If you’re a type-A Walt Disney World vacation planner like myself, then you’re already thinking about future trips for years to come. When it comes to 2026 Walt Disney World vacations, now is the time to start planning!
While much of planning a 2026 Walt Disney World vacation remains the same as it has in years past, there are a lot of new details you’ll need to know before you hit “book.” From the latest promotions and vacation package perks to new in-park offerings, here are some of the most important things we know about Walt Disney Wold in 2026.
2026 Walt Disney World vacation packages available for booking now
Disney World knows that there are lots of families out there who want to get a head start on planning their next vacation. That’s why vacation packages for the following year become available quite early. For 2026, Walt Disney World vacation packages were available for booking as of April 22, 2025.
As of April 2025, you’ll be able to book Walt Disney World vacations through October 2026. November and December packages will become available at a later date.
There are several perks returning in 2026 for guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Those perks include:
- Free water park entry on your check-in day: While this perk was available for all of 2025, Disney World announced that the free water park entry for resort hotel guests in 2026 would be available during the summer. Additional details, including specific dates, will be shared at a later time.
- Early theme park entry daily at all four theme parks: If you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can enter the theme parks thirty minutes ahead of the park’s posted opening time.
- Extended evening park hours on select days: Guests staying at Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort hotels have access to extended park hours at select parks on certain days. Learn more about extended evening hours on Disney World’s website.
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New free kids dining plan at Walt Disney World for 2026
One of the key questions families ask when booking a Walt Disney World vacation package is whether to add on the Disney Dining Plan. New for 2026, Disney is adding a new incentive for its resort guests by offering a free kids dining plan.
Here’s the fine print: guests get a free dining plan for their kids (ages 3 to 9) when purchasing a dining plan as part of their package for the other members of their party (ages 10 and up). So as long as you’re paying for the Disney Dining Plan for guests ages 10 and up, kids 3 to 9 essentially dine for free. This perk can be applied to either the Quick Service Dining Plan or the standard Disney Dining Plan.
This offer is available throughout all of 2026. The kids free dining plan offering can be combined with other select special offers, which you don’t often see with Disney World discounts and promotions — a good thing to remember if you’re looking to stack discounts.
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The Muppets take over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
One of the biggest changes coming to Disney World in 2026 (that we know about as of this writing) will involve the Muppets, who are currently homeless as Muppet*Vision 3D closed permanently in June of 2025. It was previously announced that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will change its headline act from Aerosmith to Electric Mayhem.
While we don’t have an exact timeline yet, we do know that this changeover will happen in 2026! If you’re a fan of the original Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, you will still have plenty of time for one final trip to the Aerosmith concert with those backstage passes. Disney announced that the current version of the ride will remain open throughout 2025.
New storyline and updated features coming to Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run
If you find yourself skipping over Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, that will soon change in 2026. Disney announced major upgrades coming to the attraction, found in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The simulator attraction will be getting an entirely new storyline featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu. These changes are also coming to the Disneyland Resort version of the attraction.
In the new storyline, “Hondo Ohnaka has gotten wind of a deal going down on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and a band of pirates. There’s a generous bounty for their capture, so you’ll borrow the iconic ship and team up with Mando and Grogu to track them down and explore the galaxy.”
Starting on May 22, 2026, guests can control the Millennium Falcon like never before. The crew (that’s you and the other five guests aboard the ship) will choose their own destination: Bespin, Endor, or Coruscant. The exact details of how the crew will decide has yet to be revealed.
Also starting on May 22, the role of Engineer will take on a whole new level of importance. The backseat position will now have the task of communicating and looking after Grogu during the mission. That’s right, the seat no one wanted will suddenly be the must-have role on Smugglers Run!
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DinoLand U.S.A. to close completely making way for Tropical Americas land
If you visit Walt Disney World in 2025, you’ll notice that most of DinoLand U.S.A. has closed permanently to make way for a new Tropical Americas Land, slated to open in 2027. DinoLand isn’t completely extinct, however, as its flagship ride DINOSAUR remains open through 2025. That will change next year, however, and DINOSAUR will close permanently in 2026. An exact closing date has yet to be announced.
Like its ancient dinosaur predecessors, DINOSAUR’s fossils won’t go away entirely. The ride will be reimagined into a brand-new Indiana Jones-inspired attraction. If you’re a big fan of Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland Park, you’ll want to know that this Tropical Americas version will have an entirely original storyline.
If you are considering a 2026 Walt Disney World vacation and you want a final spin on DINOSAUR, you will want to consider booking a trip as early in the year as possible.
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New animation experience coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Growing up a 90s Disney kid, I have fond memories of exploring MGM Studios and getting to learn about the magic of filmmaking, especially animation. In 2026, Disney’s Hollywood Studios returns to its roots with a newly redesigned space aimed at giving families the ability to relax, play, and imagine.
The spirit of imagination and film making will be brought back to life in 2026 with Animation Courtyard being reimagined into ‘The Magic of Disney Animation,’ which includes the current location of the Star Wars: Launch Bay.
Modeled after the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, the facade of this experience will feature the iconic Sorcerer Mickey hat just like studios. To make way for this experience, Star Wars: Launch Bay will close on September 25, 2025.
There will be something for the whole family in this newly redesigned space, including a new location to learn how to draw Disney characters.
‘The Magic of Disney Animation’ will also be home to character meet and greets, a screening theater where families can enjoy short films, a production gallery where portraits come to life (similar to “Once Upon a Studio”), and Drawn to Wonderland, an indoor playground designed for the “youngest animators.” The space is inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair’s concept art for ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ The space will also house a new Disney Jr. stage show.
What We Know About 2026 Walt Disney World Vacations originally appeared on The World of Spark.
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