Yesterday Disneyland Resort released their event calendar for 2026 and today Walt Disney World is following suit. Sort of. The Florida vacation destination announced a number of opening seasons for attractions as well as the return of their annual festivals and parties. In this post, we’ll share all of the details while adding in a little bit of commentary!

Early 2026

Earlier this fall, we shared that Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff Audio-Animatronics figures at Frozen Ever After at EPCOT will receive new updates, taking inspiration from the advancements seen in figures at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland.

Guests will be able to see these updated figures in February 2026! We’re bullish on this update, hoping this turns Frozen Ever After into one of Epcot’s best rides. While I’ve never minded the dark ride (outside of a clumsy fit) the projected animatronic faces did pull me out of the immersion. That will be fixed now. We think this will be open before the mid-winter break (President’s Day) rush.

As was previously announced, EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will take place from January 16 to February 23. There are artisanal dishes, beautiful artwork, and sing-your-heart-out Broadway showtunes from my favorite DISNEY ON BROADWAY shows and stars.

Disney After Hours, a park-close separately ticketed event, is back in 2026. Whether you want to go on an adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, explore the world at EPCOT, or be enchanted at Magic Kingdom, there will be fun, magic, and included snacks and beverages waiting for you.

Spring 2026

During springtime in Florida, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the flowers are blooming at the 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, returning from March 4 to June 1. The annual festival will feature whimsical topiaries and lush gardens, mouthwatering bites at Outdoor Kitchens, and live tunes during the Garden Rocks Concert Series.

Over at Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens this spring. The iconic attraction has undergone a long refurbishment and now will open with brand new special effects that should revitalize the coaster. I’m eager to see the ride and how it stacks up to the other Big Thunders out there.

Across Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland, take on Evil Emperor Zurg with the help of updated ride vehicles, cool new handheld blasters, and interactive targets at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Guests of all ages won’t need to wait too long to try for that Galactic Hero rank, because the attraction reopens spring 2026!

In regards to both of these attractions, I’d expect sometime before Memorial Day but don’t have much of a guess beyond that. Will they put the rush on these and try to open them before spring break season? That makes sense but there isn’t a lot of time before that. If that’s the case, I’d expect an announcement of a specific date in about a month.

Summer 2026

Cool Kids’ Summer is making a triumphant return to Epcot this summer. Is triumphant the right word? Honestly, this under the radar event added some entertainment and made use of CommuniCore GoofyCore Hall and Plaza. Cool Kids’ Summer is apparently resort wide but is most felt in Epcot. That said, Cool Kids have no restraints and can take their coolness anywhere.

Summer of 2026 sees the return of the free water park promotion. Whether you dream of being surrounded by a tropical paradise or a watery wintery wonderland, you and your family can enjoy free Disney Water Park admission on your arrival day, included in your stay.

Speaking of water parks at Walt Disney World, keep an eye out for the return of Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon! During this separately ticketed event, you can splash the night away with a DJ dance party, meet up with fun Disney pals, enjoy your favorite watery attractions, and indulge in complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select beverages – all after the sun goes down and the water park closes.

If your summer memories need a chorus of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” then this next one is for you – for the first time ever, Banana Ball is headed to ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World May 29 to 30.

Whether you’re team Loco Beach Coconuts or team Party Animals, the trick plays, diving catches, and on-the-field shenanigans are sure to deliver fun. The Banana Ball Ticket Lottery List is currently closed, but a limited number of Tickets Inclusive of Food & Beverage will be available for fans to purchase soon, so keep your eye on the ball!

Beginning in summer 2026 at Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll be able to take a fun excursion to Conservation Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where you can play and dance with Bluey and Bingo! Play some of your favorite games from Bluey episodes with a fun animal twist, like butterfly keepy uppy.

Grab the whole family and snap some pictures alongside your Blue Heeler pals to remember this one-of-a-kind adventure. Plus, as part of your wild excursion, step outside to discover an experience with animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia!

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” will debut this summer packed with upbeat tunes. You’ll be dancing along with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they embark on a road trip to find some of their best pals – Goofy, Daisy and Pluto, of course – for the party.

You may have seen this show over at Disneyland Resort in California, and soon you’ll be able to join in on the fun in the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios area at Walt Disney World.

Later in the summer, “The Magic of Disney Animation” will open and invite us all inside the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios and its beloved, playful creations. Just like in the award-winning short Once Upon a Studio, animated characters come to life; characters will leap from their portraits, draw with us, and invite us into a “Drawn To Wonderland” playground inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s original Alice in Wonderland concept art.

And that’s just the beginning! You’ll also be able to venture into “Off the Page!,” a stunning area born of collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. Here, you can meet some of your favorite friends from beloved Disney stories across six unique departments from the animation studio:

• Story 
• Layout 
• Hand-Drawn Animation 
• Computer Animation 
• Lighting  
• Effects  

Each space offers incredible photo opportunities: you can meet Mulan in the Story department, posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel. Or, step into the Layout department where Rapunzel awaits in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera. Align your photo just right, and you’ll see layers of backgrounds and painted cells come together like magic!

The busy summer at Hollywood Studios continues because Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will open summer 2026. Over the last few weeks, the park has phased out the Aerosmith preshow and the coaster will make a quick turnaround to its retheme.

Looking to take another ride with Aerosmith before rolling out the red carpet for The Muppets? You can keep ridin’ and rockin’ (and rollin’) until spring 2026!

A new mission is touching down in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Walt Disney World on May 22. The all-new adventure is centered around The Mandalorian and Grogu – you can read here for more details on this thrilling new storyline.

The Walt Disney Company, founded over a hundred years ago in Los Angeles, California, recently announced “Disney Celebrates America,” a company-wide celebration commemorating this milestone anniversary of the United States. This celebration includes Soarin’ Across America, an immersive flight experience across new scenic vistas aboard the beloved Soarin’ attractions at Disney California Adventure park and EPCOT. Disneyland has announced a July 2nd opening date but Disney World’s will be ready earlier, opening by Memorial Day weekend!

Fall 2026

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will welcome fall back to the parks. The festival will see the return of Festival Marketplaces and the Eat to the Beat concert series. With global flavors to explore, you’re sure to mark off a worldwide spree of good eats in your Festival Passport.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party also returns in 2026 at Magic Kingdom! Get ready to boo-gie with fan-favorite eerie entertainment, enjoy spellbinding sips and bites, and well-loved mysterious character greetings to celebrate the spooky season with this separately ticketed event on select nights.

Winter 2026

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the separately ticketed event that combines holiday cheer and Hollywood glam will return on select nights in 2026. Get ready to celebrate the season in style with themed entertainment, festive food and beverage offerings, character greetings galore, and of course, all things glitz and glamour at Disney Jollywood Nights. We’re about to experience our first ever Jollywood Nights (in a week) and will have a full review soon.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom is returning on select nights in 2026. This separately ticketed event is packed with seasonal entertainment, delicious food, and cozy merchandise that will make you fall in love with the holiday season all over again.

And rounding out the holiday events at the parks is the always-wonderful EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth, also returning for 2026. From the tales far and near told by Holiday Storytellers, the delicious comfort foods at Holiday Kitchens, to the glorious Candlelight Processional, this festival is one of the best parts of Christmas at Disney World.

Now, that’s a lot of fun to be had across the theme parks and resorts – and we would never forget Disney Springs! LEVEL99 is coming to Disney Springs West Side. 

This powerhouse of play will open in 2026 with over 60 themed challenge rooms, duels and art hunts that will test the mental and physical prowess of you and your friends and family. Snag a drink and one of LEVEL99’s signature Detroit-style pizzas at the venue’s 2-story bar once the games are finished.

2026 won’t see any huge headliners open but does promise to offer upgrades to fan favorites. Personally, I’m most excited for the two coasters coming but I think a number of rides will be plussed. We’re looking forward to experiencing everything offered!

Are you excited for 2026 at Walt Disney World? Let us know your thoughts or any questions you might have in the comments below. Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Check out our Disney World Trip Planning Guide to help you out. Looking for discount tickets? Check out this site! If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. All of those links are on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!