News

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

  • Apr- 2025 -
    25 April
    The Fantastic Four First Steps cast

    Marvel Star Speaks Out on MCU Future After Controversial Casting

    Marvel Studios is officially launching Phase Six of the MCU with a bold new spin on its foundational superhero team in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Directed by WandaVision’s Matt Shakman and slated for release on July 25, 2025, the long-anticipated film will formally introduce the Fantastic Four to the franchise’s main continuity—albeit not on the Earth fans might expect. Pedro Pascal leads th

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  • 24 April
    The Liberty Square Riverboat at Magic Kingdom.

    Liberty Square Attraction Returns to Magic Kingdom–for Now

    After a brief closure, the Liberty Square Riverboat has returned to Magic Kingdom Park…but its fate remains uncertain. On Wednesday, Disney Fanatic reported that the Liberty Belle, the iconic riverboat that cruises along the Rivers of America, failed to open at its scheduled time of 11:00 a.m. The attraction remained closed for the day, with the entrance blocked off from guest access. Disney

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  • 24 April
    mickey balloons in front of cinderella castle in magic kingdom

    Guest Caught Entering Magic Kingdom With Wallet Stuffed Full of Cocaine

    For many, visiting Walt Disney World Resort is a dream come true—a place to laugh, explore, and forget about the outside world. But sometimes, reality follows guests right through the gates, resulting in situations that are anything but magical. While Disney works around the clock to protect guests and maintain a safe environment, it’s not always character meet-and-greets and churros. With advance

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  • 24 April
    Donald Trump edited next to Bob Iger and Mickey Mouse. Disney just defended DEI in a meeting.

    Antitrust Scrutiny Intensifies: Trump’s DOJ Targets Walt Disney Company’s Business Practices

    Legal Challenges Facing Disney The Walt Disney Company is currently navigating serious legal challenges as it is investigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ's inquiry concerns Disney's recent acquisition deals, particularly its controlling interest in Fubo TV, a sports streaming platform. Officials are assessing whether this deal results in an undue concentration in the market for spo

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  • 24 April
    The Sea World Orlando sign on a bright, summer day in Florida. DOJ lawsuit theme parks accessibility

    SeaWorld Announces Free Admission for Theme Parks Until July (But Only for Some Guests)

    In the years since Blackfish upended public perception of SeaWorld, the marine park chain has worked to reshape its identity—from controversial animal shows to adrenaline-pumping thrill rides. Yet despite ongoing criticism, SeaWorld remains a popular destination, especially among families and theme park fans. Now, just ahead of its busy summer season, SeaWorld is quietly expanding a long-running i

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  • 24 April
    Crowds bustle around the entry archway to Universal Studios Japan at nighttime

    Universal Studios Quietly Adds Yet Another New Ride Ahead of Summer Rush

    Even as it prepares to open its most ambitious park to date in Florida, Universal is continuing to expand overseas—this time without much fanfare. While Epic Universe is nearing completion in Orlando and new developments are underway in the U.K. and Texas, Universal has also been working behind the scenes on a smaller-scale project in Japan. This week, the company officially confirmed that a new i

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  • 24 April
    The lobby at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa as seen from the second floor.

    Disney Demolishes Original Part of Grand Floridian Resort To Make Way for a Bar

    A beloved symbol of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is being taken down, and longtime fans are feeling the loss. As part of an ongoing renovation at the luxury Walt Disney World Resort hotel, Disney has begun dismantling the golden birdcage that has stood in the resort’s lobby since it opened 36 years ago. The structure, once home to real birds and a decorative tree, has been a centerpiece o

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  • 24 April
    A white riverboat decorated with string lights sails near a dock, surrounded by trees and buildings, with a castle turret in the background at dusk—evoking scenes reminiscent of the Magic Kingdom Ferry lawsuit.

    Disney Guest Led Out of Magic Kingdom in Stretchers After Ferry Crash

    A ferryboat crash at Magic Kingdom on April 23 has left several guests with injuries, according to reports from witnesses onboard. The incident occurred while the ferryboat was attempting to dock at the popular theme park’s Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), causing a minor collision with a pillar. Although the crash itself was not severe, multiple passengers have come forward to share their

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  • 24 April
    pair of hands holds Minnie Mouse annual passholder sticker

    New 2026 Update May Leave Many Disney Annual Passholders on the Outside-Looking-In

    A new wave of price increases at Walt Disney World is stirring up real concerns among some of the most dedicated fans. The kind of fans who know where the quietest bathrooms are, who can time the monorail to the second, and who can name every EPCOT festival booth from memory. We’re talking about Annual Passholders—the people who have made visiting Disney a lifestyle, not just a trip. But in 2026,

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  • 24 April
    Walt Disney World Resort entrance, where Disney trips take place annually.

    Next Week Disney World Park Will Close Ahead of Transformational Florida Summer

    Big changes are on the horizon at Walt Disney World Resort, setting the scene for a truly landmark summer in Central Florida. For the first time since 2019, all six Walt Disney World parks—four theme parks and two water parks—will be open at the same time. This rare full lineup will officially kick off on May 21, welcoming guests to a season filled with thrills and new experiences. But before the

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