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.
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May- 2026 -7 May
Universal Is Closing the Restaurant That Has Been Beating Disney for Decades
Let's get something out of the way first. Mythos Restaurant at Universal's Islands of Adventure has a sign out front that says best theme park restaurant in the world. It has been said that for years. It earned that title multiple times over. And if you have spent any time in the theme park community arguing about where to eat inside an Orlando park, you already know that Mythos has been winning t
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7 May
The Best Summer Theme Park in Florida Right Now Is Not Disney World
Disney World is great. Nobody is saying it is not. But if you have a child under the age of six and you are planning a Central Florida theme park day this summer, there is a very real argument that the most enjoyable day your family could have right now is not happening inside Magic Kingdom. It is happening about 45 minutes down the road in Winter Haven, at a small park that does not get nearly en
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6 May
Deaths Connected to Sloth World in Orlando Continues to Grow
Every update on the Sloth World Orlando story has been harder to read than the one before it, and the news that arrived May 5 from the Central Florida Zoo is no different. A third sloth connected to the failed International Drive attraction has died in zoo care, and the circumstances surrounding the loss reflect exactly what the zoo's veterinary team warned about from the moment the 13 rescued ani
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5 May
Universal Orlando Sets Unusually Low Price for August 28 HHN35 Kickoff Weekend
There’s a moment every year when fall planning at Universal Orlando suddenly becomes real. Dates get circled. Houses get teased. And fans begin locking in their trips for one of the biggest events in theme parks. This year, though, something else is driving that early planning—and it has nothing to do with what’s inside the haunted houses. It’s the price. And for opening weekend, it’s not what any
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5 May
Islands of Adventure Ride Faces Another Delay as May Date Moves
There’s a difference between a ride being down… and a ride being gone. Right now, Pteranodon Flyers is sitting somewhere in between. If you’ve walked through Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure lately, you’ve probably noticed how quiet that section feels. The ride that once floated overhead—barely making a sound—is completely out of sight. No movement. No testing. Just walls and unanswered quest
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5 May
Universal Reveals Crucial Guest Policy Restrictions for Mario Kart and Stardust Racers
A packed summer is right around the corner, and the experience inside Epic Universe is starting to take on a different shape. The newest park at Universal Orlando Resort is still pulling huge crowds, but how guests move through it is beginning to change as demand ramps up. The updates aren’t being shouted from the rooftops, but they matter. They influence how visitors access major attractions and
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5 May
Last Call: 27-Year-Old Universal Attraction Enters Final Weeks of Operation Before May 26 Closure
A full day in the Florida sun can wear you down quickly, especially at Universal Orlando Resort. When the heat peaks, water-based experiences become less of a luxury and more of a necessity. For a short stretch this summer, one of those go-to options will be unavailable. Universal has confirmed a closure beginning May 26, 2026. And the timing lands right as summer crowds arrive, making it more not
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5 May
Fans Furious Over Universal’s Wizarding World, an “Insult” To British Culture
Fans aren't happy with the accuracy of Universal’s Wizarding World. Over time, the “Traditional English Breakfast” offered in the parks has drawn increasingly scathing reviews from British visitors who feel that a single dish has completely missed the mark. Designed to immerse guests in the fictional world created by J.K. Rowling, the parks use everything from architecture to food to create a beli
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5 May
SeaWorld Guest Sparks Panic After Climbing Roller Coaster Structure
Theme parks are designed with careful precision to keep millions of visitors each year entertained without incident. Yet, when guests ignore safety rules, things can – and do – go wrong. Across Florida’s major theme parks, guest misbehavior is hardly a new headline. From reckless stunts to drunken antics, the so-called “Most Magical” and “Most Thrilling” places on Earth have seen guests push bound
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4 May
Obama and Mark Hamill Team up for May the Fourth ‘Star Wars’ Reveal
Star Wars Day delivered plenty of surprises this year, but few as unexpected as Barack Obama and Mark Hamill teaming up to make an announcement through the Force. The Sketch The Obama Foundation dropped a well-timed video on May the Fourth, revealing that tickets for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago go on sale on May 6, 2026. The clip opens with text reading “A short time from now on
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