3 Magic Kingdom Rides Are Changing in 2026 — What's Next?

Magic Kingdom is changing… a LOT. This year, we said goodbye to Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island so Disney could build Piston Peak, a brand new Cars expansion in Frontierland. Disney has also started to build a brand-new land in Magic Kingdom dedicated to Disney Villains (and we cannot wait!).

©Disney

However, some Magic Kingdom rides are also changing and should debut with the new changes in 2026. So let’s discuss those changes and think ahead to other future changes the park might need.

So we’ve previously seen several rides in Magic Kingdom get much-needed updates. Country Bear Jamboree got an entirely new show in 2024, with new songs, new scenes, new EVERYTHING. In 2023, Haunted Mansion finally got a Disneyland update: the addition of Hat Box ghost (although his location on the ride remains controversial).

Hatbox Ghost in Disney World

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

However, three of Magic Kingdom’s rides will reopen with new updates in 2026. The biggest changes will probably be seen at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland, which is getting a new track and some new scenes. The ride will feature a throwback to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad’s origins, the Rainbow Caverns.

©Disney

In addition, the ride is getting new lightning and effects, as well as an update to its exterior to help it fit in with the new Piston Peak expansion.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has also closed until 2026, when it will reopen with some big changes. The ride will be getting brand new vehicles with video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates and other features. The vehicles will also be getting new handheld blasters. A new scene with a brand new character will also be added.

©Disney

The target in the game will be upgraded with new technology that lights up when it’s hit.

Carousel of Progress

Now, Carousel of Progress has been getting little updates here and there (mostly just to fix things like missing hands 😲) and updates to the final scene to keep it feeling relevant to the times. But the ride will be getting a brand new intro featuring a Walt Disney animatronic similar to the one you can currently see in Disneyland.

©Disney

We might see some new scenes on the ride, too, as Disney stated it had plans for what John, Sarah, and the rest of the family are up to. Disney did NOT offer a timeline for these changes, but we’re thinking we could see those in 2026.

What needs to change: “it’s a small world”

So what more could Disney do to rides in Magic Kingdom? Well, “it’s a small world” recently received a new verse to the song (after Disneyland debuted it). However, this ride could use a bit more updating. If you’ve been on the ride in Disneyland, you’ll know that the ride has Disney characters interspersed through the various countries. This takes what can often be a grueling ride into something a bit more charming.

Miguel and Dante on “it’s a small world”

So we think it’s time Disney World’s version of the ride got some Disney characters to liven it up a bit. It’s so much fun seeing Miguel and Dante in Mexico, Lilo and Stitch in the South Pacific, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell in England, and more. Disney World needs that version of the ride.

So a lot is already happening in Magic Kingdom, but why stop there? Since Disney World is getting a lot of updates over the next few years, let’s just update more, while we’re at it. Stay tuned to DFB for more.

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What do you think? What Magic Kingdom ride needs an update?