Disney World Rides Are Changing in 2026

Disney World is about to shake things up in a big way next year.

Several attractions are getting major updates in 2026, and whether you’re into blasting space targets, speeding through the wild west, or rocking out on a coaster, these changes are worth keeping on your radar. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is leveling up with a new character, new vehicles, and some seriously upgraded gameplay. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is getting some TLC and new park-connection magic. And yes, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is losing Aerosmith but gaining the Muppets. Let’s break it all down so you know exactly what to expect.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is about to feel like an entirely new ride in 2026. For starters, you’ll meet “Buddy,” a brand-new support-bot created by Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios. Buddy’s whole job is to hype you up, run last-minute system checks on your Star Cruiser, and help you warm up your blaster skills before heading out to battle Emperor Zurg. This isn’t just a cosmetic update—Buddy adds an interactive moment to set the tone for your mission.

Speaking of Star Cruisers, the ride vehicles are getting a complete refresh. Imagine a sleeker design with colors inspired by Buzz Lightyear and Star Command, plus onboard video monitors that track your score in real time. These aren’t the same cruisers you’ve been spinning for years—this is the next generation of Ranger tech.

And yes, the blasters are changing too. Say goodbye to the fixed blasters and hello to handheld versions. These will have an always-on laser so you can actually see where you’re aiming. Each cruiser will have two different blaster colors, making it easier to keep track of your shots. The blasters will also include lighting, sound, and vibration feedback to make each hit more satisfying—and more obvious when you actually hit something.

Targets inside the ride are also getting an overhaul. Instead of static Zs, the new targets will light up and react when hit. This should make the ride more engaging and maybe even more competitive. Imagineers have already been playtesting the system to fine-tune the experience before it officially launches.

To make all these updates happen, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin temporarily closed in August 2025 and is set to reopen in 2026.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Over in Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed since January 6th, 2025, and it’s staying that way until sometime in 2026. This isn’t just your standard track maintenance—Disney is hinting at some new “magic” for the attraction.

While Disney hasn’t dropped a ton of details, the timing lines up with other major projects in the area, including filling in parts of the Rivers of America and starting work on Cars Land.

If Big Thunder is on your must-do list for your next trip, you’ll want to plan around this closure. With its reopening not happening until 2026, this is a long-term downtime situation.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster: From Aerosmith to the Muppets

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will be closing in 2026 for a reimagining (likely in the first half of 2026). When it reopens later that year, it will be the first Disney ride ever to feature the Muppets.

The new version, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets, will turn the ride into a rock music festival hosted by Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang. They’ll be teaming up with real-world music stars for a mix of humor, music, and coaster thrills. Expect the same high-speed loops and corkscrews you know from the current ride, but with an entirely new soundtrack, theming, and pre-show.

Disney hasn’t given an exact closure date yet, but if they stick to the projected 6-month re-theme timeline, we can expect Aerosmith’s final encore in early 2026 and the Muppets’ big debut in the second half of the year. Of course, projects can always take longer than planned, so that timeline could shift.

If you’re an Aerosmith fan, consider this your heads-up to get those last rides in before the transition.

What This Means for Your 2026 Trip

With all these changes on the horizon, the 2026 Disney World experience is going to feel different—especially for Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios visitors. Between ride closures, re-themes, and the debut of new features, planning your trip is going to require paying close attention to park updates.

Whether you love the idea of these updates or wish things would stay the same, there’s no denying 2026 will be a big transition year for Disney World rides. Stay tuned, because as soon as we get official reopening dates, we’ll share them so you can plan your park days accordingly.

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!

Be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney World news!

The Dates You Need to Know for 2026 in Walt Disney World

What are you most looking forward to at Disney World in 2026? Tell us in the comments!

Post a Comment