Disney World is preparing for an exciting summer season with several new attractions and entertainment offerings. Cool KIDS SUMMER returns on May 26th with two major new experiences, including Bluey’s Wild World at Animal Kingdom and Jessie’s Roundup at Magic Kingdom. The Bluey attraction will feature the popular characters Bluey and Bingo, interactive games from the show, and opportunities to see native Australian animals. Toy Story characters Woody and Jessie also made an appearance at the media event, showcasing their new look from Toy Story 5. Visitors can expect long wait times for these popular new attractions once they open. The media preview also included updates on other upcoming attractions like the reopening of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Category: Disney Parks
Several locations across Disney World have fallen into disrepair or remain unused since attractions and shows closed down. The Wonders of Life Pavilion at EPCOT sits empty after the PLAY! Pavilion project was delayed and eventually canceled due to the pandemic. Stitch’s Great Escape building at Magic Kingdom has been abandoned since 2018, though it could potentially host a new theater-in-the-round show. Discovery River Amphitheater in Animal Kingdom has seen various shows but remains largely unused since KiteTails closed permanently in 2021. The Morocco Pavilion has struggled since 2020, with Restaurant Marrakesh never reopening and the space only occasionally used for events. On the BoardWalk side near Hollywood Studios, Big River Grille and Jellyrolls have both closed, leaving vacant spaces that could be repurposed. Disney fans are hoping these locations will receive new concepts and revitalization to bring them back to life. The company has plenty of real estate to work with and could implement various projects to fill these gaps.
Universal Studios has announced a new Sinners-themed haunted house for its 2026 Halloween Horror Nights events at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Hollywood. The attraction, based on Ryan Coogler’s Oscar-nominated film Sinners, will transport guests to the film’s 1930s Mississippi juke joint setting where vampire Remmick, Bert, and Joan hunt for blood. The film itself has achieved significant success as the highest-grossing original horror movie of all time with 16 Academy Award nominations. Universal executives expressed excitement about bringing this immersive experience to life, noting how the film’s world and characters will translate well into a haunted house format. The event runs from August 28th through November 1st at Orlando and September 3rd through November 1st at Hollywood locations. Fans can expect to encounter beloved characters from the movie while trying to survive encounters with the vampire trio.
Disney World is offering exclusive previews of the newly updated Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets to Annual Passholders this weekend. The attraction, located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, requires guests to participate in a virtual queue system rather than standing in a physical line. Three separate opportunities will open each day at 7 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM for passholders to attempt joining the ride queue. To access the first window at 7 AM, guests must have a valid park reservation specifically for Hollywood Studios. The second window at 11 AM allows entry from anywhere with any park reservation, while the final window at 3 PM requires only valid admission without a reservation. Passholders should use the My Disney Experience app to join the virtual queue by refreshing the page shortly before each scheduled time. Once successfully joined, guests will receive a boarding group number and estimated wait time, eliminating the need for long physical lines during this preview period. The exclusive previews run from May 21st through May 23rd, giving passholders a special opportunity to experience the updated ride before general public availability.
A brand new show called Disney Jr Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live is arriving at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a grand opening scheduled for May 26th. The venue formerly known as Animation Courtyard has been reimagined as The Walt Disney Studios to accommodate this exciting addition. This interactive production features upbeat music and dance opportunities where guests can join Mickey Mouse and friends on a road trip adventure. During the storyline, Mickey and Minnie search for their companions Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto who are delayed due to various mishaps including plumbing issues and power outages. After rescuing each friend from their predicaments, the group reunites for an energetic finale filled with fun songs and dances. The twenty-minute performance runs eight times daily starting at 10:15 AM and is particularly well-suited for young children while remaining enjoyable for families of all ages. This show represents the first offering in the newly transformed Walt Disney Studios area, which will eventually include additional attractions later this summer.