Disney just dropped a ton of news at their Play N Preview event, revealing exciting updates coming to Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and Animal Kingdom. From Muppets taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster to a brand new Zootopia 4D experience, here’s everything you need to know about these major Disney World announcements.
Video: Disney World Ride Updates
Zootopia: Better Zoogether: A New 4D Experience at Animal Kingdom
At Animal Kingdom, we got an elephant-sized update on the new 4D movie debuting in the Tree of Life. Zootopia: Better Zoogether opens November 7, 2025 in the Tree of Life Theater, replacing the long-running It’s Tough to Be a Bug show.
That name isn’t a typo – they really are celebrating “Zoogether Day” all across Zootopia, which is described as a day of parties and excitement, essentially the animal equivalent of a fun community celebration where everyone lives in harmony.
What to Expect from Zootopia: Better Zoogether
The 9-minute film will be presented in “carrot vision,” and as you can see from the poster, it will still feature 4D effects for the senses. Disney confirmed there will be new smells (but thankfully no stink bugs), and while there won’t be anything stinging you in the back like the old Bug’s Life show, you can probably expect some sprays of water based on the promotional materials.
The talent behind this new show is impressive. Imagineering is collaborating closely zoogether with Disney Animation Studios to make this new attraction. Zootopia 2 writer and co-director Jared Bush helped write the script, while the other co-director Byron Howard directed the animation sequences. The animation was produced by artists at Disney Animation Studios, and Jennifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman return to voice Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.
The show introduces a new character, Heidi Howler, a wolf who will host the Zoogether Day festivities. You’ll experience performances across four biomes from both Zootopia movies: the predator and prey ice ballet in Tundra Town, high-flying drones of the Shrew Angels in Little Rodentia, synchronized swimming in Marsh Market, and the grand finale featuring Gazelle singing “Try Everything”.
But the fun doesn’t end with the show. There will be a new Judy and Nick meet and greet at Animal Kingdom at the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot near the Tree of Life, with the characters sporting new looks from Zootopia 2.
There will be previews for cast members, annual pass holders, and DVC members before the official opening date.
Magic Kingdom Gets Two Major Attraction Upgrades
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin: To Infinity and Beyond
As I’ve talked about before, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is getting a much-needed gameplay upgrade. The ride closed on August 4, 2025, for major refurbishments and will reopen in 2026.
The biggest changes center around improved gameplay mechanics. The blasters will now be handheld with flexible cables instead of being mounted to the vehicle, featuring haptic vibration and sound effects to give you feedback when you’re on target. There will be two different colored lasers per vehicle, making it easier to keep track of where you’re blasting.
All the Z targets are being replaced with new interactive targets that will react and light up when hit.
Here’s a look at the new Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin vehicle now featuring handheld blasters and a digital screen with unlimited high scores.
Go crazy, folks. Goodbye 999,999. pic.twitter.com/HmZILH8kmS
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) August 21, 2025
Most interestingly, Scott Gustin confirmed that you will be able to score higher than the previous limit of 999,999. So I guess now the scores really can go to infinity and beyond.
Disney is adding a new character and scene. The ride will start with a new animatronic support bot named “Buddy,” created by Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios. Buddy will provide encouragement, final system checks on Star Cruisers, and a chance to practice your blaster aim.
The ride vehicles are getting a complete makeover inspired by Buzz’s Star Command, with new scoring screens inside. At the Play N Preview event, Walt Disney World Portfolio Executive Creative Producer Michael Hundgen said these upgrades would unlock new gameplay modes, which has me very interested to hear what those could be.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Extra Magic Coming to the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness
The other major Magic Kingdom attraction being overhauled right now is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. In addition to getting a total track replacement, the wildest ride in the wilderness is getting some extra magic when it reopens in 2026.
Disney shared new concept art of the Miner’s Cave Lift Hill scene, which is getting a big enhancement. It will now feature hundreds of bats and illuminated rainbow caverns. But with the crack of thunder, everything will start glowing in an ominous red.
This feels really appropriate for the story of the ride. Now I know there’s existing lore for Big Thunder Mountain, but even as a huge Disney Parks nerd, I never really paid attention to the story other than “it’s a runaway train in an old-timey west that’s fun.”
Disney revealed they’re leaning into the mythology behind the mountain. At the event, Disney showed the portrait of Tony Baxter doppelganger Barnabas T. Bullion, the founder of the Big Thunder Mountain Company that’s trying to mine the mountain. Disney’s describing the story as a battle between Bullion trying to get gold out of the mountain, while the mountain doesn’t want mankind to strip it of its riches.
There are all these strange, unexplainable incidents like cave-ins and machine failures. This battle between humankind and the natural world sets up Big Thunder Mountain as this sort of mythical force of nature. I bet most guests will still see this as a fun old-timey train ride, but it adds a cool flavor to Magic Kingdom’s version.
Hollywood Studios: Muppets Take Over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Finally, let’s zoom over to Sunset Boulevard, where the Muppets will soon take over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster sometime in 2026. There’s an updated logo, an updated poster, and an updated look for the outside of the building.
The setup is brilliant. In addition to owning Muppet Theater, Scooter’s uncle JP Grosse has expanded his portfolio and bought G-Force Records, and the Muppets have given it a makeover. The giant guitar is still there, but it’s sporting a new psychedelic paint job in honor of the Electric Mayhem, and the piano underneath is getting a golden key as a nod to Dr. Teeth’s golden tooth.
This sets the stage for what to expect from this ride – everything should feel familiar to the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster we all know and love, just with a dose of Muppet zaniness.
The story sounds very familiar. When you enter the recording studio, you’ll see the Electric Mayhem jamming out on screens where Steven Tyler and Aerosmith currently are. There’s also Kermit and Miss Piggy on additional screens. But this concept art also shows Scooter and the Audio Engineer Penguins in the foreground.
Per Scott Gustin, Disney has confirmed that the two penguins and Scooter in the foreground are animatronics! That’s a huge win in my book. As I always say, everything’s better with animatronics, Muppets are great as animatronics, and it’s great to see these penguins land on their feet after losing their gig in the orchestra.
You’ll see the Electric Mayhem in the studio, but they’re late for their concert across town (sound familiar?). Scooter needs to get them there fast. So with the help of Muppet Labs and a fast stretch limousine (“make it a super stretch!”), you’ll zoom through the “iconic scenery and landmarks of Tinseltown with a Muppet twist.”
Here’s an interesting detail about the music. When Muppets Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster was originally announced, Disney said the Muppets were “teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars.” Now it says “you’ll hear the Electric Mayhem playing some of the most iconic, rockin’ hits.”
This could mean the big stars got dropped from G-Force Records, or maybe there will be some well-known names collaborating with the Electric Mayhem, or it could be that the Electric Mayhem are covering iconic rockin’ hits of music’s biggest stars. That last one seems most likely to me. For now, I’m reading this as it’s just going to be the Electric Mayhem playing the music.
The Magic of Disney Animation Returns
Speaking of the future, Disney made a nice touch for the return of the Magic of Disney Animation attraction at the reimagined Walt Disney Studios area of Hollywood Studios. Robin Williams’ Lost Boy character from the “Back to Neverland” short film that was in the original 1989 Magic of Disney Animation attraction will be brought back as part of this new Magic of Disney Animation attraction.
That’s a wonderful callback that shows Disney is serious about honoring the history of this attraction while making it feel fresh for new generations.
The Bottom Line: Disney World just gave us a ton of new details for new attractions in 2025 and 2026. From Zootopia’s November debut to the Muppets taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, there’s a lot to be excited about.
Whether you’re planning a trip for late 2025 or looking ahead to 2026, these updates give Disney World fans plenty to anticipate.
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