Walt Disney World has been in full expansion mode lately, and most of the hype has focused on the parks receiving significant land additions.
Magic Kingdom is moving toward Villains Land and Piston Peak. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is leaning into a new identity with Magic of Disney Animation and Monstropolis. Animal Kingdom is also preparing for a big shift, with Tropical Americas on the way.
With all that happening, EPCOT almost feels like it’s sitting back and letting the other parks steal the spotlight.
But that’s not what’s actually happening.
Because in 2026, EPCOT is quietly setting itself up for one of its biggest shakeups in years. It’s not about one huge new land. It’s about a full year of upgrades, festivals, and entertainment changes that could completely change how the park feels.
EPCOT Has Always Been Built Differently
EPCOT has never worked the same way as the other parks.
Magic Kingdom thrives on classic Disney storytelling. Hollywood Studios focuses on blockbuster brands. Animal Kingdom blends rides with immersive environments.
EPCOT stands out because it doesn’t rely on constant new attractions to keep people coming back. Guests can ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, then spend the rest of the day wandering World Showcase, snacking, and enjoying the atmosphere.
That’s why EPCOT doesn’t need a massive land reveal to feel new. It just needs a stronger reason for guests to keep returning throughout the year.
And Disney seems to be building exactly that.
Other Parks Expand, But EPCOT Refreshes Everything
Disney’s other parks are clearly undergoing major transformations.
Villains Land has been one of the most anticipated additions in Magic Kingdom history, and Piston Peak adds even more expansion potential. Hollywood Studios is already crowded, but Magic of Disney Animation and Monstropolis could reshape the park’s future. Animal Kingdom is also on the verge of change, with Tropical Americas giving the park a new identity in one of its most talked-about areas.
EPCOT, though, is taking a different path.
Instead of focusing on one massive addition, EPCOT is stacking more minor but meaningful changes that could make the park feel fresh in every season.
¡Celebración Encanto! Becomes a Long-Term EPCOT Feature
One of the most significant entertainment updates is the decision to keep ¡Celebración Encanto! around indefinitely.
Disney confirmed the experience will be extended, and that signals that EPCOT is leaning even harder into live entertainment as a major draw. The show brings energy to the park, draws in families, and offers a character-based experience that doesn’t depend on rides or food booths.
EPCOT works best when it feels alive, and this show helps deliver that.
Frozen Ever After Returns With Major Upgrades
Frozen Ever After reopened on February 12, and guests wasted no time rushing back to Norway.
Disney didn’t just bring the ride back online. The attraction returned with new animatronics, which is a massive upgrade for one of EPCOT’s busiest rides. Frozen Ever After already attracts long waits almost every day, so refreshing the experience gives guests another reason to prioritize it.
Instead of replacing the ride, Disney improved what was already working, and that kind of update fits EPCOT perfectly.
Soarin’ Gets a Nostalgic Change for America’s Anniversary
Disney also announced that Soarin’ will shift to Soarin’ Across America for the 250th anniversary of the United States.
For longtime Disney fans, that’s a big deal. Even if the change only lasts temporarily, it gives EPCOT visitors a reason to experience Soarin’ again, especially for guests who haven’t seen the original version in years.
EPCOT’s Festivals Will Keep the Park Busy All Year
EPCOT’s festival lineup will remain one of its strongest draws in 2026.
Festival of the Arts will run from January 16 through February 23, giving the park an early-year boost. The Flower and Garden Festival will follow soon after, from March 4 through June 1, keeping EPCOT in festival mode for much of spring.
Food and Wine Festival will return in fall 2026, continuing one of the park’s biggest annual crowd drivers. Festival of the Holidays will also return later in the year, once again turning World Showcase into a seasonal celebration.
Instead of having one big event season, EPCOT is keeping itself in motion all year.
After-Hours Events Will Keep EPCOT Feeling Exclusive
Disney also confirmed that After Hours events will continue at EPCOT.
That matters because EPCOT might be the best park for late-night events. World Showcase changes completely at night, and guests love experiencing the park with shorter waits, fewer crowds, and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Keeping After Hours around makes EPCOT feel like more than a daytime festival park. It turns it into a premium nighttime destination, too.
GoofyCore Adds Something EPCOT Has Been Missing
EPCOT is also getting GoofyCore as part of Cool Kids Summer, and it’s a surprisingly important addition.
Guests will be able to play games and interact with characters, giving families something to do beyond walking through World Showcase. EPCOT often feels like the “adult park,” so adding something playful and interactive helps balance the experience.
It gives EPCOT another layer of entertainment without needing a major new attraction.
EPCOT’s 2026 Overhaul Feels Like a Full-Year Plan
EPCOT’s changes don’t revolve around one land expansion. They revolve around a strategy.
Disney is stacking festivals, upgrading major rides like Frozen Ever After, bringing back Soarin’ Across America, and expanding entertainment like ¡Celebración Encanto! and GoofyCore.
If Disney delivers on all of it, EPCOT won’t just feel refreshed; it will feel revitalized.
It could feel like the most consistently exciting park at Walt Disney World in 2026.
