Next year is shaping up to be a BIG one for Disney Adults across the globe!
The Disney Parks are changing rapidly, and while 2024 and 2025 have already provided plenty of shock and fandom-altering announcements, we ain’t seen nothin’ yet…
As at least 7 announcements indicate, 2026 will be the year when a lot of Disney projects and adjustments become pretty tangible. Disney Adults will be pretty against some of these changes, and will embrace others. One thing’s for certain: the landscape of the Disney Parks is going to look a whole lot different in 2026 than it does today.
One of the main changes next year is that we’ll be PERMANENTLY losing some beloved attractions at both Disneyland and Disney World. We’ve already lost quite a few in 2025, and 2026 won’t see as many rides disappear for good, but the bleeding isn’t stopping next year.
Over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we’ll be saying goodbye to DINOSAUR at some point in 2026 as it gives way to a new Indiana Jones ride that will be part of a new Tropical Americas land that is replacing DinoLand U.S.A.
Over at Disney California Adventure, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! is closing its doors for good in early 2026. The attraction is being removed as a significant portion of that Hollywood Backlot area will be transformed into a brand-new Avatar-themed experience, featuring an E-ticket boat ride.
Depending on who you ask, Hollywood Studios’ Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is also going away, but not in the same capacity.
This year, we lost Muppet*Vision 3D, a beloved attraction that became a casualty due to the new Monsters, Inc. Land being built in Hollywood Studios. In fact, we lost all of Muppets Courtyard. However, The Muppets are staying in the park, as they will replace Aerosmith as the main theme of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starting at some point in 2026.
The new version of the ride will still feature the same thrills, only this time we’ll ride along with The Muppets as they rock out with some of today’s biggest music stars.
Next, thanks to all these changes, it’s important to know that both Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom will be in full development mode — changing how you experience the parks.
Construction has already begun at both parks, and it might look ugly for a while. Blocked paths, eyesores, and unfinished lands are sure to mar these theme parks and certainly give off a vibe of being incomplete.
Who knows — maybe these projects will potentially keep crowd levels a bit down!
The next announcement hasn’t technically been announced yet…but it undoubtedly will.
Price increases are coming! Yay! How do we know this? For the past several years, Disney has made announcements in October indicating price increases in most facets of the domestic Disney Parks. Food prices go up, ticket prices go up, the intangibles get more expensive, etc. October and the fall is a beautiful time to visit the Disney Parks, but these annual announcements are a mood-killer.
We already talked about rides being closed down permanently, but there are also a few undergoing long refurbishments or coming out of one. We’ve already brought up Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, but Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will also undergo a lengthy refurb in 2026. The ride is scheduled to close on August 4th, 2025 and will reopen sometime in 2026 with a new ride scene, a new character, and updated targets and ride vehicles.
Staying in Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be coming out of a year-long-plus refurbishment in 2026. The ride will boast new features, enhanced aesthetics, and an updated ride experience.
Over at Disneyland, the resort is celebrating its 70th anniversary and the party is continuing into the summer of 2026!
Featuring tons of fun like the return of popular parades and spectaculars, special food offerings, limited-time souvenirs, and tons of other goodies, this Disneyland celebration will be there waiting for you in the first half of 2026 if you can’t make it out to California this year!
Finally, some new lounges are coming to Disney World! EPCOT’s GEO-82 already opened earlier this year, adjacent to Spaceship Earth. We’re big fans of this 21+ lounge and can’t wait to see it flourish in 2026!
Over in Magic Kingdom, the park’s first bar — The Beak and Barrel — is set to open in late 2025. This Pirates of the Caribbean lounge is based on both the attraction and film franchise, and will feature libations, snacks, and piratey fun for fans of all ages, despite offering alcoholic beverages.
This list is sure to grow as Disney makes several new announcements later this year. We’ll be sure to keep you posted on all the latest developments!
Which announcements do you find most exciting? Let us know and continue to follow us here at AllEars for all the latest Disney updates!
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Let us know which Disney announcement you’re most excited about in the comments below!
Wish Disney would address current issues first. EX: Small World WDW is grimy and needs a good clean. Lights are out in the parks. (Noticed on Main Street recently) People Mover cars are torn/worn. Nothing still done with the old Stitch Adventure. Morocco and Wonders of Life pavilions at EP are still empty or not in use.