Disney Parks in 2026: Leia, Luke and Han Hit Galaxy’s Edge

Disneyland had an enormous 2025 when it kicked off its 70th anniversary, a celebration that continues on the authentic Disney theme park this 12 months. Three new rides are additionally being constructed at California Journey, in addition to an entire new Avatar space.

And at Walt Disney World in Florida, 4 new lands are being constructed proper now, themed round villains, Pixar characters and extra.

This is every little thing you must find out about Disneyland, Disney World and Disney Cruise Line in 2026 and past.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: New outdated characters

New characters have begun roaming across the Star Wars-themed lands in Disneyland, as the realm “expands its timeline” to incorporate Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa and Han Solo. The unique trio of Star Wars predominant characters arrived in Batuu on April 29 and at the moment are interacting with company and different characters.

To assist tie them in with the extra fashionable Star Wars land, there can even be new props, graphics and music (that includes the legendary John Williams rating) in Galaxy’s Edge.

“Black Spire Outpost will roll again in time a number of a long time, thoughtfully introducing beloved characters from throughout the Star Wars timeline,” the Disney Parks Blog announced in April. “Every period will likely be dropped at life with the identical care and a focus to element that the land was initially designed with, masterfully weaving collectively tales from throughout time and house in a single location.”

Darth Vader can even be becoming a member of the enjoyable, and you may nonetheless have the ability to see Ahsoka Tano, The Mandalorian, Grogu, Rey, Chewbacca and R2-D2. 

To tie in with the Star Wars enjoyable in Galaxy’s Edge, Area Mountain has reworked into Hyperspace Mountain in Tomorrowland for a restricted time.

Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster starring The Muppets will get a gap date

Whereas MuppetVision 3D closed final 12 months to make means for an entire land themed across the Monsters Pixar motion pictures at Hollywood Studios, the Muppets are being moved to the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Apparently, that overlay did not take lengthy to finish — Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith had its final day of operation on March 1, and the Muppets-themed version simply introduced its opening date of May 26.

“The legendary journey roars again to life with a rock-charged remix that drops company straight into the center of The Electrical Mayhem’s greatest night time but. With high-speed thrills, a pulse pounding soundtrack, and a VIP checklist like no different, this reimagined attraction hits all the best notes,” the Disney Parks Weblog posted on April 16.

Replacing the old Muppets area of Hollywood Studios, in the meantime, Monstropolis — house of the Monsters, Inc. motion pictures, shorts and Disney Plus streaming collection — will characteristic Disney’s first suspended roller coaster inside the town’s snigger/scream manufacturing facility.

“The primary time I noticed Monsters, Inc., all I wished to do was journey on a kind of doorways like Mike and Sulley,” Disney Experiences Chair Josh D’Amaro stated at D23 in 2024. “Bear in mind within the film how these claws seize the doorways and hoist them up into the air to take them away? We’re doing that too. And you are going alongside for the journey.”

A TikTok exhibits the design idea for the Monsters Inc. journey.

MuppetVision 3D closed completely on June 8, 2025, however we do not anticipate Monstropolis to be full for an additional 12 months or two.

Bluey has arrived at Disneyland

Spring introduced an addition to Disneyland: Bluey and her household at the moment are internet hosting a stage present and themed space on the authentic Disney park. Debuting Sunday, March 22, Bluey’s Best Day Ever is positioned on the Fantasyland Theatre subsequent to Mickey’s Toontown and drew hours-long queues throughout its first week.

The theater has been reworked into Bluey’s faculty classroom and grounds, together with a gnome village and fairy backyard. Bluey and her sister, Bingo, will seem a number of instances every day, together with actors and musicians, to “convey to life the favored music and video games emblematic of beloved Bluey episodes.” These video games will embody “keepy uppy” and the “grannies,” in addition to appearances by Chattermax and Unicorse.

There are additionally puzzles, video games and picture ops all through the Bluey space, and Disneyland is serving up Bluey-themed meals at Troubadour Tavern.

The hugely popular Australian cartoon a few household of canines is a worldwide hit, and Disney is slated to launch a Bluey film in 2027. (Within the meantime, you may watch Bluey episodes and minisodes on Disney Plus.) 

California Journey celebrates 25 years

The second Disney theme park inbuilt Anaheim opened 25 years ago on Feb. 8, 2001. Whereas the look of the park has modified quite a bit over these years, California Journey has a couple of methods it is celebrating the quarter-century milestone: It is switching the Soarin’ attraction again to Soarin’ Over California till July 1; dressing Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on Buena Vista Road with new outfits, that includes solar motifs just like the one initially on the curler coaster; and providing varied particular anniversary-themed meals gadgets, merchandise and drinks.

Soarin’ Throughout America from coast to coast

At Disney’s California Journey and Disney World’s Epcot, the Soarin’ Across the World attraction is getting a US-themed makeover. Soarin’ Across America will arrive on July 2, 2026, and can characteristic scenes, sounds and smells from greater than a dozen cityscapes and scenic areas.

Disney launched a trailer starring Patrick Warburton, the unique Soarin’ narrator and pilot, wherein he says we’ll quickly “sail throughout spacious skies” and might even see “amber waves of grain” and “purple mountain majesties.” It is a part of Disney’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

Disneyland’s seventieth anniversary continues

Disneyland is continuous to rejoice its seventieth anniversary this 12 months, following its kick-off in Might 2025. You may have loads of time to get there as its final day is Aug. 9, 2026 — after which it will transition again to Halloween on Aug. 21, then the vacations on Nov. 18, earlier than absolutely returning to its pure state in early 2027.

There are lots of seventieth anniversary exhibits to see, together with the Paint the Night time parade, Have fun Completely satisfied Cavalcade and the Wondrous Journeys fireworks and projection present on the fortress. Mickey and mates are additionally carrying seventieth celebration outfits.

You possibly can catch seventieth anniversary-themed merchandise, foods and drinks gadgets in addition to a projection present at Carthay Circle and a 50-foot sculpture of Sleeping Magnificence Fortress on the esplanade between Disneyland and California Journey; it’s also possible to discover decorations sprinkled all through Downtown Disney, Most important Road USA, Disney’s motels and even contained in the Toy Story Halfway Mania journey.

Disneyland growth begins because the Avatar space is constructed

Disneyland is lastly expanding after unveiling plans nearly 5 years in the past. The growth is anticipated to take a few years to finish and can push the park’s present boundaries previous Downtown Disney and into the close by parking tons. It will additionally remodel “a portion of the present Hollywood Backlot space,” resulting in the closure of the Monsters Inc. attraction completely in 2027.

The most important a part of the growth will likely be including an Avatar-themed land, primarily based on the second movie, The Way of Water, in addition to Avatar: Fire and Ash. It can embody a darkish boat journey very like Pirates of the Caribbean, “taking company all the way in which to the wide-open seas of Pandora.”

It follows the success of the world of Pandora, primarily based on the original Avatar film, in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. Disney has no dates or particulars but on when it will be full.

Coming ahead of the Avatar land, nevertheless, is a brand new esplanade entry “expertise” to switch the present walkway entry on the east aspect of Disneyland, in addition to a brand new parking construction and pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard. Development on this begins within the fall.

A Coco journey is coming

It will not be launching this 12 months, however building has begun backstage at California Journey to construct a brand new darkish journey. It will be themed for the beloved Pixar movie Coco and populated by audio-animatronics.

The Coco journey will likely be positioned within the space close to Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens, in what’s primarily backstage areas for solid members at present. It will have characters and music from the flicks as you journey by way of the land of the lifeless with Miguel.

California Journey: 2 extra Avengers rides 

Avengers Campus already has two rides: Spider-Man Internet Slingers and Guardians of the Galaxy. Quickly, this can double as Disney builds two more Marvel attractions at California Journey. 

“We’re doubling the scale of the land with two new sights,” a structural engineer stated in a video posted to Walt Disney Imagineering’s Instagram account on Feb. 26. The engineer confirmed off how the Avengers Infinity Protection construction is trying now, together with its columns, foundations and a catwalk that may “help projectors, audio system and different forms of present parts.”

Avengers Infinity Protection will see you assemble alongside the Avengers, battling King Thanos — set in a multiverse — that includes appearances by Black Panther, Ant-Man and Hulk.

Stark Flight Lab, the second journey, will see you assist check Tony Stark’s newest tech.

“In Stark Flight Lab, company will sit in ‘gyro-kinetic pods’ and roll alongside a monitor earlier than stopping in entrance of a large robotic arm,” Disney stated. “This robotic arm will hoist you into the air the place you will make a number of high-speed maneuvers impressed by Iron Man and another Avengers.”

Development started in 2025, however no launch dates have been revealed but.

Villains Land at Disney World: 1 12 months nearer

Whereas it will not be prepared in time for 2026, building is properly underway for Disney’s first villains-themed space. Villains Land, which can rejoice all of the basic baddies from Disney movies, is coming to the Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida.

Imagineers have been drawing inspiration from architectural constructions in Paris and Barcelona — like Gaudí’s buildings within the latter — to design Villains Land, Disney revealed throughout Vacation spot D23 in August 2025.

“Paris is a metropolis stuffed with basic Artwork Nouveau … pure motifs and swirling designs there make nature look like ‘cursed,’ like magic has frozen it into place,” Disney stated on its Parks Weblog. “Barcelona’s artwork model is Modernisme, which has much less pure patterns however offers the structure an otherworldly, unnerving look.”

Villains Land, first teased during D23 2022, will likely be positioned on the opposite aspect of Huge Thunder Mountain on the high left edge of the present Magic Kingdom map and can stretch round to the place the Haunted Mansion is.

Two main sights are deliberate, together with eating and procuring. Nonetheless no phrase but on when it will open.

First peek at Piston Peak

The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom have been closed and faraway from the web map, as Disney works to assemble a brand new land themed after Pixar’s Cars movies. Automobiles Land, which was added to Disney’s California Journey again in 2012, stays extraordinarily in style within the west, so it was solely a matter of time earlier than it was added to the jap outpost.

In an growth of Frontierland — which additionally contains Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad — Route 66 will characteristic a glance impressed by the Rocky Mountains and the “American Frontier and its nationwide parks.”

The Disney Parks Blog described the brand new space as “an awe-inspiring wilderness stuffed with towering timber, snowcapped mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, roaring rivers and spectacular geysers.” Disney Imagineers are “utilizing a method of structure referred to as ‘Parkitecture,’ which was developed by the Nationwide Park Service to create constructions that harmonize with the pure setting.”

There will likely be two sights, one among which is a rally race. Pixar Chief Artistic Officer Pete Docter and Imagineer Michael Hundgen spoke concerning the new ride vehicle for this, and you may see a TikTok of Imagineers testing out off-road automobiles within the Arizona desert to create what the journey will really feel like. Every rally automotive may have its personal character, identify and racing quantity, Docter stated.

“These are all issues Lightning McQueen and Mater have not skilled earlier than, like racing over rocky terrain, ascending to mountain peaks and dodging round geysers — how do you’re taking these real-world parts and put a Automobiles spin on it?” Disney Parks stated in a earlier weblog submit. 

Whereas building has begun and Disney has even launched a map exhibiting what the land might appear like (geysers capturing water, a working river, an off-road rally monitor, mountains, a customer’s lodge, a Ranger HQ and strolling trails), we do not anticipate Piston Peak to open till at the least 2027 or 2028.

Dinosaur closes to make means for Tropical Americas Land

Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand USA space isn’t any extra, with the realm on the Disney World map now a clean sea of grass as Disney slowly builds out the brand new Tropical Americas Land. 

Development started within the fall of 2024, with TriceraTop Spin and the halfway space closing down in January 2025. The Dinosaur journey remained open till Feb. 1 this 12 months however has now closed its doorways because it’s reworked into a brand new Indiana Jones journey by way of a Maya temple (a comparatively straightforward overlay since Disneyland’s Indiana Jones reportedly follows nearly exactly the same ride track as Disney World’s Dinosaur).

The Pueblo Esperanza space will likely be themed like a South American village, with an Encanto-themed attraction, the place you get to discover Antonio’s rainforest room contained in the Casita, in addition to an enormous quick-service eating location, a fountain and a carousel.

Tropical Americas is deliberate to open in 2027.

Discounted Disneyland tickets and a brand new Magic Key

California residents can at present get a three-day Park Hopper ticket for $249, a 50% low cost. Time is working out to make use of it, although — you may solely go to till Might 21 utilizing this ticket. After that could be a Kids’ Summer Ticket deal, with a one-day Park Hopper ticket costing $50 per little one, ages 3 by way of 9. You should purchase it now and use it between Might 22 and Sept. 7.

Disneyland can be including (and eradicating) a Magic Key possibility: The Discover Key will change the present Enchant Key. All California residents will have the ability to buy it — not solely Southern California residents. It can permit entry on weekdays in June and July, that are at present blocked out for Enchant Key holders. 

The Explore Key went on sale earlier this 12 months. It prices $999, with a $99 down cost and 0% APR on repayments for 12 months. Disney stated its “full worth” could be unlocked in simply 4 visits to the parks, due to Park Hopper admission, 25% off parking, Lightning Lane Multi-Passes and 10% off merchandise and eating.

Disney World discounted summer season tickets

For what Disney World is asking Cool Kids’ Summer, it is providing two free nights and two free theme park days while you purchase a four-night, four-day Disney lodge and ticket bundle for a go to throughout Might 26 by way of Sept. 15. You too can save as much as 30% on some Disney motels between Might 1 and Oct. 4.

Additionally a part of Cool Youngsters’ Summer time is a free day at a Disney water park (Hurricane Lagoon or Blizzard Seashore) in your check-in day when staying at a Disney lodge between Might 26 and Sept. 8; and a free eating plan for teenagers aged 3-9 while you purchase a eating bundle for company over 10 and a room at a Disney lodge.

Disney Cruise Line: New ships

Disney has been all in on launching cruise ships over the previous few years, together with the Disney Wish in 2022, the Disney Treasure in 2024 and the Disney Destiny in 2025.

The Disney Adventure sailed on its maiden voyage from Singapore on March 10, the primary of four new ships set to embark soon. Disney’s subsequent cruise liner, the Disney Believe, was unveiled by new CEO Josh D’Amaro on March 18. 

“The Disney Consider will convey to life the magical worlds of Encanto and Frozen, the wishing wells of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the depths of the ocean with Moana and The Little Mermaid,” Disney stated.

The Disney Consider is anticipated to set sail in late 2027. The opposite ship names and locations have but to be revealed, however they’re anticipated to sail earlier than 2031.

Every part else coming quickly

This is what else is new and coming quickly to the theme parks:

• A 3D-printed prop canoe was added to the Jungle Cruise journey in January.
• Buzz Lightyear’s Area Ranger Spin closed on the Magic Kingdom in August to obtain new ride vehicles with video displays and two handheld blasters that includes always-on lasers in two totally different colours (so you may lastly see which laser is yours). It is also getting a brand new opening scene starring Buddy the pleasant robotic, and static Z targets will gentle up while you hit them. The journey reopened on April 8.
• Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad is reopening on Sunday, May 3, at Magic Kingdom after a prolonged refurbishment. It can embody “a journey by way of the spectacular pure phenomena of the Rainbow Caverns.”
• Disney World’s water park Blizzard Beach reopened on Feb. 15, and Hurricane Lagoon is reopening on Might 12.
• Disneyland and Hollywood Studios are including Mandalorian and Grogu missions to the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run journey in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, tying in with the discharge of The Mandalorian and Grogu in cinemas. The brand new missions will launch on Might 22, 2026.
• Bluey and Bingo meet-and-greets are coming to Disney World on the Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom as a part of the Cool Youngsters’ Summer time celebration, which works from Might 26 till Sept. 8. 
• Cinderella Fortress at Magic Kingdom is at present being repainted in its authentic theme colours: grey, cream, blue and gold.
• From July onwards, you can guide a wedding at the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland. Weddings will likely be hosted on the courtyard proper outdoors the mansion’s entrance doorways. The realm can seat as much as 25 company. Sadly, it does not embody thematic midnight ceremonies — you may solely host your marriage ceremony there within the early morning earlier than park opening. Different new Disneyland wedding venues embody the Magnolia Park Gazebo (proper outdoors Tiana’s Palace), Magnolia Park Terrace (proper outdoors the brand new Haunted Mansion queue) and Fantasy Faire Backyard (reverse the fortress).
• Following the discharge of the Walt Disney animatronic at Disneyland, Disney introduced {that a} similar animatronic will be added to Disney World’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom in a brand new introductory scene to the journey.