Some of Disney World’s most familiar attractions are getting major updates. Here’s what longtime visitors might notice the next time they ride.

Disney World is in the middle of some pretty significant changes, and it’s not just new lands and attractions that are getting attention. Several longtime favorites are also on the list for updates that could make them feel very different from the experiences you’re used to.

Some of these changes are already underway, while others are still in the planning stages without confirmed opening dates. Whether you’re a longtime Disney visitor or someone who hasn’t been to the parks in years, here are four familiar attractions that could look quite different in the next few years.

Carousel of Progress

If you haven’t visited Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom in a few years, you might want to put it back on your itinerary when it reopens. The classic attraction is getting a substantial refurbishment, with Disney planning to introduce four new decades and updated scenes following the familiar family’s journey through technological progress.

One of the biggest additions will be a new Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney himself, who will appear in a newly created scene. The updated show will also feature Bryan Cranston and Jamie Lee Curtis voicing the familiar characters John and Sarah.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Disney wants to keep the attraction’s central theme of innovation and changing technology while making the family’s experiences more relatable to today’s audiences. That means guests can expect to see more recent eras represented, including the arrival of the internet and a look at a possible future.

Carousel of Progress closed on July 6, 2026, for the refurbishment and is expected to reopen in late spring 2027. 

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth is one of EPCOT’s most recognizable landmarks, but the attraction inside its iconic geodesic sphere is also due for a major refresh. Disney has announced plans to reimagine the attraction for the first time in nearly 20 years, shifting its focus toward human connection.

The current version takes guests on a journey through the history of communication, from the development of language and writing to the invention of modern technology. The upcoming reimagining will build on that foundation while exploring how people connect and share ideas in an increasingly digital world.

Photo by Laurie Sapp

Disney hasn’t revealed all the details of the new experience or announced a firm timeline for the update. But considering how much of EPCOT’s identity is tied to Spaceship Earth, it’s a noteworthy change for one of the park’s most familiar attractions.

The exterior sphere isn’t going anywhere, but the story guests experience inside could be quite different the next time they board a ride vehicle. 

Journey Into Imagination

Another EPCOT attraction getting a new chapter is Journey Into Imagination with Figment. And this announcement has longtime Disney fans particularly excited: Dreamfinder is coming back.

For guests who remember the attraction’s original version, Dreamfinder is the imaginative character who introduced visitors to Figment and helped bring the Imagination pavilion to life. He hasn’t been part of the attraction for many years, making his return a major development for fans who have missed the original pairing.

Photo by Cliff Wang

Disney has announced that the new adventure will feature both Dreamfinder and Figment, but hasn’t shared many details about the storyline, ride experience, or opening date. The company has described the project as a complete reimagining, so guests shouldn’t necessarily expect a simple refresh of the current attraction.

It’s also an interesting opportunity for Disney to revisit a piece of EPCOT history. Figment remains a recognizable park character, but bringing Dreamfinder back could give the attraction a new sense of nostalgia while introducing the duo to visitors who never experienced the original ride. 

Expedition Everest

There’s one Disney World attraction that could look dramatically different without changing its overall storyline: Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom.

For years, the attraction’s famous Yeti Audio-Animatronics figure has remained stationary. When the ride first opened, the enormous figure was designed to make a dramatic movement toward passing ride vehicles. But technical issues led Disney to stop using its full range of motion, and the figure has remained largely motionless ever since. The strobe lighting effect used to simulate movement earned it the nickname “Disco Yeti.”

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Now, Disney has announced plans to bring the Yeti back to life. The announcement was met with plenty of excitement from fans who have been hoping to see the original effect restored for years.

Disney hasn’t announced when the work will happen or how long the attraction might need to close for the update. Still, restoring the Yeti’s movement could make a familiar ride feel much more thrilling, particularly for guests who have only ever experienced its stationary version.