The Disney Parks of Tomorrow: A 2026 Preview of New Thrills, Icons, and Lands
For Disney park enthusiasts, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of major arrivals and long-awaited reunions. The changes span from Anaheim to Orlando, blending fresh adventures with nostalgic returns.
At Disneyland's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, the timeline is shifting. Starting April 29, the original heroes—Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo—will walk the streets of Batuu, joining existing characters like Ahsoka Tano and Rey. Disney describes the move as "thoughtfully introducing beloved characters from across the Star Wars timeline" with new music and props to match the era.
Over at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida, the Muppets are taking over the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. The Aerosmith-themed ride closed in March, and a Muppets-centric version, starring Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, is scheduled to open May 26. Meanwhile, the old Muppets area is making way for Monstropolis, a new land based on *Monsters, Inc.* that will feature Disney's first suspended roller coaster.
Disneyland itself has a new resident: Bluey. The Australian blue heeler and her family now host "Bluey's Best Day Ever," a stage show in Fantasyland that has drawn significant crowds since its March debut. The area includes games, photo opportunities, and themed snacks.
Looking further ahead, construction is progressing on several large-scale projects. At Disney World, a Villains Land is taking shape in Magic Kingdom, with design inspiration drawn from Parisian Art Nouveau and Barcelona's Modernisme architecture. Over in Frontierland, the foundation is being laid for Piston Peak, a *Cars*-themed area inspired by national parks. At Animal Kingdom, the former DinoLand is transforming into Tropical Americas, which will feature an *Encanto* attraction and an Indiana Jones ride overlay replacing the Dinosaur attraction.
Back in California, Disneyland Resort is beginning a multi-year expansion that will add an *Avatar*-themed land based on the sequels. California Adventure is also growing, with a *Coco* dark ride and two new Avengers attractions—Stark Flight Lab and Avengers Infinity Defense—in the works.
On the seas, Disney Cruise Line continues its fleet expansion. Following the recent launch of the Disney Adventure from Singapore, the company unveiled the Disney Believe, a ship themed to *Frozen*, *Encanto*, and other classics, expected to set sail in late 2027.
From discounted summer tickets to refreshed classic rides, the House of Mouse is ensuring that the next few years will be anything but static for its guests.