Category: InsideTheMagic

A rare winter storm has brought significant disruption to Florida, causing widespread travel delays and impacting vacation plans for countless Disney World visitors. Credit: Inside The Magic Hundreds of Disney World Trips Canceled or Delayed Airports across the Florida Panhandle, including Pensacola International Airport and Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, announced closures due to hazardous weather conditions, leaving many travelers stranded or unable to begin their journeys. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency, underscoring the severity of this unusual weather event. The winter storm is delivering an unprecedented three to six inches of snow in some areas of northern Florida. These conditions have created treacherous roadways and low visibility, forcing several airports to suspend operations. Pensacola International Airport: Closed all commercial operations on Tuesday, advising travelers to contact their airlines for updates. The airport took to social media, urging locals to prioritize safety: “Stay safe and warm, Pensacola!” Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport: Announced closures from noon CST on Tuesday, with plans to reopen the following day. Travelers were similarly advised to stay in touch with their airlines for rescheduling information. For Disney World guests, these closures led to countless canceled or delayed vacations, as flights to and from major connecting airports were heavily impacted. Credit: Inside The Magic The Impact on Disney World Vacations Disney World in Orlando, typically unaffected by snowstorms, felt the ripple effects as

Lucasfilm appears to be treading water when it comes to theatrical releases despite an ever-expanding list of announced projects. Credit: Lucasfilm Following Disney’s divisive sequel trilogy, Lucasfilm has largely stepped away from theatrical releases, turning its attention to streaming. Since the debut of The Mandalorian in 2019, Disney+ has become the epicenter of Star Wars storytelling. Shows like The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and the most recent Skeleton Crew have fleshed out the New Republic era, while projects such as Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Acolyte, and The Bad Batch continue to explore different corners of the timeline. Now, after three hit seasons, Jon Favreau is set to bring The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) to the big screen. This feature-length adventure—scheduled for a May 22, 2026 release—could potentially take the place of The Mandalorian Season 4, though nothing has been officially confirmed. As always with Lucasfilm, plans remain fluid. Credit: Lucasfilm Originally, a second Star Wars film was penciled in for December 2026, widely believed to be Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Rey Skywalker project. However, Disney has since canceled that release and replaced the slot with Ice Age 6 under 20th Century Studios. At the moment, The Mandalorian and Grogu stands as the only confirmed Star Wars movie with an official release date, as the December 2026 film has been removed from the slate. In the midst of all this uncertainty, new reports suggest additional films are still in development. Insider Daniel Richtman recently claimed that

Disney World is constantly evolving, and as we move into 2025, guests can expect some exciting changes across the parks. One of the recent updates at Disney’s Hollywood Studios involves Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, where the park had been testing a modified single-rider line. The temporary change allowed groups of two to use the single-rider queue, providing a more efficient way for pairs to experience the attraction without waiting in the standard line. However, Disney has now ended the test, reverting the single-rider line back to its original purpose—serving solo guests looking to bypass the regular wait. Credit: Disney / Canva Smugglers Run, located in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, offers guests a thrilling opportunity to pilot the legendary Millennium Falcon. Riders are assigned roles such as pilot, engineer, or gunner, creating an interactive experience that changes with each ride. The decision to discontinue the two-person single-rider option might impact those hoping to cut down on wait times with a companion, but Disney is always exploring new ways to improve guest flow and efficiency. Looking ahead to 2025, several closures and refurbishments are shaping the guest experience at Disney World. Over at EPCOT, Test Track is currently closed for an extensive reimagining. The beloved attraction, known for its high-speed thrills and futuristic design, is undergoing a major overhaul to bring a fresh, updated experience to guests. While Disney has yet to announce a reopening date, fans are eager to see what new technology and storytelling elements will be

Chairman of Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro and Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment Alan Bergman are scheduled to speak at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025 in a presentation that will shine a light on the future of the Disney theme parks and other entertainment offerings. In the wake of President Donald Trump‘s second inauguration, many Disney Parks fans are wondering how the inclusive company will function under conservative leadership. Some have suggested that Walt Disney World Resort will shutter its Hall of Presidents attraction rather than reinstate President Trump in its spotlight. After Trump signed an executive order declaring that there are only two genders in the United States (male and female), other fans wondered if Walt Disney Studios plans to slash LGBTQIA+ representation in films. Credit: ABC The Walt Disney Company is thinking about its future, too. Josh D’Amaro and Alan Bergman are scheduled to give a forward-centered presentation at SXSW this year. According to theme park journalist Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin on X), Disney will showcase “the convergence of imagination, innovation, and the future of experiential storytelling” in a session called “The Future of World-Building at Disney.” NEW: Josh D’Amaro and Alan Bergman will speak at SXSW 2025 in March. D’Amaro and Berman will speak during a session titled “The Future of World-Building at Disney” that highlights “the convergence of imagination, innovation, and the future of experiential storytelling.” “Join Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman and special guests as they show

Universal Orlando is gearing up for an exciting 2025, but with progress comes temporary closures. The beloved Hogwarts Express, which transports guests between the Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, is scheduled for a short refurbishment at the end of January. Fans of the magical train have until January 28 to experience the journey before it goes offline for maintenance, with operations expected to resume on January 31. Credit: Aunesty Janssen / Flickr This isn’t the first time the Hogwarts Express has been taken offline for upkeep this year. Earlier in January, it briefly closed for a similar maintenance window, ensuring the attraction remains in top condition for the heavy crowds that flock to the parks year-round. While these temporary closures are routine, they serve as a reminder that Universal Orlando is constantly evolving to offer the best guest experience. Credit: NBCUniversal The biggest development on the horizon is the highly anticipated opening of Epic Universe in May 2025. This brand-new theme park promises to take Universal Orlando to the next level with immersive lands inspired by How to Train Your Dragon, Dark Universe, and an expanded Wizarding World experience featuring the Ministry of Magic. Epic Universe is set to redefine theme park entertainment, offering cutting-edge attractions, dining, and experiences that will bring new competition to Central Florida’s theme park landscape. Credit: LunchboxLarry, Flickr With all these changes coming, Universal Orlando guests should stay

As of today, the iconic marquee for Voyage of the Little Mermaid has been completely removed, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of this classic attraction. Disney is gearing up for the debut of an all-new show, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, set to premiere this summer. Credit: Disney Originally slated to open sooner, the show’s debut was delayed, with Disney using the additional time to fine-tune what promises to be an immersive and magical experience. According to Disney, the new production will feature “stunning new set pieces, cutting-edge effects, and a bold new design that captures Ariel’s imagination and emotions through her unique view of the world around her.” This updated show will stay faithful to the animated classic, with highlights like the beloved Kiss the Girl sequence. In preparation for the new show, work began in October 2024 with Disney announcing updates to the building exterior. Until now, there were few visible signs of change, but the removal of the marquee signals the start of a new era for Ariel fans. Saying Goodbye to the Voyage Sign Credit: Redbird310 via Flickr The previous marquee was a fan favorite, featuring 3D depictions of Ariel, Flounder, and Sebastian set against an underwater-themed backdrop. Iconic characters like Ursula and King Triton were also represented as flat illustrations, creating a whimsical introduction to the attraction. With the marquee now gone, Disney is paving the way for a new design that will welcome guests

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has officially arrived at EPCOT…Well, kind of. Throughout the year, Walt Disney World Resort offers Annual Passholders giveaways, exclusive snacks and merchandise, and discounts throughout Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As EPCOT kicks off its annual International Festival of the Arts, the second Central Florida Disney park is saving some special surprises for its most frequent visitors. Credit: Disney From now until February 28, all Walt Disney World Resort Annual Passholders can visit the Creations Shop in World Celebration during regular operating hours to receive a complimentary Tiana’s Bayou Adventure-inspired magnet. X (formerly Twitter) user @DrewDisneyDude shared this photo of the freebie, which features Ray from The Princess and the Frog (2009): Here is the Ray Passholder magnet that is available today through February 28 in Creations Shop at EPCOT! He’s reaching towards Evangeline.   Here is the Ray Passholder magnet that is available today through February 28 in Creations Shop at EPCOT! He’s reaching towards Evangeline. https://t.co/dx7RMUFdR3 pic.twitter.com/vyFdVEb95v — Drew Smith (@DrewDisneyDude) January 21, 2025   No reservation is required to pick up the magnet, but Annual Passholders must have a valid Disney Park Pass reservation for EPCOT, visit on a good-to-go day, or arrive at the theme park after 2:00 p.m. Theme park entry is subject to block-out dates. Credit: Disney There’s more Annual Passholder-exclusive magic at EPCOT this season! Through February 28, Annual Passholders can purchase an exclusive

Magic Kingdom is on the brink of some major changes, and if you’re a longtime fan of the park, you’ll want to buckle up for what’s coming. Credit: Inside the Magic One of the biggest updates in the works is the introduction of a brand-new Cars themed area, which will bring some high-octane excitement to Frontierland. However, with change comes nostalgia, as this expansion will mean the closure of two classic attractions: Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America. The new Cars land promises to bring two exciting attractions, with one focusing on off-road racing. Fans of the Pixar franchise can expect to see Radiator Springs reimagined in the wilderness of Frontierland, blending the charm of the Old West with the high-speed thrills of Lightning McQueen and friends. While this new addition sounds thrilling, it’s bittersweet for those who have cherished the laid-back experience of floating down the river on the Liberty Belle or exploring the hidden nooks of Tom Sawyer Island. Credit: Disney Disney first announced this massive overhaul during the D23 Expo, creating a lot of buzz in the theme park community. Since then, things have been moving behind the scenes, with Disney filing the first permit in August 2024. However, the process hasn’t been entirely smooth. The South Florida Water Management District initially requested more information about the environmental impact of the project, causing some delays. Disney responded in December 2024, asking for more time to address concerns, and finally submitted

Several more Universal Studios locations have shut down. Credit: Universal Studios Related: Avoid These Universal Orlando Rides: What Fans Say Isn’t Worth the Wait While change is a necessary part of the theme park game, it can still be hard to see places close. Over the last week, some rather big changes have taken place at Universal Studios Hollywood, some of which may surprise longtime visitors. Following our reports earlier this month, the Abercrombie & Fitch location at Universal Studios Hollywood has officially closed. The clothing storefront was part of Universal’s CityWalk, an outdoor dining and shopping hub designed to relax after or before a day at the parks. Not only are Universal guests losing access to this location, but the resort also said goodbye to Sparky’s. This popular location provided fresh-baked donuts to visitors, though the store was likely most famous for its incredibly unique signage on and around Sparky’s entrance. Abercrombie & Fitch has closed at CityWalk Hollywood. Abercrombie & Fitch has closed at CityWalk Hollywood. @UniStudios pic.twitter.com/M1lsChF8GZ — Inside Universal (@insideuniversal) January 15, 2025 Another bites the dust! Sparky’s gone at universal city walk Another bites the dust! Sparky’s gone at universal city walk pic.twitter.com/OJPSyJ7Ewh — FIVE FIRES (@thecalibae) January 20, 2025 Related: Multiple Orlando Theme Parks Announce Immediate Closure for All Ticketed Guests Sparky’s closure was confirmed at the start of the month, which came as somewhat of a surprise for