Category: InsideTheMagic

For decades, Disney-loving couples have dreamed about getting married at some of the most magical locations on earth. Disney always takes things to the next level, and cast members know how to create such memorable experiences, so why not incorporate some of that Disney magic into a wedding? Disney thought that was a great idea, and in 1991, both Disneyland and Walt Disney World began offering weddings. In just one year, hundreds of guests had gotten married in one of their favorite vacation destinations. Credit: Disney Weddings Related: Police Called To Disney Park For Shocking Wedding Involving Child Bride In 1995, the breathtaking Wedding Pavilion opened at Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, offering guests a memorable spot to get married, complete with unforgettable sight lines of the Magic Kingdom. The Wedding Pavilion is nestled on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, and with its Victorian spires, vaulted ceilings, and arched windows, it has been one of the most popular locations for Disney fans to tie the knot. Unfortunately, Walt Disney World Resort has undergone many changes over the past few years, and some fans think that this has negatively affected what was once a fabulous area. Credit: Disney Related: 10 Weird Places You Can Get Married at Disney World X (formerly Twitter) user Savethemagic shared a picture of the wedding pavilion, showing that what was once an open area is now dominated by the new DVC tower that is being built

 Disney’s Lorcana is officially turning two, and the celebration at Gen Con 2025 didn’t disappoint. Fans of the popular trading card game (TCG) were treated to some big announcements—including new characters, shiny new card types, and even a few surprises from Pixar and beyond. Whether you’re a long-time collector or just Lorcana-curious, here’s everything you need to know about what’s next for this magical card game. What’s Coming to Disney Lorcana? Let’s start with the big one: the next set is called Fabled, and it’s launching at local game stores on August 25 (and everywhere else on September 5). This expansion introduces two new card rarities—Epic and Iconic. Iconic cards are even rarer than the current ultra-rare Enchanted ones, featuring unique foil effects and special full-art designs. First up in this new rarity are Mickey Mouse – Brave Little Prince and Minnie Mouse – Sweetheart Princess. When you place them side-by-side, they even form a connected illustration! Credit: Lorcana by Ravesburger Fabled will also include long-requested characters from A Goofy Movie, such as Powerline – World’s Greatest Rock Star and Stand Out, along with Dumbo and his trusty sidekick Timothy Q. Mouse. More fun is ahead with special promo cards, including fan favorites like Alice, Sisu, and Ursula’s Merfolk. And for tournament players, Maleficent in her dragon form will headline this set’s championship prizes. Looking ahead, there’s even more magic on the horizon: Whispers in the Well (Nov 14) dives into mysterious “Whispers” and features characters from Zootopia, like

Last week, Disney announced that advertising for its linear cable channels remained flat, despite Disney-owned ESPN’s stake in all four major sports networks. With sports as the main draw for linear cable, it was surprising that Disney could not generate more ad revenue for this season. Credit: Disney However, with more people cutting the cord, this slow downfall of linear cable is expected and a potential sign of things to come. However, The Walt Disney Company is working on throwing itself a lifeline when cable television ultimately sinks. The Athletic reports that Disney and ESPN have struck a deal with the National Football League to buy the league’s media properties and give the NFL a stake in ESPN. With ESPN expected to announce its streaming-only service as early as later this month, this move solidifies ESPN’s place as a necessary purchase for all football fans, giving Disney a new streaming service to keep the company’s cable division afloat despite the pending death of cable. Credit: Inside the Magic ESPN will take over the NFL’s Red Zone, the NFL Network, and the NFL’s online fantasy football services. ESPN will also get an additional seven regular-season NFL games, including six stand-alone international games. This deal gave ESPN a new streaming platform for all four major sports. ESPN had broken off negotiations with Major League Baseball, and their deal was set to expire after this season; however, ESPN and MLB have resumed negotiations for the Disney-owned network to

When Disney fans think of iconic Disney stars who hold a special place in their hearts, it’s hard not to think of Mary Poppins (1964) star Dick Van Dyke, who played both Bert the chimney sweep and Mr. Dawes Sr. He returned to the world of Mary Poppins as Mr. Dawes Jr. in the 2018 film, Mary Poppins Returns, starring Emily Blunt as the famous nanny. Over the years, Mr. Van Dyke has also voiced Captain Goof-Beard in the Mickey’s Pirate Adventure episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and starred as Cecil in the Night at the Museum franchise. Credit: D23 Related: Dick Van Dyke Makes Television History at 98! Mr. Van Dyke did not start acting until he was almost 30 years old, but he quickly made a name for himself and has become one of the most iconic and beloved actors in history. His zest for life, unmatched humor, charismatic personality, and unending kindness and generosity have only made him more endearing. On December 13, Mr. Van Dyke will turn 100 years old, and for many years, he has proven that age is nothing more than a number and has not let it slow him down. When he was 90, he appeared on Dancing with the Stars and recreated his famous “Step in Time” dance, and in the last couple of years, he even showed off his ukulele skills. Mr. Van Dyke also continued to dance with his wife, Arlene Silver, and share videos on Instagram, and he could be seen helping the homeless around Los

Disney World is officially planning a major refurbishment, but it’s probably not what you expect. Credit: Disney Related: Disney World Shuts Down Fan-Favorite Rides This August While rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion are the “bread and butter” of a trip to Walt Disney World, one of the most important elements is choosing where guests will lay their heads at night. Hotels can often make or break a vacation, as they are the first thing guests see when they wake up and are the last thing they see before going to sleep. Walt Disney World has dozens of hotels for travelers to choose from, ranging from luxurious suites to wallet-friendly studio rooms. Some of Disney World’s most popular and famous hotels include the Polynesian and Contemporary Resorts, as well as Disney’s All-Star and Pop Century Resorts. However, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most unique hotels offered on property, or really anywhere in the country, allowing guests to explore nature and observe wildlife right from their room. Over the years, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge has received various refreshes and updates, with a new large scale refurbishment now on the horizon. Disney World Confirms Animal Kingdom Lodge Refurbishment Credit: Disney Related: First Look at Tom Holland’s New Spider-Man Costume Starting in October 2025, Disney will begin a months-long renovation project for Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Lodge. This work will continue through May 2026. After the completion of the Kidani

Dollywood owners seem to be abandoning several of their theme parks as their competitor sweeps in for the kill. Credit: Inside the Magic Dollywood Owners in Trouble? Not So Fast It’s not every day that the theme park world gets flipped upside down. One moment, beloved attractions seem secure under major operators; the next, ownership shifts in ways no one saw coming. Fans are left wondering what this means for their favorite summer destinations—and whether big changes are around the corner. In March, industry watchers were stunned when Herschend Family Entertainment—owners of Dollywood—scooped up multiple Palace Entertainment properties. But just a few months later, those very same parks have already changed hands again. Now, Lucky Strike Entertainment, best known for bowling and family fun centers, has dramatically expanded its portfolio in a move that could reshape the future of location-based entertainment. So what exactly happened, and why should theme park fans and families pay attention? Let’s break down what’s new, how to experience it, and what these changes could mean for your next summer getaway. Credit: Dollywood What Just Happened: Lucky Strike’s Bold Acquisition from Dollywood Lucky Strike Entertainment has officially added Raging Waters Los Angeles (San Dimas, CA), Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe (Greensboro, NC), and Castle Park (Riverside, CA) to its growing roster of attractions. Surprisingly, these parks were only in Herschend’s hands for a matter of months

In bizarre theme park news, a couple of developers are being sued over allegations of pretending to be God and attempting to steal millions of dollars. Credit: American Heartland Theme Park Theme Park News Turns Strange as Develops Sued Over Attempting To Be God It was pitched as a dream unlike anything the Midwest had ever seen: a sprawling, 1,000-acre American-themed wonderland on historic Route 66, complete with six immersive lands, a luxury hotel, and a massive RV resort. Promoters promised rides rivaling Disney’s, a patriotic tribute to small-town America, and a billion-dollar tourism boost to northeast Oklahoma. But behind the glossy renderings and glowing promises, something darker was unfolding. Investors, locals, and fans who had placed their hopes on the American Heartland Theme Park are now learning that the so-called “Disneyland of the Plains” may have been nothing more than an elaborate fraud. The project—once projected to open in 2026—now sits in ruins. What happened, and what does it mean for fans, investors, and the communities that believed in it? Credit: American Heartland Theme Park What Happened: The Shocking Lawsuit According to a lawsuit filed July 25, 2025, by primary investor Gene Bicknell, the park’s backers used manipulation, deceit, and even bizarre religious impersonations to secure over $60 million in funding. The defendants—Rick Silanskas Jr., Larry Wilhite, and Steve Hedrick—allegedly sent Bicknell hundreds

Marvel has gifted fans a web-slinging surprise for Spider-Man Day with a cryptic but exciting video tease showing off Spider-Man’s brand-new suit. The nine-second clip, which is simply announced with the words “Something is coming…,” has already sent the internet into a frenzy—and for good reason. We now have our first glimpse at what Tom Holland’s Peter Parker will be wearing in the upcoming film, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” set to release on July 31, 2026. Watch the Suit Reveal Tease The video may be short, but it’s packed with enough detail to stir speculation. The camera pans slowly across the new suit, textured, bold, and noticeably different. The lighting plays across the familiar red and blue color scheme, but eagle-eyed fans have already pointed out key elements that pay homage to past Spider-Men. A Tribute to Spider-Men Past? X (formerly Twitter) is already lighting up with reactions. One of the most talked-about comments comes from @RipaldaVFX, who noted: “Tobey’s webbing, Andrew’s texture… Perfection.” Indeed, the webbing on the suit seems raised and silvery, calling back to Tobey Maguire’s iconic Sam Raimi-era design. Meanwhile, the texture of the fabric echoes the detail and polish seen in Andrew Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man suit. The blend of past and present has many fans hopeful that this next installment in the MCU is leaning into a legacy-driven direction. Credit: Sony Pictures A Perfectly Timed Tease The release of this video on Spider-Man Day (celebrated annually on August 1) couldn’t be

Jenna Ortega, the breakout star of Netflix’s hit series Wednesday, is making waves once again, but this time, it’s not for her iconic role as Wednesday Addams. The actress is now at the center of a buzzworthy conversation after reports surfaced claiming she underwent buccal fat removal surgery to enhance her cheekbones. The procedure, which involves removing fat from the cheeks to create a more sculpted appearance, has led to mixed reactions from fans and critics alike, with some calling Ortega “unrecognizable.” Credit: Netflix A New Look for the Star Images of Ortega in recent public appearances have sparked speculation about her changing facial features. While many admire the actress for her natural beauty, others have noticed a more contoured look to her face, particularly around her cheekbones. These changes, paired with rumors of buccal fat removal, have led some to believe the 20-year-old star has had work done. On social media, fans have been divided, with some commenting on how Ortega’s look has evolved over time. A segment of her fan base has rallied behind the idea that the transformation is simply a result of aging. These supporters argue that the changes in Ortega’s face are simply part of growing older, as many people’s features continue to shift and refine during their twenties. “Whoever created buccal fat removal should be arrested and tried for crimes against humanity.” Whoever created buccal fat removal should be arrested and tried for crimes against humanity pic.twitter.com/RJNFpiqCsf — Kangmin Lee

At this point, “Florida Man” has become a cultural icon. He’s the guy who tries to rob a gas station with an alligator, crashes a car into a seafood restaurant “on accident,” or gets arrested for dancing naked at Disney Springs. The state has a reputation for producing some of the most unhinged headlines you’ll ever see, and the phrase “Florida Man” has practically turned into its own brand. But not every story ends with a smirk. And this latest one? It takes a horrifying turn no one saw coming. Credit: Inside the Magic The Fishing Trip That Became a Crime Scene Police say it started as a seemingly normal fishing trip off the coast of Anna Maria Island. Douglas Naeher, a 60-year-old Florida man, invited his wife onto their 30-foot boat for what she thought would be a quiet day at sea. The two had been married for three years, and while things may not have been perfect, she never expected what would come next. About 33 miles offshore, Naeher’s fishing line broke—and something in him snapped. His wife noticed his behavior shift quickly. Then, in a move that turned her relaxing day into a nightmare, he allegedly attacked her with shocking brutality. Credit: Inside the Magic / Canva Dragged, Beaten, and Thrown Into the Gulf According to police reports, Naeher’s wife jumped into the water holding a rope