Welcome to May at Disney World — And It Is a LOT 🎉
Y'all. MAY. I don't even know where to start because so much is happening at Walt Disney World this month that my Disney-loving heart can barely keep up. We've got rides reopening, brand new shows, character meet-and-greets that have never existed before, a new mission on the Millennium Falcon, and the official kickoff of summer — all packed into one single month. If you've been waiting for a sign to book a Disney trip, consider this thirty of them.
Let me break down everything happening at Disney World in May 2026, park by park, so you know exactly what you have to look forward to.
MAGIC KINGDOM
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Is BACK — May 3rd
This one has been a long time coming. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed since January 2025 for an extensive, top-to-bottom refurbishment — and it reopens on May 3rd with some seriously exciting new magic. The biggest addition is a brand new Rainbow Caverns show scene underground. When the train rattles its way into the caverns, guests will find spectacular phosphorescent pools and stunning natural cave environments that have never been part of the ride before. The wildest ride in the wilderness just got wilder. If Big Thunder is your family's ride, May 3rd is a really exciting day to be in Magic Kingdom.
Jessie's Roundup at the Diamond Horseshoe
As part of Disney's Cool Kids' Summer kicking off later in May, the Diamond Horseshoe in Frontierland is getting a Toy Story takeover. Jessie, Woody, Bullseye and their pals are hosting a special hoedown filled with singing, dancing, games, and interactive fun for families. This is the kind of character experience that little ones will absolutely lose their minds over — and honestly, so will the adults. Giddy up.
EPCOT
Soarin' Around the World Closes May 14 — Soarin' Across America Opens May 26
This is a big one. In honor of America's 250th birthday, Soarin' is getting a full new film. Soarin' Around the World will close on May 14th to make way for Soarin' Across America — a brand new airborne adventure that takes you across the United States, showcasing the country's most breathtaking natural landscapes and iconic cityscapes. Think the Grand Canyon, stunning mountain ranges, famous skylines, and more — all with a newly orchestrated version of the classic Soarin' score. If you loved the original Soarin' Over California film, this is giving major nostalgic energy and I am here for it.
Flower & Garden Festival — Final Days
May is your last chance to catch the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, which runs through June 1st. If you haven't made it over yet, May is a beautiful time to walk through the topiaries, snack your way through the Outdoor Kitchens, and catch the Garden Rocks Concert Series. It's one of my favorite EPCOT festivals and it wraps up this month — don't miss it!
GoofyCore Returns
CommuniCore Hall becomes GoofyCore again this summer, with Goofy hosting DJ-led dance parties and interactive playground-style games. It's chaotic, it's hilarious, it's Goofy — and kids absolutely love it.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Hollywood Studios is honestly stealing the show in May. Like, everything is happening here.
New Mandalorian & Grogu Mission on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — May 22nd
This is timed perfectly with the release of the new Mandalorian and Grogu film hitting theaters May 22nd, and the updates to the ride are significant. Din Djarin and Grogu take the lead on a brand new mission — tracking down ex-Imperial officers across the galaxy. But here's what makes this update really exciting: for the first time ever, the crew gets to choose which planets the ship visits. And engineers get a brand new gameplay feature where they can communicate directly with Grogu during the mission. If you've ridden Smugglers Run before and felt like the engineer role was a little underserved — Disney heard you. This is a huge upgrade and a major reason to get back on this ride.
The Walt Disney Studios Courtyard Opens — May 26th
Animation Courtyard has been closed for months and it is officially being reborn as The Walt Disney Studios on May 26th. The new outdoor courtyard area opens first, designed as a nod to the iconic Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, complete with Mickey's Sorcerer Hat. This is just the beginning — the full Magic of Disney Animation experience opens later in the summer with even more to explore inside.
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! — May 26th
Also opening May 26th in Hollywood Studios is a brand new interactive stage show — Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! Mickey and Minnie are throwing a party, but Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto haven't arrived yet — so they head out on a road trip to bring everyone together. It's upbeat, it's interactive, it's packed with music and dancing, and it is going to be a must-do for families with little ones. This show is already running at Disneyland and guests there have loved it.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets — Opening Late May
Okay, this one. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith closed permanently in March, and it is reopening reimagined as Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets — and it sounds absolutely incredible. Guests still enter G-Force Records on a VIP tour, but this time they encounter the Electric Mayhem. Scooter the band manager (confirmed as a first-of-its-kind Muppet animatronic!) and the penguin audio engineers are working to get the band to their biggest concert ever, and it's up to you to help get them there — at high speed through Hollywood. It is the first Disney ride to ever feature The Muppets and I cannot wait for the reviews to start rolling in. Official opening date is May 26th with the possibility of Annual Passholder previews happening before then.
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Bluey and Bingo Arrive — May 26th
If you have a little one who is a Bluey fan — and if you're a parent of a young child right now, the answer is almost certainly yes — this is enormous news. Bluey and Bingo are coming to Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom on May 26th as part of Bluey's Wild World, and this is way more than a standard meet-and-greet. Guests take the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch and find an entire experience waiting for them: interactive games from the show brought to life with an animal twist, photo time with Bluey and Bingo, Jumping Junction (a play space for little ones), and an educational component where families learn about animals native to Australia. It is sweet, it is interactive, and it is going to be one of the most popular new experiences at Walt Disney World all summer. Plan your visit to Conservation Station early in the day before it gets crowded.
Cool Kids' Summer Officially Kicks Off May 26th
All of the openings on May 26th are part of Disney's Cool Kids' Summer — a resort-wide celebration running from May 26th through September 8th. On top of all the new experiences mentioned above, Cool Kids' Summer brings character interactions, dance parties, and extra magic across all four parks. Resort hotel guests arriving May 26th through September 8th also get free admission to one of Disney's water parks on their check-in day — which is an incredible perk if you're staying on property.
And Don't Forget — May the 4th!
We covered this in depth in our full Star Wars Day guide, but May 4th is also happening this month and Hollywood Studios is the place to be. New food, exclusive merchandise, a brand new mission on Smugglers Run coming later in the month — it is a great time to be a Star Wars fan at Disney World.
My Take: May Is One of the Best Months to Visit Disney World
Here's the honest truth — May is genuinely one of the best times to visit Walt Disney World. Crowds are lower than peak summer. The weather is warm but not the full Florida summer intensity yet. Ticket prices are some of the most reasonable of the year. And this particular May? You're getting more new experiences dropping than almost any single month in recent memory. Big Thunder back, the Muppet coaster, Bluey, the Millennium Falcon update, Soarin' Across America, a brand new show for little ones — it is a spectacular time to be in the parks.
If May or early summer is on your radar and you want help putting together the perfect trip around all of this newness, I would love to help. My planning services are completely free to you as your Disney travel agent with Travelmation. Reach out and let's make it happen!
Plan Your May or Summer Disney Trip — It's Free!
xoxo,
Katie