2026 is coming in HOT, and Disney World is getting ready!

Cinderella Castle

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be reopening after major refurbishments, and work will continue on several new lands and additions around the parks like Piston Peak, the Tropical Americas, and Monstropolis. But amongst all those new additions, we’ll be getting some things taken away!

There are two big permanent closures that could be on Disney World’s docket for 2026, and if you’re planning a trip, you’ll want to be prepared.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

It was announced a little while back that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s current version will close in 2026 to make way for a new Muppet-themed version of the ride. This way, we can keep The Muppets in Hollywood Studios after the 2025 closing of Muppets Courtyard.

©Disney

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will open in summer 2026 and will feature Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem on the soundtrack. We know that the current version of the ride will close in 2026, so we’ll likely be expecting a closure or announcement early in the year.

©Disney

G-Force Records is going to have a snazzy new look now that Scooter’s uncle, real estate tycoon and owner of the Muppet Theatre, J.P. Grosse, is in charge. The Electric Mayhem is lined up for their biggest Hollywood concert ever, and Disney teased, “With help from our friends at Muppet Labs and a very fast limousine, we’ll take a twisting, turning, and screamingly fun road trip across Hollywood to reach the concert in time.”

Get All the Ride Details Here!

The Current Version of Carousel of Progress

The other closure we could see announced in 2026 is Carousel of Progress! Disney has shared that the current version of the ride will be getting some updates in the near future, including a brand-new Walt Disney animatronic.

©Disney

The Walt animatronic will be the show’s new introduction scene, which is fitting since the attraction’s official name is Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. ‘The introduction of a new Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney in ‘Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress’ marks an exciting milestone in our shared mission to celebrate the story of the man behind the magic and inspire new generations with his innovations and vision for the future,” said Kirsten Komoroske, Executive Director of the Walt Disney Family Museum.

Carousel of Progress

Disney stated that more details about the Carousel of Progress update are coming in the future, including news about what John, Sarah, and the rest of the family are up to. Hopefully, this means we will get some updates to the other ride scenes as well. Based on these announcements, it’s likely Carousel of Progress will have to close sometime in 2026.

Learn More About the Show Changes Here!

We’ll make sure to keep you in the loop if dates for these closures are revealed.

Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news.

The Disney World Changes We’re Dreading in 2026

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Which of these closures are you the saddest about? Tell us in the comments!