News
Disney Fanatic is here to deliver the latest in Disney news from The Walt Disney Company and beyond.
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May- 2026 -17 May
Storm Damage Forces Dollywood Into Unexpected Summer Emergency
At most theme parks, summer is supposed to be about excitement. Water parks reopen, crowds surge through the gates, and resorts enter the busiest stretch of the entire year. That is exactly what is happening right now at Dollywood as the Tennessee destination launches another packed summer season. But while guests rush toward wave pools and roller coasters, Dollywood is simultaneously dealing with
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17 May
End of an Era: Universal Orlando Shutdowns Leave Just One Opening Day Attraction Remaining
Universal Studios Florida has changed so much over the years that many guests barely recognize the park that first opened back in 1990. Entire lands have disappeared, iconic attractions have been demolished, and the original “ride the movies” concept has slowly transformed into something much bigger, louder, and far more franchise-focused. For a lot of longtime fans, though, there was still one co
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17 May
Unlocking the Magic: The Disney Store Stages a Massive Brick-and-Mortar Comeback This Week
For a generation of fans, entering a local Disney Store was the ultimate suburban escape. The giant mountain of plush characters, the animated figures lining the walls, and the giant screens playing classic movie clips created a sensory sanctuary. It was a place where you could experience the legendary “Disney Bubble” without ever buying a theme park ticket. Credit: Andrei Rosca, Flick
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17 May
Disney Now Charging $86 for New Pizza Package at Resort
Disneyland has never been accused of being cheap. The park has always operated on the understanding that guests pay a premium for the experience, and most people who visit regularly have made some version of peace with that. You know going in that a churro costs more than it should, a bottle of water is an event, and a sit-down meal is a commitment. That is part of the calculus of a Disney vacatio
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17 May
Goodbye 1971: Disney Demolishes Opening-Day History for Massive New “Cars” Land Foundations
The historic frontier of Magic Kingdom is echoing with the sounds of crunching timber and heavy diesel engines. The days of taking a peaceful raft over to Tom Sawyer Island are officially gone, replaced by the largest geographical overhaul in the park’s 55-year history. Credit: Disney As we cross the midpoint of May 2026, construction on the highly anticipated Piston Peak National Park—the Cars-th
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17 May
Update: Universal Gears Up for Another 2-Month Theme Park Closure
Planning a Universal Orlando trip requires knowing more than just which parks are open on the days you are visiting. The resort's refurbishment calendar is substantial right now, and some of the closures on the list are significant enough to reshape what a vacation looks like depending on when you go. A few of the upcoming permanent closures in particular represent the end of experiences that will
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17 May
Sky-High Controversy: Why Disney Fans Are Mocking EPCOT’s New Ride as “Soarin’ Over MAGA”
EPCOT has historically been a theme park centered on global harmony, future technology, and international unity. However, as Walt Disney World prepares for the official launch of its newest attraction, Soarin’ Across America, the skies over the park have run into major political turbulence. Credit: Sarah Larson, Inside the Magic Following the start of cast member previews in mid-May 2026, the firs
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17 May
Disney Jigsaw Puzzle: Mr. Ray at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort in Walt Disney World, you’ll be greeted by the friendly face of Mr. Ray—the beloved manta ray from Disney Pixar’s Finding Nemo! Quick Tip: Do you want to make the puzzle easier or more challenging? Select the grid option to adjust the number of pieces before pressing “OK” to start the puzzle. Jigsaw Puzzle Experience More Disney Themed Puzzles Sleeping Beauty Castl
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17 May
Pedro Pascal Reveals Disneyland’s New Direction for The Mandalorian
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge has always been designed to feel like a place where anything could happen. The whole premise of Black Spire Outpost is that you are stepping into a living, breathing corner of the galaxy where the stories of Star Wars are playing out around you in real time. Most days that means encountering first-order stormtroopers, running into Hondo Ohnaka, or watching Rey and Kylo Ren
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17 May
After Years of Complaints About “Disney Adults,” Disneyland Makes Pin Trading Kids-Only
Disneyland Resort has drawn a line on Disney Pin Trading in Frontierland, explicitly prioritizing children over adult collectors. A Hobby That Got Out of Hand Disney Pin Trading has been a beloved park tradition for decades, but in recent years, the designated trading area near Westward Ho in Frontierland at Disneyland Park has begun to resemble more of a flea market than a theme park land. Benche
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