114: Disney World 2026: What to Expect, What’s New, Closures, and Planning Changes
Listen On: Apple Podcast | Amazon Music | Spotify
Planning a Walt Disney World vacation in 2026 and wondering what’s new, what’s changing, and what you need to know before you book? This episode is your complete Disney World 2026 planning guide, breaking down everything coming to Walt Disney World in 2026, park by park, so you can plan with confidence and realistic expectations.
In this episode, we cover what to expect at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2026, including ride reopenings, attraction closures, refurbishments, new entertainment, character experiences, seasonal offerings, and how ongoing changes may impact your daily touring plans. If you’ve been asking what’s new at Disney World in 2026, what rides are reopening, or how closures could affect your trip, this episode explains it all in one place.
We also take a deep dive into Cool Kids’ Summer 2026, including what Cool Kids’ Summer actually is, when it runs, what’s happening in each park, and how it changes the overall summer experience at Walt Disney World. We explain why Cool Kids’ Summer can actually make summer travel easier for families, how these experiences are designed for kids without overwhelming parents, and how to fit them into a realistic touring plan without trying to do everything.
This episode is perfect for first-time Disney planners, families planning a 2026 Disney World vacation, Disney moms, returning guests looking for updated information, and anyone feeling overwhelmed by Disney announcements who wants everything explained clearly in one place.
What’s Coming to Each Disney Park in 2026
Magic Kingdom 2026
We walk through what’s reopening, what’s closed, and what’s new at Magic Kingdom in 2026, including attraction refurbishments, ride reopenings, limited-time summer entertainment, and how construction or closures may impact your park day. We also answer common planning questions like which Magic Kingdom rides are affected in 2026, how to adjust your Lightning Lane strategy, and whether Magic Kingdom is still a full-day park during summer 2026.
EPCOT 2026
EPCOT heads into 2026 fully operational, making it one of the most flexible parks for families and returning guests. We cover EPCOT festivals in 2026, interactive summer entertainment, kid-friendly experiences, and expanded use of CommuniCore during Cool Kids’ Summer. This section answers questions like what festivals are happening at EPCOT in 2026, what kids can do at EPCOT during the summer, and why EPCOT is a strong park choice for multi-day trips in 2026.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2026
Hollywood Studios sees major updates in 2026, including reimagined attractions, new shows, animation-focused experiences, and character additions that directly impact crowds and Lightning Lane strategy. We explain what’s new at Hollywood Studios in 2026, how ride changes affect wait times, and why this park still requires one of the most strategic touring plans, especially during peak summer travel.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom 2026
We explain what’s new at Animal Kingdom in 2026, including character experiences, hands-on activities, and seasonal entertainment tied into Cool Kids’ Summer. We also talk about why Animal Kingdom continues to be one of the best parks for families with younger kids, how early park hours help beat the heat, and how to plan a shorter but meaningful park day here.
Cool Kids’ Summer 2026
Cool Kids’ Summer 2026 runs from May 26 through September 8, 2026. This episode explains what Cool Kids’ Summer is, what’s happening in each park, how it differs from previous summer offerings, and why it can actually make summer travel more manageable for families. We also discuss how to prioritize Cool Kids’ Summer experiences without overscheduling your day.
Disney World Discounts and Promotions for 2026
This episode also breaks down Disney World discounts and special offers available for 2026, answering common questions like are there Disney World discounts in 2026, when do Disney promotions come out, and which discounts are best for families.
We cover:
• Disney Resort hotel discounts for 2026, including seasonal savings and how discount timing impacts availability
• Free Disney Dining Plan offers for kids, what’s included, and who benefits most from this promotion
• Water park perks for Disney Resort hotel guests, including how free or included water park access works and when it’s available
• Why summer 2026 may be one of the best value times to visit Walt Disney World, especially for families trying to balance cost, crowds, and park hours
We also explain how to stack discounts with smart planning, what to book early, and why waiting for promotions can sometimes cost more if availability becomes limited.
Where to Find Me
Instagram: @wellhellomagic
Website: WellHelloMagic.com
Podcast: Well Hello Magic Podcast available on all major podcast platformsPlanning a Walt Disney World vacation in 2026 and wondering what’s new, what’s changing, and what you need to know before you book? This episode is your complete Disney World 2026 planning guide, breaking down everything coming to Walt Disney World in 2026, park by park, so you can plan with confidence and realistic expectations.
In this episode, we cover what to expect at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2026, including ride reopenings, attraction closures, refurbishments, new entertainment, character experiences, seasonal offerings, and how ongoing changes may impact your daily touring plans. If you’ve been asking what’s new at Disney World in 2026, what rides are reopening, or how closures could affect your trip, this episode explains it all in one place.
We also take a deep dive into Cool Kids’ Summer 2026, including what Cool Kids’ Summer actually is, when it runs, what’s happening in each park, and how it changes the overall summer experience at Walt Disney World. We explain why Cool Kids’ Summer can actually make summer travel easier for families, how these experiences are designed for kids without overwhelming parents, and how to fit them into a realistic touring plan without trying to do everything.
This episode is perfect for first-time Disney planners, families planning a 2026 Disney World vacation, Disney moms, returning guests looking for updated information, and anyone feeling overwhelmed by Disney announcements who wants everything explained clearly in one place.
What’s Coming to Each Disney Park in 2026
Magic Kingdom 2026
We walk through what’s reopening, what’s closed, and what’s new at Magic Kingdom in 2026, including attraction refurbishments, ride reopenings, limited-time summer entertainment, and how construction or closures may impact your park day. We also answer common planning questions like which Magic Kingdom rides are affected in 2026, how to adjust your Lightning Lane strategy, and whether Magic Kingdom is still a full-day park during summer 2026.
EPCOT 2026
EPCOT heads into 2026 fully operational, making it one of the most flexible parks for families and returning guests. We cover EPCOT festivals in 2026, interactive summer entertainment, kid-friendly experiences, and expanded use of CommuniCore during Cool Kids’ Summer. This section answers questions like what festivals are happening at EPCOT in 2026, what kids can do at EPCOT during the summer, and why EPCOT is a strong park choice for multi-day trips in 2026.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2026
Hollywood Studios sees major updates in 2026, including reimagined attractions, new shows, animation-focused experiences, and character additions that directly impact crowds and Lightning Lane strategy. We explain what’s new at Hollywood Studios in 2026, how ride changes affect wait times, and why this park still requires one of the most strategic touring plans, especially during peak summer travel.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom 2026
We explain what’s new at Animal Kingdom in 2026, including character experiences, hands-on activities, and seasonal entertainment tied into Cool Kids’ Summer. We also talk about why Animal Kingdom continues to be one of the best parks for families with younger kids, how early park hours help beat the heat, and how to plan a shorter but meaningful park day here.
Cool Kids’ Summer 2026
Cool Kids’ Summer 2026 runs from May 26 through September 8, 2026. This episode explains what Cool Kids’ Summer is, what’s happening in each park, how it differs from previous summer offerings, and why it can actually make summer travel more manageable for families. We also discuss how to prioritize Cool Kids’ Summer experiences without overscheduling your day.
Disney World Discounts and Promotions for 2026
This episode also breaks down Disney World discounts and special offers available for 2026, answering common questions like are there Disney World discounts in 2026, when do Disney promotions come out, and which discounts are best for families.
We cover:
• Disney Resort hotel discounts for 2026, including seasonal savings and how discount timing impacts availability
• Free Disney Dining Plan offers for kids, what’s included, and who benefits most from this promotion
• Water park perks for Disney Resort hotel guests, including how free or included water park access works and when it’s available
• Why summer 2026 may be one of the best value times to visit Walt Disney World, especially for families trying to balance cost, crowds, and park hours
We also explain how to stack discounts with smart planning, what to book early, and why waiting for promotions can sometimes cost more if availability becomes limited.
Where to Find Me
Instagram: @wellhellomagic
Website: WellHelloMagic.com
Podcast: Well Hello Magic Podcast available on all major podcast platforms
Where to find me:
Instagram: @wellhellomagic
Website: WellHelloMagic.com
Podcast: Well Hello Magic Podcast available on all major podcast platforms
Helpful links and blogs mentioned in this episode:
Blog posts and detailed planning resources mentioned in this episode can be found here:
https://www.wellhellomagic.com/whats-new/everything-new-at-walt-disney-world-in-2026-and-why-youre-really-not-missing-anything
https://www.wellhellomagic.com/planning/disney-world-guide
https://www.wellhellomagic.com/military/disney-world-resort-discounts-save-up-to-30-on-your-stay
If you’ve been asking questions like:
• What’s new at Disney World in 2026?
• What rides are reopening at Disney World in 2026?
• What attractions are closed at Disney World in 2026?
• Is Cool Kids’ Summer worth it at Disney World?
• When is the best time to visit Disney World in 2026?
• Are there Disney World discounts in 2026?
• Is summer 2026 a good time to visit Disney World with kids?
• How will construction affect my Disney World trip in 2026?
This episode answers all of it in one place.
What This Disney World 2026 Episode Covers
This episode walks through everything coming to Walt Disney World in 2026, with a clear focus on how these changes impact real families planning real trips. Instead of just listing announcements, we explain what they mean, how they affect crowds, Lightning Lane strategy, park flow, and how to plan around them.
We break down:
• Ride reopenings and refurbishments in 2026
• Temporary and long-term closures at Disney World
• New entertainment, shows, and character experiences
• Seasonal offerings and limited-time summer experiences
• How Cool Kids’ Summer 2026 works in each park
• Disney World discounts and promotions for 2026
• Why summer 2026 may be one of the best value years for Disney families
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? You're in the right place! At Well Hello Magic, we have tons of helpful resources to make your Disney vacation as magical and stress-free as possible. Whether you're looking for advice on the best time to visit Disney, tips on finding the perfect character meal, or learning how to skip the lines with Lightning Lane, we've got you covered.
As a therapist by trade and a mom of four, I use my expertise in understanding personalities to help you discover your "Disney Enneagram"—a fun way to tailor your Disney vacation planning to suit your family's needs or large group dynamics, ensuring everyone enjoys the magic in their own unique way. With my firsthand experience navigating Disney with babies and toddlers, I'll share all my best tips to make your trip smooth and fun for everyone. Plus, check out some of our family's favorite rides at Magic Kingdom—there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Make sure to explore our blog for even more Disney planning guides and insider tips!
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