News
Disney Fanatic is here to deliver the latest in Disney news from The Walt Disney Company and beyond.
-
Jan- 2026 -17 January
With Kathleen Kennedy Out, Multiple ‘Star Wars’ Movies Not in Development
The next chapter of Star Wars on the big screen is shaping up to be smaller, slower, and far less certain than once promised. Disney’s $4 billion acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 launched an aggressive era of Star Wars storytelling. Under Kathleen Kennedy, the studio delivered three sequel films and an expansive Disney+ lineup that turned streaming into the franchise’s primary playground. Now, as
Read More » -
17 January
Disney World Is Lining Up a Bold Haunted Mansion Makeover
Haunted Mansion has always felt like sacred ground. For more than five decades, it’s existed in a near-untouchable space, protected by nostalgia and a shared belief that some attractions don’t need fixing. But after 54 years, that assumption may be shifting. Disney hasn’t said anything outright, yet a series of small, deliberate moves suggests Haunted Mansion could be closer to change than many ex
Read More » -
17 January
Jungle Cruise Mystery: Why the River is Dark and the Reopening Date Has Vanished
If you’re planning a trip to the “Happiest Place on Earth” or the original magic of Southern California, you know that a journey into the heart of the jungle is a rite of passage. But for those visiting Disneyland in early 2026, the world-famous Jungle Cruise has become a bit of a ghost town. Credit: Boris Dzhingarov, Flickr In a move that has sent ripples through the fan community, th
Read More » -
17 January
Confirmed: New ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Coming Soon
Jurassic World Rebirth, the seventh film in the long-running franchise, hit theaters last summer. Directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp, it stars Scarlett Johansson as covert ops expert Zora Bennett, who must lead a specialized team to recover dinosaur DNA on an abandoned InGen island named Ile Saint-Hubert. But along the way, they encounter unexpected mutant threats such as the D-
Read More » -
16 January
‘Star Wars’ Fans Uneasy About Dave Filoni’s Rise To Power Amid Recent Reports
Dave Filoni’s promotion to co-president of Lucasfilm marks one of the most significant leadership shifts at the studio in years. Long viewed as a steward of Star Wars animation and Disney+ expansion, Filoni now holds broad creative authority over the franchise’s future. The timing of the announcement has reopened a sensitive debate among fans, centered not on what Filoni plans to make next, but on
Read More » -
16 January
Scaffolding and Shuttered Steakhouses: Why Disney World’s Most Expensive Resort is Under Siege by Construction in 2026
For travelers booking a stay at the “Most Magical Place on Earth,” choosing a resort is often the most significant decision of the trip. Among the top-tier options, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort stands as a beacon of New England-style elegance. As a “Deluxe” category hotel, it is one of the most expensive properties on Disney World property, with room rates often soaring well
Read More » -
16 January
Seven Bullets in the Night: Terrifying Disney World Uber Shooting Highlights Rising Safety Concerns
For millions of visitors, Walt Disney World is the “Most Magical Place on Earth”—a carefully curated sanctuary where the outside world’s problems are kept at bay by a “Disney Bubble” of high-tech security and impeccable service. However, a terrifying incident reported this week has served as a sobering reminder that the safety of the Disney experience often ends the moment
Read More » -
16 January
Universal Orlando’s ‘Harry Potter’ Ride Upgrade Has Fans Fuming
Universal Orlando Resort didn’t announce a significant change, but fans felt it immediately. One of the most popular Harry Potter attractions reopened after maintenance, and instead of praise, it drew anger. Social media is filled with complaints, long posts, and disappointed reactions from guests who expected better. For many fans, this wasn’t a minor letdown—it felt personal. This attraction has
Read More » -
16 January
Universal Is Suddenly Refusing Park Entry to Some Ticket Holders
For some Universal Orlando Resort guests, the vacation problem doesn’t start on a ride or in a long line. It begins at the entrance—the ticket scans. Nothing happens. Team Members step in. Guest Services gets involved. And suddenly, guests are told they can’t enter the park they already paid for. The reaction is almost always the same. Confusion first. Frustration next. And finally, the feeling th
Read More » -
16 January
Update: ‘The Mandalorian’ Universe Is Ending as Lucasfilm Resets ‘Star Wars’
Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as president of Lucasfilm, a leadership change that coincides with a significant shift in how Star Wars plans to move forward. Her departure, effective this week, comes as Lucasfilm quietly scales back one of its most visible storytelling experiments — the interconnected universe built around The Mandalorian. While Kennedy’s exit marks the end of a defining era fo
Read More »
