Top 10 New Disney Attraction Updates & Changes for 2026: Walt Disney World & Disneyland

Animal Kingdom: Bluey & Encanto Transformations

• 🐾 Bluey and Bingo are coming to Conservation Station, replacing the Disney Animation Experience, with an interactive play area set to open by May 26th.
• 🐨 The Wildlife Express and Conservation Station will temporarily close starting February 22nd for a transformation, relocating current animals to make way for Australian natives.
• 🏞️ Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom has closed permanently to be transformed into a new Indiana Jones ride, marking the end of Dino Land USA.
• 🎶 Construction is progressing on the Encanto ride show building, with an expected 2027 opening, and a new carousel and playground are also being added to the area.

Epcot & Disneyland: Ride Enhancements & Timeline Shifts

• 🎭 Frozen Ever After in Epcot received an upgrade with physical animatronic faces for Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff, enhancing the ride experience.
• ⏳ Star Wars Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland will break its single timeline by April 29th, 2026, allowing characters and experiences from multiple Star Wars eras to coexist.
• 🎶 The addition of John Williams' iconic score to Galaxy's Edge and the reopening of Oga's Cantina with its Cantina band song are anticipated changes.

Magic Kingdom & Hollywood Studios Developments

• 🏰 Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom is being repainted to its original color scheme, with temporary adjustments to entertainment offerings like the welcome show and fireworks.
• 🎢 Facade work is underway at Monstropolis in Hollywood Studios, with the door coaster project making significant progress, potentially opening in 2028.
• 🎨 Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios is being transformed into 'The Magic of Disney Animation,' featuring character meet-and-greets, a new short film, and the return of the Animation Academy, set to open in late summer 2026.
• 🚀 Refurbishments are occurring at Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin in Tomorrowland and Pete's Silly Sideshow in Fantasyland, with Buzz Lightyear expected to reopen this spring.
• 👻 The Haunted Mansion exterior is undergoing refurbishment, and Big Thunder Mountain is also being refurbished with new trains and track, aiming for a spring reopening.

Frontier Land & Villains Land Expansion

• 🚗 The former Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island areas are being cleared for a new Cars attraction in Frontier Land and Villains Land.
• 🗺️ Wastewater permits reveal building plans for the Cars attraction, possibly including a load/unload station and show scenes, and potential restroom facilities or a bar near the Haunted Mansion.
• 🏰 Villains Land is planned to include a large-scale dark ride, a restaurant/shop, and a Maleficent roller coaster with an underground tunnel element, with construction on these massive projects underway.