No festival menus here, just the bigger stories in the Disney-sphere. 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.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – Party Dates and Ticket Sale Dates Revealed
We are officially “Halfway to Halloween,” which means Disney begins releasing details for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP), including party dates and ticket sale dates.
This separate ticketed event at Magic Kingdom offers exclusive entertainment, Halloween-themed food and beverages, photo opportunities, exclusive merchandise, and character greetings. Guests are encouraged to show off their most creative Disney-themed costumes and see the Headless Horseman stalk the streets of Mickey’s “Boo-To-You” Halloween Parade. And of course, trick-or-treating is available across the park.
MNSSHP 2026 Party Dates:
- August 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
- September 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29
- October 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
MNSSHP tickets will be available for purchase starting on May 5 for Walt Disney World Resort guests (including Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green).
Tickets will be available starting on May 12 for all other guests.
Ticket discounts are available for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members.
Disney will release more info on MNSSHP as the spooky season draws near.
Pro Tip: MNSSHP guests can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 PM – three hours before the party kicks off at 7:00 PM-12:00 AM. This means guests have up to 8 hours to celebrate the spooky season across the park.
New Magic Kingdom Ferry
For many guests staying outside of Walt Disney World property, a day at Magic Kingdom begins by riding a ferryboat across Seven Seas Lagoon to the front gates. Currently, eager guests ride one of three ferryboats, including the Admiral Joe Fowler, General Joe Potter, and Richard F. Irvine.
For the first time since 1976, a new ferryboat is on its way to Seven Seas Lagoon. The new ferry will be named after former Walt Disney World president Meg Gilbert Crofton, who managed the resort from 2006 to 2013.
Ms. Crofton spent about 35 years with Disney, beginning in 1977. She rose through roles in operations, hotels, and human resources, eventually becoming a senior executive in the parks division. Under Crofton, Walt Disney World went through a period of modernization and expansion, as she launched the New Fantasyland expansion at Magic Kingdom and was a key driver in the MyMagic+ and FastPass+ projects, as well as the MagicBand system. Ms. Crofton is no stranger to Disney honors – she was given a window on Main Street U.S.A. in 2015, the year after she retired.
The newest ferry is currently under construction at a marina in Florida. It will be shipped to Walt Disney World in several pieces and will then be assembled, painted, and adorned with flourishes before launching in 2027.
Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Disney’s popular H2O Glow After Hours will return to Typhoon Lagoon for Summer 2026. The special summer nighttime event transforms Typhoon Lagoon from a daytime tropical oasis to an evening beach party.
At H2O Glow After Hours, guests can ride the glowing slides and attractions of Typhoon Lagoon. In addition to the water rides, guests can meet Powerline Max, Chip ‘n’ Dale (dressed as the Rescue Rangers), Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack, and more fun characters.
Disney H2O Glow After Hours Dates:
- June 2, 13, 19, 27
- July 3, 7, 17, 24, 31
- August 9, 22, 29
- September 5
Tickets are on sale now, and start at $85 plus tax for adults and $65 for kids ages 3-9. There is a 20% discount for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members.
Included with the ticket, guests can enjoy complimentary snacks (including Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars) throughout the evening.
Disney Lakeshore Lodge – Opening Summer 2027
Coming Summer 2027!
Disney Lakeshore Lodge is a new waterfront resort lovingly themed to nature and celebrated through a lens of Disney storytelling. The design is inspired by Walt Disney’s love of the outdoors and classic nature-themed Disney films, and is set to feature artistic nods to films like Bambi, Pocahontas, and Brother Bear. Located on the shores of Bay Lake (across from the Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and Fort Wilderness), Disney Lakeshore Lodge promises to provide a relaxing experience amid the hustle and bustle of Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney Imagineering has shared some concept art, highlighting a lush pool area (which includes a lazy river) and a natural beachfront area overlooking Bay Lake.
Disney Lakeshore Lodge will offer many ways to stay in the magic. Disney Parks Blog notes, “With 967 thoughtfully designed rooms, this new addition to the Disney Resorts Collection will offer a variety of ways to stay, from cozy studios to spacious suites. Many rooms will offer peaceful views of Bay Lake by day and spectacular views of Magic Kingdom park fireworks by night. The resort will also debut with new one- and two-bedroom Lake Houses along the waterfront, offering families an even closer connection to nature with ample space to relax and unwind.”
Disney Parks Ambience
Perfectly timed for the Star Wars “May the Fourth” celebration, Disney Parks has shared a new video that will immerse fans in the sounds and music of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
The YouTube video displays gorgeous renditions of the Batuu landscape, including Black Spire Outpost, and an animated iteration of fan-favorite DJ R3X.
The soundscape proudly features familiar Star Wars themes heard in Black Spire Outpost and in the films, as well as some pop tunes spun by DJ R3X at Oga’s Cantina.
Sharp-eared guests may hear some all‑new music from the latest mission on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, starring The Mandalorian and Grogu – opening May 22, 2026.
For Disney fans who prefer to keep their feet and ears on the ground, Disney Parks recently released an ambient ride-along video designed to take guests on a calming journey through Living with the Land at EPCOT.
The relaxing video features the following sounds and moments:
- Full POV of Living with the Land with ambient audio and music.
- Living with the Land rainforest waterfalls, desert landscapes, and American farmland scenes in detailed ride-through views.
- Close-up Living with the Land greenhouse tour, lab scenes, and behind-the-scenes footage, showcasing sustainable farming, crop harvesting, and fish farm aquaculture
Entertainment News
A few notes from the big screen and television.
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Disney’s star-studded sequel to the 2006 fashion film has exceeded box office expectations, grossing an estimated $233.6 million worldwide in its opening weekend, including $77 million domestically and $156.6 million internationally – good for the second largest worldwide opening weekend debut in 2026 (behind The Super Mario Galaxy Movie). When compared to an overall budget of $100 million, Prada 2 is already a massive box office success.
Disney Parks and Experiences Sales and Promotions
Looking to travel to a Disney destination? Here is the latest news on sales and promotions.
Disney Cruise Line: Kids Sail for 50% Off Voyage Fare with 2 Full-Fare Guests on Select Sailings
For a limited time, guests who book a Disney Cruise by June 14, 2026 can get 50% off the voyage fare for up to 3 kids (ages 17 and younger) on select Disney Cruise Line sailings with the purchase of 2 full-fare guests in the same stateroom. This discount is valid on select sailings from October 1, 2026, to March 27, 2027 (excludes the Disney Adventure).
The Fine Print
- Discount will be applied to the voyage fare of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Guests (as applicable) who are age 17 or younger at the time of sailing.
- Requires the purchase of 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom.
- Savings based on non-discounted voyage fare for the same stateroom type and sailing.
- Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses are not included.
- Excludes Gratuities and Port Adventures.
- Valid on new and existing bookings that meet the eligibility criteria. Must call the Disney Cruise Line Contact Center to add the offer on an existing reservation.
- The following stateroom categories are eligible for this offer: Categories 04A through 11C.
- The following stateroom categories are not eligible for this offer: Concierge and Suites.
- Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts, including the Guaranteed Staterooms with Restrictions offer.
- Disney Vacation Club Points are eligible to book sailings.
- The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited.
Other Disney Parks and Experiences News and Promotions:
- Walt Disney World 2027 Tickets and Packages Now Available, and Disney Dining Plan Updates
- Aulani and Walt Disney World Room Deals for Summer 2026 (With Extra Savings for Disney Visa Cardmembers and Disney+ Subscribers)
- 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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