Your theme park vacation may look very different in 2026. Here are 4 reasons why.

If you haven’t visited one of the largest theme parks in the US in a while, you might be surprised at how much has changed in recent years. Even if you’ve seen videos on social media about what’s trending (hello, mac and cheese cones from Epic Universe!), believe me when I say this is just scratching the surface.

Theme park giants like Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and Silver Dollar City have come up with some creative new ways to keep the park experience fresh for both returning and first-time visitors. In short, your theme park vacation will look very different in 2026. Here are the trends that will shape your vacation in the year ahead, whether you realize it or not.

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Personalization and customization

It’s no secret that people want to take trips tailored to their interests. While it may seem difficult to customize your theme park trip, that’s what some parks do. In fact, at resorts like Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and Universal Orlando, dozens of add-on packages and experiences allow you to completely customize your trip. Think things like after-hours events, private tours, and even dining options complemented by private meet-and-greets.

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Honestly, the best way to get a truly customized itinerary is to take a VIP tour, but this is expensive. At Walt Disney World, VIP tours start at $450 per hour with a seven-hour minimum. And at Disneyland, VIP tours start at $500 per hour with a seven-hour minimum. Universal Orlando Resort VIP tours are slightly cheaper, with a four-hour single park tour starting at $220 per person. I was lucky enough to be able to take a VIP tour at Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. They are truly spectacular, but definitely not affordable for every family.

In addition to VIP tours, theme parks also use technology to customize your day. At Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the integration of Disney Genie into the respective parks’ apps has been helpful for some. This free service uses your data and answers to a series of short questions to help you plan your day at the theme park. While not always perfect, the plan is a good starting point to ensure you get the most out of your day at the park.

Food and drink experience

There’s no shortage of options when it comes to theme park dining, but the best theme park dining is highly themed and offers an experience that can’t be had anywhere else. When I think of highly themed food and drink experiences, my mind drifts to the ’50s Prime Time Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This tacky restaurant feels like it’s right out of a 1950s TV show, complete with black and white TVs, waiters who always cause chaos (in a good way), and lots of home-cooked favorites like fried chicken and meatloaf.

As we enter the future of theme park dining, experiences like this are becoming increasingly popular, even at fast food restaurants or fast food outlets. Often, these eating and drinking experiences are accompanied by over-the-top dishes that not only look good on camera but also taste good. One prime example is the macaroni and cheese cone from How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk from Universal’s Epic Universe. These cones made the rounds on social media when the park opened in May 2025, and continue to be a must-try snack.

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In 2026, I also see more intimate food and drink experiences taking over some of the best parks: Things like wine tastings with sommeliers, culinary tours of the parks, and celebrity chef takeovers that allow guests to dine and meet their favorite food personalities.

Haunted all year round

Halloween is getting bigger and starts earlier every year at the amusement parks. Some of the most popular Halloween events start in mid-August and end on or even after October 31st. But Halloween events are no longer just limited to fall. With the opening of Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas, the year-round haunt is now accessible to more people. This spooky experience features four haunted houses, themed food and drinks, and live entertainment that’s sure to thrill. Universal has also announced a second Universal Horror Unleashed will open in Chicago in 2027.

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Then there’s the Dark Universe, one of five themed worlds in the Universal Epic Universe. An entire land is dedicated to Universal Monsters, including Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula, The Invisible Man, and more. While scary, it remains approachable for those who might find Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights too scary. Dark Universe continues to prove that spooky can be fun all year round.

Health

After all the snacks and rides on vacation, you may need some rest and relaxation. But you don’t have to look far as many major resorts are investing in wellness programs that allow guests to combine a typical theme park experience with a wellness retreat.

For example, at the Disneyland Resort, the Tenaya Stone Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa is a respite from the hustle and bustle of two full-service theme parks. Additionally, guests staying at Disneyland Resort hotels can participate in wellness activities, such as walking and yoga, inside Disney California Adventure before the park officially opens.

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More and more amusement parks are taking part in long-distance running races. At Walt Disney World, several Disney running races take place throughout the year with distances ranging from 5K to full marathons. The first race was held in 1994. More than 30 years later, the theme park running community continues to grow.

It won’t be until 2026 for avid theme park runners that Dollywood will hold its inaugural race weekend. The event, which will take place on April 25-26 2025, will feature a children’s running race, 5K, 10K and half-marathon. These races are a great way to combine amusement park fun with fitness.

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