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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Feb- 2026 -22 February
After 40 Years, Dolly Parton Brings Dollywood Into Disney’s Backyard
For years, the idea lingered in theme park circles: What if Dolly Parton ever decided to make a serious move toward Orlando? While Disney and Universal expanded aggressively across Central Florida, Dollywood remained firmly rooted in Tennessee. It thrived on its own terms—leaning into mountain charm, seasonal festivals, and family-friendly attractions rather than chasing the scale of Orlando’s meg
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22 February
Two People Climb, Swing on Roller Coaster Tracks at Busch Gardens
A video posted on social media appears to show two people climbing, swinging, and lying on the Cheetah Hunt roller coaster tracks at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay without harnesses or proper safety equipment. X (formerly known as Twitter) user @saxontracks shared the footage on February 9, tagging Busch Gardens and jokingly asking: What in the name of OSHA is happening here @BuschGardens? What in the na
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21 February
Epic Universe Has Bad News for Fans of This Massive Coaster
For theme park fans, few experiences compare to stepping into a brand-new park for the first time. The excitement, the music swelling through immersive lands, and the promise of groundbreaking attractions all contribute to the kind of magic guests expect when visiting a destination like Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort. Since its debut, Epic Universe has been positioned as a bold step for
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21 February
The Epic Backtrack: Why Universal is Putting the Brakes on Epic Universe Expansion Rumors
The theme park arms race in Central Florida has reached a boiling point. For the past two years, Universal Epic Universe has been the undisputed heavyweight champion of “hype.” With its five immersive portals and high-tech attractions, it promised to be a “Disney Killer”—a park so massive it would force the mouse to rethink its entire strategy. Credit: DC Baker But as we mo
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19 February
Super Nintendo World Ride Closing Just Months After Debut
Less than a year after welcoming its first guests, Epic Universe is already taking steps to refresh one of its most family-friendly attractions. Yoshi’s Adventure, located inside Super Nintendo World, will temporarily close starting February 24, 2026. The ride is expected to reopen on February 27. While the closure is brief, it’s still significant for a park that only opened in May 2025. Yoshi’s A
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19 February
Universal Quietly Closes Kid-Friendly Seuss Landing Store
If you’ve ever done a full day at a theme park with a toddler, you know the truth: survival depends on breaks. And in Seuss Landing, one of the best break spots has just gone dark. All the Books You Can Read has closed, and its windows are now covered. There’s no timeline. No reopening date. Just a noticeable change in one of the most family-friendly corners of Islands of Adventure. The All the Bo
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19 February
Universal Alert: Get 2 Free Days at Epic Universe With New 2026 Ticket Deal
Universal Orlando is officially acting like a resort that expects you to stay for a full week. And honestly, it makes sense. With Epic Universe now open and operating, Universal isn’t just competing with Disney on rides anymore. They’re competing for vacation time, hotel bookings, dining budgets, and the kind of “all-in” Orlando trip families usually reserve for Disney. That’s why Universal’s newe
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19 February
The “Enchanted” Exit: Is Six Flags Quietly Selling Off These Five Iconic Parks to Escape Debt?
The theme park industry is currently navigating its most turbulent year since the global shutdowns, and at the center of the storm is the newly merged Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. While the 2024 merger with Cedar Fair was promised to be a “marriage of giants” that would dominate the regional market, the 2026 season has opened with a series of cryptic moves that suggest the hone
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19 February
UPDATE: SeaWorld Suddenly Drops Sesame Street Attraction From Orlando
Update at 4:20 p.m. E.T. on Thursday, February 19: SeaWorld officials have now shared that the parade will not close. The content from this article reflects previous reports prior to SeaWorld officials commenting and sharing that the parade will continue, despite online rumors. A new report has SeaWorld Orlando fans talking, and it’s not because of a new roller coaster or expansion announcement. I
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19 February
Universal Orlando Teases Future Epic Universe Growth, New Details Emerge
Epic Universe opened in May 2025, and most people assumed Universal would spend the next few years simply operating the park and fine-tuning it. That’s what usually happens after a major theme park launch. The first year is all about smoothing out logistics, managing crowds, and making sure everything runs the way it should. But Epic Universe isn’t giving off that “we’re done building” energy. Ins
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