Theme park news: Disney World and Disneyland look ahead to 2026

We may be in the thick of the holiday season, but Disney Experiences is full steam ahead with its sights set on 2026 offerings. In fact, all of this week’s headline news stories have to do with 2026 events, promotions, and happenings at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. Now is certainly the time to start planning next year’s vacation, and this week’s roundup of theme park news should help you start that process!

Disneyland announces 2026 special event dates

It has never been so easy to plan ahead for a Disneyland Resort vacation. The Happiest Place on Earth recently announced a full lineup of seasonal events and festivals through the entirety of 2026, starting in January with returning specials like Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure and going all the way to the launch of its holiday season offerings in November.

Also returning to Disneyland Resort in 2026 include Disneyland After Dark, the Disney California Food and Wine Festival, and Oogie Boogie Bash (with more event evenings than ever before). New offerings fans will want to mark on their calendars is the Disneyland After Dark 70 Years of Favorites event taking place in March as well as the debut of Soarin’ Across America, opening July 2 in California Adventure.

READ MORE: A MONTH-BY-MONTH PLANNING GUIDE TO DISNEYLAND RESORT IN 2026

Bluey and Bingo character appearances coming to Disneyland, Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line

At long last, everyone’s favorite Australian shepherds are on their way to Disney Experiences in 2026. Bluey and Bingo, the stars of the hit Disney+ series “Bluey,” are coming to Disneyland Resort on March 22 in a new stage show and interactive family experience called “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” at Fantasyland Theatre.

Bluey and Bingo will also greet guests aboard the Disney Dream starting in February and on the Disney Wish starting this summer.

At Walt Disney World, Bluey and Bingo will make appearances at Disney’s Animal Kingdom starting in the summer of 2026. Head over to the Conservation Station where you’ll be able to meet Bluey and Bingo as well as experience animals from their home country of Australia.

Reopening seasons announced for multiple Walt Disney World attractions

Just like Disneyland Resort, guests can start to hone in on their vacation travel plans for 2026 at Walt Disney World. Disney released a seasonal guide to next year’s calendar of events, which included some important details for highly anticipated attraction reopenings.

The first enhanced attraction guests will be able to experience is Frozen Ever After, which will reopen in the month of February. When it reopens, Frozen Ever After will feature new Audio-Animatronics similar to the figurers seen on Frozen Ever After in Hong Kong Disneyland and what will come to Disneyland Paris in 2026. These will replace the face-projected Audio-Animatronics that have been a part of the ride since it first opened.

Notably, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is expected to reopen in the spring of 2026. Big Thunder closed in January of 2025 for an extended refurbishment that included adding a new storyline and enhanced technological effects throughout the ride.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will also reopen in the spring of 2026. When it reopens, the ride will feature new vehicles, blasters, scoring system, and show scene with a new character named Buddy.

We also have the previously announced Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster reopening timeline of summer 2026. When it reopens, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will star The Muppets. The original version starring Aerosmith will continue to operate into 2026.

READ MORE: A SEASONAL GUIDE TO WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2026

New Magic Key pass announced for Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Resort launched its new Annual Passholder program known as Magic Key in 2021 with four tiers, or keys, to choose from: Inspire Key, Believe Key, Enchant Key, and Imagine Key. It was announced this week that Disneyland would sunset the Enchant Key and launch a new key in its place, the Explore Key.

The Enchant Key will no longer be available for purchases and only available for renewal through January 12, 2026. As of January 13, Enchant Key holders will need to renew into a different pass type (though they can hold onto their Enchant Key until it expires). The new key, the Explore Key, will cost $999 at launch and allows buyers to hold up to four (4) theme park reservations at a time. 

The Explore Key will hold similar perks to the Enchant Key with dates available through the year including the added perk of weekdays in June and July.

Disneyland announces the return of 70th anniversary entertainment offerings

Once the holiday season subsides, Disneyland Resort will be back into the full swing of its 70th Anniversary Celebration, which continues through August 9, 2026. Entertainment offerings were on a temporary pause during Halloween and the holiday season.

Disneyland Resort announced this week that on January 8, Wondrous Journeys will begin its nighttime performances again at Disneyland Park, along with the return of Mickey and friends wearing Disneyland Resort 70^th Celebration outfits.

On January 9, the Celebrate Happy Cavalcade will return to Disneyland Park. Finally, on January 30, the nighttime parade Paint the Night will resume performances.

Disney World hotels as low as $99 a night available in early 2026

One of the best ways to save on a hotel room at Walt Disney World is to keep an eye on the Special Offers page for the latest discounts and promotions. There’s almost always a couple of discounts available, so you should never feel like you have to pay rack rate! There’s a new Disney World hotel promotion for early 2026 you’ll definitely want to know about if you are a Disney Visa cardholder.

The following hotel rates are valid for 2-night or longer stays (must be consecutive nights) most Sunday to Thursday nights from January 4 to February 10, 2026:

• $99 per night: Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort – Standard Room
• $199 per night: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Village – Standard Location
• $299 per night: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Cars Family Suite
• $399 per night: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – standard Savanna View
• $429 per night: Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – 1-Bedroom Villa
• $449 per night: Disney’s BoardWalk Inn – Resort View

You must use your Disney Visa Card when booking a room to take advantage of these special Cardmember rates.

READ MORE: WAYS TO SAVE ON A WALT DISNEY WORLD VACATION

Theme Park News: Disney World and Disneyland Look Ahead to 2026 was originally published on The World of Spark.

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