2026 started with a bang and so much excitement, and we can’t wait to help you plan your Disney World vacation this year. Now that 2026 has begun, there are SO many new things to look forward to at the parks.

As we continue through the year, Disney has TONS of changes planned, and that means getting you prepared to tackle them. Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom will have some of the biggest updates this year and the following years. So what does that mean for you as you visit the parks? Well, let’s tackle the 15 NEW RULES you’ll need to know for your trip to Hollywood Studios in 2026. Based on what we’re seeing and learning, these could be game changers for your vacation.

Ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Before It Closes for Retheming

The current Aerosmith concert-themed version of the fan-favorite roller coaster will be closing on March 2nd, 2026, with the last day to ride being March 1st. It’s closing to make way for the Muppets who are taking over!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster CLOSING DATE Announced for Hollywood Studios

Rocking with the Muppets

Aerosmith is going away, but the Muppets will FINALLY be returning to Hollywood Studios! After a short closure, you can rock with the Muppets on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in the Summer of 2026.

Find Out All About the NEW Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets Here

Planning a Visit to The Magic of Disney Animation

Animation Courtyard closed earlier in 2025 to make way for the new The Walt Disney Studios area. This area will feature new shows, new meet-and-greets, and the new The Magic of Disney Animation, which will bring back Mickey’s sorcerer hat! The Magic of Disney Animation will open in the latter part of Summer 2026, so be sure to plan a visit to the fun new attraction.

JUST ANNOUNCED: CHANGES Confirmed for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Including a NEW Character at The Magic of Disney Animation

Expect to See Lots of Construction

Yes, it’s true, there will be LOTS of construction walls around Hollywood Studios, especially at the beginning of the year. The Walt Disney Studios area, Monsters, Inc. Land, and, likely, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will all have construction walls up, blocking our view of much of the park. So if you’re headed to Hollywood Studios, keep your expectations for this in check, but remember there’s still a lot of fun to be had!

Update On 2 New Lands Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Enjoy Minnie’s Seasonal Dining at BREAKFAST, Lunch, and Dinner at Hollywood & Vine

Hollywood & Vine offers a character dining experience with Minnie Mouse and friends. Previously, breakfast was enjoyed with friends from Disney Jr., but recently, Disney changed breakfast to match the lunch and dinner character experience. Minnie’s Seasonal Dining rotates themes throughout the year, but the characters remain the same.

Dates Revealed for Disney’s Hollywood & Vine Seasonal Changes

Visit Hollywood Studios AFTER Hours

Disney recently announced that After Hours events are returning to Disney World in 2026! You can purchase event tickets in addition to your regular theme park ticket. The events at Hollywood Studios will take place on select nights from January 14th through September 12th, 2026!

Disney After Hours in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios

Celebrate May the Fourth

Of course, May the Fourth has become a HUGE celebration at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios. Star Wars fans storm the park to be in Batuu on this special Star Wars holiday. Disney typically offers fun specialty food, drinks, and souvenirs for the celebration. If you want to be at the park this day, we suggest getting there early and/or getting a park reservation ASAP, if you require one (Annual Passholders and certain other ticket holders).

Be Merry at Jollywood Nights (Probably)

Jollywood Nights has become a fan-favorite holiday event since its debut in 2023. The event has continued to grow and become better and better each year. It is a specially ticketed event that typically occurs on select nights in November and December. Now, Disney has not yet confirmed that Jollywood Nights will return in 2026, but we would be very surprised if they don’t with the popularity it has garnered.

Come with Us to the FIRST Jollywood Nights 2025 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Be on the Look Out for a NEW Tier 1 Lightning Lane Ride

With Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster closing, we suggest being on the lookout for a different ride taking its place as a Tier 1 Lightning Lane Ride. When you book your Lightning Lanes in advance, you can pick one Tier 1 and two (or all three) Tier 2 rides. Then, when you get into the park and use your first Lightning Lane, the tiers go out the window.

Currently, the Tier 1 offerings at Hollywood Studios include: Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railway, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and Slinky Dog Dash. Once Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster closes in March, Disney may move a popular Tier 2 ride (such as Toy Story Mania or Tower of Terror) into the Tier 1 category. Keep this in mind when planning your Lightning Lane strategy after March 2nd!

Trolley Car Café Is Going To Be POPULAR; Opt for Joffrey’s First Thing in the Morning

The Trolley Car Café is the Starbucks location in Hollywood Studios, and we’re pretty sure that it’s going to be popular as ever in 2026, mostly because of AJ. If you ever talk to AJ about her favorite snacks, then you probably know the Carrot Cake Whoopie Pie at the Trolley Car Café is near the top of her list! So obviously, we know that’s where everyone else will be going to grab a snack in 2026. Right?!

All jokes aside, the Starbucks locations at the parks do get very busy right away in the morning as everyone scurries into the park. Instead of stopping for a coffee at Trolley Car Café right away, walk a little further into the park and grab something at one of the Joffrey’s kiosks instead.

Stop Overlooking the Fantasmic! Dining Package

Many people may not realize this, but there is an option for a Fantasmic! Dining Package that includes reserved seating for the show with a meal at one of the select table-service restaurants in the park. If you’re already planning a meal at one of the table-service restaurants, it might be worth booking the dining package right away, too. Getting reserved seating for the show is a great way to avoid dealing with the crowds.

For More Information on the Fantasmic Dining Package, Click Here!

Don’t Sleep on the Stage Shows

Hollywood Studios has tons of live-action stage shows that you gotta see. With construction all around the park and ride closures coming up, use your extra time to check out the several shows at the park. You can see the following shows in 2026:

• Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage
• Fantasmic!
• For the First Time in Forever — A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure

This Is the Best Seat in the House at the NEW Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attraction

Ride Toy Story Mania MULTIPLE Times a Day

First off, can you really ride one of the best rides only once at Disney World? We certainly can’t! And when it comes to Toy Story Mania in Toy Story Land, you’ll definitely want to ride this attraction multiple times on your day at Hollywood Studios. This interactive ride is full of hidden points, and every time you ride it, you might pick up on other fun details and increase your score.

A Former Disney Cast Member Reveals the SECRET Way to WIN at Toy Story Mania

Check Out These 5 Things That Aren’t Rides, Shows, or Food

With all the changes and construction happening at Hollywood Studios in 2026, we encourage you to check out these five shoo-in attractions with any downtime you find.

Find Your Hand Twin

The handprints in front of the Chinese Theater (Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway) are from real-life celebrities, including many Disney characters. Stop by to see if you can find your “hand twin!”

Character Meet-and-Greets

From Olaf to Mickey and Minnie to Star Wars characters, you can meet some of your favorite pals at Hollywood Studios. Don’t forget to take advantage of these special offerings!

Play Disney Parks App in Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has so much to explore without even jumping on the rides. One of the coolest things to do in the Star Wars-themed land is get on the Play Disney Parks app, pull up the Star Wars Data Pad, and use it to go on missions, as well as collect cargo, translate Aurebesh, hack into droid technology, and a whole lotta other fun stuff that further unravels the stories going on around the planet of Batuu.

Walt Disney Presents

Walt Disney Presents is one of AJ’s favorite things to do. This showcase tells the story of Walt’s childhood and his growing passion for animation and theme park development during the course of his life. You’re taken through many sketches, models, little TV clips from his Wonderful World of Disney days, and more.

Then, at the end of the walk-through, you may get to see a featured display with memorabilia from live-action Disney movies, TV shows, or another special Disney event. Finally, you’ll end up at the theater where you can see the film, One Man’s Dream (or the occasional exclusive preview for a new Disney movie).

Why Every Taylor Swift Fan Will Be Visiting Disney World By January 23rd

Shopping (Duh!)

Okay, this one is a no-brainer. If you’re not riding rides, seeing the shows, or eating all the food, you’re likely hitting the shops! Don’t forget to grab yourself some 2026 souvenirs from Hollywood Studios.

Be Prepared for CHANGES — rides, experiences, and food — Throughout the Year

We know there are lots of changes planned for Hollywood Studios in the coming years, but outside of the construction, changes are happening all the time. The food rotates, the rides get updates, and the experiences change from time to time. As you’re headed to Hollywood Studios in 2026, be prepared for things to change throughout the year.

Let’s get ready to celebrate at Hollywood Studios in 2026! While there will be quite a few construction walls up, don’t let that ruin your trip. Follow these new rules, and have a great time with us at the park. We’ll be there all year long, so stay tuned to DFB for more updates as Disney continues to make changes.

4 Game-Changing Updates Announced for Hollywood Studios in 2026

What is your favorite thing to do at Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments!