Looking Forward to 2026

We'd LOVE to be in WDW for NYE, but those crowds... lol (Photo Credit: Undercover Tourist)

Hey Ohana,

It’s a new year and that means us Disney fans have a whole year of new fun ahead of us! From new attractions and areas in the parks, to Disney stories coming to both the big and small screen, we have a lot to look forward to. 

We’ve put together a quick rundown of some of the major things we’re looking forward to in 2026 (although we’re sure we missed some things - please let us know!!!!)

Magic in the Parks: New Lands, Rides, and Experiences 

Disneyland Paris → Disney Adventure World

Anticipated Opening: March 29, 2026

 What’s Happening: This is one of the biggest transformations on Disney’s global park calendar. Walt Disney Studios Park will be renamed Disney Adventure World, unveiling World of Frozen — a fully immersive land where guests can explore Arendelle, ride Frozen Ever After, meet Anna and Elsa in their castle, and enjoy a stunning nighttime spectacular on the lake. The park will feature new promenades like Adventure Way, dining spots such as the Regal View Restaurant & Lounge, and boutique shopping throughout the land.

Oh… and we can’t forget about that free-roaming, hyper-realistic Olaf animatronic that will walk and “converse” with guests, deploying breakthrough robotics in select Frozen lands early in 2026.

New & Updated Attractions, Areas, and Characters! Disney World will roll out several long-anticipated updates throughout the year:

• Frozen Ever After - the animatronics are getting a “facelift”! (Feb 2026)

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (HS) — May 22, 2026 will bring a new mission featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu, giving guests an entirely updated Star Wars storyline that will bring us to some of the locations fans of the films love! Matt and Lincoln are TOTALLY excited for this!

  
  

• Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin (MK) — Reopens Spring 2026 with all-new vehicles, enhanced interactive effects, hand-held blasters, and a brand new character named Buddy. (Let’s be honest - we’re all ready for this one too haha)

We're definitely excited for the handheld blasters! (Photo credit: Disney Parks Blog)

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (MK) — Also set to return Spring 2026 with a rebuilt track, refreshed effects, glowing caverns and reinvigorated scenery. **I wonder if we’ll still be able to dislodge kidney stones with the new track ha.

• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster (HS) — The classic Aerosmith-themed coaster will close March 1, 2026 and re-open Summer 2026 with a whimsical Muppets reboot, complete with Electric Mayhem audio-animatronics. As of now, the Aerosmith preshow is already gone. 

• Cinderella Castle (MK) - In early January 2026, Walt Disney World will begin a major repainting project on Cinderella Castle, one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Disney parks. This project will transform the castle’s current paint scheme from the 50th Anniversary pink hues, back to a classic, timeless look inspired by the park’s original 1971 color palette of soft grays, warm creams, blues, and gold accents. 

Are you team pink or team gray? (Photo Cred: People)

• Soarin’ Over America (EP) - Anticipated to premiere Memorial Day weekend (May 25, 2025) (as well as DCA in CA in July), Disney is rolling out a brand-new version of the ride film titled Soarin’ Across America. This updated ride experience replaces the more globally focused Soarin’ Around the World with a coast-to-coast flight across the United States — celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America setting flight over some of the most iconic American landmarks!

• The Walt Disney Studios Lot (HS) - Expected summer of 2026, this will be a complete overhaul of the Animation Courtyard in HS where the current Star Wars Launch Bay and Disney Jr show are located. While the Little Mermaid show is slated to stay, everything else is being done redone!

  • The Magic of Disney Animation - styled after the studios in CA, this area will celebrate Disney animation complete with a short film, animation classes, areas showcasing various studio departments, and more! (WE ARE SO EXCITED to see HS remember that it was once an actual studio!)

  • “Drawn to Wonderland” play area inspired by Alice in Wonderland

  • Disney Jr Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live - a new interactive show with Mickey and the gang for the littlest Disney fans. 

• Bluey and Bingo - (AK) - everyone’s favorite dog sisters are FINALLY coming to WDW (and DCL as well)! Fans will be able to meet Bluey and Bingo, play games, and dance over at Conservation Station starting this summer! (Krystle is probably more excited about this than the boys)! 

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On Screen: Disney Movies & TV in 2026

Disney’s 2026 entertainment slate is stacked, spanning Star Wars, Pixar, Marvel, Originals, and animated features.

Coming to the BIG screen:

• Hoppers (3/6) - A New animated film from PIXAR

• The Mandalorian and Grogu (5/22) - Star Wars’ new dynamic duo continue their adventures

• Toy Story 5 (6/19) - Did we need this? We shall see - but it’s always great to see the gang!

• Moana - Live Action (7/10) - Did we need THIS? We shall see - but the Rock is back as Maui!

• Hexed (November) - A new story from Disney animation (honestly don’t know much about it)

• Avengers: Doomsday (12/18) - Iron Man is the bad guy… All that matters is its more avengers!!!

And to a TV screen near you:

• Wonder Man (Disney +) - Premieres Jan 27th

• Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord (Disney+) - Premieres TBD - new animated series

• The Muppet Show (Disney+ special) - Premieres Feb 4th - Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the show - hopefully the special will lead to a return of the show!

• Dare Devil: Born Again - season 2 (premieres March 2026 on Disney+)

• VisionQuest (slated for 2026, but no official date) - the return of Vision! 

• Hey AJ (Disney Jr) - Premieres Jan 14th - AJ uses her imagination to make ordinary life moments extraordinary!

Like we said - there is A LOT coming in 2026 and we are so ready for it! Now full disclaimer here - these are all the announced or projected dates/timeframes that we know of AT THIS TIME - you never know if things happen early…or unfortunately late, but we hope to see many of these things hold true to the schedule so we can start enjoying them this year!

Let us know what YOU are most looking forward to! Head over to our FB group to chat with the rest of the Ohana!

If you want to hear even more of our thoughts on many of these things coming to Disney in 2026 be sure to check out episode 101 of the Married to A Disney Addict podcast now available!

Thanks for reading along and as always… See Ya Real Soon!