The countdown is on to the new year, and we can’t contain our excitement about everything debuting at Walt Disney World! 2026 is going to be full of great deals (did someone say Disney World Free Dining Plan for Kids in 2026?) and also: ten new and reinvigorated attractions and experiences; nine returning festivals and special events, giving guests more than 200 days of supercalifragilistic-extra-lidocious fun; and lots of ways to create memories for the whole family with some of our best-loved Disney, Pixar, and Lucasfilm stories.

Early 2026

Earlier this fall, we shared that Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff Audio-Animatronics figures at Frozen Ever After at EPCOT will receive new updates, taking inspiration from the advancements seen in figures at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland.

Today, we're delighted to share that guests can see these updated figures in February 2026! We can’t wait to sail through this beloved story while enjoying the latest and greatest in Audio-Animatronics figure technology.

And while guests are at EPCOT early in the new year – and belting out songs – they can stop by the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts from January 16 to February 23 for artisanal dishes, beautiful artwork, and sing-your-heart-out Broadway showtunes from favorite DISNEY ON BROADWAY shows and stars.

What’s the best way to end a Walt Disney World day? With Disney After Hours, of course! The favorite after-park-close separately ticketed event is back in 2026. Whether guests want to go on an adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, explore the world at EPCOT, or be enchanted at Magic Kingdom, there will be fun, magic and included snacks and beverages waiting!

Spring 2026

During springtime in Florida, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the flowers are blooming … especially at the 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, returning from March 4 to June 1.

Get ready to stroll past whimsical topiaries and lush gardens, savor mouthwatering bites at Outdoor Kitchens, and jam to live tunes during the Garden Rocks Concert Series. Keep an eye out on Disney Travel News for more details coming soon!

Speaking of fresh air … fresh mountain air will be calling our names when Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens this spring at Magic Kingdom, with touches of new magic and a crevasse-deep to mountain-top refurbishment. Guests might remember that we shared details about beautiful – yet menacing – Rainbow Caverns deep in the heart of this mysterious mountain. We might find more trouble than gold in that thar wilderness!

Across Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland, we're ready to take on Evil Emperor Zurg with the help of updated ride vehicles, cool new handheld blasters, and interactive targets at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin … and guests of all ages won’t need to wait too long to try for that Galactic Hero rank, because the attraction reopens spring 2026!

Summer 2026

Did you know that summer is the best time to visit Walt Disney World? Well, it’s always a good time to visit Walt Disney World to be honest, but summer is perfect for visiting the parks while kids are out of school.

Get ready to dance at GoofyCore in EPCOT, play games with favorite characters while out and about in the parks, and enjoy new and refreshed attractions this Cool KIDS’ SUMMER when even more family fun comes back to Walt Disney World in 2026! Plus, new family-friendly offers and deals for summer vacations are coming, so check back in January for more information about ways families can save on a vacation to The Most Magical Place On Earth.

Guests can start a vacation with a *splash* this summer when they check into one of the Disney Resorts Collection hotels. Whether they dream of being surrounded by a tropical paradise or a watery wintery wonderland, families can enjoy free Disney Water Park admission on their arrival day, included in their stay!

Speaking of water parks at Walt Disney World, keep an eye out for the return of Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon! During this separately ticketed event, guests can splash the night away with a DJ dance party, meet up with fun Disney pals, enjoy favorite watery attractions, and indulge in complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn and select beverages – all after the sun goes down and the water park closes. 

If your clients' summer memories need a chorus of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” then this next one is for them – for the first time ever, Banana Ball is headed to ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World May 29-30.

Whether they're team Loco Beach Coconuts or team Party Animals, the trick plays, diving catches, and on-the-field shenanigans are sure to deliver a homerun of fun. The Banana Ball Ticket Lottery List is currently closed, but a limited number of Tickets Inclusive of Food & Beverage will be available for fans to purchase soon!

Beginning in summer 2026 at Walt Disney World Resort, guests will be able to take a fun excursion to Conservation Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where they can play and dance with Bluey and Bingo! Play some favorite games from Bluey episodes with a fun animal twist, like butterfly keepy uppy.

Grab the whole family and snap some pictures alongside Blue Heeler pals to remember this one-of-a-kind adventure. Plus, as part of the wild excursion, step outside to discover an experience with animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia!

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” will debut this summer packed with upbeat tunes. Guests will be dancing along with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they embark on a road trip to find some of their best pals – Goofy, Daisy and Pluto, of course – for the party. Guests may have seen this show over at Disneyland Resort in California, and soon you’ll be able to join in on the fun in the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios area at Walt Disney World.

Later in the summer, “The Magic of Disney Animation” will open and invite us all inside the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios and its beloved, playful creations. Just like in the award-winning short “Once Upon a Studio,” animated characters come to life; characters will leap from their portraits, draw with us, and invite us into a “Drawn To Wonderland” playground inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s original “Alice in Wonderland” concept art.

And that’s just the beginning! Guests will also be able to venture into “Off the Page!,” a stunning area born of collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. Here, guests can meet some of their favorite friends from beloved Disney stories across six unique departments from the animation studio:

• Story
• Layout
• Hand-Drawn Animation
• Computer Animation
• Lighting
• Effects

Each space offers incredible photo opportunities: guests can meet Mulan in the Story department, posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel. Or, step into the Layout department where Rapunzel awaits in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera. Align the photo just right, and guests will see layers of backgrounds and painted cells come together like magic!

And if we rock on over to Sunset Boulevard, there’s a Muppetational transformation going down – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will open summer 2026. Looking to take another ride with Aerosmith before rolling out the red carpet for The Muppets? Guests can keep ridin’ and rockin’ (and rollin’) until spring 2026!

A new mission is touching down in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Walt Disney World on May 22. The all-new adventure is centered around “The Mandalorian and Grogu!"

Not only is 2026 a great time to visit Walt Disney World, it’s also the 250^th anniversary of the United States of America!

The Walt Disney Company, founded over a hundred years ago in Los Angeles, California, recently announced “Disney Celebrates America,” a company-wide celebration commemorating this milestone anniversary of the United States – including Soarin’ Across America, an immersive flight experience across new scenic vistas aboard the beloved Soarin’ attractions at Disney California Adventure Park and EPCOT. Soarin’ to tower, we’ll be ready for takeoff on this all-new American adventure at Walt Disney World by Memorial Day 2026!

Fall 2026

What says fall more than the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival? Nothing! Come Eat to the Beat (IYKYK) and explore all that EPCOT has to offer while soaking in the fall vibes ... and munching on some delicious bites. With global flavors to explore, guests are sure to mark off a worldwide spree of good eats in their Festival Passport.

Let the gourd times roll when Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns in 2026 at Magic Kingdom! Get ready to boo-gie with fan-favorite eerie entertainment, enjoy spellbinding sips and bites and well-loved mysterious character greetings to celebrate the spooky season with this separately ticketed event on select nights.

Winter 2026

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the separately ticketed event that combines holiday cheer and Hollywood glam will return on select nights in 2026! Get ready to celebrate the season in style with themed entertainment, festive food and beverage offerings, character greetings galore, and of course, all things glitz and glamour at Disney Jollywood Nights.

Cocoa, cookies and Santa – oh my! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom is tied with a bow and returning on select nights in 2026. This separately ticketed event is packed with seasonal entertainment, delicious food and cozy merchandise that will make guests fall in love with the holiday season all over again.

And rounding out the holiday events at the parks is the always-wonderful EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth, also returning for 2026. From the tales far and near told by Holiday Storytellers, the delicious comfort foods at Holiday Kitchens, to the glorious Candlelight Processional, this festival will always have a special spot in my heart.

Now, that’s a lot of fun to be had across the theme parks and resorts – and we would never forget Disney Springs! LEVEL99 is coming to Disney Springs West Side. This powerhouse of play will open in 2026 with over 60 themed challenge rooms, duels and art hunts that will test the mental and physical prowess of families. And, guests snag a drink and one of LEVEL99’s signature Detroit-style pizzas at the venue’s 2-story bar once we finish our games.

So Many New Reasons to Visit Disney World in 2026

Whenever you choose to visit Walt Disney World, there’s always something incredible to see and fresh to experience. Think about the newest nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom with “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away!”

And “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” and “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios … the reimagined Test Track presented by General Motors at EPCOT … and the newest 4D show, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Plus, the many newly refurbished rooms to call your home-away-from-home across the Disney Resorts Collection!

It's going to be a fantastic year of going back to enjoy fan favorites, checking out new magic, and spending time with the people who mean the most during your next visit to Walt Disney World – whether you’re visiting in spring, summer, fall or during the winter holidays. As a valued travel professional, be sure to visit Disney Travel News on January 5 to learn more about planning 2026 Walt Disney World vacations with an on-demand webcast, marketing resources and more helpful information ahead of the January offers mentioned above.