Heading to Disney World on May 26th and hoping to accomplish EVERYTHING? You’ve got a long day ahead of you!

Why? Well, May 26th, 2026 is a HUGE day of kicking off summer fun and also happens to be the grand opening for several new and updated attractions and offerings. Here, I’m breaking down the best plan for you if you want to accomplish everything new in one day. 

What’s Happening on May 26th?

What ISN’T happening on May 26th is the better question! First of all, it’s the kickoff of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER, which is returning from 2025 with a few new offerings, like Jessie’s Roundup in Magic Kingdom. It’s also the day that Bluey’s Wild World starts at Animal Kingdom, marking the first appearance of Bluey in Disney World.

Then, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT are both having big days for attraction openings. The Walt Disney Studios land is opening at Hollywood Studios with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! and the revamped courtyard area. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets has its opening day on May 26th as well. At EPCOT, you’ll be able to check out Soarin’ Across America, which is premiering for the 250th birthday of the United States.

Those are a LOT of new offerings in one day, so if you’re hoping to tackle them all, you need a plan. Oh, and a Park Hopper ticket!

Start at Animal Kingdom

The most unpredictable spot of the day will be Animal Kingdom, so we’re encouraging you to start your day there. This park often opens earlier than the others, and though Disney hasn’t announced what time Bluey’s Wild World will open for the day, if you get there early, you can rope drop it whenever it does open. This experience will offer meet-and-greets with Bluey and Bingo, games, activities, and the chance to interact with animals native to Australia.

When Bluey came to Disneyland Resort recently, the crowds we saw there were unprecedented levels of chaos. We’re expecting a similar problem in Disney World. Bluey’s Wild World will be located at Conservation Station, which means you’ll need to board the Wildlife Express train in Africa. Adding in that transportation will take time, and knocking this attraction out first thing in the morning will give you maximum flexibility.

Learn More About the New Bluey Attraction Here!

Do Hollywood Studios Second

The park with the MOST going on May 26th is Hollywood Studios, so we encourage you to go there second. I recommend purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass for the day and making your initial selections for this park, with a goal to get a Lightning Lane for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. Since you’re starting your day with Bluey, you won’t have the chance to rope drop the new ride, and it’s going to be busy.

Another Lightning Lane you might want to snag at Hollywood Studios? Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run! That ride is getting updated for the Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu movie on May 22nd. So even though it’s not happening exactly on May 26th, it’ll still be fresh and popular.

After you knock out the big rides here (or between Lightning Lane times), you can head over to The Walt Disney Studios. This is the new land replacing Animation Courtyard, and on May 26th, the outdoor spaces of this land open, along with the new Disney Jr show, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!

Shows happen at specific times throughout the day, so check the My Disney Experience app to see which showtime works best for your plans. Also, note that The Magic of Disney Animation — the attraction replacing Star Wars Launch Bay — is not set to open in this area until later this summer. 

Learn All About The Magic of Disney Animation Here!

Hop to Magic Kingdom

At Magic Kingdom, there’s thankfully just ONE new thing happening on May 26th. As part of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER, Jessie’s Roundup will be a new offering at Diamond Horseshoe. The spot that is typically a table service restaurant will be transformed into a space for hosting Jessie and other Toy Story pals.

Here you’ll be able to dance, play, do crafts, and more. This is the first time this experience has been offered, so we’re eager to check it out! I recommend going to Magic Kingdom before it gets too late in the day, because the Cool KIDS’ SUMMER offerings don’t usually extend late into the evening — it’s probably a good idea to hit this before dinnertime. Hours will likely be listed in the My Disney Experience app on the day of.

One of the Best Magic Kingdom Dining Hacks Is Going Away in May

Finish Your Night at EPCOT

Last but not least, we recommend you finish your night at EPCOT. Here, Soarin’ Across America will be the only new thing on your to-do list, and there are two options. 1) Get a Lightning Lane after you use your initial selections at Hollywood Studios or 2) Wait in the standby queue at the end of the night.

You might have to suffer through a long line, but seeing as Disney has announced Soarin’ Across America as a limited-time offering, you’ll want to knock this one out while you can. It’s going to feature scenes from across the U.S. along with some fun matching scents.

Learn More About the Changes Here!

Tips for Going to Disney World on May 26th

Finally, I’m going to help you out here with some tips for navigating the parks on May 26th. The most important thing to note is that you DO NOT have to do everything in one day, unless you really want to. Most of these offerings will be around all summer, and some of them are even long-term changes. If you have multiple days available to you, this plan that I’ve offered above is kind of wild and unhinged. Do things at a slower pace if that’s helpful!

Crowds are going to be heavy in the new areas and you can expect long waits for the new attractions, so keep that in mind and prepare to stand in lots of lines. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a portable phone charger, and fill your water bottle and go to the bathroom before committing to a hefty wait time. If you’re not interested in checking out the new offerings, this could be a great day to visit the things that aren’t new. Maybe crowds will be lower in those areas?

If you have the room in your budget, Lightning Lane Multi Pass could save you a great deal of time. If you plan to use it, reservations open 7 days before your trip starts for those staying on property. For those staying off property, you can book your Lightning Lanes 3 days before your park visit. To secure these new Lightning Lanes, you’re probably going to need that 7-day on-property window, at least for a little while. However, there is always the chance that someone could change their plans midday on May 26th and a last-minute Lightning Lane could pop up — make sure to watch the app closely.

If you’re planning to tackle May 26th in Disney World, you need to pack your patient pants! Crowds will be challenging and the weather could be uncomfortable…make sure to be prepared.

See Everything Happening for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER Here!

Are you going to Disney World on May 26th? Tell us in the comments!