Resort-Wide Transformation: Disney World Finalizes Permanent Changes to Historic 54-Year-Old Landmark

A trip to Walt Disney World this summer comes with a lot more than long lines and packed walkways. Guests arriving at the resort right now are also walking into one of Disney’s busiest periods of change in years.

Across multiple parks, Disney continues to update older attractions, refresh longtime guest areas, and add new entertainment tied to some of the company’s biggest franchises. What stands out most, though, is how many of the changes involve experiences that have existed for decades.

Some of Walt Disney World’s oldest offerings now look completely different from what they did just a few years ago.

Disney Updates an Opening-Day Experience

Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course may not get as much attention as the theme parks, but it remains one of the resort’s oldest operating experiences.

The course originally opened alongside Magic Kingdom in 1971, and 54 years later, Disney continues to invest heavily in the property.

The latest addition is a new “Grumpy’s Gauntlet” statue located near hole No. 14.

Disney added the feature following a major reimagining of the Magnolia course that refreshed most of the holes and several surrounding guest areas. The new section ties into a difficult four-hole stretch themed after Grumpy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).

The massive marble statue stands about six feet tall and features one of Grumpy’s signature warnings about “trouble” ahead. Disney reportedly used AI-assisted carving technology along with Imagineering work to help create the figure from Carrara marble.

Guests can also now purchase themed merchandise connected to the update inside the course’s pro shop.

The changes show that Disney is not ignoring even some of the oldest corners of the resort.

The Muppets Take Over Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, another major transformation recently became official.

Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster reopened on May 26, 2026, with an entirely different identity. Disney replaced Aerosmith with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, turning the attraction into Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.

The update changed the queue, pre-show, soundtrack, and the coaster’s overall atmosphere.

The attraction had just celebrated its 25th anniversary, but instead of preserving the original version, Disney chose to move the coaster in a completely new direction.

For many guests, the retheme represents another example of Disney continuing to lean into recognizable franchises that connect with modern audiences.

Hollywood Studios, in particular, has changed dramatically over the last several years, and more updates are still on the way.

Disney Reimagines Animation Courtyard

One of the park’s biggest transformations is happening in the former Animation Courtyard area.

Disney reworked the space into a Walt Disney Studios-inspired section built around animation and interactive experiences for families. Guests now find animated character statues throughout the area, along with roaming characters meeting children during the day.

Disney also added new Olaf experiences and an Alice in Wonderland (1951)-inspired playground.

The overhaul continues Disney’s larger effort to make Hollywood Studios feel more immersive and less focused on its original behind-the-scenes production theme.

At the same time, another nearby attraction also received a major refresh.

Smugglers Run Expands Its Storylines

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run now includes three new destination paths tied to Din Djarin and Grogu from The Mandalorian (2019).

The additions give returning riders new experiences while refreshing one of Galaxy’s Edge’s core attractions. Disney also upgraded the engineer role inside the cockpit so those riders now interact more directly with the mission itself.

The updates help keep Galaxy’s Edge feeling fresh without requiring Disney to build another large-scale attraction.

Other Parks Continue Adding New Experiences

Disney’s Animal Kingdom also joined the summer refresh with the addition of Bluey’s Wild World.

The experience quickly became a major draw for families with younger children, adding another highly popular character experience to the park’s lineup.

At EPCOT, Disney introduced Soarin’ Across America for a limited run tied to the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary celebration.

Unlike several other updates happening around the resort, this change is expected to remain temporary until Disney restores Soarin’ Around the World.

Even so, the current version gives guests another reason to revisit one of EPCOT’s most recognizable attractions during the summer season.

Looking across Walt Disney World right now, Disney clearly is not slowing down. Between classic attraction overhauls, new entertainment offerings, and refreshed guest spaces, the resort continues evolving almost everywhere guests look.