It’s the best time of the year to go to Walt Disney World, and there’s a lot to see and on the horizon if you’re planning a trip. After WDW’s Cool KIDS’ Summer event brought in a lot of new experiences and beloved rides, what’s next? We’ve got the latest on new and upcoming attractions so you know what you’re walking into this autumn and in the years ahead.
Walt Disney World has a number of seasonal events on the way after the summertime, and there are a few brand new lands under construction as well. Let’s get you up to date, especially after everything that happened at D23’s Disney Experiences Showcase:
Recently Added Attractions
The Magic Of Disney Animation
One new attraction that just arrived at Disney's Hollywood Studios is The Magic of Disney Animation. Inspired by the excellent Once Upon A Studio animated short, the attraction will include numerous activities, including a playground for kids and the Off the page area, which will take guests through the animation process while also meeting popular Disney characters along the way.
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (August 27 - November 21, 2026)
As a lover of theme park food, and Epcot food specifically, there's nothing quite like the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival. At the festival, you can eat and drink specialties from all over the world. There’s plenty of new items this year to salivate over, like a Cannoli Milkshake and Smoked Chocolate Bread Pudding and returning favorites like a Fry Flight, Pineapple Cheesecake or the Remy Milkshake.
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (August 7 - October 31, 2026)
Halloween is a popular time at any theme park, and that's no different at Magic Kingdom. The popular Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party has returned! There, you can not only see Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, a Not-So-Spooky Spectacular firework show, but also new attractions like Captain Jack’s Buccaneer Bash and a dance party hosted by Stitch. There’s also a stage show starring the Hocus Pocus witches and you can dress up and load up on treats, of course.
The Mandalorian & Grogu Join Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run - Disney’s Hollywood Studios
When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was originally conceived, it had a set time within Star Wars canon, during the sequel trilogy. Over time, however, that idea has faded as new characters have been added from all over the Star Wars timeline. A big change arrived at Galaxy’s Edge’s Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run in May to coincide with The Mandalorian & Grogu’s summer release. This attraction is also currently available at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. Interest for this ride will certainly see an uptick now that The Mandalorian & Grogu movie just arrived for those with a Disney+ subscription.
Soarin' Across America
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America and Disney has been celebrating with a new version of the popular Soarin' attraction. Soarin' Across America spotlights various iconic locations throughout the nation. The EPCOT attraction opened on Memorial Day. We don’t know how long this version is going to be around, but for the time being, we expect this version of the ride to stay around at least until next summer.
The Rock 'N' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
Rock 'N' Roller Coaster is back, and this time it stars The Muppets. The reimagined rollercoaster has replaced the Aerosmith-themed ride with a ride featuring The Electric Mayhem playing songs like “Born To Be Wild” and “Walking on Sunshine”. It opened its doors on Memorial Day as well.
Bluey & Bingo at Conservation Station
Bluey is one of the most popular streaming shows around, and Disney added the Australian pups to the parks in 2026. At Walt Disney World, Bluey and her sister Bingo are available to meet outside Disney's Animal Kingdom's Conservation Station.
Upcoming Attractions
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party/Jollywood Nights/Festival Of The Holidays (November 7 - December 30)
The holiday season at Walt Disney World is always special, and there are multiple events running to help you celebrate. The popular Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party will be back at Magic Kingdom on select nights starting November 6 until December 22. The much newer Jollywood Nights has already been confirmed to return to Disney's Hollywood Studios for its fourth consecutive year as well. Both of those are hard ticket events, but the Epcot Festival of the Holidays (which opens from late November to December 30 is open to all guests who have a ticket to Epcot. Tickets are on sale for these events now.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress - Magic Kingdom (Late Spring 2027)
Magic Kingdom’s classic Tomorrowland attraction is getting a reimagining next year. It will include Bryan Cranston and Jamie Lee Curtis as the voices of Dad and Mom. It’s a rotating theater Audio-Animatronics stage show attraction that takes audiences forward 60 years from where it was previously set. The attraction originally took place in the 1900s, 1920s, and 1940s eras, which will now be during the 1960s, 1980s, 1999 and the future as well.
Tropical Americas - Disney's Animal Kingdom (2027)
A new land, The Tropical Americas, focused on the area of Central and South America, will take over the space formerly known as Dinoland U.S.A. At D23 2026, a closer look at its confirmed attractions was revealed. There will be an Indiana Jones ride called The Myth of the Jade Serpent, which will include an Audio-Animatronic of the archeologist made from an actual model of Harrison Ford. It will also include an Encanto attraction called Antonio's Fiesta de Encanto set inside the magical Casita. There will also be a new carousel with 22 unique animals from Disney movies for the whole family to ride.
Monsters Inc. Land - Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Late 2027 - 2028)
The announcement at D23 2024 of a new Monsters Inc. land, and by Billy Crystal himself, was met with cheers. Construction began in June 2025, and at D23 it was announced that it’s officially opening next year. The new land will include the “Door Coaster,” Disney’s first hanging coaster, styled after the door chasing scene in the original Monsters Inc and Harryhausen’s Restaurant.
Piston Peak - Magic Kingdom (Unknown)
One of the biggest changes to one of Magic Kingdom’s original lands began in early July 2025. The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island closed in order to make way for Piston Peak, a new part of Frontierland dedicated to the Cars franchise. The land will get a National Park-style theme and is expected to be home to two major Cars-themed driving attractions called Ridge Rally and Miss Fritter's Daredevil Spin-Along. Construction is currently underway, but an opening window has not been officially announced.
Villains Land- Magic Kingdom (2029 - 2030)
Back in 2023, the new CEO of Disney, Josh D’Amaro (who was still Disney Experiences Chairman at the time), began to tease something called “Beyond Big Thunder.” It would be an entirely new land at Magic Kingdom, an expansion rather than a replacement. At D23 2026, it was revealed that it will officially be called Villains Land. This is Walt Disney World’s largest undertaking since Galaxy’s Edge, given it will cover 14 acres of land.
So far, two attractions have been announced. One will be a Maleficent-themed roller coaster, and another will be a water ride that takes place at The Evil Queen’s underground layer, but we imagine it will be home to some of the most iconic villains in Disney history.
Spaceship Earth Upgrade - EPCOT (Unknown)
EPCOT’s shiny orb doubles as a ride called Spaceship Earth, which has been known to break down quite a bit. At D26 2026, the Imagineers announced that they are working on an upgraded version of Spaceship Earth. It will have an updated theme of “human connection” that will bring the ride to “present day and beyond.”
Expedition Everest’s Yeti- Animal Kingdom (Unknown)
D23 2026 also brought the announcement that the Yeti at Animal Kingdom’s Expedition Everest will make a triumphant return. Since the ride’s opening in 2006, it’s been there, but it’s been broken for all this time. Disney is finally going to come back to life.
The future certainly looks bright, and very busy, at Walt Disney World. While many of these projects won’t be coming in the short term, Disney World will be transformed by the time they’re all done.
