Walt Disney World reveals announcements for 4 major attractions coming in 2025 & 2026 during ‘Play & Preview’ showcase
Walt Disney World revealed major announcements about in-progress new attractions and refurbishments of classics during a media event we attended called “Play & Preview” on Aug. 21, 2025.
The Muppets are the new management at G-Force Records
G-Force Records, the fictional setting of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, will soon have a new layer of lore. When Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets opens in 2026 (opening date TBA), the recording studio will be under new management of the Muppets within the story.
Disney released new concept artwork for the pre-show, featuring penguins, the Electric Mayhem band, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Scooter …
… as well as new artwork for the attraction’s exterior, with an Electric Mayhem makeover for the large guitar.
The Muppets themselves were there to share the news!
Photo by Matt Roseboom
Photo by Matt Roseboom
See our separate coverage for even more new details about Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring the Muppets.
‘Zootopia: Better Zoogether!’ opens November 7
“Zootopia: Better Zoogether!,” the 3D show replacing “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, will open Nov. 7, 2025.
Seeing as the former “Bug’s Life” attraction closed permanently last March, this places the “Zootopia” show on a turn-around of less than eight months.
The show will be presented in “CarrotVision 3D,” tech produced by Hopps Family Farm, explaining why guests wear 3D glasses. (The name is also a nod to Disney’s CircleVision 3D films of yore.)
“Better Zoogether!” is hosted by a new character named Heidi Howler.
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will greet guests in new outfits at Animal Kingdom, too.
Photo by Steven Diaz / Disney
See our separate coverage for even more details about the “Zootopia” show coming to Animal Kingdom.
Rainbow Caverns will be part of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom will feature a new Rainbow Caverns show scene when it reopens. The roller coaster been closed since January 2025, and will reopen in 2026 (date TBA). The Rainbow Caverns are a nod to a former Disneyland attraction.
When guests approach Rainbow Caverns, the locale lives up to its name, but seems soon go awry, as seen in this newly released concept art:
New ride vehicles revealed for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
At the Play & Preview Walt Disney World news showcase, Disney showed off the new ride vehicles with detachable blasters coming to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom in 2026 (reopening date TBA). The ride closed for refurbishment in early August.
Full presentation of all Disney World news
Watch our video of the full half-hour presentation to see all the Disney World news above in more detail with Imagineers, Disney characters, and, of course, the Muppets:
Stay tuned to Attractions Magazine for coverage of Disney World news, projects from other theme parks, trip reports from parks around the world, and exclusive interviews.
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