Walt Disney World has undergone some pretty big changes in 2026, and several of its most recognizable attractions look very different than they did at the beginning of the year.From permanent closures to major renovations, Disney has spent much of the year updating rides across Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.Credit: Sarah Larson, Inside the MagicSome longtime favorites have returned with new technology, updated characters, and entirely different experiences. Others have closed their doors for good, making way for attractions that Disney hopes will become the next generation of fan favorites.And the changes aren’t over just yet.As Disney continues preparing for even bigger projects in 2027 and beyond, here are nine major attraction changes that have already taken place or started moving forward in 2026.1. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Gets a Muppets MakeoverOne of the biggest changes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios involved a roller coaster that had entertained guests since 1999.For more than 25 years, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith sent guests speeding through the streets of Los Angeles while listening to some of the band’s most recognizable songs.However, Disney officially retired the Aerosmith version in 2026 and replaced it with Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets.The updated attraction opened in May, introducing guests to a completely different storyline featuring Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.Credit: DisneyAlthough the roller coaster still features its familiar high-speed launch and inversions, the experience surrounding the ride has changed considerably.Guests now encounter Muppet-themed decorations, new animatronics, and a soundtrack featuring the Electric Mayhem performing songs associated with artists such as Def Leppard, Blur, and Steppenwolf.For longtime Hollywood Studios visitors, the change marks the end of an attraction that had been part of the park for nearly three decades.Still, Disney has managed to give the Muppets a permanent home inside one of its most popular thrill rides.2. Carousel of Progress Closes for a Major TransformationAnother longtime Disney attraction is receiving an extensive makeover, although guests will have to wait until 2027 to experience the finished product.Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress closed at Magic Kingdom in 2026 as Disney began preparing significant updates to the historic show.The attraction originally debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair before eventually finding its permanent home at Walt Disney World.For decades, guests have watched an American family experience technological advancements across different generations.Credit: Paul Brennan, FlickrNow, Disney is preparing to introduce a new version that reflects changing technology and modern audiences.According to the plans described by AllEars, the updated experience will include a Walt Disney animatronic in a preshow and redesigned scenes representing different periods in American history.The new presentation is expected to explore the 1960s, 1980s, the turn of the millennium, and a possible future filled with technological innovations.While the attraction’s central message about progress will remain, the updated scenes could make this one of the most substantial transformations in the show’s history.Disney currently plans to reopen Carousel of Progress in spring 2027.3. DINOSAUR Permanently Closes at Animal KingdomNot every attraction received a second chance in 2026.At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests said goodbye to DINOSAUR, one of the park’s original attractions.The ride first opened in 1998 under the name Countdown to Extinction before Disney eventually renamed it DINOSAUR.For years, guests boarded Time Rovers and traveled back to the prehistoric past, encountering dangerous dinosaurs while attempting to escape before an asteroid struck Earth.However, the attraction permanently closed in February 2026 as Disney moved forward with its Tropical Americas expansion.Credit: Anna Fox (HarshLight), FlickrThe former DINOSAUR ride system will become the foundation for an entirely new Indiana Jones adventure.The upcoming attraction, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, will transport guests into a mysterious South American temple.Its storyline takes place during the 1950s and follows Indiana Jones as he discovers a passage into the Mayan underworld.Guests will encounter dangerous creatures, including snakes, scorpions, and bats, while attempting to escape the temple.The attraction will also feature an Indiana Jones animatronic using Harrison Ford’s likeness.Although DINOSAUR is gone, its replacement will preserve the general ride system while introducing a completely different adventure.4. Soarin’ Introduces a New American AdventureEPCOT also received a major attraction update in 2026, and this one arrived as part of a nationwide celebration.To recognize America’s 250th anniversary, Disney introduced Soarin’ Across America, replacing the previous film experience with a journey across the United States.The updated attraction takes guests over some of the country’s most recognizable landmarks and landscapes.Locations featured in the new experience include New York Harbor, the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, and the New England coastline.Credit: DisneyGuests also soar over other American landscapes, including coastal regions, wide-open plains, and wilderness areas.The change gives the attraction a different feel from Soarin’ Around the World, which previously transported guests across several countries.Rather than focusing on international destinations, the new film celebrates the natural beauty and famous locations found throughout the United States.According to AllEars, the experience has received a positive response from fans, with some expressing interest in seeing it remain permanently or return as part of a regular rotation.For EPCOT visitors who have experienced the attraction countless times, the new film provides another reason to climb aboard.5. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Receives a New MissionDisney’s Hollywood Studios also introduced a significant change to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2026.Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run received a new adventure featuring Din Djarin and Grogu from The Mandalorian & Grogu (2026).The update arrived alongside the film’s theatrical release in May, bringing familiar characters into the attraction’s interactive storyline.Previously, guests joined Hondo Ohnaka on a mission involving the Millennium Falcon.Credit: Subhash Roy, FlickrThe updated experience introduces new destinations and opportunities to interact with the characters.Guests can now travel to locations including Coruscant, Bespin, and the remains of the second Death Star near Endor.Disney also made adjustments to the gameplay.Previously, guests assigned to the engineer positions primarily focused on repairing damage and keeping the ship operating.The new mission gives those riders additional opportunities to interact with Grogu, making their roles more involved in the overall experience.For families visiting Galaxy’s Edge, the change offers a fresh storyline without requiring Disney to build an entirely new attraction.6. Frozen Ever After Replaces Its Original AnimatronicsOne of EPCOT’s most popular family attractions received a major technological upgrade earlier this year.Frozen Ever After, located inside the Norway Pavilion, temporarily closed for approximately one month while Disney replaced several of its original character figures.When the attraction reopened, guests discovered new animatronics representing Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff.The original versions relied heavily on projection-mapping technology to create facial expressions.Credit: Sarah Larson, Inside the MagicAlthough the figures were innovative when Frozen Ever After first opened, the technology occasionally produced noticeable differences between the characters’ projected faces and their physical bodies.Disney’s newer animatronics offer a more natural appearance, with updated facial features and movements.Similar character technology has appeared in other Disney attractions, including the Frozen-themed experience at Hong Kong Disneyland.The change doesn’t alter the attraction’s overall storyline, but it makes a noticeable difference in several important scenes.For guests who regularly visit EPCOT, the updated figures are among the more significant visual improvements Disney has introduced this year.7. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Returns After a Lengthy ClosureMagic Kingdom guests finally welcomed back Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in 2026 following an extensive refurbishment.The popular Frontierland roller coaster closed in January 2025, leaving one of the park’s most recognizable mountains unavailable for more than a year.During the closure, Disney worked on several major improvements, including updates to the attraction’s track and trains.The company also introduced new elements designed to enhance the ride while maintaining its familiar Western mining-town storyline.Credit: Jeremy Thompson, FlickrOne of the most notable changes involves the attraction’s height requirement.Following its refurbishment and safety review, Disney lowered the minimum height requirement from 40 inches to 38 inches.That adjustment allows some younger guests to experience the roller coaster who previously would have been too short to ride.Despite the extensive work, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad continues to deliver the same runaway mine train adventure that has made it a Magic Kingdom favorite for decades.Its return also restored another major attraction to Frontierland as construction continues elsewhere in the area.8. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Gets New Blasters and ScoringBuzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin underwent one of the most noticeable upgrades of any Magic Kingdom attraction in 2026.The Tomorrowland ride reopened in April following a months-long refurbishment that introduced new technology throughout the experience.Perhaps the biggest change involves the attraction’s blasters.Previously, guests used blasters mounted directly to their ride vehicles, which could make aiming at certain targets difficult.Credit: DisneyThe updated attraction features handheld blasters that riders can move more freely, allowing them to aim at targets throughout the ride.Disney also upgraded the targets and introduced new Star Cruiser vehicles featuring onboard displays.Another addition is Buddy, a new robot character who appears near the beginning of the attraction.Buddy helps guests prepare for their mission by introducing the updated blaster technology and offering an opportunity to practice before the main adventure begins.Disney even changed how scoring works.Previously, riders could reach a maximum score of 999,999 points and earn the Galactic Hero designation.Now, the scoring system allows guests to exceed that previous limit.A score of 999,999 earns the Cosmic Commander rank, while guests who reach at least one million points receive the Galactic Hero title.For competitive families who enjoy comparing scores, the changes add another reason to ride multiple times.9. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Makes Another Visual ChangeThe final major update involves Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT.Although the attraction’s biggest technological change began in late 2025, Disney continued making improvements throughout 2026.The ride previously relied on 3D technology, requiring guests to wear special glasses while traveling through oversized kitchen environments inspired by Ratatouille (2007).Disney eventually transitioned the attraction’s film sequences from 3D to 2D, eliminating the need for glasses.However, that wasn’t the only change planned.Credit: Sarah Larson, Inside the MagicDisney also prepared additional physical props designed to improve the transitions between the attraction’s elaborate sets and its large screens.Those additions arrived during fall 2026, further adjusting how guests experience the ride.The props help connect the physical environments with the animated sequences, creating a more consistent experience as guests move between scenes.While the changes may not seem as dramatic as a completely new storyline or attraction replacement, they represent another example of Disney continuing to update existing rides.More Changes Are Coming to Disney WorldThese nine attractions represent only part of the transformation happening across Walt Disney World.Between permanent closures, new ride technology, updated storylines, and extensive refurbishments, 2026 has brought significant changes to all four theme parks.And Disney isn’t finished.The Tropical Americas expansion at Animal Kingdom will introduce new experiences in 2027, while Hollywood Studios continues preparing for its upcoming Monsters, Inc.-themed land.Magic Kingdom is also moving forward with additional projects, including its planned Villains-themed expansion.Credit: DisneyFor guests who haven’t visited Walt Disney World in a year or two, several familiar attractions may already feel noticeably different.Some of those changes have introduced new experiences to longtime favorites. Others have permanently ended attractions that generations of Disney fans grew up enjoying.Either way, 2026 has become a major turning point for Walt Disney World’s attraction lineup, and the next few years could bring even bigger transformations across the resort.The post Disney World Shuts Down Multiple Classics, Confirms Changes To 9 Total Rides appeared first on Inside the Magic.