8 HUGE Announcements from Disney World This Month

There’s so much going on in Disney World right now, you guys. Seriously…SO MUCH.

There are construction walls all over the parks, and it seems like we get a new opening date or closure announcement every week. If you feel like you can’t keep up with all the news, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a roundup of the biggest announcements from Disney World in April 2026!

Lakeshore Lodge Opening Timeline

Starting out the list, Disney World announced the opening timeline for its newest resort, Lakeshore Lodge, this month. This hotel is set to open in summer 2027 and it will be apart of the Disney Vacation Club collection.

The resort has a nature theme and is situated on Bay Lake at the old home of the River Country water park. There will be both regular hotel rooms as well as lakefront cabins. We can’t wait to learn more in the coming months!

Get All the Details About Lakeshore Lodge Here!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Opening Date and Song List

Another big opening that was announced this month was Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. This revamped version of the coaster will open in Hollywood Studios on May 26th, 2026. Also, the song list for the ride was announced!

While riding, you’ll be able to hear one of the following tunes:

“Song 2” — The Electric Mayhem (made famous by Blur)
“Born To Be Wild” — The Electric Mayhem featuring Camilla the Chicken (made famous by Steppenwolf)
“Love Rollercoaster” – The Electric Mayhem ft. Jennifer Hudson & Questlove
“Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)” – The Electric Mayhem ft. Def Leppard
“Walking on Sunshine” – The Electric Mayhem ft. Kelly Clarkson

We’re excited to hop on the ride in just a few short weeks!

See a Sneak Peek of the Ride Here!

2027 Bookings Open

Perhaps the biggest announcement recently is that bookings are now open for most of 2027. You can currently book your vacation or purchase park tickets from now through October of next year.

So if you’re planning on visiting next year, you can go ahead and look at prices and start planning out your vacation. You can even book it and start paying down the balance. No time to plan like the present!

Learn More About 2027 Bookings Here!

Hotel Perks Confirmed for 2027

When bookings opened for 2027, we also got the confirmation of some popular hotel perks. First on the list is Early Theme Park Entry, which will be returning for all Disney Resorts for the duration of the year. This means you can get into Disney Parks 30 minutes earlier than regular guests.

The other big perk that was confirmed is the free water park entry for hotel guests! In summer 2027, those staying at Disney Resorts will get complimentary entry to the Disney World Water Parks on their hotel check-in day.

Learn More About the Water Park Perk Here!

New Disney Dining Plan Option for 2027

Another biggie for 2027 bookings is that there will be a NEW Disney Dining Plan option. If you’re visiting in 2027, you can add on the NEW Deluxe Table-Service Dining Plan.

This plan will include:

2 Table-Service Meals (per night of stay)
1 Quick-Service Meal (per night of stay)
1 Snack/Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of stay)
1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug (per person)

The Deluxe Table-Service Dining Plan costs $163.01 per adult per night, ages 10 and up, and $46.85 per child per night, ages 3 to 9.

To Get More Information About This Plan (and the Others!) Click Here!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopening Date

We’ve been waiting a long time for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to reopen in Magic Kingdom — it originally closed for a major refurbishment in January 2025. Now we know that the ride will officially reopen on May 3rd.

When the ride reopens, there will be several changes, including all-new track, new special effects, and the new rainbow caverns scene. The ride’s backstory is also getting amped up a bit.

See All the Changes Coming to Big Thunder Here!

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Reopened

Speaking of reopenings, earlier this month, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopened in Magic Kingdom after being closed since last year. The ride has new handheld blasters and an updating scoring system with interactive targets.

There’s also a new scene at the beginning of the ride with a robot who teaches you how to play the shooter-style attraction. If you haven’t checked it out yet, put it on your to-do list for your next trip!

Learn How to Maximize Your Score on the New Ride Version Here!

A New Disney+ Subscriber Hotel Deal

Finally, at the very beginning of April, Disney+ revealed a new subscriber hotel deal for Disney World, allowing select hotels to be booked for as low as $99 per night. You can book this offer NOW for most travel dates from June 21st to August 15th, 2026.A two-night minimum length of stay is required.

It’s available for the following Disney Resorts:

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Specific hotel rooms at those resorts qualify, and prices vary by date. For more details, see the link below.

Click Here for All the Info on This Offer

As you can see, April was a very busy month for Disney World! Here’s to an exciting summer as well. For more updates and news, subscribe to our newsletter and our YouTube channel.