The monthly roundup we’d text a friend arriving next week. July 2026 edition.
The Muppets stole the summer
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets opened May 26 at Hollywood Studios and it’s the feel-good headline of the year: Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem racing through a retooled launch coaster with guest spots from Jennifer Hudson, Questlove, Def Leppard and Kelly Clarkson on the soundtrack. It launched straight into Lightning Lane Multi Pass as a Tier 1, so grab it at your 7am booking window or ride at close.
Magic Kingdom: Big Thunder is back, the carousel takes a bow
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened May 6 after its long refurbishment with new cavern effects that finally give the queue’s promises a payoff. Meanwhile the Carousel of Progress closed July 6 to install a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic figure. It returns in 2027, so the great big beautiful tomorrow is briefly a great big beautiful wall.
Behind the construction fences, Piston Peak National Park (the Cars land replacing Rivers of America) is pouring foundations, and Villains Land site work is underway past Big Thunder. Neither has an announced date, and anyone quoting one is guessing.
Animal Kingdom: a jungle grows in Florida
The first transplanted trees arrived at Tropical Americas this month as rockwork climbs on the Encanto and Indiana Jones show buildings, though Disney is still pointing at 2027. Until then, Zootopia: Better Zoogether! holds down the Tree of Life and the Bluey & Bingo meet-and-greet is pulling preschooler lines that rival the coasters.
Dates that just dropped
- Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: Aug 7 – Oct 31, $119–$229 by night. Halloween night itself sold out on day one, so if a specific night matters, book now.
- EPCOT Food & Wine Festival: Aug 27 – Nov 21, included with admission. Eat to the Beat returns.
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: Nov 8 – Dec 22, $189–$229. Jollywood Nights at the Studios: Nov 7 – Jan 5.
The villa-corridor note
I-4’s widening near ChampionsGate continues (watch for overnight ramp closures), and the eastbound World Drive exit to Disney split into two ramps this month, so follow the overhead signs, not a stale GPS. Full planning picture: Disney World in 2026.