If there’s one thing Disney loves to do, it’s drop a whole bunch of news at the same time, so we have SO much to talk about. This summer at Disney World might just be the best one yet, with reopening dates and discounts to go along with it.
©Disney
We’re rounding up all the Disney news that recently dropped, and if you weren’t already planning a trip, you might want to consider one, especially if you’re ready to ride some of your favorite rides again and experience new attractions like never before.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Reopening Dates
©Disney
This is something our DFB team has been obsessing about, but after a lengthy refurbishment, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be reopening on April 8th. You’ll be able to pick up the blasters, shoot new, interactive targets, and enjoy a new show scene.
New Dates for Soarin’ Across America
©Disney
While we knew that Soarin’ Across America, the newest version of Soarin’ Around the World for the 250th birthday of the United States, was coming around Memorial Day Weekend, we can officially say that it will be opening on May 26th, and the current version, Soarin’ Around the World, will be closing on May 13th. It’s a short turnaround, so you’ll be able to get plenty of time to hop on, pull the yellow strap, and dangle your feet over iconic scenery.
Opening Timeline for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
©Disney
Disney hasn’t given us the official date, but they did say it will now be reopening in early May. In case you didn’t know, Big Thunder Mountain has been getting a refurbishment for over a year and has gotten a whole new track along with a new Rainbow Caverns scene. Who’s ready to ride the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness again?
Opening Date for New Bluey Experience
Bluey and Bingo
Go ahead and circle May 26th in your calendars because Bluey is making her debut at Disney World. In Animal Kingdom, you’ll be able to discover animals native to Australia at Jumping Junction and play special games directly from Bluey episodes. Don’t forget to take a picture with Bluey and Bingo, too.
Opening Date for Walt Disney Studios
©Disney
Also on May 26th, Walt Disney Studios will be opening in Hollywood Studios. This is the land that is taking over Animation Courtyard and Star Wars: Launch Bay. There will be animation classes with an animatronic Olaf and plenty of character meet and greets to enjoy.
Disney also dropped some new discounts and ticket offers, which makes planning a DInsey World trip to check out all the new additions even easier.
New Annual Passholder Hotel Discount
Disney World Annual Pass
If you’re a Disney World Annual Passholder, you can save up to 40% on your hotel stay! You can save up to 40% for stays of 4 or more consecutive nights and up to 35% for stays of 1 to 3 consecutive nights at select Disney World hotels. They’re available for most arrivals between July 30th and October 3rd, 2026.
New 4-Day, 4-Night Park Magic Ticket Deal
Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle
With this new ticket deal, you can visit each of the four Disney World Theme Parks one time, starting at $109 per day. The ticket deal is valid between May 26th and September 26th, 2026, and all the tickets must be used within 7 days of the chosen start date.
Free Dining Offer
Free dining!
When you select a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and Disney Theme Park Tickets with a Park Hopper Option, you can get a free dining package for the whole family. When staying at Value or Moderate Resorts, you can get the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, and if you’re staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort, you can get the Standard Disney Dining Plan. The offer is available most nights between June 28th and October 3rd, October 19th and 31st, and December 6th and 21st.
New 30% On Your Hotel Stay
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
You can save up to 30% at select Disney Resort hotels when you stay 5 nights or more. With all the new additions coming, you’ll probably want those 5 nights for the maximum amount of fun. You can save less for shorter stays, and the deal is available for most dates between July 30th and October 3rd at select Disney World Hotels.
Florida Resident Discount on Hotel Stays
Contemporary Resort Guest Room
Finally, Florida Residents can save up to 35% on their Disney World Hotel stay! This discount is available for stays of 4 nights or more, but there are smaller discounts available for shorter stays, too. It’s available for most dates between July 30th to october 3rd, 2026.
Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.
It sounds like this year keeps getting better and better! Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more of the best up-to-date information for your upcoming Disney World vacation.
DISNEY IS OPENING 11 NEW RIDES IN 2026. HERE’S THE FULL LIST.
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Are you planning a 2026 trip to Disney World? Tell us what you are looking forward to in the comments.
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What I am looking forward to on my April 26, 6-day visit to Disney World.
New attractions (if they are available) that I have not enjoyed before: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Big Thunder Mountain, Piston Peak (I wish. I know that won’t be ready yet).
Old Standbys : Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, It’s a Small World. At EPCOT: Mission Space (orange), Living With the Land (available?), Test Track (ditto?)
Wish me luck on what’s up-and-running.
We have never been to WDW since we lived in California for 60 years. Recently moved much closer to Florida so this trip seemed inevitable. So since we have never been we want to make the most of it. Two weeks, all four parks and four different Disney hotels. No water parks but plenty of pools and maybe Disney Springs. We have had a Disney Visa since day one so get a few discounts and will be taking advantage of most of them. We haven’t been diving for a few years and the time & expense to recert for an aquarium dive just isn’t worth it and we missed out on the rhino encounter cuz I didn’t know they opened the whole week – rats! We have a long range scooter being delivered cuz – why not and I just don’t want to be worn out. Two days in each park should give us plenty of time to do everything. We are really looking forward to the people mover. Haven’t been on it for years so should be fun. We’ve planned our park days to miss special evening events and will just relax on the weekends. Lots of other stuff to do – mini golf, pool, explore hotels, ride the gondola. We’re hoping all the crowd calendars are correct and people stay away. One year at Disneyland we had our own boat on POTC and must have gone around at least four times. We also made friends with long time cast members – Nancy at Blue Bayou for almost 30 years until she retired. Getting to go in Club 33 cuz we have friends and family with memberships. Spending whole days just watching people and thinking up trivia. We know we won’t do all that at WDW but it will be great to FINALLY make the trip.