Disney is accelerating its 2026 attraction refresh cycle across Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. The strategy focuses on familiar IP, higher capacity and upgraded ride systems. It underlines how the operator aims to grow per‑capita spend without opening a full new gate.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will close permanently in March 2026. The coaster will reopen later in the year with a new Muppets Electric Mayhem storyline. The ride system remains, but the queue, audio and set dressing will be re‑engineered for the new theme. This keeps a major thrill coaster on the map, while retiring an ageing music licence.
Flight‑based attractions are also in line for updates. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at both Disneyland Park in California and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will receive new missions from 22 May 2026. The refreshed show scenes will feature the Mandalorian and Grogu. The change is expected to encourage repeat‑ride numbers among regular visitors. It also gives the company a flexible platform for future content overlays.
Disney continues to prioritise incremental capacity and IP‑driven overlays rather than only ground‑up rides. This has to be good news for suppliers as it increases demand for media production, interactive systems and upgrade‑friendly hardware.
Images: Disney
