Hi there! Welcome to our weekly roundup of the most interesting news around Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood and other theme parks and cruise lines.
Weekly Roundup of Theme Park and Cruise News
- Falalalala! We are halfway to the holidays, which means it is time to start making those Disney World Christmas 2026 plans! The holiday season runs from Nov. 13, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2027, bringing festive decor, seasonal treats, holiday entertainment and characters in their holiday outfits to Walt Disney World. At Disney Springs, guests can look forward to the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, nightly “snowfall” in Town Center, Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar and visits with Santa. The Walt Disney World Resort hotels will also be extra merry, with larger-than-life decor and gingerbread displays at select resorts.
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returns on select nights from Nov. 8 through Dec. 22, 2026. Returning favorites include Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, complimentary cookies and holiday attraction overlays. You can also meet Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and Sally, plus Mickey and Minnie in their holiday looks. Tickets go on sale July 9 for select Disney Resort hotel guests and July 16 for all other guests. Mark your calendars! Undercover Tourist will offer discount tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party once on sale.
- Disney Jollywood Nights is bringing the glitz and holiday glamour back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights from Nov. 7, 2026, through Jan. 5, 2027. For the first time, the separately ticketed event will extend into January! Guests can enter as early as 5:30 p.m. before the party begins at 7:30 p.m., with five hours to enjoy lower wait times, festive food and entertainment. Returning favorites include “Disney Holidays in Hollywood,” “Glisten!” and Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!, plus character greetings with friends such as Max Goof as Powerline, Stitch as Santa, Duffy and Partysaurus Rex. Tickets go on sale July 9 for select Disney Resort hotel guests and July 16 for all other guests. Undercover Tourist will offer discount Disney Jollywood Nights tickets, so you can save on your glamorous holiday night out!
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays returns Nov. 27 through Dec. 30, 2026, bringing Festival Kitchens, special entertainment and holiday traditions from around the world to World Showcase, all included with your general admission. Fan favorites such as the Candlelight Processional, Holiday Cookie Stroll, Holiday Storytellers and Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses are returning. Guests can also catch JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season, see the Voices of Liberty as the Dickens Carolers and stop by CommuniCore Hall for a visit with Santa. We are also excited to see the Gingerbread Spaceship Earth display with new holiday songs!
- It is never too early to start making that Disney holiday shopping list! We got a first look at the 2026 Disney holiday merchandise coming to Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort and Disney Store. The yuletide lineup includes cozy apparel, holiday jewelry, ear headbands, ornaments, home decor, pins and more. We are especially eyeing the new Pastel Holiday Collection with soft pink and green shades, plus a sneak peek at exclusive Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party merchandise.
- The holidays are taking over some favorite Disneyland Resort rides once again! Haunted Mansion Holiday, “it’s a small world” Holiday and the Cars Land overlays will all return for the 2026 season. At Disney California Adventure, Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree becomes Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, while Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters transforms into Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl. We are already dreaming of those twinkling “it’s a small world” lights at night!
- Howdy, partners! New Toy Story 5 fun has arrived across Disney Experiences, including new character looks for Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear with updated accessories from the film — Woody's bandana poncho, Jessie's sheriff badge and Buzz Lightyear's Star sticker. At Walt Disney World, guests can catch Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip-Roarin’ Revue during Cool Kids’ Summer at Magic Kingdom, plus find themed treats at Disney Springs and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including an all-new Bullseye popcorn bucket. The Bullseye Bucket is currently available at Disneyland Resort and coming soon to Walt Disney World.
- Over at Disneyland Resort, Pixar Place Hotel is getting in on the Toy Story 5 fun with a new installation in the second-floor atrium. Guests can check out drawings, paintings, a sculpture and behind-the-scenes footage from the film. Plus, "Disney Poolside Splash Bash" begins July 2 at Pixar Place Hotel, Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The Thursday and Sunday pool parties will include Disney trivia, music, dancing and character appearances from Woody, Jessie and Bo Peep. Also, at Animation Academy in Disney California Adventure, artists lead step-by-step drawing lessons for Woody, Jessie, Bullseye, Buzz Lightyear and Lilypad.
- There are even more reasons to stop by Downtown Disney this summer! A free Disney Jr. BubbleFest is coming July 10 through Aug. 16 to the Downtown Disney Live stage with interactive bubble play, dance parties, themed activities and maybe even an appearance from Sophia the First! Disney also announced that Big Boi, a new Filipino food cart, will join the Downtown Disney District soon, bringing authentic Filipino comfort food, such as lumpia egg rolls, to Disneyland Resort's growing dining options.
- It’s the most wonderful time of year for Halloween Horror Nights fans: originals announcement week for Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights! Four new houses have been revealed that we can’t wait to step foot in. Tune in to the ultimate Halloween movie marathon at H.R. Bloodengutz Presents: A Halloween Fright-Tacular! as the beloved television host returns for a broadcast you’ll never froget. Next, fight to survive a post-apocalyptic wasteland at MADLANDS: Caged Cannibals where it’s feeding time at the zoo … and you’re on the menu. Then, awaken from a deep cryogenic sleep at Cybergoria where man and machine have melded in a disturbing attempt to accomplish immortality. Lastly, strive to evade strange visitors from another planet at INVASION: Alien Abduction as eerie extraterrestrials scour a rural homestead for their next test subjects. See you in the fog!
That's a wrap on the latest theme park news.
Hoppy planning!
