News
Disney Fanatic is here to deliver the latest in Disney news from The Walt Disney Company and beyond.
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Oct- 2025 -21 October
Lucasfilm Makes Course-Correction for ‘Star Wars’ in Latest Announcement
Lucasfilm’s newest project may not be a movie or a live-action series, but it might be a step in the right direction for a franchise that’s struggled to find its footing over the years. The announcement of “Star Wars: Eyes Like Stars”, a young adult novel by New York Times bestselling author Ashley Poston, marks a clear effort to embrace genre again — something the saga used to do effo
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21 October
‘Star Wars’ ‘The Acolyte’ Will Return in 2026, Despite Major Backlash
There’s a long tradition in Star Wars of celebrating its missteps as much as its triumphs. Even the most divisive projects eventually find their place in the galaxy’s sprawling mythology — and now, The Acolyte is getting that treatment. At the recent NYCC, Lucasfilm announced “The Art of Star Wars: The Acolyte”, an upcoming hardcover release from StarWars.com editor Kristin Baver with
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20 October
Upcoming Soft Openings: Zootopia and Big Thunder Mountain Expected Soon
The Emergence of Soft Openings in Disney Parks Disney World has adopted an innovative strategy known as soft openings to enhance the guest experience at its parks. This practice allows select visitors to enjoy updated attractions before their official openings. The approach gained attention with the unexpected reopening of the Hall of Presidents, illustrating a shift in how Disney manages its attr
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20 October
5 EPCOT Attractions Are Getting a Massive Glow-Up By 2026
EPCOT isn’t just changing—it’s evolving in a big way. Five major attractions are in the middle of some serious upgrades, giving nearly half of the park’s lineup a fresh look and feel. It’s the kind of shift that longtime fans have been waiting for and newcomers will get to enjoy all at once. A Classic Shines Again First up is Spaceship Earth, which quietly reopened after an extended closure. No, i
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20 October
‘Buy Nothing’ Provides Financial Relief For Families Planning Disney World Vacations
Transforming Disney Experiences through Community Over the years, Disney World has undergone pivotal changes, evolving from an amusement park that once offered numerous complimentary services to a destination where many attractions now come with a hefty price tag. The introduction of various fee-based structures, such as the Lightning Lane, has altered the experience for guests, with many feeling
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20 October
Heads Up: Disney World’s 2026 Closures Are Way Bigger Than Expected
Disney’s rolling into 2026 with a pretty aggressive construction schedule, and it’s going to be hard to miss. Thirteen different resort closures and refurbishments are already confirmed, covering everything from pools and transportation to some of the most popular hotel rooms on property. For guests who love quiet resort days, long pool afternoons, or quick Skyliner rides, this is one of those upd
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20 October
Chaos at Magic Kingdom: Every Wait Time Sign Goes Down at Once
It’s not a storm, not a power failure, and not a maintenance test—yet something very real happened at Magic Kingdom this morning. Every single attraction wait time sign across the park suddenly went dark, leaving guests without one of the most essential tools for navigating their day. The rides themselves are still operating, but the outage is forcing guests to adjust on the fly. What Guests Are S
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20 October
From ‘Star Wars’ to Animation: Disney+ Quietly Cuts Promising Series
If you’re someone who hits “Play” on every new Disney+ original the day it drops, you may have noticed a curious trend: promising shows vanishing after a single season. In the past two years, at least five notable Disney+ series were axed surprisingly early—some without fanfare, others despite strong reviews or obvious sequel setups. From live-action dramas to animated debuts and even a Star Wars
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20 October
Guests Turned Away Without Passports at Disney and Universal
If you’re used to the typical theme park routine—pulling up an e-ticket on your phone or printing a barcode at home—you might be in for a surprise when visiting Shanghai Disneyland or Universal Studios Beijing. Unlike parks around the world, these two major Chinese theme parks don’t issue electronic tickets for entry. Instead, your physical passport is your ticket. This system, standard across maj
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20 October
TikTok Duo Sparks Backlash After Inappropriate Princess Ariel Meet-and-Greet at Disney
Disney fans and theme park enthusiasts are reacting strongly after a viral TikTok video featuring popular creators Grant and Ash, also known as @a_twink_and_a_redhead, made the rounds online. The clip, which shows the duo interacting with Princess Ariel during a meet-and-greet, has drawn criticism for its perceived insensitivity toward the character performer. While some argue the video aligns wit
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