Category: Blog Mickey

What’s This? It’s another IAAPA brass ring award for Disney Parks thanks to ‘What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along‘ from the Disney Jollywood Nights event. The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) hosted the IAAPA Honors annual event this week, and Walt Disney World’s Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along has been awarded “Most Creative Winter Holiday Production”. Here’s the latest. ‘Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along’ Wins IAAPA Brass Ring Award What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along is a 20-minute show exclusive to the Disney Jollywood Nights event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The show features wonderful performers who use brilliant physicality throughout the experience as guests sing along to iconic songs from the Nightmare Before Christmas movie. What’s This? invites guests to sing along as larger-than-life characters from the Nightmare Before Christmas movie make their way on stage. The show is held together by two brilliant (and silent) performers who rely on their wonderful physicality to portray a wonderful journey through iconic songs from the movie. Going back to the award, the Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along was up against the “Six Flags Holiday Special” from Six Flags Over Georgia and “Frosty’s Electric Snow Party” from Universal Studios Japan. The tradition of the brass ring, a term now synonymous with spectacular achievement, dates back to the 1800s when rings were hung on carousels to pose a fun challenge for riders. Successfully grabbing a ring while riding the carousel often

We’re three months into a lengthy refurbishment of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction at Magic Kingdom, and crews appear to be doing a wonderful job so far. The extensive work will include a full roller coaster track replacement, as well as some new magic added to the ride when it reopens in 2026. We made it out to Magic Kingdom recently to find that even more new roller coaster track has been installed. Here’s a look around! More New Track Installed at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom In order to see the latest track additions, we have to hop aboard the Liberty Square Riverboat (while we still can) to check out a section of the ride that passes along the banks of the Rivers of America (while it’s still here). We’ll start with a look over at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad from new the Haunted Mansion attraction. Although we’ve been watching track pieces fly through the air for nearly four months now, it never gets old! Hopping aboard the Liberty Square Riverboat, we can see some new pieces of track and some changes taking place. First up is a cut into the rocky facade near lift hill #2. This specific piece of track has been in place for a while now, but the cut into the rock is new since our last photo update. The biggest change is new track coming out of the

Walt Disney World is about a month into a yearlong room refurbishment at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. The refurbishment, which began back in late March, will continue through February 2026 as Disney refreshes the guest rooms at the 21-year-old hotel. Walt Disney World hasn’t officially said what will take place during the refurbishment, but we made it out to the resort for a sneak peek at the work. Room Refurbishment at Disney’s Pop Century Resort The work is currently limited to the 50’s section of the resort, with only a portion of the guest rooms currently under construction. An early permit for the work grants contractor JCQ Services access to Building 1, Building 2, and Building 3 – all part of the 50’s section. Contractor JCQ Services has set up a small headquarters on the north end of the sprawling Pop Century Resort campus, and shouldn’t impact the guest experience too much. That said, we did see some guests staying in a building that had construction taking place. If you’re planning on staying at Disney’s Pop Century over the next year or so, we’d recommend requesting a room far away from the 50’s section. With JCQ Services at the helm, we saw other businesses on site to perform some of the work such as N&J Flooring Services LLC for flooring replacement work, and Intex for repainting. Here’s a look around at the work, which appears to be limited to Building 1 (Rooms

The Winter Course at Disney’s Winter Summerland mini golf course is now closed as part of a phased, two-month refurbishment. While the Winter Course is closed, the Summer Course will remain open for guests. There will be no advance reservations during the refurbishment period, but walk-up guests are welcome. Here’s a look at the work. Winter Summerland Refurbishment Begins While visiting the Winter Summerland mini golf complex today, we noticed that a small crew was working on the first hole of the Winter Course. The AstroTurf was removed and it looked like crews were working on some of the underlying concrete. When work is done on the Winter Course, it is expected to reopen as the Summer Course closes. The entire refurbishment is expected to wrap up by June 16th. At that time, both courses will reopen and normal operations will resume. In the meantime, guests will likely hear work taking place on whichever course is closed at the time of their visit. As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!

After months of Team Member and Annual Passholder previews, Universal Orlando Resort has opened up Epic Universe previews to the general public! Tickets are available effective immediately for dates from today, April 29th, through May 19th. The park will be closed to previews on May 20-21 as invited media tour the park before the May 22nd grand opening! Epic Universe Previews Open to General Public General public Epic Universe preview tickets range in price from $144 to $154. With tickets now available to the general public, this effectively means that the park is in a soft opening/early opening period. Officially, Universal Orlando Resort says that the park is a preview period which means that attractions and experiences may not be available. Here’s the latest. Preview Tickets to Universal Epic Universe are now available for purchase. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to take part in a special Preview of Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park. Visit all five immersive worlds of Epic Universe before Grand Opening on May 22. It’s thrills and wonder unlike anything you’ve experienced before – come step into the excitement and be a part of it all. 

During this Preview period, we’re putting the final touches in place and rehearsing so some attractions and experiences may not be available.Limited availability, tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. Restrictions apply.Universal Orlando Resort Discounted tickets remain available for Annual Passholders to purchase. The Annual Passholder discounted preview will continue to operate through May 19th, as previously announced.

Walt Disney World has posted a video to social media, teasing a new Annual Passholder magnet. The video contains a storybook style, leading many to believe that the magnet will feature a character from either Snow White or Sleeping Beauty. With a brand new Villains show set to debut next month at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, some are speculating that we could see a Villain show up on the Passholder exclusive magnet. Here’s a look! Walt Disney World Teases New Passholder Magnet View this post on Instagram A post shared by WDW Annual Passholders (@wdwannualpassholders) As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!

My hope that Walt Disney World would rename Frontierland into FronTIREland with the upcoming Cars-themed expansion has been thoroughly dashed. After more than 3 months, one of the two missing Frontierland signs has returned to Magic Kingdom. While visiting Magic Kingdom this morning, we noticed that the entrance sign from Adventureland has returned, looking nice and refreshed. Here’s a look! One Missing Frontierland Sign Returns to Magic Kingdom The two-sided sign went missing back in January, while the other Frontierland sign from Liberty Square has been missing for well over a year. Here’s a look at the newly returned, double-sided Frontierland/Adventureland sign at Magic Kingdom. As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!

Walt Disney World is wasting no time with the lobby reimagining project at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. The project, which was announced just over two weeks ago, will continue through the end of the year, but early work is progressing nicely. We stopped by Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort this morning to find that a lot of work has taken place already, including the removal of the iconic birdcage. Here’s a look around! Grand Floridian Lobby Birdcage Removed The first thing that you’ll notice in our photos below is the large birdcage that has sat on one side of the lobby for decades has been removed. The birdcage will be replaced by a walk-up bar that is inspired by the now-removed birdcage. First, here’s a reminder of the concept art, showing a refreshed lobby, and the only major addition or change is the birdcage bar. Here’s a look back at the birdcage after the walls went up, but before it was removed. And here’s a look at the area from our visit to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort earlier today. Front Desk Operations Relocated As we began walking around the construction walls, we noticed that an area of the lobby was roped off and that the Front Desk operations had been relocated into the sitting area. The move comes ahead of the arrival of construction walls

“No one’s ever really gone” – Luke SkywalkerWhile Walt Disney World let the immersive, award-winning Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience fail, not all parts of it have been lost. As it turns out, the Saja, a group of nomadic lightsaber trainers first introduced on the Galactic Starcruiser, will be headed to Disneyland Paris for a limited time. The announcement was made by Disney this afternoon. Here’s the latest. Lightsaber Training aboard the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Saja Lightsaber Training at Disneyland Paris From May 4 to May 24 at Disneyland Paris, you can master the art of lightsaber wielding during a new walk-up interactive experience in Discoveryland! This hands-on moment – recommended for children under 10 – will reveal the ways of the Force, thanks to the knowledge of the Saja.  This is the first time that the Saja will make an appearance in a Disney theme park following the shuttering of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser experience. On the Galactic Starcruiser, the Saja were a group of nomadic lightsaber trainers who led guests in a lightsaber training experience as part of the 3-day immersive hotel. Beyond lightsaber training, the Saja could be found throughout the ship, constantly interacting with guests. Not necessarily Force sensitive themselves, the Saja could sense the Force in other people and help to bring it out. The Saja also assisted guests in experiencing moments with the Force such as a rock toppling moment in the climate simulator, allowing guests to connect with the

In addition to an opening date and first look at the GEO-82 menu, Walt Disney World has also announced that there will be a fireworks viewing experience in the adults-only Spaceship Earth lounge. It sounds like the fireworks experience will run alongside normal operations at the bar, with guests partaking in the experience given ideal seating and included drinks and bites. Here’s the announcement. GEO-82 Spaceship Earth Lounge Fireworks Experience For a perfect conclusion to your day, reserve the GEO-82 Fireworks Experience as part of the Enchanting Extras Collection for new views of Luminous The Symphony of Us from tables along the lounge’s windows. This premium experience includes a tasting tower of savory light bites, sweet selections, Champagne poured tableside, and event-exclusive cocktails.   Treat your senses to a shimmering celebration in EPCOT with the GEO-82 Fireworks Experience—exclusive to Guests ages 21 and up. Sit back and savor an exquisite pairing of flavorful fare and fantastic fireworks views. Each Seat Is SuperbYour party will be seated at a private table beside the window in GEO-82. You’ll be perfectly positioned to enjoy dazzling views of Luminous The Symphony of Us, the nighttime spectacular. A Mouthwatering MenuThis elevated experience includes: Champagne that’s specially selected by sommeliers at Walt Disney World Resort (or event-exclusive cocktails, if you prefer) A tasting tower of savory light bites, available before Luminous The Symphony of Us begins A selection of sweets during Luminous The Symphony of Us PriceThis experience