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 -16 May
“It’s All Downhill!” Statler & Waldorf Animatronics Revealed for Muppets Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Just when you thought you could survive a high-speed limousine sprint down Sunset Boulevard, Walt Disney World has introduced the ultimate buzzkills to bring you back to reality. Credit: Disney In a surprise reveal that has sent Muppet fans into a frenzy, Disney has officially pulled back the curtain on its newest Audio-Animatronics figures: Statler and Waldorf. The world-class haters have officia
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16 May
Cedar Point Faces Backlash as Millennium Force Begins Rejecting More Riders Than Ever
For decades, a trip to Cedar Point has been viewed as something of a rite of passage for coaster fans. Families save for years to visit. Teenagers grow up dreaming about conquering the park’s towering skyline. And for many guests, one ride stands above the rest: Millennium Force. The legendary giga coaster has long represented a badge of honor inside the theme park community. Reaching speeds of 93
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16 May
Hannah Montana Launched Her Career and Is Now Getting a Spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Twenty years ago, a Disney Channel show about a girl hiding her pop-star identity from her classmates wrote an episode in which that same girl received a diamond on a fictional Hollywood walkway, only to have a hot-dog vendor set up shop directly on top of it. The show played it for laughs. Nobody at the time was thinking about it as a preview of something that would actually happen two decades la
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16 May
Dollywood Park Will Begin Rejecting Paying Guests Effective Immediately, What to Know
Guests visiting parts of Dollywood Resorts this summer may want to double-check what’s in their wallets before arriving. A new cashless payment initiative has officially launched at several Dollywood properties, beginning today at Dollywood’s Splash Country water park. The move is part of a broader rollout impacting the resort side of the Dollywood brand, though the main Dollywood theme park itsel
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16 May
‘Clone Wars’-Style Series With Luke, Han, and Leia Could Restart ‘Star Wars’ Franchise
For years, Star Wars animation has focused heavily on the prequel era, introducing animated versions of characters such as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Count Dooku, and Ahsoka Tano. But the franchise still hasn’t fully explored the original trilogy cast in a major animated project. However, that may change sooner than we think. Recent reports claim Luke Skywalker will appear in a future insta
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15 May
The Mall That Killed the Magic: Why Disney’s Secret “Toy Story” Permits Just Ended the Third Park Dream
For over thirty years, the Toy Story Parking Lot has been the “promised land” for Disneyland enthusiasts. Spanning 53 acres at the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue, it was the only logical site for a “Third Gate”—a third standalone theme park that would finally turn the Anaheim resort into a multi-day powerhouse capable of rivaling Walt Disney World. Credit: Bo
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15 May
Fan Force Universal’s Hand: Iconic ‘Jaws’ Ride Teased for Legendary Return After 14 Years
Universal Orlando Resort has made it very clear that it wants to keep evolving. Epic Universe completely changed the conversation around the resort, new attractions continue appearing across the parks, and Universal keeps investing heavily in bigger and more immersive experiences. But while the company looks toward the future, many fans think it may also be preparing to revisit part of its past. O
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15 May
‘Star Wars’ Just Changed the Rey Skywalker Ending in ‘Episode IX’
For years, the ending of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019) has represented one of the most contested chapters in the entire Star Wars saga. Fans have spent nearly seven years debating whether the film successfully closed the Skywalker Saga or stumbled under the pressure of ending a story that began in 1977. Now, a newly updated Star Wars publication is revisiting the film’s fina
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15 May
The 40% Loophole: How Disney Fans Are Snagging $119 Magic Kingdom Tickets for Fall 2026
Disney World fans have spent the last few years watching vacation costs climb higher and higher. Between hotel prices, dining expenses, Lightning Lane purchases, and rising park admission, many families have started feeling priced out of trips that once felt much easier to plan. That is why Disney’s newest fall ticket pricing came as such a surprise. While standard Magic Kingdom admission now regu
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15 May
With the ‘Mandalorian’ Future Unknown, Gina Carano May Return as Cara Dune Moving Forward
Five years after Gina Carano’s abrupt departure from The Mandalorian sent shockwaves through the Star Wars fandom, the actress may once again be inching toward Lucasfilm territory. As Carano prepares for a heavily promoted MMA return against Ronda Rousey this weekend, renewed discussion surrounding her Disney lawsuit settlement and recent conversations with Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni has reignite
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