Walt Disney World shares new details on capital expansion plans

Lake Buena Vista, Florida (IAAPA News) - From new technology and a hardware upgrade coming to a favorite Magic Kingdom dark ride, to the renovation of the launch coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, several new and upgraded attractions are slated to open at Walt Disney World in 2026.

“We are in this unprecedented era of growth,” says Walt Disney World Portfolio Executive Creative Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering Michael Hundgen. “We have massive new projects that are underway across our parks. We’re reinvesting in this incredible lineup of these classic attractions and entertainment.”

Hundgen shared additional details of capital projects taking place across Walt Disney World on Thursday, August 21, at Epcot. 

New 4D Film at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Opening first is, a new 4D film inside the Tree of Life Theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Based on the Zootopia animated film by Walt Disney Animation Studios, the new attraction will be presented in 3D with guests donning glasses, nicknamed “CarrotVision 3D,” to watch the film. 

A new character not seen the original movie, named Heidi Howler, will serve as a host during a city-wide celebration of Zoogether Day. Guests are invited to a watch party that includes ice-skating from Tundratown, synchronized swimming performances at Marsh Market, drone shows above Little Rodentia, and a finale by film character Gazelle. 

“We have some really fun special effects inside the theater,” says Senior Creative Director Danny Handke with Walt Disney Imagineering. “We have a new scent—it’s not stink bug—and nothing pokes you in the back this time,” Handke shared, referencing effects used on the former 4D attraction in the same theater, It's Tough to Be a Bug!, that closed on March 16. 

Handke believes the new Zootopia attraction continues the mission of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “We’re all interconnected—every living creature—especially to nature. If anything is thrown out of balance, it effects every biome. So, if we protect our environment, we’re all better Zoogether,” he says, working in the new attraction’s name.

The Zootopia: Better Zoogether attraction opens Nov. 7, while Zootopia 2 opens in theaters across the U.S. on Nov. 26.

Technology Upgrade for Magic Kingdom Dark Ride

Hundgen announced new Audio-Animatronics, vehicles, blaster hardware, targets, and digital scoring devices appearing as flat screens inside each vehicle are coming to the Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin dark ride in the Magic Kingdom. 

“Imagineering and Pixar got to team up to create Buddy, who is this new charming support robot that will welcome guests into the attraction,” Hundgen says. Once onboard, guests will find new vehicles on the Omnimover ride system. Named a Star Cruiser, the new cars will still rotate, but also allow guests to hold their zapper. On the original ride, the scoring devices were mounted to the dashboard of the vehicle. 
 

“They will come off the vehicle itself. There will be two different colored lights [emitted by each zapper] so you’ll know which one is yours,” explains Hundgen. New lighting, sound, and vibration effects will add to the upgraded experience.

The new gameplay experience at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin opens in 2026.

Muppets Takeover the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

Kermit the Frog and several friends took over the stage to share new details of the transformation of the famed Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. 

The reimagining of the launch coaster begins outside in the ride’s courtyard, where a giant guitar will receive a psychedelic wrap inspired by a classic Muppet car paint job. The piano motif located at the base of the oversized guitar will feature one gold key: a nod to Dr. Teeth from the Electric Mayhem band and his toothy smile. 

Inside the preshow, guests will find Electric Mayhem laying down new tracks in the recording studio. That’s until band manager Scooter urges the musicians to end their recording session and get to a concert using a very fast limousine, created by Muppet Labs (a nod to the former Muppet*Vision 3D attraction at the park). As for the new soundtrack on the updated ride? 

“We will be definitively harmoniously be vocalizing various tunes as we rock out and rock on the roller coaster,” says Dr. Teeth, the Muppet who made an appearance at Epcot to share the news.  

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets debuts in 2026.

Classic Magic Kingdom Roller Coaster Receives New Effects

The yearlong refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad includes more than track replacement work. When the ride reopens, an evolution of the ride’s story will be awaiting riders. The first scene of the ride will now be filled “with hundreds of bats filling the bat cave,” according to Executive Producer Wyatt Winter with Walt Disney Imagineering. 

Winter explains the start of the ride will also set the tone that visitors are not welcome to explore the rainbow caverns. The existing phosphorescent pools will still glow, until a crack of lightning will “transform the caverns into this eerie red space that sends the warning you should not continue in here,” Winter shares. Other special effects are planned. “The mountain is always pushing back. It does not want to let go of its gold,” Winter hints.

The upgraded Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opens in 2026.