Lake Buena Vista, FL — Walt Disney World, about 20 miles southwest of Orlando, opened Oct. 1, 1971, and has Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, two water parks and Disney Springs.
In a Nutshell
Universal opened Epic Universe, its third Orlando theme park, in May 2025. Disney said Walt Disney World “had a stand-out quarter” in the three months ended June 27, 2026, with attendance up from domestic tourists and annual passholders. In Comcast’s July to September quarter, Universal’s theme parks revenue fell 4.4%, and Comcast said it was working through “capacity challenges and ride throughput at Epic Universe.” Disney’s next big additions, Villains Land and a Cars land at Magic Kingdom and Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom, don’t have opening dates yet, and the first parts of Monstropolis open at Hollywood Studios in 2027.
ParksMagic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom
OpenedOct. 1, 1971
LocationLake Buena Vista, Florida
OwnerThe Walt Disney Company
New at Walt Disney World in 2026
Feb. 2026ReopenedEPCOT: Frozen Ever After reopened with new Anna, Elsa and Kristoff Audio-Animatronics figures.
April 2026ReopenedMagic Kingdom: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopened with new blasters and ride vehicles.
Spring 2026ReopenedMagic Kingdom: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened after a top-to-bottom refurbishment, with the height requirement lowered to 38 inches.
May 22, 2026ChangedHollywood Studios: A new Mandalorian and Grogu mission on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, on the same day as Disneyland’s.
By Memorial Day 2026ChangedEPCOT: Soarin’ Across America replaced the regular Soarin’ film for the U.S. 250th anniversary, for a limited time.
Summer 2026ChangedHollywood Studios: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets replaced the Aerosmith version, with a holiday soundtrack Nov. 25, 2026, to Jan. 6, 2027.
Summer 2026NewAnimal Kingdom: Bluey’s Wild World opened at Conservation Station, with the Jumping Junction animal area.
Summer 2026NewHollywood Studios: Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! opened.
Sept. 14, 2026NewHollywood Studios: The Magic of Disney Animation opened in a reimagined Animation Courtyard.
Oct. 1, 2026NewDisney's BoardWalk: Hurly-Burly, a live entertainment venue, opened.
2026ChangedMagic Kingdom: Cinderella Castle was repainted in grays, creams, blues and gold inspired by its 1971 look.
2026NewDisney Springs: Level99 opened at Disney Springs West Side.
Coming to Walt Disney World in 2027
Jan. 27, 2027ReopensTyphoon Lagoon: Typhoon Lagoon reopens after its refurbishment.
Jan. 27, 2027ClosesBlizzard Beach: Blizzard Beach closes temporarily for refurbishment.
Late spring 2027ReopensMagic Kingdom: Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress reopens with new scenes and a new Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Bryan Cranston as the parents.
2027ComingHollywood Studios: Monstropolis, a Monsters, Inc. land. Parts open in 2027, including a theater show and dining, and a suspended coaster is planned.
Summer 2027, proposedComingWalt Disney World: Disney’s Lakeshore Lodge, a proposed new Disney Vacation Club resort.
Announced for 2028 or later, or with no date yet (5)
No date yetComingMagic Kingdom: Villains Land, with a Maleficent coaster and a Magic Mirror dark ride. My story
No date yetComingMagic Kingdom: Piston Peak National Park, a Cars land, with Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along and Cars Ridge Run Rally.
No date yetComingAnimal Kingdom: Tropical Americas, with Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto and El Carrusel de los Animalitos.
No date yetComingEPCOT: Spaceship Earth gets an update built around human connection, and Dreamfinder returns to Journey Into Imagination With Figment.
No date yetComingAnimal Kingdom: The Yeti in Expedition Everest will be brought back to life.
Seasonal Events at Walt Disney World
Each seasonal event in calendar order, at the latest dates announced. When the next year’s dates aren’t out yet, the last edition shows with its year.
Select nights, Jan. 11 to July 19, 2027Disney After Hours at Magic KingdomMagic KingdomSeparate ticket
Jan. 15 to March 1, 2027EPCOT International Festival of the ArtsEPCOTIncluded with park admission
March 10 to May 31, 2027EPCOT International Flower & Garden FestivalEPCOTIncluded with park admission
Select nights, Aug. 7 to Oct. 31, 2026Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween PartyMagic KingdomSeparate ticket
Aug. 27 to Nov. 21, 2026EPCOT International Food & Wine FestivalEPCOTIncluded with park admission
Select nights, Nov. 8 to Dec. 22, 2026Mickey's Very Merry Christmas PartyMagic KingdomSeparate ticket
Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 6, 2027Holidays at Walt Disney WorldAll four parks and Disney SpringsIncluded with park admission
Nov. 27 to Dec. 30, 2026EPCOT International Festival of the HolidaysEPCOTIncluded with park admission
My Walt Disney World Guides
Latest Walt Disney World News
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2026: Dates, the Parade and What to ExpectNov. 8, 2026
- Walt Disney World’s October 2026 Halloween Treats, Including a Maleficent Funnel CakeSept. 28, 2026
- Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Halloween Overlay Returns to Disney Springs With a New MenuAug. 8, 2026
- Disney’s New Starbucks Tumbler, Bottle, and Mug Are Out at Both Resorts, From $16.99 to $54.99Aug. 4, 2026
- When Is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2027? Disney World’s 2026 Halloween, Event by EventJuly 18, 2026
