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.

  • Nov- 2025 -
    1 November
    Dolly Parton in front of the Dollywood sign
    Chloe James
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    Dollywood Takes Cues From Disney, Confirms New Upcharge Hitting Theme Park in 2026

    Dollywood has long stood apart from other theme parks by offering something more than rides — it’s offered heart. Dolly Parton’s Tennessee park, nestled in the Smoky Mountains, has built its reputation on warmth, nostalgia, and a sense of place. Now, it’s preparing for a landmark year that will introduce a new Halloween event, a first-of-its-kind attraction, and a brand-new race weekend. The Pigeo

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  • Oct- 2025 -
    30 October
    SeaWorld Orlando entrance with visitors walking towards the amusement park. A vibrant sign featuring a jumping dolphin and the text "SeaWorld Orlando" is visible on the right. In the background, a blue roller coaster is surrounded by lush green trees and clear skies, at this Florida theme park.
    Chloe James
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    Woman “Disfigured” by Surprising Animal at SeaWorld Orlando

    Roller coasters are built to withstand intense speeds, sharp turns, and enormous drops. Yet the natural world sometimes poses risks no designer can fully account for. One of those dangers — bird strikes — has made headlines once again, this time at SeaWorld Orlando. Hillary R. Martin has filed a lawsuit claiming she was injured on the park’s Mako coaster after an unexpected airborne collision. The

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  • 30 October
    Decorative golden and green archway with a clock and the inscription "For in dreams we enter a world that is entirely our own," set against a partly cloudy sky at Epic Universe.
    Jess Colopy
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    Disney World Officially Dominates Universal Epic Universe, Even Without a New Theme Park

    Universal’s newest theme park may have opened to tremendous fanfare earlier this year, but the latest financial reports show that The Walt Disney Company remains firmly on top. Despite not debuting a new park in 2025, Walt Disney World Resort is outperforming Universal Orlando Resort — even with the launch of Universal Epic Universe. Epic Universe’s Opening Quarter Comcast, the parent company of U

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  • 30 October
    Guests in front of the Universal Studios globe
    Sarah Larson
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    Universal Orlando Makes Shocking Move That Could Derail Every 2026 Vacation Plan

    Universal Orlando Resort is entering a strange phase. After years of growth and the massive 2025 debut of Epic Universe, 2026 looks less like a victory lap and more like a recovery period. Guests planning trips next year are realizing that it might not be the carefree vacation they imagined. Between ride closures, construction delays, and complicated ticket rules, Universal appears to be testing i

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  • 30 October
    SeaWorld Orlando entrance with visitors walking towards the amusement park. A vibrant sign featuring a jumping dolphin and the text "SeaWorld Orlando" is visible on the right. In the background, a blue roller coaster is surrounded by lush green trees and clear skies, at this Florida theme park.
    Eva Miller
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    “Duck vs. Roller Coaster” Lawsuit Will Finally Go to Trial: Here’s the Date

    An unusual theme park lawsuit is moving forward in Florida — one involving a roller coaster, a high-speed thrill, and an unexpected avian encounter. An Orange County woman, Hillary R. Martin, has filed suit against SeaWorld Orlando, claiming she was struck in the face by a duck while riding the park’s Mako coaster, a 200-foot-tall attraction that reaches speeds of up to 73 miles per hour. The impa

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  • 29 October
    A group of classic universal monsters, including Frankenstein, Dracula, and werewolves, gather in a spooky, foggy amusement park with a haunted castle, roller coasters, and dramatic lightning in the background.
    Andrew Boardwine
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    Fans Shocked as Epic Universe Turns Monster Land Into Cornhole Central

    Universal’s new park just pulled off a move no one saw coming—and not in a good way. The heart of Epic Universe’s Dark Universe, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, went down unexpectedly this week. Instead of eerie fog and thunder, guests were greeted with something that felt more like a backyard barbecue. Horror Meets Lawn Games On October 28, visitors arrived to find Frankenstein M

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  • 28 October
    Universal Orlando Resort guests in front of the globe near Universal Islands of Adventure, where Jurassic Park lives on.
    Sarah Larson
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    Universal Just Axed a Fan-Favorite Perk After 8 Years

    Universal just made a quiet but pretty significant move — the kind of change that doesn’t make headlines right away but reshapes how your day at the park actually plays out. A longtime perk that’s been part of the Universal experience for eight years is gone. And yes, guests will definitely feel the difference. Universal’s Reputation for Perks If there’s one thing Universal Orlando Resort has alwa

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  • 28 October
    Universal Orlando Resort guests in front of the globe near Universal Islands of Adventure, where Jurassic Park lives on.
    Sarah Larson
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    5 Forgotten Universal Orlando Attractions You’ll Kick Yourself for Missing

    Universal Orlando Resort is famous for its blockbuster attractions — the rides that spark hype, fill wait times, and dominate park maps. But between all the coaster madness and headliner chaos are experiences most people never even realize exist. They’re quiet, often hidden, and honestly… pretty amazing. It’s the part of the park that feels like it’s waiting for you to slow down and notice it. Cre

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  • 27 October
    The Magic Kingdom Cinderella Castle during sunset at Disney World,
    Jess Colopy
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    Second “Devastating” Weather Warning in 48 Hours Issued for Disney World Florida

    For the second time in just two days, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a new weather warning for Central Florida, impacting thousands of guests currently visiting Walt Disney World Resort. The latest alert warns of devastating flooding conditions that could disrupt vacations and theme park operations as storms continue to move through the region. On Sunday, the National Weather Servic

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  • 27 October
    Guests ride a water raft attraction in front of Krakatau at Volcano Bay
    Eva Miller
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    Crowd Favorite Closed Right Before the Holidays, But There’s a Silver Lining

    Universal Orlando Resort is preparing to refresh one of Volcano Bay’s signature water attractions just ahead of the busy winter season. The Honu Ika Moana slide will close for refurbishment on November 3, 2025, and reopen on December 19, 2025, giving the park just under seven weeks to complete its latest round of maintenance. The brief closure, scheduled between the park’s fall lull and the holida

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