Credit: DisneyWalt Disney World has been on an expansion spree lately, and most of the attention has been on the parks getting the biggest land additions.
Magic Kingdom is preparing for Villains Land and Piston Peak. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is moving toward a new era with Magic of Disney Animation and Monstropolis. Animal Kingdom is also shifting dramatically, with Tropical Americas on the way.
So at first glance, EPCOT almost feels like the park that’s staying quiet.
But in 2026, EPCOT is about to prove that assumption wrong.
Because while the other parks push forward with massive construction projects, EPCOT is heading into its own kind of overhaul—one built around upgrades, festivals, and significant entertainment changes that could reshape the park’s entire year.
EPCOT Has Always Played by Different Rules
EPCOT has never felt like a typical Disney park.
Magic Kingdom leans on classic storytelling. Hollywood Studios thrives on blockbuster franchises. Animal Kingdom blends attractions with immersive environments.
EPCOT, though, has always stood out. It’s a park where guests can ride a major attraction like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, then spend hours wandering World Showcase, eating snacks, and soaking in the atmosphere.
That’s why EPCOT’s 2026 changes matter so much. The park doesn’t need a brand-new land to feel fresh. It requires a stronger lineup of reasons to keep coming back.
And that’s exactly what Disney is building.
While Other Parks Expand, EPCOT Evolves
Disney World’s other parks are preparing for massive physical expansions that will reshape what guests see and do.
Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land has been one of the most anticipated additions in years, and Piston Peak will also add more new territory. Hollywood Studios is getting Magic of Disney Animation and Monstropolis, both of which will add new life to a park that already struggles with crowding. Animal Kingdom’s Tropical Americas will give one of its most talked-about areas a completely different identity.
But EPCOT is taking a different approach.
Instead of one big land reveal, EPCOT is stacking improvements and seasonal experiences in a way that could make the park feel like it’s constantly changing year-round.
¡Celebración Encanto! Gets Extended Indefinitely
One of EPCOT’s biggest entertainment offerings is sticking around much longer than expected.
Disney confirmed that ¡Celebración Encanto! will be extended indefinitely, which is a strong sign that the company sees it as a long-term part of EPCOT’s lineup.
It brings energy to the park, attracts families, and offers a character-driven experience that doesn’t rely on food booths or rides. EPCOT has always benefited from live entertainment, and this show gives the park another significant “stop what you’re doing and watch this” moment.
Frozen Ever After Reopens With New Animatronics
Frozen Ever After officially reopened on February 12, and guests immediately rushed back to Norway to see what had changed.
Disney didn’t just reopen the ride—they refreshed it with new animatronics. That’s a significant upgrade for one of EPCOT’s most popular attractions, especially since Frozen Ever After consistently pulls long wait times.
Instead of replacing the ride or rebuilding the pavilion, Disney chose to improve what was already there. And that’s precisely the kind of overhaul EPCOT needs.
Soarin’ Will Shift to Soarin’ Across America
Disney also announced that Soarin’ will become Soarin’ Across America for the 250th anniversary of the United States.
This is a big move for longtime Disney fans. Even if it’s temporary, this shift gives guests a major reason to revisit an attraction they might otherwise skip.
EPCOT’s Festival Calendar Will Stay Packed
EPCOT will continue leaning into what it does best: festivals.
Festival of the Arts will run from January 16 through February 23, giving EPCOT a strong start to the year. The Flower and Garden Festival follows soon after, running March 4 through June 1, keeping the park in festival mode for most of spring.
Food and Wine Festival will return in fall 2026, as expected, bringing one of EPCOT’s biggest crowd-driving events back into the spotlight. And later in the year, Festival of the Holidays will once again transform World Showcase into a global holiday celebration.
Instead of relying on a single seasonal push, EPCOT will remain in rotation year-round.
After-Hours Events Are Staying at EPCOT
Disney also confirmed that After Hours events will continue at EPCOT, and that matters because EPCOT might be the best park for that type of experience.
World Showcase feels completely different at night, and guests love the idea of shorter waits, lower crowds, and a calmer atmosphere that still feels exciting.
By keeping After Hours going, Disney is making EPCOT feel like a park that offers premium experiences, not just daytime festivals.
GoofyCore Brings Cool Kids Summer to EPCOT
Disney is also introducing GoofyCore as part of Cool Kids Summer, giving EPCOT a more playful, interactive experience.
Guests will be able to play games and interact with favorite characters, helping EPCOT feel more family-friendly. EPCOT can sometimes feel like the “adult park,” especially for families with younger kids who can’t do the bigger rides.
This gives the park a new energy and helps fill in one of EPCOT’s most significant gaps.
EPCOT’s Overhaul Isn’t One Land—It’s an Entire Strategy
When people hear the word “overhaul,” they usually picture construction walls and major land replacements.
But EPCOT’s 2026 overhaul looks different.
Disney is stacking upgrades, rotating festivals, new entertainment, and attraction updates in a way that could make EPCOT feel like the most active park at Disney World year-round.
And if Disney actually delivers on everything planned, EPCOT won’t just feel refreshed in 2026.
It may end up feeling like the most reliable park on the property.