News
Disney Fanatic is here to deliver the latest in Disney news from The Walt Disney Company and beyond.
-
Apr- 2026 -26 April
Mass ‘Star Wars’ Ride Shutdowns Planned at Disney Parks Nationwide
Seven years is a long time to wait for a ride to reach its potential. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has been operating at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios since 2019, and for most of those seven years the conversation around it has followed the same pattern. The setting is incredible. Sitting inside the cockpit of the actual Millennium Falcon is a genuine theme park moment. And then th
Read More » -
26 April
Man Found Dead at Dollywood-Style Dinner Theater Linked to Dolly Parton
A man is dead following a shooting Saturday evening in the parking lot of Dolly Parton's Stampede, one of the most visited dinner show attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Pigeon Forge Police Department responded to a 911 call at approximately 7:35 PM reporting a gunshot in the venue's parking lot. Officers arrived to find two men inside a vehicle. One of the men told officers he had a hand
Read More » -
26 April
Disneyland Confirms Major Ride Reopenings This Month
If it feels like Disneyland has had more rides closed than open at times this year, you’re not imagining it. Between refurbishments and temporary shutdowns, parts of the resort haven’t felt quite as full as usual. But now, things are starting to shift back in the other direction. This month marks an important turning point, with multiple attractions reopening and helping restore some balance to bo
Read More » -
26 April
Disney Could Change How Rides Load Forever, Aims To Shrink Wait Times
There’s a moment on almost every Disney ride when everything pauses. Guests are seated, Cast Members walk through each row, and the ride waits just a little longer before dispatching. It’s quick—but across thousands of cycles each day, those seconds add up. Now, Disney may be looking at a way to change that process entirely. Not in a flashy, headline-grabbing way. But in a way that could quietly r
Read More » -
26 April
The Power is Fading: Why the Creator of He-Man is Broke and Battling Dementia While Amazon Spends Millions on His Legacy
In the summer of 2026, the world is once again obsessed with the planet Eternia. Trailers for Amazon MGM’s live-action Masters of the Universe film are racking up tens of millions of views. With a star-studded cast led by Nicholas Galitzine and a massive production budget rumored to exceed $200 million, the film is expected to be a global blockbuster. For Mattel and Amazon, it’s a high-stakes play
Read More » -
26 April
Families of 8+ Face New Restrictions at Disney World
There is a specific kind of Disney planning that DVC members who travel with extended family have gotten very good at over the years. It involves coordinating points, booking windows, resort availability, and Annual Pass purchases in a way that makes the economics of a large group trip work. The Sorcerer Pass has been a central piece of that equation for out-of-state members, and Disney just chang
Read More » -
26 April
Mickey Mouse & Friends Locked Behind Paywall at Disney World This Summer
Walt Disney World Resort's upcoming V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days event comes with a perk that effectively puts some of the most iconic characters in Disney history behind an Annual Pass requirement…and not every EPCOT guest will have access. The Character Meet-and-Greet On Thursday, Walt Disney World Resort revealed details about V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days 2026, including an exclusive characte
Read More » -
25 April
New Report: Disney World Didn’t Scrap Iconic Ride After All
The fate of one of Disney World’s oldest attractions has taken another turn. For months, the Liberty Belle Riverboat was widely believed to be gone. The vessel disappeared from view last summer as construction ramped up around Magic Kingdom Park, and online speculation quickly filled in the gaps. The Liberty Belle — an opening-day attraction dating back to 1971 — has now been located intact in a b
Read More » -
25 April
Pixar Quietly Revives Classic Film With Unexpected Star Return
A new Pixar project is taking shape with a familiar character as its lead. The animation giant has spent recent years adjusting its output as audience habits shift. Streaming has changed how animated films are discovered, and theatrical performance has become less predictable for original titles. That has pushed Pixar toward familiar territory. Known characters and established worlds now play a la
Read More » -
25 April
Disney Confirms Massive 9-Film Strategy for 2026 Theatrical Push
There’s a noticeable shift in Disney’s movie strategy, and it’s becoming clearer as the rest of 2026 unfolds. Instead of spacing out a few key releases, the studio is stacking the year with a steady stream of films. Each one feels like part of a larger plan, designed to keep audiences engaged from one season to the next. It’s not just about having a busy year. It’s about staying relevant all year
Read More »
