{"id":253948,"date":"2026-05-01T13:56:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T13:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/253948\/"},"modified":"2026-05-01T13:56:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T13:56:10","slug":"orlando-theme-parks-attractions-prepare-for-summer-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/253948\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando theme parks, attractions prepare for summer 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

At this time a year ago, we were neck-deep in anticipation of the debut of Epic Universe theme park, the $8-billion expansion project of Universal Orlando<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This May, it\u2019s quieter on the Central Florida front, but attractions still have plenty of plans to tempt tourists and locals heading into Memorial Day and the busy summer-vacation season. Here\u2019s a roundup of May madness.<\/p>\n

Getting things rolling<\/p>\n

Walt Disney World<\/a> is reviving two roller coasters, starting May 3 with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad<\/a> at Magic Kingdom<\/a>. The thrill ride, closed since early 2025, now has new golden gold mine features and a congested colony of bats, Imagineers say. Disney also is prepping the reopening of Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roller Coaster<\/a> at Hollywood Studios<\/a>, where Muppets have taken over where Aerosmith<\/a> used to rock and roller. Expect Electric Mayhem and more when the revised ride opens May 26 \u2014 the day after Memorial Day.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Electric Mayhem will crank out tunes in the recording studio inside of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. (Walt Disney Co.)<\/p>\n

At Islands of Adventure<\/a>, the temporary closure of Pteranodon Flyers<\/a> is scheduled to conclude May 14.<\/p>\n

Millennium Falcon makeover<\/p>\n

Disney\u2019s Hollywood Studios shifts gears May 22 on its Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run<\/a> with a new mission featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu, which some riders \u2014 those in the \u201cengineer\u201d slot \u2014 will be able to communicate with Grogu, Disney says.<\/p>\n

The attraction, operating in Star Wars: Galaxy\u2019s Edge, will include a choice of four rider-determined destinations. One option is the wreckage of the second Death Star.<\/p>\n

These changes coincide with the theatrical release of \u201cStar Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu\u201d<\/a> film, starring Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White.<\/p>\n

Cool \u2014 it\u2019s May 26<\/p>\n

Disney World has brought back its Cool Kids\u2019 Summer campaign, and several theme park developments dovetail with its May 26 arrival, in addition to the reimagined Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roller Coaster.<\/p>\n

\u2022 GoofyCore, a limited-time, character-driven experience (and part-time dance party) returns to Epcot\u2019s CommuniCore Hall.<\/p>\n

\u2022 At Disney\u2019s Animal Kingdom<\/a>, \u201cBluey\u201d-based activities debut at Conservation Station.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Hollywood Studios welcomes a new version of \u201cMickey Mouse Clubhouse Live\u201d with original songs and \u201cinteractive fun,\u201d Disney says, alongside the reimagined and renamed Animation Courtyard \u2014 now called the Walt Disney Studios area.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn new production of “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live” is set to debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park on May 26. (Walt Disney Co.)<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, \u201cSoaring Across America\u201d takes off at Epcot<\/a> as part of the USA 250th birthday celebration. (And the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival runs daily through June 1.)<\/p>\n

\"TheThe new Blue Man Theater sits next to the Orlando Eye at Icon Park. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/ Orlando Sentinel)
\nBack in blue<\/p>\n

The Blue Man Group<\/a> is back in business as of May 1 with a new show in its new theater near the base of the Orlando Eye observation wheel at Icon Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Its previous Orlando production was based at Universal Orlando, but it shut down in 2020 for pandemic purposes and never reopened.<\/p>\n

SeaWorthy<\/p>\n

SeaWorld Orlando<\/a> has a wide swath of activities this monty, including two weekends of Viva La Musica<\/a> featuring Grupo Mania<\/a> on May 9, Proyecto Uno<\/a> on May 16 and Elvis Crespo<\/a> on May 17, which is also the finale of the park\u2019s Seven Seas Food Festival.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Guy Harvey<\/a>, the artist\/conservationist, returns to SeaWorld for meet-and-greets on May 16.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The park is offering a day of free admission to U.S. military veterans and up to three guests as part of Military Appreciation Month. Vets must register online by May 10 (go to wavesofhonor.com<\/a>) and visit by June 30.<\/p>\n

\u2022 SeaWorld\u2019s free beer promotion continues at the park\u2019s Waterway Grill Patio. There are, of course, limits and restrictions, but the hours are from noon until one hour before closing time. The park has not announced an end date for this deal.<\/p>\n

\u2022 One more to watch: The debut of Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice,<\/a> its re-imagined flying-theater attraction, is anticipated this spring \u2014 but an exact date has not been announced.<\/p>\n

Lights, camera, Universal<\/p>\n

Universal Orlando has summer blockbuster-related add-ons planned, including a \u201cJaws\u201d area, a Steven Spielberg exhibit tied to his upcoming \u201cDisclosure Day\u201d<\/a> film and activities related to \u201cMinions & Monsters,\u201d<\/a> a Universal Pictures<\/a> release. They will be in place at Universal Studios Florida theme park May 23.<\/p>\n

Universal Studios Florida will help promote ‘Minions & Monsters’ this summer. (Universal Pictures)<\/p>\n

USF also is bringing back \u201cCineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular,\u201d<\/a> a lagoon show, on May 3 and the Mega Movie Parade as of May 23.<\/p>\n

At Islands of Adventure, \u201cHogwarts Always,\u201d a projection show, returns May 30. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter\u2019s landmark castle, which acts as a screen for the production, has been in refurbishment \u2014 with scaffolding and tarp obscuring the view.<\/p>\n

Universal Orlando has bonus benefits for its annual passholders through May 21. Among the pluses are discounts on photo packages and Hollywood Drive-In Golf, hidden menu items in resort eateries and an Autobots-inspired passholder specialty magnet.<\/p>\n

\"VolcanoVolcano Bay water park visitors float along a lazy river during the Volcano Bay Nights event. (Universal Orlando)
\nAll wet, all the time<\/p>\n

Central Florida attractions\u2019 trend of the year: After-hours events at water parks.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Volcano Bay<\/a> Nights is running on select nights at Universal Orlando through Aug. 21 with a live DJ and meet-and-greets with \u201cShrek\u201d and \u201cMadagascar\u201d characters.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon<\/a> is set for dates between June 2 and Sept. 5. Among the unusual characters that H2O Glowers can encounter are Powerline Max and Launchpad McDuck. Also, on the dayside, Typhoon Lagoon reopens May 12, so it and sister attraction Blizzard Beach will be open all summer, Disney says.<\/p>\n

\u2022 At Aquatica<\/a>, SeaWorld\u2019s water park, hosts AquaGlow between May 15 and Sept. 26. The evenings feature dance parties, laser-light shows, glow installations and all-ages foam parties.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Discovery Cove<\/a>, SeaWorld\u2019s day resort, is introducing Paradise Nights, which will include a buffet dinner, a live dinner show performance and animal interactions amid the lush surroundings of the attraction. Dates are between June 5 and Aug. 8.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Island H2O Live Water Park<\/a> in Kissimmee offers Island Nights Live for ages 21 and up. Some nights come with live entertainment, such as Rick Ross<\/a> on May 16 and Fat Joe<\/a> on Aug. 16. On May 22, there will be a DJ club set with country star Dustin Lynch<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Making history<\/p>\n

The Orange County Regional History Center<\/a> has multiple May events.<\/p>\n

On May 1, the Lunch & Learn gathering topic is Lue Gim Gong, the Chinese-American horticulturist and pioneer who developed a cold-resistant orange, shaping the Florida citrus industry. Wenxian Zhang of Rollins College<\/a> will talk about the \u201cWizard of Citrus\u201d at noon.<\/p>\n

On May 2, it\u2019s Free Access Day to the downtown Orlando museum, part of the American 250 Celebration. On the ticket: an outdoor concert of classic American hits from CFCArts<\/a>, mock trials in the courtroom, a panel discussion \u201cHistorical Roots of Civil Discourse,\u201d museum tours and more.<\/p>\n

On May 17, the Brechner Speaker Series explores \u201cThe Fun and Quirky Side of Centennial Celebrations\u201d as fashion historian Bonnie Hansen talks about the milestone occasions of the USA. Among the threads: home furnishings, sesquicentennial-era clothing, fire hydrants and locomotives.<\/p>\n

Last call: The final day to see the center\u2019s \u201cAnimationland\u201d<\/a> exhibit is May 3.<\/p>\n

\"ExplosionsExplosions (well, outdoor ones) are part of Mess Fest, a hands-on exploration of physics and other sciences. (Orlando Science Center)
\nQuick hits<\/p>\n

\u2022 Orlando Science Center<\/a> hosts Mess Fest, which splatters knowledge and physics with paint, foam explosions and more. The Loch Haven Park museum will get sloppy on May 9 and 10.<\/p>\n

Note: The final day to see OSC\u2019s \u201cMission: Astronaut\u201d<\/a> exhibit is May 3.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Gatorland<\/a> again presents Gatorpalooza, which includes music, vendors, giveaways, the Gator Gully Splash Park, appearances by the Gatorland Vlog Team and the dreaded Florida Man Challenge with park employees. Gatorpalooza dates are May 30-31.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Sea Life Orlando Aquarium<\/a> again will present \u201cMeet a Mermaid\u201d with live underwater dive show and \u201cTails of the Ocean\u201d education stations. They\u2019ll be in the swim of things May 9-25.<\/p>\n

Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com\/newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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