Whether you live in Orlando or you're planning a visit in 2026, there's an amazing choice of new experiences to discover this year.

Whether you've an Orlando local, or you're planing a visit in the year ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be an amazing time to experience all the new attractions and experiences that the city has to offer.

Of course, Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, and in 2026 you can experience several new rides and attractions at the area's theme parks, including Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the re-imagined Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spinin Magic Kingdom, Galacticoaster, the first new coaster in more than two decades at LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park, and SEAQuest: Legends of the deep, a first-of-its-kind, new suspended dark ride is coming to SeaWorld Orlando.

Plus, beyond the theme parks, there is an exciting choice of new attractions and experiences just waiting to be discovered on International Drive and beyond, including the world's first Sloth World opening on I-Drive, the viral Museum of Ice Cream is coming to Pointe Orlando, and the iconic Blue Man Group finally return to Orlando at ICON Park.

With so much happening in 2026, we've brought together the 26 best new things to do in Orlando in 2026 So, are you ready to find out what's new and coming to Orlando? Hold on tight and get ready for new adventures and experiences happening in Orlando this year.

Updated Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom

Calling all Space Rangers! Exciting updates are on the horizon for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, including a new show scene, updated ride vehicles and gameplay enhancements.

Here’s what you can expect from this iconic Tomorrowland attraction next year.   

As their adventure begins, guests will now be greeted by “Buddy” — a support-bot who makes sure departing Space Rangers are fully prepared for their mission, enthusiastically providing encouragement, final system checks on their Star Cruisers and a chance to hone their blaster aim. This will be a great time for guests to check out some of the new, interactive target features before blasting off to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg and save the galaxy. 

Star cruisers will also receive a face lift with a new design inspired by the colors of Buzz Lightyear and Star Command. Each enhanced vehicle will also now come equipped with video monitors that provide real-time scoring updates and other exciting features. Each ride vehicle will now include handheld blasters for better aim, helping guests to score even more points.

And, if you’ve ever wondered where you’re aiming (don’t worry, you’re not alone), these enhanced blasters will now include an always-on laser and come in two different colors per star cruiser, in addition to new lighting, sound and vibration effects, so players know where they’re aiming throughout the mission.  

The static Z targets originally found in the attraction will be upgraded with new technology that will allow them to react and light up when hit. It also opens the door for a few other ideas Imagineers have in mind. Star Command, over and out! 

New Color Palette for Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

For more than 50 years, Cinderella Castle has welcomed guests down Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom, and later this year Cinderella Castle will receive a new color palette, which is inspired by the classic and original look of the castle.  

The updated paint will feature grays, creams, blues, and touches of gold aiming to enhance the castle’s architecture. These colors were chosen to reflect the Florida sunshine in a way that makes the castle shimmer from every angle.  

Repainting Cinderella Castle begins in January. The project will start with draining the moat around the castle to prepare for painting. Once work begins, cranes will be lowered and out of sight by noon each day.

Updates Coming to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom

Howdy, pardners… you folks oughta keep all hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the train, ‘cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness!

In 2026, the iconic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen with new magic. The rumblin’, rollin’ fun of Big Thunder Mountain at Disney World is currently undergoing a mountain-top to cavern-deep refurbishment meant to keep the classic attraction in tip-top shape, ready to delight guests who want to ride the rails for years to come.

In addition to the action and adventure we know and love, Big Thunder Mountain will reopen with new magic for fans to discover One such moment comes when the trains rattle their way underground to spectacular natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, shimmering and illuminating iridescent stalagmites (the ones on the floor) and stalactites (the ones on the ceiling).

The Rainbow Caverns certainly are beautiful… but they ain’t as friendly as they first appear. In fact, that menacing rumble from deep within the mountain may be a sign that we ain’t welcome.

There’s more new magic for guests to discover once Big Thunder Mountain Railroad returns in 2026, but you’ll need to hang on to your hats to find out more.

Newly Updated Audio-Animatronics Figures at EPCOT

In February 2026, Walt Disney World will welcome newly updated Audio-Animatronics figures of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff at Frozen Ever After at EPCOT. These beloved characters will receive a more true-to-film look, taking inspiration from the advancements seen in figures at World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland.    

All-New Immersive Journey with Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT

In summer 2026, guests can take flight on an all-new immersive journey with Soarin’ Across America, debuting at both EPCOT and Disney California Adventure Park.

This refreshed experience showcases breathtaking vistas across the United States and will be featured as part of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary and “Disney Celebrates America,” a company-wide celebration commemorating this historic milestone. Guests can get ready for takeoff on this all-new American adventure at Walt Disney World by Memorial Day 2026!  

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live at Hollywood Studios

Debuting summer 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! will be packed with upbeat tunes and dancing as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse embark on a road trip to find some of their best pals – Goofy, Daisy and Pluto – for the party. 

This show is currently over at Disneyland Resort in California, and soon guests will be able to join the fun in the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios area at Walt Disney World.  

The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios

Later summer 2026, The Magic of Disney Animation will invite guests to step inside the world of Walt Disney Animation Studios at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

In 2026, the former home of Star Wars: Launch Bay will transform into a place where kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore animated new experiences. Topping the building will be Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat, which will cast a spell with pixie dust.  Inside, you’ll see portraits come to life before your eyes just like they did in “Once Upon A Studio;” you’ll find inspiration with a short film (with a twist, of course); and you’ll even pencil in some time to learn how to draw your very own character sketch. 

Young animators-to-be can explore the “Drawn to Wonderland” playground filled with an oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area, all inspired by the original “Alice in Wonderland” concept art from Disney Legend Mary Blair. It’ll be the perfect whimsical indoor play area for little ones to grow “curiouser and curiouser!”  

The pixie dusting from the Sorcerer’s Hat will extend far beyond the walls of “The Magic of Disney Animation” as the entire courtyard is reimagined into “The Walt Disney Studios.” You never know who you might see playing in the branches, soaking up the sun, or digging in the grass.

You’ll also be able to venture into “Off the Page!,” a stunning area where you can meet some of your favorite friends from Walt Disney Animation stories while celebrating the artistry behind every frame. Here, six unique departments from the animation studio come to life.

Each space offers incredible photo opportunities with some of your favorite characters. You can meet Mulan in the Story department, posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel. Or step into the Background & Layout department where Rapunzel awaits in a setting inspired by the classic multiplane camera. Align your photo just right, and you’ll see layers of backgrounds and painted cells come together like magic!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets at Hollywood Studios

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will come speeding into Disney’s Hollywood Studios in summer 2026. Guests looking to take another ride with Aerosmith before rolling out the red carpet for The Muppets can keep ridin’ and rockin’ (and rollin’) until spring 2026.  

For fans of that big – really big – hilariously big guitar, you’ll be stoked to know that the newest residents of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster are putting their own spin on that ruby red paint job. A vibrant and psychedelic new design will grace the bottom of the guitar (inspired by a classic Muppet car paint job), and the piano motif at the base will feature a golden key as a nod to a certain far-out band leader. 

With your VIP passes, you’ll be welcomed inside the recording studio, where – wouldn’t you know it – you’ll find the Electric Mayhem are cranking out some seriously rocking tunes. Along with the finest audio engineers (all penguins, of course) we’ll see Scooter doing his best to convince Electric Mayhem to stop jamming and get to their increasingly restless fans. But will it be enough to get the band across town and onstage in time?

With the help from our friends at Muppet Labs and a very fast limousine, we’ll take a twisting, turning, and screamingly fun road trip across Hollywood to reach the concert in time. The iconic scenery and landmarks of Tinseltown will feature a Muppet twist when the attraction debuts in summer 2026. And throughout the journey, you’ll hear the Electric Mayhem playing some of the most iconic, rockin’ hits in your ears to keep the music and adrenaline pumping.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Hollywood Studios

A new mission is touching down in Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Walt Disney World on May 22. The all-new adventure coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is centered around “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” It’s something that can only be done at Disney, bringing avid Star Wars fans closer to the stories they know and love via the innovative magic at Disney Parks. This update is only a parsec or two away!

For the first time ever, the crew will be in control of their own destination, leading to potential adventures on Bespin, the wreckage of the second Death Star around Endor, or the just-announced bustling city-planet, Coruscant. Another new gameplay addition allows the engineer positions to communicate with Grogu during the mission. 

Bluey and Bingo Coming to Animal Kingdom

Beginning in summer 2026 at Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll be able to take a fun excursion to Conservation Station in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where you can play and dance with Bluey and Bingo! 

Play some of your favorite games from Bluey episodes with a fun animal twist, like butterfly keepy uppy. Grab the whole family and snap some pictures alongside your Blue Heeler pals to remember this one-of-a-kind adventure. Plus, as part of your wild excursion, step outside to discover an experience with animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia! 

Cool Kid's Summer at Walt Disney World

Cool Kids’ Summer will offer new and refreshed attractions, plus limited-time fun at Walt Disney World in 2026. Discover high-energy dance experiences at GoofyCore in EPCOT, interactive character-driven games across all four parks, and special ticket offers and deals. 

SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep at SeaWorld Orlando

In 2026 SeaWorld Orlando will debut SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, a new attraction that invites guests to embark on a submersible adventure, exploring glowing undersea worlds filled with extraordinary creatures, sweeping environments, and powerful stories drawn from the heart of the ocean.

Opening in 2026 within a newly expanded area of the park, step aboard a state-of-the-art submersible and discover dazzling ecosystems, legendary sea life, and breathtaking stories of resilience and wonder. This ALL-NEW attraction elevates SeaWorld Orlando’s portfolio with another must-experience adventure — one that gives families a fresh, weatherproof reason to make SeaWorld their go-to destination for unforgettable memories.

All-New Lion & Hyena Ridge roars into Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is roaring into 2026 with the ALL-NEW Lion & Hyena Ridge, an extraordinary new addition to the park’s award-winning animal care portfolio and the most ambitious new habitat in more than a decade.

This reimagined area of the park expands the existing space to more than double its previous size, creating nearly 35,000 square feet of dynamic savanna terrain where two of Africa’s most iconic species will thrive - a pride of five young male lions and a pair of playful hyenas.

New coaster, Galacticoaster blasts into LEGOLAND Florida

Now, get ready for lift off in 2026! LEGOLAND Florida Resort is charting a course for an out-of-this-world adventure with a brand-new, space-themed experience, including an immersive, groundbreaking indoor roller coaster. The new coaster, Galacticoaster, which opens on February 27, 2026 promises to be the most technologically advanced attraction the Resort has ever created, and is the first new roller coaster to open inside the main LEGOLAND Florida theme park since the Resort's debut in 2011.

The new area will also feature a DUPLO space-themed play experience where little explorers ages 1–4 can jump, crawl, and play in a new shaded, soft-surfaced area featuring DUPLO bricks, vehicles, characters, and a photo op, with nearby seating for grown-ups.

Fraggle Rock comes to Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex

New to Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex for 2026 is Fraggle Rock: A Space-y Adventure. Join the fun as Jim Henson’s Emmy Award-winning Fraggles embark on an out-of-their-world adventure through the inner workings of NASA’s space program.

Venturing from their magical underground world, the beloved characters follow a mysterious postcard all the way to the wild and wonderful Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. There, they make a special connection with our world and learn about NASA’s Artemis missions and humanity’s next giant leap to the Moon. Full of laughter, music, and physical comedy, Fraggle Rock: A Space-y Adventure is an educational journey that delights dreamers of all ages. The show features full-body costumed “walk-around” versions of Gobo, Red, and – for the first time ever in live production – Uncle Traveling Matt, as well as puppet versions of the Doozers; all fabricated by the multi-award-winning Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

Museum of Ice Cream Orlando

Pointe Orlando on I-Drive will be welcoming Museum of Ice Cream, an immersive, ice cream wonderland of art, play, and endless treats in 2026. This world-famous attraction will invites kids and adults alike to rediscover their inner child through interactive art installations and unlimited ice cream!

Explore larger-than-life exhibits, including a Sprinkle Pool – all dedicated to the magic and joy of ice cream. It’s a delicious journey for all ages where you can create unforgettable memories together.

LEVEL99

LEVEL99 is coming to Disney Springs, opening on the West Side in 2026. This new multi-level attraction will be home to more than 60 themed challenge rooms, duels and art hunts, suitable for guests to explore, discover and experience.  

Gather your group for a day of fun at a place designed to test your skills. Work together to conquer the challenge rooms, earn rewards, and climb the coveted leaderboard. From solving mysteries in an ancient temple to walking a pirate’s plank to beating a giant pinball game—there is something to discover behind every door. Your team will only have one to four minutes to beat each challenge, so be prepared to act quick!

If a little friendly competition is more your style, face off against each other in a variety of player versus player games for glory and bragging rights. You don’t want to miss out on seeing who in your group has the fastest time on the iconic Axe Run!

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, unwind at the 2-story bar featuring handcrafted cocktails, local beers and made-from-scratch bites—including LEVEL99's signature Detroit-style pizza.

Arte Museum

An immersive art experience unlike any other is making its Florida debut at ICON Park. Arte Museum is a floor-to-ceiling immersive art experience where every sight, sound, touch, taste, and scent is thoughtfully curated to create an unforgettable journey.

Currently captivating millions of visitors in Las Vegas, New York, Dubai, and across South Korea, Arte Museum will debut all-new large-scale works designed specifically for Central Florida audiences when the new attraction opens in Orlando.

Round1 Bowling and Arcade

A popular bowling and arcade chain is coming to one of Florida's busiest malls, with Round1 Bowling & Arcade to open its first Central Florida location at The Florida Mall.

Round1 Bowling & Arcade is set to become a family favorite at The Florida Mall when it opens, bringing Japanese-inspired entertainment to Orlando, offering bowling, arcade games, 100+ crane machines, karaoke, billiards, and more.

Sloth World

A new animal experience is coming to 6582 International Drive, the 7,500-square-foot space will be home to more than 40 sloths across multiple species. Sloth World, the world’s first and only Slotharium, opens in February 2026, offering guests a guided, small-group experience inside a rainforest-style habitat where sloths live freely among lush trees, vines and natural climbing structures.

Unlike traditional animal attractions, Sloth World has no cages, enclosures, or glass barriers separating guests from the environment. Instead, visitors step directly into the sloths' rainforest-style home, observing them as they move, eat, climb, and rest naturally in a peaceful, open-air setting built entirely around their comfort.

Society Park

Society Park is a new sports and entertainment complex located within a two-acre container park coming to the former Wyndham Orlando Resort near International Drive and West Sand Lake Road. Anchored by one of the largest Padel facilities in the US, the development features state-of-the-art courts, a country club, world-class dining, and resort-style amenities.

Located in the heart of the International Drive district, Society Park is a new destination for residents and visitors alike, setting a new standard for lifestyle and entertainment in Orlando. Estimated opening date for Society Park is April 2026

Titanic: A Voyage Through Time

Set sail for a new attraction now open at The Florida Mall. Titanic: A Voyage Through Time uses groundbreaking VR technology to transport guests nearly four kilometers below the ocean’s surface, where they can witness the ship’s wreck as it exists today in breathtaking detail.

From there, the experience brings visitors back to 1912 to step aboard the Titanic in all its glory, walking the iconic Grand Staircase, exploring opulent dining rooms and private cabins, and encountering the real figures and stories that shaped its legendary voyage.

PopStroke

Tiger Woods' mini golf and dining concept, PopStroke is coming to Orlando's International Drive. The 5-acre entertainment complex will feature two 18-hole mini golf courses and two restaurants.

Targeting a Fall 2026 opening, locals and visitors will embark on a mini-golf adventure featuring two meticulously designed 18-hole putting courses. Each course mirrors the challenge and excitement of a traditional golf setup, complete with synthetic fairways, tricky bunkers, and unpredictable rough patches—all played with just a putter in hand!

Blue Man Group at ICON Park

The global entertainment phenomenon Blue Man Group is coming home to Orlando, with a new home at ICON Park on International Drive. The brand-new custom-built 500-seat theater has been specially designed for Blue Man Group’s multi-sensory performances featuring state-of-the-art audio, lighting, video and technology, creating a one-of-a-kind immersive experience

The new Orlando show opening in Spring 2026 will feature both new scenes and classic favorites. Blue Man Group’s unique blend of high-energy live music, creative art, and comedic audience interactions will leave guests surprised, awed and connected.

Hamlin House Paddle and Social Club

The growing sport of pickleball is gaining huge momentum throughout the country, and no more so than here in Central Florida, and a new pickleball and entertainment concept, backed by Ryan and Michelle DeVos, owners of Major League Pickleball’s Orlando Squeeze franchise is getting ready to open its doors.

Hamlin House: Paddle & Social Club, a 28,000-square-foot upscale pickleball and social club located at 231 W. Grant Street in the SoDo District is a modern take on a social club providing an elevated experience for the growing pickleball community in Orlando. Featuring indoor and outdoor pickleball courts alongside elevated dining offerings, Hamlin House Paddle and Social Club will offer three indoor courts, together with four outdoor courts, together with a coffee shop, restaurant and bar, offering "healthful cuisine" and creative cocktails.

So.... now that you know the best new attractions coming to Orlando im 2026, its time to get up, get out and have fun in the city beautiful!

Ripley’s Crazy Golf at ICON Park

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! World Entertainment is bringing its signature brand of bizarre to Orlando’s ICON Park with Ripley’s Crazy Golf, a glow-in-the-dark, all-indoor miniature golf experience where the unexpected is par for the course.

Think you’ve experienced miniature golf before? Not like this! Ripley’s Crazy Golf is bursting with vibrant neon lights, upside-down turns, off-the-wall obstacles, and surprising sights that make each hole feel like its own otherworldly adventure. It’s immersive, it’s mind-bending, and it’s unlike anything else on I-Drive.

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