Walt Disney World Announces New Attraction and Ride Updates

The panel kicked off with a big update on Zootopia: Better Zoogether! Walt Disney World announced the 4D show will soon open in Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life Theater on November 7. The production will focus on “live” coverage of a multi-location celebration of the Zoogether Day festival. It will span locales from both the original Zootopia and its upcoming sequel, as Imagineers worked hand-in-hand with filmmakers on the attraction.

The original show is replacing It’s Tough To Be a Bug, but we learned it’s not keeping every element from the old attraction. Zootopia: Better Zoogether! will involve 3D-glasses known as Carrot Vision. It will also include a new scent, as we say goodbye to that unpleasant stink bug blast. The seats won’t poke you in the back, either, but we’re actually sad about that.

Heidi Howler, an original high-energy character, will host the in-world show. It will also feature plenty of other figures including Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. The duo will also be coming to Animal Kingdom as a new character greeting opportunity for guests.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Earlier this year Disney announced Magic Kingdom’s Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin would undergo a big refurbishment. The ride shut down in August shortly before Play ‘n’ Preview for its much-needed overhaul. It’s getting new ride vehicles, all-new blasters you can pick up, and new interactive targets. The attraction will also introduce an original character called Buddy. The support-bot will prepare Star Cruisers before they head out to battle Zurg.

At Play ‘n’ Preview we got to actually try the new equipment. They had a new Space Ranger Spin vehicle on display. It will keep a live tally of your running score. Previously you only learned your score at the end. They also had the new handheld blasters you can pick up (versus the old ones that were part of the vehicle) and the new targets for us to try out. The red and green blaster in each vehicle make a slightly different sound. The interactive targets also light up with your blaster’s color when you hit the center target. (And you must hit that little white spot in the middle. It’s the only way to both engage it and score points.) Hit it enough times in a row and you’ll get a different sound.

We didn’t get to see Buddy, but the new gameplay is a fantastic improvement over the original version of the ride. Those blasters and targets alone will make for a much more fun and engaging experience on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

However, we don’t yet know exactly when in 2026 it will open in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. Imagineers were tight-lipped when we asked. All they offered was an assurance that as of now they’re “on track.”

Big Thunder Mountain

Speaking of tracks, Big Thunder Mountain is also undergoing a big “refreshment.” The iconic Frontierland roller coaster shut down at the start of 2025 for a significant overhaul. Prior to the panel Disney hadn’t shared any specifics about what they’ve called “little bit of new magic” that is coming to the ride when it eventually re-opens (at a still unannounced date) in 2026.

We now know the attraction is adding more story and effects. The presentation made reference to Big Thunder Mountain Company founder Barnabas T. Bullion. His own history within the story will shape the updated attraction, which will be far more themed when it re-opens. “One day, strange and unexplainable things started happening” at his company. No matter how much his workers dug into the mountain nature kept fighting back to protect its gold. Disney also said it will eventually share how a highly-desired “mother lode of gold” will factor into to the ride’s story.

The panel showed some of the updates guests will encounter at the start of Big Thunder Mountain. Riders will see firsthand what strange events might have caused Barnabas’ problems when they take a seat on a runaway train. After ignoring warning signs riders will pass silent bats staring at them as they enter a giant, gorgeous Rainbow Cavern.

Those glimmering stalagmites and stalactites won’t shine for long, though. The cave quickly turns ominous after a crack of thunder transforms it into “an eerie red space.” Then the real fun begins.

While Imagineers didn’t share any other updates, a new description on the ride’s official page seems to confirm the popular fan theory that Magic Kingdom’s version will take a page out of Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain. The west coast edition ends with an explosion. Here’s the new story for Walt Disney World’s coaster, emphasis ours:

After you arrive at the legendary Big Thunder Mining Company, descend into an active mine shaft and board your runaway train. As you enter the cavern, the engine speeds up along the rickety track. Dodge exploding dynamite and falling boulders as you swoop around turns, drop into canyons and dart through the town of Tumbleweed.

Your rip-roaring adventure proves that some legends are true. You’re sure to have a real blast!

The Magic of Disney Animation in Animation Courtyard

Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (née Disney–MGM Studios Theme Park) got its name because it once produced actual animation. When the park opened that area featured a satellite studio for Walt Disney Feature Animation. Work on some truly iconic films took place there. Guests also traveled through the building watching talented artists at work. Star Wars Launch Bay took over the space in late 2015, but the lackluster, underused attraction is now giving way to an experience more in line with the park’s history.

In 2026 a family experience called The Magic of Disney Animation will bring both animation and Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat back to the park. Inspired by the short-film “Once Upon a Story,” the new building is designed to resemble Burbank’s Roy E. Disney Animation Building. Only at Hollywood Studios visitors will visit interactive offices, have drawing opportunities, encounter portraits that “come to life before your eyes,” see a new short film, and more. It will also have a play space for kids based on the original Alice in Wonderland concept art by Disney legend Mary Blair. Animation Courtyard’s actual courtyard will get an overhaul, too. The outdoor area will resemble the original Burbank location, host new character meet-and-greets, and house a new Disney Jr. show.

Smuggler’s Run – Mando and Grogu

The panel included a brief look at the previously announced Mandalorian and Grogu reskin coming in to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Galaxy’s Edge. It will take flight at Hollywood Studios the same day The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters, May 22, 2026. You can read more about the changes here.

The audience reaction made clear which newly announced change fans are most excited by. Engineers will actually get to do something on the updated ride. They’ll pick which locations to visit, as every trip will offer different planets you can visit. While Hondo Ohnaka is still involved (woo!), the singlular, repeated storyline of the old ride is gone. As is being stuck doing nothing as an Engineer.

Cool Kid Summer

Walt Disney World is continuing its Cool Kid Summer program in 2026. The popular promotion began this year at all four parks and features discounted tickets for children, special activities and installations geared towards youngsters, dance parties, unique character appearances, and more.

Nerdist was there for the kick off of the Cool Kid Summer event. We discovered it’s just as much a program for exhausted adults as it for littles. Find out why by clicking the link below.

Walt Disney World’s ‘Cool Kid Summer’ Event Is a Vacation Dream for Worn Out Parents

The Muppets Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

The highlight of the Play ‘n’ Preview parks panel also doubled as one of the highlights of my life. The Muppets—the actual Muppets—made a surprise appearance onstage. Kermit the Frog, an interrupting and impossibly funny Fozzy Bear, Scooter, and members of The Electric Mayhem band appeared in the flesh/cloth.

They provided a sneak peek at the upcoming reskin of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. The Muppets are taking over the attraction from Aerosmith and we got to see how Hollywood Studios is re-imagining the ride with the iconic group at the center.

The fun will begin outside the attraction. The building’s giant guitar is getting a fresh, psychodelic repaint. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets will then repurpose a lot of the original ride’s general story.

Inside you’ll encounter The Electric Mayhem recording at The Muppets own studio, G-Force Records (a nod to the old version of the ride). The company is now owned by Scooter’s uncle, J.P. Grosse, propietor of The Muppet Theater. Penguins serve as audio engineers in the booth where Miss Piggy will also appear with Kermit. (A wonderful nod to the recently shuttered Muppet*Vision 3D.) From there the band—and VIP ticketed guests—will hit the road as The Electric Mayhem tries to make it Hollywood for their biggest concert ever in Hollywood. The limousine coasters will then take riders on a topsy turvy trip through famous Hollywood locales, all “with a Muppet twist.”

If the ride is as funny and entertaining as The Muppets were on the Play ‘n’ Previe stage stage, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is going to be one of the best at Walt Disney World.

Test Track 3.0

After the presentation ended, Disney encouraged all attendees to take a ride on Test Track, which reopened just a couple weeks prior. Sponsored by General Motors, version 3.0 is a stylish improvement over the previous iteration. It boasts a better theme and contains nods to the old World of Motion attraction that once occupied the space. Even better is it seems to have a smoother track system with less herky-jerky stops and starts. The post-ride exit is also among the best at all of Walt Disney World, as GM has lined the walkway with its cars and trucks.

That might sound like a lot because it is, yet there are even more major changes and additions coming that the panel didn’t address. But soon enough Walt Disney World’s multi-year overhaul will be a lot less preview and a lot more play.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist who will not hold back against his toddler on Space Ranger Spins. You can follow him on Bluesky at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.