Outside the Disney Bubble

Disney Fanatic shares news and experiences that unfold outside of the Disney bubble, including news of Disney’s competitors and beyond.

  • Jul- 2025 -
    19 July
    Dollywood entrance sign

    Dollywood Hit With Safety Violations, Update Given on Dolly Parton’s Theme Park

    Dollywood has long been praised for its warm atmosphere, sweeping views of the Smoky Mountains, and deep ties to the legacy of Dolly Parton. With hand-pulled taffy, cast-iron skillets sizzling with cinnamon bread, and local artisans blowing glass or carving wood on-site, the park delivers not just thrills but a true taste of Appalachian culture. But a recent safety investigation is drawing new att

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  • 19 July
    Roller coaster at Six Flags theme park.

    Six Flags Park To Be Sold, Permanent Closure Date Confirmed

    Six Flags America has survived hurricanes, rebrands, and ownership changes—but some of its parks won’t survive the company’s merger. Just over a year after Six Flags and Cedar Fair finalized their $8 billion merger, the new leadership is making sweeping changes. What was branded as a “merger of equals” has already resulted in closures, layoffs, and restructured management. Now, one of the chain’s

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  • 19 July
    Cinderella Castle at Disney World's Magic Kingdom

    Tomorrowland Goes up in Flames (No, Not That One)

    Tomorrowland at Disney World Resort's Magic Kingdom had everyone grabbing their phone to check their socials as the name was trending for hours. Here's what happened. Did Magic Kingdom Have a Massive Fire This Week? It started with smoke, a fire, and a trending hashtag. When flames tore through one of the largest electronic music festivals in the world this week, the internet did what it does best

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  • 19 July
    Rich Frank former Disney executive

    Widow Cries Foul, Ex-Disney Exec Fights Back: A Battle Over Trust and Millions

    Richard Frank, a former president of Disney Studios, is no stranger to the world of high-stakes business and entertainment. With his instrumental role in the release of Disney's iconic films like The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), and The Lion King (1994), Frank helped shape a major chapter in the company’s history. After leaving Disney in 1995, he turned his f

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  • 19 July
    Tristan Rogers as Robert Scorpio in General Hospital on ABC

    Disney and Soap Opera Fans Devastated by Star’s Cancer Diagnosis

    Tristan Rogers has long been a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, particularly in the realm of soap operas. With an impressive career that spans nearly six decades, the actor has made his mark through nearly 60 films and television roles. His most iconic portrayal, that of Robert Scorpio on General Hospital, has made him a household name among fans of the long-running ABC soap opera. Hi

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  • 19 July
    Sign reading "Epic Universe" at the entrance of Universal's Epic Universe theme park. Epic Universe annual passes

    Epic Universe Facing Reduced Hours Soon – What You Need To Know

    We have some bad news for Epic Universe travelers. Related: Disney Shuts Magic Kingdom Entrance Over Sudden Incident Beginning August 19, 2025, Epic Universe will adopt new operating hours, opening at 10 a.m. and closing at 9 p.m. For the last few weeks, the park has maintained hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. However, starting mid-August, Epic Universe will close an hour earlier. This reduction has

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  • 19 July
    Universal Orlando Resort guests in front of the globe near Universal Islands of Adventure, where Jurassic Park lives on.

    Universal Orlando Teases MASSIVE Reveal Next Week

    It’s been oddly quiet over at Universal Orlando lately. Fans are getting antsy with the summer rush in full swing and no major announcements this week. That kind of silence usually means one thing: something big is coming. Universal has a reputation for playing the long game. They wait, tease, and then drop major news when you least expect it—but right when fans are most ready. And based on recent

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  • 19 July
    Sign reading "Epic Universe" at the entrance of Universal's Epic Universe theme park. Epic Universe annual passes

    All of Epic Universe’s Outdoor Universal Park Rides Closed Out of Nowhere

    A bunch of Universal park rides closed down yesterday at Epic Universe. But why? Let's find out. Universal Park Rides Close Down: Epic Universe Enters 3rd Month of Operation Universal’s Epic Universe burst onto the scene on May 22, 2025, as the grand finale to a multi‑year push to deliver the most immersive theme park in the U.S. Spanning 750 acres and designed around a striking wheel‑and‑spoke la

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  • 18 July
    Two people ride Manta at SeaWorld San Diego

    “Massive Explosions” May Mark End of an Era For SeaWorld

    For years, the skies above SeaWorld lit up with nightly fireworks, bursting over the parks in a celebration of spectacle and sound. The booming finales were as much a part of the SeaWorld experience as orca shows and roller coasters—an exclamation point to a day spent in one of America’s most unique theme parks. Now, amid mounting pressure, that nightly ritual may be on its way out. SeaWorld, a lo

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  • 18 July
    Crowds bustle around the entry archway to Universal Studios Japan at nighttime

    After 5 Years, Beloved Universal Studios Land Finally Returns

    In an era where theme parks compete through blockbuster IPs and massive new lands, not every comeback arrives with fireworks. Some unfold quietly, with little fanfare and no media blitz—just a red doghouse, a familiar beagle, and a refreshed corner of the park waiting to be explored. Earlier this week, one of the world’s busiest theme parks surprised guests by reopening a land that had remained mo

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