Let’s take a look at the latest news around the Walt Disney Company, including Disney Parks, Experiences, and Entertainment.
Walt Disney World
Here’s what’s happening at the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Monstropolis Rising at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney Parks Blog has released new details about Monstropolis – the new land based on Disney-Pixar’s Monsters, Inc., which is under construction as Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The “Monstropolis Horn” newspaper has reported that “H.U.M.A.N. Day is a Go” with H.U.M.A.N. short for “Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice”). This whimsical event is “designed to introduce humans to life inside Monstropolis while helping monsters discover that humans are not so frightening after all.” This is a sharp storytelling technique by Imagineers to invite human guests into the world of monsters.
Monstropolis will feature streets lined with storefronts, where “every corner reflects the quirky, character-filled world fans fell in love with.”
Guests can look forward to dining at the legendary Harryhausen’s restaurant (sushi, anyone?). The Glob Theater (formerly known as the Grand Arts Theater, which hosted MuppetVision 3D) will invite humans to enjoy a brand new show experience.
And of course, the highly-anticipated “doors coaster” (not yet officially named) will be housed inside the factory at the rear of Monstropolis. The upcoming ride will feature the first-ever suspended coaster at a Disney Park, and the first-ever vertical lift.
Coming Soon to Disney Springs
A host of new and refurbished entertainment, dining, and shopping options are opening soon at Disney Springs.
Level99 – Opening June 29, 2026
This giant playground for adults and teens will feature 60+ life‑sized mini‑games and real-world challenges – all amid an invigorating environment filled with bold, colorful art installations. Level99’s two‑story bar will feature handcrafted cocktails, rotating beers on tap, award‑winning Detroit‑style pizza, wagyu burgers, and other craveable snacks.
Six Ravens – Opening Summer 2026
This new location by the group behind Gideon’s Bakehouse will specialize in grab-and-go hand pies. Their signature creation, known as Coffyns, is a house‑made yeast‑roll stuffed with savory fillings that draw inspiration from Medieval European pastry cases. Six Ravens will also have local beers crafted in partnership with popular Orlando restaurants.
Kakigori Kool
A new offering from Morimoto Asia – Kakigori Kool will serve Japan’s beloved shaved ice dessert with fruity syrups and playful toppings like strawberry popping boba and fresh pineapple.
New Shoe and Apparel Merchants
Here are a couple new retail locations opening soon:
- Vans Footwear
- Oakley Store
DescenDANCE Party x Camp Rock Jam
On select nights this summer at Disney Springs, the AdventHealth Waterside Stage will come alive with high‑energy dance parties celebrating the newest original movies coming to Disney+, including Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, Camp Rock 3, and other fan-favorite Disney Channel tunes.
Disney Springs Resort Transportation Verification – Returning June 28, 2026
Bus and water taxi transportation are both extremely popular ways for guests to get around Walt Disney World. This is especially true at Disney Springs, where bus and water taxi transportation options are often overwhelmingly busy. This is largely due to guests who often park for free at one of the Disney Springs parking garages, then use resort buses to reach the theme parks, effectively bypassing the standard fee for parking at the theme park lots.
Earlier this year, Disney conducted test runs during busy periods, where Cast Members stationed at the Disney Springs bus loop scanned MagicBands and tickets before allowing guests to board. Disney observed improved capacity for guests who are actually staying on property, and has confirmed that resort verification will return on June 28, ahead of the July 4th holiday week, and will remain in place indefinitely.
In addition to monitoring the bus loops, the new policy will also apply to water taxis departing Disney Springs along the Sassagoula River for local resorts (Port Orleans – French Quarter, Port Orleans – Riverside, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs (including the Treehouse Villas). Guests boarding these boats will need to provide verification before boarding.
To pass the checkpoint at the bus station and boat docks, guests must present one of the following:
- An active Walt Disney World resort hotel reservation.
- A confirmed dining reservation at a Disney resort hotel.
- A confirmed resort recreation booking, such as a specialty boat cruise.
Disneyland
Here’s what’s happening at The Happiest Place on Earth.
Halloween and Fall Celebrations 2026
Disneyland does it up frighteningly well every fall, and 2026 is no exception. Here are a few highlights to look forward to enjoying the spooky season:
- Festive decor and characters.
- Attraction overlays.
- “Halloween Screams” nighttime spectacular.
- Themed character dining.
- Oogie Boogie Bash (with new “Madame Leota’s Swinging Wake – A Haunted Mansion Street Party”)
- Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park
- Disneyland Resort Hotel and Ticket Deals.
Get all the Disneyland Halloween details here.
Entertainment News
A few notes from the big screen and television.
Ice Age: Boiling Point – Releasing in Theaters February 5, 2027
Believe it or not, there have been five films released in the Ice Age franchise (six if you count the 2022 spinoff film The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild). Ice Age: Boiling Point will be the first film from the franchise produced by 20th Century Animation and released under the Disney umbrella. The film will bring back franchise favorite voices Ray Romano (Manny, a woolly mammoth), Denis Leary (Diego, a smilodon), John Leguizamo (Sid, a ground sloth), Simon Pegg (Buck Wild, a one-eyed weasel), and Queen Latifah (Ellie, a female woolly mammoth). Together, the herd embarks on a madcap, dinosaur-and-lava-filled adventure that forces them to explore never-before-seen corners of the treacherous Lost World.
Check out the trailer here:
Gatto – Releasing in Theaters March 5, 2027
We’re going to Italy, friends! Pixar’s Gatto – helmed by Luca director Enrico Casarosa – is set in the sun-drenched, canal-filled neighborhoods of Venice. The film follows Nero (voiced by Mark Ruffalo), a scrappy black cat who finds himself in over his head and indebted to a ruthless feline mob boss Rocco (voiced by Lawrence Fishburne). In the Venetian underworld, cats govern the city’s alleyways. In addition to getting caught up in the local crime scene, Nero crosses paths with an unexpected human friend, forcing him to question his life choices and discover his true purpose.
Gatto promises to be visually stunning, showcasing a highly anticipated, hand-painted artistic style blended with Pixar’s signature CGI technology.
Check out the teaser trailer here:
Hexed – Releasing in Theaters November 25, 2026
At long last, Walt Disney Studios has released a teaser trailer for Hexed, a new film which will be released in theaters November 25. The animated coming-of-age fantasy film follows an unconventional teen named Billie (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) who discovers she has magical powers. After unleashing an accidental spell in the school bathroom, she is expelled from school, much to the frustration of her mom Alice (Rashida Jones). While trying to replicate her powers, Billie is whisked away to Hexe, a vast realm of witches.
Check out the teaser trailer here (you can also see it paired with Toy Story 5):
Disney Parks and Experiences Sales and Promotions
Here are the newest promotions for visits to Disney Destinations.
Aulani – Save Up to 35% on Select Stays of 5 or More Nights This Fall
Visit Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaiʻi, this fall and save up to 35% on select rooms—including Partial Ocean View Rooms or Ocean View Rooms and Villas – as detailed below.
- Save up to 30% on select rooms for stays of 5 or more consecutive nights.
- Save up to 25% for stays of 4 consecutive nights.
Disney Visa Cardmembers can save even more during these same dates when using their Disney Visa Card or Rewards Redemption Card to book their stay.
- Save 35% on stays of 5 or more consecutive nights
- Save 30% on stays of 4 consecutive nights
Both offers are valid for stays most nights from October 19 to December 23, 2026 (with checkout no later than December 24, 2026).
Disney Visa Cardmembers – Book Early to Get a Resort Credit: When you book by June 17, 2026, your stay of 4 or more nights will also include a $150 Resort Credit to use at select locations at Aulani Resort.
Get all the Aulani promotion details here.
Save Up to 25% on Select Stays of 4 or More Nights at a Disneyland Resort Hotel
This existing promotion rewards guests looking to enjoy a longer Disneyland vacation this summer. Guests staying in a Disneyland Resort hotel for 4 or more nights can save up to 25% on select room types, from May 22 through September 7, 2026.
Save Up to 15% on Select Shorter Stays Sunday Through Thursday Nights at a Disneyland Resort Hotel
Guests looking for a shorter Disneyland vacation this summer – this promo is for you. Guests staying in a Disneyland Resort hotel Sunday through Thursday nights can save up to 15% on select room types, from May 22 through September 7, 2026.
Disneyland Halloween Time Tickets – Only $104 on Select Dates
Disney is offering the lowest-priced 1-Day, 1-Park ticket for $104, for guests 10 years of age and older, on the following dates:
- September 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 29
Walt Disney World Ticket Promo: Florida Residents Enjoy a Disney Summer 4-Day Ticket for $65 Per Day + Tax
Florida residents can choose from several multi-day options, including:
- 4-Day Ticket: $65 Per Day + Tax (Total Price: $259 + Tax)
- 3-Day Ticket: $80 Per Day + Tax (Total Price: $239 + Tax)
- 2-Day Ticket: $110 Per Day + Tax (Total Price: $219 + Tax)
Get all the Disneyland and Walt Disney World promotion details here.
Other Disney Parks and Experiences News and Promotions:
- Disney Cruise Line: Kids Sail for 50% Off
- Walt Disney World 2027 Tickets and Packages Available, and Disney Dining Plan Updates
- Walt Disney World Deals and Free Dining for Summer and Fall 2026
- Disneyland Deals for Summer 2026
Ask me how I can help you plan for 2027.
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