News
Disney Fanatic is here to deliver the latest in Disney news from The Walt Disney Company and beyond.
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Dec- 2025 -26 December
Disney Introducing New ”it’s a small world” on December 27
This week, Tokyo Disneyland brings back a special version of one of the most iconic Fantasyland attractions. The reimagined experience featuring Marvel Cinematic Universe characters officially reopens December 27, marking the second run of the popular temporary overlay. Groot Returns to Fantasyland The Marvel-themed “it's a small world” with Groot originally ran at Tokyo Disneyland fro
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26 December
26-Year-Old Star of ‘The Lion King’ Murdered
The performing arts community is mourning the loss of a former Broadway actress whose life was tragically cut short. Imani Dia Smith, who appeared in Disney on Broadway's “The Lion King” as a child, died December 21, following a stabbing at her New Jersey home. Authorities have charged her boyfriend with first-degree murder in connection with her death. Smith was just 26 years old. Fat
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26 December
Former MLB All-Star Criticizes Disney Cruise Line Over Cross-Dressing Performers
Former Major League Baseball star Ender Inciarte is best remembered for Gold Gloves, outfield wall robberies, and speed on the basepaths. Yet over the weekend, the retired All-Star stepped into the cultural spotlight for a very different reason, sparking debate after criticizing part of his experience on Disney Cruise Line. The former Atlanta Braves outfielder publicly shared frustration over “men
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26 December
Orlando International Airport Location Closing in 2026
A familiar dining destination at Orlando International Airport will disappear from the travel landscape as 2025 draws to a close. The announcement affects countless passengers traveling to Central Florida attractions, including Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. Travelers have just days remaining to visit the establishment before its permanent closure. New Year's Eve Marks Fina
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26 December
EPCOT Already Planning to Put Away the Christmas Decorations for Another Year
End of EPCOT's Holiday Celebrations EPCOT is preparing to bid farewell to its holiday festivities, with the Festival of the Holidays closing on December 30. This marks the last opportunity for guests to engage in various festive activities, including holiday kitchens, the popular Cookie Stroll, and the famed Candlelight Processional. The final performance of the Candlelight Processional will be ho
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26 December
Police Respond to Theft Report at Walt Disney World Hotel District
At Walt Disney World Resort, holiday crowds always bring energy, spectacle, and a constant flow of guests through Disney Springs and its surrounding hotels. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is often one of the busiest travel windows of the year, marked by sold-out dining reservations, packed parking lots, and last-minute shopping. But even in the middle of that festive chaos, the real-wor
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26 December
This Holiday Season, Dollywood Offers Guests More Than a Theme Park; It Offers Them a Place to Find Peace
Unique Features of Dollywood Dollywood, famed for its vibrant attractions and entertainment, offers a remarkable feature that sets it apart from other theme parks: the Robert F. Thomas Chapel. This serene chapel offers guests a rare opportunity to find solace amidst the lively atmosphere. While theme parks generally focus on thrill rides and entertainment, Dollywood extends an invitation to guests
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26 December
New Haunted Mansion Permit Could Change the Ride Forever
Walt Disney Imagineering appears to be preparing changes inside one of Magic Kingdom’s most iconic attractions, according to a new construction permit that indicates set installation work is scheduled for The Haunted Mansion. The filing, brief but noticeable within development records, points directly to creative updates rather than routine maintenance, sparking immediate speculation among fans wa
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26 December
The Woman Who Gave Us The Princess Diaries Has Passed Away at 63
Karen Glass passed away on Monday, December 22, at UCLA Medical Center at the age of 63 from complications of pancreatic cancer. If you've ever loved The Princess Diaries, you need to know who she was and why her death matters. Glass was the Disney executive who made that entire movie happen. She bought the book. She insisted on Julie Andrews. Without her creative vision and persistence, one of th
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26 December
Disney Fans Are Obsessed With This Starbucks Mug and Won’t Stop Buying It
Walt Disney World just dropped a new Starbucks castle mug, and Disney fans are treating it like it's the greatest thing ever created. The mug costs $29.99, which is objectively expensive for what's basically a ceramic cup with a printed design, but that hasn't stopped people from rushing to Magic Kingdom to buy it. Social media is flooded with posts about this mug, with fans claiming it's the best
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