7 Major Disney World Updates Most Fans Overlooked in January 2026

January 2026 came in loud for Walt Disney World. While most guests were busy thinking about crowd calendars, weather, and spring break, Disney kept slipping out updates that could change how trips play out in the months ahead.

What makes it so easy to miss is how quietly a lot of this rolled out. No big announcement party. No dramatic reveal. Just small notices, dining updates, and calendar drops that add up fast once you put them together.

Here are seven developments from January 2026 that deserve a second look.

A Grand Floridian Experience Finally Steps Out Of Limbo

For years, the Garden View Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa sat in that frustrating category of “maybe it’ll return someday.” It closed in 2020, and fans have treated it like one of those Disney experiences that could stay gone forever.

January changed that. Disney confirmed the Garden View Tea Room will reopen on March 19, 2026.

It won’t reopen exactly the way people remember it, either. Disney says the space will return with a refreshed look that aligns with the updated Grand Floridian lobby design. The company also plans to add touches inspired by Alice in Wonderland (1951), which makes sense for a tea-focused experience with that classic, storybook vibe.

Disney also teased a menu refresh, including signature cocktails and items like an Orange-Cranberry Scone. So this feels less like flipping a switch back on and more like Disney reintroducing something they want people to notice again.

Resort Dining Gets A Little Messier Than Guests Expected

That Grand Floridian update set the tone, but January’s restaurant news quickly moved into “heads up, this could impact your plans.”

Disney confirmed that construction at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort may partially or fully obstruct views of the Seven Seas Lagoon from ‘Ohana. For a restaurant that people book for the whole experience, not just the food, that’s the kind of warning that matters before you lock in reservations.

Then the dining disruptions shifted over to the Yacht and Beach Club area. Disney announced Crew’s Cup Lounge will temporarily close beginning February 23, 2026, with a reopening currently expected in May 2026. Not long after that, Yachtsman Steakhouse will close starting in May 2026, with a reopening presently scheduled for August 2026.

If you’re staying near Crescent Lake, those dates aren’t just trivia. They’re the kind of thing that changes where you eat, how early you book, and what backups you need.

Disney Springs Prepares For A New Gideon’s Chapter

After closures and construction warnings, January finally delivered something that feels like good news for anyone who has stood in the Gideon’s Bakehouse line.

Gideon’s announced it is expanding with a new concept called Six Ravens. The new location is expected to open later this year at The Landing in Disney Springs.

This isn’t just “more Gideon’s,” either. Six Ravens will operate as a fast-casual concept with different menu offerings. Disney fans got details like “coffyns,” which are hand-pie-style sandwiches, along with housemade yeast rolls filled with flavors inspired by local ingredients.

The location is expected to open by mid-2026 and will partner with The Polite Pig, another Disney Springs favorite. If that timeline holds, it could take some pressure off the current crowds and give Disney Springs an entirely new food draw.

A Hollywood Studios Show Adjusts After A Scary Moment

January also brought a major operational change at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, stemming from a serious incident during the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.

Reports said a cast member stepped in to block the path of the show’s boulder prop, which weighs around 400 pounds, preventing it from reaching the audience area. The cast member was injured during the incident.

After that, Disney modified the show. The boulder-chase moment has been removed while Disney’s safety team evaluates the prop. The scene still uses sound effects and fire cues, but Indiana Jones now jumps down below the stage instead of being chased, and the moment ends with the “production crew” praising him.

It’s a noticeable change in a show many guests consider a Hollywood Studios classic, and it shows how quickly Disney will adjust entertainment when safety becomes the priority.

Disney Quietly Sets Up A Bigger Summer For Families

After that, January swung back to a more upbeat tone. Disney confirmed Cool Kids’ Summer will return in 2026, bringing seasonal entertainment and kid-focused offerings back across the parks.

Disney hasn’t released the full lineup yet, but confirming it early signals that summer 2026 will have extra experiences designed for families. That matters because it can shape crowd flow and change how people plan their days, especially in peak season.

Disney tied this summer push to a new Magic Kingdom offering as well. Jessie’s Roundup will debut at the Diamond Horseshoe as a Toy Story-themed experience where guests can craft, dance, and interact with Jessie, Woody, and other characters in an indoor setting.

It’s simple, but that’s the point. It adds entertainment without requiring a whole new ride, and it gives families another option when the heat hits.

A Fall Food Event Locks In Dates Before Most People Think That Far Ahead

January also gave food-and-festival fans something concrete: the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic set its 2026 dates.

The event will run November 20 and 21, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night. It’s a ticketed event with unlimited food and drinks from Swan and Dolphin restaurants, plus extras like discounted hotel rates, live entertainment, seminars, and fireworks.

Even though Disney doesn’t operate it, it sits right in the Disney bubble and consistently draws Disney World fans. Getting the dates this early gives planners a head start.

Disney Starts Pushing 2026 Deals Earlier Than Expected

Finally, January wrapped up with a familiar Disney move: discounts. Disney released new offers for 2026, including room discounts of up to 30 percent, Florida Resident deals, and Annual Passholder savings.

Disney also rolled out vacation packages that add extra “free” days when guests book specific bundles, like four-night, four-day packages.

The bigger point isn’t just that deals exist. It’s how early Disney pushed them. That timing suggests Disney wants guests locking in 2026 trips now, not later.

Why January’s Updates Matter More Than They Look

If January 2026 proved anything, it’s that Disney doesn’t need a massive press event to reshape planning. A significant resort experience is returning. Multiple dining options are going offline for a while. Disney Springs is getting a new Gideon’s-related addition. A Hollywood Studios show has already adjusted. Summer entertainment is coming back. A popular fall event has set dates. And discounts are arriving early.

It’s a lot for one month, and it sets the tone for a year that already feels like it’s going to move fast.