“A Bunch of Mannequins and Empty Buildings.” What Disney World Fans Are Expecting in 2026

Look, I know Disney World is always changing — but 2026 is shaping up to be one of those years where you might need a spreadsheet just to keep track. New lands, ride re-dos, construction walls everywhere you turn… and honestly, I’m not even mad about it. Between The Muppets moving into Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, and the Monsters, Inc. land creeping closer over at Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom saying goodbye to Dinoland forever, there’s a lot to unpack. (Pour one out for the dinosaurs, y’all.)

And speaking of Animal Kingdom — you might want to start practicing your “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” sing-along, because Encanto is moving in. The new Pueblo Esperanza land will feature La Familia Madrigal’s casita and a new Indiana Jones adventure. Meanwhile, Magic Kingdom’s getting its own overhaul with Piston Peak National Park, a Cars-themed area taking over the old Rivers of America space.

But here’s my favorite part — y’all had thoughts when we asked on our Facebook page what you want to see change by 2026. Someone begged EPCOT’s Italy booth to “give us a better menu,” and that’s the most relatable wish I’ve heard all week. Another reader simply wrote “END PARK RESERVATIONS!!!!!!” (with six exclamation points, and honestly, I respect that energy). And yes, we all agree that some of those outdoor queues could use more fans before we all melt into the pavement like Mickey Bars.

Major Changes Coming in 2026

Before we get to some of the innovative, creative, and downright wacky predictions from our readers, lemme bring you up to date on what’s coming down the pike.

Next year is already set to bring some big updates to Disney World. Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, construction on Monstropolis, a Monsters, Inc.-themed expansion, will continue, giving fans another Pixar-packed area to explore when it opens. Meanwhile, the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is in the middle of a major re-theme — we’re saying goodbye to Aerosmith and hello to The Muppets. We know that the Aerosmith version will remain open through the end of 2025, and we don’t have a closing date just yet. But Disney did just announce that the new take on the classic coaster is expected to debut in Summer 2026, so we expect it to be closed for the transformation for much of the first half of the year.

Over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, big changes are also on the way. The Dinosaur attraction will officially close on February 2, 2026. That will mark the end of Dinoland, U.S.A. forever. Disney is making way for a brand-new land — Pueblo Esperanza! The new land will have rides themed after Encanto and Indiana Jones.

And construction for Piston Peak National Park, will also continue in Magic Kingdom! This Cars-themed land is replacing the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island — and those construction walls will be front and center when you visit during 2026.

Now that we’ve looked at some of the BIG changes you’ll encounter in 2026, we asked our readers on Facebook what other changes they would like to see in Disney World. And these answers…welll, some of them are niche, but you guys have some great ideas here. Read on to see if you agree — and follow us on Facebook to join in our conversations there!

“Italy Giving Us a Better Booth at Festivals”

Reader Cela Kaye Bonner kept it simple: “Italy giving us a better booth at festivals.” EPCOT’s seasonal food festivals are a huge part of what makes the park so special, but fans are always vocal about which booths hit the mark, and we know from first hand experience that this booth could use some help. The Italy booth, while popular, often ranks lower among EPCOT regulars for its heavier, pricier dishes. Here’s hoping 2026 brings a menu glow-up that makes Italy’s booth more popular.

“End Park Reservations!!!!!!”

Reader Kevin Tamas didn’t hold back, writing, “End Park Reservations!!!!!!” — and he’s definitely not alone. Luckily, Disney has largely rolled back the park reservation system introduced in 2020. Most guests no longer need a park reservation, but annual passholders (like Debbie Shaw Cicotte, who added, “No park reservations for annual pass holders especially those staying in a resort”) still face some restrictions. Disney has continued to loosen these rules, and fans are hoping that by 2026, park reservations are fully gone for everyone.

“Some Line Queues Need Good Velocity Fans”

Let’s be honest, Florida heat is no joke. Reader JimBeau Miles pointed out, “Some line queues need good velocity fans such as Tower of Terror, Jungle, Tiana, and so on.” We couldn’t agree more. While Disney has made strides in adding shaded areas and misting fans in some queues, others (I’m looking at you Slinky Dog Dash) can get downright sweltering. As Disney continues refreshing ride experiences, 2026 could be the year we finally see more cooling measures in high-traffic areas.

“A Bunch of Mannequins and Empty Buildings”

Perhaps one of the most creative ideas came from Mark Dorney, who said, “Maybe take a look for a place to put a newly imagined ‘Rivers of America,’ but something a little more animated. Something more than a bunch of mannequins and empty buildings.” Mark suggested incorporating it into a transportation-style attraction. This kind of nostalgic yet forward-thinking idea is exactly the type of blue-sky concept fans love to dream about, and it taps into that classic Disney blend of storytelling and motion.

“More Countries and More Authentic Merchandise in EPCOT”

Reader Diane Watson Glasgow spoke for many EPCOT fans with her wish for “more countries and more authentic merchandise from all the countries in EPCOT.” The World Showcase hasn’t added a new pavilion since Norway in 1988, and fans have been hoping for expansion ever since. Even without new pavilions, bringing in authentic, region-specific merchandise and dining options could make EPCOT’s existing countries feel fresh again. We have found that China and Japan both offer a wide variety of authentic merchandise, and we love to shop in those Pavilions. Give us more!

So buckle up, friends — 2026 is going to be a wild one. Disney’s in full glow-up mode, and we’re just trying to keep up with our ponchos, cold brew, and spreadsheets. What’s on your Disney wish list for next year? Drop your unhinged thoughts in the comments below — I’m reading every single one.

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What would you like to see in 2026 at Disney World? Tell us more in the comments below!

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