A $1.54M contract quietly approved by CFTOD on February 27 authorizes the permanent abandonment of the remaining High Temperature Hot Water hotel loop — the last Walt-era piece of centralized heating infrastructure feeding the Magic Kingdom Resort Area. After 54 years in the ground, one of Reedy Creek's original utility marvels is being decommissioned for good.
A quiet CFTOD board vote on February 27 approved a $6.57M contract to replace the electrical guts of the Studios North Central Energy Plant at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Paired with the already-reported Studios South expansion, that's both of the park's central plants getting rebuilt simultaneously — a backstage tell that almost always precedes something big.
Cosmos Fountain drained for show-lighting upgrades, multiple fireworks-tech job postings, a "Universal Celestial Goodnight" trademark filed in December, and a new launch pad behind Helios Grand. Universal won't confirm the show — but the receipts are piling up.
Twenty-five years ago this week, Disney opened the most unusual resort ever built at Walt Disney World — a kraal-inspired lodge wrapped around a 33-acre African savanna. Here's how it came to be, and why it still feels like magic.
Universal just opened a second round of Halloween Horror Nights 35 auditions, with a tight April 22 deadline and the confirmed return of Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow teaming up in a brand-new house.
runDisney's Disney Duos weekend is in full swing at Walt Disney World — and today's 10K stars Winnie the Pooh and Tigger with a honey-pot finisher medal to match.
The "Wildest Ride in the Wilderness" gallops back to Magic Kingdom on May 3 after a 16-month overhaul — new track, refreshed trains, a brand-new Rainbow Caverns scene, and a 38-inch height requirement that opens the coaster to a whole new crop of little buckaroos. And as of yesterday, cast members are already climbing aboard.
One of the only big non-ride kid zones inside Epic Universe goes dark from May 4 to May 22, with the reopening landing neatly on the park's one-year anniversary. It's the second Isle of Berk refurb of 2026, and it lands right before peak summer family travel.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets gets a May 26 opening date, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad returns May 3 with a new height requirement, Wilderness Lodge boats go dark through May 1, EPCOT Flower & Garden hits its midseason stride, and Disney Destiny opens up its engine room for the first time.
Pay-per-ride Express access debuts across all three parks, the Epic Universe Preview Center wraps up, Burger King Whopper Bar gets a closing date, Comic Strip Cafe refreshes its menu for the first time in 27 years, and Butterbeer Season returns to the Wizarding World.
Disney has officially announced that Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets opens May 26, 2026 at Hollywood Studios. Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem take over G-Force Records with a star-studded new set list, a first-ever Scooter Audio-Animatronic, and nine celebrity cameos.
A Disney Springs Amphicar tour vehicle took on water through a passenger door mid-ride, leaving one family with water up to their knees before the driver reversed course and returned to the dock. No injuries were reported and the attraction remains open.
Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a Notice of Commencement for new signage installation at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the latest detail to emerge from what Disney is calling a "mountain-top to cavern-deep refurbishment." The ride is set to reopen in early May 2026.
Construction on Universal Studios Florida's next major roller coaster is accelerating fast. The Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift — a 170-foot high-speed spinning coaster replacing the beloved Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit — is showing serious structural progress this week, with concrete block walls and ride footers rising across the construction site.
Universal Orlando has confirmed demolition of the remaining Lost Continent structures at Islands of Adventure, with permits filed for removal of the former Poseidon's Fury and Eighth Voyage of Sindbad buildings. A new Intamin-built major attraction is on the way — and the rumored replacement lands have fans buzzing.
Disney World just revealed the full lineup for Cool Kids' Summer 2026, with official opening dates for a revamped Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, the debut of Bluey's Wild World at Animal Kingdom, an all-new Soarin' Across America film at EPCOT, and a new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! show at Hollywood Studios.
Fresh aerial photography from Islands of Adventure shows significant construction progress on the Jurassic Park River Adventure refurbishment, with brand-new ride boats and a fully replaced track visible behind construction walls. The beloved water ride is expected to reopen in November 2026.
Walt Disney World continues its multi-year costume refresh with three new designs packed with hidden details, vintage EPCOT nostalgia, and performance fabrics built for Florida's heat.
Disney has officially named Thomas Mazloum as the next Chairman of Disney Experiences, succeeding Josh D'Amaro who becomes CEO on March 18. The announcement also brings a wave of leadership changes including new presidents for Disneyland Resort, Disney Parks International, and Disney Consumer Products.
Universal Orlando is launching Volcano Bay Nights, an after-hours event running select nights from May through August 2026, featuring shorter wait times, DreamWorks character meet-and-greets, live DJs, complimentary treats, and more — all for $99.
It's MAR10 Day, and Yoshi has officially made his Universal Epic Universe debut! The beloved green dinosaur is now greeting guests in Super Nintendo World as part of the five-week Super Mario Galaxy Movie celebration.
With Josh D'Amaro moving up to CEO, Bloomberg reports that Thomas Mazloum — a 25-year Disney veteran who started on cruise ships and now leads Disneyland Resort — is the frontrunner to take the helm of Disney's massive parks, cruises, and experiences division.
Volcano Bay no longer accepts cash for any purchases inside the water park. Here's what you need to know before your next visit.
Universal Epic Universe kicks off a five-week celebration starting March 10 with a limited-time Yoshi character meet-and-greet, interactive Luma shoulder pals, themed food, and more — all in honor of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie premiering April 1.
Newly updated construction permits confirm that Universal Epic Universe's first expansion will enlarge The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, with 150,000 square feet of new construction already underway in Celestial Park.
Before character dining was a Walt Disney World staple, the Empress Lilly riverboat offered something magical — a sit-down breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, and friends aboard a paddle steamer on Village Lake. For an entire generation of 1980s kids, it was their very first Disney character meal.
Twenty years ago, Magic Kingdom quietly closed one of Tomorrowland's most beloved hidden gems. The Timekeeper gave us Robin Williams as a mad scientist robot, Rhea Perlman as a flying camera drone, and a 360-degree trip through time that an entire generation of '90s Disney kids has never forgotten.
Elon Musk's Boring Company has been selected to build an underground tunnel transit system connecting Universal Orlando's parks to Epic Universe. Here's everything we know, what the Vegas Loop has proven, and where this could be headed.
Sixty years after Walt and Roy Disney announced the Florida Project at the Cherry Plaza Hotel, Orlando unveils a commemorative plaque at the Thornton Park District — marking the spot where Central Florida's destiny was forever altered.
After nearly 27 years of launching guests through the dark at 57 mph, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has officially closed at Disney's Hollywood Studios. In its place: Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem are taking the stage.
