2026 is going to be a difficult year for Disney World, we’re calling it now.

Several rides will be closed across three of the four parks, multiple hotels are in the midst of major construction projects, and, of course, many Americans are postponing vacations due to financial difficulty. So, how is Disney World going to push through a potential dip in attendance? Good ol’ Disney Adults.

A Plethora of Projects in 2026

For starters, we’ve got to acknowledge everything that’s going on in Disney World in 2026. At Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin are getting extended refurbishments while construction continues on Villains Land and the Piston Peak Frontierland expansion.

It’s confirmed that Villains Land will be getting two new attractions (in addition to shopping and dining locations), and Piston Peak is getting both a family ride and a rally race-themed ride.

Hollywood Studios has multiple areas closed while some revamping happens. Animation Courtyard is currently closed to transform Star Wars: Launch Bay into The Magic of Disney Animation, an attraction inspired by the original roots of the park. It’ll have animation classes, interactive exhibits, and a new Alice in Wonderland playground. The area will also get a new Disney Jr. dance show.

Muppets Courtyard also closed earlier in 2025 to make way for the new Monstropolis land. This section will be themed to Monsters, Inc. and will have a roller coaster inspired by the iconic door transportation system from the film.

The other big change coming to Hollywood Studios is the retheming of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Aerosmith is on its way out, to be replaced by Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. Yep, that’s right, the Muppets are taking over! This revamp will happen in 2026.

Animal Kingdom is the third park facing big changes with the retheme of DinoLand, U.S.A., into the Tropical Americas. This project will kick into high gear in 2026 with the closure of DINOSAUR and the other remaining offerings in the land.

The new land will have an attraction themed to Encanto, where we step inside Casa Madrigal, as well as a carousel ride for the kiddos. The big ride change that everyone’s talking about is the overhaul of DINOSAUR into an Indiana Jones ride. A similar attraction exists at Disneyland Park, but this one will have a completely different storyline.

So, for 2026, Disney World is going to be in somewhat of a “rebuilding” year. Add to that the fact that international tourism is down, according to CNN, and they’ll need to have a good plan to get guests in the gates. What works? Some incentives!

Discounts to Incentivize

Typically, the big way that Disney World incentivizes fans to come visit is with discounts, deals, and special offers. In fact, we’ve already seen several discounts released for 2026, like room discounts for the general public, Annual Passholders, and Florida residents in the spring; a free dining deal for kids; and savings on multi-day packages.

One of the big offers is that you can save up to $250 per night on a Disney World package that’s at least 4 nights. You’ll need to travel between February 22nd and July 25th, 2026, to take advantage of that deal. Also, for travel dates starting February 22nd, Florida residents can save up to 30% on their hotel stay, and Annual Passholders can save up to 35%.

There’s also a springtime deal for up to 25% off rooms for the general public, as well as an offer for a free dining plan for kids traveling in 2026. That’s a steal!

See the Full List of Current Discounts Here — We’re Constantly Updating It!

The Solution Is Disney Adults

In a year like 2026, when many things will be closed, and most of the new offerings won’t yet be open, Disney is going to have to rely on Disney Adults to fill hotel rooms. Disney Adults are those folks who make Disney vacations a lifestyle — they likely visit every year, no matter what’s happening in the parks.

People who aren’t quite as dedicated to making an annual pilgrimage to Disney World will likely save their trip for 2027 or 2028, when more new attractions and lands are likely to be open. The same likely goes for people who only visit once every few years, especially if their favorite attraction will be closed.

To get the maximum number of fans at the resort, 2026 will likely be a year of MANY special offers and discounts. What should we expect in terms of these deals? Well, it’s likely that there will be room discounts throughout the year (that’s a common trend since the pandemic), but the best discounts have typically been reserved for late summer in the past few years. 

If you look back at discount timelines from 2021-2025, there’s a pattern that the highest savings on hotel rooms, tickets, and packages are typically offered for vacations from July to September. This is the time of the year when room discount percentages are typically at their highest, and Disney often drops more enticing promotions for that window, like free dining offers for the general public, Disney+ subscribers, or Disney Visa cardholders.

It seems that in recent years, fans have gotten the memo that Disney World can be pretty miserable during the hottest months of the year, and vacation trends have changed a bit. Instead of the heaviest crowds in the summer months, we’re seeing more people come to the parks for long holiday weekends throughout the year or common school breaks like Mardi Gras, Spring Break, Fall Break, and the holidays.

So if the parks are getting empty in the summer, who can you convince to come? The Disney Adults! If you offer a good enough deal, they’ll be tempted to take a vacation nearly any time of the year. After all, they’ve probably survived summer in the parks before!

Ultimately, Disney Adults are going to hold the success of Disney World on their shoulders in 2026. They’ll keep the parks busy during this period of construction, refurbishment, and overhauls. That’s why Disney needs loyal fans!

And if you want to know more about Disney Adults — who they are, why they exist, and how they came to be — you need to check out AJ Wolfe’s book Disney Adults! It features stories and anecdotes from lifelong fans that explore the culture of the Disney Adult.

So if you’re heading to Disney World in 2026, keep these things in mind! It looks like it’s going to be an interesting time to visit.

Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World updates.

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Are you going to Disney World in 2026? Tell us in the comments!