Big changes are on the horizon for Walt Disney World Resort, and guests planning 2026 vacations are being encouraged to get in early. In a recent message sent to guests in the United Kingdom, Disney highlighted current booking deals—including popular free dining plans and bundled ticket discounts—while also teasing the exciting new experiences–a “whole new world” of them–coming next year.
Leading the way are four brand-new entertainment offerings already hitting the parks. At Magic Kingdom Park, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away launches July 20 with performances at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Zootopia: Better Zoogether! will debut this winter inside the Tree of Life Theater, replacing the long-running It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios welcomed two new shows this summer. The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure now fills the space of the former undersea show, and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After has taken over the space previously home to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy.
But these additions are just one part of a broader transformation sweeping through the resort.
At Magic Kingdom, guests will soon journey to Piston Peak National Park, a new area inspired by the Cars franchise. This expansion will see beloved locations like Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America close permanently starting July 7.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is already making headway on its new Tropical Americas area, Pueblo Esparanza. Replacing the current DinoLand U.S.A., this immersive land will feature both Encanto and Indiana Jones, each with its own headline attraction.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also undergoing a significant refresh. The Grand Avenue area has officially shuttered, and fan favorites like MuppetVision 3D*, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano have closed their doors. In their place, guests will soon step into Monstropolis, a themed area dedicated to Monsters, Inc. that includes Disney’s first suspended coaster, inspired by the thrilling door sequence from the film’s finale.
All of this is part of Disney’s sweeping vision for the future of its Orlando parks. But it does come with temporary closures. Classic attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will remain unavailable until next year, prompting some guests to reconsider travel dates until more experiences are reopened.
Still, for many, the opportunity to witness the transformation and enjoy new shows, new lands, and special offers is too good to pass up.
Are you planning to visit Walt Disney World Resort in 2026? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Hopefully i will be able to bring my great. Granddaughter. She loves disney as well as myself