2025 is almost over, and the magic of Disney continues to make every vacation unforgettable. If your schedule didn't make it possible to visit your favorite Disney attraction in 2025, don't fret. The enchanting glow of Disney vacation never stops and even gets better in 2026. We have already shared with you the official list of events and activities at Disneyland Resort. Now, we are giving you a sneak peek of all the fantastic happenings at Disney World.
This list will feature special events, returning favorites, rides and attractions reopening, all-new dining experiences, and characters coming in. You should also watch for the most colorful parades and seasonal festivals that will grace the theme parks and hotels of Walt Disney World® in Orlando.
Are you ready to explore the Most Magical Place on Earth? Read on.
What's in store for Disney World guests in 2026?
When it comes to fun and excitement, Walt Disney World® events always deliver. The resort offers a wide array of vibrant daytime happenings and exciting nighttime activities you should not miss. Throughout the year, Disney World will be hosting events that will cater to Disney fans of all ages. After months of detailed refurbishments, popular attractions will reopen. New characters will also be at the resort to spread joy and magic. From the beginning of the year down to Christmas day, your experience at Disney World will be nothing short of spectacular.
PRO TIP: Plan your reservations and get your tickets early to avoid crowds and high prices. Your discount tickets are your key to a fun and exciting Disney trip. So, make sure to stay in the loop for the best deals!
The official calendar of events at Walt Disney World® in 2026
Early 2026
2026 EPCOT© International Festival of the Arts
January 16 to February 23
Don't miss the 2026 EPCOT© International Festival of the Arts from January 16 to February 23! Come enjoy tasty dishes, beautiful art pieces, and sing your heart out with Broadway hits from DISNEY ON BROADWAY shows and stars.
Frozen Ever After at EPCOT©
February 2026
Exciting enhancements are coming to the Audio-Animatronics figures of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff at Frozen Ever After in EPCOT©. Drawing inspiration from the impressive innovations showcased in the figures at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland, these updates will be unveiled in February 2026!
Disney After Hours
Select nights - from January 12 through July 27, 2026
Wrap up your Walt Disney World® experience in the most magical way possible—Disney After Hours is back in 2026! This beloved separately ticketed event invites you to indulge in nighttime fun, whether you're roaming through Disney's Hollywood Studios©, exploring the wonders of EPCOT©, or soaking up the magic of Magic Kingdom©. Expect an enchanting evening filled with excitement, along with delightful snacks and beverages included!
Spring
2026 EPCOT© International Flower & Garden Festival
March 4 to June 1
Explore beautiful topiaries and gardens, savor tasty food at Outdoor Kitchens, and enjoy live music at the Garden Rocks Concert. The 2026 EPCOT© International Flower & Garden Festival is back, running from March 4 to June 1.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens
This spring at Magic Kingdom©, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is coming back and you'll be loving that fresh mountain air! They've added some exciting new stuff and gave it a big makeover.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin reopens
Head to Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom© park and prepare to take on Evil Emperor Zurg! You'll have access to fresh ride vehicles, new handheld blasters, and fun targets to hit at Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Don't sweat waiting around too long; the attraction is coming back in spring 2026!
Summer
Cool Kids' Summer
Make sure you're ready to dance at GoofyCore in EPCOT©, play games with your favorite characters around the parks, and experience fresh attractions this Cool Kids' Summer. There's a lot more family fun coming our way at Walt Disney World® in 2026!
Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
Don't miss out on the Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon! This is a unique event where you need a separate ticket. Experience a fun night with a DJ, Disney characters, water attractions, and free snacks, including ice cream, popcorn, and drinks, after the park is closed.
Banana Ball at ESPN Wide World of Sports
May 29 to 30
If your summer memories need a chorus of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," then this next one is for you – for the first time ever, Banana Ball is headed to ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World® May 29 to 30.
Whether you're team Loco Beach Coconuts or team Party Animals, the trick plays, diving catches, and on-the-field shenanigans are sure to deliver a home run of fun. The Banana Ball Ticket Lottery List is currently closed, but a limited number of Tickets Inclusive of Food & Beverage will be available for fans to purchase soon, so keep your eye on the ball!
Bluey and Bingo at Animal Kingdom©
Beginning summer 2026, Walt Disney World® Resort lets you explore Conservation Station in Disney's Animal Kingdom© with Bluey and Bingo! Join in fun games such as butterfly keepy uppy. Capture family memories with Bluey and enjoy learning about Australian animals!
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live at Disney's Hollywood Studios©
Good news for fans! "Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!" is premiering this summer at Disney's Hollywood Studios©. Expect lots of upbeat tunes and join Mickey and Minnie on their road trip to gather up their pals Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto for a party. If you've seen the show in Disneyland before, now you can find it in the newly updated Walt Disney Studios area at Walt Disney World®!
The Magic of Disney Animation opens.
This summer, "The Magic of Disney Animation" will open, inviting visitors into the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Just like in "Once Upon a Studio," animated characters will interact with us and lead us into "Drawn To Wonderland," inspired by Mary Blair's Alice in Wonderland.
Off the Page
You'll love "Off the Page!"—it's a fantastic area created by the collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. Come on in! You can catch up with some of your favorite characters from Disney stories in six awesome sections of the animation studio:
- Story
- Layout
- Hand-Drawn Animation
- Computer Animation
- Lighting
- Effects
So many cool places to take pictures! You can kick back with Mulan in the Story department, right next to this giant storyboard panel. Don't forget to check out the Layout department where Rapunzel is set up beside an old multiplane camera. If you get the right shot, the backgrounds and painted layers will mix together and it'll look awesome!
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opens
Head over to Sunset Boulevard and guess what? There's a big change coming –Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets is debuting in summer 2026. If you're hoping to squeeze in another ride with Aerosmith before the Muppets arrive, no worries! You can keep enjoying the ride until spring 2026!
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
May 22
Guess what? On May 22, a new mission will be introduced at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Walt Disney World®. It's going to dive into The Mandalorian and Grogu's adventures. Click here to learn more about this epic new story!
Disney Celebrates America
Get ready for a big party in 2026 when the U.S. hits its 250th birthday, and Walt Disney World® is going to be the place to be! They're doing "Disney Celebrates America," featuring Soarin' Across America at Disney California Adventure® and EPCOT©, kicking off by Memorial Day 2026!
Fall
EPCOT© International Food & Wine Festival
You can't think of fall without the EPCOT© International Food & Wine Festival! It's the perfect time to join Eat to the Beat and check out all the cool stuff EPCOT© has. Enjoy that fall feeling while snacking on some yummy bites. There's so much global flavor to discover that your Festival Passport will be bursting with delicious options.
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom©
Dates to be announced.
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is making its comeback in 2026 at Magic Kingdom©! Get ready for a super fun time with cool spooky shows, delicious goodies, and meet-ups with your favorite characters to start feeling the Halloween spirit this season during this special ticketed event on certain nights.
Winter
Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios©
Dates to be announced.
Disney's Hollywood Studios© is bringing back a super fun event that mixes holiday spirit and Hollywood vibes in 2026! Experience the fun of Disney Jollywood Nights with great entertainment, delicious festive food and drinks, character meet-and-greets, and lots of sparkle.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom©
Dates to be announced.
Get ready for a festive experience with cocoa, cookies, and Santa's magic! Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will enchant guests at Magic Kingdom© on select nights in 2026. This renowned ticketed event is overflowing with joyful entertainment, delicious holiday treats, and cozy merchandise that will rekindle your affinity for the holidays.
EPCOT© International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth
Dates to be announced.
Can't wait for the holiday vibes at EPCOT© again in 2026! Thanks, AdventHealth! The Holiday Storytellers have the best stories, the food at the Holiday Kitchens is pure comfort, and the Candlelight Processional is just beautiful. Don't miss this heartwarming event!
Level 99 is coming to Disney Springs West Side!
Exciting news! This amazing place is opening in 2026, featuring more than 60 themed challenge rooms, duels, and art hunts where you and your pals or family can put your minds and bodies to the test. Feel free to join any team and snag a drink and one of LEVEL99's signature Detroit-style pizzas at the venue's 2-story bar once the game is finished.
New and returning favorite shows and parades
Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away
This colorful parade will sprinkle joy and magic throughout the park! The newest nighttime event is one of the most anticipated happenings at Disney resorts and theme parks. Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away will feature majestic floats glowing in colorful lights. But the stars of the parade are your favorite characters like Moana, Elsa, Coco, and others!
You can also watch fabulous firework displays between parades, so make sure to find your best viewing spot! Disney park experts say that Main Street, U.S.A. is the ideal area to enjoy the fireworks and parades.
"The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure," and "Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After"
Another experience that you should list down on your Disney vacation planner are the shows! Watch Ariel and the gang with a sea-mazing performance on stage. The villains you love to hate will also be rocking the stage to see who's the most wicked of them all. Your attendance at the Hollywood Studios is a must!
Test Track presented by General Motors at EPCOT©
Check out this high-speed attraction reimagined to satisfy your need for fun and speed.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether! at Disney's Animal Kingdom©
The wildest and newest 4D show is coming to Animal Kingdom© park, so make sure to hop in for a unique and exciting experience!
Have the most magical theme park experience at Walt Disney World® Resort.
And it's a wrap! This list of Walt Disney World® events will help you plan your vacation. The Most Magical Place on Earth is set to offer you an unforgettable year of fun, excitement, and dreamlike experiences. Maximize your Disney World trip by purchasing discount tickets in advance for early park access and lower prices!
Keep the official Disneyland® app handy for wait times, attraction closures, dining reservations, and more. Plan your vacation and find the best deals for a budget-friendly Disney trip you won't forget. See you at Disney World Resort in 2026, FunExplorers!
