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Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets debuts in previews — first reactions are raves; Soarin' Across America reviews split; Spielberg Tribute Store opens at Universal.

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Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets debuts in previews — first reactions are raves; Soarin' Across America reviews split; Spielberg Tribute Store opens at Universal.

★ Wednesday May 20 · 5 min read

Florida theme parks, every single morning.

Wednesday · May 20 · 2026 · ⛅ 91°

★ Today's Edition · Disney · Universal · SeaWorld ★

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets debuts in previews — and the first reviews say it's exactly what fans wanted.

Plus: the Soarin' Across America critical reviews are in and they're divided, Universal's Spielberg Tribute Store opens, and Captain Cacao makes his Epic Universe debut.

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★ Disney · Hollywood Studios · Now in Previews

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets officially debuts — first photos, video, and reviews are all in

WDWNT published a full photo and video walkthrough of the new attraction's debut, capturing the reimagined coaster featuring The Electric Mayhem Band, Statler and Waldorf Audio-Animatronics, and 30+ songs in the courtyard music loop. Laughing Place's full review declares it "gives Rock 'n' Roll and Muppets fans exactly what they wanted," while TouringPlans' Len rode it in the evening and filed a spoiler-filled first-look. Attractions Magazine rounds up fan reactions online: praise for the new soundtrack, the chaotic energy of the ride, hidden easter eggs, and "surprisingly emotional" moments. The official opening is still May 26 — but the verdict from everyone who's ridden it so far is unanimous. The Muppets took over, and it works.

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

★ Disney · EPCOT · Soarin' Across America — The Critics Weigh In

Laughing Place · Review

"A perfect tribute to America — but a less-than-perfect Soarin' film"

Laughing Place calls the new film a genuinely moving tribute to the country timed perfectly for the 250th anniversary — beautiful to look at and emotionally resonant — while noting that compared to the globe-trotting ambition of Soarin' Around the World, it's a narrower flight path for a landmark attraction.

Attractions Magazine · Review

"Lifts off, but fails to reach new heights" — a more critical take

Attractions Magazine's full review is the sharpest critique yet: the third iteration of Soarin' flies into EPCOT but doesn't push the format forward, and the America framing — however beautiful — doesn't justify the upgrade over a film that already circled the globe. Worth seeing, they conclude, but perhaps not cleared for the highest heights.

Attractions Magazine →

★ Universal · Universal Studios Florida

Universal opens the Steven Spielberg Summer Tribute Store — Jaws, Jurassic Park, E.T., and Disclosure Day

Universal Studios Florida has opened a summer Tribute Store celebrating Steven Spielberg's blockbuster legacy, timed to the upcoming release of his new film Disclosure Day . WDWNT has photos and video of the store, which features dedicated sections for Jaws, Jurassic Park, E.T., and Disclosure Day — merchandise, theming, and collectibles across all four properties. Tribute Stores have become one of Universal's most beloved seasonal traditions, and this one's a nostalgia overload for fans of any era.

★ Source: WDW News Today →

★ Universal · Epic Universe | Islands of Adventure

Epic Universe · Character Debut

Captain Cacao makes his debut at Epic Universe — a must-do original character meet and greet

Universal's beloved original character Captain Cacao has officially launched his meet and greet inside Epic Universe's Celestial Park. Attractions Magazine calls it a must-do, saying Cacao's lore and personality add genuine charm to the park. Laughing Place also has early photos of the debut.

Islands of Adventure · Demo

Sinbad Theater demolition confirmed underway in The Lost Continent at Islands of Adventure

Aerial photographer @bioreconstruct captured the Sinbad Theater actively being demolished in The Lost Continent at Islands of Adventure, per WDWNT. The theater hosted the beloved Sinbad stunt show for over two decades before closing — its removal signals the next chapter for this section of the park is moving quickly.

More from the parks: Disneyland park hopping any time, Behind the Attraction returns, WDW reservations in-app, and luggage transfers expand.

Disney · Disneyland Resort

Disneyland guests can park hop at any time starting next month — for the first time since 2020

Beginning in June, Disneyland Resort is removing the 1pm park hopping restriction — guests will be able to move freely between Disneyland and California Adventure from opening bell. Theme Park Insider has additional context on how the new rules work .

Behind the Attraction Season 3 and Imagineer That! both officially returning to Disney+

Disney+ has greenlit a third season of Behind the Attraction and confirmed the return of Imagineer That!, delivering back-to-back Imagineering content for park history fans. Chip and Co has the details on what each series will cover.

Disney · Walt Disney World

Annual Passholders can now book WDW park reservations directly in the My Disney Experience app

No more being redirected to a browser — WDW has updated My Disney Experience so that Park Pass reservations (including for Annual Passholders) can be made entirely within the app.

WDW expands Magical Express-style luggage transfers to American Airlines and United

Walt Disney World has expanded its resort luggage transfer service to include American Airlines and United Airlines — previously only available to Southwest guests. TouringPlans has the details on how the expanded service works.

The Muppets took over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and everyone who's been on it says it works. Soarin' Across America looks gorgeous but splits the critics. Six days before the biggest opening day Walt Disney World has staged in years — the anticipation is real, the reviews are in, and the verdict on at least one of those two rides is unanimous.

— Park Pulse Daily — May 20, 2026

★ 7-Day Orlando Outlook

Temperatures climbing toward 93° by the weekend — afternoon storm chances through Thursday, then mostly clear skies for the May 26 grand openings.

Coming up in the parks

The Mandalorian and Grogu Opens + Busch Gardens Summer Nights Begin

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu opens nationwide. Galaxy's Edge activations live. Busch Gardens Tampa: Summer Nights begins, runs through Aug 9.

Universal Summer Blockbuster Experiences Begin

Mega Movie Parade and summer activations launch at Universal Studios Florida. Runs through August 10.

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

Hollywood Studios: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets official opening; FØØD by Swedish Chef opens. EPCOT: Soarin' Across America public debut. Animal Kingdom: Bluey's Wild World opens (virtual queue).

Premiere Orlando + Epic Universe Access & SeaWorld Pass Member Picnic

Convention attendees get complimentary evening access to Celestial Park at Epic Universe, May 30–June 1. SeaWorld Orlando: Pass Member & Military Picnic May 30–31.

Electric Ocean & IGNITE Drone Show — SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld's signature summer event returns with the new IGNITE nighttime drone spectacular. Runs through September 7.

Disney · Animal Kingdom

Bluey appears on a Walt Disney World park map for the first time

Disney · Hollywood Studios

Muppets coaster courtyard music loop features 30+ songs across multiple genres

Mexico Pavilion entrance reopens at EPCOT as pyramid refurbishment continues

Disney · Polynesian Resort

Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar gets limited-time menu for its 15th anniversary

How to avoid the Bluey's Wild World virtual queue mistake families are making

Disney · Cool Kids' Summer

Cool Kids' Summer brings creative new treats to Walt Disney World resorts and parks