Credit: DisneyFor a while, 2026 looked like one of those in-between years at Walt Disney World. No massive new park opening. No single blockbuster attraction stealing the spotlight. Just a handful of refurbishments and quiet closures on the calendar. But as more details have emerged, it’s become clear that this is shaping up to be one of the most transformative years the resort has seen in a long time.
This is not about one ride changing.
It’s about a coordinated effort to modernize, retheme, and in some cases completely replace some of Disney World’s most familiar attractions. From classic EPCOT favorites to headliners in Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, the lineup of changes touches nearly every corner of the resort.
Here are the rides changing in 2026 — and how each reflects where Disney is heading next.
Soarin’ Becomes Soarin’ Across America
Soarin’ has always been one of EPCOT’s emotional anchors, but in 2026, it’s getting a rare thematic shift.
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, Disney plans to replace Soarin’ Around the World with Soarin’ Across America temporarily. Instead of circling the globe, guests will once again fly exclusively over American landmarks, revisiting the original concept that launched the attraction years ago.
This change does more than swap out scenes.
It ties the attraction directly to a major national celebration, giving Soarin’ a sense of relevance beyond simple nostalgia. For many guests, this will feel like a full-circle moment, blending modern projection upgrades with a tribute to the ride’s roots.
It’s a subtle but meaningful way to kick off a year built around reinvention.
Frozen Ever After Gets a Major Animatronic Upgrade
Frozen Ever After remains one of EPCOT’s most popular rides, but its technical limits have become increasingly visible.
In 2026, Disney plans to introduce a new generation of animatronics that are more realistic, expressive, and reliable. These figures will feature smoother movement, improved facial animation, and upgraded audio synchronization that better matches dialogue and music.
The story itself will not change.
What will change is how believable the characters feel on screen and on stage. Elsa, Anna, and Olaf are expected to look less mechanical and more lifelike, closing the gap between older audio-animatronics and Disney’s newest creations.
This update reflects Disney’s broader goal of modernizing experiences that are still wildly popular but technically behind the curve. Frozen Ever After is set to reopen with these brand-new upgrades sometime in February 2026.
Big Thunder Mountain Enters a New Story Era
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has always told a loose story, but in 2026, that story is finally getting sharper focus.
Disney plans to introduce scene changes throughout the attraction, along with elements of a new storyline that better connect the ride’s visuals, sound effects, and finale. While the core layout will remain intact, guests can expect refreshed show scenes, new lighting effects, and added narrative details that clarify what’s actually happening inside the mountain.
This is not just a refurbishment.
It’s a creative update designed to give Big Thunder a stronger identity in a park that is rapidly evolving. Instead of relying purely on nostalgia, Disney is actively refreshing one of its most iconic coasters for a new generation.
Buzz Lightyear Introduces Smarter Tech and a New Character
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is getting one of its most important updates since opening.
In 2026, Disney plans to replace the ride’s aging blasters with more accurate, more responsive versions that finally fix long-standing targeting issues. Along with improved scoring technology, guests should see far fewer moments where shots fail to register or points seem random.
But the most significant addition is a new character.
A robot named Buddy will be introduced into the attraction, serving as both a guide and an interactive element within the ride’s story. “Buddy” is expected to help explain the mission, react to guest performance, and add personality to scenes that have remained essentially unchanged for years.
This update shows Disney’s commitment to keeping interactive rides competitive in a park full of cutting-edge technology.
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Trades Aerosmith for the Muppets
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is undergoing the boldest transformation of the year.
In 2026, the long-running Aerosmith theme will be officially replaced by a brand-new Muppets overlay. The ride system will stay the same, but nearly everything else will change. That includes the queue, preshow, music, story, and visual identity.
Instead of a backstage rock concert, guests will be swept into a chaotic Muppets recording session, complete with new songs, new dialogue, and classic Muppets humor layered onto the high-speed coaster.
This is a complete creative reboot designed to modernize one of Hollywood Studios’ aging headliners and align it with a brand that still has long-term value inside Disney’s portfolio.
Smugglers Run Adds The Mandalorian and Grogu
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is expanding its story in 2026 in a major way.
Disney plans to add a new mission featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu, introducing fresh dialogue, new visuals, and alternative story paths that change how each flight plays out. This will exist alongside the current missions, giving returning guests more variety than ever before.
By expanding the ride’s narrative options, Disney hopes to turn Smugglers Run into a true multi-experience attraction rather than one that feels familiar after a single visit.
It’s a strategic investment in keeping Galaxy’s Edge relevant in the long term.
DINOSAUR Closes for Good to Make Way for Indiana Jones
DINOSAUR’s fate is the most fatal change on this list.
The attraction is scheduled to close permanently in February 2026, clearing the way for a brand-new Indiana Jones ride to take its place. After decades in operation, DINOSAUR will officially become one of Animal Kingdom’s retired classics.
This is not a refurbishment.
It’s a full-blown replacement, marking a major shift in the park’s identity. Where Animal Kingdom once leaned heavily on original concepts, it is now fully embracing intellectual properties as anchors for its future.
For many longtime fans, this will be the most emotional change of the year.
Carousel of Progress May Finally Enter a New Chapter
Carousel of Progress remains uncertain, but the signals are growing stronger.
Disney is already known to be working on a new opening scene featuring a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic figure. While the timing is not officially confirmed, internal planning suggests this update could arrive in 2026 or early 2027.
If it happens, it would be one of the most symbolic changes in the park.
Introducing Walt Disney himself into the show would modernize the attraction while reinforcing its historical importance. Even a minor update here would carry enormous weight for Magic Kingdom’s future.
A Year That Quietly Redefines the Parks
When you look at these projects together, a clear pattern emerges.
Disney is not chasing one massive new ride in 2026. It is reshaping the core of its existing lineup.
Classic attractions are getting new stories. Aging technology is being replaced. Entire identities are being rebuilt. A few beloved rides are being retired to make room for the next era.
By the end of 2026, guests may not realize just how much has changed.
But they will feel it — in smoother rides, stronger stories, and a Walt Disney World that is quietly preparing for its next generation.