SeaWorld, Disney, and LEGOLAND Florida Unveil Family-Friendly Thrills for 2026

Get ready for a big year in 2026—Central Florida’s theme parks are rolling out new family rides and giving old favorites a fresh twist.

SeaWorld Orlando is launching SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, an indoor dark ride that’s the first of its kind for the park. You’ll hop into a submersible and dive into shipwrecks and deep-sea mysteries. “We’re redefining what a family attraction can be,” said Conner Carr, the park’s vice president of rides and engineering. He’s excited about blending cutting-edge technology with the mystery of the ocean, and the whole thing is designed to spark curiosity and adventure for everyone.

LEGOLAND Galactocoaster

Over at LEGOLAND Florida, there’s another first: an indoor, space-themed roller coaster opening on February 27. It’s called the Galacticoaster, and it’s the first indoor coaster inside the main park since Legoland opened in 2011. Families can customize their LEGO spacecraft before the ride—just use the interactive touchscreens and RFID wristbands to create one of 625 possible designs. Once you board, your personalized ship becomes part of an interstellar journey, with synchronized lighting, projections, LEGO planets, and a story packed with characters. There’s even a new Duplo play area and a Lego Galaxy gift shop nearby.

Disney World’s not adding any huge new rides in 2026, but it’s giving some classics a serious glow-up. At Epcot, Frozen Ever After closes January 26 and reopens in February 2026, with updated animatronic figures of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff. Disney says the upgrades will make them look even more like the movie characters, thanks to new technology inspired by World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland.

Epcot’s also switching up Soarin’. By Memorial Day 2026, Soarin’ Across the World becomes Soarin’ Across America, full of new scenes featuring famous U.S. cities and natural wonders, just in time for America’s 250th birthday.

Magic Kingdom has refreshes coming too—Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin are both getting spruced up and will reopen in 2026.

At Hollywood Studios, you’ve got until March 1 to ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. After that, it goes dark until summer, then reopens with a totally new Muppets theme.

And don’t sleep on Universal Orlando. After opening a brand-new park in 2025, Universal’s already got rumors swirling. Permits filed at the end of 2025 hint that they’re gearing up for even more new attractions. Stay tuned—there’s always something around the corner.