Walt Disney World Announces Big Things During Play ‘n Preview

CGM recently attended Walt Disney World’s Play ’n Preview event, where we experienced several new offerings for the first time. As part of the event, a wave of announcements was also made about what is still to come in the parks. We had a front-row seat (well, third row) for all the big news.

The biggest announcements from Play ’n Preview centred on new and updated attractions. At Magic Kingdom, one of the park’s legendary mountains is receiving a major overhaul. The Big Thunder Mountain Mining Company, led by Barnabas T. Bullion, has dug deeper underground, uncovering rainbow caverns that may put passengers of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in greater peril than ever before.

In addition to the expanded storyline and the introduction of iridescent caverns, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been re-tracked to modernize the classic attraction. The long-time favourite is slated to reopen in 2026, and Disney Parks fans everywhere should be eager to see the return of one of their beloved rides with new elements and a smoother experience.

“Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will no longer feature Aerosmith—instead, the attraction will spotlight the Muppets’ house band, Electric Mayhem.”

Also getting a major update at Magic Kingdom in 2026 is Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, a Tomorrowland attraction that has felt dated since the arrival of Toy Story Mania at Walt Disney World. The modernization includes new ride vehicles with updated score displays and, most notably, removable laser guns that will improve guests’ ability to aim, fire and rack up points. The vehicles will also retain the popular spin control feature, allowing riders to determine which direction they face.

The targets are being upgraded as well, with improved animations that appear when a hit is registered. Each car will now feature differently coloured laser guns, and the targets will light up with the corresponding colour so players can clearly see who scored. The changes are expected to heighten the competition among friends, siblings or even parents and children once the refurbishment is complete next year.

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a fan-favourite attraction is receiving a new theme featuring characters from a recently retired ride. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will no longer feature Aerosmith. Instead, the attraction will spotlight the Muppets’ house band, Electric Mayhem.

The pre-show for Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster will receive changes, though it will still feel familiar to long-time fans. In the new version, the band is in the studio when Scooter arrives to tell them they are running late for their concert. Guests are then invited to join the chaos in their own limousine—perhaps even a super-stretch—and race through the mayhem in a high-speed launch coaster on the way to the show.

Sharp-eyed riders who know the original attraction’s visuals will notice updates to match the Muppets theme. The iconic guitar at the entrance will also be reimagined, but the thrills of the ride itself will remain unchanged. The overhaul will delight parkgoers who have missed seeing the Muppets in the park, though it may disappoint Aerosmith fans still attached to the original version.

Meanwhile, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will see an upgrade to one of its signature rides. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is being updated to feature The Mandalorian and Grogu, tying in with their upcoming film of the same name. The addition introduces a new storyline while enhancing the overall experience of the attraction.

In the updated Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, guests will still be aboard the Falcon, but this time Din Djarin—the Mandalorian—and his adorable, Force-sensitive protégé Grogu are along for the ride as you search for an important bounty. Instead of pursuing a single train to collect coaxium, crews will now travel to three separate locations, such as Bespin, Coruscant or even the remains of the Death Star above Endor, to complete the mission.

The biggest change comes for the crew’s Engineer. Traditionally considered the least exciting role on the attraction, the Engineer will now take on a far more active part in the mission. Responsibilities will include selecting which locations the crew visits, as well as communicating with Grogu and Hondo Ohnaka during the journey. With these enhancements, the Engineer position could become just as coveted as the pilot’s seat when the updated attraction launches next year.

Lastly, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, an entire area is being overhauled to introduce something new while closing an older chapter. Animation Courtyard will be completely redesigned. Inspired by the Disney 100th anniversary short Once Upon a Studio, the reimagined space will include a building modelled after the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank, a new short film, opportunities for guests to learn to draw, and an indoor play area based on Alice in Wonderland.

“Animation Courtyard will be completely redesigned, inspired by the Disney 100th anniversary short Once Upon a Studio.”

The exterior of Animation Courtyard will also be redesigned to resemble Disney’s Burbank campus, while adding new spaces to buy treats, meet characters and enjoy a new Disney Jr. show. This update will mark the end of Star Wars Launch Bay, which has felt out of place since Galaxy’s Edge debuted. Animation Courtyard will remain home to The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, the only attraction to stay open while the rest of the area closes for renovation on Sept. 25.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the animals of Zootopia are about to take the stage in a new show titled Zootopia: Better Zoogether. The nine-minute 4D experience, set in “Carrot-Vision,” will replace the long-running It’s Tough to Be a Bug under the Tree of Life. Guests will have their senses of sight, hearing, touch—and even smell—put to the test.

The show is hosted by Heidi Howler, a new character in the Zootopia universe, who leads Zoogether Day: Live, a variety program that cuts to performances around the world. These include Predators and Prey: On Ice, the Marshmaids of Marsh Market and the Shrew Angels flying over Little Rodentia. Fans of Gazelle, voiced by Shakira, will also be treated to a special performance. The creative team behind Zootopia 2 partnered with Walt Disney Imagineering to co-write and animate the show.

Nearby, the Zootopia Day Gathering Spot will debut as a new character greeting area where guests can meet Nick and Judy from the Zootopia films. Zootopia: Better Zoogether is scheduled to open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Nov. 7, 2025. Additional expansions are also planned, including Tropical Americas, which will introduce new dining options and themed areas for Encanto and a new Indiana Jones attraction. Those additions are slated to open in 2027.

With the recently opened attractions and lounges already showcased during Play ’n Preview, these new announcements add even more reasons to plan a trip. For most Disney-goers, the lineup will easily fill an itinerary for one—or even multiple—visits. As a self-described Disney adult, I recommend mixing in a few of the upcoming experiences with long-time favourites, since demand for the new attractions will be high when they debut. And, as always, another trip to Walt Disney World is usually just around the corner.