2026 is a year of change at Walt Disney World, with massive construction projects at the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. While EPCOT doesn’t have a massive construction project of its own right now, that doesn’t mean things aren’t changing at Walt Disney World’s second gate.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

In particular, some big things are going down in the World Showcase, with the area’s two major attractions seeing game-changing updates that are going to alter crowd patterns.

No More 3D Glasses on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

So, this change actually happened at the tail end of 2025, but will likely be new to many guests in 2026. In November, Disney closed the ride for a brief refurbishment where the 3D elements were removed. The ride is now a completely 2D experience, so you no longer need the glasses. This development was welcomed by many fans, as the ride’s 3D visuals and clunky glasses were some of the biggest complaints about the attraction. However, it also means that guests who were avoiding the ride because of issues with the 3D.

Hey, Remy!

Many Guests Will Be Riding Frozen Ever After for the “First Time in Forever”

In January of 2026, Disney closed the popular Frozen attraction to install new animatronics of Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff. These new figures will replace the ones that have been present since the attraction opened, which used projection instead of traditional sculpting for the figures’ faces. While some liked this look, seeing it as true to the original animation, others felt the approach was very uncanny valley, giving them a “creepy” bulb-headed look. So, what new “rules” will these changes bring? Well, it’s about crowds.

Frozen Ever After

Frozen Ever After is already one of EPCOT’s busiest rides, with waits often at around an hour. Those waits will likely continue to rise throughout the year as riders who’ve been skipping over the somewhat stagnant attraction and its out-of-date animatronics will want to see the upgraded versions of the characters.

Hong Kong Disneyland Animatronics

After Hours Events

Guests who want to see these upgrades will have the opportunity to do so during After Hours events at the park throughout the rest of the year. These events will see the park open three extra hours (until 12:30 AM, though guests with party tickets can begin entering the park at 7:00 PM) and offer snacks as well as access to some of the park’s most in-demand attractions, including Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

Check In

EPCOT’s remaining scheduled After Hours events for 2026 include February 19th, March 5th and 12th, April 2nd, 9th, 15th, 23rd and 30th, May 21st, June 11th and 18th, July 9th and 23rd, August 6th and 13th, and September 16th and 24th.

*BONUS*

Okay, so this final note isn’t happening in World Showcase, but it does involve the WORLD… in a manner of speaking. In celebration of America’s 250th birthday this coming July, EPCOT’s Soarin’ will recieve an “all-new airborne adventure across the US, honoring the heart and spirit of the nation.” Disney even brought in “aviation” legend Patrick Warburton (IYKYK) to announce the overlay.

©Disney

So major changes — and in turn some major “rules” — are coming to EPCOT’s World Showcase in 2026. Stay tuned to DFB for more on what’s coming to the “Most Magical Place on Earth” this year.

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