What’s New at Orlando’s Theme Parks in 2026: A Guide for Families Planning Their Disney Trip
If you’ve been thinking about taking the kids to the Orlando theme parks in 2026, this is actually a pretty interesting year to go. New rides, new shows, a few surprise updates that Disney and Universal have been hinting at for a while. We talk with families every day who are planning trips, so we hear the same questions on repeat. What’s changing at Disney? What’s going on with Epic Universe? And the big one… how do you plan for all this without burning out by day two?
We figured it might help to gather the things we’re talking about most with parents right now. Think of this less like a “guide” and more like the conversation you’d get if you pulled us aside and said, “Okay, what’s actually worth knowing before we go?”
Some of the biggest Disney changes for 2026 are happening inside parks people already know well. Magic Kingdom has a few updates that sound small on paper but really change how the crowds move. We’ve had a lot of parents ask whether it still makes sense to start their day there or if they should switch things up. Honestly, the answer depends on your kids. Early risers? Magic Kingdom mornings are still fine. Slow starters? We sometimes nudge families toward EPCOT or Hollywood Studios first because the flow is a little easier.
EPCOT is still in its “new phase.” Every year they seem to finish another piece of the redesign, and 2026 is when some of the lingering projects finally land. Nothing earth-shaking, but enough to change how long families want to stay. The festivals will feel a little different too, which is a big deal for parents who love wandering with food and drinks while the kids try rides.
Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios each have smaller tweaks scheduled. These don’t sound huge, but you’d be surprised how much a new show or reworked area changes the whole pace of the day. Hollywood Studios in particular has been one of the trickier parks for families with younger kids, so any adjustment can be helpful.
Now, Universal. This is the part that gets everyone talking, because Epic Universe is still the wild card. Anytime a whole new Orlando theme park opens, everything else shifts a bit. People who normally only plan Disney trips suddenly start asking if they should add a Universal day. Some want to go just to peek at the newest rides; others want a full day just in the new lands. We’re already seeing people extend their trips by one or two nights because of this.
Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure have their own updates happening too. Not as loud as Epic Universe, but they still affect how families plan. When one park expands, the others adjust their entertainment and crowd patterns. We watch these changes closely because they influence which days we recommend for hopping between Disney and Universal.
Something people don’t always realize until they start planning is how these updates affect the overall rhythm of an Orlando trip. A new ride opens somewhere in town, and suddenly the “best” day to visit Magic Kingdom might shift. Or a refurb at EPCOT changes which park makes the best second-day option. Families ask us about this constantly. Nobody wants to lose an hour in line if they don’t have to, and we completely get that.
Most parents want the same thing: a vacation that doesn’t feel like a marathon. And with Disney trip planning in 2026 being more crowded than usual, having a loose game plan helps a lot. Not a strict hour-by-hour schedule. Just enough structure so the day doesn’t drift.
That’s usually where we step in. We sort through all the updates, look at your family’s pace, and help you figure out what makes the most sense. Not everything needs to be done. Kids don’t care if they miss something that was hyped online. They just want the moments that feel fun.
A lot of families are also turning to us for virtual Disney VIP tours in 2026. These have gotten surprisingly popular, especially with families who haven’t visited in years or who are dealing with sensory overload, mobility factors, or multiple kids with different ride personalities. The virtual format lets us guide you through the park in real time while you’re there, which is a lifesaver when the crowds spike or an attraction goes down. Some parents tell us it feels like having a calm friend in their ear keeping the day on track.
For families planning several parks at once, these updates become even more helpful. Disney World 2026 updates might influence when you book meals, while Universal Orlando 2026 attractions might change how many days you stay in town. We help people stitch all of that together so the trip feels balanced instead of frantic.
Here are a few things we’ve been telling families to keep in mind for 2026:
- Start earlier than you think you need to. Not just in the morning, but in the planning stage.
• Expect a bump in crowds around big opening weeks, especially at Epic Universe.
• Don’t schedule every minute. Kids melt down when the day is too packed.
• Plan one slower day. That’s usually the day people remember most.
But most important, make your decisions based on your family, not on what everyone online says you “must” do. Orlando theme parks are incredible, but no two families enjoy them in the same way.
FAQs
Is 2026 going to be a busy year at the Orlando theme parks?
Yes. Anytime new attractions open across multiple parks, crowds go up. Not impossible to manage, but you’ll want a plan.
Do these updates change where families should start their trip?
They can. We often adjust schedules week by week based on park news and patterns.
Is Epic Universe worth adding to a Disney trip?
If your family loves new rides, absolutely. If you prefer slower days or little kids’ rides, we help you decide whether it’s a fit.
Do virtual Disney VIP tours help with crowd-heavy years like 2026?
Families tell us they make the day easier and calmer, especially when things change unexpectedly.
Ready to Plan?
If you want help sorting through all the updates and figuring out what makes sense for your family’s 2026 trip, give us a call. We’ll walk you through the best parks for your group, the timing that fits your pace, and the new experiences worth adding to your list.
We’re here to make your vacation feel good, not stressful.