Expedition Everest Temporarily Closes for Refurbishment
Maintenance is officially in progress at Expedition Everest. Visitors to Disney’s Animal Kingdom will notice that scrims have been erected around the loading and unloading platforms as crews begin their work on the attraction.
Although the mountain remains open for adventure, guests will notice construction scrims currently masking the intricate theming of the loading and unloading areas. This unannounced maintenance seems localized to the station’s aesthetic rather than the coaster’s mechanics, allowing the ride to operate as usual.
Disney has yet to release a formal completion timeline or schedule any full closures, suggesting this is a “rolling refurbishment” designed to minimize impact on your park day.
Love at First Sip Wit This New Mickey and Minnie Mouse Valentines Day Starbucks Tumbler!
Love is in the air and in your cup! If you’re a fan of the world’s most iconic couple and can’t start your morning without a caffeine fix, you’re going to flip for the new Mickey and Minnie Mouse Valentines Day Starbucks Tumbler. This latest collaboration is basically a love letter to Disney Parks fans, featuring a whimsical and romantic design that’s perfect for the season of love.
You can snag one for $29.99, which is a pretty great price for a limited-edition Starbucks find. It’s currently available online at the Disney Store, so you don’t even have to leave your couch to grab one.
The artwork on this tumbler is honestly too cute to handle. It’s covered in colorful candy hearts inspired by Mickey and Minnie, but with a clever Disney Parks twist. You’ll find endearing phrases like “Soarin’ sweethearts,” “Main Street valentine,” and “Castle cuties” scattered all over. It even includes sweet nods like “Mickey + Minnie” and “My greatest adventure,” making it the ultimate accessory for your next walk down Main Street, U.S.A.
Just a heads up, these Disney x Starbucks drops tend to fly off the shelves faster than a speeding Monorail, so you might want to move quickly if you want it in time for February 14th!
Adorable Disney Wishables Shimmer Collection at Disney World!
If you’re a Disney collector, you know the “blind bag” struggle is real but the latest Wishables drop might just make those mystery pulls worth it. The new Disney WishablesShimmer Collection has officially arrived at Disney World, and it’s bringing some serious sparkle to the plush world. These little guys are still the perfect 5-inch pocket size we love, but they’ve been given a “glow-up” with metallic outfits and literal stars in their eyes. At $17.99 each, they’re a fun way to add some shine to your shelf without breaking the bank.
The Mickey and Friends Shimmer series is putting a fresh spin on the “Fab Five.” This time around, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto are rocking high-shine, metallic materials that make them look like they just stepped off a parade float. Disney also decided to ditch the standard crinkly bags for this set, opting instead for a sleek hexagonal box. It’s a small change, but it feels a bit more premium when you’re hunting for your favorite character. Whether you’re hoping for a shimmering Minnie or a glittery Goofy, the mystery is half the fun.
If you’re more of a dog person, the 101 Dalmatians Shimmer set is probably calling your name. This collection features four of the most iconic puppies, Lucky, Rolly, Penny, and Patch, all decked out in that signature Shimmer style. But the real “chase” for many fans is going to be Thunderbolt, the heroic TV dog the puppies adore. Just like the Mickey set, these are blind boxes, so you won’t know which pup you’ve rescued until you open it up.
What makes these stand out compared to previous Wishables is that extra attention to detail. The “shimmer” isn’t just a name; the star-shaped pupils give them a dreamy, “kawaii” look that looks great in photos. Plus, the new box packaging makes them much easier to stack if you’re the type of collector who likes to keep the packaging intact. At $17.99, they are a slightly higher price point than some older series, but the upgraded materials and unique box design definitely make them feel like a special edition.
Stop and Smell the Roses: Why We’re Obsessed with the New Fantasyland Candle
If you’ve ever walked down Main Street, U.S.A. and wished you could just bottle up that magic to take home, I have some seriously good news for you. The new Fantasyland Candle has officially landed at Magic Kingdom, and it is the ultimate “treat yourself” souvenir. Retailing for $34.99, it’s a pretty sweet deal to keep those vacation vibes going long after you’ve checked out of your resort.
Let’s talk about the aesthetic, because this candle is a total mood. The wax and glass come in a stunning, vibrant pink that looks like it was plucked straight from a princess’s vanity. It features the phrase “living in a Fantasyland” written in a whimsical font on both sides of the glass, which, let’s be honest, is a total lifestyle. To top it off, there are delicate stars accentuating the logo at the top and a cute little castle silhouette at the bottom. It’s the kind of piece that looks just as good as a decor item as it does when it’s lit.
It features a Rose Garden fragrance that is light, floral, and totally nostalgic. The pink-on-pink design with star accents makes it a standout piece for any Disney shelf.
The best part? Lighting this candle feels like taking a stroll through the flower beds right in front of Cinderella Castle. It’s fresh, airy, and captures that specific “Disney morning” energy perfectly. If you’re heading to the park soon, make sure to keep an eye out for this one, it’s the perfect way to bring a little bit of the most magical place on earth into your living room!
“Oh Boy!” This Mickey Mouse Varsity Jacket is the Must Have!
If you’re strolling through Disney World and looking for that one “must-have” souvenir to remember your trip, you’ve got to check out the new Mickey Mouse Varsity Jacket. Priced at $89.99, this piece is the perfect blend of retro school spirit and classic Disney magic. It’s got a super clean look with a deep blue body and contrasting gray sleeves, finished off with those iconic white stripes on the collar, cuffs, and hem that give it a total vintage vibe.
The front of the jacket is packed with personality. On the left chest, you’ll find a high-quality embroidery of Mickey’s top half, looking as cheerful as ever. Across the way on the right side, there’s some beautiful yellow cursive stitching that reads, “Here Comes the Mouse Known Around The World.” But the details don’t stop there! If you look down toward the right pocket, there’s a playful “Oh Boy!” embroidered in a mix of blue, white, and yellow. It’s those little touches that make it feel like a premium find.
The back of this jacket is the real showstopper. It features a massive, bold image of Mickey Mouse right in the center, making it very clear who the leader of the club is. Right underneath the graphic, the words “Authentic & Original” are stitched in bright yellow. It’s a great way to show off your Disney fandom whether you’re walking down Main Street, U.S.A. or just heading out for a chilly evening back home.
Disney really went all out on the sleeves for this one. Down the length of the left sleeve, you’ve got vibrant red embroidered patches that proudly spell out “Mickey Mouse.” Meanwhile, the right sleeve sports a cool blue pennant patch featuring Mickey’s face and the text “Since 1928,” honoring the year it all began. For $89.99, it’s a solid, stylish piece of gear that feels way more special than your average hoodie.
Light Up Your Kingdom With The Cinderella Castle Light Up Figure!
Let’s be real: we’ve all stood in the middle of Main Street, U.S.A., stared up at those blue spires, and thought, “I wish I could just pack this up and take it home.” Well, Disney heard us! You can officially stop daydreaming about castles in the clouds and start clearing some space on your shelf for the Cinderella Castle Light Up Figurine. This isn’t just a standard souvenir; it’s basically a high-end glow-up for your entire living room.
This sculpted beauty captures all the iconic vibes of the Fantasyland fortress. We’re talking shimmering golden turret accents that catch the light perfectly and a sturdy base featuring the classic Walt Disney World logo. It’s got a great weight to it, making it feel like a true collector’s piece rather than just a toy. Whether you’re a lifelong Disney Parks fan or just someone who appreciates a good “happily ever after,” this figurine is designed to be the crown jewel of your collection.
The best part? It doesn’t just sit there looking pretty, it actually lights up. When you flip the switch, the castle takes on that magical evening glow we all know and love from the parks. It’s basically like having a tiny, private fireworks show in your home every night. It’s the perfect way to keep that vacation magic alive long after you’ve traded your Mickey ears for your work headset.
Whether you’re treating yourself after a long week or looking for the ultimate gift for the Disney lover in your life, this figurine is guaranteed to ignite some serious fireworks in your heart. Just imagine it glowing on your desk while you plan your next trip!
Freeze the Day: Coldest Opening Forecast Ever for the 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Arts
If you were planning to kick off the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts in shorts and a spirit jersey, you may want to rethink that plan and grab a scarf. Early forecasts are calling for the coldest opening day ever for the festival, which officially begins Friday, January 16. Temperatures around Walt Disney World are expected to dip to a brisk low of 35 degrees overnight, with a daytime high hovering near 56 degrees, making this a Festival of the Arts debut that feels more like sweater weather than sunshine season.
The real chill sets in overnight, with feels-like temperatures dipping into the 20s before the park opens. By the time EPCOT welcomes guests at 9 am, conditions should warm slightly into the high 30s and low 40s, but it will still be downright frosty by Central Florida standards. If these numbers hold, they will tie the coldest temperatures seen so far this winter and mark the chilliest start since the festival debuted back in 2017.
While the festival menus lean more artsy than hearty, one booth that may see a serious surge in popularity is Pop Eats Food Studio, thanks to its grilled cheese and tomato soup combo that suddenly feels like a headliner attraction. Entertainment offerings are already fairly limited during the Festival of the Arts, and while nothing has been announced, colder temperatures always bring the possibility of minor schedule adjustments. As always, layering will be your best friend, because once the sun gets higher, EPCOT afternoons tend to thaw out just enough to keep you guessing.
Disney Adventure’s Price Tag Goes Overboard as Disney Spends $1.8 Billion Retrofitting New Cruise Ship
What started as a too-good-to-be-true bargain turned into one of Disney Cruise Line’s most expensive glow-ups ever. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Walt Disney Imagineering ultimately spent about $1.8 billion retrofitting the Disney Adventure, nearly double the original $1 billion estimate. The massive ship was originally commissioned in 2018 as the Global Dream for Genting Hong Kong, but after the company went bankrupt, Disney swooped in and purchased the unfinished vessel in 2022 for just $40 million, a deal executives believed would save both time and money.
Once Walt Disney Imagineering got to work, reality set sail in a very different direction. The ship had been designed around casinos, lounges, and adult nightlife, not families, characters, and Broadway-style shows. Imagineers ended up stripping the ship down to its structural bones, doubling galley sizes, reworking layouts, adding multiple theaters, and building out space for a dozen restaurants. Former Imagineer Justin Newton famously compared the process to turning a Honda into a Hummer, and that scale of transformation pushed the project well beyond its original scope and budget.
The final price tag came with another hiccup: time. The Disney Adventure’s maiden voyage was delayed by three months, forcing thousands of guests to either reschedule or receive refunds. Still, Disney leadership maintains the retrofit was worth it, noting that building from scratch would have taken even longer. When she officially launches, the Disney Adventure will be the largest ship in the Disney fleet, carrying around 6,000 passengers and sailing exclusively from Singapore. Onboard highlights include an Imagination Garden atrium with a storybook castle, shows featuring Captain Jack Sparrow and Duffy and Friends, and multiple Marvel-themed attractions. Her first official voyage is set to depart on March 10, 2026.
The skyline of Muppets Courtyard is changing rapidly as Disney’s Hollywood Studios begins the heavy lifting of transforming the area into Monstropolis. Fans of the Muppets may have noticed a significant absence this week: the iconic Gonzo’s Royal Flush signage has officially been removed.
Here is a closer look at the latest developments and what to expect as the world of Monsters, Inc. begins to take shape.
The large, 3D letters for “Gonzo’s Royal Flush” that once sat atop the green awning of the courtyard restrooms are gone. This signage was a direct reference to the 2011 film The Muppets, where Gonzo had built a plumbing empire.
What Remains: For now, the faded “Broadway Plumbing” lettering is still visible on the building’s façade. This was part of the original “plumbing plant” theming, suggesting Gonzo had simply moved into an existing warehouse.
The Future: While the restroom building itself is staying, it will be reimagined to fit the aesthetic of Monstropolis. Interestingly, current concept art doesn’t show specific “monstrous” details for this building yet, but with the signage gone, a makeover is clearly imminent.
The transformation of the Muppet*Vision 3D theater is picking up speed. Crews have recently stripped the fake windows and awnings from the theater’s façade, leaving a bare brick exterior.
According to new permits and updated concept art, the theater is being rebranded as “The Glob”—a clever, monster-themed pun on the historic Globe Theatre. While the classic brickwork may remain, expect a new marquee and an oversized “eye clock” to appear soon.
Vertical Progress: The Monsters, Inc. Roller Coaster
Beyond the courtyard, the most massive part of the project is happening in the former Cast Member parking lot. This will be the site of Disney’s first-ever suspended door coaster.
Foundation Work: Construction crews have already poured concrete for most of the foundation of the massive show building.
Massive Scale: The building is expected to be roughly the size of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind building at EPCOT. It will house the “door vault” scene where guests will soar through the factory on a vertical lift system.
What’s Staying (For Now)
Despite the heavy construction, a few familiar sights remain—though likely not for long:
The PizzeRizzo billboard and building are still standing, though they are slated to become a new monster-themed eatery.
The Broadway Plumbing water tower remains a landmark in the center of the courtyard, though its future logo is still a mystery.
The Mama Melrose structure is expected to transform into Harryhausen’s, the famous sushi restaurant from the original film.
Looking Ahead
As the Muppets prepare to “relocate” to a new home in Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets (opening Summer 2026), their old courtyard is officially becoming a monster of a construction zone.
How to Get Extra Summer Days at Disneyland This Year
Calling all Magic Key holders! If you’ve ever felt the sting of those long summer blockout dates on the Enchant Key, Disneyland has some magical news that might just make your year.
Starting January 13, 2026, Disneyland is officially shaking up its Magic Key lineup by retiring the Enchant Key and introducing its successor: the Explore Key. While the change might seem small at first glance, the value hidden in this upgrade is a total game-changer for fans who want more time at the “Happiest Place on Earth” during the summer months.
The brand-new Explore Key is priced at $999, which is just a $25 increase over the current Enchant Key ($974). But here is where the “less than a dollar a day” magic comes in: by upgrading, passholders unlock a massive 39 additional days in June and July that were previously blocked out.
To put that in perspective:
Enchant Key: Only offered 4 usable days across June and July 2026.
Explore Key: Offers 43 usable days during that same summer window.
For the price of a couple of churros and a soda, you are essentially buying an entire extra month of summer magic.
What Else Is Changing?
The Explore Key isn’t just about the summer; it’s designed to be the ultimate mid-tier pass for locals and families. Here’s a quick look at the perks:
Reservations: Hold up to 4 theme park reservations at a time.
Discounts: 10% off select merchandise and dining.
Parking: 25% off parking at the Toy Story Parking Area.
Lightning Lane: 25% off the purchase of Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
How to Get the Upgrade
If you are a current Enchant Key holder, don’t panic! Your pass remains valid until its expiration date. However, once the new keys go on sale on January 13, you’ll have the option to upgrade to the Explore Key via the Disneyland app or website to take advantage of those newly opened summer dates.
Pro-Tip: Magic Key sales can be unpredictable and often sell out fast. If you’re looking to secure that summer access, make sure to log in early on January 13th!
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Scheduled for Refurbishment Closure at Disneyland
Since it first crash-landed into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2020, Rise of the Resistance has remained the undisputed crown jewel of Disneyland’s dark rides. While the Anaheim version opened a few months after its Florida cousin, it has seen non-stop crowds and high wait times ever since. However, if you are planning a trip to Batuu later this month, you’ll need to adjust your coordinates: Disneyland has officially announced that Rise of the Resistance will close for a routine refurbishment starting January 20, 2026.
Temporary ride closures in January are a tradition at the Disneyland Resort. As the “low season” kicks in and the crowds from the winter holidays thin out, Disney takes the opportunity to perform maintenance and remove festive overlays from classics like Haunted Mansion Holiday and “it’s a small world” Holiday.
While most of these closures last only a few weeks, fans are keeping a close eye on this particular project. The attraction’s state-of-the-art trackless ride system is legendary for its complexity—and its tendency to experience technical “glitches.” After years of the iconic gun turrets in the finale remaining stationary, they only recently returned to their full, moving glory. This downtime likely aims to ensure the First Order’s fleet stays in top fighting shape.
While Disney is calling this a “routine refurbishment,” the closure has sparked renewed conversation about the future of the land. Since its debut, Galaxy’s Edge has been strictly locked into the sequel trilogy timeline. However, we’ve seen that timeline begin to “blur” recently with the arrival of fan-favorites like The Mandalorian, Grogu, and Ahsoka Tano.
With the Star Wars franchise turning 50 in 2027, now is the perfect time for Walt Disney Imagineering to start testing the waters for new ways to experience the Force.
Disney+ Is Going Vertical as Short-Form Videos Are Coming to the Streaming Service
Disney+ is getting ready to flip the script and the screen. The streaming service announced plans to add vertical video content later this year as part of a push to boost daily engagement, as revealed during Disney’s Tech + Data Showcase at CES in Las Vegas, according to a report by Deadline. The idea is to make Disney+ a more consistent part of your daily routine, rather than just a destination for movie nights, by tapping into the snackable, scroll-friendly style that has driven the growth of short-form video everywhere else online.
According to Disney executives, vertical videos on Disney+ could include original short-form content, repurposed clips, or reimagined scenes pulled from longer movies and series. Erin Teague, EVP of Product Management for Disney Entertainment and ESPN, said the goal is to integrate the format in ways that feel natural rather than random, creating a personalized and dynamic feed across news and entertainment. Disney has already experimented with vertical video through ESPN, where the format has proven to be a strong driver of daily habits, especially with younger audiences who expect quick, bite-sized content.
This move is also about meeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha where they already are, without forcing them into a traditional long-form viewing mindset. Teague pointed out that platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have trained audiences to engage with content in short bursts, often on mobile devices. Interestingly, even YouTube has found that a large share of Shorts viewing now happens in the living room. Disney is betting that bringing vertical video into Disney+ can turn the service into a must-visit destination every day, not just when a new series drops, while also opening up new opportunities for advertisers alongside the content fans already love.
