DisWorldGuide

With spring on the horizon, Walt Disney World offers a blend of colorful seasonal highlights and carefully planned updates that will shape the guest experience. From blooming festivals to attraction changes, the month promises a refreshing mix for visitors seeking both nostalgia and something new.

March 2026 kicks off with a busy weekend tied to the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, which concludes on March 2 and brings extra energy and participants to the parks—especially EPCOT, where the race often affects opening hours on the final day. At the same time, Disney’s Hollywood Studios marks a milestone as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith closes permanently after its final day of operation on March 1. This classic high‑speed attraction, known for its rocking Aerosmith theme, will make way for a new version starring the Muppets, with Kermit, Miss Piggy, and The Electric Mayhem taking over for a humor‑filled experience opening in the summer. For fans of the original version, this will undoubtedly be an emotional farewell.

Just a few days later, on March 4, the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival begins—one of the year’s most popular events, running through June 1. EPCOT transforms into a paradise of colorful floral displays, impressive topiaries inspired by Disney characters such as Toy Story heroes and Pixar favorites like Monsters, Inc. and Cars, as well as food booths offering seasonal dishes and drinks. The festival also includes free Garden Rocks concerts and dining packages, making it ideal for those who want to combine nature, food, and entertainment in one experience. In addition to the festival’s blooming appeal, guests will notice the shift to daylight saving time on March 8, which adjusts park hours, Lightning Lane reservations, and evening shows forward by one hour.

For Annual Passholders, some exclusive perks wrap up mid‑month: the special Zootopia magnet featuring Nick and Judy is available until March 15, along with a unique Carrot Cake Sundae in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Later, on March 19, the Garden View Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa reopens as the newly refurbished Garden View Tea Lounge, featuring updated décor and a new menu including cupcakes, macarons, and tea. Reservations open in February, and the lounge will be a refined addition for guests seeking a peaceful break from the park’s fast pace.

As for the water parks, Typhoon Lagoon remains closed throughout March due to scheduled maintenance, while Blizzard Beach stays open for water‑based fun. In Magic Kingdom, refurbishments continue on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, both expected to reopen in spring 2026 with enhancements such as new magic, updated technology, and interactive elements. Although exact dates haven’t been confirmed, their absence will impact visitors until they return, and guests can expect to see construction activity around these areas.

Toward the end of the month, anticipation builds for Easter, with themed activities such as an Easter egg hunt in EPCOT where participants can win prizes, meet‑and‑greets with the White Rabbit in Magic Kingdom, and handcrafted jumbo Easter eggs displayed at resorts like The Grand Floridian and Yacht and Beach Club. These touches bring a festive atmosphere to the season, especially for families planning trips around the holiday.

Overall, March 2026 balances the familiar with the refreshed at Walt Disney World, where the festival’s springtime charm and strategic updates ensure a delightful experience for all visitors. With typically pleasant temperatures in the 20–25°C range and lighter crowds early in the month, it’s an ideal time to explore the parks before spring break arrives.

As spring once again arrives at Walt Disney World, EPCOT is transformed into a vibrant paradise of flowers, artistic topiaries, fragrant gardens, and lively culinary experiences. From March 4 to June 1, 2026, the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival invites guests into a world where the beauty of nature meets the magic of Disney.

Since its debut in 1994, the Flower & Garden Festival has grown into one of EPCOT’s most beloved annual traditions. What began as a celebration of horticulture and botany has expanded in both scale and ambition. Today, the festival offers artistic floral displays, atmospheric music, playful children’s areas, and flavorful food experiences — all crafted to honor the power and creativity of spring.

A Park in Full Bloom

When the festival opens in early March, it’s impossible not to be overwhelmed by the captivating sight that greets you. EPCOT is adorned with more than sixty meticulously shaped plant sculptures — iconic topiaries inspired by classic Disney characters. At the entrance, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and Bo Peep stand ready to welcome visitors, while other familiar faces like Stitch, Mike Wazowski, Sulley, and Lightning McQueen appear throughout the park. These living artworks give the festival an expression that is as playful as it is impressive.

The botanical theme continues through the many gardens spread across EPCOT. More than 31 beautifully designed garden areas create space for both reflection and discovery. Once again, guests can enjoy festival favorites such as the colorful Butterfly Landing walkthrough, the fragrance-driven Blossoms of Fragrance, and the charming English Tea Garden Tour. The popular children’s area, Camp Get Out ’N’ Play, returns as a natural gathering spot for young visitors, while The Honey Bee-stro Garden offers insight into the vital role bees play in our ecosystem.

For 2026, Disney introduces three brand-new garden experiences: Pluto’s Pet-Friendly Garden, the Wildlife Crossing Garden, and the Trendy Tropicals Garden. Each brings a fresh dimension to the festival, continuing the tradition of blending botany, imagination, and storytelling.

Flavors and Fragrances

Food is an essential part of the Flower & Garden experience, and the beloved Outdoor Kitchens return with a wide variety of spring‑themed flavors. Guests can wander from booth to booth and explore dishes celebrating seasonal ingredients — everything from light, refreshing bites to sweet, flower‑inspired desserts and creative beverages. Full menus will be released closer to the festival’s opening, but as always, the culinary offerings promise both variety and delight.

Music that Sets the Mood

No Flower & Garden Festival would be complete without the popular Garden Rocks concert series. Each weekend, America Gardens Theatre comes alive with performances from well‑known artists, and this year’s lineup includes names like 98 Degrees, Sugar Ray, Rick Springfield, and Maverick City Music. Together, they provide a vibrant soundtrack that perfectly complements the light and uplifting atmosphere of spring. Guests may also choose the Garden Rocks Dining Package to pair a delicious meal with reserved seating at the concerts.

From Day to Night

One of this year’s most unique additions can be found inside CommuniCore Hall, where Spike’s Garden transforms after sunset. As darkness falls, the garden awakens with glowing “fireflies” and blossoms that open under the moonlight, creating a magical nighttime experience and offering guests a completely new way to enjoy the festival’s botanical beauty.

The festival also features a variety of family‑friendly activities that give children the opportunity to explore the park at their own pace. Among the favorites are Spike’s Pollen‑Nation Exploration — a fun scavenger hunt through EPCOT — and the seasonal Eggstravaganza, returning with its beloved hidden Easter eggs. Together, these experiences add a playful touch to the day while ensuring the whole family can share in the festival’s sense of adventure.

Practical Information

The festival is included with regular EPCOT admission, and guests are encouraged to pick up a Festival Passport upon entering the park. This handy guide provides an overview of daily activities, food booths, and experiences. During the festival period, EPCOT is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with food booths beginning service at 11:00 a.m.

With its combination of botanical artistry, flavorful dishes, music, and interactive entertainment, the 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival stands as one of the most beautiful and well‑rounded experiences of the year at Walt Disney World. Whether you’re a plant enthusiast, a Disney fan, or simply looking to enjoy a day surrounded by the colors and scents of spring, the festival promises a celebration that will make both your senses and imagination bloom.

There will be no drought for the water-loving visitors at Disney World. When Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon soon closes for its annual maintenance break and Blizzard Beach opens its gates at the same time, Walt Disney World is setting up another summer where both water parks are in operation – giving guests twice as many ways to cool off.

Before the pandemic, it was common for Disney to rotate maintenance on its two water parks to ensure capacity, safety, and fresh paint for the high season. That practice was resumed in the summer of 2025. Typhoon Lagoon will close for maintenance starting February 15, before reopening on May 12, while Blizzard Beach, which is currently closed, takes over the baton and reopens on February 15. This provides guests with a seamless transition without any “dry” periods – and from mid-May, both parks will be ready to deliver waves, slides, and lazy rivers throughout the entire summer.

For those familiar with the parks, the choice often comes down to atmosphere: Typhoon Lagoon offers a tropical post-storm aesthetic with shipwrecks, sandy beaches, and the legendary wave pool that crashes in with rhythmic force. Blizzard Beach is Disney’s playful snowy landscape in Florida’s sun, complete with a ski resort theme, steep runs, and cooling blue tones on everything from slides to dining spots. With both now open simultaneously in the summer heat, it means reduced queue pressure, more flexibility for families with children, and more opportunities to vary the daily rhythm between adrenaline rushes and floating in the lazy river.

The practical aspect is still the most important for planners: The short pause for Typhoon Lagoon is a planned seasonal rehab that allows Disney to perform technical maintenance, safety checks, and cosmetic upgrades without thousands of swimmers getting in the way – while the opening of Blizzard Beach on the same day ensures no one misses out on the water park experience. When Typhoon Lagoon returns in May, Disney has previously confirmed that both water parks will stay open “all summer long,” making the 2026 high season the second summer in a row where Orlando visitors can freely choose between two full-fledged water worlds during the same stay.

Walt Disney World has rolled out a wave of attraction changes, closures, and date confirmations in recent weeks. From a tech upgrade at EPCOT and an upcoming Bluey experience at Animal Kingdom to the comeback of two Magic Kingdom classics, a new CEO, and important tweaks to Lightning Lane strategy—here’s everything you need to know right now.

EPCOT: Frozen Ever After down for upgrades — back quickly

Frozen Ever After entered scheduled downtime on January 26 to install new, sculpted faces for Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff—the same animatronic generation praised in Hong Kong and Tokyo—and it’s already listed to reopen February 12, 2026 in the official schedules. The refresh removes the projection‑mapped faces from the 2016 version (which sometimes looked a bit “flat”) and replaces them with more lifelike expressions on fully electric, 3D‑printed figures. During the closure Disney has kept The Fjording (the exit shop) open, and EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts runs through February 23, providing extra things to do while Elsa & co. get ready to return. Meanwhile, Frozen fans can still meet Anna and Elsa at Royal Sommerhus.

Hollywood Studios: At last—shade and seating in Toy Story Land

It may sound minor, but the new seating and shaded area by Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land is a long‑awaited quality‑of‑life fix in a stretch that’s lacked places to sit. The location—on the path toward Galaxy’s Edge and right across from Alien Swirling Saucers—adds tables for meal breaks, less “balancing food on your knee,” and a bit of mid‑day shade. Net effect: better flow around snack queues and fewer guests hunting for random curbs. Small changes that matter when the heat kicks in.

Animal Kingdom: DinoLand U.S.A. is history

DinoLand U.S.A. had its final regular operating day on February 1 and closed permanently on February 2—a milestone that will make the park simpler to navigate, but also leaves it without an entire “arm” for a while. The closure preps the footprint for the next development phase and includes moving/relocating several character meets that used to live in the area. For guests, expect more demand to shift to Pandora, Africa, and Asia, and let shows like Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big, Blue… and Beyond! soak up capacity.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch closing

Bluey moves into Conservation Station this summer — area closes Feb 23
Disney confirms that Wildlife Express Train, Conservation Station, and Affection Section will temporarily close from February 23 to prepare a new Bluey experience in Rafiki’s Planet Watch. The last day of operation is February 22. When the area reopens in summer 2026, families will be able to play and dance with Bluey and Bingo inside Conservation Station, try familiar activities like “butterfly keepy uppy” with animal‑themed twists, and meet animals from Australia in an outdoor component.

Magic Kingdom: Big Thunder and Buzz return with fresh “tricks”

Two big MK favorites are slated to return in spring 2026. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad gets new trains, refreshed elements, and a dramatic Rainbow Caverns sequence that nods to classic Disney lore with glowing grottoes and a “mountain that answers back.” Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin gets handheld blasters, reactive targets, an upgraded opening scene, and improved ride vehicles—changes that make scoring more precise and independent of your ride vehicle’s steering angle. For park touring, that means two updated, high‑capacity choices back in the Multi Pass mix—and smoother wait times across Frontierland and Tomorrowland once both are online.

TRON Lightcycle / Run: Back to its original look & sound

The limited‑time TRON: Ares overlay with red lighting and alternate soundtrack is now gone: on January 20, TRON Lightcycle / Run reverted to its standard blue‑and‑orange visual profile and the original 2023 score. No changes to the track or ride profile—just that Tomorrowland’s nighttime skyline is “classic TRON” again.

Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster: Final “Aerosmith” day March 1

The countdown is on: the last day for Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is March 1, 2026. Beginning March 2, the ride closes to retheme to Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem taking the lead. Disney already removed the Aerosmith preshow in December to shorten overall downtime. Reopening is planned for summer 2026, with a new story, new figures, and a new soundtrack—but the same high‑speed layout underneath.

Lightning Lane 2026: Time to adjust the plan

With attraction lineups shifting, your Lightning Lane choices deserve a tune‑up if you’re visiting this spring/summer. In Animal Kingdom, Multi Pass is less valuable without DINOSAUR. Single Pass for Flight of Passage will often deliver the best bang for your buck, paired with an early start for Everest/Na’vi.
In EPCOT, the opposite is true—Frozen Ever After, Remy, and Test Track in Tier 1 make Multi Pass a real time‑saver, especially if your goal is to hit all three. In Magic Kingdom, Multi Pass gains value again when Big Thunder and Buzz return, taking pressure off Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Space Mountain in the tier mix. Bottom line: don’t reuse last year’s playbook—2026 needs updated priorities.

Bob Iger steps down as Disney’s top leader

Bob Iger will step down as CEO on March 18, 2026. Josh D’Amaro—who currently leads Disney’s parks, cruises, products, and Imagineering—will take over. Iger won’t vanish immediately; he’ll stay on as an advisor and board member through the end of the year. For Walt Disney World, this should mean more of the park‑first focus we’re already seeing. D’Amaro comes directly from the parks side and has championed the fast investment tempo, so planned upgrades and expansions in Florida look set to continue—good odds for ongoing capacity, experience, and technology improvements across the resort. Is it too much to hope for a fifth gate?

A fresh wind of renewal is blowing through the Disney parks in Florida. Over the winter and spring, we’ll see a handful of changes that both give you butterflies and tug at nostalgia: Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is leaving Aerosmith behind and giving the stage to The Muppets, Cinderella Castle is being painted back to a classic look, DinoLand U.S.A. is bidding farewell for good, and several major attractions are getting upgrades.

Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster: farewell to Aerosmith — and hello to The Muppets

After more than a quarter century of loud riffs and a wild limo ride through Los Angeles, the curtain is closing on Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. The last run will be on March 1, before the attraction closes on March 2 and is rebuilt as Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, premiering in summer 2026. The preshow room with the recording studio already closed in December, and all signs point to the new version having a very different tone: more chaos, humor, and a splash of color courtesy of Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem—with Muppet characters who actually show up in the story, not just on the soundtrack. For fans of the old version, this is the end of an era; for families with young children and Muppet nostalgics, it’s an invitation to a new classic. Tip if you want to say a last goodbye to the Aerosmith era: plan a visit before March 1, and expect longer lines in the final weeks.

Cinderella Castle gets a classic look — without stealing the magic from the evening shows

The castle in Magic Kingdom is the park’s photographic hub for millions of guests, and now it’s set to look more timeless again. Throughout 2026, Cinderella Castle will be painted in shades of gray, cream, and blue with discreet gold accents that highlight details in the spires and cornices—a deliberate step back from the 50th‑anniversary palette. To access work areas, the moat around the castle will be drained, but Disney is adapting the rig so cranes are lowered and “disappear” from the Hub view around lunchtime. The stage program in front of the castle is being adjusted as little as possible: Let the Magic Begin will run in a compressed version from January 28, while Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire and Happily Ever After continue as normal with minor tweaks. In other words: you can still have the evenings, the photos, and the “wow” moments—in Magic Kingdom.

Final chapter for DinoLand U.S.A.: Tropical Americas takes over

After long speculation, the date is set: on February 2, DinoLand U.S.A. closes permanently at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The last day for DINOSAUR and the restaurants will be February 1. In comes “Tropical Americas: Pueblo Esperanza”—an entirely new land inspired by the most biodiverse regions of the Western Hemisphere. The plan includes an Encanto attraction, a new Indiana Jones experience, and a handcrafted carousel around a large fountain, along with what is described as one of Walt Disney World’s largest quick‑service locations. For guests in 2026, this means temporarily fewer “big” attractions in the park—so plan your day around Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, and the animal experiences, and consider After Hours evenings if you want to make up for the capacity loss before the new offerings come online toward 2027.

Frozen Ever After gets a polish — a short stoppage to give Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff more life

EPCOT’s extremely popular boat ride in the Norway Pavilion is temporarily down for a surgical upgrade: the projected faces of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff are being replaced with modern, fully sculpted animatronic heads, in the style of the award‑winning technology from Hong Kong’s World of Frozen. The whole point is to give the characters more depth of expression and a more “cinematic” presence under stage lighting—without changing the route, songs, or story. The downtime is short and targeted; the attraction closes from January 26, with reopening sometime in February. If you’re planning an EPCOT day during this period, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a good alternative, along with Soarin’ and Gran Fiesta Tour. You can still meet Anna & Elsa at Royal Sommerhus to keep the Frozen magic alive until the boat ride returns.

TRON Lightcycle / Run: the Ares overlay is history — the original version is back soon

The red and black “Ares” skin that has dressed TRON Lightcycle / Run since last fall is now being toned down. Following the film TRON: Ares hitting Disney+ on January 7, the temporary film overlay in the attraction is being retired: January 19 is the last day, and from January 20 the clean, blue‑white original presentation returns. At the same time, the TRON Identity Program—the niche “build‑your‑own figure” experience—has been discontinued. If you liked the intensity of the Ares edition, it’s a farewell; for purists, it’s a return to the tight, neon‑gloss universe that made the attraction iconic. In any version, lines at TRON are almost always long, so aim for rope drop or late evening, and use Single Rider when it’s open to cut your wait.

2026 is set to be another year of big changes at Walt Disney World. Several iconic attractions are getting a new lease on life, exciting new experiences are opening – and some beloved classics are saying goodbye. Here’s everything you need to know about the attraction changes coming your way.

Frozen Ever After Gets a Technological Upgrade

In February 2026, the popular Frozen Ever After attraction returns to EPCOT with brand-new Audio-Animatronic figures of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff. These figures use the latest technology from Hong Kong Disneyland, delivering more natural movements and expressions. The upgrade will take place after the EPCOT Festival of the Arts, which runs from January 16 to February 23, and Disney has confirmed the reopening will be toward the end of February.

Soarin’ Across America – A Tribute to the USA

EPCOT will feature a temporary update: Soarin’ Across America. Starting Memorial Day weekend, May 25, 2026, guests can soar over iconic American landscapes in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. This special version will replace Soarin’ Around the World until Labor Day in September and showcase breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon, Golden Gate Bridge, and other national landmarks. For Soarin’ fans, this is a unique opportunity that lasts only a few months.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Adds New Magic

The Magic Kingdom classic closed on January 6, 2025, for its most extensive refurbishment ever and has been unavailable for nearly a year. When it reopens in spring 2026, guests will experience new effects, enhanced sound and lighting, and a reimagined Rainbow Caverns sequence for a more dramatic and mysterious feel. Disney has confirmed the reopening will occur sometime between March and May, making this a major event for fans of classic coasters.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Gets More Interactive

The Tomorrowland attraction will relaunch with new ride vehicles, handheld blasters, and updated targets for a more dynamic and competitive experience. The classic shooting game now features technology that makes the scoring system more accurate and interactive. The upgrade is happening alongside Big Thunder’s refurbishment, with reopening scheduled for spring 2026.

Goodbye Aerosmith – Hello Muppets!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will bid farewell to Aerosmith in spring 2026 and reopen with a Muppets theme in summer 2026, featuring brand-new music, humor, and set design. The new version promises a high-energy ride with Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang.

Millennium Falcon Gets a New Mission with The Mandalorian

Star Wars fans can look forward to a new storyline in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Starting May 22, 2026, Grogu and The Mandalorian will join the mission, adding a fresh twist to the popular Galaxy’s Edge attraction. This permanent update launches during Memorial Day weekend, giving fans another reason to visit Hollywood Studios and Batuu.

Dinosaur Closes – Indiana Jones Takes Over

One of Animal Kingdom’s most iconic attractions, Dinosaur, will close on February 2, 2026, with its final ride on February 1. It will be replaced by a brand-new Indiana Jones Adventure, taking guests into a mysterious Mayan temple in the upcoming Tropical Americas land. The attraction won’t open until 2027, but construction begins immediately after closure. This marks one of the biggest thematic changes in the park’s history.

New Attraction: The Magic of Disney Animation

Later in the summer, The Magic of Disney Animation will open at Hollywood Studios. This interactive experience replaces Launch Bay and offers character meet-and-greets, creative activities, and a play area inspired by Mary Blair. Disney has confirmed the opening will occur sometime between July and August, making it a key addition to the park’s family-friendly offerings.

Walt Disney World is entering an exciting period with extensive upgrades and new attractions that will delight both regular guests and first-time visitors. From classic favorites like Frozen Ever After to brand-new shows based on Zootopia, there’s plenty to look forward to in the coming months.

At EPCOT, the popular attraction Frozen Ever After is getting a major upgrade. Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff will soon feature brand-new Audio-Animatronics with three-dimensional faces—a significant improvement over the current projection-based technology. This will create a more realistic and lifelike experience, following the trend seen in the parks in Hong Kong and Paris.

Also at EPCOT, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will be enhanced. The attraction will temporarily close from November 10 to 13, 2025, to implement sharper digital imagery in 2D format, along with improvements to the queue area featuring new props and lighting. The reopening is scheduled for November 14. These changes aim to deliver a more seamless and visually impressive experience—without the need for 3D glasses.

In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a brand-new show premiered on November 7: Zootopia: Better Zoogether!. Guests can enjoy a 4D performance at the Tree of Life Theater, where they’ll receive special “Carrot Vision” glasses. The show features spectacular scenes from various biomes, including ice-skating and drone displays, as well as a new animatronic figure of Benjamin Clawhauser. Additionally, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will greet guests in new costumes inspired by the upcoming film Zootopia 2.

After a maintenance period, Spaceship Earth returned to operation on October 25, 2025. The attraction has undergone several upgrades, including improvements to the ride system, updated video screens, repaired lighting, and adjustments to scenes and animatronics. This ensures that the iconic journey through human history continues with a refreshed touch.

Disney has also announced that the iconic Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will soon close for a major re-theme featuring The Muppets. The Aerosmith version will remain through 2025 but will go out of operation in early 2026, with a planned reopening in summer 2026. The new version, titled Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, will feature an entirely new storyline centered around the band Electric Mayhem, complete with psychedelic visual effects, a revamped pre-show, and Audio-Animatronics of beloved characters like Kermit, Miss Piggy, Scooter, and penguin sound engineers.

Finally, Disney has confirmed a big change for Soarin’. Starting summer 2026, the attraction will showcase Soarin’ Across America, a new film experience that takes guests on a journey over iconic American landscapes and cities. This update is part of the celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary and will include special effects such as scents and air currents to make the flight even more immersive.

Disney World has announced that the popular Soarin’ attraction at EPCOT is getting a major update. The new version, “Soarin’ Across America,” will take guests on a spectacular flight over iconic landscapes and cities in the United States – in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Soarin’, one of EPCOT’s most beloved attractions, is receiving a new film and thematic upgrade. The upcoming version, “Soarin’ Across America,” will replace the current “Soarin’ Around the World” and is set to debut in the summer of 2026. The update marks a tribute to the United States’ 250th anniversary and will take visitors on a visual journey from coast to coast, showcasing breathtaking footage of the country’s most iconic natural and urban landmarks.

According to Walt Disney Imagineering, the film crew has already begun shooting in various locations across the U.S. Using advanced technology such as helicopter rigs, custom camera lenses, and heavy-duty drones, they are capturing everything from majestic mountain ranges to bustling cities. The goal is to create a seamless and emotional flight experience that reflects the diversity and beauty of the American landscape. Creative executive Tom Fitzgerald stated that the anniversary provided the perfect opportunity to “book a new flight” for Soarin’, aiming to convey the spirit of the nation to today’s guests and future generations.

The attraction will continue to use its signature glider system, scent effects, and orchestral score that have made Soarin’ a favorite among park visitors since its debut. In addition, Disney recently introduced new costumes for the attraction’s cast members, signaling that Soarin’ is entering a new era. The new uniforms combine modern design with practical features and have already been praised for their comfort and style.

With the launch of “Soarin’ Across America” at both EPCOT and Disney California Adventure, Disney is showing its commitment to refreshing classic attractions while celebrating important historical milestones. For fans of Soarin’, this means a new and exciting journey awaits – this time across the homeland of the United States.

The popular family attraction in EPCOT’s France Pavilion will undergo significant changes. From November 10 to 13, 2025, the attraction will be temporarily closed to replace the current 3D experience with sharper, enhanced 2D projection—and to upgrade both technology and theming with new props and lighting details.

Disney recently announced an exciting upgrade to the beloved attraction Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT’s France Pavilion. From November 10 to 13, 2025, the attraction will be temporarily closed for a comprehensive technological overhaul. The current 3D experience, which requires glasses, will be replaced with a new 2D projection promising sharper and more comfortable visuals. This move follows similar upgrades at Disneyland Paris and responds to guest feedback requesting a more accessible and comfortable experience.

By removing the need for 3D glasses, Disney reduces the risk of discomfort some guests experience with 3D effects, while improving visual quality through modern digital technology. Disney stated that the goal is to create a more natural and seamless experience, allowing guests to immerse themselves in Remy’s world without distractions. In addition to the visual upgrade, new props and improved lighting are planned for both the queue area and inside the attraction. These enhancements aim to strengthen the theming and deliver a more vibrant atmosphere that reflects the French culinary charm the attraction is known for.

Although the closure period is short, the change marks an important step in Disney’s strategy to modernize experiences and align them with today’s technological standards. When Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure reopens on November 13, guests can look forward to a refreshed and improved journey through Gusteau’s kitchen and the rooftops of Paris—now with sharper visuals, more details, and an experience that feels both more comfortable and more magical than ever before.

Nearly a decade after its debut, EPCOT’s beloved Frozen Ever After attraction is getting a major technological refresh. Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff will soon look more lifelike than ever, thanks to cutting-edge animatronic technology inspired by Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disney has announced that Frozen Ever After in EPCOT will undergo a significant update in early 2026. The focus is on the attraction’s most iconic characters—Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff—who will receive brand-new Audio-Animatronics featuring physically sculpted faces. This marks the end of the projection-based facial technology that has been in use since the ride opened in 2016.

When the attraction debuted nearly ten years ago, it was groundbreaking: introducing fully electric animatronics and combining advanced motors with 3D printing. However, projection faces often drew criticism for misalignment and dim expressions that broke the illusion. Now, Disney is moving toward a more film-accurate experience, using technology that has already wowed guests at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland.

The new figures will feature more natural movements, improved lighting, and detailed facial features for a seamless transition from animation to reality. According to Walt Disney Imagineering, this is “a full circle of innovation,” where technology that began with Frozen Ever After returns in a far more advanced form.

Disney has not confirmed whether the ride will close during the upgrade, but changes are expected to be completed by early 2026—just in time for the attraction’s 10th anniversary. For fans, this means the journey through Arendelle will soon be even more magical, setting a new standard for realism in Disney parks worldwide.