What’s New for Orlando 2026!

A galactic coaster ride. A Muppet comeback. Classic Disney animation. A new way to Soar. Two welcome Magic Kingdom reopenings. A whole new Driftin’ ride. An undersea Quest. An ice cream extravaganza. And sloths. Lots of sloths. Yes, really.

If you have got all those developments on your 2026 Bingo card, congratulations! You have a head start on all that’s new for Orlando in the coming 12 months. And, while we don’t have anything quite as large-scale as 2025’s Epic newcomer, there is still a LOT to look forward to as we enter 2026.

It’s probably stating the obvious to remark that nowhere updates, changes and adds to its visitor profile more than The City Beautiful, and this year promises to be another stellar 12 months for this remarkable destination. From Walt Disney World to Universal Orlando and SeaWorld to LEGOLAND Florida, there is a veritable smorgasbord of attraction delectation in the offing, and it is going to add extra anticipation for all our visitors in the year ahead.

Disney’s Magnificent Seven

If Universal’s Epic Universe park took most of the headlines last year, it is the turn of Walt Disney World to provide more headlines this coming year, and it all starts at the Magic Kingdom, where we will see the re-opening of two headline attractions this spring. The refurbished version of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will add the mysterious Rainbow Caverns to this spin through “the wildest ride in the wilderness,” while Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will also return with exciting updates that include new ride vehicles with video monitors for real-time scoring, plus improved aim for the handheld blasters. Just remember, the Magic Kingdom has closed its Liberty Belle Riverboats and Tom Sawyer Island as part of the dramatic new Cars Land coming in 2027.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will see the most new development, though, just in time for the summer. First, the Rock ’n’ RollerCoaster Starring the Muppets will inherit the ride formerly themed to rock band Aerosmith. Here, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem will take over G-Force Records and stage their own Los Angeles concert in typical Muppet fashion, with the help of Kermit and Co. At the same time, The Magic of Disney Animation will offer a new, family-friendly experience – inspired by Disney’s award-winning short film, Once Upon a Studio – in the space formerly occupied by the Star Wars: Launch Bay meet-and-greet area. According to Disney, it will feature “interactive exhibits, character meet-and-greets and a whimsical indoor playground.”

Next door, we can also expect to see the Animation Courtyard section transformed into The Walt Disney Studios, highlighted by a shaded, play-friendly area themed to the company’s original Burbank film studio location. A revamped Disney Jr. stage show will also make its debut here. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! will feature original songs, interactive fun for little ones and appearances by Mickey and the gang. Finally, Disney’s EPCOT park has its own new-in-2026 attraction as a revised version of its Soarin’ ride will be available this summer. Renamed Soarin’ Across America, there will be new sights and sounds to explore as the attraction soars from coast to coast to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens

Continuing with its expedition theme from 2025 (which saw this lovely park open its Expedition Odyssey “flying theatre” ride), SeaWorld has even more in store in the coming months in the shape of a unique suspended dark ride. SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep is billed as a chance to embark on an awe-inspiring voyage into the ocean’s most extraordinary realms, where riders will “step aboard a state-of-the-art submersible and discover dazzling ecosystems, legendary sea life and breathtaking stories of resilience and wonder.”

Wildlife will also be the story for SeaWorld’s sister park, Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, in the form of a dramatic new animal habitat, Lion & Hyena Ridge. This significant enlargement of the Edge of Africa section of the park will include a nearly 35,000sq ft expansion of the African savannah and feature large, immersive habitats with glass viewing areas for both the park’s lions and hyenas. It marks the first animal habitat expansion in more than 10 years and is a notable departure from the many recent thrill ride additions to Busch Gardens.

Universal Orlando

Orlando’s other major theme park empire could be forgiven for not adding another blockbuster entry into their pantheon of thrill-ride excitement after the huge event that was Epic Universe in 2025, but there is definitely more in the pipeline. It hasn’t been difficult to notice the wholescale demolition and removal of the eye-catching Rip, Ride Rockit coaster in the Universal Studios park, and we just await official confirmation of the even bigger ride that promises to take its place. The foundations of something seriously substantial are rapidly taking shape at the front of the Studios (facing CityWalk) and it is clear there will be a major new coaster on this site in the not-too-distant future.

Will it still be in time for 2026? It’s hard to tell, but it looks like it will be worth the wait! Informed speculation suggests it might be Florida’s version of the Fast &Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster already taking shape at Universal Hollywood, but it’s still too early to say. Another interesting development at the Studios park suggests the Horror Make-Up Show will be closing at some stage in early 2026, pending an all-new updated version of this tongue-in-cheek shock-horror presentation.

LEGOLAND Florida

This charming park in nearby Winter Haven (just under 30 miles from our main villa areas) will actually be first to unveil its latest offering this year, having announced its opening date in the pre-Christmas period. February 27 will be the day in question, when the monstrous Galacticoaster will open to the public. A uniquely-styled indoor ride, the Galacticoaster will be the centrepiece of a new space-themed land and feature “an immersive journey for all the family in a LEGO galaxy with a customisable spacecraft, cosmic scenes and a personalised journey unlike anything the park has offered before.” It should be a major attraction for LEGOLAND in both California and Florida, and we recommend making sure you have your tickets well in advance.

International Drive

The heart of tourist Orlando beyond the parks is not usually known for its wildlife encounters (apart from the alligators of Gator Golf Adventure, the mini-golf course next to Murphy’s Pub), but all that is about to change this spring, when Sloth World opens. Featuring a variety of sloths in a tropical rainforest environment, it offers visitors the chance to step directly into the sloths’ habitat, observing them as they move, eat, climb and rest in a peaceful setting. The experience is designed around conservation and education, aimed at explaining how sloths live and why their natural habitat is so important to species worldwide.

Also new this spring will be The Museum of Ice Cream at Pointe Orlando. This fun two-storey construction in the extensive shopping, dining and entertainment centre is the fifth of its kind in the US (also in New York, Boston, Miami and Chicago) and will offer colourful exhibitions, unique sweet treats, unlimited ice cream (!) and their trademark sprinkle pool.

What are you most excited to see of Orlando’s forthcoming new attractions this year?