{"id":117157,"date":"2026-01-14T01:27:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T01:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/117157\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T01:27:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T01:27:12","slug":"here-are-the-big-attractions-coming-to-central-floridas-theme-park-landscape-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/117157\/","title":{"rendered":"Here are the big attractions coming to Central Florida\u2019s theme park landscape in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">ORLANDO, Fla.  \u2013 Rethemes, new characters, and immersive adventures await at Central Florida\u2019s theme parks in 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Here\u2019s a look at some of the major attractions and upgrades coming this year.<\/p>\n<p>SeaWorld Orlando<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Launching in the spring, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2025\/11\/20\/seaworld-orlando-unveils-first-of-its-kind-indoor-suspended-dark-ride\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2025\/11\/20\/seaworld-orlando-unveils-first-of-its-kind-indoor-suspended-dark-ride\/\">SeaWorld Orlando\u2019s SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep<\/a> is a first-of-its-kind suspended dark ride. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Guests board submersibles to explore glowing ocean worlds, shipwrecks, and sea creatures. Featuring immersive audio, dynamic lighting, and advanced effects, the family-friendly ride offers a cinematic, weatherproof underwater adventure.<\/p>\n<p>Walt Disney World<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Get ready for thrilling ride upgrades and exciting new experiences this spring and summer at Disney World. <\/p>\n<p>Big Thunder Railroad upgrade (Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando &#8211; All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n<p>Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopening (spring): The classic Magic Kingdom ride returns with a mountain-top refurbishment: a new track, new trains, rainbow caverns, and refreshed Audio-Animatronics.<\/p>\n<p>Buzz Lightyear\u2019s Space Ranger Spin reopening (spring): Updated ride vehicles, new handheld blasters, and interactive targets enhance this beloved attraction.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2025\/12\/02\/hooray-bluey-and-bingo-coming-to-us-disney-parks-cruise-line-heres-when\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2025\/12\/02\/hooray-bluey-and-bingo-coming-to-us-disney-parks-cruise-line-heres-when\/\">Bluey &amp; Bingo<\/a>\u00a0(summer): Families can visit Conservation Station at Disney\u2019s Hollywood Studios to play and dance with Bluey and Bingo.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2025\/10\/20\/sea-to-shining-sea-soarin-across-america-to-anchor-nations-250th-celebration-at-disney-world\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2025\/10\/20\/sea-to-shining-sea-soarin-across-america-to-anchor-nations-250th-celebration-at-disney-world\/\">Soarin\u2019 Across America<\/a>\u00a0(summer): A new immersive flight experience at EPCOT will celebrate the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/news\/local\/2025\/02\/19\/replacement-named-for-disney-springs-defunct-nba-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/news\/local\/2025\/02\/19\/replacement-named-for-disney-springs-defunct-nba-experience\/\">LEVEL 99<\/a>: The New England-based entertainment venue features over 50 physical and mental challenges in artistic environments, will replace the NBA Experience at Disney Springs, offering immersive team games, a two-story bar, Detroit-style pizzas, and local beers in a 45,000-square-foot space designed for adults and hosting up to 1,000 guests.Universal OrlandoThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter Adds Vegan Butterbeer to its Vegan Offerings at Universal Orlando Resort (Universal)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">While there are no major attraction openings set for 2026, Universal Orlando did release a full lineup of theme park experiences and event dates.<\/p>\n<p>DateEventJan. 23-24Rock the UniverseFeb. 7-April 4Universal Mardi GrasMarch 1-May 31Butterbeer SeasonAug. 1-Sept. 1Back to HogwartsAug. 15-Sept. 30Passholder Appreciation DaysAug. 28-Nov. 1Halloween Horror NightsSelect nights this fallDark ArtsNov. 14-Jan. 3, 2027Holidays at Universal Orlando<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">International Drive<\/p>\n<p>Blue Man Group at ICON Park (file) (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando &#8211; All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Blue Man Group will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2026\/01\/08\/blue-man-group-announces-new-opening-date-in-orlando-heres-when\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2026\/01\/08\/blue-man-group-announces-new-opening-date-in-orlando-heres-when\/\">officially return to Orlando<\/a> in May, debuting live shows at the new 500-seat Blue Man Theater at ICON Park. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The venue features cutting-edge technology and exclusive content, marking a fresh chapter after their 14-year run at Universal Orlando ended in 2021. <\/p>\n<p>Sloth World rendering (Sloth World)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Opening in February, Sloth World is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2025\/12\/09\/slow-animals-fast-build-out-sloth-world-coming-to-orlandos-international-drive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2025\/12\/09\/slow-animals-fast-build-out-sloth-world-coming-to-orlandos-international-drive\/\">the world\u2019s first \u201cSlotharium,\u201d<\/a> offering small-group guided tours through a lush, cage-free rainforest habitat with over 40 sloths. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The 7,500-square-foot space focuses on education and conservation, allowing guests to observe natural sloth behaviors up close in a peaceful environment.<\/p>\n<p>Legoland Florida<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2025\/09\/24\/galacticoaster-to-bring-cosmic-thrills-to-legoland-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2025\/09\/24\/galacticoaster-to-bring-cosmic-thrills-to-legoland-florida\/\">Legoland\u2019s Galacticoaster<\/a> opens Feb. 27, letting guests design spacecraft for an immersive, interactive interstellar ride experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">When riders board, their personalized spacecraft becomes part of an immersive interstellar journey featuring synchronized lighting, projections, and a LEGO solar system.<\/p>\n<p>Busch Gardens Tampa BayLion &amp; Hyena Ridge (United Parks &amp; Resorts)<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Opening spring 2026, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2025\/11\/05\/get-up-close-with-lions-and-hyenas-in-busch-gardens-tampa-bays-biggest-habitat-upgrade\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.clickorlando.com\/theme-parks\/2025\/11\/05\/get-up-close-with-lions-and-hyenas-in-busch-gardens-tampa-bays-biggest-habitat-upgrade\/\">reimagined Lion &amp; Hyena Ridge<\/a> offers guests immersive views of five young lions and two playful hyenas in a 35,000-square-foot savanna habitat. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Featuring naturalistic terrain and educational experiences, the expansion doubles space for these iconic species, emphasizing conservation and animal care.<\/p>\n<p>In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kiwhtN\">Sign up for the ClickOrlando.com In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops newsletter, sent every Friday morning. <\/p>\n<p>Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando &#8211; All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 Rethemes, new characters, and immersive adventures await at Central Florida\u2019s theme parks in 2026. Here\u2019s&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":117158,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[10305,22906,58957,47217,17426,1335,139,141,140,58956,9026,2411,3434,8064],"class_list":["post-117157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-orlando","tag-disney-springs","tag-disneys-animal-kingdom","tag-disneys-hollywood-studios","tag-epcot","tag-magic-kingdom","tag-orange-county","tag-orlando","tag-orlando-headlines","tag-orlando-news","tag-sea-world","tag-seaworld-orlando","tag-theme-parks","tag-universal-orlando","tag-walt-disney-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117157"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117157\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117158"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}