food IS a theme park
2026 is shaping up to be a massive summer at the Walt Disney World Resort, and some GAME-CHANGING discounts are making it even easier to be there.
TRON Lightcycle/Run
From Piston Peak and Villains Land to the Monsters, Inc.-inspired Monstropolis and Tropical Americas, it’s a time of change at Walt Disney World. However, while those updates are years away, there’s a lot to experience at the resort right now, and some comparatively cheaper than usual ways to do it!
The constant changes, updates, and renovations at Disney World help make sure it stays exciting visit after visit — there is almost always something new to experience or discover! However, it can also be bittersweet when something we love closes for good, or when an update takes away something we have always loved.
Magic Kingdom
Disney World is undergoing many changes and expansions right now, including the construction of Piston Peak National Park, Pueblo Esperanza, the Monsters, Inc. land, and Villains Land. With all the changes happening, there are a few things that we will be doing for the last time in Disney World in 2026.
Planning a Disney World vacation without staying on property? You might want to rethink that strategy.
Early Entry at EPCOT
Booking a Disney resort hotel isn’t just about convenience (though that’s definitely a bonus). It’s about unlocking a whole roster of exclusive perks that can seriously upgrade your vacation experience. From getting into the parks before everyone else to scoring those impossible-to-get dining reservations, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about Disney World hotel perks for 2026.
Heads up, Disney+ subscribers, there’s a perk offered with Disney’s streaming service that you really need to be taking advantage of!
©Disney
In 2025, Disney introduced the Always-on Perks program, which offers fans “rewards ranging from access to one-of-a-kind experiences and limited-time sweepstakes to everyday savings and special discounts” to subscribers. Some of the perks currently available to subscribers are huge, including one that every Disney fan should take advantage of.
A popular — and game-changing — hotel perk is officially returning to Walt Disney World in 2026, and it’s sure to inject a strong dose of… character in many vacations!
Pop Century
As part of the returning Cool Kids Summer promotion — which runs from May 26th to September 8th — Disney characters will be appearing in scheduled meet & greets at select Walt Disney World hotels.
When it comes to planning a trip to Walt Disney World, certain dates are better to visit than others. Whether due to large crowds, high ticket prices, or both, these times of year are best to avoid if possible.
Christmas Eve on Main Street, U.S.A.
With that in mind and since you’re still in the middle of planning, let’s talk about the dates you’ll want to avoid at all costs. Trust us, these are the times when Disney’s magic comes with an extra hefty price tag and serious crowds.
The EPCOT festivals are some of our favorite times of the year at Disney World, and we know our readers love them too!
Spaceship Earth at Night during the EPCOT Festival of the Arts
You get unique experiences with delicious food, immersive entertainment, and special photo ops that guests look forward to year after year. From the gorgeous topiaries of Flower & Garden to the global tastes of Food & Wine, each festival brings something special, and the Festival of the Arts is no exception. But this particular celebration is one you need to plan carefully, because it’s noticeably shorter than the others and its final day is rapidly approaching!
It’s hard to believe that it’s already 2026, which is bringing some pretty big changes to Disney World. We’re already seeing signs of construction…well…EVERYWHERE. The parks are getting expansions and new lands, rides are getting updated, hotels are getting new lobbies and rooms, and so much more.
Main Street Station in Magic Kingdom
However, you might think that this could mean that people might be staying away from Disney World this year, but we think the parks, specifically Magic Kingdom, could see more visitors in 2026. So we’re going to tell you WHY we think that.
Disney World is CHANGING, and it’s all starting in 2026! New lands, new attractions, new restaurants, and much more are coming to the parks this year. With all these changes happening, it’s no wonder that we Disney Adults need to follow a few new rules this year.
Magic Kingdom
If you’re heading to the parks in 2026, please consider these unspoken rules for Disney World this year. Unlike in other years, these “rules” will help you out now that the parks are looking a bit different.
2026 is a year of change across Walt Disney World, as major construction projects, refurbishments, new openings, and permanent closures extend across the resort, including at Disney Springs!
Disney Springs
The area now known as Disney Springs has gone through A LOT of changes over the last 50 years. Before the modern incarnation opened a decade ago, there was the original Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village in the 1970s, the Pleasure Island revitalization of the 80s, and the Downtown Disney era of the 90s and 2000s. So, what’s coming in 2026?
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
