Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Is Getting More Competitive This Spring Break
If Disney World spring break 2026 is on your calendar, it's time to rethink your Hollywood Studios strategy. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith officially closed on March 1 for a full transformation, and it won't be back until summer 2026. It will be reimagined as a Muppets-themed attraction featuring The Electric Mayhem band.
That closure shrinks the top-tier Lightning Lane Multi Pass pool down to just three options: Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and Slinky Dog Dash. Heading into the busiest travel weeks of the year with one fewer thrill ride in the mix, expect those remaining picks to go fast.
Our top Disney World Lightning Lane tip for 2026: book your selections as early in the day as possible and always have a backup plan. Looking further ahead, a new Mandalorian and Grogu mission is coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run on May 22, which should give that attraction a nice popularity boost heading into summer.
Classic Rides Are Coming Back Better Than Ever
Two Magic Kingdom fan favorites are returning this spring, and both are worth putting back at the top of your list. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopens in spring 2026 following a comprehensive refurbishment, and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin also returns with updated ride vehicles, new blasters, and refreshed interactive targets.
Buzz Lightyear's updated version features a new show scene with a robot character named Buddy, handheld blasters, interactive targets, and a digital screen with unlimited high scores, a big upgrade for one of Magic Kingdom's most beloved attractions.
EPCOT's Flower & Garden Festival Is Underway
One of the best-kept secrets of a spring Disney World visit is EPCOT's Flower & Garden Festival. Running March 4 through June 1, the festival features topiary sculptures of Disney characters, Outdoor Kitchens with seasonal bites and sips, and the Garden Rocks Concert Series, all included with park admission. It's the perfect counterbalance to a packed thrill-ride day.
America's 250th Anniversary Comes to EPCOT This Summer
Among the biggest new Disney World 2026 announcements is the resort-wide celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Disney has announced "Disney Celebrates America," including Soarin' Across America, a new immersive flight experience coming to the beloved Soarin' attraction at EPCOT. Expected to debut around Memorial Day, it will replace Soarin' Around the World with sweeping views of American landscapes. You won't want to miss this addition this summer.
Disney+ Is Debuting Something Truly Special in April
Away from the parks, Disney is marking National Deaf History Month with a heartfelt new release. On April 27, Disney+ will debut Disney Animation's Songs in Sign Language, three beloved musical sequences newly reimagined in American Sign Language (ASL).
Directed by veteran Disney animator Hyrum Osmond, the special features "The Next Right Thing" from Frozen 2, "We Don't Talk About Bruno" from Encanto, and "Beyond" from Moana 2 — each reimagined in partnership with the Tony Award-winning Deaf West Theatre, focusing on emotion and meaning over word-for-word translation. A behind-the-scenes featurette will also accompany the release. Add it to your April watchlist.
Stay Right in the Middle of It All at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa
With so much happening this season, the best hotel near Disney World for your spring 2026 trip might just be one you haven't considered yet. Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa sits just 4 miles from the Walt Disney World theme parks and 3 miles from Disney Springs, perfectly positioned for everything on this list.
Unlike a standard hotel room, the resort's spacious 1- to 4-bedroom condo-style suites come with fully equipped kitchens, so you can save on dining, start your mornings on your own schedule, and have real space to decompress after a long park day. And getting to the parks couldn't be easier with a complimentary theme park shuttle service included with your stay.
After a full day of navigating Lightning Lane queues and Flower & Garden Festival Outdoor Kitchens, you'll be glad to come back to our Pirates' Plunge Pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and the onsite Reflections Spa & Salon. It's the ideal home base for families who want to be close to the magic without paying Disney resort prices.
What's new at Disney World in 2026 is a lot — and the best way to experience all of it is to stay somewhere that keeps you rested, close, and ready for whatever the day brings. Book your stay at Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa and make this your best Disney spring yet.
Check back for more Disney World 2026 updates as the season unfolds.
