Planning a Walt Disney World vacation? You’ve come to the right place! This is your one-stop-shop destination for all things Disney World in 2026, including what’s new and upcoming. The year is shaping up to be a busy one for the Most Magical Place on Earth, as multiple construction projects are set to begin around the theme parks.

Before we can even get to what’s new in 2026, we have to cover the basics of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Let’s dive in and take a look at the calendar of events (both perpetual events as well as what’s unique for this year) along with things to consider when selecting your hotel, restaurants, and more.

When to Visit: 2026 Walt Disney World Event Calendar

There is always something going on at Walt Disney World, which makes any time of year a great time to visit. That said, if you are looking for something extra to add to your trip – like an EPCOT food festival or a holiday celebration – then you will want to take an extra look at the calendar to see what your options are.

READ MORE: THE BEST TIME IN 2026 TO VISIT WALT DISNEY WORLD

January, February, March

If you are most worried about hot weather, the first quarter of 2026 may be your best time to visit. Since many families will have just visited during the holiday season, crowds should be more manageable as well, with things starting to pick back up as we head into the month of March and spring break. While not foolproof, visiting earlier in the year can increase your chances of paying off-peak hotel rates while enjoying a quieter and cooler Disney World.

Winter is a great time to visit EPCOT, which kicks off its annual lineup of festivals with its International Festival of the Arts. This colorful festival that celebrates all things visual and performing arts will take place in 2026 from January 16 through February 23.

EPCOT’s springtime festival, the International Flower and Garden Festival, begins on March 4 and lasts nearly three months, concluding on June 1. Other seasonal treats and festivities around Walt Disney World include chocolate-inspired snacks for Valentine’s Day, plus special items around St. Patrick’s Day or Easter if the holiday falls on a Sunday in March.

Lineup of Q1 Events and Holidays at Walt Disney World (selected):

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: January 7 – 11
• Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom: January 12 – March 9 (select evenings)
• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts: January 16 – February 23
• Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: January 14 – February 25 (select evenings)
• Disney After Hours at EPCOT: January 22 – Mar 12 (select evenings)
• DinoLand U.S.A., including DINOSAUR, closes permanently to transform into Tropical Americas land: February 1 (construction continues February 2)
• Frozen Ever After reopens at EPCOT – February 2
• Valentine’s Day: February 14 (specialty food and drink items available around this time)
• Princess Half Marathon Weekend: February 26 – March 2
• EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival: March 4 – June 1
• St. Patrick’s Day: March 17 (specialty food and drink items available around this time)

READ MORE: WINTER GEAR TO PACK FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD

April, May, June

If the kids have spring break in April and you’re considering a trip to Disney World, you may be in for busier crowds but still pleasant weather overall. Temperatures will be warmer than in the winter months but should be cooler and less humid than the peak summer months.

While spring break is a busy time of year (especially in and around the Easter holiday), you can still find pockets of time when the parks are quieter. May is a good month to look into a Disney World vacation. It’s nestled in between spring break and summer vacations, so there may be fewer families planning a trip around that time.

This spring, Disney World will reopen two rides with enhanced effects — Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Opening dates have not been announced as of this writing.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will reopen with new ride vehicles, new blasters, a new scoring system that is virtually limitless, and a new Audio-Animatronic character named Buddy.

EPCOT will still be in the swing of things with its International Flower & Garden Festival, with new menu items debuting throughout the season. Seasonal treats will also appear around this time of year for Easter, Earth Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. Speaking of EPCOT, a new version of Soarin’ will debut in time for Memorial Day Weekend: Soarin’ Across America, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Lineup of Q2 Events and Holidays at Walt Disney World (selected):

• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopens – spring 2026 (date TBD)
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens – spring 2026 (date TBD)
• Soarin’ Across America debuts – spring 2026 (by Memorial Day, likely opening in the second half of May)
• Last day to ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith – March 1
• EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival (con’t): March 4 – June 1
• Disney After Hours at EPCOT (con’t): April 2 – June 18 (select evenings)
• Easter: April 5 (specialty food and drink items available around this time, typically the peak of spring break crowds)
• Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom (con’t): April 13 – June 29 (select evenings)
• runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend: April 16 – 20
• Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (con’t): April 29 – June 24 (select evenings)
• Mother’s Day: May 10 (specialty food and drink items available around this time)
• Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run debuts new storyline – May 22
• Memorial Day: May 25
• Father’s Day: June 15 (specialty food and drink items available around this time)

READ MORE: PLANNING A DISNEY WORLD TRIP FOR SPRING BREAK? START PLANNING HERE!

July, August, September

Many families will choose summer as the season to visit Disney World, and for good reason! Summer is a popular time for those following an academic calendar, but that usually winds up in heavy crowds throughout the season. On top of that, Florida’s heat and humidity are at their worst this time of year. Daily thunderstorms and downpours are expected, so pack ponchos and other rain gear in your suitcase. Hurricane season also begins to ramp up in the summer months, so you want to follow the weather closely if a storm impacts your travel plans.

The big event of the summer this year is the reopening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets. An exact opening date has not been announced as of this writing.

While summer can be hot, it’s still a fun time of year to visit Walt Disney World. The Fourth of July is a fun holiday at Disney World, with special fireworks displays happening at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. And with America’s 250th anniversary set to take place this year, it should be an even more memorable fireworks display.

READ MORE: THE ULTIMATE SUMMER 2026 DISNEY WORLD BUCKET LIST

EPCOT’s flagship festival, the International Food and Wine Festival, begins in late August and continues through the fall.

Another reason many families choose to visit in late summer and early fall is that it kicks off the start of Disney World’s Halloween season. Yes, fall starts extra early at Disney World, with the first sightings of pumpkin decor taking place around the 1st of August each year. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party begins around the second week of August and runs through the end of October.

Lineup of Q3 Events and Holidays at Walt Disney World (selected):

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster reopens starring The Muppets – summer 2026 (date TBD)
• Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (con’t): July 1 – September 12 (select evenings)
• Independence Day: July 4 (specialty food and drink items available around this time)
• Disney After Hours at EPCOT (con’t): July 9 – September 24 (select evenings)
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: August 14 – October 31 (select evenings) (*estimated; confirmed dates will be added once announced by Disney)
• EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival: August 27 – November 21 (*estimated; confirmed dates will be added once announced by Disney)

READ MORE: HOW TO STAY COOL DURING THE SUMMER AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 

October, November, December

The final quarter of the year — October, November, and December — is considered by many to be the best time of the year to visit Disney World. October is all things fall as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party continues, along with EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival continuing through mid-November. Once Halloween is over, the pumpkins are gone in a blink of an eye, and it’s full steam ahead into the holiday season.

Holiday decorations appear in early November, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will begin at Magic Kingdom shortly after that. With holiday decorations come holiday crowds: November and December are notoriously busy months, but you may be surprised to find that some periods aren’t that bad (one of my personal favorites is the week before Thanksgiving).

Speaking of the holidays, Thanksgiving is filled with limited-time menus around the resort hotels. EPCOT hosts the International Festival of the Holidays from late November through late December, and then, of course, there are all of the major holidays — Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve — that are fun (yet crowded) days to spend in the parks.

Another reason families choose to visit this time of year is the weather. Temperatures are more comfortable than in the summer, and you may even experience a cold snap as you move closer to the holidays. If you’re visiting at any point between November and February, you want to pack an extra layer of clothes!

Lineup of Q4 Events and Holidays at Walt Disney World (selected):

• EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival: August 27 – November 21 (con’t) (*estimated; confirmed dates will be added once announced by Disney)
• Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend: October 22 – 25
• Halloween: October 31
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: November 6 – December 18 (select evenings) (*estimated; confirmed dates will be added once announced by Disney)
• Disney Jollywood Nights: November 7 – December 19 (select evenings) (*estimated; confirmed dates will be added once announced by Disney)
• Thanksgiving: November 26
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays: November 27 – December 30 (*estimated; confirmed dates will be added once announced by Disney)
• Hanukkah: December 4 – December 12
• Christmas Day: December 25

READ MORE: PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON TRIP TO WALT DISNEY WORLD

Where To Stay: Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

One of the first decisions you’ll make when planning your 2026 Walt Disney World vacation is where to stay. The hotel can make or break your vacation, so it’s important to understand what your options are and what works best for your budget and vacation style.

There are two major categories of hotels: those that are located on Disney World property, and those that are off-property.

In a general nutshell, this is what you can expect when staying on Disney World property:

• Highly themed resort properties with Disney characters found throughout the hotel’s design, guest rooms, and amenities (you’re staying the “Disney bubble,” so to speak).
• Premium rack rates, especially when you go up in tier to Moderate or Deluxe Resorts.
• Closer proximity to the theme parks (many of which are within walking distance of the park gates)
• Access to various perks of staying on-property, including extended park hours in the morning and evening (evening extended hours are exclusive to guests staying at Deluxe resorts).
• Easier access to Disney World’s complimentary resort transportation options, including buses, Monorail, Skyliner, and boats (these are not exclusive to on-property guests, but they are designed to give on-property guests multiple ways of reaching the parks without needing a car and having to pay for parking).

There are nearly two dozen on-property resort hotels that are owned and operated by Walt Disney World. If you need help figuring out which one is right for you and your travel party, I have several articles that can help narrow your search:

READ MORE: DISNEY WORLD’S LEAST EXPENSIVE HOTELS

READ MORE: DISNEY WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE HOTELS

READ MORE: THE BEST DISNEY WORLD HOTELS FOR FAMILIES

READ MORE: THE BEST DISNEY WORLD HOTELS FOR AN ADULTS-ONLY VACATION

Like I mentioned, on-property resorts are not your only option! Orlando is a major tourist destination with hundreds of hotel options. If your travel plans involve anything outside of Disney World or you’re looking to spend as little as possible on your accommodations, an off-property hotel may be your best option. Something that could give you the best of both worlds (lower prices while staying close to Disney World) may be the Disney Springs Area Hotels.

Walt Disney World: What To Do

I can write an entire novel about the Walt Disney World theme parks, but I’m going to give you the EXTREMELY basic 101-level information so you know where to start in case this is your first time visiting.

Walt Disney World has four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If this is your first trip and you have the time to do so, I highly suggest planning one full day at each of the theme parks. If you’re traveling with little ones, you may need a second day at Magic Kingdom. If you’re a major theme park foodie like me, you may want a second day at EPCOT.

To navigate the lines at Disney World’s rides and attractions, you have the option to buy into Disney’s Lightning Lane Pass Service. The Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows the user to book return times to select rides in order to use its expedited queue known as a Lightning Lane.

READ MORE: DISNEY WORLD’S LIGHTNING LANE PASS SYSTEM

In addition to the parks, Disney World has two water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Over the last few years, Disney World has only operated with one water park open at a time. These are great add-ons if you’re visiting in the summer if you’re looking for ways to cool off. Disney World is also home to around two dozen resort hotels that are destinations in their own right. Many of the resorts feature some of the best dining options around (and you don’t have to be an overnight guest to visit the hotel or dine at the restaurants!).

There’s also a shopping and dining district located on property called Disney Springs. This is where you’ll find a ton of nightlife. Repeat guests like to spend their arrival day at Disney Springs since it’s not a theme park and you can book a dinner reservation at a great restaurant.

READ MORE: FOOLPROOF TIPS FOR PLANNING YOUR FIRST WALT DISNEY WORLD VACATION

Where To Eat: Walt Disney World Restaurants

Disney World is home to hundreds (literally hundreds) of restaurants and dining locations. Trust me, you aren’t meant to see and do everything at Walt Disney World in a single vacation. That rings true when it comes to dining. That said, you’ll have plenty of great options no matter where you’re located on a given day.

You might not think of dining as a priority when planning a Walt Disney World vacation, but trust me, you’re better off staying on top of where you want to eat rather than winging it when you arrive. Dining reservations fill up for many restaurants ahead of time (though some offer walk-up…but I wouldn’t rely on that if there’s a restaurants you’re dead set on eating at).

READ MORE: THE TOUGHEST DINING RESERVATIONS TO GRAB AT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2026

Advance Dining Reservations open sixty (60) days ahead of time. If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you are able to book reservations for the entirety of your vacation 60 days ahead of your check-in day (or up to 14 days after your check in day, whichever is shorter).

You may also want to consider buying the Disney Dining Plan for your 2026 vacation. In short, the Disney Dining Plan is a pre-paid meal plan that allots each guest on your Disney World hotel reservation a number of meal and snack credits per day. The Dining Plan is only available to guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

There is a lot to consider when buying the Dining Plan, and it’s not for everyone! In short, it’s a great convenience in not having to think about paying for food after you arrive (tip and gratuity are NOT included on the plan). It’s not so much a money saving mechanism as it is a means of giving your trip that “all-inclusive” feel.

READ MORE: SHOULD YOU GET THE DISNEY DINING PLAN FOR YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION?

What’s New and Noteworthy at Disney World in 2026

Magic Kingdom Rides Reopen

Following some rater lengthy closures, Magic Kingdom will reopen two rides in 2026: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It’s great to see two popular rides come back online! I previously mentioned the enhanced effects coming to both of these rides when they reopen, so be sure to check them out when you visit in 2026.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring The Muppets

Some big changes are taking place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! While we had to say goodbye to Muppet*Vision 3D in 2025, the Muppets aren’t going away entirely from the park. The summer of 2026 will bring with it the reopening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (set to close starting on March 2) with a new headliner act: The Muppets!

New Version of Soarin’ Debuts For America 250

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, a new version of Soarin’ will debut for a limited time at EPCOT. The ride, Soarin’ Across America, will open in time for Memorial Day Weekend. An exact length of run has not been shared, but I would imagine the ride will stay in place at least through summer 2026, if not through the remainder of 2026 to celebrate America 250.

New Storyline Debuts at Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run

Just in time for the opening of the film The Mandalorian and Grogu is a brand-new storyline debuting on Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The changes are set to arrive on May 22.

The new storyline will center around The Mandalorian and Grogu, giving riders new missions to accomplish with the same haptics and interactive elements currently in the ride.

The ride will also give new responsibilities to the Engineer role, who will now have to look after Grogu during the mission.

Complimentary Water Park Admission Returns

There’s a great way to save on water park admission as part of your 2026 Walt Disney World vacation. From May 26 through September 8 guests who are staying at a Disney World resort hotel will receive complimentary admission to one of Disney World’s water parks (whichever is in operation) on their arrival and check-in day.

In order for a guest to be eligible for this benefit, their name must appear on the Disney World resort hotel reservation. This perk is valid for all 2026 reservations with arrivals from May 26 through September 8.

READ MORE: WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR 2026 WALT DISNEY WORLD VACATION

Construction and Closures at Walt Disney World in 2026

Permanent-ish closure: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith

As I mentioned above, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will receive a new headliner act, The Muppets, in the summer of 2026. That means that the O.G. version of the ride starring Aerosmith will have its last “concert” on March 1. It’ll be sad to say goodbye to the original Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, but fans are equally as excited to see the introduction of the Muppets later in 2026.

Permanent Closure: DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Since the fall 0f 2024, a phased closure of DinoLand U.S.A. has been taking place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to make way for a new land inspired by the Tropical Americas (Central and Southern America). The new land is scheduled to open sometime in 2027.

The last round of closures, including DinoLand’s landmark attraction DINOSAUR, will take place in early 2026. Your last chance to ride DINOSAUR will be February 1, with the land permanently closed as of February 2.

Construction continues: Cars-inspired area in Frontierland coming to Magic Kingdom

Last year, Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America permanently closed to make way for a new Cars-inspired area of Frontierland.

If visiting Magic Kingdom in 2026, expect plenty of construction walls as work continues to fill the river and transform the area into the new Cars section of Frontierland. Foot traffic should not be impacted all that much, at least in the initial phases of construction. An opening timeline for the Cars area has not been announced, but guests can expect multiple new attractions when the area is complete.

READ MORE: MAGIC KINGDOM IS CHANGING IN MAJOR WAYS

Constuction continues: Monsters Inc. Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, work will continue on a new land inspired by the Monsters Inc. franchise. This land was announced at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in 2024. The land will take guests into the world of Monstropolis, complete with a roller coaster inspired by the Door Factory at Monsters Inc.

Disney shared in an update that Monstropolis will be located in the current location of Muppets Courtyard, which means, sadly, we had to say goodbye to Muppet*Vision 3D last year.

Since there are more unknowns about this land, I would guess construction starting is a little further off than Tropical Americas in Animal Kingdom. It may pen around the same time as  the new Cars area of Frontierland in Magic Kingdom, but we’ll have to wait for official word from Disney.

READ MORE: TIMELINE OF CHANGES COMING TO WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2026 AND BEYOND