First Phase Complete: Disney World Permanently Alters 54-Year-Old Attraction in Resort-Wide Overhaul

Summer at Walt Disney World usually brings packed walkways, high wait times, and families trying to squeeze every attraction possible into one vacation. But this year, another major story is unfolding across the resort. Disney has quietly been transforming some of its oldest and most recognizable experiences while also introducing new additions designed to keep longtime fans coming back.

What makes the current wave of updates especially interesting is that Disney is not just focusing on brand-new rides. Some of the biggest changes happening right now involve experiences that have existed for decades. In several cases, Disney is actively reshaping attractions, lands, and entertainment offerings that guests have known for generations.

From golf courses that date back to opening day to reimagined attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the resort is in the middle of one of its busiest refresh periods in years. Here’s what guests need to know about the latest changes arriving across Walt Disney World this summer.

Disney’s 54-Year-Old Experience Gets a Major Update

One of the oldest Walt Disney World experiences just received another transformation.

Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course recently completed a large-scale reimagining that updated most of the course’s holes and refreshed several guest areas around the property. Now, Disney has added another new feature that officially marks the next phase of the overhaul.

A brand-new “Grumpy’s Gauntlet” statue now greets guests at the course.

The addition ties directly into the course’s difficult four-hole stretch, which Disney themed around Grumpy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Golfers can now stop beside the new statue near hole No. 14 before continuing through the course.

The statue stands about six feet tall and features one of Grumpy’s signature quotes, warning guests that “trouble” is ahead. Disney also introduced themed merchandise tied to the addition inside the Magnolia Golf Course pro shop.

The statue was reportedly crafted from Carrara marble using AI-assisted stone-carving technology alongside Imagineering design, blending classic Disney characters with modern technology.

For longtime Disney fans, though, the greatest detail may simply be the fact that Magnolia Golf Course continues evolving at all.

The course originally opened alongside Magic Kingdom back in 1971, making it one of the resort’s true opening-day experiences. More than five decades later, Disney is still investing heavily in the property instead of leaving it untouched.

And Magnolia is far from the only classic Disney experience changing this summer.

Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Is No Longer the Same Ride Fans Remember

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, another longtime attraction just entered a completely new era.

Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster recently celebrated its 25th anniversary at Walt Disney World, but Disney decided to reshape its future instead of simply celebrating the coaster’s past.

The attraction reopened May 26, 2026, as Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.

The updated version replaces Aerosmith with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, bringing an entirely different tone to the coaster. The queue, pre-show, music, and overall atmosphere now lean heavily into the chaotic energy associated with The Muppets.

For many guests, the retheme represents another example of Disney leaning into recognizable franchises while still preserving attractions that continue drawing large crowds.

And the coaster is not the only area of Hollywood Studios seeing major changes.

Animation Courtyard Has Been Completely Reimagined

One of the most noticeable transformations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is happening in the former Animation Courtyard area.

Disney has now reworked the land into a new Walt Disney Studios-inspired space focused on animation, interactive character experiences, and family activities for younger guests.

The area now features animated character statues along with roaming characters who regularly stop to interact with families. Disney also added new offerings, such as Olaf sketch experiences and an Alice in Wonderland-themed playground.

The changes are part of Disney’s broader effort to make Hollywood Studios feel less like a park built around production facilities and more like a celebration of Disney storytelling.

At the same time, Hollywood Studios also received another major attraction update.

Smugglers Run Adds New Missions Featuring Mando and Grogu

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge joined the list of updated Disney World experiences this summer.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run recently debuted three new storyline missions featuring Din Djarin and Grogu from The Mandalorian (2019). The additions give returning guests new scenarios while refreshing an attraction that had remained mostly unchanged since Galaxy’s Edge opened.

Disney also upgraded the engineer role inside the attraction, making the position much more interactive than before.

The additions arrive as Disney continues searching for ways to keep Galaxy’s Edge feeling fresh without building entirely new rides.

Animal Kingdom and EPCOT Add New Summer Experiences

Disney’s Animal Kingdom recently introduced Bluey’s Wild World, one of the newest family-focused offerings at the resort.

The experience quickly became one of the park’s biggest draws for families with younger children, showing how quickly Disney can generate demand when introducing newer characters.

At EPCOT, Disney also introduced Soarin’ Across America as part of the resort’s celebration leading into America’s 250th anniversary.

The attraction swap marks yet another reimagining for one of Disney’s most recognizable modern rides. However, unlike several of the permanent changes happening elsewhere across the resort, this version is expected to remain temporary before Disney eventually returns the attraction to Soarin’ Around the World.

Disney World’s Summer Transformation Continues

Looking across Walt Disney World right now, Disney clearly is not slowing down when it comes to reinvesting in the resort.

Some updates involve entirely new experiences. Others completely reshape attractions that guests have known for decades. In several cases, Disney is doing both at the same time.

Whether it is a 54-year-old golf course receiving new additions, a 25-year-old coaster getting overtaken by The Muppets, or entire sections of Hollywood Studios transforming into something new, the resort feels very different heading into the second half of the summer season.