Welcome to the first theme park news roundup of 2026! The first couple of weeks of a new year always feel a little quiet to me, almost as if we’re in a sort of holiday season hangover. But all you need to do is look ahead in the month of January to know that the theme park world isn’t slowing down at all; if anything, we’re simply in the eye of the best kind of never-ending storm.
If you’re ready to catch up on the latest theme park news, you’ll be happy to hear that a lot of the most recent stories have to do with ways you can save on a 2026 Walt Disney World vacation. Let’s dive right in!
Summer hotel discounts and promotions announced for Walt Disney World
Disney World almost always has at least a couple of hotel promotions active if you’re looking to save on your next vacation. Summer 2026 looks extra enticing with the latest wave of discounts.
All guests can save up to 30% on select Disney World Resort hotels for stays 5 nights or longer most nights May 1 through October 4, 2026. Guests can save up to 25% on stays 1 to 4 nights in that same period.
If you’re a Florida resident or a Disney World Annual Passholder, you stand to save even more. Florida Residents can save up to 35% on stays of 4 nights or longer for arrivals starting May 1 through June 29. Annual Passholders can save up to 40% on stays of 4 nights or longer for arrivals starting May 1 through June 29.
The exact amount save usually comes down to which resort type you are booking. Deluxe Resorts tend to offer the higher discounts, but you can still save a good chunk of change even when you stay at a Value or Moderate Resort.
READ MORE: WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION
2 days free promotion announced for Walt Disney World
If the above offers weren’t enticing enough, perhaps this next one is! Guests can get two free room nights and theme park days when they purchase a select 4-night, 4-day (or longer) Walt Disney World room and ticket package. Essentially you’re getting a 6-day trip for the price of a 4-night package!
This deal is valid for arrivals most nights from May 26 through September 15, 2026. You need to act a little more quickly if you want to redeem this offer as it can only be booked through February 15, 2026.
READ MORE: 10 STEPS TO START PLANNING YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION
Cool Kids’ Summer will return to Walt Disney World in 2026
Beyond discounts, Disney World is bringing back additional incentives to book a summer visit. Cool Kids’ Summer, a limited-time offering that families who visited last summer may recall, will be back in 2026 from May 26 through September 8.
Cool Kids’ Summer brings with it special activations for young guests to enjoy, like dance parties, additional morning character meet and greets in the parks, and more. Guests staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside will have even more experiences and amenities designed for families with young children during Cool Kids’ Summer, including scheduled visits from favorite Disney pals.
Don’t forget that Bluey and Bingo will begin to make meet and greet appearances in Disney’s Animal Kingdom starting this summer. An exact start date for the meet and greet has yet to be announced.
New and returning kid-centric entertainment will be a part of Cool Kids’ Summer as well. Families can catch Jessie’s Roundup, a new show at Diamond Horseshoe in Magic Kingdom, or the return of GoofyCore at CommuniCore Hall in EPCOT and Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Don’t forget about the free kids Dining Plan offer — guests can get a free Disney Dining Plan for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a package for you and your children that includes a Dining Plan for all guests ages 10 and up and a room at a Disney Resort hotel.
READ MORE: HOW TO SURVIVE THE SUMMER HEAT AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Free water park admission dates announced for 2026
I wanted to make special note of the free water park admission offer, though it’s technically considered part of the Cool Kids’ Summer season this year. The free water park option is back from May 26 through September 8, meaning that if you have an arrival date in that period at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can take advantage of this great perk.
All guests whose names appear on the hotel reservation receive complimentary admission to one of Disney World’s water parks on the arrival and check-in day. Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be open during this period, giving you the option of choosing which water park you want to enjoy on your first day at Walt Disney World.
READ MORE: WHEN SHOULD YOU VISIT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2026?
Rapid-fire news!
- Disney World revealed the closing date for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. The last day you can catch the original version of the attraction will be on March 1. Starting on March 2, the ride will be closed temporarily as it transitions into its new version starring The Muppets. The new Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will debut in the summer of 2026.
- runDisney announced the event dates for its 2026-2027 season. Mark your calendars for the following race weekends at Walt Disney World:
- 2026 Wine & Dine Oct 22-25
- 2027 WDW Marathon Weekend Jan 6-10
- 2027 Princess Feb 25-Mar 1
- 2027 Springtime Surprise Apr 15-18
- There are three virtual series taking place in 2026: the first is from June 1 through August 31, the Virtual Spooktacular will be from October 1 through 31, and the Virtual 12Ks of Christmas will take place from December 1 through 31.
- Disney Cruise Line’s next ship to join the fleet, the Disney Adventure, has transferred ownership from Meyer Werft Shipyard to Disney. She is on her way from Germany to the Caribbean and Florida for brief stops before she heads to her homeport of Singapore. The maiden voyage of the Disney Adventure is scheduled for March 10, 2026.
READ MORE: WHAT TO DO ON YOUR FIRST DAY AT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2026
Theme Park News: New 2026 Discounts Arrive at Walt Disney World was originally published on The World of Spark.
