In spite of it being the ‘off-year’ earlier than blockbuster new land & enchantment additions, 2026 is shaping as much as be large for Walt Disney International. There’s clearly going to be numerous development, however there also are important adjustments, journey reimaginings, particular occasions, and different additions at the horizon.
A lot of this has already been lined at period in Walt Disney International’s 2026 Calendar of Occasions: Dates & Main points for Reimagined Rides, Spaces & Sights. That main points the entirety from Bluey to Buzz Lightyear to the go back of Cool Child Summer time, and extra.
Alternatively, there’s so much that used to be absent from that calendar, from new/upcoming reductions to operational updates to journey closures to on-site perks converting and extra. Bring to mind this as a ‘clean-up’ submit that covers the numerous adjustments beginning in Iciness 2026 of which you must bear in mind…
Christmas Concludes
Walt Disney International will wrap up maximum substantive vacation choices by means of December 31, 2025. That’s when all the ‘loose’ leisure in Magic Kingdom will finish, along side Merry Menagerie at Animal Kingdom and as regards to the entirety else. EPCOT’s Pageant of the Vacations in fact ends at some point previous, on December thirtieth, to organize for New Yr’s Eve.
Unofficially, the non-entertainment Christmas festivities will wind down the primary week of January 2026, with Walt Disney International Marathon Weekend (January 7-11, 2026) being when the track stops and decorations get started coming down. It doesn’t occur in a single day, so that you’ll nonetheless see bushes, garland, lighting, and so forth. into the second one part of the month.
For reference, final 12 months’s decorations didn’t come down till January fifteenth in Magic Kingdom. That is reasonably later than regular, however it’s because of the WDW Marathon going on nearly a complete week past due.
Reductions Debut
For all intents and functions, reductions dried up all the way through the guts of the vacation season. Alternatively, a number of reductions for subsequent 12 months are already accessible, with extra to be launched in early January 2026.
Already-available particular gives come with the deeply-discounted Disney+ 3-Day, 3-Park WDW Price tag, the preferred Save As much as $250 In line with Night time at Walt Disney International in Iciness to Summer time 2026 particular be offering and the easy Save As much as 25% Off WDW Inns Room-Handiest Bargain for January to Spring Spoil 2026. There’s additionally the $99 In line with Night time at Walt Disney International in Iciness 2026.
Essentially the most impactful of those, from the viewpoint of crowds, is the 3-Day, 3-Park Walt Disney International Price tag Deal. This can be a date-based price ticket with get started dates from January 12 to Would possibly 22, 2026. There’ll nearly unquestionably be an excellent deeper cut price on tickets for Florida citizens that runs more or less the similar dates and is eligible in any respect 4 parks.
Those lend a hand spice up attendance, and give a contribution to crowds. That’s now not typically noticeable 12 months over 12 months, since very an identical particular gives are presented yearly. Alternatively, the 3-Day, 3-Park Price tag Deal and $99/Night time Room Bargain are now not typically presented all the way through this time frame. Which means both that crowds might be even upper than regular–or that Walt Disney International is providing those offers to offset decrease attendance and occupancy projections.
Starlight Time table Shifts
We’ve reported at period at the ‘Starlight Time table Shenanigans’ for the reason that new night time parade debuted over the summer time. Usually, it’s been carried out two times in step with night time at Magic Kingdom on dates when the park doesn’t shut early for the Halloween or Christmas events.
Even if the days have modified so much, and now not at all times in a predictable or historically-consistent method, 2 performances on complete working days has been the norm. That adjustments in early 2026.
Starlight is scheduled for 7:45 pm nightly each day (thus far) in January 2026. It has a 2nd efficiency at 10:30 pm the primary few days, after which 10 pm after that. Excluding Tuesday thru Thursday, January 6-8, 2026. On the ones dates, there’s just one Starlight–the 7:45 pm showtime.
The time table solely is going thru January 10, 2026 at the moment, however we’d be expecting this to be the new-normal cadence for the wintry weather, with just one efficiency on weeknights all the way through slower dates (January 6-8 qualifies, as will maximum weeks till mid-winter smash).
At the one hand, we had was hoping that Starlight would have two nightly performances for its first 12 months. Then again, the primary 10 days of January have extra Starlight showtimes than maximum weeks from August thru December, even with just a unmarried efficiency on the ones weeknights.
On stability, we’re now not labored up about this and would now not deem it a cutback–as long as height weeks nonetheless have two nightly performances. That is infrequently remarkable; Walt Disney International has decreased night time parades to a unmarried efficiency all the way through off-peak dates previously. Even on average crowd dates, the parade path (in particular in Frontierland and Liberty Sq.) doesn’t actually refill for the second one efficiency.
Cinderella Fortress Building Commences
The Cinderella Fortress makeover will get started in early 2026. This undertaking will contain repainting the Magic Kingdom icon in a extra vintage colour scheme, restoring its pre-Fiftieth Anniversary look. The up to date Cinderella Fortress will characteristic grays, lotions, blues, and touches of gold aiming to fortify the fortress’s structure.
Walt Disney International has introduced that visitors will realize paintings round Cinderella Fortress starting in early January 2026. A selected get started date used to be now not shared, however our expectation is on or after January 5, 2026. The undertaking will start with the draining of the moat get ready for portray. The undertaking will proceed with apparatus staged within the moat. As soon as paintings starts in earnest, cranes and lifts shall be increased all the way through the morning hours.
Starting January 28, 2026, there can also be transient changes to leisure. This features a changed “Let the Magic Start” welcome display. The opposite sunlight hours display, “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire,” will proceed to be accessible with minor changes. Likewise, the Fortuitously Ever After fireworks will even proceed to be proven with minor changes.
Walt Disney International shared that the hot colour scheme will debut “later in 2026.” A precise finish date has now not but been introduced, nor has even a season. The undertaking is predicted to final a number of months, despite the fact that the “later in 2026” timeline suggests it might be longer.
EPCOT’s Absolute best Fest Begins
The EPCOT Global Pageant of the Arts is an international birthday celebration of the visible, culinary, and appearing arts. It’s technically the most recent particular match of the 12 months at Walt Disney International, even if 2026 is its tenth 12 months. After flying beneath the radar for some time, EPCOT’s Pageant of the Arts has in any case come into its personal in the previous few years–fueled by means of Figment and enthusiasts in any case spotting it’s EPCOT’s absolute best fest.
Nonetheless, the 2026 EPCOT Pageant of the Arts stays a actually quick match. It’s about on par with Pageant of the Vacations, however shorter than Flower & Lawn or Meals & Wine–even the scaled again variations of each. It additionally happens all the way through one of the vital absolute best instances of the 12 months at Walt Disney International, albeit one who’s turning into an increasing number of busy.
The 2026 EPCOT Global Pageant of the Arts will run from January 16 till February 23, 2026. That suggests the 2026 FARTs will final for a grand general of 39 days, which continues to be too quick! Highlights come with the Disney on Broadway Live performance Collection, Meals Studios, Figment Scavenger Hunt and extra. In truth, our favourite factor to do is just wander round, looking at artists create and perusing cubicles. It’s a superb opportunity to look and have interaction with extremely proficient Disney artists. See our Information to the 2026 EPCOT Global Pageant of the Arts for extra suggestions.
Countdown to Extinction
Walt Disney International has formally introduced that the closure date for DINOSAUR is February 2, 2026. Which means the final day to enjoy the enchantment earlier than extinction is February 1, 2026. The similar is going for the entirety else that’s nonetheless open in Dinoland USA.
A number of closures have already took place, as this has been a phased closure that began a 12 months in the past–again in January 2025. Since then, Dinoland USA has develop into a maze of development partitions.
With that mentioned, Walt Disney International has given DINOSAUR an extended good-bye and transparent ‘countdown to extinction.’ There’s already a products line and particular on-ride photograph. It’s unclear what else, if anything else, shall be achieved to have fun DINOSAUR’s loss of life in early 2026. Nonetheless, we predict increased crowds and wait instances within the land within the ultimate month earlier than the extinction match. This must now not have an effect on attendance as an entire or general wait instances at Animal Kingdom.
Prolonged Night time Hours All over!
Prolonged Night time Hours is a loose on-site visitor perk for Walt Disney International visitors staying at a Deluxe Inns, DVC Villas, and make a selection different lodges. We like Prolonged Night time Hours (ExEH) and in finding it to be a super, no-cost choice to After Hours. A lot better than the defunct Night time Additional Magic Hours.
Prolonged Night time Theme Park Hours is normally presented after common park last on Monday nights at EPCOT and Wednesday nights at Magic Kingdom. That time table does exchange every so often, however is correct a lot of the time.
See Walt Disney International’s reliable calendar for particular instances for every match night time. Notice that if common hours are added inflicting park last to happen later, which occurs regularly, Prolonged Night time Hours shifts to after that.
Iciness 2026 is one such exception to the aforementioned time table. Generally, it’s this time of 12 months when issues go back to regular after being upended all the way through Birthday party Season. However this January, all 4 parks will host the perk. The excellent news is that normalcy is being restored, as Prolonged Night time Hours will then be held at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on January 1, 2026 earlier than it strikes again to Magic Kingdom for the time table reset beginning Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
EPCOT most commonly continues to host on Mondays, with one exception. Disney’s Hollywood Studios returns to the Prolonged Night time Hours time table on Monday, January 26, 2026, in what seems to be a one-off (for now). Every other one-off happens a few days later, when Animal Kingdom hosts ExEH in position on Magic Kingdom on January 28, 2026.
That is notable as a result of we noticed extra ‘time table anomalies’ for ExEH final 12 months than regular, and 2026 is already shaping up in a similar way. We’d strongly counsel keeping track of the calendar, as there’s at all times a possibility EPCOT and Magic Kingdom received’t be website hosting on Mondays and Wednesdays for the rest of Iciness 2026 till Birthday party Season.
After Hours Returns
Disney After Hours go back in early 2026 after the height season crowds subside at Walt Disney International. The onerous price ticket match begins on January 12, 2026 at Magic Kingdom; January 14, 2026 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; and January 22, 2026 at EPCOT.
The events run thru July 27, 2026 at Magic Kingdom; September 12, 2026 at DHS; and September 24, 2026 at EPCOT. Animal Kingdom nonetheless isn’t taking part in After Hours, which is almost definitely as a result of its preliminary experiment with the providing didn’t cross so smartly.
After Hours occasions can help you experience a Walt Disney International theme park for 3 further hours after common park hours, plus a mix-in. After Hours occasions come with “loose” treats corresponding to ice cream, popcorn and make a selection drinks.
The principle promoting level of Disney After Hours occasions is that the choice of tickets for those occasions is restricted, which means that decrease wait instances for a few of your favourite points of interest. Not like Mickey’s No longer So Frightening Halloween Birthday party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Birthday party, those After Hours evenings are marketed as low crowds occasions.
Right through After Hours, you’ll normally stumble upon walk-on waits for many points of interest, despite the fact that headliners could have longer traces. Added leisure (most commonly meet & greets and DJs) could also be being highlighted for 2026, however we wouldn’t purchase tickets on that foundation.
In our view, After Hours makes probably the most sense as a quasi-VIP splurge. Costs have higher over the previous few years to the purpose that the particular match now not is sensible for us, particularly as Annual Passholders. First-timers or rare guests may well be a unique tale completely. In case your birthday celebration is filled with night time owls, we’d unquestionably counsel After Hours–particularly at Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios–over Lightning Lane Premier Go!
Water Park Freebie Ends…For Now.
Walt Disney International has showed the go back of the loose water park day in 2026, however with a very powerful caveat. With this perk, lodge lodge visitors can experience admission to one of the vital water parks, Snowfall Seashore or Storm Lagoon, on their check-in day. This used to be a brand new perk that debuted with remains this 12 months. Room-only reservations, holiday applications and Disney Holiday Membership remains on issues will all be eligible–however all visitors will have to be at the reservation.
For 2026, the perk is converting. Right here’s what Walt Disney International formally introduced: “Coming again in summer time 2026, Disney Lodge lodge visitors can get loose water park admission on their check-in day (topic to availability). Further main points, together with particular dates, shall be shared at a later time.”
The ones specifics haven’t begun to be shared. Regardless, the perk will lead to early 2026 and received’t go back for a minimum of a couple of months. That is most likely as a result of water parks are much less common all the way through the cold wintry weather months, and their operations are inconsistent. Remaining wintry weather thru early spring, the water parks have been closed extra ceaselessly than they have been open because of climate.
Talking of which, Walt Disney International has published that Storm Lagoon will shut on February 14, 2026. Snowfall Seashore will reopen the next day to come, on February 15, 2026. This changeover occurs each unmarried 12 months, with every water park taken offline for a seasonal refurbishment. That is equivalent portions regimen repairs and loss of call for, as Walt Disney International doesn’t want each water parks this time of 12 months.
Trip Refurbishment Season Begins
Talking of seasonal closures, the wintry weather “refurbishment season” normally begins the primary Monday in January. In taking a look on the 2026 Walt Disney International Refurbishment Calendar presently, there in fact isn’t an entire lot beginning on January 5, 2026. Only one closure–and it’s now not even a journey!
That might exchange. Disneyland simply scheduled a slew of closures beginning on that date (in addition to the next Monday), and Walt Disney International’s timing is normally similar. January fifth will get the parks previous height vacation crowds, and January twelfth is after WDW Marathon runners leave.
There are normally a host of refurbishments in January and February, so we wouldn’t be stunned to look extra added to the calendar over the following couple of weeks (Frozen Ever After is already on there, simply now not till later in January/February 2026). Then again, there are a couple of ongoing refurbishments and everlasting closures, and wintry weather is now not the low season. So most likely now not!
Loose Eating
As mentioned in our Information to the 2026 Loose Eating Deal at Walt Disney International, we’re anticipating a go back of that common promotion early subsequent month. No longer for shuttle dates in January–that’s when it’ll be launched for past due Spring thru Fall 2026. We’re hopeful that there’s a brand new twist or deal sweetener, as Loose Eating has lowered in recognition over the past couple of years and shall be relatively worse in 2026 with out adjustments.
The cause of this is easy, which is that the largest exchange with the 2026 Disney Eating Plan is that Children Devour FREE All Yr in 2026 at Walt Disney International. Particularly, the Children Loose Eating Plan promo can also be mixed with different particular gives. Already, we’ve observed all 2026 room-only reductions eligible to stack with the Children Loose Eating Plan be offering, from bouncebacks to common public reductions. Even DVC level condominium is eligible for the Children Loose Eating Plan!
For the reason that Children Loose Eating Plan is the baseline for 2026 and now not a distinct promotion, it’s tough to look how Loose Eating suits into the image. Possibly it’ll merely be presented like regular with none adjustments, by which case, Loose Eating shall be a worse deal for lots of visitors since they’d be taking the Children Loose Eating Plan plus a room cut price and paying for their very own meals.
Regardless, we’re anticipating Loose Eating (confidently with a sweetener!) along side different particular gives to be launched in early 2026. Simply how competitive Walt Disney International will get is someone’s wager, however we love what we’ve observed thus far (above) and we’d look ahead to higher offers for the summer time and early fall low season than what’s already accessible for wintry weather.
We can be carefully tracking each the 2026 Walt Disney International cut price scenario and advance reserving of Lightning Lanes, holding our ears open for extra information about each. Will have to one thing–anything else–be launched or rumored, we’ll ship you an alert if you happen to join our FREE Walt Disney International e-newsletter.
Making plans a Walt Disney International shuttle? Find out about lodges on our Walt Disney International Lodges Evaluations web page. For the place to devour, learn our Walt Disney International Eating place Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to shop for, learn our Pointers for Saving Cash on Walt Disney International Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel have a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney International Trip Guides will lend a hand. For complete recommendation, the most productive position to start out is our Walt Disney International Commute Making plans Information for the entirety you want to understand!
YOUR THOUGHTS
How do you’re feeling about Walt Disney International’s adjustments that beginning in January 2026? When you’re a vacationer, does this make you need to talk over with Walt Disney International–or wait? Any questions we will allow you to solution? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas beneath within the feedback!
