News
Disney Fanatic is here to deliver the latest in Disney news from The Walt Disney Company and beyond.
-
Jan- 2026 -25 January
EPCOT Fans Push for Permanent Change to Popular Festival
For years, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts has had a curious reputation. Almost everyone who experiences it enjoys it, and almost everyone who enjoys it wishes it lasted longer. Held each winter, Festival of the Arts blends visual art, live performances, and culinary creativity in a way that sets it apart from EPCOT’s other festivals. It is quieter than Food & Wine, more refined than
Read More » -
25 January
The End of the Dino Age: Why DINOSAUR’s Permanent Closure is Changing Animal Kingdom Forever
For over 25 years, the “Dino Institute” has been a staple of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. But as of February 1, 2026, the Time Rovers have been parked for good. In a move that officially kicks off the park's massive “Tropical Americas” overhaul, DINOSAUR—the loud, dark, and bone-shaking journey to the Cretaceous—has permanently closed. Credit: Michael Gray, Flickr While the los
Read More » -
25 January
The Next Decade Will Change Disney World in Ways Fans Aren’t Ready For
Every generation of Disney fans believes their version of the parks is permanent. The rides they grew up with feel timeless. The lands they know feel fixed in place. Change is something that happens slowly, at the edges, not to the heart of the experience. The next decade is about to challenge that belief. Disney World is entering a period of transformation that will likely be more disruptive than
Read More » -
25 January
Disney Confirms Big Changes Coming to Three Popular On-Site Hotels
Not every major change at Walt Disney World comes with fireworks and fanfare. Sometimes, the biggest shifts happen quietly — inside the places where guests spend the most time outside the parks. Disney has now confirmed that three of its most popular on-site hotels are undergoing major room overhauls, with projects stretching into 2026 and beyond. These updates will impact thousands of guests and
Read More » -
25 January
Florida Winter Arriving at Disney World in the Most Unexpected Way
On paper, January in Florida is supposed to be mild. Cool mornings, pleasant afternoons, and just enough warmth to remind visitors why they chose Orlando over somewhere colder. This week is about to rewrite that expectation. As a massive winter storm spreads across much of the country, Central Florida is preparing for a weather shift that will feel unusually abrupt. While the region avoids the sno
Read More » -
25 January
American Officials Address Widespread Travel Interruptions Affecting Disney Vacations
A massive winter storm currently impacting the eastern United States has created widespread disruption for families planning Disney World vacations, with flight cancellations and dangerous travel conditions forcing thousands to abandon their carefully scheduled trips. The storm system, spanning from New Mexico to the East Coast, has prompted federal emergency declarations in twelve states and left
Read More » -
25 January
The Final Seal: Why Bob Iger is Defying Public Demand to Bury Song of the South Forever
In the landscape of modern media, “The Disney Vault” was once a whimsical marketing term for the temporary unavailability of beloved classics like The Little Mermaid or Aladdin. However, as we move through 2026, the vault has become far more literal and impenetrable. While Disney+ has become a digital library for nearly every frame of film the company has ever produced, one Academy Awa
Read More » -
25 January
Avengers Shakeup, Superstar Exits After Political Controversy
Social media erupted this week with claims that Disney and Marvel Studios had terminated their relationship with Mark Ruffalo following his politically charged speech at the 2026 Golden Globes. The actor's pointed criticism of President Donald Trump and his commentary on military interventionism sparked immediate controversy, with numerous posts and videos suggesting Disney had cut ties with the l
Read More » -
25 January
3 Hours or Bust: Disney’s Harsh New Parking Policy Explained
Planning a meal at one of Disney BoardWalk's signature restaurants has become slightly more complicated thanks to a new parking management system that's raising questions among frequent visitors. Security personnel now distribute time-stamped parking passes limiting guest stays to three hours, a measure designed to balance the needs of resort hotel guests, dining patrons, and the general public vi
Read More » -
25 January
Major Transit Outage at Disney Impacts 50% of Parks and Thousands of Guests
Walt Disney World's gondola transportation system has entered its annual maintenance phase, leaving some resort guests wondering about their travel options for the next several days. The closure, which began today, is part of Disney's regular upkeep schedule and affects one of the resort's most photographed transportation methods. For anyone with a trip booked during the final week of January, und
Read More »
