2 MAJOR Ride Changes Hit EPCOT Next Year

Disney loves to keep us on our toes, and 2026 is already shaping up to be a big year for EPCOT.

Two of the park’s most popular attractions are set to get major updates next year, and these aren’t just minor refurbishments. We’re talking about significant changes to both Soarin’ and Frozen Ever After that will bring brand-new experiences for guests. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker who loves to “fly” or a Frozen fan who can’t get enough of Elsa’s icy powers, these updates are worth paying attention to. Here’s what you can expect from EPCOT’s two big ride transformations coming in 2026.

Soarin’ Takes Flight with a Brand-New Adventure

If there’s one ride that manages to make you feel like you’re truly flying, it’s Soarin’. It’s been a fan-favorite since it first debuted, giving guests the chance to glide above breathtaking landscapes with wind in their hair (and maybe a faint scent of orange groves in the air). But after years of showing guests the sights of the world, Disney is ready to switch things up in a big way.

Disney has officially announced that Soarin’ at both EPCOT and Disney California Adventure will be getting a major makeover next year. This is part of Disney’s ongoing effort to update some of its most beloved attractions — we’ve already seen similar refreshes with Test Track and even Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Now, it’s Soarin’s turn to take the spotlight.

Currently, EPCOT is home to Soarin’ Around the World, which highlights iconic destinations like the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, and the African savannah.

The ride’s premise is simple but incredibly effective — a slow-moving chair lift that lifts you up into the air as you glide through stunning footage paired with an unforgettable score.

Starting in summer 2026, though, that global journey will be replaced by something brand new: Soarin’ Across America.

Disney shared that this new version will celebrate the natural beauty and iconic cityscapes of the United States. Imagine soaring over places like the Grand Canyon, New York City, and the redwood forests of California — all while hearing that familiar and uplifting soundtrack.

Patrick (yes, the same flight attendant who’s been our trusty guide in the pre-show) helped break the news, confirming that Imagineers are already hard at work capturing more than a dozen breathtaking locations across the country. While we don’t yet know exactly which destinations will make the final cut, Disney has promised that all the things that make Soarin’ so special — the sweeping visuals, the moving music, and even those signature scents — will remain part of the experience.

If you’re a fan of the current Soarin’ Around the World, consider this your heads-up to get one last flight in before the change happens.  The ride will officially take off on this all-new American adventure at Walt Disney World by Memorial Day 2026! We’ll be keeping an eye on this transformation as it gets closer, so make sure to stay tuned for all the latest details.

Frozen Ever After Gets an Upgrade

Now let’s talk about the other big EPCOT update coming next year. Disney’s turning its attention to another of EPCOT’s most beloved rides: Frozen Ever After.

This attraction has been a fan favorite since it first opened in 2016, letting guests float through the story of Anna and Elsa with some of the most advanced animatronics ever built at the time. But after nearly a decade of operation, it’s ready for a little upgrade of its own.

When Frozen Ever After opened, it was groundbreaking. It was the first Disney ride to use fully electric audio-animatronics and incorporate 3D printing into their design. The result? Incredibly lifelike movements and expressions that made Anna, Elsa, and Olaf look like they’d just stepped out of the movie. Elsa’s figure, in particular, was a technological marvel. Imagineers had to design special internal mechanics to make her delicate wrist movements — the ones that form her ice magic — appear smooth and realistic. To make that possible, they even scaled parts of the ride to fit her proportions.

But as technology evolves, so does Disney’s ability to make these figures even more impressive. The 2026 updates to Frozen Ever After will focus on bringing the animatronics for Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff up to the latest standard of realism. According to Disney, the new versions will be inspired by the incredible figures seen in World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland. Those characters have become famous for their near film-perfect likenesses, with facial movements and expressions that make it feel like the characters are truly alive.

Frozen Ever After will temporarily close for refurbishment on January 26th, 2026, and reopen in February 2026 with updates to the Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff Audio-Animatronics figures.

Between Soarin’ Across America and the enhanced Frozen Ever After, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for EPCOT fans. Whether you’re ready to soar over new sights or sing along with Anna and Elsa in higher definition than ever before, there’s a lot to look forward to. Stay tuned with us at AllEars for all the latest!

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Which of these two EPCOT ride changes are you most excited to see next year? Tell us in the comments!

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