2026 is going to be a BIG year for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the park’s multi-year transformation continues with new attractions, refurbishments, and the return of the Muppets!

Smugglers Run

Over the course of my 30+ years visiting the park now known as Hollywood Studios — yes, I do often type Disney-MGM Studios first, much to my editor’s chagrin — I’ve seen the park transform from its working studio beginnings to its mid-2000s malaise to its current role as the home of some of Disney’s most popular and advanced rides. Now, the park is in the midst of another major change, with some elements coming to a head in 2026.

It’s Time to ROCK the Muppets

In 2025, Muppet*Vision 3D — and the rest of the former Muppet Courtyard — closed to make way for construction of a massive new project that we’ll get to in a little bit. The Muppets won’t be gone for long, however, as the characters will be taking over the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster from Aerosmith.

We’re sorry, “Bad Boys of Boston” fans, but this change will feel like a breath of fresh air for a ride that has seemed very 90s dated for a while now. The current version of the coaster — which has already seen its Aerosmith pre-show removed as part of the transformation — will have its last day of operation on March 1, 2026, and reopen with its new Muppet theme in the summer.

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Mando & Grogu are Coming

May 22nd, 2026, the same day The Mandalorian and Grogu feature film is scheduled to open in theaters, will see the mega-popular Star Wars characters added to Smugglers Run in Galaxy’s Edge.

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Along with the characters, these new missions will also feature popular Star Wars locations, including Bespin’s Cloud City.

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Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live Comes to the East Coast

The early summer will see the popular Disney Jr. show from California Adventure make its East Coast debut in the Animation Courtyard area. The show will feature “upbeat original songs, plenty of interactive fun for the little ones, and appearances by beloved Disney characters to sing and dance with,” including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto.

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!

A NEW Take on an Old Favorite

Speaking of Animation Courtyard, the area will also see a new version of the opening day Magic of Disney Animation attraction.

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This new version will feature theming based on the Emmy-winning Once Upon a Studio short that celebrated Disney’s 100th Anniversary. Sketch classes, where guests will be able to draw their own favorite Disney characters, similar to the original Animation Academy.

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The Drawn to Wonderland playground, which will feature an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area, all designed in the style of Disney Legend Mary Blair.

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There will also be an Off the Page! Section, “a stunning area born of collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. Here, you can meet some of your favorite friends from beloved Disney stories across six unique departments from the animation studio Story, Layout, Hand-Drawn Animation, Computer Animation, Lighting, and Effects.”

Each of those spaces will include themed photo opportunities, including Mulan in the Story department, posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel, or Rapunzel in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera.

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BONUS: Remember that “major project” we talked about above? That would be the massive Monsters, Inc. land coming to the former site of Muppet Courtyard. While that land definitely won’t be done by the end of 2026, we may learn more about it at the 2026 D23 Ultimate Fan Event. Scheduled for August 14th-16th, the expo MAY feature new information on the upcoming land, potentially the official name, opening timeline, and specifics of attractions like the door coaster, as well as food and merchandise offerings.

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As Hollywood Studios’ evolution continues, the park will look very different by the end of 2026. Stay tuned to DFB for more on all the changes coming to Walt Disney World.

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What Hollywood Studios addition are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below.