Category: InsideTheMagic

On Wednesday, Disney Parks fans once again noticed sparse crowds at three of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. These claims follow weeks of reporting that Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park aren’t seeing the summer crowds they usually do. Rumors about low attendance at Walt Disney World Resort began earlier this summer, especially after the Central Florida Disney park offered several simultaneous discounts on theme park tickets and Disney Resort hotels. Reports of low attraction wait times and ample advanced dining reservations shocked Disney Parks fans, especially after spring break brought weeks of packed theme parks. Credit: Disney Many Disney Parks fans have blamed the harsh political and economic climate in the United States and boycotts from foreign tourists for the less-crowded theme parks. Others blame the summer heat in the Sunshine State. Still, some Disney Park guests say Walt Disney World Resort is just as busy as ever. Because Disney rarely releases live crowd data, it’s impossible to say for sure. Nevertheless, the discussions about crowd levels continue. On Wednesday, July 2, Redditor u/reddituser6742 shared screenshots of shockingly low wait times at EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park during what should be a busy summer afternoon, especially just days away from Independence Day. WDW parks seem to be EMPTY based off the wait times in the app WDW parks seem to be EMPTY based off the wait times in the app byu/reddituser6742

42 years ago, Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi (1983) blasted into movie theaters everywhere. But, just over 20 years later, George Lucas would make a change that would cause big debates in the fandom. Two years ago, Star Wars seemingly settled the argument once and for all. Credit: Lucasfilm Star Wars: Episode VI—Return of the Jedi is the final installment in the original Star Wars trilogy. It takes place after the events of Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope (1977) and Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and director George Lucas ends his genre-defining space opera with a bang—literally. The destruction of the second Death Star, and the “demise” of Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) and Darth Vader (Dave Prowse/James Earl Jones)–the latter having finally received his redemption arc while dueling his son Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill)–resulted in the battle for the galaxy far, far away coming to an end. Credit: Lucasfilm Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and Luke (Hamill) all celebrated the Rebel Alliance’s victory over the Galactic Empire on Endor, and in the final few moments of the climactic Star Wars original trilogy movie, they were joined by those that had been lost–Anakin Skywalker (Sebastian Shaw), Yoda (Frank Oz), and Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi (Alec Guinness). However, 16 years later, Lucas would return to his beloved Star Wars franchise, beginning the prequel trilogy era with Star Wars: Episode I–The Phantom Menace (1999). Here, Lucas introduced fans to

A lengthy refurbishment has finally finished at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The most popular merchandise location inside the Deluxe Disney Resort hotel’s lobby was partially closed for a month as crews worked on a mysterious refurbishment project. Credit: Inside the Magic BouTiki, a store on the first floor of the Great Ceremonial House at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, sells tropical-themed attire, resort-branded souvenirs, exclusive Aulani merchandise, and standard Walt Disney World Resort gift shop fare, including pins, clothing, and plush. On June 2, 2025, half of the merchandise location was temporarily closed to shoppers, with a limited souvenir selection available in the open half. Happy tropical boutiki Thursday! This is my favorite Disney World shopping.  Happy tropical boutiki Thursday! This is my favorite Disney World shopping. pic.twitter.com/52g4Y2cuUN — Dr. Scott Xavier III (@scottxavier) May 15, 2025 According to photos from WDWMagic, BouTiki returned to normal operations on July 1. The closed portion of the store is now open, and the merchandise selection has returned to normal. Walt Disney World Resort didn’t share anything about the scope of the project, but reports indicate that the BouTiki refurbishment focused on a floor replacement. Refreshed patterned tiles and wooden flooring now run through the entire merchandise location, making it unlikely that Disney will need to shut down the other half of the shop. Credit: D23 In addition to BouTiki, guests staying at or visiting Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort can shop at Moana Mercantile on the second

Walt Disney World Resort just tore down hundreds, if not thousands, of trees outside the Magic Kingdom, forever changing the landscape for Disney Park guests. This update comes days before Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat close forever, making way for two new Cars (2006) attractions in Frontierland. Walt Disney Imagineering first announced the reimagining at D23 Expo 2024. It comes amid a years-long overhaul in Frontierland, which saw Splash Mountain transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the closure of the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade for a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) lounge, and the premiere of the refreshed Country Bear Musical Jamboree. In January, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster also closed for a year-long refurbishment to add “new magic” to the decades-old attraction. Credit: Disney Earlier this year, Walt Disney World Resort revealed that the Cars area in Frontierland would be called Piston Peak National Park, referencing a real location in Pixar’s Planes: Fire & Rescue (2014). Inspired by the natural beauty of America’s national parks, the area will feature nods to the original Frontierland area, including barrel bridges, water features, and parts of the Rivers of America. Walt Disney Imagineers have promised to keep sightlines in mind while building the expansive area, featuring a thrilling rally race ride and another family-friendly attraction. Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat, and the Rivers of America will close permanently this weekend ahead of the construction. Days before the closures, crews have cut down hundreds of trees behind Frontierland at Magic

EPCOT has long been known as the more “grown-up” Disney park—with thrilling attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, culinary adventures in the World Showcase, and festivals that bring in foodies and Disney fans from all over the world. But over the last few years, Disney has quietly transformed EPCOT into a much more family-friendly park, making sure there’s plenty for kids to enjoy too. Credit: Greg Goebel, Flickr You’ve got the Frozen Ever After ride in the Norway Pavilion, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France, a chance to meet Anna and Elsa, and of course, Journey into Imagination with Figment in addition to attractions like Living with the Land, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, and Spaceship Earth. But one of the most underrated and beloved activities for kids (and let’s be honest—plenty of adults too) is the scavenger hunt offered during each EPCOT festival. These scavenger hunts are colorful, interactive map-based games that send guests on a mission to spot hidden characters around the park. From Spike the Bee during Flower & Garden to Remy during Food & Wine, it’s a simple and fun way to keep kids engaged while parents explore everything EPCOT has to offer. The best part? Every completed map comes with a cute little prize. But as of now, that magical experience is about to get a little more expensive. Price Increase Hits Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak For

Following a terrifying ordeal between a child falling overboard and a heroic father being questioned, another Disney cruise incident occurred today after a passenger was seen being airlifted by the Air Force due to a medical emergency. Credit: Disney Emergency on a Disney Cruise Line Ship The peaceful calm of the Mediterranean Sea was shattered today by the whirring blades of a military rescue helicopter hovering over the Disney Fantasy—a rare and dramatic sight for passengers expecting a tranquil voyage filled with sunshine, entertainment, and relaxation. Moments earlier, an onboard medical emergency triggered a swift and precisely coordinated response. As guests watched in anxious silence, the sky opened to reveal a lifesaving operation unfolding in real-time. But what exactly happened? And how did Disney respond so quickly? Let’s dive deeper into the day Disney Cruise Line proved, yet again, it’s prepared for anything. Credit: Disney A Second Emergency in Just Two Days This latest emergency aboard the Disney Fantasy comes less than 48 hours after another dramatic rescue on the Disney Dream, where crew members saved a father and daughter who had gone overboard. While still reeling from the gravity of that incident, Disney Cruise Line faced yet another test—this time involving a solo passenger suffering a critical medical crisis while far from shore. Without hesitation, the crew aboard the Disney Fantasy

Disneyland Paris has announced a comprehensive refurbishment of its Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast attraction, with the closure commencing on June 23, 2025. While the attraction has been closed since June 23, 2025, we now know that the extensive upgrade is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025, marking a significant enhancement to the popular Discoveryland ride. This attraction has faced complaints in the past for being in need of a refurbishment, so this news comes as a delight for many fans. Credit: Disney Key Upgrades Include There are several major things that Disney will target during this closure. Some include: Facade Revitalization: The attraction’s exterior, featuring radars, energy-collecting towers, and futuristic pillars, will undergo a complete repainting. The nearly two-meter-tall Buzz Lightyear statue and the marquee will also be refreshed. Additionally, the neon lighting on the five towers and radar dishes will be replaced to provide more vibrant illumination. Vehicle and Technology Enhancements: All current Astro Blasters, which allow guests to shoot targets, will be completely dismantled and replaced. Many of the ride vehicles will be repainted and equipped with new dashboards featuring improved displays. Credit: Disney Lighting Overhaul: Inside the attraction, lighting will be entirely revamped with the replacement of all spotlights and the refurbishment of special lighting effects. Some of the targets used by guests to score points in the battle against Zurg and his army of toy robots will also be replaced with new ones, offering

It’s finally happening—or at least, it might be. For years, Disney fans have joked and speculated about the return of Muppet Studios, a project that was planned decades ago but never fully came to life. But now, with Disney confirming that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is getting a Muppets-themed overlay, this long-abandoned concept is suddenly looking more like a real possibility. Could a full-blown Muppet Land be next? A Concept That Was Way Ahead of Its Time Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Disney had huge plans for the Muppets. Jim Henson and the Imagineering team were sketching out what would have been a full land at what was then called Disney-MGM Studios. The crown jewel? A parody attraction called The Great Muppet Movie Ride, a fun and chaotic spoof of The Great Movie Ride, where Kermit and the gang would recreate classic Hollywood scenes—Muppet style. There were also plans for two themed restaurants, a stage show, and plenty of chances to meet the characters. Sadly, most of those ideas were shelved after Henson died in 1990. All we got was MuppetVision 3D (which, to be fair, was hilarious in its 34-year run). Credit: Disney Rumors That Have Everyone Buzzing Fast forward to today, and Disney is getting ready to retheme Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster—and yes, the Muppets are taking over. According to a recent piece from Inside the Magic, Disney

Walt Disney World has always been more than a collection of thrill rides and fairy tales. For decades, it was also a place where bits and pieces of American history, culture, and charm were woven into the fabric of the parks. But slowly—sometimes so gradually that most guests hardly notice—those all-American touches have started to disappear. Credit: Brittany DiCologero, Inside the Magic This summer’s closures and changes serve as a reminder that Disney World is moving in a different direction. And for fans who remember how much Americana used to be baked into the Disney experience, it’s a little heartbreaking. With this being the week of the Fourth of July, let’s examine some of the most beloved American experiences that have changed or are disappearing. We’ll also examine some of the best patriotic experiences you can still enjoy. Farewell to the Rivers of America The biggest change is coming in just a matter of days, when Disney will officially shut down Rivers of America, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom. These weren’t just old-school attractions—they were living, breathing tributes to a different time in American history. Guests could climb aboard the Liberty Belle steamboat and cruise, soaking in the scenery and imagining life along the Mississippi. Tom Sawyer Island invited kids (and adventurous adults) to get lost in rope bridges, secret caves, and old wooden forts—bringing the spirit of

Walt Disney World is reportedly making significant improvements to its Disney PhotoPass service, which captures memories for guests throughout the theme parks. The change comes as Disney PhotoPass photographers are now seen using upgraded camera equipment, including a new camera system that promises to enhance the quality of photos for visitors. Credit: Disney A Significant Upgrade For years, Disney had a partnership with Nikon, which provided the cameras and equipment used by PhotoPass photographers in the parks. The collaboration, which started in 2013, included Nikon branding visible across Walt Disney World, from the camera gear used by photographers to displays in various locations within the parks. However, the partnership officially ended in 2021, and Disney quickly began removing Nikon branding from the parks. While the branding disappeared, the camera equipment itself remained in use. It wasn’t until recently, during a visit to EPCOT, that a noticeable change in the camera equipment was observed. Photographers were seen using a Sony A7IV camera, a significant departure from the Nikon D7500, which had been the standard for Disney PhotoPass photographers in the parks. The Sony A7IV, paired with a 24-105mm f/4 G-series lens, is a notable upgrade that will likely improve the quality of the photos taken for guests. The switch to a Sony system marks a significant upgrade for Disney, especially with the transition from a crop sensor to a full-frame sensor. This change will likely result in photos with improved clarity, richer detail, and better overall quality. The