We tried out everything new coming to Disney World this summer, and things are looking bright
Get your Mickey ears on, we’re going to Disney World!
I spent four jam-packed days at Disney World with my family last week as part of a media event showcasing all of the resort’s new summertime offerings.
While there are several major projects currently under construction, much of what we experienced was refreshed or “plussed” attractions with updated themes, new technology and enhanced storytelling.
Here is everything new (and old-is-new-again) you won’t want to miss on your next visit to Walt Disney World.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 1999, when the best-selling rock band was at the height of its fame. That was nearly three decades ago, folks, and times have changed.
Only a handful of bands can transcend changing musical tastes. Bands with a timeless sound, unmatched talent, an impeccable wardrobe and colorful, fuzzy bodies. I am, of course, talking about Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets still has the same 57-mile-per-hour launch and intense twists and turns; guests now board a high-speed ride to an Electric Mayhem show rather than an Aerosmith concert, blasting popular songs performed by the famous Muppets band (and some famous guest stars) along the way.
The importance of this change goes well beyond musical preference. The Muppets have been a fixture at Hollywood Studios since 1991, when Muppet*Vision 3D opened. This was shortly after Jim Henson’s death, and it was one of the last projects he ever worked on. In addition to being a hilarious, zany show with beloved characters, it represented an important piece of Henson’s — and Disney’s — legacy.
When Disney announced in late 2024 that Muppet*Vision 3D would close to make way for a “Monsters, Inc.”-themed land, fans were rightfully worried about the Muppets’ fate. I’m giving you this lengthy history to share just how meaningful it is that Disney chose the Muppets for the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster retheme.
Justin DeTolla, the Walt Disney Imagineering creative director who led the ride’s reimagining, told me, “We wanted to continue to keep the Muppets in our park, and we realized years ago that the Muppets were a perfect mixture of humor, music and chaos that fits so well with Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. It was kind of a no-brainer for us,” he said.
Fans of the Muppets will be blown away by the gags and memorabilia that made their way straight over from Muppet*Vision 3D to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Be on the lookout in the queue, during the pre-show and on the ride!
Even if you aren’t a Muppets superfan, this is just an all-around great coaster, and the music made the experience even more fun. There are five songs you could get during your ride, and each one gives the coaster a different feel (“Love Rollercoaster” was my favorite). It’s not easy singing along while speeding along at more than 50 miles per hour, but I did my best.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster has a minimum height requirement of 48”, and is included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass as a Tier 1 attraction if you want to skip the line.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland is another attraction closing in on its 30th birthday. On this interactive ride, guests board spaceship-style vehicles and wield blasters to fend off the evil Emperor Zurg and his robot army, racking up points for every target hit along the way.
With “Toy Story 5” opening this summer, the story is as relevant as it was in 1998. The technology and gameplay needed a refresh, and a refresh they got.
The ride reopened on April 8 with new ride vehicles outfitted with handheld blasters and video monitors, along with interactive targets for a more responsive gameplay experience. You’ll also spot an all-new robotic character named Buddy who will help you with some target practice before your mission begins.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has no minimum height requirement of 48”, and is included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass as a Tier 2 attraction if you want to skip the line.
Soarin’ Across America
Soarin’ is a flight motion simulator attraction that “flies” guests over iconic landmarks and landscapes.
Between Disney California Adventure and Epcot, there have been several iterations of Soarin’ over the years. This summer, both parks will debut Soarin’ Across America to honor America’s 250th birthday. Epcot’s version opened on May 26 and will open on July 2 at Disney California Adventure.
I found the updated version to be inspiring and majestic. I soared above popular American locales like the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Waikiki and the Hollywood Sign before hovering above Epcot’s Spaceship Earth for a patriotic grand finale.
If you steer clear of motion simulators, give this one a try. My husband and screen-based rides don’t play well together, but the gentle motion of this ride didn’t bother him.
Soarin’ Across America is a limited-time offering at both parks, so I would get over there as soon as possible before it switches back to Soarin’ Around the World.
Soarin’ Across America has a minimum height requirement of 40”, and is included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass as a Tier 2 attraction if you want to skip the line.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The self-described “wildest ride in the wilderness” has been suspiciously quiet since last year. OK, it’s actually not suspicious at all. It closed for refurbishment in January 2025 and finally reopened in early May 2026.
During the more-than-yearlong closure, Disney did more than tighten the bolts and grease the tracks (I’m not even sure if that is a real thing, but you know what I mean). Yes, Disney did refurbish the track and ride vehicles to keep things running smoothly (but not too smoothly, it is a runway mine train after all), but they also added a colorful new Rainbow Caverns show scene that drew you even deeper into the story (and the mine).
Thunder Mountain was one of my favorite rides as a kid, and the changes made me hesitant. But as soon as we stepped off the ride, I turned to my husband and told him that even though it was already a perfect ride, it felt even more perfect now.
The ride reopened with a lowered height requirement, too, so it’s a great first “big” coaster for kids and parents to ride together.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has a minimum height requirement of 38”, and is included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass as a Tier 1 attraction if you want to skip the line.
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run featuring Grogu and the Mandalorian
As a “Star Wars” fan and a highly competitive person, I’ve loved Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run since it opened along with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios in 2019. But I’ve buckled myself into the cockpit of the Falcon countless times since then, and at some point every mission felt more or less the same.
I was excited when Disney announced updates to the attraction, including missions in new destinations, more interactivity and appearances by Grogu and Din Djarin (a.k.a. the Mandalorian). The ride reopened with these new features on May 22, and it was tons of fun.
On the ride, you take on the role of pilot, gunner or engineer. Pilot remains the most coveted spot, but gunners and engineers get the most time with Grogu on their screens, and engineers get to choose the destination for your mission.
The updates made the attraction even better than before, offering plenty of payoff for franchise fans.
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run has a minimum height requirement of 38”, and is included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass as a Tier 1 attraction if you want to skip the line.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!
Parents of young kids who are obsessed with Disney Jr.’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse will not want to miss this new live show (and not only because it’s in a dark, air-conditioned theater).
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! Stars Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Daisy and an energetic host who helps gather the gang at the clubhouse for a fun celebration. Audience participation is highly encouraged. The music was so upbeat that even the adults (myself included) were up and dancing. And if your first question is whether or not you’ll get to do the “Hot Dog Dance” with Mickey and his friends, the answer is YES!
The show is at Hollywood Studios, which will soon be home to additional experiences inside the Magic of Disney Animation walkthrough attraction opening later this year. Families can meet characters, learn to draw with Olaf and play in an “Alice in Wonderland” playground.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! has no minimum height requirement, and is included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass as a Tier 2 attraction if you want to skip the line.
You’ll have to wait until 2027 and beyond to experience the new Cars-themed land coming to Magic Kingdom, the Tropical Americas area under construction at Animal Kingdom and the real-life Monstropolis from “Monsters, Inc.” at Hollywood Studios, but all of the fun we had during our visit proved that what Disney is doing to update current experiences until these massive developments are complete is much more than a “holdover.”
I didn’t even touch on the new character experiences for Cool Kids Summer, but I can’t leave you here without telling you that you can currently meet Bluey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Even decades-old attractions felt brand-new. And, if my kids’ begging to re-ride basically every attraction the second we exited through the gift shop is any indication, Disney got a lot of things right with everything they introduced this summer.
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