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 -1 May
REPORT: Permanent Closure Now Expected for Disney Springs Next Week
Yet another closure is about to hit Disney Springs. Multiple spots have shuttered at Disney World's shopping and dining district this year. Sprinkles closed on January 1 as part of a nationwide shutdown. Francesca’s followed in March, while Shore ended operations on April 30. Now, Johnston & Murphy is expected to permanently close its location on May 7, 2026, marking the latest retail exit from th
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1 May
Disney World Expansion: Stitch Officially Returns to Magic Kingdom With New Experience
Take a walk through Magic Kingdom, and you’ll notice it almost immediately—Stitch is everywhere. From crowded meet-and-greets to merchandise that disappears as soon as it hits shelves, the character has become one of Disney’s biggest draws in recent years. That kind of demand doesn’t go unnoticed. Disney has started leaning more into Stitch again, and now that effort is turning into something more
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1 May
The 5th Park That Wasn’t: How Political Warfare Kept Disney World in a Defensive Crouch
For decades, the “Fifth Gate” has been the white whale of Disney World enthusiasts. Whenever the competition gets too close, or the crowds get too thick, the cry goes out: Disney needs a fifth park. With the opening of Universal’s Epic Universe, that demand has reached a fever pitch. Credit: Disney Fanatic But while fans scan satellite imagery for signs of clearing land, a darker story
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1 May
Disney Issues Warning to EPCOT Guests: Major Attraction Closing Doors This Month
Walking through Walt Disney World right now, it’s hard not to notice how much is happening at once. The parks are evolving in a big way, with new ideas coming in and older experiences getting a fresh look. It’s an exciting time, but it also means some longtime attractions won’t stay the same. EPCOT is now feeling that shift again, and one of its most recognizable rides is set to shut its doors in
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1 May
Disney Moves To Revamp Annual Passes After Guest Backlash
Disney is changing its annual pass strategy again. For years, annual passes were built around flexibility, giving frequent visitors near-unlimited access to Disney parks. That model shifted after COVID-19, as Disney moved toward reservations, tiered pricing, and stricter attendance controls across its resorts. In the United States, both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort paused their programs
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1 May
Marvel Scraps Original ‘Doomsday’ Plans, Chris Evans’ Captain America Return Rewritten
With Avengers: Doomsday (2026) on the horizon, the conversation around the film keeps getting more interesting. Every new detail adds another layer, and right now, one specific part of the story is getting a lot of attention. At first, everything seemed straightforward. Bring back a familiar character, give fans a moment, and move forward. But recent updates suggest Marvel might be going in a comp
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1 May
Only 11 Days Left Until Major Guest Capacity Change at Disney World
Walt Disney World Resort is preparing for a notable operational shift—and it’s coming sooner than many guests might expect. Visitors currently have access to most of Disney World’s offerings, but one park has been noticeably missing from the lineup. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park remains closed, with its return scheduled for May 12, 2026—just over a week away. The temporary closure, which bega
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1 May
‘Ant-Man’ Actor Speaks Out Against Disney After Staff Fired at Marvel
As The Walt Disney Company restructures its operations in response to shifting industry conditions, fallout from recent layoffs is beginning to surface publicly—most notably through criticism from within the Marvel family itself. For years, Marvel Studios has operated like a well-oiled machine, delivering interconnected stories with a distinct visual identity that helped redefine franchise filmmak
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1 May
Taylor Swift May Have Just Accidentally Confirmed a Major Toy Story 5 Collaboration
The Swifties have done it again. Within hours of a mysterious countdown appearing on Taylor Swift's official website and then disappearing just as quickly, the fan community had assembled what might be the most detailed and compelling Disney conspiracy theory the internet has produced in recent memory. The theory connects Swift to Toy Story 5 through a combination of visual evidence, date coincide
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Apr- 2026 -30 April
A Quiet Change at Universal Orlando Is Catching Guests’ Attention Right at Park Entry
There’s something almost ritualistic about walking into Universal’s Islands of Adventure. For many guests, it’s not just about the rides or the lands—it’s about the feeling. The anticipation. The first steps past the entrance. And, for a surprising number of visitors, it’s also about that first sip of coffee that sets the tone for the entire day. That’s why even the smallest changes at the very fr
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