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Saturday, May 16, 2026

Muppets coaster preshow video drops — Scooter animatronic revealed, full setlist confirmed; Soarin' Across America cast preview POV; Piston Peak Cars rides at Magic Kingdom.

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Muppets coaster preshow video drops — Scooter animatronic revealed, full setlist confirmed; Soarin' Across America cast preview POV; Piston Peak Cars rides at Magic Kingdom.

★ Saturday May 16 · 5 min read

Florida theme parks, every single morning.

Saturday · May 16 · 2026 · ☀ 91°

★ Today's Edition · Disney · Magic Kingdom · Hollywood Studios ★

The Muppets coaster preshow is here — Scooter animatronic revealed, full Electric Mayhem setlist drops.

Ten days out from May 26, Disney is pulling back the curtain on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets. Plus: the first Soarin' Across America cast preview POV is online, and Piston Peak Cars rides break ground at Magic Kingdom.

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★ Disney · Hollywood Studios · Opens May 26

Disney drops the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Muppets preshow — Scooter animatronic, Electric Mayhem video, and full setlist confirmed

With May 26 now ten days away, Disney has lifted the curtain on what awaits inside Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets at Hollywood Studios. WDWNT has the first-look video showcasing the new Scooter animatronic alongside The Electric Mayhem band, and AllEars shares a full sneak peek at the preshow experience. The big musical news: AllEars also reveals the complete setlist for the attraction, detailing every song playing on the coaster and Disney's reasoning for each choice. Separately, Chip and Co digs into Scooter's role in the attraction, and Laughing Place has an Imagineering deep-dive on the storytelling built into the new facade — noting that the experience begins before guests even reach the queue.

★ Sources: WDWNT → | AllEars → | Laughing Place →

Soarin' Across America cast preview POV is online — the new film's first full ride-through

Cast members got their first ride on Soarin' Across America this week, and the footage is out. Laughing Place has published the full POV of the cast member preview, giving theme park fans their first complete look at the new America 250th-themed film — including the Mount Rushmore, New York Harbor, and Hawaii sequences revealed earlier this week. AllEars also has a ride-along with first impressions. The new film officially opens to the public May 26 at EPCOT and simultaneously at Disney California Adventure — where WDWNT reports Soarin' Over California has now been given a closing date to make way for the switchover.

★ Sources: Laughing Place → | AllEars →

★ Disney · Magic Kingdom & Hollywood Studios

Magic Kingdom · Piston Peak

Piston Peak 'Cars' rides break ground at Magic Kingdom — two new attractions replacing Tom Sawyer Island

Construction is officially underway on Piston Peak, the new Cars-themed land coming to Magic Kingdom's Frontierland. Two new rides themed to the Pixar franchise will replace the Tom Sawyer Island area. Attractions Magazine has the latest photos from the active construction site.

Attractions Magazine →

Hollywood Studios · Opens May 26

FØØD by Swedish Chef menu revealed — full lineup of dishes confirmed for May 26 debut

Chip and Co has the first look at the complete menu for FØØD by Swedish Chef, the new Muppets-themed quick-service kiosk opening at the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster area on May 26. The menu is exactly as chaotic and creative as you'd expect from the Swedish Chef.

More from the parks: Soarin' Over California's last day, Woody's Lunch Box done, Grogu food at Galaxy's Edge.

Disney · Disneyland Resort

Soarin' Over California gets an official closing date ahead of Soarin' Across America

The Soarin' Over California webpage at Disneyland Resort now lists an official last day of operation, giving fans a deadline to catch the classic California film before it's replaced by Soarin' Across America on May 26.

Disney · Hollywood Studios

Woody's Lunch Box scrim comes down — four-year construction project officially complete

The final scrim surrounding Woody's Lunch Box at Hollywood Studios has been removed, marking the end of a refurbishment project that stretched over four years. WDWNT has photos of the fully revealed quick-service spot.

Disney · Galaxy's Edge

Mandalorian and Grogu-themed food and beverages coming to Galaxy's Edge ahead of May 22 film

Disney's Hollywood Studios is adding a new lineup of Mandalorian and Grogu-themed snacks, sippers, and galactic treats to Galaxy's Edge, timed to the theatrical release of The Mandalorian and Grogu on May 22.

Disney · Walt Disney World

More direct bus service added to Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach for summer 2026

With both Walt Disney World water parks open simultaneously this summer for the first time in years, Disney is adding more direct bus routes from select resort hotels to make it easier to visit Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.

A Scooter animatronic. A full setlist. A cast preview POV. Disney isn't just opening a new ride on May 26 — they're orchestrating a reveal ten days in the making.

— Park Pulse Daily — May 16, 2026

★ 7-Day Orlando Outlook

A warm weekend with afternoon storm chances builds toward a soggy Sunday — then clearing for the week ahead.

Coming up in the parks

TODAY — Viva La Música Final Weekend & Glory in the Gardens

SeaWorld Orlando: Latin music festival final weekend (Sat–Sun) + Meet Guy Harvey today. Busch Gardens Tampa: Glory in the Gardens final weekend (Sat–Sun).

Summer Nights Begin — Busch Gardens Tampa & Universal Summer Blockbuster (May 23)

Busch Gardens: Summer Nights launches May 22, runs through Aug 9. Universal Studios Florida: Mega Movie Parade and Spielberg Experience begin May 23, through Aug 10.

The Big Day — Muppets Coaster + Soarin' Across America + Bluey's Wild World + FØØD Opens

Hollywood Studios: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets reopens; FØØD by Swedish Chef opens. EPCOT: Soarin' Across America new film debuts. Animal Kingdom: Bluey's Wild World opens (virtual queue required).

Pass Member & Military Picnic — SeaWorld Orlando & Pin Trading Weekend — Busch Gardens

SeaWorld: Annual Pass Member and Military/Veteran Picnic, May 30–31. Busch Gardens Tampa: Pin Trading Weekend, May 30.

Electric Ocean & IGNITE Drone Show — SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld's signature summer event returns alongside the first-ever IGNITE nighttime drone spectacular. Runs through September 7.

Tower of Terror exterior refurb progresses — new scrim and missing decorative elements now visible

Mandalorian and Grogu Magic Shots coming to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line

Disneyland files building permits to transform Toy Story parking lot — DisneylandForward begins

Disney · Disneyland · Galaxy's Edge

'The Curious Child' Grogu projection show announced for Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland

13 Disney announcements from this week's Upfront — full recap

Disney · SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego launches live Sea Otter Cam for real-time animal encounters