News
Disney Fanatic is here to deliver the latest in Disney news from The Walt Disney Company and beyond.
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Mar- 2026 -21 March
Disney Just Promoted This 15-Year Employee to Senior Vice President
Walt Disney Studios recently announced that Erin Barrier is being promoted to Senior Vice President of Communications, and honestly, this is a big deal because Disney just made another major promotion as part of the ongoing organizational changes happening during what's being described as Disney's smoothest CEO transition in decades. Barrier was previously Vice President of Communications and will
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21 March
Disney Reportedly Won’t Release ‘Star Wars’ Movie as Some Had Hoped
Lucasfilm is preparing to bring one of its most successful Star Wars stories to theaters, but The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) arrives at a moment of uncertainty for the franchise it once helped define. Scheduled for release on May 22, 2026, the film continues the journey of Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu, characters who first captured audiences in The Mandalorian on Disney+. Since its 2019 d
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21 March
The Bluey Takeover at Disneyland Just Got Real With All This Merchandise
Downtown Disney now has new apparel, toys, and collectibles themed to Bluey and Bingo from the popular kids' show Bluey, and honestly, the Bluey takeover has officially started at Disneyland. The new Bluey merchandise collection can be found at the World of Disney shop in Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort, with Disneyland having released Bluey merchandise in the parks as the Australian anim
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21 March
Disney and Marvel Officially Cancels MCU Movie Release Just Days After ‘Spider-Man’ Reveal
It’s been a week of recalibration for Disney, with developments spanning executive leadership, blockbuster trailers, and a notable shake-up to Marvel Studios’ theatrical roadmap—all pointing to a studio in the midst of redefining its long-term approach. The MCU’s current trajectory began taking shape with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), directed by Matt Shakman. Featuring Pedro Pascal and
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21 March
The “Hollywood That Always Was” is Officially Gone: Disney Just Made a Massive, Permanent Change to Hollywood Studios
If you’ve walked down Hollywood Boulevard recently, you know the vibe has shifted. The neon lights are still humming, and the smell of popcorn still hangs in the air, but the landscape is being edited faster than a summer blockbuster. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is currently in the middle of a radical identity shift, shedding its “behind-the-scenes” studio roots to become a collection o
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21 March
Disney’s Hidden Tribute: How Splash Mountain’s Retired Cast Saved Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ and Found a Secret Second Life
For the Disney faithful, January 23, 2023, and May 31, 2023, are dates that will live in Frontierland infamy. These were the days when the logs stopped splashing, the vultures stopped taunting, and the “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” finally faded into the Florida and California air. The closure of Splash Mountain to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure was more than just a typical ride refurbishm
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21 March
Nicholas Brendon, Star of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, Dies at 54
Nicholas Brendon, best known for his role as Xander Harris in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003), has sadly died at the age of 54. His passing was confirmed by his family, who announced his death in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter: “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes. Most people know Nicky for
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20 March
The $50 Million Execution: Inside Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden’s Brutal First Move to Save Disney’s Brand
In the corporate world, the first few days of a new CEO’s tenure are usually spent shaking hands and posing for Fortune magazine. But for Josh D’Amaro, the newly minted CEO of The Walt Disney Company, and Dana Walden, the powerhouse President and CCO of Disney Entertainment, the honeymoon lasted exactly forty-eight hours. Credit: Disney By Thursday, March 19, 2026, the duo was forced into a high-s
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20 March
The $7 Gallon Squeeze: Why the War With Iran Could Turn Disney World Into a 2026 Ghost Town
For decades, the “Great American Road Trip” has been the heartbeat of the summer tourism season. But as we approach the summer of 2026, that heartbeat is skipping a beat—and it’s due to a massive coronary at the gas pump. With the outbreak of the war with Iran and the subsequent destabilization of global energy markets, the national average for gas is hurtling toward a terrifying $7.00
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20 March
Universal’s Volcano Bay Expansion Faces Setback After Florida Measure Quietly Dies
Universal's Volcano Bay is no longer getting the expansion millions had been hoping for, thanks to Florida legislation. The Future of Volcano Bay Has Always Been About More Than Just Slides For many guests, Universal’s Volcano Bay isn’t just another water park—it’s a reimagining of what a theme park experience can be. From its immersive theming to its innovative ride systems, the park has consiste
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