Two Game-Changing Updates Announced for EPCOT in 2026

Your EPCOT plans are about to CHANGE in 2026 — and we think you’re going to love it!

EPCOT

Disney World’s in for a world of change across all of its parks. New lands and attractions are already taking shape for upcoming projects, and if you thought EPCOT would be left out of the mix, then don’t count it out just yet! EPCOT’s gearing up for some huge changes to several popular attractions, which could force you to switch up your strategy in 2026.

EPCOT is proving once again that it’s always in a state of becoming. Disney World’s second park has undergone massive transformations over the past few years, and we’ve even gained a few new attractions out of it, like Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

She’s so beautiful!

And if you thought the updates were going to stop for a while, then you’re in for a surprise! Living up to the promise that EPCOT is constantly evolving, Disney’s made recent announcements to update a few of its most popular attractions. So which attractions should you be keeping a close watch over as you’re planning out your next visit? Let’s take a closer look!

Soarin’

Just recently, Disney announced plans to revise the current version of Soarin’ to a limited-time patriotic makeover.

Soarin’ Around the World

This newly revised version of the ride, named Soarin’ Across America, will debut in summer 2026 as an “airborne adventure!” The new version of the ride will take you across the United States, “highlighting some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes.” Along with the announcement about the limited-time show, Disney also shared that new “iconic” Soarin’ elements like the flight, sights, music, and scents of the ride will continue in this update. They also shared photos of Disney Imagineers already capturing “more than a dozen” new scenes.

©Disney

While we don’t have an exact date to share just yet about when it will debut, this “limited time itinerary” for the ride will also be part of celebrating America’s 250th anniversary! This isn’t the first time Soarin’ has gone through a change to its ride. Originally, the ride debuted as its counterpart in Disneyland, as Soarin’ Over California, flying high above notable landmarks and highlights of California. This beloved version of the ride came back to EPCOT during Disney’s 100 Years of Wonder celebration for a limited run before returning to its current version as Soarin’ Around The World, which explores various destinations you can explore during an Adventures By Disney expedition.

Frozen Ever After

You also need to know about updates coming to Frozen Ever After! Of course, we adore our Frozen friends we’ll spot throughout the ride as we journey through the North Mountain and into the kingdom of Arendelle to join in a celebration for Ana and Elsa. However, you gotta admit that technology has been a lot kinder to the latest iterations of these characters in similar rides since this one’s debut in the Norway pavilion.

Do you want to build a snowman?

Although technologically advanced for its time, Disney fans often made note — and internet memes at the expense — of the less than fluid and restricted movements some of the characters make throughout the ride (hang in there, Elsa) and have praised the work Disney Imagineers have developed in other Frozen rides as of late — particularly in World Of Frozen in Hong Kong, Disneyland, and other Disney rides such as Rapunzel’s Floating Lanters in Tokyo DisneySea and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in both Disney World and Disneyland.

Elsa, you good?

Since there’s been such a stark improvement between the characters on the respective rides, EPCOT’s version of Frozen Ever After is due for a refurbishment, and Disney has announced special attention will be paid to these beloved characters. Hey — it ain’t easy being the snow queen, y’all! Refurbishments for Frozen Ever After are planned to begin in early 2026, although we’re not sure of the exact date yet, or how long the closure might last.

While there’s still a lot left to be announced about the upcoming changes for these rides, it’s exciting nonetheless to be able to see the progress unfold and be one of the first to experience the changes once they debut.

We’ll be bringing you along for all of these changes at Disney and more every step of the way. Be sure to stay tuned with us right here at Disney Food Blog!