Meet Harris, the New White Rhino Making His Debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom There’s a new horn in town at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and he’s already making a big impact. Dr. Mark Penning shared on Instagram that Harris, a male white rhino, has officially joined the herd, and his arrival is more than just exciting news for guests. It is an important step in the ongoing effort to protect and sustain this threatened species. Related: Disney Earns Top Awards at Travel Weekly’s 2025 Readers Choice Awards Harris’ debut highlights Disney’s continued commitment to conservation through its work with the Species Survival Plan, which helps ensure healthy genetic diversity for animals under human care.

New Coaster Construction Takes Shape Where Rip Ride Rockit Once Stood at Universal Studios Florida Construction is officially picking up speed on the mystery roller coaster replacing Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida, and new aerial photos by @bioreconstruct on X are giving us our best look yet at what is coming next. Recent images shared by bioreconstruct show multiple concrete footers now in place around Universal CityWalk and inside the park, signaling that this project has moved well beyond simple site prep and into early structural development.

Google Removes AI Disney Character Videos After Cease and Desist Google has begun removing dozens of AI generated videos featuring Disney owned characters after receiving a cease and desist from the company, marking a major moment in the rapidly evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and intellectual property. The takedowns affect YouTube videos that used AI to generate content featuring characters like Mickey Mouse, Deadpool, Moana, and other well known Disney and Marvel figures, according to reporting by Deadline. Related: Disney and OpenAI Announce Partnership to Bring Sora AI to Storytelling…

Universal and Family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala Reach Agreement Following Epic Universe Tragedy Universal Orlando Resort and the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala have reached an amicable and confidential resolution following Zavala’s death after riding Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe. Attorneys representing the family confirmed the agreement on Saturday, Dec. 13, asking for privacy as they move forward. Related: Celebrating 25 Years of Grinchmas at Universal Islands of Adventure The resolution comes just days after both the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Orange County Medical Examiner released their final reports, concluding that Zavala’s death was an accident and that no criminal activity occurred.

Mellow Mushroom Could Be Cooking Up a Slice at Disney Springs It looks like Disney Springs may soon be getting a little more mellow. Popular pizza chain Mellow Mushroom has shared plans to significantly expand across Central Florida, and Disney Springs is officially on their radar as a potential future location. Known for its psychedelic vibes, stone-baked pizzas, and cult favorite secret dough, the Atlanta-founded brand already operates several successful restaurants around the Orlando area, including spots near SeaWorld, UCF, Winter Park, Sanford, and Mount Dora. Related: NEW Vivoli il Gelato Affogato Stand Now Open at Disney Springs…

Time Flies When You're Having Fun! Disney World Rings in the New Year with Citizen Get ready, Disney fans and holiday shoppers! Disney World has officially launched its annual Disney Christmas Countdown (running from November 28th to December 30th), and this year there’s a seriously cool twist to the park-wide holiday cheer. Citizen, who is the official watch partner of the Walt Disney World Resort, is stepping up in a big way and has taken over the park's New Year’s countdown clock. This isn't just about telling time; it’s about marking the end of a magical year and the start of a brand new one in a way only Disney can do.

Win a Tour of Walt Disney Studios! The final gift in the Disney+ “12 Days of Perks” series is the ultimate prize: a chance to win an exclusive, VIP studio tour of The Walt Disney Studios lot located in Burbank, California! Related - Win an epic 8-day National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Cruise for Two from Disney+ Disney+ subscribers have a chance to enter the studio tour sweepstakes daily by visiting perks.disneyplus.com. Be sure to get your entries in before the final deadline of 8:59 a.m. PT on December 29th. The winner will be selected on January 8, 2026, and must return the required paperwork within five days of email notification to claim their incredible prize.

Disney Dominates Travel Weekly’s 2025 Readers Choice Awards The results are in! Disney Destinations had a stellar night at the prestigious Travel Weekly 23rd annual Readers Choice Awards, walking away with four significant honors across its diverse portfolio. Related - Walt Disney Company Earns 27 Golden Globe Award Nominations The awards ceremony, held on December 10, celebrates excellence throughout the travel industry, with winners and nominees selected by Travel Weekly’s dedicated audience of travel professionals. Disney's success spanned land, sea, and expedition, underscoring its commitment to delivering unforgettable, family-focused experiences globally.

The Biggest Stars Who Visited the Park in 2025 Disney Experiences worldwide are decked out for the holidays, and the stars are coming out to celebrate! These celebrity visits are adding extra sparkle to the already dazzling parks, as famous faces enjoy the festive décor, seasonal treats, and holiday-themed attractions. Scroll down to see which famous faces were caught enjoying the magic at Disneyland this year! Related - Not to be missed Characters in their Holiday Outfits at the Disneyland Resort Mookie Betts From the baseball diamond to Disneyland Resort, Mookie Betts kept the celebration going in Disneyland park with his family, even making time for a photo with Goofy in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Disney Announces End Date for Santa Jack and Sally Meet-and-Greets Make your plans now! Santa Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas are currently greeting guests in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park, but the magic won't last long. The resort has announced that the final day for this popular meet-and-greet is December 24th! Related - Jack Skellington is getting a SPOOKTACULAR new look for the 2025 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Don't miss the chance to meet Santa Jack and Sally in New Orleans Square! They will be greeting guests in the Royal Courtyard through December 24.

Car Catches Fire at Tomorrowland Speedway A ride vehicle at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom caught fire on Friday, December 13, 2025, shocking guests waiting in line for the Tomorrowland Speedway. Related - Another Fire Breaks Out in the France Pavilion at EPCOT Photo Credit TikTok user @traveling_throuple Footage of the incident was captured and shared by TikTok user @traveling_throuple. The video shows visible flames erupting from the rear engine area of an empty orange-and-white striped speedway car. In the clip, Disney Cast Members can be seen quickly directing guests away from the vehicle to ensure safety.

New Affogato Stand Opens Early at Disney Springs for a Sweet Espresso Fix Disney Springs just got a little sweeter and a lot more caffeinated. A brand-new Affogato Stand operated by Vivoli il Gelato has officially opened early, giving guests a new way to cool off while also fueling up with espresso. Related: Some of Your Favorite Stars Visit Disney World in 2025 Originally scheduled to open later, the stand is now welcoming guests and serving up classic affogato creations featuring creamy gelato topped with hot espresso. Vivoli il Gelato fans will recognize the quality right away, as the main gelato shop is located in The Landing at Disney Springs and is already a go-to for Italian-style frozen treats.

Stars Sleigh the Holidays at Walt Disney World This Season The holidays at Walt Disney World are already packed with twinkling lights, festive treats, and seasonal magic, but this year the parks also welcomed a wave of celebrity visitors adding some extra sparkle to the season. From holiday parades to new attractions and character encounters, familiar faces have been soaking in the Christmas cheer across the resort. Related: Walt Disney World Announces The Magic of New Year’s Eve and Menu at California Grill The festivities were front and center during The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular, narrated by Ginnifer Goodwin and hosted by Derek Hough.

Ring in 2026 in Style with California Grill’s Magical New Year’s Eve Dining Experience If you are looking to toast the New Year with fireworks, fine dining, and a little Disney magic sprinkled on top, California Grill has officially entered the chat. Walt Disney World has announced The Magic of New Year’s Eve, a limited two-day dining experience taking place December 30 and December 31 at the signature restaurant perched high atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Related: Disney World Extends Theme Park Hours for Christmas Week, New Year’s Eve, and Early January…

Dunk the Halls Returns to Magic Kingdom as Disney, ESPN, and the NBA Team Up for a Christmas Day Slam Dunk Disney, ESPN, and the NBA are bringing the holiday magic back to Main Street, U.S.A. with the return of Dunk the Halls, the real-time animated NBA game airing on Christmas Day. This festive alt-cast debuts at noon ET on December 25 and transforms the New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers matchup into a fully animated experience set inside Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Related: Experience the Magic of Merry Menagerie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom…

Disneyland Resort: Characters in Must-See Holiday Outfits The holiday season at Disneyland Resort is truly enchanting, filled with dazzling lights and ornaments. The best part? Characters in holiday outfits are ready to meet you across both theme parks and the Resort hotels! If you plan to take festive photos or want to see them in a seasonal performance, check out these highlights when you visit Holidays at the Disneyland Resort and Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure Park. Where to Find Santa Claus at Disneyland Resort Direct from the North Pole, Santa Claus himself makes stops around Disneyland Resort for photo opportunities and to hear families’ holiday wishes.

Haul-o-ween to Holly Jolly! See the Cars Land Transformation on Disney Unscripted The new Disney Unscripted episode on YouTube goes behind the scenes to document the spectacular shift of Cars Land from its normal look to a fully decked-out holiday masterpiece at Disney California Adventure. The transformation of Cars Land is a feat of coordination, unfolding over several nights. Crews work tirelessly to ensure the changeover is perfectly seamless—avoiding any clash between the Halloween and holiday décor—all while making sure every trace of construction equipment is gone before guests arrive when the park gates open each morning.

Escape the Chill: Four Flamingos Introduces New Winter Cocktails and Mixology Class Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is inviting guests to celebrate winter in a decidedly tropical style. The acclaimed restaurant has unveiled a new seasonal line-up of cocktails and mocktails and is offering a unique, interactive cocktail class—the perfect post-Christmas treat. Related-Four Flamingos Celebrates International Flamingo Day with Special Menu Santa’s on Vacation Cocktail Class with Macarena Portales Why rush back to reality after the holidays? Four Flamingos is hosting the…

Disney Offers Up Support of the Gary Sinise Foundation In collaboration with the Gary Sinise Foundation, Walt Disney World Resort was once again honored to welcome families of fallen military service members for the annual “Snowball Express” healing retreat. This five-day event brings together hundreds of military families to bond with others who share similar experiences, finding comfort and connection during their journey of healing. Related-Gary Sinise’s Snowball Express Returns to Walt Disney World A Century of Support: Disney’s Enduring Commitment Disney's unwavering support for active-duty military, veterans, and their families spans over a century.

Mickey & Minnie’s ‘Vacation Fun’ Animated Short Sets Reopening Date Get ready to laugh! Vacation Fun — An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie is officially returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. After a brief hiatus that began earlier this fall, the hilarious short is set to welcome guests back starting December 27. Related - Disney Adds Extra Fantasmic Performances to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Christmas Upon its return on December 27, Vacation Fun will operate from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. This reopening is a major win for holiday travelers, providing a much-needed indoor retreat just as the peak New Year crowds begin to swarm Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Rapid Success: ‘Zootopia 2’ Zooms Past $1 Billion in Record Time In just 17 days, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2 is officially crossing the $1 billion global box office threshold. With current totals at $986.1 million—split between $232.7 million domestic and $753.4 million international—the sequel is making history. It now holds the record as the fastest animated MPA release and the fastest PG-rated film to ever reach this milestone. Related - Zootopia 2 Shatters Records with Fourth-Biggest Global Opening in History “Everyone at Disney Animation put their heart, soul and passion into this film to tell a story full of joy, imagination, and incredible thoughtfulness,” said Jared Bush, Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney Animation Studios.

MCO Is Upgrading Its Gate Link Trams in a Massive $253 Million Modernization Project Orlando International Airport is gearing up for a glow-up of theme-park proportions as the airport begins a major $253 million project to replace its aging Gate Link tram system. If you have ever zipped from the North Terminal to your gate on one of those familiar automated shuttles, get ready for a smoother, faster, and far more reliable ride once this upgrade wraps up. The new system rolls out starting winter 2025 and is set to finish in late 2027, giving MCO a serious boost right as Central Florida continues to welcome record crowds.

New Star Wars Racing Game ‘Galactic Racer’ Speeds Toward 2026 Release A brand-new Star Wars game is revving its engines for 2026, and this one trades lightsabers for landspeeders in a high-octane sprint through the Outer Rim. Star Wars: Galactic Racer has officially been announced for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and it promises a turbo-charged spin on the galaxy far, far away. Think lawless circuits, scrappy underdogs, and enough adrenaline to make a podracer blush. Related: New Trader Joe’s Opening Near Walt Disney World Developed by Fuse Games in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, Galactic Racer is described as a runs-based, high-stakes reinvention of racing that takes place after the fall of the Empire.

Grinchmas Turns 25 at Universal Orlando, And The Whos Are Throwing a Full-On Who-bilation Grinchmas has been decking the halls of Seuss Landing at Universal’s Islands of Adventure for a quarter of a century, and 2025 is shaping up to be the most Who-tacular celebration yet. What started as a quirky little holiday add-on in the early 2000s has grown into a full-blown tradition for so many families, complete with returning Team Members who have literally spent decades living their best Who lives on stage. This year, Universal is turning the nostalgia dial all the way up to celebrate 25 years of mean, green, merry magic.

Disney World Extends Park Hours for Holiday Week, New Year’s Eve, and Early January Disney fans hoping to squeeze every last twinkle of holiday magic out of 2025 just got an early present from the parks. Disney World has officially stretched operating hours across Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios from December 28 through January 3, giving guests more rope drop, more nighttime sparkle, and a whole lot more room for merriment during the most wonderfully bonkers week of the year. If you’re visiting for New Year’s Eve, these updates may just feel like Cinderella upgrading your pumpkin to a stretch limo.