Disney World Sets Summer 2026 Overhaul With New Missions, Rethemes and Family Perks

Overview

• Cool Kids Summer runs May 26–September 8 with complimentary water park admission on check-in day and scheduled character appearances at Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Port Orleans Riverside.
• Disney’s room-and-ticket package grants two free room nights and park days with select 4-night-or-longer bookings for most nights May 26–September 15, with reservations open January 6–February 15.
• At Magic Kingdom this spring, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad returns with new track and a Rainbow Caverns sequence, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopens with a new opening, updated vehicles, and improved blasters.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios adds a Mandalorian & Grogu mission to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run timed to the May 22 film release, retires the Aerosmith version of Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster in March ahead of a Muppets-themed reopening this summer, and unveils a reimagined Walt Disney Studios area later in the season.
• EPCOT debuts an all-new U.S.-focused Soarin’ film in July for America’s 250th, and Animal Kingdom introduces Bluey and Bingo greetings at Conservation Station tied to Australian animal encounters.