15 Reasons Why May 2026 is Disney World’s Biggest Month of the Year
Walt Disney World has quietly put together a formidable slate for summer, and it all begins in May 2026. This includes AP appreciation, aggressive discounts, attraction openings, and extra hours. This offers a rundown of the biggest updates, additions, changes to on-site perks, crowds, and more starting this month.
We’re not going to pretend this is some monster lineup that makes Walt Disney World a must-do destination for the hottest months of the year in Central Florida. But for what was supposed to be an ‘off-year’ before blockbuster new land & attraction additions, Summer 2026 is shaping up to be big for Walt Disney World.
Out of the 15 entries below, at least a half-dozen of them are attraction or entertainment opening dates. That makes May 2026 the biggest month of the year for substantive additions. No other month has nearly as many new or reimagined attractions debuting. The only other month of the year that might be as “big” for Walt Disney World is August, but that’ll be largely thanks to announcements at D23 about things to come years down the road.
In the here and now, Walt Disney World has cobbled together a strong summer lineup that’ll debut in May. Now admittedly, I’m an old school fan who makes regular visits to the parks and is a parent to a toddler and has an affinity for the Muppets and things that are distinctly patriotic. It’s really as if Walt Disney World has tailored the whole summer slate to my unique interests.
By focusing on smaller scale stuff that falls short of the ‘marketable addition’ bar, Walt Disney World has hit this ‘goldilocks zone’ where there’s a lot to appeal to fans, but not enough to entice the general public to plan a trip.
Consequently, there’s still a strong incentive to discount (and that’s even before gas prices started climbing). Even with those deals, the practical reality is that they’re likely going to struggle to draw people to the parks to the same extent that they will with Tropical Americas, Monstropolis, etc.
The other practical reality is that a lot of people will avoid visiting Central Florida for the next several months–that’s the clear trendline for the last several years. Summer has become less crowded, and for good reason. I’m not going to argue otherwise and try to convince you that mid-June to July is actually a great time to go. Not everyone is built for the heat and humidity.
May is potentially a different story. It’s possible this month will see lows in the low 70s and highs in the high 80s, as opposed to 90-plus degree heat and triple-digit feels like temperatures. Going earlier this month is appealing for a number of reasons, but also means gambling on soft openings for the major reimagined rides, new entertainment, etc.
Anyway, here are the highlights of everything that’s happening in May 2026 at Walt Disney World…
Shoulder Season Slowdown (Lower Crowds)
Crowds have fallen off a cliff since the week after Easter, as Shoulder Season has already arrived. The downturn started April 12th, and although there have been slight spikes here and there, crowds have been low to moderate across the board.
Expect that to continue throughout much of May. Weekends will be worse due to the Florida resident ticket deal, which ends on May 16, 2026. Wait times data from the last 3 years reveals that “use it or lose it” resident ticket discounts have caused crowds to spike in their final 2-3 weeks. It’s especially bad on Saturdays and, to a lesser extent, Fridays through Sundays. Weekdays aren’t impacted nearly as much. This means that the next couple weekends will see spikes, and progressively larger ones.
Aside from this, Walt Disney World’s attendance patterns are largely dictated by school breaks. As a result of this, far fewer guests in Disney’s core demo visit shortly after or before a major break. The Memorial Day long weekend might also see a slight spike, especially since there’s more of a jam-packed lineup for Cool Kids’ Summer.
However, the next few months shouldn’t be terribly busy. This is something we’ve covered in countless posts, including the feature: Summer Is NOT Peak Season at Walt Disney World Anymore. Contrary to the conventional (but outdated) wisdom, Memorial Day through Labor Day is not the busiest stretch of the year. The bottom line is that we do not expect May 2026 to be busy. We expect more 1/10 to 3/10 days, and fewer 4/10 and 5/10 days.
Extended Evening Hours Everywhere!
Extended Evening Hours is a free on-site guest perk for Walt Disney World guests staying at a Deluxe Resorts, DVC Villas, and select other hotels. We love Extended Evening Hours (ExEH) and find it to be a great, no-cost alternative to After Hours. Much better than the defunct Evening Extra Magic Hours.
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours is usually offered after regular park closing on Monday nights at EPCOT and Wednesday nights at Magic Kingdom. That schedule does change from time to time, but is accurate much of the time. That all changes soon, and here’s the schedule starting next week:
- Monday, May 4, 2026 — Animal Kingdom, 7PM – 9PM
- Wednesday, May 6, 2026 — Magic Kingdom, 10PM – 12AM
- Monday, May 11, 2026 — Disney’s Hollywood Studios, 9PM – 11PM
- Wednesday, May 13, 2026 — Animal Kingdom, 6PM – 8PM
- Monday, May 18, 2026 — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM
From that point on, the ExEH schedule returns to its normal cadence for the remainder of the month. See Walt Disney World’s official calendar for specific times for each event night. Note that if regular hours are added causing park closing to occur later, which happens frequently, Extended Evening Hours shifts to after that.
V.I.Passholder Summer Days is Back!
V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days (or VIP Passholder Summer Days, if you want to sound it out and remove the yelling) is a limited-time offering just for Annual Passholders at Walt Disney World Resort. It’s the company’s way of saying ‘thank you’ for being an AP. And also, ‘please visit during the hottest months of the year, we need you for once!’
V.I.Passholder Days will occur now through July 31, 2026. The in-park focus of the ‘event’ is EPCOT, owing to there being no summer festival once again. APs will be able to take advantage of exclusive perks and discounts throughout the parks and resorts during the month-long appreciation event, with one highlight being a special character meet & greet, free Toy Story magnet, and 40% off restaurant discounts.
May will be the busiest month of the next several at EPCOT due to the overlap of V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days and the final month of the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival. Starting in June, Diet EPCOT returns and the park will be delightfully dead many days through late August. Especially this one. Plan accordingly if you’re a local or frequent flier.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopens May 3, 2026
After 16 months of refurbishment, the wildest ride in the wilderness returns this Sunday. Although the construction walls are now down and replaced by mobile cloaking devices, don’t expect any soft openings or previews. It’s our understanding that there’s outstanding last minute work to finish up.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is undergoing a “a crevasse-deep to mountain-top” refurbishment, which also entails some “new magic” being added. There’s also a really tall wall around its perimeter, which is either a blogger deterrent or protective barrier. (Why not both?!)
The refreshed BTMRR will feature all-new trains, refreshed sets and figures, new effects and lighting. The most highly-touted change thus far is an enhanced Rainbow Caverns scene; the most important change is the complete re-tracking, thereby extending the coaster’s life.
I’m less bullish on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad than most, and think some fans are setting themselves up for disappointment with unrealistic expectations. It’ll be great to have BTMRR back after over a year, but I’m not particularly excited about the ‘newness’ angle of this project beyond that.
Earnings Call Revelations
The Walt Disney Company will host a live webcast with executives to discuss the financial results for the fiscal second quarter of 2026 on the Disney Investors site on May 6, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. ET / 5:30 a.m. PT. Results will be posted on the same site before the opening of regular trading that day.
This is not uniquely WDW news, but we expect it to be hugely consequential. It’s the first earnings call since the conflict in the Middle East began, and as previously covered in Why the Iran War Could Cut Crowds at Walt Disney World & Negatively Impact Your 2026 Travel Plans, there’s the possibility of more aggressive discounts if forward bookings are soft.
If the nationwide average is over $4 per gallon for an extended stretch (it’s currently $4.39 per AAA), that will cause people to rethink Disney trips, trade down on travel, and stay closer to home. Already, the cost of airfare is up 15-20%, and is forecast to continue increasing.
May 6th will offer our first glimpse into the actual impact of this on Walt Disney World thus far, and that could change the trajectory for not just this month (that’s actually less likely given that travel is locked in months in advance), but the remainder of summer and well beyond.
Between this earnings call and the fact that Free Dining just ended bookings, we’re also expecting more new deals are on the horizon within the next month or so. When new Walt Disney World special offers are released or rumored, we’ll send you an alert if you sign up for our free newsletter.
Best Ticket Deals Begin
Speaking of savings, shoulder season will see the winter and spring Florida resident ticket deal wind down, and it’s a near-certainty that another locals’ admission discount replaces it within a couple of weeks. Nothing has been announced yet, but we expect something before the end of the month; possibly starting as soon as May 17th.
When it comes to general public discounts, we already know that the marquee 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket is back, starting at $99/day for visits May 26, 2026 through October 3, 2026. One park per day, one admission per park. For guests who fit squarely within the parameters of this ticket, it’s an incredible deal.
See Walt Disney World’s Biggest Ticket Deal for Everyone is Back & Better, Including Magic Kingdom in 2026 for full details, as well as advice on hacking this deal, pros & cons, etc. (In the meantime, there’s a Disney+ subscriber 3-Park, 3-Day Ticket Deal, as well as other special offers. None are as good as the 4-Park/Day version for summer, though.)
Both Water Parks Are Open & Free!
Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be open starting May 12, 2026. Shortly thereafter, guests staying at an on-site Walt Disney World resort hotel starting May 26, 2026 can enjoy free admission to one of the two water parks on their check-in day.
Just for the summer, guests can meet Goofy in his laid-back beach style at Blizzard Beach or catch Stitch spreading playful chaos at Typhoon Lagoon. If you do plan to visit one of the water parks, ideal dates are May 12-25 (while both parks are operating but before the freebie starts), or going early in the day starting May 26th. It was a madhouse last summer.
If you want to avoid the crowds and beat the heat, Disney H2O Glow After Hours returns to Typhoon Lagoon on select nights from June 2 through September 5 as a separately ticketed event, adding characters like Powerline Max and the Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers.
Millennium Falcon Mandalorian Mission Debuts May 22, 2026
Starting May 22—timed to coincide with the theatrical release of the new Mandalorian and Grogu film—Smugglers Run gets a new mission that sounds like a genuine improvement over the current ride.
The new premise is that Hondo Ohnaka has gotten wind of a deal going down on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and a band of pirates. There’s a generous bounty for their capture, so you’ll borrow the iconic ship and team up with Mando and Grogu to track them down and explore the galaxy.
Meaning that the mission will depart Batuu bound for Tatooine, and the crew will choose from one of three destinations–Bespin, Endor, or Coruscant–from there. The much-reviled engineer role also gets a new responsibility–babysitting Baby Yoda! Whether that’s a token interaction to make the least popular position more attractive or something more substantive, remains to be seen.
There’s a pretty high likelihood of this being a major upgrade over the old Smugglers Run mission. If they can improve the gameplay loop, and make it at least as good as the current asteroid field delay scene, it’ll be a huge win. The overall attraction package is good, it’s the ride element that’s weak.
Exclusive Ride Preview(s)
Walt Disney World has already announced that Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club members will be able to preview Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios before its official opening. This is likely to occur in mid-to-late May.
Aside from RnRC, no other attraction previews have been officially announced for APs or DVC. However, Walt Disney World has revealed that Cast Members will be able to preview not just the Muppets takeover of RnRC, but also Soarin’ Across America at EPCOT!
Starting May 6, eligible Cast Members and Employees have an opportunity to register for previews taking place during select days in May to be “among the first” to experience these new attractions.
In our estimation, that leaves the door open for AP and DVC previews of Soarin Across America around the same time, too. We also believe there’s the possibility of soft openings for pretty much everything that officially debuts on May 26th starting around May 22nd. Nothing is confirmed, but quietly launching these new additions ahead of the Memorial Day weekend makes sense.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets Takes Stage May 26th
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets will officially take the stage starting May 26, 2026, just like the rest of the Cool Kids’ Summer offerings. As noted above, previews are guaranteed for Cast Members as well as APs and DVC, which makes soft openings less likely.
The reimagined ride features Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and more of their friends. At Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, we’ll rock and roll across Hollywood on a wild ride with the Electric Mayhem, complete with backstage chaos, high-speed thrills, signature Muppets music & humor, and all-new Audio-Animatronics figures.
We’re really optimistic about this ride reimagining, especially after seeing the Song List for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets. It sounds like Imagineering is using the blueprint from Cosmic Rewind, which is great. Here’s hoping the pre-show, Audio Animatronics, Easter Eggs, and everything else are done well.
Soarin’ Across America Takes Flight May 26th
Soarin’ will be receiving an all-new airborne adventure as part of the US Semiquincentennial by May 26, with the possibility of previews or soft openings in the week prior. The new bi-coastal offering will showcase the United States—from sea to shining sea—highlighting some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes, including the Grand Canyon.
Soarin’ Across America will be brought to life with the iconic elements that make Soarin’ unforgettable: the flight, the sights and score, even the scents. There will be more than a dozen breathtaking locations for the new itinerary.
As someone with a deep love of America’s Greatest Idea, our National Parks, I am incredibly excited for Soarin’ Across America. It should feature less distortion and more natural beauty than the current version, no CGI, and stunning landscapes. If Imagineering sticks the landing, Soarin’ Across America will make Sam Eagle shed a single tear.
Cool Kids’ Summer Returns May 26th
Walt Disney World is bringing back (and expanding) the Cool Kids’ Summer special event for its sophomore season from May 26 through September 8, 2026. Here are some smaller scale additions that aren’t covered as standalone entries:
Magic Kingdom: Diamond Horseshoe at Magic Kingdom will offer young guests a rootin’ tootin’ good time during Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip-Roarin’ Revue. Join Jessie, Woody, Bullseye, and more Toy Story pals for an energized roundup with songs, dance, games, and other playful activities.
EPCOT: Dance and play along with the Goof Troop, DJ Dance Pants, and Goofy during wacky activities and kid-approved games at CommuniCore Hall. Last year’s GoofyCore was the best-ever use of the venue, which isn’t a high bar but is still notable.
Disney Springs: On select nights at the Marketplace, a dance party celebrates the new Descendants: Wicked Wonderland and Camp Rock 3 films coming to Disney+ this summer. I don’t know what these things are, but I’m told they’re popular.
Kid-Friendly Resorts: Guests staying at Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, and Port Orleans Riverside will have even more experiences and amenities designed for families with young children, including scheduled visits from favorite characters. There will also be extra available amenities and libraries for children.
Bluey’s Wild World Arrives May 26th
Bluey and Bingo are finally on their way to Animal Kingdom! Starting May 26, 2026 and staying beyond summer, guests can play games and dance with Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station.
Once guests hop off the Wildlife Express Train, it’s time for fun. Play special games directly from “Bluey” episodes, grab a photo with Bluey and Bingo themselves, and even discover animals native to Bluey’s home country, Australia, at “Jumping Junction.”
Conservation Station has historically been an underutilized corner of Animal Kingdom due to the train ride out that adds a bit too much friction for many guests. The most popular children’s show on the planet could change the calculus for families with young kids.
Although after seeing the popularity of Bluey at Disneyland, we’re now slightly worried that demand for Bluey’s Wild World will overwhelm the infrastructure and this will be a (figurative) train wreck. Perhaps Walt Disney World brings back the virtual queue system?!
Walt Disney Studios Lot Takes Shade May 26th
While The Magic of Disney Animation arrives later, the storytelling begins outdoors. Officially opening May 26, the courtyard surrounding the attraction transforms into “The Walt Disney Studios,” an outdoor space inspired by the iconic Burbank studio lot.
Drawing from the architecture and atmosphere of the legendary campus, the area features familiar studio details, including the Studio Theater and a nearby soundstage, all set within a relaxed, park‑like setting designed for families to explore.
We’ve already spotted trees in aerial construction photos that have been planted. Not just any trees, though, mature trees. Give me a good bench or two and what was a space oozing in dead mall vibes will actually be enjoyable. The Huge Sorcerer Hat is up and walls are already starting to come down; we expect this area to be open before its official debut date.
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! Takes Stage May 26th
Once you’ve gotten your fill of shade, head inside to “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” This dance party features Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse embarking on a road trip to find some of their best pals – Goofy, Daisy and Pluto – for the party.
This is currently shown at DCA, and soon guests will be able to join the fun in the newly reimagined Walt Disney Studios area at Walt Disney World. As someone who has experienced “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” dozens of times, I can say with authority that it’s shockingly good. Better than it has any right to be, quite honestly.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
How do you feel about Walt Disney World’s additions and changes in May 2026? If you’re a tourist, does this make you want to visit Walt Disney World–or wait? Is this a surprisingly strong summer slate, or a bunch of overhyped duds? Will you be taking advantage of the special entertainment during this seasonal offering? Agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions? Hearing your feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts or questions below in the comments!
