All articles tagged with #disney world
Disney has released a sneak peek of its 2026 holiday lineup across Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Store, featuring a pastel collection, festive apparel and accessories, ornaments, bags, and magnets, plus preview items for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party such as a miniature Mickey bag charm and related party gear.
Katherine Randle spent seven years at Walt Disney World portraying Ariel, Rapunzel, and Mary Poppins from ages 18 to 25, but heavy Rapunzel braids caused chronic neck pain and arthritis. Despite medical care and union involvement, she says casting wouldn’t disapprove her in Rapunzel, and her final shift ended in tears after a manager urged her to seek health services. Now pursuing an MFA in London, she still wears a neck brace and cherishes the job, even as she questions whether she should have left sooner. Florida law provides workers’ compensation for on-the-job injuries, but removal from a role wasn’t granted, and other performers describe similar safety concerns; Disney did not comment.
Disney World confirms the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights will not return for the 2026 holiday season; the castle will instead feature holiday projections, with Dream Lights last lit in 2019 as part of the park's 2026 holiday plan release.
Disney World Resort hotels will again be decorated for the holidays in 2026, featuring Christmas trees, festive decor, holiday music, and themed food including gingerbread treats; menu details will follow; the season runs November 13, 2026 to January 6, 2027; gingerbread displays were not confirmed.
Starting with iOS 27, Apple Wallet will offer dynamically updated digital keys for participating hotels, with Disney World planning to support the enhanced feature by the iOS 27 rollout. You can already add Disney World tickets to Wallet via the My Disney Experience app, and the upgraded passes will show day-of details like park reservations, Lightning Lane selections, special events, and dining reservations, updating automatically throughout the day. The My Disney Experience app remains required for making bookings, and Resorts World Las Vegas also plans to offer enhanced Wallet keys with iOS 27.
A two-year-old, Lane Graves, was snatched by an alligator at a Disney World resort in 2016; a decade later his parents say they are honoring him by keeping the promise they made after his death.
On the 10th anniversary of Lane Graves' death at Disney World, his parents released a tribute video and highlighted the Lane Thomas Foundation, which raises awareness for pediatric organ donation and provides financial help to families; the foundation has assisted about 200 families and counts celebrity supporters, while Disney unveiled a lighthouse sculpture in Lane's memory near the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Since the 2016 fatal alligator incident at the Grand Floridian, Disney World has removed about 414 alligators under Florida's Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) and added barriers and training to boost guest safety; experts say the removals do not threaten Florida's healthy alligator population, which is estimated at around 1.3 million.
A guest at Walt Disney World's Galaxy's Edge blew a kiss toward a patrolling Stormtrooper; the officer reacted with a savage, ground-level stomp gesture and a cheeky 'Thank you for supporting the First Order,' a moment captured by bystanders and fueling playful reactions online.
Kenneth Chee, owner of Devastating Pyrotechnics, was arrested at Walt Disney World on a fugitive warrant linked to a July 2025 Yolo County, California warehouse explosion that killed seven. He faces multiple charges, including seven murder counts and conspiracy, for allegedly lacking proper permits to store fireworks; six other suspects were also arrested in the investigation.
Disneyland hosted Bluey’s live show, drawing a surprising number of childless adults and provoking backlash over tickets that could have gone to kids, while some defend adults attending Disney parks for non-kid-friendly experiences.
Disney World announces the May 26, 2026 opening of Bluey’s Wild World at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Conservation Station (Rafiki’s Planet Watch) as part of Cool Kids’ Summer, where guests can play Bluey-inspired games, dance, and take photos with Bluey and Bingo; the experience replaces the former Animation Experience site, with a new Animation Academy to open at Hollywood Studios later this summer, and outside the Affection Section will be renamed Jumping Junction featuring Australian wildlife.
Disney World announced new ticket deals for Florida residents for 2026, including the Discover Disney Ticket and a 2-Day, 2-Park Ticket, with options to upgrade and special room discounts at Disney resorts.
A Disney World cast member was injured when a runaway boulder prop during the Indiana Jones stunt show at Hollywood Studios bounced off its set and struck him, prompting Disney to review safety measures and modify the scene. The incident was captured on social media, showing the 440-pound, 12-foot diameter prop bouncing uncontrollably before hitting the employee, who was able to recover and stand afterward.
A Disney World employee was hit and injured by a large prop boulder during a stunt show, with footage of the incident going viral on TikTok. The accident occurred during the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, raising concerns amid recent safety issues at the park.