If all goes as planned in 2026, Orlando-area theme parks and attractions will be welcoming new animatronics, new roller coasters, more Muppet Mania, returning rides, and tons of sloths.
Yes, it’s a sloth. But slow down a little.
At Walt Disney World, multiple rollouts are planned at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including the opening of the Magic of Disney Animation Area in the former Star Wars: Launch Bay building. It spotlights aspects of the company’s approach to animation, using short films, vivid portraits, sketches, photo shoots, character greetings, and an indoor play area called “Drawn to Wonderland,” inspired by the art of Mary Blair.
Nearby Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! The summer lineup will also include an improved Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with Muppets and a new setting.
The park’s “Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run” will get an update centered around the film “The Mandalorian and Grogu” as of May 22nd (movie release date). New missions include a selection of destinations (among them the remains of the Death Star) and an enhanced engineer position to communicate with Grogu.
At Magic Kingdom, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster will return after being closed for renovations since January 2025, and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin will reopen with new rides, a handheld blaster, interactive targets and a robot named Buddy. Disney lists both as spring arrivals.
Disney scraps Buzz Lightyear ride, adds new twist
Meanwhile, Epcot’s “Frozen Ever After” will be updated with animatronics for the characters Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff starting in February. (The last day before the attraction’s closure to make changes is Jan. 25.) Epcot is also adding “Soarin’ Across America” as part of the company’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. It is expected to be released for the first time by Memorial Day.
The Bluey character will begin his meet and greet duties at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this summer. This interaction takes place at a conservation station in the park.
Perhaps the first major addition to arrive in 2026 will be the Galactic Coaster at Legoland in Florida. The indoor ride “Customizable LEGO Space Adventure” will debut on February 27th.
It is also scheduled to open in February. Slow World is home to dozens of slow-paced animals and provides a new educational/entertainment venue on International Drive.
Sloth World plans a quiet presence on the busy I-Drive
Coming soon
Other expected additions include:
• SeaWorld Orlando is building SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, a suspended dark ride. An opening date has not been announced.
• Icon Park has three attractions under construction scheduled to debut this year, including the Blue Man Group Theatre, the multi-story Building-A-Bear Workshop and Ripley’s Crazy Golf.
• The traveling exhibit “Animationland” arrives at the Orange County Regional History Center on January 17th. Downtown’s Orlando Museum includes a section titled “Drawing Magic: Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida” that explores how the Central Florida-based studio contributed to films such as “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King,” “Mulan” and “Lilo & Stitch.”
• Banana Ball – featuring the Loco Beach Coconuts and Party Animals teams – slides into the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on May 29 and 30.
• Major renovations to the Orlando Science Center’s Cinedome are scheduled to be completed in the spring. You can expect new lights, speakers, screens, and 8K digital projectors for big-screen movies, laser shows, and planetarium presentations.
• LEVEL99, an interactive gaming venue, will open at Disney Springs in 2026. It takes over the space of the short-lived NBA experience.
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is planning an immersive animal habitat called Lion & Hyena Ridge.
Disney Springs: New Level99 venue leverages teamwork
festival focus
The majority of special events at theme parks and attractions will resume, including the inaugural Cool Kid Summer in 2025, which will be held throughout Disney World. The firm date for 2026 that we know is Q1.
• Epcot International Arts Festival: January 16th – February 23rd.
• Rock the Universe at Universal Studios: January 23-24
• Science on Tap at Orlando Science Center: January 24th
• Mardi Gras: International Flavor Carnival at Universal Studios: February 7th – April 4th
• Spark STEM Fest at Orlando Science Center: February 13-16.
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival: March 4th – June 1st
last call
This is the last recruitment for some attractions this year.
• “Orlando Collected,” an exhibit related to the city’s 150th anniversary, closes Jan. 11 at the Orange County Regional History Center.
• The last day to experience the Dinosaur simulator ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is February 1st. The attraction is being renovated with an “Indiana Jones” theme in a tropical American land under construction.
• Aerosmith’s version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ends March 1st. The attraction has been updated with Muppet characters and themes and has operated at Hollywood Studios since 1999.
Orlando theme park has more animatronics, making it more realistic
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