What’s Coming to Walt Disney World in 2026: Big Events, New Rides & Major Updates
If you’re already thinking ahead to your next Disney vacation, you’ll definitely want to know what’s coming to Walt Disney World in 2026. It’s shaping up to be a big year across all four parks — with returning favorites, exciting updates, and a few brand-new experiences in the works.
From runDisney race weekends and Disney After Hours events to EPCOT’s lineup of festivals and the patriotic debut of Soarin’ Across America, there’s something happening almost every month of the year. Magic Kingdom will welcome back Big Thunder Mountain Railroad after its lengthy refurbishment, while Hollywood Studios prepares for new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run scenes and a Muppets re-theme of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. And that’s just the beginning. While some dates are still being finalized, here’s everything we know so far about what’s ahead.
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Planning a Disney World vacation in 2026? Be sure to check out our guide to all that the Walt Disney World Resort has to offer this year!
Walt Disney World Resort
*These festivities will be taking place in 2026 throughout the entire Walt Disney World Resort! Being that it is still early, exact dates are a bit unknown at this point… especially for the Epcot festivals. But we will keep you posted as Disney makes their announcements in the coming months.
January 7-11 – runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
This year’s marathon theme will be based on different storybook genres, including a sci-fi 5K led by Pluto, a mysterious 10K hosted by Chip ‘n Dale, a romantic half marathon featuring Donald Duck and Daisy Duck, and a fantasy-themed full marathon led by Mickey and Minnie. The weekend will also offer Goofy’s Race and a Half Marathon (the half marathon and whole marathon) as well as the Dopey Challenge, which includes all four weekend races. Registration opens on March 4, 2025, for Club runDisney Members and on March 11, 2025, for general registration.
February 26-March 2 – runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
Another popular runDisney race has a royal theme. Events for the weekend include a 5K featuring Merida, a 10K led by Moana, a Half Marathon hosted by Rapunzel, a Beauty and the Beast-themed Fairytale Challenge (10K and Half Marathon), and Disney Princess Yoga at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Registration opens on June 17, 2025, for Club runDisney Members and on June 24, 2025, for general registration.
April 16-20 – runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
This year’s race will celebrate the power of friendship! Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will lead the 5K, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger will host the 10K, and the 10-miler will feature Joy and Sadness from Inside Out. Runners can also participate in a 3-race challenge hosted by Aladdin and Genie, as well as morning yoga featuring Lilo and Stitch! Registration opens on July 22, 2025, for Club runDisney Members and on July 29, 2025, for general registration.
October 22-25 – runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
This year’s race weekend celebrates the flavors and stories of EPCOT’s World Showcase. Choose from a 5K, 10K, or half marathon — and earn a unique medal for each race you complete. There’s even a special post-race party at EPCOT on October 25 to keep the celebration going!
2026 – Disney After Hours
At various parks throughout the year, Disney offers guests the opportunity to attend ticketed events on select nights after the parks close. These are not the same thing as “Extended Evening Hours” for those staying at Deluxe Resorts; rather, these events are available to all guests who have purchased a ticket. The events are 3 hours long, but guests are allowed to enter the park early at 7:00 PM. Obviously, the biggest perk is lower wait times for some of your favorite attractions, but the events also feature lower crowds, character greetings, specialty snacks, complimentary snacks (including popcorn, ice cream treats, and bottled drinks), and more.
- Magic Kingdom – select evenings from January 12 to July 27, 2026
- Epcot – select evenings from January 22 through September 24, 2026
- Hollywood Studios – select evenings from January 14 to September 12, 2026
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon – TBD
Magic Kingdom
Spring 2026 – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed on January 6, 2025 for a lengthy refurbishment, giving the wildest ride in the wilderness a little time off. The good news? It’s expected to reopen in Spring 2026 with a touch of “new magic.”
Mid August-October 31 – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Tentative)
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a very popular ticketed event that will likely take place on select nights beginning mid-August through Halloween. Last year’s event took place from 7:00 PM to midnight and featured trick-or-treating, a special Halloween parade, fireworks, specialty menu items, not-so-scary entertainment, your favorite characters dressed in their Halloween attire, and so much more.
November-December – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Tentative)
Official dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party have not yet been announced, but the popular ticketed event typically takes place on select nights in November and December. The party typically features a holiday parade, fireworks, festive entertainment, unique menu items, your favorite Disney characters dressed in their holiday best, and so much more!
TBD – New “Cars” Area in Frontierland
Disney is planning to revamp a section of Frontierland and turn it into a Cars-themed area. This new area will include two exciting attractions. The first attraction will offer a thrilling rally race through the mountains, allowing guests to race across the landscape, navigate mountain trails, avoid geysers, and splash through mudholes. The second attraction will be a family-friendly experience designed for younger racers. Construction for this project is set to commence in early 2025.
TBD – New Villains Area
Disney has confirmed the development of a new section of the park, located beyond Big Thunder, which will be centered around beloved Disney villains. This new area will include two exciting attractions, as well as exclusive dining and shopping options. While preparations for construction are already underway, Disney has not yet released any information regarding a specific timeline for when the new area will be open to visitors.
Epcot
January 16-February 23 – Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Epco
This event boasts some of the best activities of all the Epcot festivals. In addition to all of the artistic culinary creations, you will find animation classes, a paint-by-number mural, workshops (for an additional fee), photo ops throughout the park, and must-see galleries as well as artwork available for purchase. It also features the Disney on Broadway Concert Series on select nights throughout the festival.
March 4-June 1 – Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival transforms Epcot into a breathtaking springtime wonderland. Visitors can enjoy a stunning display of flowers and topiaries, indulge in delicious outdoor food, and listen to live music at the Garden Rocks Concert Series. Exclusive festival merchandise and scavenger hunts (including the popular Egg-stravaganza Easter Egg Hunt) add to the experience, making it a must-see event for flower and nature enthusiasts.
May 25 – Soarin’ Across America
Details are still limited, but Disney has confirmed that Soarin’ will debut an all-new “Soarin’ Across America” overlay in summer 2026, taking guests on a breathtaking flight from sea to shining sea. The updated version will highlight iconic cityscapes and some of the country’s most stunning natural landscapes. At Walt Disney World, the distinctly patriotic overlay is set to open by Memorial Day 2026!
Late August-November – Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
Dates have yet to be announced for 2026, but this festival typically begins near the end of August and lasts through most of November. The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is a highly anticipated event at the park, featuring a wide variety of food and beverage booths to satisfy the most discerning palates. In addition to dining options, attendees can take part in scavenger hunts, enjoy live music, participate in the Wine and Dine Half Marathon, and explore exclusive festival merchandise.
Late November-December – Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
The Epcot Festival of the Holidays may be the shortest of the Epcot festivals, but it truly transforms the park into a holiday wonderland. Dates and details for 2026 have yet to be announced, but previous years featured the iconic Candlelight Processional, Living with the Land: Glimmering Greenhouses, World Showcase Storytellers, Santa Claus, and the Holiday Cookie Stroll.
Hollywood Studios
2026 – New scenes in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Din Djarin and Grogu will be featured in a new version of this iconic attraction. The mission will debut around the same time as the new movie “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” which will be released on May 22, 2026.
Spring/Summer 2026 – Muppets & Electric Mayhem
The popular Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will be closing on March 2, 2026, for retheming. The newly re-imagined attraction will open in “Summer 2026” and feature characters from the Muppets.
TBD – New Monstropolis Area
This new Monsters, Inc. area will feature a suspended roller coaster inspired by the doors chase scene in the original movie. Construction began in 2025.
Animal Kingdom
2027 – Tropical Americas (retheming of Dinoland U.S.A.)
Saying goodbye to DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in February 2026 definitely felt like the end of an era. But change is coming quickly. In its place, Disney is building a brand-new Tropical Americas land called Pueblo Esperanza — and construction is already well underway.
When it opens in 2027, the area will feature two major attractions inspired by Encanto and Indiana Jones, plus a beautifully themed carousel with hand-carved animals, a new play area for kids, and what Disney says will be one of the largest quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World.
**Be sure to check back regarding new rides and attractions as this page will be updated often!
Are you excited about all that is coming to Walt Disney World in the near future and want to plan your next vacation? Be sure to visit my step-by-step guide to begin planning!
