Disney Just Announced 9 HUGE Changes Coming to the Parks—And They’re All Because of You

Disney is finally listening—and the changes coming to the theme parks in 2026 prove it.

According to Mickey Visit, Disney revealed nine major updates across Walt Disney World and Disneyland that directly address what guests have been requesting for years. From upgraded animatronics to reimagined attractions and timeline shifts in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, these aren’t just tweaks—they’re transformative improvements that show Disney is paying attention to what visitors actually want.

If you’ve ever filled out a survey, posted feedback on social media, or complained about outdated effects, this is your moment. Here’s what’s changing.

Frozen Ever After Gets the Upgrade It Desperately Needed

For years, guests have pointed out one glaring difference between Walt Disney World’s Frozen Ever After and the version at Hong Kong Disneyland: the animatronics. While Hong Kong features fully sculpted faces for Elsa, Anna, and the other characters, the Magic Kingdom version has relied on projected faces—a shortcut that many visitors found disappointing.

That’s about to change. Frozen Ever After will close at the end of January 2026 and reopen in February with upgraded audio-animatronics featuring fully sculpted heads and facial features for all the main characters, plus new 3D-printed ride components designed to enhance effects throughout the attraction.

This is exactly the kind of upgrade guests have been asking for—bringing the Magic Kingdom version up to the standard set by other Disney parks around the world.

DINOSAUR Is Out, Indiana Jones Is In

One of the most requested changes at Animal Kingdom is finally happening: the aging DINOSAUR attraction will permanently close on February 2, 2026, making way for a new Indiana Jones-themed ride set to open in 2027.

The new attraction will be located in the upcoming “Tropical Americas” land and will feature a storyline where guests explore a Mayan temple in search of a mythical creature. While the ride system will remain the same (it’s the same technology currently used by DINOSAUR), everything else will be completely reimagined with the beloved Indiana Jones franchise.

This change reflects years of speculation and feedback. Guests have long pointed to DINOSAUR as a candidate for a major update, and many have called for Indiana Jones to have a stronger presence at Animal Kingdom. Now, both requests are being fulfilled.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Is Going Classic

Here’s a change that will make original trilogy fans very happy: Disney is pushing the timeline of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland back several decades to incorporate classic characters like Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker.

Since Galaxy’s Edge opened, one of the most common guest complaints has been the inability to meet iconic characters from the original Star Wars films. The land’s storyline was set during the sequel trilogy era, which meant beloved characters from the 1977-1983 films were nowhere to be found.

That changes on April 29, 2026, when the timeline shift takes effect at Disneyland. This is a direct response to guest feedback—people want to visit Star Wars land and meet the characters they grew up with.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Gets Mando and Grogu

Timed to coincide with the May 22, 2026 release of The Mandalorian and Grogu movie, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will be reimagined to feature new story elements, updated technology, and enhanced guest immersion.

According to the announcement, guests will join Mando and Grogu on journeys to Cloud City, Endor, or Coruscant—expanding the attraction beyond its current single mission and giving repeat visitors more variety.

This update addresses feedback that the attraction felt too repetitive, with only one storyline available. Now, there will be multiple destinations and experiences, making each visit feel fresh.

What This Really Means

These changes represent something bigger than just ride upgrades and character additions. They show that Disney is actively listening to guest feedback and willing to make significant investments to address concerns.

For years, visitors have voiced frustrations about projection-face animatronics, aging attractions that need refreshes, and the absence of classic characters in Star Wars land. Disney could have ignored those complaints or made minor adjustments. Instead, they’re implementing comprehensive changes that directly tackle the issues guests have identified.

The Frozen Ever After upgrade brings the attraction up to the standard guests expect. The DINOSAUR replacement gives Animal Kingdom a fresh, relevant attraction while honoring guest requests for more Indiana Jones. The Star Wars timeline shift acknowledges that fans want to interact with the characters they love most. And the Millennium Falcon update adds the variety that guests have been asking for.

When You’ll Experience These Changes

Here’s the timeline for when these guest feedback-driven improvements will take effect:

While the article from Mickey Visit mentions nine total changes, these are the major transformations that will have the biggest impact on the guest experience. The fact that Disney is implementing all of these within the next year to 18 months shows how seriously they’re taking visitor feedback.

If you’ve been holding off on a Disney trip because certain attractions felt outdated or you wanted to see classic Star Wars characters, 2026 might be the year to finally book. These aren’t just cosmetic changes—they’re fundamental improvements that address exactly what guests have been requesting.

Disney is listening. Now we get to see if these changes deliver on the promise.