

These new or refurbished rides across Disney Parks are sure to bring excitement and lasting fun for all for many years to come! Continue to follow Mickey Visit for updates on Disney Parks and Disney news from around the world!

Concept artwork in featured image is via Disney.

READ MORE – These 10 Disney Rides Have Changed Dramatically Since Their Opening

I’ve seen changes come and go, and like many seasoned Disney park goers, I’ve become familiar with the resulting emotional rollercoaster. It can be sad when the company decides to overhaul or even remove a beloved attraction. On the other hand, there are times when it’s easy to embrace a much-needed update. Here are ten Disney attractions that have transformed substantially since opening day, for better or worse.

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