🏰 Walt Disney World & Universal Orlando News Roundup
- Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
- Jan 5
- 16 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
Last updated: February 16, 2026
This page is updated weekly with the most recent Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando park news, including attraction updates, event announcements, closures, construction permits, and planning changes. Each section below is labeled by week, so you can quickly scan the latest updates or scroll back to earlier news from this month.
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✨February 2026 Disney World News
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This weekly roundup covers the most significant Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando updates from the past week.
Early Entry Morning Flow Is Changing (What Guests Will Notice)
For the past couple of years, Disney has checked Early Entry eligibility near the end of the park’s entry area — for example at the Castle Hub in Magic Kingdom or along Hollywood Boulevard at Hollywood Studios. Resort guests were allowed to continue forward while other guests waited in designated holding areas.
This week, Cast Members at multiple parks have begun holding non-Early Entry guests farther back than before, separating the two groups earlier in the arrival process.
What this means:
Resort guests are being allowed to move deeper into the park sooner
Non-Early Entry guests are stopped earlier and wait longer before official opening
MagicBand, ticket media, and app verification are happening before guests reach the traditional rope-drop locations
Planning Impact
If you’re staying off-property, arriving at the same time as Early Entry guests is no longer helpful. You may simply wait in an outer holding area while resort guests are already moving toward attractions.
Instead, plan to arrive shortly before official park opening. You’ll enter with the regular opening crowd and avoid standing around in a holding area you can’t use yet.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip:If you’re off-site, “extra early” is no longer an advantage. Aim for regular opening instead — you’ll get into the park faster and start your day with less stress.
Read our Early Entry guide for all our tips and trips.
🏰 Walt Disney World News Roundup | February 16, 2026
🎮 Pokémon Officially Confirmed for Universal Orlando
Universal has officially confirmed it has secured the theme park rights to Pokémon and has begun development on a permanent Pokémon experience at Universal Orlando.
No concept art, ride details, or opening timeline were released yet, but the scale of the announcement suggests this won’t be a small attraction — it’s expected to be a full land-level expansion similar in importance to Wizarding World and Super Nintendo World.
While this sounds like distant future news, it actually matters for trip planning sooner than you might think. Pokémon is one of the few franchises that appeals equally to younger kids, teens, and parents who grew up with it, and its eventual opening could shift how families structure Orlando vacations — including whether Universal becomes a multi-day destination instead of an “extra day” add-on to a Disney trip.
Right now there is no confirmed park location and construction hasn’t been announced, so trips in the next few years won’t be affected. But for families thinking about a once-in-a-lifetime trip or trying to decide when to introduce kids to Universal Orlando, this is something to keep on the radar.
👉 We explain what Universal actually announced, realistic opening expectations, and whether it’s worth waiting to visit: Read our full Pokémon at Universal Orlando planning guide
🌸 More 2026 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Details Released
Disney has shared a new round of details for the 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, and this year’s event is adding more than just topiaries and outdoor kitchens.
The biggest new addition will be inside CommuniCore Hall, which will host a day-to-night indoor garden experience themed to Spike the Bee. During the day it will function as a walkthrough floral exhibit, and after sunset the space transforms with glowing flowers and firefly-style lighting effects — giving the spring festival an actual nighttime atmosphere for the first time.
Disney also confirmed several new gardens around the park, including Pluto’s Pet-Friendly Garden, Wildlife Crossing Garden, and Trendy Tropicals Garden, along with the return of favorites like Butterfly Landing and the Honey Bee-stro Garden. Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration and the Eggstravaganza scavenger hunt will return as well.
The festival runs March 4 – June 1, 2026, and Garden Rocks concerts are once again included with EPCOT admission (with optional dining packages for guaranteed seating).
🧚♀️ We’ve updated our complete planning guide with all confirmed details, touring tips, and the updated festival map:👉 Read the full EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Guide here
EPCOT's Frozen Ever After Reopens
Frozen Ever After reopened at EPCOT on February 12 after a short refurbishment in the Norway pavilion. Disney did not change the ride’s story or scenes — but Imagineering quietly made one noticeable upgrade.
The updated Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff figures now use traditional animatronic faces instead of projection-mapped expressions. In person, the difference is subtle but noticeable — movements look smoother and facial expressions feel far more natural, especially in the ice palace finale scene.
The ride itself is otherwise unchanged. The same backwards drop, Let It Go finale, and boat layout remain intact. If you loved Frozen Ever After before, you’ll get the same experience — just a more polished one.
The reopening will likely spike wait times at EPCOT for the next couple of weeks as guests rush to see the refreshed figures. Expect standby lines to be longest in the morning and early afternoon. If Frozen Ever After is a must-do, plan to ride at rope drop or use Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Frozen Ever After typically has its lowest wait time in the last 45–60 minutes before park close. If you don’t mind a nighttime ride through Arendelle, this can be one of the easiest ways to ride without using a Lightning Lane.
☀️ Disney Releases Second Round of Summer 2026 Discounts
Disney quietly dropped another wave of summer vacation offers this week — and this one expands availability significantly beyond the original release.
The new promotion adds more June and July travel dates and increases the number of eligible Walt Disney World resorts, making it much easier for families planning school-break trips to actually find discounted rooms.
In many cases, the best savings are showing up at Moderate and Deluxe resorts, especially on longer stays, and we’re also seeing stronger availability for larger rooms and family suites than the first offer had.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Disney almost always releases multiple waves of summer discounts. If you priced a trip earlier and the savings weren’t great — this is absolutely worth checking again. Existing reservations can usually be modified to apply the deal.
We’ve updated our full breakdown of the 2026 Walt Disney World summer offers here →
🚢 Disney Cruise Line Releases Summer 2027 Itineraries (And One Ship Move Changes Planning)
Disney Cruise Line announced its Summer 2027 sailings (May–September 2027) this week, and the biggest headline is the Disney Wish will spend the summer sailing Europe for the first time. The move doesn’t affect early-2027 sailings — spring break cruises from Florida are still happening — but it does change which ships will be available from Port Canaveral during peak summer travel.
For summer trips, the Disney Dream will take over many of the shorter Bahamas sailings from Port Canaveral, while the Disney Treasure continues week-long Caribbean cruises and the Disney Destiny sails from Fort Lauderdale. Alaska cruises also return with both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder sailing from Vancouver.
What this really means for families: week-long cruise + Walt Disney World trips should feel mostly the same, but the very popular 3- and 4-night add-on cruises may book earlier than usual.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If you’re considering a 2027 Disney cruise, pay attention to the booking windows — Castaway Club early booking begins February 16, with general booking opening February 23.
👉 We break down which trips are most affected, booking timelines, and how to choose the right sailing in our full guide here: 2027 Disney Cruise Line Summer Itineraries
🏰 Walt Disney World News Roundup | February 7, 2026
❄️ Frozen Ever After Reopening at EPCOT Feb. 12 — And It’s Getting a Quiet Upgrade
Arendelle won’t stay frozen much longer! Disney has confirmed Frozen Ever After at EPCOT will reopen February 12 after a short refurbishment in the Norway pavilion — and this one turned out to be more than routine maintenance.
Good news: the attraction is not changing stories, scenes, or characters. You’ll still sail through the ice palace, hear Let It Go, and survive the backwards drop.
But behind the scenes, Disney has been making some meaningful upgrades.
During the closure, Imagineering has been replacing the projection-mapped faces on Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff with updated, more lifelike animatronic heads. The original figures used projection technology for facial expressions, which allowed flexibility — but also led to some of the “staring Elsa” moments guests occasionally noticed when the calibration drifted.
The new figures are designed to look more natural and expressive in person, especially in motion and low lighting.
Disney has also:• updated the ride control system• refreshed lighting throughout the attraction• completed set touch-ups and show scene repairs.
The new systems are already installed and currently being tested ahead of reopening.
👉 See everything else coming to Walt Disney World in 2026 and beyond and how it could affect your trip timing.
🐾 Big Changes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park — Rafiki’s Planet Watch & More
Disney has announced several upcoming closures at Animal Kingdom as the park prepares for a brand-new Bluey & Bingo experience, set to debut in Summer 2026.
📍 Rafiki’s Planet Watch & Conservation Station
Conservation Station will temporarily close on February 23, 2026 to begin construction for the new Bluey & Bingo experience. This closure includes:
Rafiki’s Planet Watch
The Wildlife Express Train, which transports guests from Africa to Conservation Station
Affection Section, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park’s petting zoo
In addition, The Animation Experience drawing class will permanently close at this location on February 23, 2026. Disney has indicated that the experience is expected to return as part of the reimagined Magic of Disney Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Summer 2026.
These closures mark the first visible step toward bringing new, family-focused offerings to this area of the park.
👣 What’s Coming in Summer 2026
Bluey and Bingo will debut at Conservation Station as part of a new interactive experience designed for younger guests and families.
While an exact opening date hasn’t been announced yet, the experience is expected to:
Feature character meet-and-greets
Include interactive games and dancing
Offer photo opportunities with Bluey & Bingo
The timing is widely expected to align with Cool KIDS’ Summer 2026, Disney’s seasonal push for family-friendly entertainment.
👉 Disney has confirmed new family-focused experiences are on the way — see what’s part of Cool Kids Summer 2026 at Walt Disney World.
🏰 Disney Names a New CEO — And Parks Fans Should Be Paying Attention
Disney officially announced today that Josh D’Amaro will become the next **CEO of The Walt Disney Company, taking over in March 2026. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because D’Amaro currently leads Disney Experiences — aka the parks, resorts, cruise line, and consumer products — and has been one of the most visible leaders behind recent theme park expansions and investments.
From a Disney Parks fan perspective, this is a really interesting (and honestly encouraging) move. D’Amaro understands just how central the parks are — not just emotionally for fans, but financially for the company as a whole. Parks and experiences have been one of Disney’s most consistent revenue drivers, and having a CEO who truly “gets” that side of the business could shape how future investments, expansions, and guest experiences evolve.
Longtime CEO Bob Iger will remain on as a senior advisor during the transition, and Disney also announced Dana Walden as President and Chief Creative Officer, a newly created role focused on steering Disney’s creative direction.
We’ll be watching closely to see how this leadership shift influences the parks, cruise line, and long-term Disney planning — but for now, this feels like a promising chapter for fans who love Disney experiences. ✨
👻 Haunted Mansion Work Begins — But Don’t Panic
Disney has begun refurbishment work around the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. The project focuses on the outdoor queue and grounds — improving shade, landscaping, and guest flow — along with routine maintenance inside the attraction.
Importantly, Disney has not announced a long-term closure or major ride changes, and the ride itself expected to remain intact. Guests may see temporary downtime or construction walls at times in 2026, but this is currently a preservation and queue upgrade rather than a retheme.
👉 Check our Walt Disney World refurbishment tracker to see the latest ride closures and timelines for upcoming trips.
📉 Florida Residents Can Buy Disney World Annual Passes with a Lower Down Payment
Walt Disney World has launched a new promotion exclusively for Florida residents that significantly reduces the upfront cost required to purchase an annual pass. Under the offer, eligible Florida residents can pay just $99 down on any of the four Annual Pass tiers — roughly 50% off the usual down payment.
The promotion applies to all pass types — from the resident-only Pixie Dust Pass up through the Incredi-Pass — and still allows guests to spread the balance across 12 monthly payments at 0% APR. While the total annual price of each pass hasn’t changed, lowering the initial cost makes joining the Annual Passholder program a bit easier for locals who visit frequently but may be discouraged by larger upfront costs.
Disney hasn’t announced an end date for this offer, so Florida residents interested in becoming Annual Passholders may want to take advantage while it’s available.
Not sure which ticket option actually makes sense for your trip? We break down all the Walt Disney World ticket types for 2026 and beyond — including who should (and shouldn’t) buy Park Hopper.
🛳️ Planning Heads-Up: We’re in Our Disney Cruise Line Era
If you’ve noticed a little more cruise talk popping up around here lately… that’s intentional. We’ve officially launched our “In Our Disney Cruise Line Era” planning hub, a growing collection of guides designed to help Disney parks fans understand what cruising with Disney is really like — without the overwhelm.
Cruising works differently than a park vacation, and for first-timers, the questions usually start before you even leave home. That’s exactly what this hub is meant to help with.
Right now, it includes two brand-new guides:
• Embarkation Day Explained — a calm, step-by-step walkthrough of online check-in, port arrival times, boarding groups, and what actually happens once you’re onboard• How Disney Cruise Line Is Different From Other Cruise Lines — the real-world differences in dining, entertainment, kids clubs, and why DCL feels so familiar to Disney World fans
If a Disney cruise has been sitting in your “maybe someday” folder, this hub is a great place to start — especially if you love Disney parks but aren’t sure how cruising compares.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Many Disney World families use a 3–5 night Disney cruise as their first cruise. The experience is very guided, the logistics are simpler than they look, and it’s an easy transition if you already know how Disney vacations work.
👉 Start here: In Our Disney Cruise Line Era
👉 Or jump straight to:
🏰 Walt Disney World News Roundup | February 2, 2026
DINOSAUR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has Permanently Closed.
DINOSAUR — along with the remainder of DinoLand U.S.A. — has permanently closed as of Monday, February 2, 2026.
The closure includes DINOSAUR, Restaurantosaurus, The Dino Institute Shop, and Restaurantosaurus Lounge, marking the end of an original opening-day area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as the park prepares for the future Tropical Americas (Pueblo Esperanza) expansion.
🗺️ Planning heads-up: We’ll be updating all of our Animal Kingdom maps, cheat sheets, and park guides first thing on February 2 to reflect the new park layout, closed pathways, and construction changes. If Animal Kingdom is on your upcoming itinerary, be sure to check the latest versions before your visit.
👉 Read our full farewell and ride history here: DINOSAUR Closing at Animal Kingdom: Farewell & History
👉 Explore current planning resources here: Animal Kingdom Planning Hub
🐾 Character Relocations from DinoLand U.S.A.
With the closure of DinoLand U.S.A., Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Chip, and Dale are not leaving Animal Kingdom, but they are relocating to new meet & greet locations elsewhere in the park.
📍 New locations: As of February 2, 2026 Donald & Daisy Duck are greeting guests are their new location in the Oasis just past Garden Gate Gifts, now wearing their spiffy safari duds, while Chip & Dale are now in the Oasis Courtyard, though now without the fun dinosaur costumes. For the most up-to-date character locations across the park, see our Animal Kingdom Character Guide and Map, which we’ll update as soon as new locations are confirmed.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: During major park transitions, character locations can shift quickly. Always double-check the app the morning of your visit for the most up-to-date times and locations.
🎢 Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Gets a Nostalgic Send-Off
With Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith set to close on March 1 for its upcoming retheme, the attraction recently got a moment of nostalgia when Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton took one final ride and reflected on the coaster’s legacy.
It’s a bittersweet milestone as Disney prepares to transform the attraction into a Muppets-themed experience, marking the end of a Hollywood Studios era — and the beginning of a brand-new one.
👉 Read our full breakdown of the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster to Muppets transformation
🚢 Disney Cruise Line Drops New 2026 Discount
Disney Cruise Line just released a new limited-time offer for select 2026 sailings, combining 20% off the cruise farewith a $250 onboard credit per stateroom. The deal applies to select Disney Wish and Disney Dream sailings, primarily during spring and summer 2026, and must be booked by March 29, 2026 (or while availability lasts).
👉 Want to know all the details and which discount might be better for your family? Start here: Disney Cruise Line Discounts for Sping and Summer 2026 — What’s Included & Who Should Book
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: The onboard credit can easily cover specialty dining, spa time, or excursions you were already planning — making this feel like “free” vacation money.
With two Disney cruises on our own family calendar, we’ve started building out a dedicated Disney Cruise Line planning series — beginning with what makes DCL different and how to decide if it’s right for your family.
👉 Start here: Disney Cruise Line Planning Guide
♿ Disney Clarifies “Return to Queue” Language for Accessibility Accommodations
Disney has recently updated the language on its official accessibility pages to better explain Attraction Queue Re-Entry, sometimes referred to as Return to Queue or “Meet-Up.” While this accommodation itself is not new, the clearer wording has led to it being mentioned more frequently during DAS pre-registration calls—especially for guests who no longer qualify under the updated DAS guidelines.
According to Disney’s updated explanation, Queue Re-Entry is intended to help guests who may need to temporarily step out of a standby line due to medical, sensory, or anxiety-related needs, then rejoin their party near the boarding area. Disney emphasizes speaking with a Cast Member either before entering the queue or as soon as an issue arises.
That said, many guests report that real-world implementation still varies by attraction and Cast Member, which has caused confusion for families trying to use this option effectively.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If Return to Queue is discussed during your DAS call, ask how Disney recommends using it at the attraction level—and once in the parks, speak with a Cast Member at the entrance before getting in line whenever possible.
👉 We’ve added a deeper breakdown (plus real guest experiences) to our Alternative Disney Accommodations If You Don’t Qualify for DAS guide.
🏰 Walt Disney World News Roundup | January 26, 2026
🌸🎶 Garden Rocks Concert Lineup Announced for EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival 2026
Disney has officially released the Garden Rocks Concert Series lineup for the 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, running March 4 through June 1, 2026 at EPCOT. The popular concert series returns to the America Gardens Theatre with a mix of returning fan favorites and first-time performers, with shows included with regular park admission.
While Outdoor Kitchen menus, topiary lists, and festival merchandise haven’t been released yet, Disney confirming both the festival dates and concert lineup gives us a solid look at what to expect for spring 2026. As always, most Flower & Garden booth and activity locations remain consistent year to year — and we’ll keep our full festival guide and maps updated as new details are announced.
👉 See the full Garden Rocks lineup and planning tips in our EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival 2026 Guide
🏰 Castle Show Schedule Changes Coming to Magic Kingdom (Late January 2026)
Starting January 28, 2026, daytime castle entertainment at Magic Kingdom will look a little different as Cinderella Castle begins a multi-month repaint returning it to its original color palette.
As part of this refresh:
Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire will move to an afternoon-only schedule, with performances at 1:00 PM, 2:05 PM, 4:00 PM, and 5:15 PM
Morning castle shows are being removed
Let the Magic Begin, the park’s opening welcome show, is temporarily paused
Disney has confirmed these changes are directly tied to the castle’s refurbishment work, which requires adjustments to stage access and show flow.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If seeing a castle show is a must-do, plan your Magic Kingdom day to start with rides and character meets — then pivot to the hub area in the early afternoon once performances resume.
👉 Curious why Cinderella Castle’s colors are changing? We break down the history of the castle, past refurbishments, and what this makeover means in Once Upon a Castle: The Changing Looks of Cinderella Castle
🎢 Fast & Furious Coaster Officially Announced for Universal Studios Florida
Universal Orlando has officially confirmed that a brand-new Fast & Furious roller coaster is coming to Universal Studios Florida, replacing the former Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster. The new attraction, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, is currently slated to open in 2027.
According to Universal, Hollywood Drift will be a high-speed thrill coaster inspired by the Fast & Furious film franchise, featuring ride vehicles capable of 360-degree drifting and a dramatic vertical spike that sends riders soaring high above the park. While full ride stats haven’t been released yet, Universal is positioning this as a major new thrill experience — and a significant evolution for the park’s coaster lineup.
As part of this announcement, Universal also confirmed that Fast & Furious: Supercharged will permanently close in 2027, marking the end of the franchise’s current ride experience at Universal Studios Florida and clearing the way for this next-generation attraction.
Construction has already begun following the closure of Rip Ride Rockit in 2025, and Universal says additional details — including ride specifics and visuals — will be shared closer to opening.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This is a long-term project, but it’s a big signal that Universal Studios Florida is continuing its shift toward more modern, thrill-forward attractions to complement Epic Universe’s expansion.
👉 Planning a Universal trip around upcoming attractions like Hollywood Drift? Start with our Universal Orlando Planning Hub for ride guides, park tips, and 2026–2027 planning updates.
🍔 Gideon’s Bakehouse Expands with Six Ravens at Disney Springs
One of Disney Springs’ most popular spots, Gideon’s Bakehouse, is expanding with a brand-new concept called Six Ravens slated to open later this year. Unlike the original cookie and coffee shop, the new location will focus on savory eats — including hand-pie style “coffyns,” yeast rolls with hearty fillings, local draft beers, and more. Six Ravens will be part of Disney Springs’ vibrant dining scene and a fresh foodie destination for visitors and locals alike.
If you’re already wondering whether the original Gideon's Bakehouse is worth adding to your Disney Springs plans, we break it all down here — including whether Gideon’s actually lives up to the hype. 👉 Gideon’s Bakehouse 2026 Guide
🔎 Looking for Past Updates?
Our Pixie Dust News Roundup is updated weekly with the latest Disney & Universal park news. If you’d like to catch up on earlier weeks, check out our monthly archives:
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim
