Visiting Walt Disney World in 2026 (everything we know so far about the coming year!)
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World in 2026? While specific details about the parks’ updates for that year may not be available yet, it’s never too early to start looking forward to new offerings. While it’s looking as if 2026 could be a year of construction projects, there are a few new things to look forward to as well. One is the reimagining of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. The popular attraction has long featured Aerosmith, but this will change in 2026 as the coaster will be updated to feature the Muppets instead.
Along with new attractions, visitors can look forward to the return of ticketed holiday events at Magic Kingdom and the continuation of popular Epcot festivals. As you begin to plan your trip, keep an eye out for more details and announcements as Disney starts unveiling what we can expect in the coming year!
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Disney World in 2026: News and Updates
- Disney World vacation packages are now available to book through October 2026. (November and December 2026 will be released at a later date.)
- Disney is offering their dining plan for kids for free in 2026. Guests staying at one of the Disney World Resorts will get a free Disney Dining Plan for kids (ages 3 to 9) when buying a Disney Dining Plan as part of their package for the remaining adult members of their party.
- Disney offered several great discounts throughout 2025. We will keep you posted as discounts get announced for 2026!
Year At-A-Glance
January
- Weather: Prepare to wear layers! January tends to be a dryer month in the parks, but the weather can be unpredictable. The average high is 72 degrees, and the low is typically around 51 degrees.
- Crowds: New Year’s, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend tend to be busier times for Walt Disney World. If you’re visiting in January to avoid the crowds, you may want to consider avoiding these weekends.
- Other Considerations: Park prices, hotel prices, and airfare prices are typically lower in January as it isn’t generally a peak travel time. Disney is also known to offer discounts and incentives for January, so be on the lookout for these when planning your vacation! Also, plan on a few refurbishments. Because January sees fewer crowds, Disney often uses this time to refurbish bigger attractions… especially water attractions.
February
- Weather: February temperatures tend to be a bit cooler. Typically, you will want to layer up as mornings and evenings are cooler and afternoons warm up a bit. The average high is 75 degrees, and the low is typically around 54 degrees. It is also typically a dryer month in terms of rain.
- Crowds: February didn’t used to be a peak time at Disney World, but that has changed in recent years. While it’s definitely not as crowded as spring break or the holiday season, it’s not as quiet as it once was. If you’re visiting in February to avoid the crowds, you may want to avoid President’s Day weekend as well as the weekend of the Disney Princess Half Marathon.
- Other Considerations: Disney often uses this time to refurbish certain attractions. This includes some of the bigger water attractions since February is a cooler month.
March
- Weather: March is a warmer month, but you will still want to wear layers. Mornings and evenings will still be a bit chilly, but afternoons will typically be warmer. The average high is 78 degrees, and the low is typically around 58 degrees. It is also typically a dryer month in terms of rain. And compared with both January and February, the days are getting a bit longer as well, which will allow more daylight hours in the parks.
- Crowds: March is one of the busiest months of the year. With spring breaks happening all across the country, the parks will be busy… especially during the last two weeks of the month. In 2026, Easter falls on April 5, which could also increase crowds at the end of March.
- Other Considerations: Major refurbishments are usually finished in March, but there may still be a few. Disney tends to schedule their refurbishments during less busy months (such as January or February), but some of these may still be finishing up early in March.
April
- Weather: Overall, the weather in Orlando is quite pleasant in April. So if you’re looking to visit Disney World without the extreme heat, this may be the perfect time to go. The average high is 83 degrees, and the low is typically around 60 degrees.
- Crowds: April tends to be less busy than March, but the first half of the month could be very busy with many schools still on spring break and Easter falling on April 5, 2026.
- Other Considerations: Disney tends to schedule their refurbishments during less busy months (such as January or February), but that doesn’t mean closures can’t or won’t happen in April.
May
- Weather: Temperatures in May are usually not quite as hot as in June or July, but it is definitely beginning to heat up as the summer months approach. The average high is 88 degrees, and the low is typically around 66 degrees.
- Crowds: Expect crowds for Memorial Day Weekend! This three-day weekend does bring its fair share of crowds, but many schools are not out yet for summer, so the rest of May shouldn’t be too busy.
- Other Considerations: The first two weeks of May are an amazing time to visit Walt Disney World. Warmer weather, lower crowds, and fewer refurbishments make the first two weeks of May one of our favorite times to visit the parks!
June
- Weather: The average high is 90 degrees, and the low is typically around 71 degrees. It is also the start of Orlando’s rainy season. That being said, most rain in June will come in short “spurts” as brief afternoon downpours are very typical.
- Crowds: Most of June is busy, and the crowds only increase as the month goes on and schools release their students for summer break. Of the summer months, June is slightly less hot, but it is also a little more crowded because of it.
- Other Considerations: Due to the hotter temperatures, the pools can get quite busy during the heat of the day as well as in the evenings when guests return from a day in the parks. Consider visiting in the mornings when they will be less busy.
July
- Weather: The weather in Orlando is quite hot in July. The average high is 92 degrees, and the low is typically around 75 degrees. It is technically Orlando’s rainy season as well, so be prepared for rain. Ponchos may be a good thing to pack!
- Crowds: July is usually less busy than June, but there are steady summer crowds for most of the month. Be prepared for an increase in crowds during the Fourth of July weekend.
- Other Considerations: The summer sun can be quite intense, especially when combined with Florida humidity. As the parks are open longer hours each day, afternoon breaks at your resort can be a great way to beat the heat.
August
- Weather: Overall, the weather in Orlando is quite hot in August. The average high is 91 degrees, and the low is typically around 75 degrees. It is technically Orlando’s rainy season as well. That being said, most rain in August will come in short “spurts” rather than be an all-day thing. Brief afternoon downpours are very typical.
- Crowds: Many schools are back in session at some point in August, so between that and the heat, many opt to avoid August when selecting their vacation dates. August is typically the least crowded of the summer months, but it does heat up a bit when it comes to temperatures. If you’re able to withstand the heat and the beginning of school isn’t an issue for you, August could be a great month to visit… especially in the final two weeks of the month.
- Other Considerations: The Food and Wine Festival is quite popular with locals. Consider visiting Epcot on weekdays if you’re trying to avoid the crowds.
September
- Weather: The weather in Orlando is quite hot in September. The average high is 90 degrees, and the low is typically around 72 degrees. It is technically Orlando’s rainy season as well. In fact, September is often considered to be the wettest month of the year. It is also worth noting that September has seen a few closures since 1985 due to hurricanes coming through. While closures due to hurricanes are a rare event in Orlando, it is something to think about if planning a September vacation to Florida.
- Crowds: September tends to be one of the lightest months of the year in terms of crowds. This is due to several factors, including the start of a new school year as well as the weather. Weekends at Epcot will be busier than normal with locals due to the Food and Wine Festival, and the Magic Kingdom will undoubtedly see some crowds in relation to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Labor Day weekend is really the only “holiday” during the month of September. And while you may see a slight uptick in crowds, it’s typically not a huge draw in terms of crowds due to most families not wanting to pull their kids out of school during their first weeks back.
- Other Considerations: The Food and Wine Festival is quite popular with locals. Consider visiting Epcot on weekdays if you’re trying to avoid the crowds.
October
- Weather: The weather shifts greatly in the month of October. We finally get some relief from the summer heat! The average high is 85 degrees, and the low is typically around 65 degrees. Rain is starting to let up as well as October marks the end of hurricane season.
- Crowds: The crowds in October will most likely be moderate and steady. While there are no major holiday weekends, Halloween festivities do bring many to the parks as well as Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival.
- Other Considerations: Halloween in Walt Disney World is quite popular. Ticketed events are held on select nights in Magic Kingdom (which will affect park hours).
November
- Weather: The weather can be a bit unpredictable in the month of November, but it is typically one of the most beautiful months to visit Disney World. The average high is 79 degrees, and the low is typically around 59 degrees. Hurricane season is typically over by November as well, meaning there will be fewer rainy days. You will undoubtedly want to dress in layers, however. The days (especially if they are sunny) will feel quite warm, but the evenings will probably get a bit chilly.
- Crowds: November is fairly average in terms of crowds, with the exception of Thanksgiving week. In fact, Thanksgiving weekend is typically one of the busiest weekends of the year.
- Other Considerations: The holidays begin throughout the parks during the month of November. Christmas decorations and holiday events typically begin the second week of November. So be prepared to celebrate!
December
- Weather: The weather can sometimes be a bit unpredictable in the month of December, but it is typically one of the most pleasant months to visit Disney World. The average high is 73 degrees, and the low is typically around 53 degrees. It may be a little cooler, but it is typically one of the driest months of the year in terms of rain. You will want to dress in layers as the days will feel warm, but the evenings will undoubtedly be a bit chilly.
- Crowds: Being in Walt Disney World for Christmas can be truly magical, but be prepared for crowds. Typically, the beginning of December sees moderate crowds, with the final two weeks of December being two of the busiest weeks of the year.
- Other Considerations: Christmas is a popular time to visit Walt Disney World. While festivities are in full swing at all four theme parks, Magic Kingdom holds ticketed events on select nights throughout the season. Get your tickets early if you want to attend, and keep in mind that these events will affect park hours at Magic Kingdom.
Ride Closures and Refurbishments
*Please note that this list could change at a moment’s notice.
Magic Kingdom
- Astro Orbiter will be closed until Summer 2025.
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be closed until 2026. An opening date has yet to be announced.
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be closing for enhancements from August 2025 until 2026.
- Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade is permanently closed.
- Hall of Presidents is currently closed for a routine refurbishment. Opening date is TBD.
- Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island will be closing permanently at some point in 2025.
- Starlight Night Parade will be debuting in Summer 2025.
EPCOT
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is now open!
- Test Track closed on June 17, 2024, for a multi-month refurbishment. A reopening date has not yet been announced, but it will likely be sometime in 2025.
Hollywood Studios
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid is permanently closed and was replaced with a fully reimagined production called “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” on May 27, 2025.
- Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple has permanently ended.
- Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy is permanently closed.
- Muppet*Vision 3D permanently closed on June 8, 2025.
- Disney Junior Play and Dance! will be closed from May 25, 2025, through Fall 2025.
- Villains Unfairly Ever After Show opened on May 27, 2025.
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will be closing at some point in 2026 for reimagining. The newly reimagined attraction starring The Muppets will debut at some point in 2026 as well. Official dates have yet to be announced, but we do know that fans of the coaster starring Aerosmith will be able to enjoy it through 2025!
Animal Kingdom
- It’s Tough to Be a Bug will be closing at some point to make way for a Zootopia Tree of Life Show. The new attraction will open in Winter 2025.
- Primeval Whirl is permanently closed
- It is anticipated that Dino-Rama, as a whole, will likely close at some point to make way for a major expansion. Disney has announced that the replacement will be “Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom.” Concepts include Encanto and Indiana Jones, and DINOSAUR will be converted into an Indiana Jones attraction. Dates have yet to be announced for this major project; however, Disney has announced that DINOSAUR will remain open through 2025.
Other
- Typhoon Lagoon Water Park reopened for the summer season on May 1, 2025.
Everything Coming to Disney World in 2026 (and Beyond)
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
While we don’t have a lot of information yet for this race weekend in 2026, last year’s race featured a 5K, a 10K, a 10-miler, a Challenge (all three races), and Springtime Surprise Yoga. Registration opens on July 22, 2025, for Club runDisney Members and on July 29, 2025, for general registration.
October/November – runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
Dates have yet to be announced for this race weekend in 2026, but this event typically takes place during Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival in the fall. This very popular event features a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and two-course challenge.
2026 – Disney After Hours (tentative)
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
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-February – Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Epcot (Tentative)
Dates have yet to be announced for 2026, but this festival typically begins in the middle of January and lasts through mid-February. It 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.
Late February-May – Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival (Tentative)
Dates have yet to be announced for 2026, but this festival typically begins near the end of February and lasts through most of May. 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.
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.
2026 – Muppets & Electric Mayhem
The popular Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will be closing at some point in 2026 for retheming. The newly re-imagined attraction will also open in 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 will begin in 2025.
Animal Kingdom
TBD – Tropical American (retheming of Dinoland U.S.A.)
Exciting changes are coming to Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! The area is set to be transformed into a “Tropical Americas” land, drawing inspiration from the enchanting film Encanto and the action-packed Indiana Jones franchise. While specific attractions have not been officially announced, there are speculations about the potential retheming of the popular ride DINOSAUR, as it utilizes the same ride vehicles as Disneyland’s Indiana Jones attraction. We will keep you posted if Disney makes any formal announcements!
Disney World Planning Guides
Magic in the Planning offers numerous guides to help you get started in your Disney World vacation planning! Here are some to get you started!
Walt Disney World Resorts:
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Disney Value Resort Hotels
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Disney Moderate Resort Hotels
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Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels
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Disney Deluxe Villas
Walt Disney World Dining:
Walt Disney World Attraction Guides:
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Attraction Guide for Magic Kingdom
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Attraction Guide for Epcot
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Attraction Guide for Hollywood Studios
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Attraction Guide for Animal Kingdom
Planning your Walt Disney World vacation? Be sure to visit my step-by-step guide to help you get started!
