Southern California had one wild, unruly change in weather this week as a storm system passed through the region. And that meant that on Friday, guests at the ever-so-famous Disneyland found themselves jumping off rides and suddenly walking in flooded streets after a quick and heavy downpour overwhelmed the theme park’s drainage systems. And, yes, there’s tons of video proof.

It was as if Tiana’s Bayou Adventure overtook much of the park on October 23. Whether they wanted to or not, Disney goers were all on an impromptu water ride! Take a look at this video showing a very flooded Frontierland:

Can you imagine? The park had all the usual elements like strollers, crowds and views of water, but this time, everyone found themselves getting soggy as the land right next to Rivers of America got super flooded. The video above shows one Cast Member trying to improve the situation by unclogging a drain as guests trudge through it.

A ton of guests chimed in on the viral Instagram post by sharing their own experiences at Disneyland that night. Here are some of the comments:

• “IT WAS WILD!! i wasnt prepared for it to rain at all! 😂” - @boogieparks
• “I WAS THERE! i was in line for Peter Pan and there was lightning and thunder and rain.. good thing i was under the roof” - @notpiinky_
• “My weather app said no rain for 6 hours. 45 minutes later it said heavy rain in 18 min. Then it said “flash flood warning”! Totally out of no where ☔️☔️⛈️” - @luna_rios2148
• “The second downpour was nuts! The thunder was loud and the lightning was bright, and then the rain just dumped on us!!!” - @missyko22
• “Mind you it was about 1/2 hour of a heavy downpour that did this 😬” - @monicaalvarez
• “5 minute rides when it rains. People leave. Missed out 😂” - @rafaelnovoastudio
• “More like FLOODTIER LAND!!” - @mike_mortuary

According to many first-hand accounts, plenty of people had no idea the rain and thunder would hit so hard, and they were completely surprised by it. A flood advisory was issued by the National Weather Service around 6:35 p.m. PT that night and ended up being extended until 9:30 p.m PT.

Frontierland wasn’t the only part of Disneyland that flooded either. Guests also took photos and videos of pools of standing water around the highly popular Galaxy’s Edge and such as well. Here’s another video showing the situation in Fantasyland:

Let's be real. Rain at a theme park is definitely not uncommon, as many avid fans have likely experienced that at one point. However, being at a park during such a downpour is truly a specific kind of experience.

To that point, a flash flood at Disneyland is pretty rare, but it has happened before every now and again. Remember back in 2023 when the theme park had its first tropical storm warning ever? It’s a shame when something like this happens, especially when Disney prices are going up all the time, but Friday night was certainly an anomaly for Southern California. But, there’s nothing anyone can really do about unexpected weather (unless someone grab's Mickey's sorcerer hat and is able to revamp the weather somehow

Based on these videos, it'd be easy to mistake these attendees for guests of Florida’s Walt Disney World, since the region is more famous for their sudden and unexpected storms. But, thankfully Disneyland has already bounced back to its sunny self with a high of 81 degrees Fahrenheit expected this weekend, and not much rain to report.

When it comes to Disney theme parks, one thing that is always certain is the fact that prices will go up. The addition of new attractions, increasing costs, and high demand all make that inevitable. If you’re planning a trip to see Mickey Mouse and his pals in the near future, you know that it’s going to cost a sizable chunk of money. We all basically set our watches by Disney World and Disneyland raising prices in early October every year, for the beginning of the company’s fiscal year. The thing that caught my attention is that now, even the cheapest ticket costs four times the debut price once you recalculate for inflation.

According to AllEars.Net, when the Magic Kingdom at Disney World opened in 1971, an adult ticket cost just $3.50, or what would equal about $29 today. Obviously, the hugely popular Disney theme parks would never leave their ticket prices below $30 today. That’s just not a reasonable expectation. But the $119 price tag for the cheapest ticket (which is actually for Disney’s Animal Kingdom) is four times that amount. Yes, you read that correctly. I’m still shaken to my core about that fact as well.

Disney Prices Are Inevitably Going to Increase, But Four Times The Price Of Opening Day Just Hits Different

Beyond Animal Kingdom’s lowest price of $119, EPCOT’s lowest is $129, while Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are $139, going up to the highest one-day, one-park total of $229. If you’re going to be spending several days at Walt Disney World, you can’t help but think about the cost, and its sobering knowing the stat of it being four times the price of opening day. It’s something that most of us have to take into consideration.

In comparison to that incredibly low $3.50 adult ticket price that’s hard to even fathom now, the federal minimum wage in 1971 was $1.60, so times were very different. Yes, theme park admission is undeniably pricey now and Disney World hotels can get very expensive, but Disney World frequently offers discount promotions on hotel stays, and there are also often ticket discount offers to help combat the increased prices. So it might help potential visitors to do research and see what’s available if they're planning to visit Disney theme parks anytime soon.

Disney Parks Are Still A Popular Destination, Even With The Rising Cost

I still think that a trip to Disney World or Disneyland is absolutely worth it, and I’m not going to lie and pretend any differently. As someone who doesn’t frequent sporting events and who only goes to a handful of live entertainment offerings a year, I budget for theme park trips. Whether it’s visiting the Country Bears at Magic Kingdom in Orlando (who left Disneyland in 2001), or taking a new photo with the same character to mark the passing of time, the Disney parks provide an emotional nostalgia fix that works for me. While I’m never going to get over the fact that ticket prices have jumped four times over the original price in the last 50 years, it will be interesting to see where they’re at in another 50 years.

Nikki from Obsession has been haunting Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood all season, and she’s been a big hit. So, I’ve been wondering when Inde Navarrette might make an appearance at the theme park to see her character, and it finally happened this week.

Navarrette, who wasn’t famous before Obsession became one of the most talked-about movies on the 2026 release schedule, just went to her first Horror Nights since the game-changing role. Check out her posing with one of the scare actors who roam the park all night as Nikki:

I can’t stop looking at this photo. It’s too good. Navarrette posed with that unmistakable sad face Nikki dons in the movie that’s become a meme. She’s also holding up a “One Wish Churro,” which is a delicious HHN exclusive being served during the Universal Studios Hollywood event. I’ve tried it, and it’s very much worth it. It tastes like Oreos, and I definitely kept the box it came in.

It’s great to see one of Universal’s Nikki actors with Inde Navarrette, because it really highlights how well they are doing to portray the Obsession character for theme park fans. If you haven’t seen it in action, here’s one video from a guest:

Universal Studios' Nikki has become a viral sensation that guests can’t stop trying to look for and get videos of. When I went to Horror Nights myself, I learned how difficult it is to find Nikki, but that makes it extra special for those who do. I do have to wonder if any fans that night did a double take seeing both the Nikki scare actor and Navarrette on the same night.

The X-Men actress previously said it was her “dream” to see Obsession have a haunted house at Universal. She said she goes “every year” and also shared her excitement to see the Sinners house, and she finally went! Here’s what she told Cosmopolitan about the annual theme park spectacular:

Since Obsession came out in May, and HHN started planning their houses over a year in advance, there wasn’t time for a whole haunted house to be crafted. But I absolutely love that Nikki ended up being part of Universal’s spooky season event.

At this year’s HHN, we did a ranking of both events in Hollywood and Orlando. We found that the Sinners house and the Ozzy Osbourne houses made the top five at each one. You can attend Halloween Horror Nights yourself until the event concludes on November 1. And you can check out Obsession with a Peacock subscription.

Galaxy's Edge has become a real highlight of my recent trips to Disneyland. Rise of the Resistance is one of my favorite rides these days, and I love how the land is constantly evolving based on the upcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows that come out. However, next time I go, I need to hang around the Stormtroopers after seeing one hilarious video.

The lesson learned is don’t blow a kiss to a Stormtrooper unless you want to feel their wrath. Check out what happened when one guest did just that in the video below:

This is too good. As the video shows, one Star Wars fan decided to send over a kiss in the direction of one of the Stormtroopers. And without a beat, he “caught” it, threw it up in the air, and shot it with his blaster rifle. Talk about being shot down. I love how all the comments on Instagram say pretty much the same thing, too:

• “I bet he missed that shot!”
• “It's okay. He missed it anyway”
• “Don’t worry. He can’t hit any target. Your kiss is still floating out there.”
• “Don't worry their aim is always bad 😂”
• “We all know He totally missed …. 😂”

Yeah… Stormtroopers don’t have the best reputation when it comes to their aim, but it’s certainly been to the benefit of the heroes who’ve come into contact with them over the years. Anyway, this has to be the rudest Stormtrooper in Disneyland, but what a funny moment it made for its guests.

I've seen another video of a guest blowing a kiss a Stormtrooper’s way, but that time the character caught it and threw it on the floor to step on it. Now that I know the Stormtroopers are so brutal, I kind of want to experience their savage ways next time I'm in the parks...just to see how they react with my own eyes.

Historically, other “rude” Disneyland characters I’ve met have been Cruella de Vil, The Evil Queen, Maleficent and Captain Hook. These days, the Stormtroopers are giving these classic Disney villains a run for their money with videos like this.

I wonder what Hayden Christensen’s experience was when he took his daughter on their annual Disney trip. I know the actor behind General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) recently shared that he rode Ride of Resistance, and he was saluted by them.

Little character interactions like this really make Disneyland come alive. It’s so much fun to see the Star Wars universe in a physical space. Generally speaking, it's also especially great to enjoy all the villainy at Disney Parks with the Oogie Boogie Bash currently happening at Disney California Adventure, where the likes of Dr. Facilier, Hades, Yzma, Agatha Harkness and more are roaming around the Halloween party throughout spooky season. I need more guest moments like this to show up on my feed, because it’s too fun.

Over the course of his career, Robin Williams starred in some of the best movies, transforming himself into unforgettable characters like Mrs. Doubtfire and Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting. However, one of his most beloved roles remains the voice work he did for Genie in Disney’s Aladdin, and for good reason. Believe it or not, he apparently had a Disney World attraction to partially thank for landing the part.

As a Disney nerd, I thought I knew all the lore there is to know about Williams ' participation and complicated history with Aladdin. One of the most famous stories is that the animation team frequently had to reanimate entire sequences starring the Genie because Williams regularly improvised lines that didn’t fit what they had. Apparently I was wrong, though, because I had no idea that the Dead Poets Society actor landed the role largely because of the former Disney World attraction, The Magic of Disney Animation — not to be confused with the newly opened Animation area of Hollywood Studios under the same name.

Co-director Ron Clements recently sat down with People to discuss the Disney's classic 1992 animated film. During that chat, Clements finally set the record straight on why they tapped Williams for the role:

By this point in his career, Williams had appeared in over two dozen film and TV projects and was famous for playing beloved alien Mork in Mork & Mindy and for starring in films like Good Morning, Vietnam and Dead Poets Society. Even with all those big credits, he'd yet to star in Good Will Hunting, for which he won an Academy Award. However, it wasn't Williams' A-list status that led Clements and his co-director, John Musker, to reach out to him. Instead, it was Williams ' involvement in the short film “Back to Neverland,” which was featured at the start of the animation tour at the former Disney-MGM Studios:

Back when Disney-MGM Studios, now known as Hollywood Studios, first opened, its goal was to offer its guests a glimpse into what a real film studio looks like. This was easier at the time since Florida did have its own animation division creating hits like Mulan and Lilo & Stitch.

Much like the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, The Magic of Disney Animation tour took guests into the halls of the animation studio, but not before showing them the short that starred Williams playing a tourist sporting a Goofy hat. Clements explained the short in his own words in his book Making Disney Magic… from a Mermaid to Moana, writing:

Unfortunately, the short is not streamable with a Disney+ subscription, but there are some videos and clips of the short on YouTube. If you watch it, it’s easy to see how the short served as a de facto audition tape for the Genie. Clement also said:

"Back to Neverland" turned out to be so impactful that at the end of Aladdin, Genie sports a near-identical tourist outfit to the one Williams wore at the start of the short as an homage.

Now that Hollywood Studios once again has a The Magic of Disney Animation building, this time themed after the Walt Disney Studios building in Burbank, maybe the “Back to Neverland” short will play in the Once Upon a Studio Theater on rotation with the centennial short film “Once Upon a Studio,” which Williams' Genie does appear in despite his passing. At least, that’s what I’m hoping will happen so I can see the short the way its creators intended it to be watched!

Another day, another guest misbehaving on a Disney theme park ride. In what seems to be a growing problem that really started to become a concern when a 13-year-old boy plunged down the 50-foot waterfall after getting off his moving vehicle on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland. This time, apparently, a guest unbuckled herself and climbed out of a moving raft on Grizzly River Run at Disney California Adventure, shutting down the ride and resulting in getting herself removed via a "walk of shame." They even took the drastic step of draining the river and keeping the ride closed for safety reasons for at least a couple of hours after the incident occurred.

After all of this happened, TikTok user @adriannarodriguez24 posted multiple clips about the incident, having since deleted the lengthier video where she and her family explained what happened. According to The Disney Scoop, what started off as a normal family adventure, boarding the Grizzly River Run water raft ride, then turned into her mother panicking, taking off her seatbelt and climbing out of the raft.

I get that fear and anxiety are real, and that you can panic unexpectedly, but all of this really needs to stop. Don’t be that guy who took a swim in Living with the Land or the one who dove into the Gran Fiesta Tour at EPCOT. The thing that makes me most uncomfortable about this specific Grizzly River Run situation is that the TikTok poster seemed to be laughing and viewing it all like a bit of a joke, which it really is not.

In one of the remaining videos about the incident on TikTok, the group is seen surrounded by security Cast Members, who tell Adrianna that her mom will be removed from the park. It seems as though the rest of her family was allowed to stay and also return to the park the next day. People have been banned from Disneyland and barred from ever returning to Walt Disney World for less than this, so it’s surprising that we haven’t heard that this woman was trespassed or permanently banned. In a TikTok clip, you can hear them tell the family the following:

All I can say about this incident is that I hope this woman and her family learned their lesson and won’t do anything like this again. She really should consider herself incredibly lucky if she got off with just a removal for the day and maybe a warning. She also needs to consider her own safety. I just worry that won’t be the case when it seems like her family isn’t taking this as seriously as they should.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure now carries signs and a spoken warning that standing up will get your whole party removed from the park. Maybe we’ll see the same added to Grizzly River Run next. And they may have to open the upcoming Coco ride and the water ride in Avatar Land with those warnings already in place from day one. It’s a safety situation for you and everyone around you, so please take that into consideration before you get on a ride at a theme park.

A-List celebrities are just like us; they walk their dogs, are obsessed with getting Dunkin’, and they even like to visit the Disneyland Resort and ride all the thrill rides, like the Incredicoaster. Just ask Charlize Theron, who visited Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Park this week to celebrate spooky season, something she's done before.

In a post on Instagram, Theron shared a carousel of photos of her enjoying the Anaheim theme parks with friends and family. While there are several great photos in the post, the best has to be the shot of the Academy Award-winning actress doing what I'd like to call a Flynn Ryder smoulder impression. Take a look at the second-to-last photo:

Of course, the Mad Max: Fury Road actress would take on Disney’s California Adventure Park coaster and, as Gen Z says, “mog” the in-ride camera. After all, it’s nothing compared to a trip through a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland. What makes the photo truly incredible is that it seems like Theron’s two daughters joined their mom in showing just how fabulous someone can look despite taking a trip on the adrenaline-inducing coaster.

As a Disneyland Magic Key holder, I desperately need them to share their secrets with me because anytime I step off the Incredicoaster, I look like I’ve lost a battle with a large animal.

However, it can be easy to get an iconic in-ride photo if you know where the camera is. Since Theron clearly loves going to the parks, she’s definitely done her research, considering the coaster photo wasn’t the only iconic ride pic the actress shared with her 8.3 million Instagram followers.

If you scroll to the end of her carousel, you’ll be treated to a photo of her celebrating on the Tron Lightcycle Run in Disney World. This time, the actress opts for a more enthusiastic approach in lieu of testing out her next red carpet face, but it’s equally as amazing.

While Theron seems to visit the parks every Halloween season, based on her IG, she’s not yet a regular at DCA’s Oogie Boogie Bash. It’s a shame. I, for one, would love to see her dressed up as her favorite Disney character and attending the after-hours event. It would definitely cement her status as a “Disney adult” alongside celebrity Disney superfans like Rebel Wilson, John Stamos, and Neil Patrick Harris. Better yet, maybe one day soon we’ll see the versatile actress on the big screen in a Walt Disney Studios film. I could totally see her playing Hera in a upcoming live-action remake of Hercules.

For now, I’ll be riding Incredicoaster over and over, trying to get my own iconic photo.

Another day, another incident where Disneyland Paris’ animatronic Olaf passed out publicly. Is it just me, or does everyone find these viral theme park moments to be absolutely hilarious? Furthermore, am I a bad person for laughing at the plight of the poor, cuddly robot every single time? I don’t know if I should answer that question, but you’re gonna want to see the latest video of the Frozen character publicly falling apart.

CinemaBlend first got to check out the new animatronic Olaf in March of this year, and the feat of having a small robotic character really feel so real blew us away. (In fact, it’s blown Gad away, too.) However, since getting unveiled at the Disney theme park, there have been some technical issues. Namely, the character sometimes passes out and loses his carrot nose, as happened again at Disneyland Paris earlier this week. (Via DiscussingFilm)

This isn’t the first time Olaf has completely lost it in Disneyland Paris. The memes surrounding Olaf dropping dead in recent months have already been legendary, but every time it happens, I can't help but be tickled pink. It's just such the opposite of the perfectly polished reality we usually get when we are inside a Disney park, and also, little, unexpected falls are almost always going to be funny. Just ask Chevy Chase.

I'm practically gleeful when these moments get captured on camera, and I'm not the only one to find these incidents hilarious, either. (Though I'd be willing to hedge cast members probably don't feel this way.) Pass me the popcorn while we peruse these funny fan reactions from Instagram and X (Twitter)...

• "He is allowed to to have bad days 😂"
• "I do love that his nose flies off. Very on brand."
• "Oh no, Olaf had another incident!! And he lost his carrot nose too!! 🤣😆😂"
• "It looks like he suffered a minor heart attack and led to be with the Lord 😂"
• "Bro dies every movie and still shows up for the next one."
• "Peak side character behavior."
• "I guess Olaf really was heartbroken that summer ended…"
• "'Some people are worth melting for' was supposed to be a line, not a maintenance schedule."

Even Gad has had a little fun with these incidents. When one happened in the spring, he posted about it and captioned the post with, "POV - Me when Spring Break ends and I check my work inbox."

Really the thing that gets me every single time is Olaf losing his poor little carrot nose. I love everything about this animatronic and its hysterical little quirks. The thing too about Olaf literally passing out in front of crowds of people is there's nowhere to hide. When Toothless "dies" at Epic Universe, team members spring into action to hide the animatronic behind some greenery and avoid any childhood trauma. Now I'm just imagining a five-year old freaking out after watching Olaf drop dead.

Yet I still can't help but find these incidents funny. So, yeah maybe I answered my own question. I would not envy any parents having to explain this, but there's something in me that can't help but have a very visceral response to the poor little animatronic flopping over and losing a body part (a feat which also used to happen when Olaf was a costumed individual). I can only aspire to see it in person one day.

It’s been nearly a year and a half since the opening of Epic Universe, and somehow the theme park just keeps getting cooler. Not covered under annual passes, visiting Universal’s newest Florida offering still feels special for newcomers and frequent Universal Orlando visitors alike. I’ve been lucky enough to partake in what it has to offer a couple times now, and while every major Epic Universe attraction offers something different for guests, discovering the Easter eggs makes it even more fun.

Sure, there are the Super Nintendo World Pikmin in Celestial Park, which can be spotted if you look closely enough, and there’s the leafy Pickett from Fantastic Beasts picking a lock in a shop window in the Ministry of Magic. But what you probably didn’t know – and I definitely wasn’t aware of – is that the ground in front of the high-thrills Stardust Racers roller coaster has luminescent qualities in certain spots that are already built into the pavement. If you’re wondering exactly what that means, check out the below Instagram clips:

What really makes this Easter egg feel magical is the fact that when you use a UV flashlight to make the ground start glowing, you’re not locked into any one specific drawing or message. Instead, you actually have the freedom to illuminate a greeting like “hi” or “welcome,” or you can draw a shooting star or heart. While it looks like the employees are painting on the ground, it’s really just about the flashlight hitting the right spots and bringing those sections to luminescent life.

In a world where it feels like little bits of magic are getting cut from theme parks in favor of expansion or shifting budgets, it’s nice to see something like this, where it feels like the sole purpose is to put a smile the face of a guest with a small gesture that feels like a magic touch. It’s hidden in the ground itself, which means you could easily walk past it, or even on it, and not realize what’s hiding right in plain sight.

Additionally, if you stroll through the Dark Universe portal and enter Darkmoor, you can find the address 428 (in honor of the 4/28/1908 birthday of Carl Laemmle Jr.aka the son of the man who started Universal Pictures and the monster movies they became known for) carved on the bricks. Plus, after going through the Metro Floo network in the Battle at the Ministry queue, you could spend hours trying to understand how the mirrored rim gives the illusion that the Ministry stretches forever with its thunderstorm ceiling. Still, the thing that makes the luminescent ground even cooler is the fact that you can always do something different with it.

So, if you find yourself visiting Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort, either for the first time or on a return trip, keep an eye out for employees “painting” the ground. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover yet another Easter egg that uncovers a bit of theme park magic.

One of my favorite things about walking around Disney Parks is catching all the small details from the various Disney movies. And in recent years, as Marvel Studios has earned more of a presence there, we’ve been noticing more Marvel easter eggs in sneaky places. I was just made aware of one at Walt Disney World’s Epcot, and it makes me want to go back to the Florida theme park to spot myself.

It’s pretty well known that Avengers Campus at Disneyland’s California Adventure is full of fun references to the MCU, but since there’s not one in Orlando, I wasn’t expecting this little nod to exist in Epcot. Check it out:

How cool is this? If you walk into Epcot’s The Crown & Crest gift shop in the United Kingdom Pavilion, you can check out these super awesome coats of arms of the original Avengers. (And, Loki’s there too with an alligator on his, it's just not pictured here.) I love that Steve Rogers and Tony Stark’s crests are posted together with the release date of the original Avengers movie (May 4, 2012). It truly was a day unlike any other.

Then, Clint Barton/Hawkeye has his own with a bow and arrow crest and Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow has one that signifies her Russian roots. Bruce Banner doesn’t have his own crest but rather a picture up in the gift shop with his “family name history.” I can’t quite read it well enough on the Instagram video, but that gives me further incentive to swing over to Epcot and see it in person. I don't see Thor’s, but I assume and hope it’s there as well. Right? He’s gotta be. Someone check for me.

If you’re doing a double take over that not being there before, according to my research the Marvel easter eggs have only been there since September. With Avengers: Doomsday’s release hitting the 2026 movie schedule in a few months, it’s the perfect time for this nod to the main Marvel Cinematic Universe heroes who graced the big screen together over 14 years ago.

Sadly, in the current timeline, we’re two Avengers down since both Iron Man and Black Widow died in Endgame. Steve Rogers also retired, but somehow he’ll return in Doomsday. Banner and Barton aren’t expected to be in the new Avengers movie, but who knows at this point! Nothing seems to be off the table anymore.

This week, Avengers: Endgame also became the highest-grossing movie of all time, beating out the original Avatar. Said accomplishment happened after the Encore version of Endgame hit theaters. That’s certainly reason enough for the Avengers to be thought of as legendary characters as posted up in Epcot’s United Kingdom Pavilion.

I love seeing Earth’s Mightiest Heroes get their own honorable place in Walt Disney World. Now, I want to spend an entire day at Disney Parks looking out for more awesome easter eggs like this.

During the calm and relaxing boat ride through EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion, known as the Gran Fiesta Tour, a guest at Walt Disney World decided to get out of the boat, stand on a side platform, and then dive into the water, all while the ride vehicles were still moving. Thankfully, the guests were banned from Walt Disney World after their unsafe behavior violated theme park rules, and now, the park would like to remind us all that doing this is not OK.

Sure, it’s a slow-moving boat ride with no height limit that anyone and everyone can experience. It’s an attraction at the Orlando theme park that you typically go on to escape the heat and humidity if only for a brief moment or because you’re with small children, not because you’re looking for thrills of any kind. You’re not supposed to create your own thrills while on it. Don’t be that guy who took a swim in Living with the Land. That’s really just not okay, and the Walt Disney World Resort agreed in their statement to People:

While the guests were trespassed, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office told EW there were no arrests pertaining to the incident.

With as strict as Disney tends to be about guests adhering to safety policies, and it being not that long after a guest jumped out of a ride vehicle on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure just before the ride’s significant drop, the frequency of these incidents is a bit baffling.

Of course, nothing happens at a theme park these days without someone getting it on video, and Orlando Michelin chef Michael Collantes did just that. In his footage, it's clear that a guest who left his seat on the boat is being cheered on by a group of guys toward the back of the ride vehicle, and instead of getting back in the boat, he decides to dive full-body into the water.

All of that is bad enough on its own, but what makes it even more dangerous is the fact that the water in this type of attraction is not at all deep because that’s not needed or necessary to guide you along your route. Here’s what the chef had to say in the caption on his Instagram:

I don’t understand how any of this was allowed to go on long enough for one individual to jump in and get back in their boat, with another then jumping in before the attraction starring Donald Duck, Panchito, and Jose, aka The Three Caballeros, was stopped. You can watch a video of the incident below:

I wouldn’t even try to guess why this group of individuals did what they did during their Gran Fiesta Tour, but please don’t feel inspired to do anything like this on a future trip to the Disney theme parks. It’s not okay; you will either get banned or arrested, and it’s just not worth it.

Walt Disney World is currently undergoing a transformation, as was announced at D23’s Disney Experiences Showcase, with new lands and exciting attractions on their way. If you want to experience it all – and I know I do – you have to actually be allowed inside.

After Bob Iger ousted Bob Chapek as CEO of Disney in 2022 and took back control of the company, the two had a serious falling out. That’s not surprising, of course. Chapek was originally Iger’s handpicked successor when Iger retired the first time from the House of Mouse in 2020. Chapek’s tenure as CEO was controversial, which led to Iger returning just months after the board extended Chapek's contract. That seems to have understandably led to some bad blood and the two no longer speaking, as Chapek writes about in his new memoir, Behind the Castle Walls. That isn’t all that surprising, but I was surprised by how close they were before Chapek resigned.

Chapek And Iger Were A Team At One Point

Before the ugliness that came at the end of Chapek’s tenure, before he was CEO, he had a very successful run as Chairman of Parks & Resorts. He was one of Iger’s top lieutenants at Disney, and that meant they worked a lot together. They also became good friends. Chapek recently appeared on the Yahoo! Finance podcast, Power Players with Brian Sozzi, where Sozzi summarized their friendship that was forged in long hours, long flights, and socializing. Chapek explained that he even gifted Iger a gold coin to be laid inside the mast of Iger’s sailboat.

What happened next is confounding, because they seemed so close, and obviously Chapek thought they were close, too. I never realized how close they were. That makes the way Chapek was dismissed so fascinating. According to Chapek, Iger and Disney have been more than dismissive of the one-time CEO, they been “vindictive.” They’ve taken his name off of the corporate history on the website and removed all references to him in the parks.

If you’re wondering if their previous working relationship and friendship can ever be fixed, Chapek doubts it, telling the podcast (via Yahoo! Finance):

According to Chapek, the ball is in Iger’s court. Though Chapek is clearly upset about how his firing was handled by Iger and Disney’s board, he would be willing to hash things out, adding:

Iger has since left Disney again and just recently purchased a stake in the Los Angeles Lakers. Chapek, meanwhile, has been busy writing his new book, which, for him, is a way to clear up what he says are misconceptions about his time as CEO of Disney and the process that led to his leaving the company. A lot has been written about both men, and I get the impression that there is still more to come.

If you really want to feel the joy of the Christmas season, there’s really nothing like going to Walt Disney World during the holidays. The theme parks are decorated to the nines with twinkly lights and garland. And the sound of a Christmas tune is always in the air as one sips or chomps on a yummy treat that encompasses the holiday. However, I just found out about one change to the Guardians of the Galaxy ride that sweetens the deal.

How Guardians Of The Galaxy Is Getting In On The Holiday Cheer

Walt Disney World’s annual Christmas celebrations like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights and Festival Of The Holidays have been staples to look forward to among upcoming WDW attractions. This time, though, guests are getting an upgrade on one fan-favorite ride. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot is going to have an overlay with Christmas tunes this year! Check out the list of songs you might hear on the ride during the seasonal change:

• “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – Andy Williams
• “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
• “Christmas Wrapping” – The Waitresses

How fun is this? Part of what I love about the indoor rollercoaster is waiting to see what song will soundtrack your thrills, and having alternate options during the holidays is a nice surprise. In case you're curious, only “Christmas Wrapping” was on The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special soundtrack (now streaming with a Disney+ subscription), but these are all great picks.

Now, I’m so curious how each song will make the ride different, and what will become favorites among guests. On the original soundtrack, “September” became such a big hit that on the 21st the song was played on the ride all day. You'll be able to listen to one of these holiday songs on Cosmic Rewind (or perhaps try your luck on hearing them all) from November 25 through January 6 of next year, per Disney Parks Blog.

And, Cosmic Rewind Isn’t The Only Ride Getting A Festive Overlay

If you’re as excited as I am for Cosmic Rewind’s holiday overlay, there’s even more good news. At Hollywood Studios, there’s a festive update coming for Alien Swirling Saucers. Starting November 4, you can ride the Toy Story Land ride with remixes of even more holiday classics. The cheery twist is that Toy Story 5’s Lilypad will be the DJ behind these songs. Toy Story 5 was one of my favorite 2026 movies (so far), and it's great to see the sequel joining in on the holiday festivities in an unexpected way.

Additionally, the new Rock 'N' Rollercoaster ride that reopened at Hollywood Studios early this summer with The Muppets is going all in on the holidays, too. Electric Mayhem is going to play some festive favorites with the help of special guests like Kermit and Fozzie Bear, Jennifer Hudson and Cyndi Lauper.

Spending the holidays this year at Walt Disney World is going to be one for the books! Right now it’s still very much spooky season at Disney Parks, but once November hits, it’s going to be a winter wonderland in Florida – and the many other parks around the world, of course! It can't come soon enough.

Disneyland pin traders have gone through a lot of changes this year, and that doesn’t seem like it’s stopping anytime soon. The latest change comes in the form of vending machines! Yep, it looks like the House of Mouse is capitalizing on the vending machine craze made popular by Pokémon cards and is introducing pins to the game. As an avid pin trader myself, I’m definitely intrigued and will be visiting them on my next trip to Disneyland.

While there’s been no official announcement from Disneyland regarding the new way to purchase pins, eagle-eyed guests spotted the vending machines on October 1st. As of right now, there are several machines spread out across Disney’s California Adventure Park and Disney’s Downtown Disney District. Just like the theme park’s iconic trash cans, the machines are themed to the areas they reside in. For example, over on Pixar Pier, Toy Story fans will find Buzz and Woody-styled vending machines.

As a dedicated pin trader, I was fascinated when the news first broke about the vending machines, but now that they’ve been out for almost a week, I’m starting to see pros and cons of these new additions to the park.

Pro: It's An Effective Way To Shop For Pins

It’s always fun when the Disney parks get a new mystery set of pins, and the concept of buying them from a vending machine definitely adds a new layer to the hunt.

Up to this point, pin traders have gotten handy with pin bags, feeling around to see if they can decipher the shape of the pins before committing to purchasing a pack. The machines prohibit that since you can’t feel the pins before purchasing, and they’re encased in a biodegradable capsule when they’re dispensed.

The new machines will also help curb disappointed purchasers from trying to return their opened pins, since there’s no cast member to speak to regarding the purchase.

Con: The Price Is A Bit Steep

As for pricing, the new pins retail at $18, which is a bit high, considering patrons can currently purchase a 2-pin mystery box for about $22.00; at least until the next round of price increases hits. However, a key detail about the price is that Disneyland Magic Key Holders don’t get a discount at the machines. It's fair to say Magic Key Holders are some of the most devoted pin traders, largely because they get anywhere from 10 to 20% off merchandise, including pins.

I can’t help but wonder if this is Disney’s newest way to circumnavigate that discount, since they know pin collectors won’t want to miss out on a new collection.

Pro: The Collection Features Some Exciting Characters

The inaugural collection features 15 unique pins, featuring fan-favorite Disney characters emerging from plastic balls. While the set does feature some of the usual popular characters like Winnie the Pooh and Simba, it also boasts some rare characters like villain sidekicks, including The Little Mermaid’s Flotsam and Jetsam.

Also, the set even features a pin representing the Platypus from Small World, which, honestly, might mark the first piece of Disney merch ever devoted to the character. I can imagine theme park die-hards would want to get their hands on that particular collectible.

Con: Will These Machines Be The Newest Spots For Pin Trading Restrictions?

Earlier this year, Disneyland unveiled stricter rules for pin traders, restricting them from congregating in large groups to conduct trades. Current rules allow for guest-to-guest trading as long as they’re not obstructing walkways or taking over chairs, tables or benches.

With the arrival of the vending machines and the known history that pin traders love to complete full sets, it seems like these new areas are going to become a new spot for traders to congregate to hopefully trade for the pins they’re missing without having to keep spending $18.

Although I think dedicated spaces for pin trading are a great idea, especially with a large set such as the one being sold in the machines. I do worry that Disneyland management didn’t think something out. Unfortunately, it’ll theoretically be the cast members assigned to crowd control who are going to get the short end of the stick when they’re forced to make guests disparage if they do take over the spots and engage in bad behavior that could go viral.

Still, overall, I’m glad to see Disneyland once again investing in its pin-trading community. It’s a mostly welcome edition, especially as the park prepares for some major changes to Tomorrowland and some other rumored beloved attractions like the Matterhorn.

Fans have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order, and certain franchise stand out as fan favorites. Chief among them are the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, which are streaming with a Disney+ subscription. That's presumably why the cosmic heroes have been given multiple theme park tie-ins, especially Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in Disney World's EPCOT center. Fans have been adding an off-color joke to the ride's queue, but The House of Mouse has officially put the kibosh on that.

EPCOT is a unique destination in Disney World, as it's the only park that allows guests to openly drink alcohol. Drinking around the world has become a popular past time for guests 21 and up, sometimes leading to more raucous behavior. Case in point: fans used to self-identify as "alcoholics" in the queue for Cosmic Rewind when Terry Crews' Tal Marik asks what Earth folks call themselves. There's been a slight change to the queue, and there's no longer a pause where fans could call out to the character.

This news broke over on Twitter, where footage of the abridged queue for Cosmic Rewind turned the heads of hardcore theme park fans. You can check it out for yourself below:

This change wouldn't be noticeable for casual fans or first-time riders of the attraction, but it is for the more dedicated Disney-goers. This particular inside joke was popular for folks who frequently drank through EPCOT before riding the park's indoor coaster. Although since Walt Disney World is still a family-friendly place, it seems like the powers that be have shut down that fan-made moment to ensure that Cosmic Rewind was suitable for kids.

Bad behavior at Disney often goes viral, and the availability of booze at EPCOT can sometimes bring out the worst in people. Even the worst drinks at EPCOT get ordered, and drinking around the world is an ambitious task that can sometimes result in folks being quite intoxicated. The park has strict rules that are enforced, and that dedication to keeping it family-friendly has now changed the queue for the Guardians of the Galaxy's wildly popular coaster. This is why we can't have nice things!

This change to Cosmic Rewind is ultimately a very small one. The ride isn't changed, and the queue is still the same... just a few seconds shorter so that folks can't call themselves alcoholics. Still, given how wildly popular that particular attraction is among fans, theme park enthusiasts definitely clocked the adjustment.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened in May of 2022, and continues to be one of the most popular rides in all of EPCOT. We'll just have to wait and see how many people are still calling themselves alcoholics despite the recent change in the attraction's queue.

Jennifer Lawrence spent years without a public social media account, and I respected the commitment. If I were famous enough that millions of strangers had opinions about the way I walked down a sidewalk, I might throw my phone into a lake. Then Lawrence finally joined Instagram earlier this month, and I started wondering what kind of content we would actually get from her. Well, we have our answer: JLaw eating a corn dog at Disneyland Paris while somebody films her, and it's peak content.

The Hunger Games star took some time off her busy 2026 movie schedule to share a seven-slide carousel from her recent trip to Paris, mixing some very glamorous Fashion Week photos with considerably less glamorous Disney shenanigans. The final slide, shared on Lawrence’s Instagram account, catches her mid-corn dog before she notices the camera and starts laughing. As you can see in the post below, the whole thing lasts only a few seconds and is hilariously relatable.

The No Hard Feelings actress only joined Instagram on Sept. 9 after avoiding a public account for most of her career. She wound up with the handle @jlaw because, hilariously, @jenniferlawrence was already taken. Her first Reel came with one very clear warning: if anyone was mean to her, she would quit immediately.

She later clarified the stakes on her Instagram Stories by asking people to remember that aggressive comments can hurt "the baby." Followed by: "It's me. I'm the baby." So far, everybody appears to be behaving, which is fortunate because Lawrence has quickly figured out the exact kind of celebrity Instagram I enjoy. Odd, but wonderfully less glamorous than most celebrity accounts.

Her Paris photo dump starts with Lawrence attending Dior's Spring/Summer 2027 show in a pale blue dress. There are more polished fashion shots, a goofy pose during what appears to be an art museum visit and then, suddenly, Disneyland Paris ride photos.

Lawrence rode a few iconic park attractions such as Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and the latter apparently made quite an impression. Her caption includes the extremely specific thank-you: "Thank you Tower of Terror for… everything."

Then comes the corn dog, and honestly, it's perfect sequencing.

Maybe I am easy to please, but there is something deeply funny about an Oscar winner dropping a video of herself destroying a theme park corn dog after some Fashion Week glamour shots.

Amy Schumer jumped in the comments to agree. The comedian commented, "Corn dogs by @dior," while Kylie Jenner went with the considerably sweeter, "ur so cute !!!!!!!!" You know, they're both correct.

It also feels remarkably on-brand for Lawrence. Long before she had an Instagram account, part of her appeal was how easily an awards-season interview could turn into a story about falling, eating something she probably shouldn't have eaten before wearing couture, or eating grilled cheese between nude scenes. This is, after all, the woman who once served Robert Pattinson food from the trash.

The Disneyland Paris visit also came at a pretty good time. The resort has been having a busy year, including World of Frozen’s new Olaf and now kicking off the Halloween festivities on Sept. 26, bringing seasonal decorations, villains and some appropriately spooky attractions back to the parks.

Lawrence joined Instagram, warning that one mean comment might send her running from the app forever. Three weeks later, she is posting Dior gowns, theme park ride photos and herself getting caught mid-bite with a corn dog. Please, everybody, continue being nice. We cannot afford to lose this account now.

These days, being a fan of Disneyland means adapting to a lot of changes. From recent price increases to 800 food and drink items to figuring out how to use the Lightning Lane add-on should one opt in for it. This past week some fans have been wrapping their heads around a much bigger potential change: the demolishment of the Matterhorn Bobsleds. It’s a big rumor that’s been going around, and an imagineering executive has responded to why it probably won’t happen. Let’s talk about it.

The Matterhorn Rumor That’s Been Running Around

During D23’s Disney Experiences Showcase last month, it was announced that Disneyland’s Tomorrowland would be getting a “reimagining”. We don’t yet know the extent of this, but it’s been called a “transformation” that will “honor the legacy of the original land” with “new attractions, more open spaces and new places for you to dream about the future.”

With that in mind, there’s a lot of questions about what will be torn down in Disneyland to make room for this imagining. Last week, WDW News Today shared a rumor that the Matterhorn Bobsleds could be torn down and rebuilt somewhere else in Disneyland to make room for these changes. They credited a post from @sometimescastles on Instagram who claimed “an inside source” shared they are “actively talking about” tearing down the original Disneyland ride.

How One Imagineering Executive Shut Them Down

Since the rumor is gaining traction in the theme park community, Walt Disney former Imagineering Executive Creative Director Jim Shull took to X to comment on it. In his words:

Look, the Walt Disney Company is rich, but spending $800 million just to clear out some room for Tomorrowland is likely much too excessive to consider. Shull is retired from imagineering, but his update about how “unlikely” it is should still give some peace of mind for purists for the 147-foot ride that’s been standing in Disneyland since 1959.

Perhaps if this rumor is somehow true, they should call this person who made their own Matterhorn ride in their backyard? Matterhorn has certainly earned the reputation of being one of Disneyland attractions that’s showing its age, but it sounds like there’s literally millions upon millions of reasons to keep it up and running where it is.

While it sounds like the Matterhorn Bobsleds are here to stay, we do expect there could be some dramatic changes to Tomorrowland for this reimagining. Some other attractions that could ultimately be at risk of closing could be the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Autopia, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters or Star Tours. (I personally can’t imagine them touching fan-favorite Space Mountain, but who knows!)

For the time being, we have very little information about Tomorrowland’s upcoming upgrade and when changes are going to happen. But, it seems like it’s in very early development.

Taylor Swift is having quite the year. She got married to Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden, released another four songs as an extension of her Life of a Showgirl album titled “Encore” and wrote a track for Toy Story 5. The tune, “I Knew It, I Knew You” is beloved by fans, and it became an immediate hit. It’s already getting Oscar buzz, and Disney has decided to completely embrace the fanfare. Walt Disney World even recently made a change in honor of the song, and as someone who loves both theme parks and Taylor Swift, I’m totally on board!

Disney fans have been posting all over Instagram that the Imagineers have updated the Alien Swirling Saucers Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to feature Swift's TS5 song. The ride has a similar concept to the famous Teacup ride in Magic Kingdom where the riders are responsible for spinning themselves while the ride moves in circles. The attraction opened in 2018 when TS Land was fully expanded in the park, and even though it’s a fairly new ride, park officials seemingly had no issue adding this musical update. You can see the song playing for riders below:

It is a small tweak to slightly modernize the ride to feel more current while also not truly changing it. And the change makes sense, as the song is a crowd pleaser, and the rendition of the tune that's used for the ride perfectly has the cheery feel fit for an offering at Disney World.

Not only that, but this also gives Swifties a little something to be excited about if they decide to make a trip to Orlando, Florida. It seems like a lot of people are pumped about the ride, as the President of Walt Disney World Resort, Joe Schott, even posted about the change on Instagram to encourage park-goers to check it out:

Disney in general seems to be strengthening its relationship with Swift. Outside of Swift writing a song for Toy Story 5, she also has been releasing exclusive content on Disney+. It started in 2020 with Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions, a documentary about the recording of her folklore album, which was only released on the streaming service. The Grammy winner subsequently released her record-breaking Eras Tour concert film only on Disney+ as well as her tour documentary, End of an Era.

From the outside looking in, this seems like a mutually beneficial partnership, so including Swift as much as possible in the parks makes sense. From the moment I heard “I Knew It, I Knew You,” I had a feeling it would have staying power, and that's now further cemented as it adds to the bouncy energy of Alien Swirling Saucers. As a Swiftie, I’m loving this and am curious to see if Disney Parks will find other ways to include the pop icon in their theme parks as this collaboration continues.

Taylor Swift fans can see how her hit single plays into Jesse’s story in Toy Story 5 by streaming it with a Disney+ subscription. Swifties who subscribe to the streamer can also check out other Swift content, like the Eras Tour documentaries, which are also still streaming on the platform.

It’s always a bit magical to see Disney fans meeting their favorite characters for the first time within the various theme parks. It’s a whole other level of charming when it’s Josh Gad, the voice of Frozen's Olaf, meeting the self-walking, talking Olaf animatronic in World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris. The Disney Legend recently took a stroll through Arendelle, chatting with the pint-size snowman who has a wide variety of responses, all in Gad’s own voice.

It’s all very meta for one of Disney’s most popular animated characters and very in line with the actor’s past playfulness in the parks, which you can get a sense of in the YouTube series where he headed up the Jungle Cruise ride and took on other cast members' jobs. I can’t imagine how surreal it must be to see a character that you are so deeply connected to just freely walking around on its own, waving its arms, blinking, and saying your own recorded lines back to you. You can see Gad’s reaction in the clip below:

Opening at Disney Adventure World back in March 2026, The World of Frozen is the second Frozen-themed land, after the first one opened at Hong Kong Disneyland in 2023. And while the robot has been a hit since it started appearing in Disneyland Paris, Olaf has had some operational hiccups, the most notable of which being when it froze, fell onto its back, and detached its magnetic carrot nose. Thankfully, things seemed to go smoothly when the Beauty and the Beast star experienced the li'l guy in action himself.

I personally had the pleasure of also meeting the free-roaming Olaf audio-animatronic, having gotten a preview demonstration of how it works at Walt Disney Imagineering, prior to its debut in Paris. Disney Parks have been working on robots for a few years, and the two-legged BD-1 droids that walk around Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge sure are cool, but Olaf pushes the technology in every way. Sure, his verbal responses are prerecorded, but when you’re talking to the lovable snowman in the moment, it’s easy to get caught up in the magic. I totally understand Josh Gad’s clear delight.

The Frozen franchise, of which the films and spinoffs are streamable with a Disney+ subscription, is immensely popular, so it’s no surprise that the first character of this type to be brought to life within the theme parks is Olaf. He’s easily lovable and his personality is infectious. We know that Frozen 3 is officially in the works and is set to be released in 2027, and hopefully that will mean that the Olaf animatronic will get some dialogue updates in the future.

P.S. If you’re wondering exactly what that is that Gad is eating in the clip, if you make your way to Disneyland Paris, be sure to get the Everlasting Snowflake shortbread dessert at the Nordic Crowns Tavern.

One of the best parts of Universal Orlando parks is the theming, and that’s especially true of the attractions at Epic Universe. The Darkmoor area is many fans’ favorite part of the newer theme park, and the characters involved in the Dark Universe theming are equally important. The manor, for example, is owned by Victoria Frankenstein, and the ride inside tells the story of her continuing her family’s legacy. It’s a big castle, though, and Universal Orlando recently (jokingly) asked if Victoria maybe needs a "roommate"?

Universal Orlando’s social media tends to be cheeky, so this wasn’t totally out of left field. It’s obviously a joke, in general, but it’s also worth pointing out the Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment ride already seemingly has Ygor (and a slew of monsters) as Victoria’s roomies. But the post is pretty funny to think about in an abstract way, and I was amused by the fan comments.

Along with many Universal parkgoers asking what happened to Victoria’s roommate Ygor, one fan had a really, well, epic response to the post, writing we should forget the roommate and focus on something else. It's no wonder this was one of the most popular comments on the post.

Why is this so perfect? Let me spell it out for you.

Dark Universe Is Getting Another Attraction

We’ve known for a bit that Dark Universe would be undergoing an expansion. Permits have been filed for a 3-acre addition to the Darkmoor area, and it seems from reports it will be for an attraction and not for like food or beverage or other things.

There’s been some chatter from fans about a possible Creature From The Black Lagoon ride, thanks to a pit being dug (though this is allegedly for a larger indoor structure, which is good news given how many outdoor rides this park has right now) and general interest, though Universal has not confirmed anything like this yet. Still the fan who commented on the post above was clearly in the know about that chatter, and would be on board if the rumors held true.

Like I said, this isn’t the first or last person to bring up Creature From The Black Lagoon either, as threads about the attraction are full of comments like this. It would be more like Victoria getting a neighbor instead of a roomie, but a lot of people are into the idea.

• "Whenever I see people say they rode a ride 50 times in one day it confused me ....... but a Creature from the Black Lagoon ride I would never leave."
• "Dark Universe is definitely the highlight of Epic, so I'm excited they're investing in expansion. Hopefully it's the Lagoon ride, as a cool indoor dark water ride is exactly what the park needs."
• "Given the wait times and how damn hot the park is, it'd be a pretty perfect cycle of leaving the ride soaked, sun-drying in the outdoor queue, cooling off in the indoor queue, then back on the boat."

Universal Orlando is usually pretty tight-lipped about what a ride will be for some time before an official announcement is made. This didn’t happen so much with the Fast & Furious coaster, but I think that’s more because the one in California was already almost fully realized before construction started on the one in Florida.

It’s also worth noting though, this isn’t the only expansion already going on at Epic Universe, as permits have been filed near the Ministry of Magic ride over on that side of the theme park, as well and a ton of money seems to be going behind that project. But given Darkmoor is a fan-favorite space for many parkgoers, this will be one we’ll be keeping an eye on, for sure. Whatever the end result, I'm sure it'll be spooktacular.

Prices have still been going up at theme parks like Walt Disney World this year, and that's been a trend at most theme parks across the US. At a time when it feels like rising costs are a given in every facet of life, one theme park is bucking the trend with a steep discount rolling out to market soon. The Missouri gem Silver Dollar City made headlines earlier this year with news it was going to be the setting for a Christmas movie, and now it's helping theme park lovers save money for the holiday and more with a great new offer.

"The Best Theme Park In America" is always rolling out new attractions, and ahead of the arrival of Miner's Mountain Express, we're seeing the steepest discount for a season pass Silver Dollar City's offered since 2021. Now might be the best time to visit, even if it's your first time.

Silver Dollar City Is Offering A Extreme Discount For 2027

Starting today through November 2nd, readers can purchase a season passport to Silver Dollar City for the 2027 season for just $117.99. For those not familiar with the value, that's only $20 more than it would cost to buy a single-day ticket.

It's a great value, especially for the number of roller coasters jammed in the Branson, Missouri, theme park. One might understand a discount if there were extensive renovations underway or something of that nature, but as VP of Marketing Nick Guevel said, this is about the theme park seeing the hardships families are facing and keeping theme park fun affordable:

Solo adventures to theme parks can always be fun, but they're also the perfect family vacation destination. In my family, affordability is key, so I appreciate Silver Dollar City setting the example and offering a chance for people to get in on the cheap.

Silver Dollar City Has Exciting Things In Store For 2027

For those wondering if they can find an excuse to get out to Silver Dollar City, CinemaBlend has no shortage of testimonials that will attest to it being worth the drive. It's also worth noting that the park has several things on tap for the new year, including a new roller coaster:

Additionally, Silver Dollar City will be bringing back An Old-Time Christmas, a celebrated holiday event. Its continued growth over the years has made it one of the best theme parks to visit in this part of the United States, if not the best.

It's also worth mentioning that Branson, Missouri, has a litany of things for families to do outside of the theme park, and remains one of the lesser-known vacation towns for those who live outside of the region and only associate it with music. With prices so low, now might be the time to make that pilgrimage and find out why so many others love this theme park.

Silver Dollar City operates primarily from March to October, with select dates for events afterward. It's been a long time since I've visited, but with this new deal, I think it's time I make a trip back.

HHN 2026 Has Top-Notch Production Design That Feels Bigger Than Ever

I’ve gotta admit, as much as I believe that Halloween Horror Nights will always pull off a top-notch event, I was nervous and a bit skeptical that they’d be able to live up to the expectations surrounding Sinners. How do you boil down a story that uses supernatural, vampire, and folk horror, blends it with a period drama, and drops a performance that was enough to earn Michael B Jordan an Academy Award for Best Actor? Oh yeah, and turn it into a walk-through experience that thrills and scares in under five minutes? Somehow, though it worked, and it's not the ONLY reason I'm already planning my return this year.

As someone who’s been going to HHN in Hollywood every year for a while now, I was sure it would be impossible for this year’s event to live up to 2025, which included Five Night’s at Freddy’s, Terrifier, and Friday the 13^th. I’m happy to report that 2026 is the best year yet, and Sinners has played a big role in helping it achieve that horror crown. Not only does it have the best house queue I’ve ever experienced, with a live actor “performing” the film’s song, “I Lied to You,” but it creates an immersive atmosphere surrounding you with the transcending time sequence as a Michael B. Jordan look-a-like welcomes you in.

The house only gets better from there, with cool glowing-eye effects, two-story sets, and a stunt involving an actor on a bungee rig. I honestly felt like the Sinners house on its own is worth the admission price, and everything else is the fun and mayhem cherry on top of the popular event.

HHN always makes the most of the budget they have, but this year it felt like they were really firing on all cylinders. Every transition in the houses felt thought out and there were more scareactors than ever pulling off multiple scares at a time. A two-story scene in Sinners made the space feel bigger, building a train in Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness felt as though it was transporting guests somewhere else, and the use of a balcony for KILLceañera was a nice touch.

The Combination of Properties for the Houses Hits On Every Level

There’s never any way to know for sure if the line-up of houses and properties will work together, and to be honest, Sinners wasn’t the only question mark for me this year. The final season of Stranger Things had a lot to live up to, Hellraiser seemed like a challenging property to pull off, Evil Dead Burn didn’t exactly get much love at the box office, Killer Klowns was making a return appearance for the third time, original mazes (KILLceañera and Dead, Deader, Deadest) either work or don’t depending on how easy the story is to pick up on, and no one knew what an Ozzy Osbourne maze inspired by his legacy would look like. Yet, somehow, it all worked and each house was memorable in its own way. It’s worth mentioning that to make Hellraiser even more impressive, Doug Bradley re-recorded Pinhead's highly quotable film dialogue.

The Scareactors Should All Get A Raise For How Hard They Were Hitting It

Your experience in an HHN house really depends on how many scareactors are in it and how hard they’re going at any given time. A memorable scare zone relies on interactions with the characters, including Nikki from Obsession roaming around, different versions of Art the Clown, and the Death Eaters in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This year, the houses really are stacked with actors who are giving it their all, bringing their characters to life so effectively that some attendees were wondering if maybe Michael B. Jordan was the one really playing his character in the Sinners house. I even had a blast dancing with some of the Fortnitemares characters in their scare zone.

A Fully Original Terror Tram Featuring Art the Clown Felt Fresh And Fun

The Terrifier house was such a hit at HHN 2025 that it was a no-brainer to bring the property back in some way for 2026. Instead of repeating or reconfiguring what they’d already done, Horror Nights decided to go all in on the wild and weird Terror Tram starring Art the Clown. With a soundtrack by metal band Ice Nine Kills, who created twisted version of Christmas classics, the horror icon hijacks the tram for his own mayhem-filled holiday celebration that was so over-the-top I couldn’t help but have fun.

HHN 2026 is top tier when it comes to Halloween scare events and this year’s event is so fun that I’m already wondering which upcoming horror movies could inspire must-see houses in 2027. Until then, I will definitely be making a return appearance before the event ends on November 1^st.

When you’re a theme park fan, it’s always fun to hear from a Disney Imagineer because it feels like we’re getting a peak behind a secret curtain. Recently, Jim Shull, a retired Walt Disney Imagineer after a 33-year career, shared some thoughts about Toy Story Land’s latest addition. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is adding new magic to Alien Swirling Saucers starting on Friday, September 25^th, where they’ll be introducing Lilypad from Toy Story 5.

The frog-shaped smart tablet is on a mission to connect friends and she’s using her tech to bring toys together for an all-new soundtrack to the appropriately titled Alien Swirling Saucers: Lilypad’s Jams. This new music line-up will include reimagined Toy Story classics and brand-new songs written just for the attraction, remixed and mashed up by DJ Lilypad. But that’s where the Imagineer who’s worked on projects at Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Shanghai Disneyland has some issues and pointed out that size does, indeed, matter.

For more than eight years, Toy Story Land has operated around the idea that when you step inside, you thereby shrink to the size of a toy inside Andy’s backyard. The oversized toys and various other objects throughout work to establish the scale as they transport you into Andy’s world. That guided and shaped what could and could not be put inside the land, until now.

The first issue that Toy Story Land designer Jim Shull has with the addition of Lilypad is that, at least in the artist concept image, the scale feels wrong. He says that he started with Andy’s shoe print and scaled every toy to that, which means that a Lilypad built to scale should be much larger. It’s hard to know whether that was taken into consideration or not when designing this new overlay, but I’ll definitely be on the lookout for any further explanation for how and why the sizing doesn’t seem to match.

The other issue that Shull has with all of this is that Lilypad actually belongs to Bonnie, and was purchased by her parents to help her socialize with other children who prefer electronic devices over traditional toys. As such, she should be in Bonnie’s own backyard and not Andy’s, as they’re a generation apart and each have their own space.

This may seem like a small, nitpicky thing, and in the grander scheme of theme park expansion, it kind of is. But it might play into the larger issue of self-imposed theme park constraints, which Disney has been trying to undo with its changes to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the planet of Batuu. Plus, if the whole point of the park is pure immersion, then why opt for any inaccuracies that could potentially pull park-goers out of the illusion.

This is just a tiny addition among a sea of D23 2026 announcements about Walt Disney World's upcoming lands for Villains, Monsters Inc., Tropical Americas and Piston Peak. But it does pose interesting questions about how strictly theme parks should be following the rules they set up for themselves. General park goers are largely just excited to see their favorite characters and ride the rides in any given land, and Toy Story remains one of Disney’s most popular franchises, with no clear end in sight. We'll know soon enough if the complaints get louder or if fans are just happy to embrace the changes.

Find Toy Story 5 streaming via Disney+ subscription starting on September 23.

As much as I love Epic Universe attraction rumors, some of my favorite content is of the fan variety as parkgoers enjoy their time on all the rides and attractions at the still-new theme park. One of the best is getting to meet Toothless in How To Train Your Dragon: Isle Of Berk, and feeling the very alive movement of the wondrous dragon, his pebbly skin and his interactions with his best pal Hiccup. Honestly, though, watching this viral video of Toothless “dead” and having to be covered up is almost the opposite experience.

An amused visitor recorded what happened on the day he waited in line for the Toothless and Hiccup Meet and Greet. Unfortunately, the famed dragon went down and employees swiftly hid the evidence. On Instagram, the moment was paired with Sarah McLachlan’s “Arms of an Angel,” aka the song that used to be used in the early aughts in those heart-wrenching animal cruelty ads for the ASPCA.

Kudos to the team at Universal for seemingly getting this process down to a science, however. I’ve never seen Toothless malfunction in real time before, and like rides and other attractions going down, it’s always disheartening to be in a line and waiting for a long while only to realize you’re never making it to the front. I also would not want to be the adult in the conversation for any kid who wondered what was going on under these circumstances. In the video, Toothless just looks... dead.

The parkgoer took the experience with pretty good humor, however, though it was maybe a wee bit mean-spirited to include the McLachlan track. (Also funny. Two things can be true at once.) We know, for example, even the singer can't get through those heartbreaking ads, and they have emotionally impacted most of us at one point or another. So it was both apropos and a bit "omg" to include it in this situation.

Meanwhile, for me, the moment is almost as emotional as the first movie's ending, which as we all know, sets the viewer up to think a major character has died. He's actually just been out of it for an inordinate amount of time, has lost his foot and needs a prosthetic... just like his dragon. Like the first movie, we know Toothless also rose from the dead and has lived to see another epic day at Universal Orlando Resort. That's the magical Lazarus effect of theme parks, baby.

If you have ever watched one of the Fast & Furious movies and wanted to experience the thrill Dom Toretto and his family feel when they get behind the wheel, now you can. After years of anticipation and months of test rides, Universal Studios Hollywood's Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is open. However, it didn't get to this point without a roadblock or two. Let’s talk about it.

The Delays And Hurdles Fast & Furious’s New Ride Went Through

Fast & Furious is Universal’s highest-grossing franchise, so it makes perfect sense for there to be a proper attraction to celebrate it. Now, there was a previous Fast & Furious attraction called Supercharged that opened in 2018. But the recently defunct ride never became a fan favorite. Now, it feels like the action series finally has the sort of ride that could become a hit.

It’s been only about a year since Universal Studios Hollywood gave us a first look at their vision for Hollywood Drift, but it’s been many years in the making. The coaster was built from 2023 to 2025, and was in the vehicle-testing phase through most of this year (which Vin Diesel was on hand for).

One marketing hurdle the ride went through was accidentally dropping an opening date that ended up being wrong back in June. Then, some of the residents of the nearby neighborhood of Toluca Lake complained about the coaster and the noise from it, with one person saying it sounded like “someone is getting murdered out there.” After all that, Hollywood Drift is here, and people seem to love it so far.

What Fans Think Of Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift

While Wednesday, September 16, is the official opening day for the new Universal Studios Hollywood ride, for about a month now, guests who were part of the soft opening and media have been experiencing it. Here’s one reaction:

The spinning rollercoaster is a technical achievement for Universal Studios Hollywood and the first outdoor rollercoaster for the California theme park. Check out some of the comments about Hollywood Drift thus far (via Instagram):

• "It was AMAZING!! 😮🎢🚘🏁✨" - @travelmomoirs
• "The best ride in the park is now open" - @chase.wc
• "Such a great ride and a lovely addition to [Universal Studios} 🙌🔥" - @livingwithagoddress
• "LOVED THIS RIDE SMMMM 😍" - @hunnybunny.jpg
• "This coaster is SO FUN! What a RIDE 🤩🙌🏼" - @krystaleverdeen
• "The BEST ride I’ve ever been on! 🔥" - @always_adventuring_melanie

So many fans have been waiting for this, and the reactions show that the Fast & Furious coaster is being warmly welcomed at Universal Studios Hollywood. The ride is the first new attraction for the theme park since Super Nintendo World’s opening back in 2023. And an Orlando version of the rollercoaster is already on the way, too.

Happy opening day to Universal Studios Hollywood!

Ever since Guardians Of The Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened at Walt Disney World’s Epcot back in 2022, there’s a fun game guests can play while they wait. Which one of the six classic songs will they get when they go on the ride? This September, and for one day only, there’s going to be a little twist regarding the coaster’s soundtrack.

The indoor roller coaster, which utilizes a thrilling reverse-launch feature, famously has the Earth, Wind & Fire jam “September” on the playlist. And this year on September 21, the song will be blasting on the ride all day and night. Check out the announcement:

This is so fun. The song famously opens with the lyrics “Do you remember the 21st night of September?”, you will absolutely get to rock with the Guardians of the Galaxy to the song. The 1978 disco song continues to be a hit that’s fun to jam to as the season changes to fall, and you got to love how Walt Disney World found a way to celebrate it.

Usually, it’s a roll of the dice regarding what song you’re going to hear on Cosmic Rewind. The other options are “One Way Or Another” by Blondie, “Conga!” by Gloria Estefan, “I Ran (So Far Away)” by A Flock of Seagulls, “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears for Fears and “Disco Inferno” by The Trammps. All great tracks, but on September 21, there will be no more fitting track than the one that namechecks the date itself.

Funny enough none of those songs have been featured in a Guardians of the Galaxy movie, but they sure do fit the ride. As Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley revealed ahead of the opening of Cosmic Rewind, they tested a hundred songs to find “that perfect balance for the song choices”, per Instagram. He’s said his personal favorite is “Everyone Wants To Rule The World” at the time.

Prior to Cosmic Rewind’s opening at Epcot, another Disney Parks ride started this trend of randomized songs for the House of Mouse. It’s the other Guardians of the Galaxy ride, Mission: Breakout! On the accelerated drop tower dark ride you can either get “Burning Love” by Elvis Presley, “Free Ride” by Edgar Winter Group, ”I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5, “Give Up The Funk” by Parliament, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar or “Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf.

The trend is also added to one of the newest Walt Disney World attractions, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But, in that ride it’s reimagined versions of popular songs by The Electric Mayhem special cameos and features from Jennifer Hudson, Def Leppard, Kelly Clarkson and Questlove.

We can’t think of a better way to spend September 21 than on Cosmic Rewind. If you’re going this Monday, you gotta do it!

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is truly spectacular. It’s one of the coolest rides at any theme park, and it hasn’t gotten any less cool since it first opened at Disney World in 2019 and Disneyland in 2020. Whether you’re a diehard Star Wars fan, casual film watcher, or have never actually seen any of the franchise, it’s so impressive and so immersive from start to finish that you’ll be all-in, no matter what.

All of that considered, it must be absolutely mind-blowing to experience that ride when you were in the films and are actually part of the ride yourself. A lot of actors get to record new dialogue for theme park attractions based on properties they were a part of, but Domhnall Gleeson even has an animatronic of his General Hux likeness inside the ride. During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the star of The Paper revealed that, while he didn’t actually attend the opening of Rise of the Resistance, he did have a pretty incredible experience with the attraction.

Now, I will say that with all the times I’ve faced the First Order and joined the other Resistance recruits on that Star Wars attraction, I’ve never experienced people playing Stormtroopers inside of it (although they do walk around in the ever-evolving Galaxy’s Edge). But I wouldn’t be surprised if they sprinkled a little extra Disney magic onto Domhnall Gleeson’s experience to ensure that he has such an incredible story to share. You can check out the Fallon clip here:

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been on Rise of the Resistance since it opened, but there’s still something so special about it every time I ride it. Trackless rides give a sense of unpredictability while also providing a smooth ride. It’s ideal for those of us who are prone to motion sickness but still love the thrills that a theme park offers. It’s also endlessly re-ridable because you never quite know what you’re going to get, depending on where you sit and which vehicle you are in.

In case you’re not familiar with the Harry Potter star’s role in the Star Wars franchise, General Hux is the worst. He’s a true believer who’s up to no good and who’s even willing to be a traitor and sell out Kylo Ren, just to see him fail. Hux ultimately dies in the films without ever redeeming himself.

With the world of Batuu, the planet guests visit when going to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, shining the spotlight brighter on Darth Vader now instead of Kylo Ren, it’s likely we may never see a General Hux character walking around and interacting with guests. However the character does live on within the Disney World and Disneyland ride, where park attendees, Star Wars fans, and Domhnall Gleeson can create memorable experiences in the years to come.

When you’re a theme park that bills yourself as “the Thrill Capital of the World,” you better offer up something really cool. And Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California just announced a first-of-its-kind roller coaster debuting in 2027 that seems to fit the bill perfectly. The Thrill Glider attraction combines flying, motorbike, and suspended coaster technologies to deliver a ride pairing the freedom of flight with the intensity of a multi-launch thrill coaster.

In what is sure to be a very memorable experience, guests will board the flying-bike hovercycles in a prone, face-forward position suspended beneath the track, where they will launch multiple times with speeds reaching 50 mph. Sounding both terrifying and exhilarating, the fastest, longest, and tallest thrillglider will navigate you through nearly 3.5 acres that will have you barrel rolling your way through five unique inversions.

Magic Mountain's New Thrill Glider Coaster Even Has Its Own Backstory

In case you want some backstory with your thrills, Thrill Glider is all about tech and innovation, drawing guests into the world of QuantumPulse Propulsion Systems, led by inventor and entrepreneur Rebecca Silva. With the power of a new energy source referred to as PSR B417 harnessed to allow the vehicles to take flight, you’ll be able to check out the displays, holographic presentations, and scientific exhibits that lay it all out before takeoff in The Futurist Pavilion.

It all sounds very forward-thinking and futuristic, but that actually feels like it’s probably very necessary if you’re going to compete with the other theme park offerings out there. I appreciate Six Flags Magic Mountain’s effort to incorporate storytelling with design and technology with this new endeavor, and will definitely be keeping an eye out to see how they continue to push things forward.

Six Flags Magic Mountain Is Really Stepping Up Their Theme Park Game

While the Disney and Universal theme parks tend to get the most attention for their new rides and expansions, Magic Mountain has really been putting in the effort to update and upgrade its Southern California location. If you’ve been to Magic Mountain, you know that the thrills are abundant and that it’s a park better known for extreme roller coasters. Whether that’s with record-breaking speeds, experiencing weightlessness, or the variety of inversions across its roller coasters, they push riders and attractions to the limit.

The theme park recently reimagined Looney Tunes Land, featuring Bugs Bunny and all of his friends, as a draw for young kids. While Thrill Glider will have a minimum height requirement, it’s set at 48 inches, which is just 4 feet tall, allowing the ride to be available to a broader range of thrill seekers.

I know that I will definitely be keeping an eye on this new coaster offering from Magic Mountain, as the build continues to progress toward its 2027 opening. Along with the Disneyland Resort expansion plans, everything coming to Walt Disney World, and the Fast & Furious coaster set to open at Universal in both Hollywood and Orlando, it’s a great time to be a theme park fan. At this moment, my favorite ride is currently at Epic Universe, but we’ll see where this one ranks once Thrill Glider finally opens.

I’ve been going to California’s Disney Parks my whole life, and I’m discovering new things about them all the time. To prove that point, I’ve been to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure a ton of times since it opened back in 2021, but I’m just learning about an adorable Ant-Man detail there.

An eagle-eyed fan just pointed out that Ant-Man actually has a “secret pretzel stash” between Pym Test Kitchen and the Guardians of the Galaxy ride. Take a look:

I can’t believe I never noticed this before, but I totally see how I could have overlooked it, too. What's fashioned to look like a weathered, heavy-duty switch of some sort isn't what it seems. There’s a little door with a lock on it, and inside there’s a bunch of hidden Disneyland pretzels. Next to the door is a sign that once said “NOTICE: Authorized Personnel Only”, but “Authorized Personnel” has been scratched out and new text has been added so it reads “NOTICE: Scott L. Only!”

It’s little details like this that make me love Disneyland so much! If I were a kid during a trip to Disney and I saw this, I would have been thinking about how Ant-Man was sneaking around with his pretzel stash my whole way home while hugging whatever Disney plushie I took with me that day. I bet it's been there all along, and I just didn't spot it. That's the magic of Disney though.

And Disney fans, before we know it, there are about to be a lot more details to uncover in Avengers Campus when its expansion opens up. There are two more rides currently in the works. One is called Stark Flight Lab, which will feature “new tech” that takes guests on a ride that goes from a track-based ride to an aerial experience. The other upcoming ride is called Avengers Infinity Defense, which will blend physical set environments with 3D screens.

During D23’s Disney Experiences presentation, there were also some exciting updates on Avengers Campus at Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland. Hong Kong’s Tomorrowland is getting a Marvel Studios-themed upgrade, and Shanghai will have an exciting Spider-Man coaster.

Outside of Disney’s California Adventure, Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man is set to be in the upcoming Marvel movie, Avengers: Doomsday. Marvel boss Kevin Feige has teased that Scott Lang will be one of the “elder statesmen” of the Avengers, who helps deal with the newer recruits to the superhero team as they fight off Doctor Doom.

Anyways, I’m just so happy Ant-Man has become such a fixture of the MCU, and that bleeds into Disney Parks. Paul Rudd’s superhero has crept up on me and become one of the fan-favorite characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and things like this DCA detail remind me of this.

Since Obsession is one of my favorite 2026 movies, I was over the moon when I learned that the movie would be part of this year’s Halloween Horror Nights festivities at Universal Studios Hollywood. The movie came out too recently for the theme park to craft a haunted house for the viral scary movie, but they did have time to make Nikki a roaming character at the parks. Well, I went to HHN with the hopes of seeing Nikki, and I want to talk about my experience.

What Happened When I Tried To Find Nikki At Halloween Horror Nights

I had the chance to visit HHN during its opening night this past Thursday, and as usual I had a blast. I had nine houses to see in seven hours and some spooky snacks to try, but my eyes were very much peeled for Nikki the whole time. Unlike other characters in the parks, from what I knew about the roaming characters, it was crafted like a Where’s Waldo situation. There’s also a password going out every night on Universal’s Instagram, and the first 100 people who utter it to Nikki get a gift.

I had heard she had been seen by the Sinners haunted house queue, Krusty Land and the front of the park, and I spent time at all the above, but I never once saw my new favorite horror character. It was a bummer, but at least I got something called a One Wish Churro!

My Disappointment Aside, I Think It's A Genius Move

Because sightings of Nikki at HHN have been all over my social media feed lately, I thought I would find her no problem. Let my experience be a reminder to other guests that finding Nikki during your HHN visit isn’t guaranteed. You have to be in a lucky “right place, right time” situation to find her, unless you literally make it your mission to track her down.

While I had hoped to have my own moment with Nikki, I think HHN's decision to make the Obsession lead a roaming character is genius. The whole night I was seeing women with long, straight brown hair and black clothing and doing a double take, thinking this time it might be Nikki, and I’ve never had that experience at HHN before. It’s pretty amazing to me that a character who is all but normal aside from her possession-like performance is one of the most sought-after horror icons of the year.

Throughout my visit to HHN, there was also an overwhelming amount of people in Obsession-themed merchandise as well. Seeing as how popular Nikki from Obsession surely is among horror fans, I have a feeling an Obsession-themed full-on house could happen next year, and I hope Inde Navarrette gets in on it by reprising her role.

If you’re going to HHN this year, I wish you well on your search! The event runs from now until November 1.

Anyone who officially kicks off the Halloween season at the start of September gets our stamp of approval, and Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights is once again earning stamps aplenty in its 35th year. Both U.S. coasts are sharing major IP for houses based on Oscar winner Sinners, the all-time classic Hellraiser and more — with a special tribute to heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne in the mix — with differing houses based on original ideas. Along with a variety of Scare Zones, shows and the like.

Because there are so many different attractions to check out, as well as event-exclusive foods, drinks, and merch to peruse, there’s always a risk of not being able to enjoy every single experience. (And that’s not even taking into account those long lines.) So for those who want to stress less by knowing the absolute must-visit haunted houses before heading to each park, CinemaBlend is here for you, with a quick and spoiler-lite breakdown of what to prioritize and why.

This year’s event was so fun that we’re already thinking about which upcoming horror movies will be immediately successful enough to inspire must-see houses next year. But that’s in the distant future, so let’s focus on the fear…er…the here and now.

Can't Miss HHN 35 Houses At Universal Orlando Resort

Nick Venable: I was invited to Universal Orlando Resort for Halloween Horror Night 35's opening night, and thus had the advantage of experiencing nearly everything there was to experience. (Shout out to Jordan!) I was very pleased to discover that all of this year's houses were genuinely worthy of visiting in any capacity. The Fortnightmares area didn't quite do it for me due to a general lack of awareness on my part, but that was the only whiff for me. And away we go!

#5: Sinners

• Best House For: Blues music, vampire fanatics
• Be Sure Not To Miss: Annie
• Why It Deserves Your Time: Halloween rarely has as much scary swagger as Club Juke, and I love seeing any haunted house with so many Black performers on display. It's also the first Best Picture winner to get an HHN house.

#4: Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control

• Best House For: Longtime fans of HHN lore, fun-house-esque rooms
• Be Sure Not To Miss: The actual story behind the house, which is technically a prequel/preface to the very first HHN event.
• Why It Deserves Your Time: Jack the Clown is the greatest HHN icon of them all, at least in my mind, and each return is better than the last, and the same could be said for Dr. Oddfellow. Also, both the spinning tunnel room and the tilted room are classic amusement park gimmicks that never get old.

#3: Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness

• Best House For: Ozzy Osbourne fans, big animatronic creatures
• Be Sure Not To Miss: A few touching appearances from Ozzy himself in the pools surrounding the bases of the trees in the very first room of the house.
• Why It Deserves Your Time: Regardless of your level of Ozzy Osbourne fandom, each room brings life album covers, songs and pop culture moments in massive ways. It has quite possibly one of the coolest animatronic moments I've ever seen.

#2: H.R. Bloodengutz Presents: A Halloween Fright-Tacular!

• Best House For: Fans of B-movie legends Elvira and Svengoolie, kooky and off-the-wall themes
• Be Sure Not To Miss: That disco dancer
• Why It Deserves Your Time: H.R. Bloodengutz is a hauntingly hammy hoot, and this house delivers the widest variety of ghoulish subject splatter - er - matter.

#1: Hellraiser

• Best House For: The most impressive set piece and use of IP, Cenobites fans
• Be Sure Not To Miss: Butterball!
• Why It Deserves Your Time: First, Clive Barker specifically requested the house showcase just as much sordid pleasure as tortured pain, and it shows. Second, you get to actually walk into the Lament Configuration, and it's impossible not to feel giddy. Third, Doug Bradley re-recorded Pinhead's highly quotable film dialogue for the attraction. It's truly the best of all worlds (and nether realms) for Hellraiser fans, and haunted house visitors all around.

Must-Try-To-See Beyond The Houses

• Downtown Clowntown: Not a good place for those who most fear clowns and characters on stilts, but for everyone else: a honkingly colorful eden. All the Killer Klowns from Outer Space costumes and set pieces are a delight.
• Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir: Watching extremely athletic, attractive and charismatic performers in vampire costumes flipping, flying, fighting, and playing with fire is among the coolest things anyone can do in a theme park after midnight. (Or before it.) Watch out for the splash zone, though.
• HHN 35 Merch: After all the money spent just getting to the event, sometimes souvenirs can be hard to justify. Or impossible. Because you gotta buy something. How often are you going to find licensed Sinners or Evil Dead Burn merch out in the wild? And yes, I absolutely bought a coffee mug decorated like Hellraiser's Lament Configuration.

Can't Miss HHN 35 Houses At Universal Studios Hollywood

Sarah El-Mahmoud: I was invited to Universal Studios Hollywood for Halloween Horror Night's opening night on Thursday, September 3rd, and had a blast with all the spooky offerings this year. Before walking through the arched entrance, I was most stoked to experience the houses for Sinners and Stranger Things 5, but found myself more entertained by the original offerings than I was expecting. Let's get into my favorites:

#5: KILLceañera: Music by SLASH

• Best House For: Slow-Burn Frights
• Be Sure Not To Miss: Before you walk into the maze check out above the house for a special performance.
• Why It Deserves Your Time: Every year there's a house that really feels like it can get under my skin and make me feel the suspense of a horror movie, and that was KILLceañera for me this year.

#4: Hellraiser

• Best House For: Gorehounds
• Be Sure Not To Miss: It's a long house, so it's easy to get stressed at the end, but stay steady to get all the wild scares.
• Why It Deserves Your Time: Whether you're a fan of the horror franchise or not, Hellraiser is one of the biggest and scariest houses of the year. It's full of gruesome scenes and jump scares that made me very unsettled.

#3: Sinners

• Best House For: The Cinephile
• Be Sure Not To Miss: All the curated atmosphere and details from Ryan Coogler's movie here. I know it's scary, but take some time to look up, around and through each room you move through.
• Why It Deserves Your Time: Sinners was one of our favorite movies of last year thanks to Ryan Coogler's chilling vision. The HHN haunted house pays wonderful tribute to the film by showing off its music, famous scenes and creepy imagery. If you love the movie, you'll feel like you've been inside it after venturing through this house.

#2: Ozzy Osbourne: Prince Of Darkness

• Best House For: All-Around Creepy Fun
• Be Sure Not To Miss: Grabbing some snacks before going in line. This one was the longest of the night, even with an Express Pass.
• Why It Deserves Your Time: Speaking as someone with little attachment to Ozzy Osbourne, I wasn't anticipating this house much, but boy does it deliver. It takes you on a literal "Crazy Train," and all through some fun horror-ific iconography in a way only a Ozzy Osbourne tribute house could.

#1: Dead, Deader, Deadest

• Best House For: The Most Original Scares
• Be Sure Not To Miss: All the sensory changes in a single house.
• Why It Deserves Your Time: Dead, Deader, Deadest is the Haunted House this year that had everything I truly want from a HHN attraction all wrapped up in one. This original house takes you through an abandoned funeral home and it felt that for a moment I was a dead body going through all the twisted experiences that come with that. Stuck in a morgue, incinerator and such, it's my favorite house this year.

Must-Try-To-See Beyond The Houses

• Nikki from Obsession is roaming around Universal Studios Hollywood: It's sort of this Where's Waldo situation because she's been seen all over. Keep your eyes peeled, and check out HHN's Instagram for the daily password to tell Nikki. If you're among the first 100 to find her, she'll give you a gift.
• One Wish Churro: There's a stand on the way to Hogwarts that sells a yummy churro that's packaged in a One Wish Willow box from Obsession. It tastes like an Oreo-flavored Churro, and the box is a great souvenir.
• The Shrieking Banshee: Another new creature stalking HHN (also by Hogwarts) is a huge Banshee who's menacing, but a lot of fun to be scared by.
• The Ozzy Bar: If you're looking for a spot to grab a quality cocktail (or mocktail), some great food and rock out to Ozzy Osbourne's music, check out The Ozzy Bar on the lower lot next to the Jurassic World attraction.

That's it from CinemaBlend's Nick and Sarah. Here's hoping we help you have the most fun and fright-filled time possible at Halloween Horror Nights 2026.

Ever since Obsession became one of the most talked about horror movies among 2026 releases, fans have been asking for it to be part of Halloween Horror Nights. And, Universal Studios made it happen for those visiting the Hollywood location this season as a roaming scare actor. As the theme park’s spooky event gets ready to open its doors this week, we have our first look at Nikki.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights event starts on Thursday, but team members got to experience it early already, and there were a lot of Nikki sightings. Check this out:

There she is! We knew already that we’d be getting Nikki from the Obsession ending, but now we can see the full vision come to life. The scare actor is wearing the same outfit Inde Navarrette’s character wears during the final scene when she has Sarah’s tattoos and her face is covered in blood. She’s holding a brick around, quoting lines from the movie, and even did the famous backwards walk. Here’s another sighting:

You can definitely tell these actresses really studied Inde Navarrette’s performance before going out there. The character’s presence at the event has been described as a Where’s Waldo situation, so fans are going to have to keep their eyes peeled for her. Here’s one more:

While Obsession definitely deserves its own house too, the truth is the movie came out just three months ago, and there wasn’t enough time for the Halloween Horror Nights team to make one that quick. But, cool is it that they found a way to give the movie a presence at the Universal Hollywood event? Oh, and there's also a snack called the One Wish Churro there too. It comes in a One Wish Willow box and is covered in chocolate cookie sugar.

Before it was announced Nikki from Obsession would be at the event, Inde Navarrette said getting to “do a couple days” where she’s Nikki at HHN would be a “dream” for her. The actress is a big fan of going to Horror Nights and said she goes “every year”. I wonder if she will reprise her character during HHN this year!

Outside of Obsession, tons of fan-favorite horror properties are at Universal Studios Hollywood this year. Sinners has its own house, along with there being one for the final season of Stranger Things, Hellraiser Evil Dead Burn and Art the Clown is taking over this year’s Horror Tram. CinemaBlend just went to Orlando’s version of the event, and we gave a glowing review for Hellraiser's house in particular.

Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights opens this Thursday and will continue through November 1. You can grab tickets at Universal Studios Hollywood’s website now.

For its 35th anniversary as the premiere theme park destination for gorehounds and horror nerds, Universal's Halloween Horror Nights has brought out the big claws. We've got the first Oscar-winning haunted house in Sinners, the fourth and final Stranger Things house (and water show), a tribute house for Ozzy Osbourne, and the first attraction devoted to Hellraiser, to name but a few. As you can probably tell from the headline and my constant wincing from the pins sticking out of my face, Hellraiser is going up on the pedestal.

As a huge fan of Clive Barker's stories and directorial debut (though a more passive fan for much of what came afterward), I was pumped to be invited to attend the opening night presentation and tour at Universal Orlando Resort. And I was even more pumped to discover just how much work went into designing it. To the point where I came away thinking it's the second-best representation of Barker's source material after his own movie.

Nothing Can Deliver The Hellraiser's Immersive Vibes Like HHN Does

To me, the majority of the Hellraiser movie sequels are still A+ for Cenobite iconography, but generally lack characters and narratives that give rewatches much value. While I haven't read them all, I have enjoyed several of the comic book series that have been released over the years from Epic Comics and Boom! Studios. (Including the one that just debuted ahead of HHN 35's kickoff, co-written by Clive Barker.)

But let's be real. This franchise is all about evoking utmost pleasures and abject pain, and it's not always easy to put movie audiences in that kind of headspace. I'm very optimistic that the upcoming video game Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival will do a good job on that front, but until that comes out, Halloween Horror Nights serves as a genuinely spooky and moody pinnacle of immersion. Helped along by Barker giving the design team some notes, as well as the vocal stylings of OG Pinhead actor Doug Bradley himself for all of the attraction's dialogue.

I won't got fully into everything that goes on, as not to spoil the metaphorical ride. That said, the house starts with a few sparse hallways that made me question any seemingly wasted space, but then opens up with a giant puzzle box opened up for fans to walk into, and there are such sights to behold in there. As well as lots of swinging chains to get smacked with, while marveling at fake blood and viscera having a texture without being sticky and gross.

It Takes Fans Into The Lament Configuration Instead Of Mirroring Exact Movie Plots

Like movie sequels, Halloween Horror Nights' haunted houses often represent licensed movies and TV series with a near-sequential order of familiar events that characters go through. Which is totally understandable, since that's how storytelling works. But instead of going through all the motions of 1987's Hellraiser or truncating sequences from the entire 11-film franchise, it essentially feels like a greatest-hits mix of locations and monsters, of ecstasy and torment, of life and death.

And oh man, SO MANY CENOBITES. Lots of Pinheads pop up throughout, putting Doug Bradley's voice to great use, but it's absolutely just as fun and frightening to have Female Cenobites, Chatterers, and Butterballs jumping out in the midst of the house's labyrinth. Excellent costumes as well.

Hellraiser Is Now In My Top 5 Haunted Houses Of All Time

I can't pretend to be some kind of HHN expert or anything, as this year marked only my fourth time attending the event. And I also haven't been privileged enough to attend haunted houses spread across the country. But I've been to a bunch, so there's definitely competition to be had on that front. And from both an IP fan-perspective and an overall quality perspective, I feel confident putting Hellraiser's HHN 35 house among my five all-time favorites.

The practical effects and prosthetics, the house design, the lighting effects and other tech, the costumes , and the scare actors all worked in tandem to deliver a uniquely scary experience. Though the only real Hell involved was seeing the Exit sign.

Halloween Horror Nights 35 is currently taking place on weekends and select weeknights from now through November 1, with other houses based on Evil Dead Burn, as well as a co-op house between event Icons Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow. Check Universal Orlando Resort's site for dates and ticket prices.

For theme park fans that love the holiday season, of which I am definitely one, Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida is expanding this year's merriment. The newest expansion wasn’t totally without holiday festivities in its first year after opening, but I was personally able to experience at the time what the Universal Orlando Resort has to offer destination-wide, and I was surprised that Super Nintendo World wasn’t fully decked out, especially when Universal Studios Hollywood is already doing so annually for their smaller version. It felt the attempt could have been much bigger, and thankfully there is indeed more décor debuting this holiday season.

From November 14 through January 3, 2027, Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk will be joining in on the seasonal magic, alongside Celestial Park and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. I don’t know if Epic Universe will get the Mario and Luigi Snowmen or if they’ll expand the holiday celebration into Donkey Kong Country, but I’m excited to see how they decide to decorate.

Super Nintendo World And How To Train Your Dragon - Isle Of Berk Are Joining In On The Holiday Merriment

Epic Universe is already a big award winner and it's also a theme park where there isn’t one portal that I would want to skip over on any trip there. Super Nintendo World is truly the land of audio and visual stimulation, and whether you're a longtime obsessive Nintendo fan or a total newbie, there is endless interactive fun to be had. That’s why I think it’s perfectly suited to get the theme park holiday treatment in 2026. Last year, there was some outside store décor that the Pikmin were hidden in, but it’s thrilling to know that it won’t end there.

I’m also elated that Isle of Berk will be adorned with holiday cheer. Sure, there was a “Happy Snoggletog!” banner up in the merch shop last year, but with how incredibly detailed and expansive the How to Train Your Dragon portal is, it was disappointing to see the festive décor confined to such a small space. Details of how much grander things could get are scarce at the moment, but any expansion of holiday sparkle is a welcome improvement. I also love that the universe has its own unique yule-time celebration that those of us that don’t normally live amongst dragons can now get in on.

Now, We Just Need To Get Dark Universe In On The Holiday Spirit

In case you’re wondering, the streets of Ministry of Magic will again have a bit of holiday dazzle, and the winter wonderland of Celestial Park will include twinkling trees and holiday-themed fountain displays throughout the day at the Cosmos Fountain.

While the rides are incredible and so well suited to each of the lands they are located in, I’m in the camp that firmly believes Monsters Unchained is the best ride at Epic Universe. I absolutely understand why a fan recreated Frankenstein Major in LEGO form. I could spend hours exploring Darkmoor’s every nook and cranny in Dark Universe, as I imagine the possibilities of what could be added there in the future. Because of that, I hope the last remaining hold-out in the theme park will join in with the holiday cheer, sooner rather than later. I know I, for one, would love some sort of special celebration in that land, not that I’d need any excuse to spend as much time there as possible.

I’m all for expanding the holiday celebration across Epic Universe. I hope this means that we’ll continue to see more décor and more festivities in the years to come.

There are a lot of writers here at CinemaBlend who love theme parks. I’m generally not one of those writers, but I get it. What I am is a writer who loves great documentaries and true crime. Stolen Kingdom, a documentary that I definitely won’t be able to watch with my Disney+ subscription, looks like it’s a great example of both. It’s about urban explorers and, frankly, thieves who like to sneak into Disney World to explore, and yes, steal.

I haven’t seen it yet, but it currently holds a 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on reviews from critics who saw it on the festival circuit in 2025, and it’s hitting the 2026 movie schedule on video-on-demand in September.

Risky UrbanX

Urban exploration, or “UrbanX” as it is sometimes called by enthusiasts, is something that fascinates me. I’ve never been one to risk tetanus, but I do appreciate the people who do break into old, dilapidated buildings and explore them. There is dubious legality, usually, but where it’s unquestionably illegal is in a place like Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Apparently, that doesn’t stop people from trying (and sometimes succeeding) in breaking into some of the closed rides with flashlights and backpacks, to see what it looks like when the lights are off.

In the trailer, there are multiple shots of these intrepid (if not entirely rationally thinking) people exploring the dark rides and other areas of the parks that are off-limits to visitors. Obviously this is not the brightest idea. Even setting the legality aside, it could get someone in a lot of physical trouble. That doesn’t stop them from exploring and, apparently, occasionally, treating themselves to a five-finger discount of some Disney “memorabilia” you can’t get in one of the many stores selling Mickey ears and Elsa dresses.

It Looks Like It Mostly Focuses On One Crime

Among the things that may have been taken from one of these exploring thieves is a prop from the closed Wonders of Life ride at Epcot. The ride closed in 2007, and much of it, according to the trailer, has been walled off and left untouched in the decades since. Buzzy, an animatronic prop from the attraction, was stolen in 2018 and remains missing to this day. Was it stolen by someone who broke in from outside the park, or was it an inside job?

In 2019, a cast member named Patrick Spikes was arrested along with his cousin (not a park employee) and accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of props from Disney World. Both Spikes and his cousin Blaytin Taunton pled guilty to avoid jail time, but Buzzy was not among the many items the two stole and later sold on eBay for tens of thousands of dollars.

So where is Buzzy? I don’t think Stolen Kingdom is going to give any definitive answers, but I can’t wait to tune in and learn more about where this beloved prop could be.

Disney’s Imagineers have really been cooking lately, as there are a lot of upcoming Walt Disney World attractions to look forward to. From Monsters Inc.’s Monstropolis to new rides from the world of Cars, Encanto and Indiana Jones, there are going to be many reasons to head to the Florida theme parks. However, I'd argue that few are as hyped for Villains Land as I am. What's more is that I just came across one Star Wars-related detail that really has me itching to go to the still-in-development dark side of Magic Kingdom.

The Star Wars-Related Villain Land Comparison

Weeks ago, at D23, the House of Mouse had a massive Disney Experiences Showcase, and I’m still processing it. Amid all the information that was shared, one piece of information really stuck out to me when I was going over the facts. Here’s what Bruce Vaughn, the President and CCO of Walt Disney Imagineering, said about the upcoming villain-themed location:

Guys, this is a really big deal. Let me give you a picture of what Vaughn means when he compares Villains Land to Galaxy’s Edge. The Star Wars-themed area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is 14 acres and is currently the largest single-themed land expansion ever built at one time (alongside its sister site at Disneyland’s own Galaxy’s Edge). In other words, Villains Land is about to become the largest themed land in Magic Kingdom.

And, based on what the creatives said about the attraction, it’s going to have that “immersive” feeling that Galaxy’s Edge has that’s really special. I’m over the moon about this. I’ll never forget the moment I stepped into Galaxy’s Edge for the first time and felt like I was in the Star Wars universe. The thought of having a similar experience with a place dedicated to iconic Disney Villains is just too exciting!

Other Details About Villains Land Have Been Revealed

Villains Land was announced at the end of 2024’s D23 Experiences Showcase and, at the most recent panel, there was more talk about what to expect from it. Vaughn said the land would include an “entirely new story” for some of Disney’s most famous bad guys like The Evil Queen, Cruella De Vil and Dr. Facilier. Apparently, the attraction starts with a dark, scary forest, where a wishing well with poisoned magic has corrupted the area. With that, the villains descend upon the area to claim the last bit of magic for themselves.

The land will also feature a Maleficent-themed coaster and one that takes place in the catacombs of The Evil Queen’s palace and takes guests in the Magic Mirror’s world. There’s surely going to be much more to Villains Land, and I have to wonder if rumors of the Emperor’s New Groove ride or the inclusion of villain-themed hotels could still be true.

As of this writing, an opening date has yet to be announced for Villains Land. Nevertheless, my excitement for it to open definitely just went up quite a few notches due to the Star Wars comparsion!

As the Most Magical Place on Earth, Walt Disney World continues to bring in Disney lovers from all around the globe. This includes plenty of celebrities. Even Sydney Sweeney has rocked the Mickey ears. You never know who you might run into at Disney, and sometimes you might even stumble upon stars from Full House. Jodie Sweetin recalled how she and John Stamos once got people’s attention by hollering “have mercy,” and it’s everything.

Sweetin recently appeared on Josh Peck and Ben Soffer’s Good Guys Podcast, where she reflected on her life and career, including (of course) Full House. She recalled attending Nostalgia Con in Orlando one year with a chunk of her former co-stars, and the trip wasn’t complete without Disney World. The Saturday night of the convention, she, Stamos, and a few other cast mates went to the Magic Kingdom with some security and guides in tow. Since it was at night, they were much harder to recognize. However, Stamos had a perfect solution to the problem:

You would think that someone like Stamos, who gets recognized a lot, would want to stay hidden... especially in a public place like Disney World. The fact that he was the one who was upset they weren’t getting recognized enough is pretty funny. To be in Disney World and see the cast of Full House and hear Stamos saying “Have mercy,” I would feel like I was watching Season 6’s “The House Meets the Mouse” Disney World two-parter. Only in person.

Considering how big of a Disney fanatic Stamos is, he has been to the Parks time and time again. He even heard about the Tayvis engagement news while on the Pirates ride with Josh Gad. And he probably gets recognized time and time again. Not only has he had run-ins with fans, but he’s also had interactions with Disney cast members. For example, he once had a bit of a clash with Iron Man while at Disneyland. And he was DisneyBounding as Tony Stark, which was pretty perfect.

Of course, as mentioned, there was also the iconic Disney World episode of Full House at a time when all the TGIF shows were doing Disney episodes. The two-parter, streaming with a Hulu subscription, is one of my favorite episodes of Full House, and it makes me wonder if the cast ever reminisce about filming it whenever they go to Disney World or even the Grand Floridian, where some of the scenes were filmed. At the very least, if you go to Disney World, there’s a good chance you could hear John Stamos saying “Have mercy” at night.

While not every celebrity enjoys getting recognized, it’s refreshing to know that Stamos welcomes the chance, so much so that he’s willing to shout his classic catchphrase. But now I need to know whether he does that every time he goes to Disney, or only when there’s little chance he’ll be noticed.

When Disneyland Paris’ new Lion King details were announced at D23 this year, I had two thoughts. First, that’s awesome. And secondly, how has a Disney park never featured a full land themed around the seminal 1994 movie before? It's clearly a movie that lives fondly in peoples' hearts, and also Disney World has a whole theme park dedicated to animals, and we just have one Lion King show.

I don’t have the full answer to that question, but thanks to the Internet’s ability to dig up viral clips, I do know Disneyland Paris has gone viral thanks to The Lion King and a live baby cub before. Yes, you must see it to believe it.

Let’s Jump Back To Disneyland Paris In 2004

Ten years after the release of The Lion King, the movie was still popular thanks to the Disney vault (those of you with a Disney+ subscription don't know how good you've had it) and the recent release of The Lion King 1 1/2. This was apparently true of fans in France, as well, as the famous Disneyland Paris put on a Lion King Carnival. That in and of itself was special given the lack of lands surrounding Simba and co. at the time, but it also came with a live event that featured a character actor dressed up as Rafiki holding up a real live lion cub on Pride Rock, much like happens in the original animated movie.

This honestly sounded like the stuff of legend when I first heard about it, but one frequent theme parkgoer shared their footage of the event this week. If reports are true, multiple sources seem to be confirming this is a thing that actually happened and/or they were privy to at the time.

A poster over on X shared a slew of footage from the event at the time, and eagle-eyed fans spotted what seemed to be a real-life lion cub amidst the other characters working the event. The poster then shared a second video from the event that seemed to confirm a real lion cub was brought in for a Pride Rock scene, and that was no stuffie.

Several posters also went to the Carnival the year it occurred at Disneyland Paris and confirmed the baby lion was real and really in attendance, and you can find additional evidence peppered over Flickr and more places. While it’s not unusual to see animals in theme parks, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida has a range of animals of prey on the Savannah, these aren’t really animals that are being taken out of their enclosures and used for show content.

The expectations in Paris in 2004 were clearly different. The celebration as a whole sounds big and bold though. Just to add a little icing to the cake, at the end of the night, after the whole Lion King-themed live Simba moment, the park reportedly put on some amusingly named FiROARWorks.

What We Know About The Disneyland Paris Attraction

So, why is this resurfacing right now? The Lion King has been a big topic of conversation over the last several days. We've known since 2024 something was coming to Disneyland Paris, but this year new details were announced, and Disney shared the concept art for the area, above.

Disneyland Paris is set to take riders all the way back to the Pridelands for a new water ride, and it's all part of a major Lion King-themed area that's been under construction at the park for a while. The big new attraction there will be a log flume ride that feels similar to Splash Mountain/Tiana’s Bayou Adventure that will show Simba growing from a young cub at the start of the journey to the King of Pride Rock. It’ll have a 52-foot drop which is also similar to Tiana’s, which sports around a 50-foot drop.

It's a little different than what several of the Senior Management team at Disney World told CinemaBlend they had envisioned (think: more Pandora-style). Regardless, a construction model and more were shown, and you can check out more via our D23 Event Blog. Meanwhile, Disney is looking to expand a lot of its parks and not just Disneyland Paris. Stay tuned as more news comes down the pipeline. We're having a roaring good time with it.

Dwayne Johnson has spent enough time inside the Disney machine to voice a demigod, star in Jungle Cruise and bring Moana into live action, most of which are available to stream with a Disney+ subscription. Now he can add "Disney Legend" to his résumé. Naturally, his daughters had one important question about what exactly that means for them, and he had a response that theme parkgoers will love after landing the Disney award.

Johnson was officially named a Disney Legend during the Aug. 16 ceremony at D23 in Anaheim, joining a 2026 class that included Anne Hathaway, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Jonas Brothers and others. Disney calls the designation its highest honor but, when he spoke with People after receiving it, he offered a much more practical interpretation he gave his daughters, Jasmine, 10, and Tiana, 8. The Mummy Returns veteran said:

As far as I can tell, lifetime park admission is not actually part of the Disney Legends deal, so Jasmine and Tiana may want to hold Dad to that promise rather than Mickey Mouse. Still, I respect where his mind went. If I earned Disney’s highest honor and had two kids asking what was in it for them, “We never have to pay to get into Disneyland again” would be a pretty strong answer.

Disney's theme parks remain treasured locations for fans of the House of Mouse and understandably so, given how they keep expanding. For instance, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World will soon include a Cars-themed area known as Piston Peak as well as the highly anticipated Villains Land And even Disney's Animal Kingdom is getting a new Indiana Jones ride, with Harrison Ford even signed on to serve as the character's likeness. So the Johnson girls would have a lot to enjoy down the road.

The Rock's daughters have already had a particularly Disney-heavy year. Both briefly appeared in the live-action Moana, which opened July 10. The movie may not have won over critics or audiences, which its star has pushed back on, but getting to pop up in a movie alongside their dad is still the kind of thing that will probably stick with them. They also previously made small appearances in Moana 2. Johnson, meanwhile, is set to return as Maui in the upcoming Moana 3. So, free tickets or not, I suspect the parks will remain a regular part of the family orbit.

Later in his interview, the Jumanji star got more serious when discussing what the Disney Legend designation actually means to him. For the actor, the honor seems closely tied to the experiences Disney creates for families. He continued:

That connection goes back decades for Johnson. During his acceptance speech, he remembered taking his oldest daughter, Simone, to Disneyland when she was 5. The WWE star-turned-Hollywood staple said he was still figuring out fatherhood at the time, but watching her close her eyes and make a wish during breakfast with the Disney princesses stuck with him. Simone turned 25 two days before the ceremony, and he even led the D23 crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to her.

Honestly, there's something fitting about Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson receiving the award after Moana became such a big piece of his career. Maui has now carried him through animation, sequels, a live-action remake and another movie still to come. Whether any of that actually gets his daughters through the Disneyland turnstiles for free is another matter.

The Smashing Machine star, meanwhile, has several other movies in the works, including the long-awaited Jumanji sequel. Open World is set to arrive on the 2026 movie schedule on Christmas Day, with The Rock reuniting with Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan.

Walt Disney has been serving up holiday magic for as long as I can remember. There is nothing quite like visiting one of their many theme parks during the holiday season, not only to check out new attractions, but to sample the holiday fare. One thing Disney has a (turkey)leg up over other theme parks is their holiday food offerings. They keep getting better every year and stand apart from the crowd. Case in point: This Halloween.

I’ve eaten holiday food at plenty of theme parks over the years, and there is often a trade-off. The food might be really well-themed, cute to look at, or have a fun concept, but sometimes the actual flavor can feel like an afterthought. At Disney, however, that is not the case. It has all of those attributes, and it usually tastes great, too. There is just a little more Disney magic in their dining options that I cannot quite put my finger on. Perhaps it’s just more sugar.

These Are Some Of The Can’t-Miss Eats This Spooky Season

This year alone, there are several new items you can try this spooky season. I attended the opening day of Halloween Time at Disneyland and sampled some of the limited-time seasonal offerings.

One of the standouts that I had to stop myself from buying twice while I was there is the Pumpkin Pie Mickey Shake, a pumpkin pie and vanilla milkshake with whipped topping and golden creme-filled cookies.

I had a chance to speak with one of the Disney chefs behind these creations and asked her if there was only one new drink guests should try. She did not skip a beat:

She did not steer me wrong. The cookies make some adorable Mickey ears, and if you like pumpkin, it’s a MUST. But the best part is that this isn't just a cute Halloween-themed drink. It actually delivers on the pumpkin pie flavor, which is exactly what I want from a seasonal theme park treat.

But dessert is not the only thing Disneyland is serving up this Halloween. The savory offerings are just as creative, and Disney isn't relying on theming alone to make its holiday food stand out. I also chatted with her about some of the savory offerings that will take your taste buds for a ride. She told me about the BBQ Pork Muenster Grilled Cheese:

I ordered it and can confirm it is adorable. It also comes with jalapeño slaw and potato bites. Pro tip: Put the slaw on the sandwich. It gives it a nice spicy, acidic crunch.

There is no shortage of themed treats at Disney right now, whether you want some seriously hot villainous wings, an Oktoberfest cheese-filled dog, a carne asada spicy Oogie Boogie burrito, some seasonal popcorn in the Hatbox Ghost popcorn bucket, or any number of other offerings. You won't miss out on either the theming or the flavor.

Normally, I go to theme parks for the rides and the holiday atmosphere, and food is just something I have while I’m there. But after eating holiday food at many theme parks, I can say that Disneyland is in a league of its own. The food is fun, creative, and incredibly themed, but it also actually tastes good, and that makes all the difference. Make sure to get your tickets and try these items before they're gone.

Also, get a pickle. It’s not new or on theme, but it is always delicious and hydrating because it might be 90 degrees when you are there.

The year was 2022. Despite the fact movie theaters had yet to see a massive box office resurgence at this point, Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt’s Jungle Cruise managed to cross the $100 million mark. It seemed like it would all be smooth sailing from there. A sequel was reportedly coming down the pipeline, and Disney was ready to make another of its famous rides into a franchise. Then it all fell apart.

Four years have passed since Jungle Cruise was released into theaters, and The Rock was recently asked about his movie based on the popular Disney attraction. He said at D23 he really felt the movie got “kicked around by Covid,” which is fair and was a big concern at the time. In fact, he said he’d love the opportunity to get back to sequel talks again. I’m here for it, but I think there would 100% need to be a change.

Emily Blunt And Dwayne Johnson Don’t Work As Love Interests In This Franchise

Johnson and Blunt are hilarious together. They have great timing when it comes to comedy on set, and I can see why casting directors thought they were suited for the storyline in The Jungle Cruise. To me though, the romance in the movie is really the one thing that just doesn't work. The kiss toward the end of the movie is one of the most unromantic in history, and Emily Blunt herself joked about it.

I honestly think the movie would have been better off with the same three leads --Johnson, Blunt and Jack Whitehall -- without the romantic pairing.

Since we got the pairing no one wanted in the first movie, how refreshing would it be if the sequel set them up as exes now who had to work together again? Then, the second movie wouldn't have to be some ham-fisted attempt at a romantic + action-adventure + comedy a second time, and could focus on what makes the movie great: the characters' rapport. They do well with the tension part. The verbal sparring is spot-on, and they can absolutely carry a fun movie. I want to see more. I just really want this tweak.

I know The Rock and Emily Blunt are fine working together because they tried again in Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine. In that movie, Johnson played Mark Kerr, and Blunt played Mark’s girlfriend Dawn Staples. Again, they crushed a lot of dramatic and tense scenes, and all of their interview press runs have been delightful, but they just seem like such great pals.

So, I guess all I’m saying is, I am fully on board with The Jungle Cruise 2. I do actually think the first movie didn’t get a fair box office shake due to circumstances outside of its control, and I think The Rock and Emily Blunt work well together. I would just rather have them trolling each other than falling lovingly into each others’ arms. Is that too much to ask of a sequel?

OK Disney, the ball’s in your court now.

The inclusion of James Cameron’s world of Avatar at Disneyland California Adventure was announced back in 2023, but what’s going on with it now? Well, The Walt Disney Company inundated fans with a ton of announcements during Anaheim’s D23 Expo last weekend. But the latest on DCA’s Avatar expansion has me starting to think it’s never going to happen. Let’s talk about it.

The Latest On Disneyland California Adventure’s Avatar Attraction

While I was in attendance at D23, I, like many fans, made a trip to the convention’s Imagineering Pavilion. There, I saw tons of models for the expansion of Avengers Campus and various upcoming Walt Disney World attractions like Tropical Americas, Piston Peak, Monsters, Inc Land and Villains Land. Among them was also one for Avatar and its planned boat ride. Check it out:

Now, we’ve known since last year that Disney had planned to close down California Adventure’s Monsters, Inc ride and replace it with this Avatar land. And yet, the dark ride has since been saved from closure until sometime next year.

Given the model’s appearance at D23, I had expected we’d get an update on when they planned to break ground on the new land, but then it was only briefly mentioned during Saturday’s D23 Disney Experiences Showcase. As a cherry on top, we learned that the House of Mouse has decided it will delay the Avatar attraction in order to upgrade Disneyland’s Tomorrowland first.

The President of Disneyland Resort, Jill Estorino, also said something interesting that has me skeptical about the arrival of Avatar. She said that since DCA has recently been getting new upgrades like the Avengers Campus expansion and the upcoming Coco ride lately, “it’s really standing on its own”. As she added, via MickeyVisit:

Here’s the thing: upgrading Tomorrowland is a huge undertaking, and the announcement was made at D23 as they had just decided to do it. So if Avatar is next in line after Tomorrowland, it feels like they are shelving the Avatar attraction rather than actively working on it anymore.

Will There Be Demand For Avatar Years From Now?

Fans have been asking for an update to Tomorrowland for a long time, but to deliver on the promise of both honoring the traditional land and making it anew, it’s going to take years! It has me wondering if The Walt Disney Company is even sold on adding Avatar to DCA in the first place. Earlier this year, there were some rumors that Disney was possibly changing their mind and making that area into a land for Zootopia, instead.

It certainly helps the case for that property given its sequel made $1.87 billion worldwide last year and Avatar: Fire And Ash performed a bit under expectations at 1.49 billion globally. If Disney was confident in Avatar land, and the concept has certainly already been thought of, what’s stopping them from just making the land while they figure out Tomorrowland? It all smells fishy to me, and after what I learned at D23, I’m personally unconvinced I’ll ever see this land come to life at DCA.

When it comes to EPCOT, is there anything more iconic than the spiky ball itself? The pretty orb is also the classic ride, Spaceship Earth. But it’s been around since 1982, and it even survived some lightning strikes right to the dome. It has built quite the reputation for breaking down. But there’s one funny thing a group of cast members was caught doing recently on the very day it was announced that Spaceship Earth is getting refurbished.

If you didn’t catch the D23 Entertainment Showcase last weekend, tons of announcements were made about Disney Parks, like the return of Expedition Everest’s Yeti and a reimagining of Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. And for Spaceship Earth, it’s going to finally get the redesign fans have been talking about for years.

Amidst the news, some fans who were already at EPCOT ran to ride Spaceship Earth. Here’s what happened next:

Spaceship Earth had broken down… again when the fans arrived there, but the cast members tried to make them feel like they were on the ride. They straight up reenacted the ride between the four of them, and what a show! As the Instagram user wrote, they “deserve a RAISE!” What a goofy, but very fun thing for them to do. I have to wonder how often they do this.

Since its opening, Spaceship Earth has told the history of human innovation from prehistoric times to the 21st century. It may be an old ride, but it has one of the most complicated ride systems Walt Disney Imagineering has ever thought up, given it involves a continuously moving train of vehicles that spiral up into the round structure before making its way back down to Earth. Currently, Judi Dench narrates the journey.

The new version of the EPCOT ride is set to have an updated theme of “human connection”. And what better way to celebrate that than with these cast members giving all they had to reimagine the ride with their own play? I mean, they must have memorized it with no sweat given they work at the attraction.

Along with Spaceship Earth getting updated, it was announced this month that there’s going to be a TV series inspired by the ride. It’s being developed by Loki creator Michael Waldron for those with a Disney+ subscription. It’ll apparently be about a group of teens from Earth’s past and future who band together to “confront a threat as vast and mysterious as time itself”.

In addition to all these Spaceship Earth updates, D23 also announced that a Figment and Dreamfinder ride would be added back to EPCOT. There’s a lot of upcoming Walt Disney World attractions, but what’s going on with Spaceship Earth is big!

It’s only been eight years since Universal Orlando Resort opened its Fast & Furious: Supercharged ride to major fanfare. Vin Diesel and members of the family were present. A Paul Walker Easter egg could be found on the ride. However, despite the flashy entrance, fans were never overly fond of the actual ride experience. So, when the new Fast & Furious coaster was announced, the other ride was fast tracked to the junkyard. I just didn’t realize how quickly Universal would erase its presence.

Fast & Furious: Supercharged closed at Universal Studios Florida at the end of the weekend on August 16th. A TikTok user popped over to Universal Orlando the next day and passed by the ride formerly known as Supercharged. If you take a look, you’ll notice the sign was already painted over and it simply looks like a random building on the backlot.

I suppose this shouldn’t have come as a huge surprise. Last month we learned Supercharged was closing even earlier than we initially expected. When a lot of attractions close at Universal, theme parkgoers commemorate them and jump onto them one last time for the nostalgia factor, and this "saying goodbye" phase tends to last for weeks and weeks.

This doesn’t really seem to have been the case with this Fast ride. Though if you were particularly fond of the ride, the final riders did seem to give it that rowdy factor which I would have expected (for most rides) to see more of in the weeks leading up to the end.

Yeah, that’s a "family chant." Still within hours (and likely overnight), the building got a fresh coat of paint and Universal Studios Florida has officially moved on. Universal’s official website has also already cut out all evidence of the ride. Even the official Universal account seems amused by the quick work on this, and used it as an opportunity to send out a funny PSA, which I honestly didn't see coming.

The timing's really weird, because the Fast family was together over the weekend celebrating the film franchise's 25th anniversary.

The good news?

Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift Is Coming Together

Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift hasn’t had its Grand Opening yet at Universal Studios Hollywood as the coaster navigates some issues that aren't "a scream," but it has been taking riders on a high-octane journey for a while now. The coaster is also coming together very quickly at Universal Orlando, so the “family” will have another way to show their love for the franchise, and soon. A full rendering has been released by the theme park, if you haven't checked it out yet.

One thing I did always appreciate about Fast & Furious: Supercharged was the queue. Universal's queues are frequently a blast, and it was always especially fun to see the cars and the franchise Easter eggs as I walked through. The pre-show was also worth checking out. Hopefully, the new coaster will be a similarly positive experience. We shouldn’t have too much longer to wait, as the Florida attraction is expected to open up in 2027.

We’re about to get a whole lot of Fortnite at Disney and Universal theme parks, and I love the different vibes that will be experienced at each. Universal Studios already announced a scare zone inspired by the game’s signature Halloween event, Fortnitemares, is coming to Halloween Horror Nights in 2026 in both Orlando and Hollywood. Now, Disney is getting in on the action in a big Star Wars-y way.

Fortnite Is Coming To Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Among the long list of theme park announcements made at D23, it was revealed the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attractions in Orlando and Anaheim are getting a newly-created Fortnite adventure called Smuggler’s Gambit. Disney execs explained their approach to creating a first-of-its-kind experience that connects the ride in the physical world at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort to Hondo Ohnaka in the digital world.

As riders complete missions, they will unlock exclusive rewards, leveling up the immersive experience. You can start in the queue, the cockpit, or in the game itself, tracking your adventure along the way, with the most unpredictable pirate captain in the Galaxy. Check out a preview of how it will all work below.

I am admittedly not someone who is well-versed in Fortnite and all it has to offer, but this addition to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a welcome perk amidst a series of recent changes that feel like its realigning the direction of the world of Batuu after hearing some of the fan complaints. It’s a beautifully impressive land that didn’t initially deliver on all of its early promises, so it’s nice to hear that it’s getting some attention. In a recent article at The Hollywood Reporter, President of Epic Games Adam Sussman explained it this way:

Now we go from sci-fi spacefare to something a bit creepier over at Universal.

A Fortnitemares Scare Zone Is Going To Be A Big Draw at HHN

While we wait to see how Disney and Fortnite will expand their relationship in the future, we can experience the more twisted and sinister side of Fortnitemares as characters step out of the digital world and into a Universal Resort HHN scare zone. While we wait to see how Disney and Fortnite will expand their relationship in the future, we can experience the more twisted and sinister side of Fortnitemares as characters step out of the digital world and into a Universal Resort HHN scare zone. From the promise of a bloodiest house of the year to roaming Art the Clown and Nikki from Obsession, the Horror Nights line-up on both coasts has a lot to choose from.

After the huge popularity of the Five Nights at Freddy’s haunted house at Horror Nights 2025, it’s not surprising that the event would want to continue to draw in that demographic of older kids and young adults, and this new scare zone could do just that. Beyond knowing it will include the Battle Bus, the Fortnitemares presence at HHN is still thin on details, but the promise of “new horrors” combined with such a popular property has me excited.

Whether it’s a Star Wars themed adventure and gaming experience, or spooky scares that become real-life nightmares in a scare zone, I actually love how these theme park announcements show the range of what Fortnite can offer. It also feels like future possibilities could be endless, and I know I’ll be there for it all.

I’m not going to pretend like Dwayne Johnson’s 2021 film Jungle Cruise is the best film the man's ever done. Movies about Disney rides in general don't have the best reputation, but I do think in this case the premise is really fun, and it could be even more fun in a sequel. While the movie, which you can watch with a Disney+ subscription, keeps the vibe of the beloved ride at Disneyland that it’s based on, it missed the mark in other ways that I'd love to see corrected.

So, I was interested when Dwayne Johnson was out here amping up the potential movie this weekend

A Sequel Faces Strong Currents Against It

While speaking at D23, Johnson explained why Jungle Cruise didn’t exactly face calm waters. The movie, like others around that time, was released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney’s VOD service, and it did reasonably well, but it certainly wasn’t a massive hit. For a movie based on such a popular ride at their parks, and one with a relatively large budget, Disney must have been very disappointed. I think, unfortunately, that played a big role in canceling the planned sequel to the movie.

Still, Johnson would love to see that sequel revived. He told EW:

I’m all in here. I, like Johnson, believe that there is real potential for a future movie. Even though the original walked through a lot of the quirks that make the ride so special (like pointing out the backside of water), the sky is the limit on a subject like a boat cruise up a river. A cartoon-y version of Indiana Jones, if you will. (And I mean that in the best way.)

Johnson and Blunt are great in the uneven original, but there is a ton of DNA there that could produce a really fun movie. Johnson believes that it didn't really get a chance, saying:

Truthfully, now that a lot of those beloved quirks are out of the way–because let's be honest, sometimes what works on a ride doesn't work for a movie–there are a lot of directions the plot could go in. I don't necessarily need recreating all the parts of the ride, but I do want it keeping that vibe alive.

The currents pushing back a potential Jungle Cruise 2 are strong, no question. Right now it feels like the property is up a creek without a paddle, but I really hope that Disney doesn’t give up on it, and if the opportunity arises and Johnson and Blunt are on board, I trust they could make something special. It is, after all, as classic Disney as it gets. Meanwhile, Johnson's next upcoming movie is sort of in the same vein, as Jumanji: Open World hits the 2026 movie schedule on Christmas Day.

I’ve been checking out fan-favorite and new attractions at Walt Disney World for years, and there’s one I’ve actually never once seen working properly. That would be Expedition Everest, the delightful coaster (with a big twist) located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. For years, the ride has been plagued by the affectionately coined Disco Yeti, but Disney just gave us the update we’ve been waiting for: The park is fixing the Yeti.

Color me surprised. If you’ve been on Expedition Everest you know the Yeti is huge. It’s 25-feet tall, and when it was initially built it could move within a five foot range horizontally, and could even move more than a foot vertically. The gigantic animatronic broke shortly after the ride’s opening back in 2006, and in my time visiting the parks, it never really moved. Yet Disney announced Live at D23 the Yeti will be back and functioning.

I honestly never believed there would be a day the Yeti would move again, particularly after the ride went through a refurb back in 2022 and the Yeti didn’t get fixed. For decades now, the quietly imposing former animatronic has sat proudly in a key scene on the ride, but it hasn’t moved an inch. Some years ago, Disney relit the monstrous creature so that there’s a strobe light effect that sort of makes it feel as if the creature is moving. Almost no one got the chance to really see the original animatronic in action, though, and it really felt like a long-forgotten dream.

It’s not just me. This has been a popular topic on the Internet for so long, though some fans had much more belief in the Yeti than I did. That’s mostly because it’s not an issue with the Yeti itself. The structure supporting the creature was giving away shortly after the original ride opened, which led to a complex set of issues with the ride. Fixing the Yeti has allegedly never had an easy solution.

Yet, many dared to dream. After the news broke at D23, frequent parkgoers shared their thoughts.

• #fixtheyeti yeahhhh baby!!!! After all these years of tweeting I never stopped believing. -@car_juank
• I'M JUST HAPPY WE'RE FINALLY, FINALLY FIXING THE YETI AT EVEREST -@Little_Alt_Girl

So, yes, a lot of similar comments to these were made and a slew of theme parkgoers really feel like some of the announcements, which also included the return of Figment to the parks and Spaceship Earth redo, are catering to things the fans have really wanted for a long time.

Although it’s worth noting not everyone believes the Yeti will actually be fixable. Many are worried this made for a splashy announcement, but wonder if Disney will be able to put its money where its mouth is.

• I think everything this year felt kind of realistic (except perhaps the Yeti, depending on the plan….and of course they might actually have to do this for different structural reasons? Who knows? :)) - @disneypicaday
• I like how they are investing in their popular attractions and refurbishing. Maintenance and refresh is critical especially for an old park like Disney. So ya bring back the Yeti. It shows that they care…. But let’s see if it happens -@whatifmultivers
• My only concern is Disney has been known in the past to announce something and then things change and the announcement is quietly shelved. (I.e. Mary Poppins). And this is my concern for Spaceship Earth and disco Yeti too. I'm hopeful but cautious. -@SharonHeartSwel

I, for one, really hope this is not hot air being blown around. Over the last few years, we’ve seen some remarkable animatronics coming down the pipeline, and with Epic Universe opening, the achievement that is Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment has doubtless put a little pressure on Disney to up its game. If that means the Yeti will soon move, I’m here for it.

Now, let's just fix that mass grave of hair ties.

Throughout the weekend, a select group of people have been taking in the sights and sounds of Disney’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. During the Anaheim-based festivities, numerous announcements have been made about movies, TV, theme parks and more. The live-action Tangled movie was also represented at the event, and a major piece of casting news was revealed as part of that. As sweet as that was, though, it doesn’t top the fact that a Hollywood icon is teaming up with Disney World for a cool project.

Disney’s Live-Action Tangled Movie Taps An Outlander Star For A Key Role

At present, Tangled is filming (and we’ve even reached the point where set photos have reached the Internet). Something that wasn’t revealed by leaks ahead of D23 was the casting of Caitríona Balfe of Outlander fame. It was revealed during the event – which CinemaBlend attended – that Balfe would play the role of Queen Arianna, who’s the mother of the main character, Rapunzel. As of this writing, Balfe herself has publicly spoken about being cast in the movie, which opens in theaters on March 31, 2028.

It goes without saying that this is a major pickup for Michael Gracey’s upcoming Disney movie! What’s more is that Balfe is already joining an exciting ensemble of performers led by Rapunzel and Flynn Rider actors Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim. Also, playing the villainous mother Gothel is Kathryn Hahn and, during D23, the fan-favorite actress enthusiastically addressed fans who “manifested” the role for her. Other cast members include Andor’s Diego Luna as well as Elliot Cowan and Patrick & Hugo McPherson.

Tangled footage was shown at the fan event as well, though none of that featured Balfe. Still, the mere fact that she’s been cast is exciting on its own. As I said earlier, though, there’s another Disney hiring that’s really blowing me away.

Disney World Partners With An Oscar Nominee For A Major Attraction

For years now, Disneyland has been the home of Indiana Jones Adventure, a dark ride centered around the adventures of the famous, fedora-wearing adventurer. It was announced in 2024, though that a new Indy attraction was being developed for Walt Disney World Resort. That ride is called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent and, at this year’s D23, it was announced that Harrison Ford would officially be involved with the ride. Check out Ford’s response in the pre-taped message that was shared to Instagram:

As mentioned in the video, what’s particularly significant about this piece of news is that Ford is the “actual model” for the Jones in this ride, which is replacing the Dinosaur attraction. To say that I’m delighted that the A-lister’s likeness is being utilized would be an understatement. While Ford’s big-screen tenure as Indy ended with the underrated Dial of Destiny, I’m glad the House of Mouse has found a way to keep him in the fold.

Harrison Ford has historically been humble and self-deprecating when it comes to his role as Jones as well as his other iconic characters. Funny enough, back in 2025, Ford joked with Jimmy Kimmel about not having been on the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. (Co-star Ke Huy Quan rode it, though, and had a ball.) While Ford’s collaboration with Disney Parks marks a major boon for the upcoming attraction, it also signifies yet another way in which the star will leave his famous fingerprints on pop culture.

With the news about Ford and Caitríona Balfe coming out of D23 alongside a host of other announcements, it’s clear that fans have a lot to be excited about. I’m eager for more announcements regarding Tangled and the new Indiana Jones ride. Let’s hope further updates arrive sooner rather than later.

One of the most anticipated roller coasters of 2026 is Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, and excitement has only continued to build as we’ve been able to witness its progress firsthand. It’s the first time Universal Studios Hollywood has gotten an outdoor coaster, and due to its location in the park, guests and neighbors have been watching it go up alongside the hill since they started building it. But while the ride itself has seemed ready to go for some time now, testing with ride cars full of people caused an uproar among the Toluca Lake neighbors on the streets below.

When ride testing began, it was done with empty vehicles, so things seemed relatively quiet. Since then, as employees started riding, a promotional commercial was shot, and technical rehearsals kicked off, the neighbor complaints grew and words like “disturbing” and “untenable” got thrown around. In an article in the L.A. Times, resident Patrick Nazari even said:

That certainly sounds like a problem, but it's one that Universal is actively working to do something about.

It’s been hard to discern whether the neighbors surrounding the theme park are being overly dramatic or whether the sound really is a problem for folks in the surrounding area. The complaints were first reported on social media, then made their way to local news networks and wider media outlets, as concerns grew. In that same L.A. Times article, one man joked that he “may forever have to blast loud music all day to mask rider screams.”

As someone who lives relatively close to this particular theme park, I have heard the coaster running while inside the park and from the neighborhood. When you’re standing next to it, you can definitely hear the ride running, and there is always at least one person screaming, if not more. But the sound walls, scream shields and pea gravel were meant to dampen that, as was the fact that the drifting vehicles would mean that the screams would not be pointed in the same direction at the same time. Below the theme park, on the streets in the surrounding area, I was surprised by how distant the screams actually sounded. I can also understand why you wouldn’t want to hear that all day long, day after day.

So, what is Universal Studios Hollywood doing about all of this? According to an Instagram post from L.A. City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, the theme park will install two additional sound barriers to mitigate the screams, and construction should be completed in early September.

Hollywood Drift still has a summer 2026 opening listed, so things should quickly move forward once the finishing touches are in place. The testing phase is expected to continue in the meantime, so while it’s not guaranteed to be operational on any given day, you could get lucky enough to take a spin on the new coaster.

Fans have been very excited about Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift since the coaster was first rumored, especially as they saw it go up over the Starway, the massive escalator between the upper and lower lots. Plus, 2026 is the 25^th anniversary of the launch of the Fast & Furious franchise, and it will also eventually have one final ride when its last installment, Fast Forever, drifts onto the big screen.

So, while the screams may be an issue, it's being solved, and overall hype is very high for this new ride.