7 CHANGES Happening in 2026 in Disney World

If you are looking to plan your 2026 Disney World trip, there are seven things you should know that are changing next year.

Magic Kingdom

Disney World is always evolving and changing. In 2025, there will be a lot of new things coming. We’re getting a new nighttime parade, a new villains show, new lounges, and more. But, what about in 2026? Here are 7 things that are changing next year.

1. Free Water Park Perk

If you are staying at a Disney World hotel, on the day of your check-in, you’ll receive a free water park ticket to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, where you can spend the day catching waves and making a splash with your family. However, unlike in 2025, the perk will only return for Summer 2026.

Typhoon Lagoon

2. Moderate Room Changes

Disney has announced changes coming to hotel categories that will begin in 2026. This change aims to “simplify room categories and to improve Guests’ check-in experience.” As a result, this change will be adjusting the names of some room categories at Disney Moderate Resorts, which include Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—French Quarter, and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—Riverside.

So what’s changing? From now on, the main room categories will be Standard Room, Preferred Room, or a room with a king bed. Some Disney Moderate Resorts will continue to offer additional categories like the “Royal Guest Room” category at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—Riverside.

Riverside

3. Fort Wilderness Campground

If you book a campsite at Fort Wilderness in 2026, the policy for campsites is changing. Previously, you could book for up to ten people per campsite. However, as of January 1st, 2026, you can only book for up to eight people per campsite.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

4. Kids Eat Free

In April 2025, guests could start booking their 2026 vacations, and throughout 2026, kids can dine for free! When staying at one of the Disney World resorts, you can qualify for a free Disney dining package for kids aged 3-9 when you purchase a dining plan with your vacation package for other party members.

Donald Duck

If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

5. All-Star Pool Closure

From January 2026 until late April 2026, the Surfboard Bay Pool and the kiddie pool at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will be closed for maintenance. The Grand Slam Leisure Pool at Disney’s All-Star Sports will still be open, and you will also be able to use the other pools throughout Disney’s All-Star Resorts.

All-Star Sports Pool

6. Big Thunder Mountain

Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed for refurbishment in January 2025 as part of Frontierland’s expansion to include a new Cars-themed area. Disney said that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen with “new magic in 2026,” and while they haven’t released much info about what all that entails, it sounds like we will have some extra surprises to look forward to when this lengthy ride refurbishment is finished!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

7. DinoLand Extinct

The last parts of DinoLand U.S.A. will close in 2026. Restaurantosaurus, Dino-Bite Snacks, DINOSAUR, and the Boneyard will remain open for all of 2025 but will close in 2026. As a reminder, DinoLand U.S.A. is turning into Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas-themed land!