Disney World Removes Longstanding Attractions and Traditions in 2026

Overview

• Several major changes have been implemented or scheduled in 2026, including the permanent closure of DINOSAUR at Animal Kingdom, the rebranding of Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster with the Muppets, and the July closure of Carousel of Progress for a planned 2027 overhaul.
• Disney made permanent a policy requiring a hotel or dining reservation to board buses or boats from Disney Springs to resort hotels, a move that ends casual resort hopping and limits spontaneous visits.
• Resort updates include redesigned Port Orleans Royal Guest Rooms centered on Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, and the Grand Floridian’s large holiday gingerbread house will not return for the foreseeable future.
• Some changes create access or experience trade-offs for guests, such as placing a major Muppets overlay on a high-speed launched coaster that not all visitors can or want to ride and removing familiar, low-effort traditions many families value.
• Taken together, these moves reflect a deliberate shift toward leveraging owned franchises and greater operational control, which raises a core tension between modernization and preserving the historical attractions and rituals that shaped Disney World’s identity.