News

Disney Fanatic is here to deliver the latest in Disney news from The Walt Disney Company and beyond.

  • Jan- 2026 -
    14 January
    The Monorail at Disneyland near Downtown Disney.

    Disneyland Alters Monorail Entry Procedures, Filing in Place

    Theme park enthusiasts keeping tabs on Disneyland's operational updates got interesting news this week when Theme Park IQ spotted a permit filing that signals another step in the resort's ongoing modernization efforts. The document reveals plans to install digital overhead entrance and exit signs at the Downtown Disney monorail station, replacing the static printed signage that has served guests f

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  • 14 January
    A fountain, bridge, and hot air balloon at Disney Springs

    Custom Service Disappears From Disney Springs at Walt Disney World

    A popular personalization service at Disney Springs has vanished without warning, leaving Walt Disney World Resort guests facing empty storefronts where they once designed custom souvenirs. The abrupt elimination of D-Tech merchandise customization caught Disney Parks fans completely off guard, with many discovering the permanent closure weeks after it happened when they arrived for vacations expe

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  • 14 January
    Guests enjoy a ride on Dumbo the Flying Elephant at Shanghai Disneyland

    Disney Quietly Starts Refunding Theme Park Tickets

    Disney has a long-standing reputation for strict ticketing rules. Once a theme park visit is booked, refunds are rarely an option, even when plans fall apart. That approach has shaped how guests plan trips across Disney’s global resort portfolio. In the United States, refund flexibility remains extremely limited. Policies are designed to protect attendance forecasts, not accommodate last-minute ch

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  • 14 January
    A bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds above a fairytale castle featuring pink walls and tall, pointed blue and gold spires, surrounded by rooftops.

    Magic Kingdom Sees Crowds Disappear in Rare Scene

    There are certain things you just expect when you show up to Magic Kingdom in the morning. Crowds funneling through security. Families already arguing over Lightning Lane plans. Strollers packed tighter than carry-on luggage. Even on a slower day, there’s usually motion everywhere you look. That’s why this video stopped so many people mid-scroll. It's 9 AM and not a soul entering the Magic Kingdom

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  • 14 January
    Jeff Vahle with JoJo Siwa, EPCOT

    JoJo Siwa Pops Up at Disney Housing Complex to Spill Tea

    In what's becoming a pattern for the controversial pop star, JoJo Siwa made an unannounced appearance at Flamingo Crossing this week to speak with Disney College Program cast members. And yes, things got interesting. The Backstory You Need to Know For those not keeping tabs, JoJo Siwa has had quite the relationship with Walt Disney World Resort. We're talking family vacations since childhood, usin

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  • 14 January
    Two young women are joyfully looking at a smartphone app together at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

    Disney World Guests Left Without Phone Service During National Outage

    Wednesday's nationwide cellular service disruptions caught millions of Americans off guard, with phones displaying the ominous “SOS” signal that indicates zero network connectivity. Verizon customers were hit hardest initially, but reports quickly flooded in from users across virtually every major carrier, including AT&T, T-Mobile, UScellular, and their subsidiary networks. The outage

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  • 14 January
    A large crowd of people walk along Main Street in Walt Disney World Resort

    Disney Guests Warned as New 2026 Dress Code Rolls Out

    Disney World vacation planning involves coordinating countless details from Lightning Lane selections to dining reservations, yet many visitors overlook one fundamental aspect that could significantly impact their experience: understanding which clothing choices prove appropriate for different resort areas and venues. Unlike destinations maintaining uniform dress expectations across all facilities

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  • 14 January
    The Disney Hollywood Studios entrance at Walt Disney World Resort.

    Disney Stunt Star Breaks Silence After Shocking Boulder Incident

    Fans of Disney’s Hollywood Studios were shaken a few weeks ago when a major incident occurred during the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. The iconic 400-pound boulder, meant to thrill audiences safely, went off course and rolled toward the audience. Now, the Disney cast member who jumped in to protect guests has finally spoken out about the terrifying moment. A Heroic Reaction Robert Herrick,

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  • 14 January
    A Disney Store entrance in a Florida mall.

    Disney Store Confirms Permanent End of Operations in January 2026

    Construction crews are dismantling one of the last remaining vintage-style Disney Store locations in the world just weeks after its permanent closure. The nostalgic merchandise destination at Disneyland Paris Resort shut down on January 4, 2026, launching a transformation that will erase decades of retro Disney retail aesthetics in favor of modern franchise-based shopping. Nostalgic Era Ends at Di

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  • 14 January
    Spaceship Earth as seen from across the World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT.

    Disney Turned EPCOT Festival Into a Giant Card Game

    Festival of the Arts at EPCOT used to be about celebrating different kinds of art. Visual galleries. Food presentations. Broadway performances. A nice mix where you could pick what interested you. That's not what's happening in 2026. Disney decided to make Lorcana, their trading card game, the main event. And you literally cannot walk through this festival without running into it constantly. They

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