What’s New at Walt Disney World: The Latest Magical Rides, Shows and Attractions

The Most Magical Place on Earth continues to bring more magic. It’s an exciting time at Walt Disney World with so many new rides, new experiences, and more openings for your family to experience! So, let’s dive in and explore all that’s new at Walt Disney World’s theme parks and resorts.

What’s NEW at Walt Disney World

2025 was a big year at Walt Disney World with the debut of new attractions, new shows, and a new nighttime parade. And there are more amazing experiences in store for you in 2026, including the recent return of The Tea Experience at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa! But that's not all…

Here's what will debut in 2026 at Walt Disney World this spring

There are so many exciting new experiences heading to Walt Disney World this May, so let's dive into all of the magical fun!

• Big Thunder Mountain reopens at Magic Kingdom: May 3: There's an expanded storyline, new track, new ride cars, and even a new, shorter height requirement of just 38 inches! It's the perfect first roller coaster for kids!
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Adds New Mission Featuring Grogu Starting May 22: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run introduces updated gameplay featuring Din Djarin and Grogu. The new mission adds a fresh storyline, new gameplay functions, and new visuals, giving returning riders a reason to climb back into the cockpit.
• Cool Kid’s Summer Returns at Walt Disney World: Kicks off May 26: Walt Disney World hosts “Cool Kid’s Summer,” a seasonal lineup of kid-focused entertainment, pop-up activities, and interactive experiences across all four theme parks and select resorts. Expect dance parties, surprise character appearances, hands-on play zones, and energy-boosting moments designed to keep younger ones engaged. And get ready to Mousekedance because a new show will also debut on May 26 at Hollywood Studios: Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!
• Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT: May 26:  Soarin’ Across America debuts at EPCOT for a limited time run in honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary. This updated anniversary version features a refreshed flight path over landscapes and cities, paired with a newly orchestrated version of the attraction’s score.
• Bluey and Bingo Arrive at Animal Kingdom: May 26: Bluey and Bingo will begin character appearances at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This new “play and dance” experience at Conservation Station in Rafiki’s Planet Watch adds interactive games inspired by the show along with animal-themed activities. Families can also explore a small educational component highlighting Australian wildlife.
• Rockin’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets Ready for Launch: May 26: Wocka Rocka! The Rockin’ Roller Coaster is ready to rock once again, giving you a front row seat to The Electric Mayhem’s biggest night yet. There will be celebrity cameos and a set list featuring hits like “Born To Be Wild” and “Walking on Sunshine”.
• New animation experience at Hollywood Studios: May 26: A new “The Magic of Disney Animation” experience brings fresh character meet-and-greet opportunities to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Inspired by the legacy of Disney animation, the space is designed to feel interactive and creative, with rotating character encounters.

That was a lot, right?? Now, let's recap the newest additions to Walt Disney World.

What’s New at Magic Kingdom

There are some exciting new additions at Magic Kingdom, too, including a new nighttime parade and new rides like TRON Lightcycle, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, and Country Bear Musical Jamboree! A new pirate tavern, The Beak and Barrel, is also open now with a great plunderers atmosphere and themed adult beverages and light bites! 

NEW TAVERN: The Beak and Barrel A first-of-its-kind Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern opened on August 29, 2025, in Magic Kingdom's Adventureland! Join Captain Meridian “Merry” Goldwyn and her first mate, Rummy, for delicious fare in the mess hall. Enjoy a bite to eat in the Captain's Quarters where swashbucklers and scoundrels can get a glimpse into the lavish life of a Pirate Captain! This experience is made with a reservation and is set with a time limit of 45 minutes to allow other guests the opportunity to experience the amazing space. 

NEW Nighttime Parade: On July 20, 2025 Magic Kingdom welcomed  a new nighttime parade featuring classic Disney characters, in “Disney Starlight.” Here are all the characters you can see in new parade. We spoke with Ali Manon, former Walt Disney World Ambassador, about the parade, “The new Disney Starlight parade will feature dazzling new technology and floats featuring some of our beloved characters like Peter Pan, Elsa, Moana, and the Blue Fairy [from Pinnochio] will be lighting the way for us!”

Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Taking over for Splash Mountain, the new spin on the classic attraction brings a fairy tale and joyful celebration to Magic Kingdom.

Although all the same thrilling drops are still there, families can relax knowing there is no villain as part of the storyline – everything is bright and cheerful. Plus, there are lots of great details, authentic New Orleans culture and music, and beautiful scenery.

Country Bear Musical Jamboree

The newest show at Magic Kingdom will get your paws clapping and your toes tapping. The Country Bear Musical Jamboree breathes new life into the classic Country Bear show with all-new songs, costumes, and effects.

Best of all, genuine Nashville musicians and artists worked with Walt Disney Imagineering to bring an authentic flair to the show.

What’s NEW at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has undergone some major transformations over the last few years with the addition of Toy Story Land and the much-anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. And the new things to do at Hollywood Studios keep on coming…

• NEW Disney Villains Show: Can you believe it? The Disney Villains now have their own live show! But is Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After okay for kids? Our sibling site takes a closer look.
• The Little Mermaid Show Returns in a NEW Way: Kids at heart can share the magic with the next generation during The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure. This bright and colorful revamped show debuted May 27, 2025.
• Live-action Ariel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: You can now meet the live-action version of “The Little Mermaid.” Her location is inside Walt Disney Presents – a great museum-like attraction that is a must-do for any Disney fan. Be sure to check the calendar.

Note: Meet Ariel at Walt Disney Presents will be temporarily unavailable beginning October 28. Ariel will be greeting guests at Echo Lake, near 50's Prime Time Cafe.

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure

Located in the Animation Courtyard, this reimagined production replaces the long-running Voyage of the Little Mermaid. The new show brings Ariel’s story to life with a blend of live performances, puppetry, and cutting-edge digital effects.

• Classic and New Songs: Features beloved songs like “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” along with additions like “Kiss the Girl” and “Daughters of Triton.”
• Innovative Puppetry and Effects: Incorporates new puppets, including Max the dog and a sea turtle, alongside digital imagery and motion capture for characters like King Triton and Ursula
• Enhanced Visuals: Utilizes stunning set pieces and imaginative costumes to capture Ariel’s underwater world.

READ MORE: The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure (A Parent's Review)

Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After

Set in the Sunset Showcase Theater, formerly home to Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, this show offers a fresh perspective on Disney’s iconic villains.

• Interactive Narrative: The Magic Mirror summons the audience to hear the villains' sides of their stories, asking who has been treated most unfairly.
• Villainous Lineup: Features live performances by Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, and Captain Hook, with digital appearances by other villains.
• Theatrical Elements: Combines witty humor, original musical numbers, and immersive staging to engage the audience in the villains' tales.

Here's why adults are enjoying the new Disney Villains show.

As you can see, there is a lot happening at Walt Disney World!

Now Open at EPCOT

• REVAMPED RIDE: Test Track at EPCOT is now reopened and reimagined with the help of General Motors. The reimagined attraction is a celebration of humanity’s ability to dream and to innovate a brighter, smarter, and more enjoyable tomorrow! The attraction officially opened on July 22, 2025.

World Celebration Gardens at EPCOT

On December 5, 2023, what would have been Walt’s 125th birthday, the new “Walt the Dreamer” bronze statue was unveiled in the new World Celebration Gardens area of the park which opened on the same day.

The new GEO-82 Lounge overlooks this beautiful area, which is stunning at night.

Long-time fans of EPCOT will appreciate the touches here that pay tribute to the park’s early days. “At the heart of the park, we’ve got a brand new location that is inspired by the five-ring logo of EPCOT. But what’s unique and one detail I love is we’re bringing this illuminated pavement detail so at night you’re actually getting the effect, and this is actually inspired by something that lived at EPCOT before,” said Zach Riddley, Portfolio Executive, New Experience Development with Walt Disney Imagineering.

EPCOT's “¡Celebración Encanto!” continues: What was meant to be a summer sing-along, has stuck around! Featuring the beloved songs of “Encanto” this new “¡Celebración Encanto!” runs several times throughout the day and you’ll also spot Mirabel and Bruno on the newly opened CommuniCore Plaza stage.

NEW at Disney's Animal Kingdom

There is so much coming soon to Walt Disney World, and a lot of it will be at Disney's Animal Kingdom (my favorite park, by the way). In just a few days, we get to experience “Zootopia: Better Zoogether” a new 4-D experience inside the iconic Tree of Life. This new show will be more family-friendly than its predescessor plus a few new characters and the talents of animators and voice talents behind the upcoming “Zootopia 2” movie!

Related: The Coolest Things to Do at Disney World that are NOT at the parks

If you enjoy learning how to “theme park like a local” you’ll enjoy Orlando-Parenting.com. Our group of Orlando local parents will keep you up to date on Orlando things to do with kids.