Walt Disney World is always changing in big and small ways, and next year is going to be no exception. 2026 will see newly refurbished rides reopening, permanent closures, and enhancements to the resort’s hotels.
I’ve been visiting Disney World for over three decades, and every time I go to the resort — for better or worse — there’s always something different. If you’re preparing to head to the “Most Magical Place on Earth” next year, these are some of the changes you need to know.
“New Magic” at Big Thunder
After being closed for refurbishment for over a year, the Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder Mountain is scheduled to reopen in 2026 with both technical enhancements and a new sequence. The ride will now feature a Rainbow Caverns sequence featuring “spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites and stalactites.”
The E-Ticket’s reopening is sure to garner long waits and massive crowding in the Magic Kingdom’s northwest corner, which is cuttingly in the midst of massive construction for Piston Peak.
To Infinity and Beyond
Moving to the other side of the Magic Kingdom, Tomorrowland’s Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin closed in August 2025 for a refurbishment that will see new ride vehicles, new blasters, and a new scene featuring a parks original robot character named Buddy who will ensure “departing Space Rangers are fully prepared for their mission (by) enthusiastically providing encouragement, final system checks on their Star Cruisers and a chance to hone their blaster aim” added to the ride. It’s scheduled to reopen in 2026.
The Countdown to Extinction Hits Zero
Dinosaur, the Animal Kingdom original that opened as Countdown to Extinction in 1998, will officially have its last day of operation on February 1st, before closing forever on February 2nd to make way for further construction on the Tropical Americas land.
It’s Time to Meet the Muppets… Again
2026 will also see the transformation of the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster into its new Muppet incarnation, which will feature the Electric Mayhem “playing some of the most iconic, rockin’ hits in your ears to keep the music and adrenaline pumping” during the ride.
Skyliner Briefly Grounded
If you’re planning to visit Walt Disney World early in 2026, be aware that the resort’s popular gondola system will be down from January 25th through the 31st.
A Moderate Change
Disney is simplifying the way they categorize the rooms at their Moderate Tier Resorts. Going forward, the main room categories will be Standard Room, Preferred Room, or a room with a king bed. The change applies to the Caribbean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, and the Port Orleans Resorts. It’s hopefully going to help streamline that booking process and make things easier to understand.
A New Bar on the Monorail Crawl
As part of a massive renovation of the Grand Floridian’s lobby, a brand-new bar is set to open. Based on the birdcage that had long been part of the hotel’s ambiance, Disney says that this new bar will “pay tribute to the resort’s Victorian roots with intricate woodwork, stained glass, and brass accents.”
While details – including the menu – of this upcoming bar have been kept under wraps for now, Disney’s recent history tells us it will likely be stocked with thematically appropriate drinks.
New Water Park Limitations?
Throughout 2025, Disney offered a new park to hotel guests, giving them a free water park ticket on their check-in day. While the perk is confirmed to be returning in 2026, Disney has tweaked the wording a bit, instead saying that “This splashy perk will also be available to Disney Resorts Collection hotel Guests during the summer of 2026. Check back in 2026 for more details.” Does that mean it’ll only be available in the summer next year? We’ll have to see.
Two Long-Awaited Changes?
At the 2025 Destination D23 event, Disney confirmed two massive changes coming to the Magic Kingdom. The first will see Cinderella Castle returned to its traditional color scheme, while the second will bring massive updates – and a Walt Disney animatronic – to the Carousel of Progress. While neither of these projects has a confirmed date, we would expect to see both completed in 2026.
If you’re heading to Disney World in 2026, keep these things in mind, as each and every one could affect your trip. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on the resort’s evolution.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom
Planning to head to Disney World in 2026? Let us know in the comments below.
Heading to Disney September 2026 for Anniversary and Birthday trip.
I can’t wait to experience the New stuff. I haven’t seen Galaxies edge or Toy Story land yet.
Those ten things just insured a trip to Halloween Horror Nights next year. It’s yet another year to skip Disney.
I have been coming to WDW since 1972, my time started while I was at NTC Orlando, for boot camp, for about12 years I went back every other year, it was a magical time every time . Then, it became more and more expensive, more hotel/ resorts, more places, more fun; then another change it became WOKE, it was so sad for awhile.Now I hear it is changing again, don’t get me wrong, usually change is good, in my heart I still love WDW. It was always , so clean, they were always persons cleaning, now you hardly see that anymore. So I will check all the changes, possibly Disney will get back on track to welcoming families of all wealth, there are so many whom may never step foot in the land of magic, a place Walt Disney imagined .