It has been a very exciting couple of weeks in the world of theme park news. Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort have officially kicked off their Halloween seasons, despite the fact that we are still very much in the thick of warm summer weather, especially in their respective regions of the country. But with pumpkin spice lattes hitting the menus at your favorite coffee shop right around this time, we can’t blame the Disney parks for wanting to start their Halloween festivities in August. Looking ahead, the past couple of weeks have brought with them a lot of updates for what’s in the works on both coasts, especially at Walt Disney World. The Most Magical Place on Earth has several exciting updates taking place next year, and now’s the time to catch up and see what’s to come!
First look at Beak and Barrel revealed at Walt Disney World
The next big opening at Magic Kingdom is The Beak and Barrel, the new tavern themed after Pirates of the Caribbean. The official opening is on August 29, but a first look has been revealed during a media preview.
Advance Dining Reservations are also open for The Beak and Barrel. This is anticipated to be a popular spot in its initial opening, so be ready 60 days ahead of your reservation window to book this!
OTHER WALT DISNEY WORLD RESTAURANTS WITH HARD-TO-GET RESERVATIONS
Zootopia: Better Zoogether! opening date announced
Later this year, Zootopia: Better Zoogether opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and takes the place of It’s Tough to Be A Bug in the Tree of Life Theater. We learned this week that the official opening for the show will be November 7.
That’s not all: to welcome the new attraction and to celebrate the opening of Zootopia 2, a new meet and greet with Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps will come to Animal Kingdom later this year.
New concept art and details revealed for 2026 attraction projects at Walt Disney World
Next year will include several updates to existing attractions at Walt Disney World. New concept art and details were revealed for these projects, all scheduled for completion in 2026.
We previously learned that the Muppets will take over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney has revealed new concept art from the reimagined attraction, which will include a new story line focused on Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. The pre-show will also include a brand-new Audio-Animatronic figure of Scooter.
Over at Magic Kingdom, two long-term closures will end in the new year. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed since the beginning of 2025 for a major refurb that includes work behind the scenes to make way for the new Disney Villains-inspired land that is currently under construction behind the ride.
When Big Thunder reopens, it will also have enhanced effects and new story elements. The description on Disney World’s website has been updated to include information about an “active gold mine” and Rainbow Caverns. Those familiar with the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.) may recognize some of the other new elements coming to the attraction.
Over in Tomorrowland, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will reopen in 2026. The ride closed at the start of the month to install new ride vehicles, blasters, characters, and more. This week, we learned that the new ride vehicles and blasters will give guests the ability to have an unlimited high score.
MAGIC KINGDOM IS CHANGING IN BIG WAYS IN THE COMING YEARS!
Disneyland Resort to end Early Theme Park Entry perk
It’s time to start thinking about your 2026 vacation to Disneyland Resort. Vacation packages to the Happiest Place on Earth are now on sale for next year, valid for arrivals from January 1 through December 31, 2026.
Vacation packages include theme park admission and hotel accommodations at one of Disneyland’s three hotels: Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, and Pixar Place Hotel. While there are a number of benefits to staying on Disneyland property, one of those perks will be suspended effective in 2026.
The big reveal when packages went on sale is that starting on January 5, 2026, Early Theme Park Entry will end. The program allowed guests staying at a Disneyland-owned to enter one of the theme parks 30 minutes prior to opening.
The early park entry perk will be replaced by a new benefit to hotel guests: complimentary Lightning Lane entry for a Multi Pass attraction (one per guest). This new benefit starts January 5, 2026.
DISNEYLAND’S NEWEST RESIDENT: WALT DISNEY ANIMATRONIC DEBUTS
Halloween parties return to Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park
August 15 marked the official kick off of the Halloween season at Walt Disney World with the first night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The after-hours event takes place on select nights through October 31.
Keep in mind that knowing when the Halloween party is taking place is just as important for guests who are NOT planning on attending. On nights when the Halloween party takes place, Magic Kingdom will close to regular day guests at 6:00 PM. Plan accordingly if you have an upcoming vacation and want as much time in Magic Kingdom as possible and are not attending the parties.
Over at Disneyland Resort, Oogie Boogie Bash also began its seasonal run. The after-hours event returned to Disney California Adventure where it will host more event nights than ever before through October 31. The same planning tips apply when considering a trip to Disneyland Resort this fall: Disney California Adventure will close early on the nights when Oogie Boogie Bash is offered.
Rapid-fire news!
- The menus for this year’s EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival have been released and are available for perusing before you head to Disney World this fall. The festival is right around the corner and runs from August 28 through November 22, 2025.
- Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 Disney Cruise Line itineraries have been revealed. They will be available on September 2 for general bookings, but if you are a Castaway Club member, you get an early jump on reservations. Castaway Club members can book from August 25 to 28 depending on your tier.
- Starting this week, Minnie Vans once again offer airport transportation for Deluxe and Deluxe Villa guests to and from Orlando International. The cost is $199 each way before tax and gratuity. The service was most recently limited to guests staying in Club Level accommodations. Call (407) 828-3500 to book through Disney Signature Services (Minnie Van’s airport transportation service is not available within the Lyft app).
- “The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure” will be added as a Lightning Lane Multi Pass option at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starting on September 11, 2025. When booking your Lightning Lane selections, the show will be available as a Tier 2 option. Guests will see the show come up as an option to book as early as August 20 for use starting on September 11.
THINKING OF BUYING LIGHTNING LANE MULTI PASS? CATCH UP ON WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING WALT DISNEY WORLD.
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Theme Park News: Disney World Reveals New Details From 2026 Projects as Halloween Season Begins originally appeared on The World of Spark.
