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
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo! The reimagining of Animation Courtyard at Disney's Hollywood Studios is almost complete. Underneath Mickey's iconic sorcerer hat lies the entrance to The Magic of Disney Animation, which will finally open its doors on Sept. 14, 2026. Inspired by the Roy E. Disney Animation Building in Burbank, California, this bustling building houses different studio departments with playful and interactive moments hiding behind every corner. Get ready to explore a brand-new collection of colorful experiences, including Drawn to Wonderland where you can play your way through the curious world of "Alice in Wonderland," Off the Page! where you can meet some of your favorite Disney pals, Olaf Draws! where you can learn to draw alongside the beloved snowman and Once Upon A Studio Theater where you can attend a special screening of the Emmy Award-winning short film.
- Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at The Most Magical Place on Earth. Tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights are on sale now! Save up to $10 on the Magic Kingdom event and $9 on the Disney's Hollywood Studios event when you purchase through Undercover Tourist. You can even save 15% off Disney gift cards with a free $20 DiningDollars.com credit included with either purchase! You better watch out. Santa Claus ... and Santa Stitch ... are coming to town!
- Downtown Disney just got a whole lot more flavorful. Two new terrifically tasty dining locations are now open at the vibrant, one-of-a-kind Disney destination and we foresee plenty more trips to both in our future. A fast casual favorite, Earl of Sandwich has found its new permanent home next to Din Tai Fung and features oversized baked goods, a Pub that pours draft beers, wines and frozen cocktails, a brand new Carvery where staff slice pastrami throughout the day and a plethora of specialty sandwiches perfected by the inventor's own family. Upstairs, its table-service partner, Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby, is an energetic gastropub that channels the electric spirt of 1960s Swinging London and serves up iconic British dishes, such as crisp and tender Fish & Chips, decadent Sticky Toffee Pudding (Mama Ramsay's recipe!) and, of course, the Chef's legendary Beef Wellington. Reservations for Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby are available via OpenTable.
- D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will be here before you know it. To mark the countdown to this one-of-a-kind, multi-day fan experience, Disneyland Resort is once again hosting D23 Day where guests can discover themed moments and fan-favorite experiences that celebrate the iconic and beloved worlds of Disney. Beginning at park opening on Aug. 13, 2026, guests entering either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure with valid admission may receive a complimentary Mickey Mouse ear hat and commemorative guide. Then, at 1:30 p.m., watch the Disney Legends Cavalcade at Disneyland. Throughout the day, you'll find Merlin and the Blue Fairy wandering through Fantasyland and Stitch's Interplanetary Beach Party Bash and Disney+ Hulu Throwbacks Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace. Photo opportunities also abound at Town Square, at Pixar Pier, in Downtown Disney, in the Hollywood Backlot and in the Fantasyland Theater. Plus, all park guests with valid park admission and theme park reservations on Aug. 13 may receive complimentary unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken that day — including fun new Magic Shots! As for the grand finale, a limited number of fans may have the opportunity to attend the live performances of "Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration" in Paradise Gardens Park at 8:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on Aug. 13. Virtual queue enrollment for this one-of-a-kind concert bringing together the largest gathering of Disney Princess talent ever assembled will begin at 12 p.m.
- A party isn't complete without merchandise and food! Beginning Aug. 13, 2026 while supplies last, take home celebratory items from the D23 Day Logo Collection, the Disneylandia Collection, The Hunchback of Notre Dame 30th Anniversary collection and the Alice in Wonderland 75th Anniversary collection, as well as D23 Day Medallions and the Haunted Mansion Hatbox Ghost Popcorn Bucket. You can also indulge in a Sorcerer Mickey Cake Pop, available for a limited time beginning Aug. 13 at Candy Palace, Trolley Treats and Disney Wonderful World of Sweets, and Family Gold Ube Cheesecake at Parkside Market, the Berry Bliss & Choco Crunch Duo at Beignets Expressed and specialty drinks at Ballast Point Brewing Co., Céntrico, Vista Parkside Market and Paseo all from Aug. 1-16.
- Save some room in your stomachs: there's even more Disney food news! To celebrate 50 years of a sweet partnership between Disney and Dole Whip, creamy new creations have arrived at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. On the west coast, sink your teeth into the Hoa Aloha Float at Tropical Hideaway and on the east coast, enjoy DOLE WHIP Peach with Streusel Crisp at Pineapple Lanai and DOLE Whip Peach with Streusel Cobbler Sundae at Lottawotta Lodge. Both resorts also offer the Swirl Up Some Magic Cup while supplies last.
- The party's winding down over in Universal Studios Florida. Universal Orlando Resort revealed that Fast & Furious: Supercharged will close earlier than expected on Aug. 17, 2026 (meaning your last day to ride is Aug. 16) to make way for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift opening next year. Universal also just released an epic look at the coaster's towering 170 foot spike which was recently completed and redefines the resort's magnificent skyline.
- "This is a code red! I repeat, a code red!" Universal Orlando is going full-steam ahead with Halloween Horror Nights announcements as Spooky Season peeks right around the corner. When brave souls set foot in the fog this year, they'll immediately enter the Infernal Carnival of Nightmares where Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow invite you to step right up and face the horrors that lurk in the shadows. Turn right into Hollywood and you'll come across the Sideshow of Decay where lost icon Cindy Caine is using the good doctor's dark sorcery to open a portal in the carnival junkyard ... and resurrect past nightmares to come out and play. At the lagoon, you'll find a celebration of music, monsters and memories hoppening several times a night as Stranger Things: Return to Hawkins broadcasts your favorite moments from the beloved series. Lastly, Killer Klowns from Outer Space are back to haunt the event this year in a brand new way. Stay tuned for further deets ...
- HHN isn't the only Orlando haunt getting ready to scare the living daylights out of you. SeaWorld has announced the return of fan-favorite scare zone Trailer Park Tragedy where defensive locals stop at nothing to protect what's theirs. More terrifying and territorial than ever, you can catch these rowdy residents at Howl-O-Scream Orlando from Sept. 11 to Oct. 31, 2026. Additionally, its sister event on the west coast — Howl-O-Scream San Diego — has announced two all-new haunted houses (Area 64: MotherShip and 6th House) and four returning fan favorites (Circus of the Damned 3D, Simon's Slaughterhouse, Deathwater Bayou: Awakening and Nightmare Experiment Sweet DreamzZz). The darkness returns to SeaWorld San Diego, as well, from Sept. 11 to Oct. 31, 2026.
- Feel the roar one final time. After thrilling coaster enthusiasts for 33 years, Kumba at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be closing on Aug. 2, 2026. Upon debuting in 1993 as the tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster in Florida ... with the world's tallest vertical loop ... fans have consistently voted the ride as one of the world's best coasters. While we're sad to see it go, its spirit will live on with the future opening of Kumba's Revenge — an extension of the already legendary attraction and a continuation of the Kumba story.
- And of course, Disneyland is officially celebrating its 71st birthday July 17! For a few more weeks, you can take part in the 70th anniversary festivities, which begin winding down Aug. 9, 2026. There's still time to save on a summer Disneyland trip with a hoppin' Kids Summer Ticket offer (as well as everyday discounts through Undercover Tourist!) Hoppy birthday, Disneyland!
That's a wrap on the latest theme park news.
Hoppy planning!
