Building on earlier 2026 closures and rethemes, Walt Disney World Resort has outlined seven key developments for summer visits, including permanent Bluey experiences at Animal Kingdom, ride reopenings with enhancements, and new themed areas at Hollywood Studios.
As Walt Disney World continues its 2026 park transformations—previously detailed in coverage of major closures—new announcements highlight summer openings and updates that will reshape visitor experiences.
Animal Kingdom's Rafiki’s Planet Watch area, closing February 23, 2026, transforms permanently into Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station, opening May 26. Accessible via Wildlife Express Train, it features character meets with Bluey and Bingo, Butterfly Keepy Uppy play, and a dance party. The former Affection Section becomes Jumping Junction, a petting zoo with Australian kangaroos, wallabies, and emus.
Magic Kingdom's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens early May 2026 after its January 2025 closure, promising 'a little bit of new magic' amid Frontierland expansions like Piston Peak (Cars-themed) linking to Villains Land and Liberty Square. Tomorrowland's Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin returns April 8 with redesigned Star Command vehicles, onboard video score monitors, upgraded blasters (lasers, vibrations, sounds), interactive targets, and new character Buddy from Pixar and Walt Disney Imagineering.
EPCOT’s Soarin’ Around the World closes May 13 to relaunch as Soarin’ Across America on May 26, a limited-time tribute to the U.S.’s 250th birthday with American landscapes, scents, and simulations.
Hollywood Studios debuts The Walt Disney Studios on May 26, replacing Animation Courtyard with a Burbank-inspired lot featuring an outdoor courtyard, landscaping, character meets, and snacks. The Magic of Disney Animation opens in the former Star Wars: Launch Bay, spanning six studio departments. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! launches that day, succeeding Disney Jr. Play and Dance, alongside continuing Walt Disney Presents and The Little Mermaid.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge introduces a new Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run mission on May 22, inspired by The Mandalorian and Grogu film. Scenarios span Bespin, Endor’s Death Star wreckage, and Coruscant, with expanded engineer interactions including Grogu.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster reopens in summer 2026 as a Muppets-themed ride, post-Aerosmith closure on March 1. It stars the Electric Mayhem band, penguins as engineers, Scooter, a refreshed exterior, and a groundbreaking Muppet Animatronic, while retaining the original track, launch, and thrills.
