If all goes according to the 2026 plan, Orlando-area theme parks and attractions will welcome updated animatronics, a new roller coaster, more Muppet mania, revived rides and a slew of sloths.
Yes, sloths. But slow down a second.
At Walt Disney World, expect multiple rounds of introductions 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 animation efforts using a short film, come-to-life portraits, sketching, photo ops, character greetings and an indoor play area inspired by Mary Blair art, called “Drawn to Wonderland.”
Nearby, “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” joins the lineup in summer, as does the revamped Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, featuring the Muppets and new settings.
The park’s Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run gets an update centered on “The Mandalorian and Grogu” film as of May 22 (the flick’s opening day). The new mission includes a choice of destinations (Death Star wreckage among them) and an enhanced engineer position that communicates with Grogu.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will have new destinations and duties later this year. (Courtesy Walt Disney Co.)
At Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster, shuttered for refurbishment since January 2025, returns, and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin reopens with new ride vehicles, handheld blasters, interactive targets and a robot named Buddy. Disney lists both as springtime arrivals.
Disney to shut down Buzz Lightyear ride and give it a new spin
Meanwhile, Epcot’s Frozen Ever After gets updated animatronics of Anna, Elsa and Kristoff characters, starting in February. (The attraction’s last day before the closure to make the changes is Jan. 25.) Epcot also adds “Soarin’ Across America” as part of the company’s celebration of the U.S.A.’s 250th birthday. It’s set to premiere by Memorial Day.
The Bluey character begins meet-and-greet duties at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this summer. The interaction is set for the park’s Conservation Station.
Perhaps the first major addition to arrive in 2026 will be Galacticoaster at Legoland Florida. The indoor ride — “a customizable Lego space adventure” — debuts Feb. 27.
Also slated for February opening: Sloth World, with dozens of the slow-paced animals, providing a new educational / entertainment outlet on International Drive.
Sloth World plans quiet existence on bustling I-Drive
Coming soon-ish
Other anticipated additions include:
• SeaWorld Orlando is building SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, a suspended dark ride. An opening timeframe has not been announced.
SeaWorld Orlando revealed the ride vehicle for its SEAQuest attraction at IAAPA Expo in November. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)
• Icon Park has a trio of attractions under construction that are set to debut this year, including a theater for Blue Man Group, a multilevel Build-A-Bear Workshop and Ripley Crazy Golf.
• The traveling “Animationland” exhibit lands at Orange County Regional History Center on Jan. 17. The downtown Orlando museum incorporates a section dubbed “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 the Party Animals teams – slides into the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on May 29-30.
• The major renovation of Orlando Science Center’s CineDome is expected to be complete in the spring. Expect new lights, speakers, screen and 8K digital projectors for very big-screen movies, laser shows and planetarium presentations.
• LEVEL99, an interactive gaming venue, opens at Disney Springs sometime in ‘26. It takes over the space of the short-lived NBA Experience.
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is planning an immersive animal habitat named Lion & Hyena Ridge.
Disney Springs: New Level99 venue uses teamwork to tick
Festival focus
The bulk of the special events at our theme parks and attractions are returning, including 2025 first-timer Cool Kid Summer across Disney World. The firm dates we know for 2026 are in the first quarter:
• Epcot International Festival of the Arts: Jan. 16-Feb. 23
• Rock the Universe at Universal Studios: Jan. 23-24
• Science on Tap at Orlando Science Center: Jan. 24
• Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval at Universal Studios: Feb. 7- April 4
• Spark STEM Fest at Orlando Science Center: Feb. 13-16
• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival: March 4-June 1
Last calls
It’s last call for a few attractions this year.
“Orlando Collected,” an exhibit created by Orange County Regional History Center, includes signs from Ivey’s Drug Store and Dandelion CommuniTea Cafe in front of a dress that belonged to Brownie Wise, the woman who revolutionized Tupperware sales techniques. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)
• “Orlando Collected,” the exhibit tied to the 150th birthday of the city, wraps up its run at Orange County Regional History Center on Jan. 11.
• The final day to experience Dinosaur, the simulator ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is Feb. 1. The attraction is being revamped with an “Indiana Jones” theme to go in the under-construction Tropical Americas land.
• The Aerosmith version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster bows out March 1. The attraction, revamped with Muppet characters and theming, has been operating at Hollywood Studios since 1999.
In Orlando theme parks, animatronics increase in number — and in realism
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