Summer 2026 at Disney World is shaping up to be one of the most action-packed seasons the resort has seen in years.

Between brand-new lands, long-awaited ride reopenings, and some seriously exciting character experiences hitting the parks all at once, this is genuinely not the summer to show up without a revised game plan. If you booked your trip based on what Disney World looked like even six months ago, your itinerary is already out of date. Here’s everything you need to rethink before you go.

Add Animal Kingdom to Your Must-Do List If You’re a Bluey Fan

Starting May 26th, Bluey’s Wild World officially takes over Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom, and it’s not going anywhere. This is a permanent addition to the park, which means if you’ve been sleeping on Animal Kingdom this summer, it’s time to wake up.

To get there, you’ll hop on the Wildlife Express Train for a behind-the-scenes peek at the animals from Kilimanjaro Safaris, and once you arrive at Conservation Station, the whole area is pure Bluey. You can meet Bluey and Bingo, play Butterfly Keepy Uppy with them, and catch a dance party.

The former Affection Section is also getting a glow-up, transforming into Jumping Junction, a petting zoo stocked with animals native to Australia, Bluey’s home turf. Think kangaroos, wallabies, and emus. It’s adorable, it’s new, and it absolutely deserves a spot on your Animal Kingdom day.

Factor in Big Thunder Mountain’s Comeback

After a lengthy closure that started back in January 2025, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is expected to reopen sometime in early May 2026, and Disney has teased that it’s coming back with “a little bit of new magic.” That’s exciting, but it also means Frontierland has been in full construction mode for a while now.

Work on Big Thunder overlaps with some big projects nearby, including early construction phases for Piston Peak, the Cars-themed area, and plans to better connect the ride with both Villains Land and Liberty Square. If Big Thunder is a non-negotiable for your group, definitely confirm it’s open before you go, and expect the surrounding area to look a little different from how you remember.

Get Excited for a Completely Upgraded Buzz Lightyear Ride

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be reopening on April 8th, 2026, with some seriously cool changes, and if you’ve already been to Magic Kingdom this year, you might be surprised by just how much has been updated.

The ride vehicles are redesigned with colors pulled straight from Star Command, there are now onboard video monitors showing real-time scores, and each cruiser comes equipped with handheld blasters that are way easier to aim. Those blasters have always-on lasers, vibration effects, and sound cues, so you’ll actually know when you’ve hit something. The classic static Z targets have also been replaced with interactive ones that light up and react when you score.

There’s even a brand-new character, Buddy, a friendly robot from Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar, who shows up in a new opening scene to help you prep for your mission. If you’ve been skipping this one in favor of other rides, it’s worth giving it another shot.

Plan Your EPCOT Day Around Soarin’ Across America

Soarin’ Around the World is getting a patriotic overhaul for the United States’ 250th birthday celebration, and the new version, Soarin’ Across America, debuts on May 26th, 2026. The updated film will follow the same beloved flight-style format, just with new destinations and that incredible sense of swooping over real-world landscapes with iconic scents and all.

To make room for the changes, the current version of Soarin’ closes on May 13th, so if you’re visiting between those two dates, you’ll want to have a backup plan for that part of your EPCOT day. Disney has noted that Soarin’ Across America is a limited-time experience tied to the 250th celebration, though they haven’t confirmed whether the Around the World version will eventually return afterward.

Hollywood Studios Has a Whole New Area to Explore

Animation Courtyard is no more. Starting May 26th, 2026, it’s being replaced by The Walt Disney Studios, a brand-new area inspired by the legendary Walt Disney Studios Lot in Burbank, California. The concept is that Disney Animation characters have essentially “leaped off the screen” and taken over the real studio.

The outdoor courtyard opens May 26th, and it’s full of lush landscaping, character surprises, and all the classic Hollywood Studios snack vibes we love. Later in the summer, The Magic of Disney Animation, the big indoor experience, will open inside the building that used to house Star Wars: Launch Bay. That experience is inspired by the Roy E. Disney Animation Building and will let you explore six studio departments, from Story to Lighting and Effects, each with unique character meet-and-greet moments. Also launching on May 26th is Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!, the new show replacing Disney Jr. Play and Dance. Walt Disney Presents and The Little Mermaid show both remain open throughout the transition, so those are still fair game for your itinerary.

Galaxy’s Edge Just Got a Major New Mission

If you’re heading to Hollywood Studios anywhere near May 22nd, 2026, the timing could not be better. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is getting a brand-new mission that launches alongside The Mandalorian and Grogu feature film, and it looks like a huge upgrade for a ride that’s already a fan favorite.

The new mission gives riders the possibility of adventures in Bespin, at the wreckage of the second Death Star near Endor, or on the city-planet Coruscant. There’s also a new gameplay addition that makes the engineer positions significantly more important to the story by giving them a way to interact directly with Grogu. For anyone who’s felt like the engineer role was a little underserved before, this is great news. If Smugglers Run is already in your plans, this mission is a reason to be even more excited.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Is Becoming Something Completely Different

The Aerosmith era officially ended on March 1st, 2026, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is currently being transformed into a Muppets-themed roller coaster that Disney says will open in Summer 2026.

The story goes that the Electric Mayhem band is headlining the biggest concert of their lives, and you’ve scored VIP passes. Inside G-Force Records, you’ll find the band laying down tracks with the penguins as their audio engineers while Scooter desperately tries to get everyone to the venue on time.

The outside of the building is getting a full makeover, too, with the iconic guitar redesigned in colors inspired by Electric Mayhem’s van and a golden piano key added as a nod to Dr. Teeth. Disney has also teased that the attraction will feature a first-of-its-kind Muppet Animatronic, which has us absolutely buzzing. No word yet on the full track list, but if you were mourning the loss of the old version, this one sounds like it’ll be worth the wait.

The bottom line is that Summer 2026 isn’t business as usual at Disney World. Between returning favorites, brand-new experiences, and limited-time offerings, the parks are shifting in a way that can seriously impact your day if you’re not prepared. A plan that worked last year might not work now, and going in without adjusting could cost you time and experiences you were really looking forward to.

As always, we’re here to help you stay one step ahead, so keep following DisneyFoodBlog for the latest updates, tips, and changes you need to know before your trip.

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What are you most excited to experience this summer? Let us know in the comments below!