Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2025 Edition

[fatmanatee]

Did I miss something with the timing of these announcements? Seems random.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1930798597638869015

 

[Elijah Abrams]

What happened to DisneylandForward? Didn’t they have a plan to turn some parking lots into expansion space?

 

[wabbott]

What happened to DisneylandForward? Didn’t they have a plan to turn some parking lots into expansion space?

They say this is part of that project, it looks like.

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...-forward-project-including-ride-closure-more/

Disneyland Resort is also moving forward with plans for a new parking structure and transportation hub on the east side of the property, using part of the current Manchester cast member parking lot. The new development will add around 6,000 parking spaces, along with dedicated areas for shuttles, rideshares, and security screening. It will also include a direct access point from Disney Way, helping to improve overall traffic flow throughout the resort area. As shown in the concept art, the project includes a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard, offering guests a new esplanade arrival experience and convenient public access to and from Harbor. The extensive construction of this new arrival experience is set to start in the fall of 2026.

 

[LKing]

The parking structure/transportation center is part of Disneyland Forward.

https://www.anaheim.net/DocumentCenter/View/53059/DisneylandForward-fact-sheet

 

[mickey916]

This is great news: Grilled Corn Returns to Animal Kingdom

 

[Elijah Abrams]

They say this is part of that project, it looks like.

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...-forward-project-including-ride-closure-more/

Disneyland Resort is also moving forward with plans for a new parking structure and transportation hub on the east side of the property, using part of the current Manchester cast member parking lot. The new development will add around 6,000 parking spaces, along with dedicated areas for shuttles, rideshares, and security screening. It will also include a direct access point from Disney Way, helping to improve overall traffic flow throughout the resort area. As shown in the concept art, the project includes a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard, offering guests a new esplanade arrival experience and convenient public access to and from Harbor. The extensive construction of this new arrival experience is set to start in the fall of 2026.

I was wondering more about the current Simba lot and the Stitch CM lot. Weren’t they going to turn those into areas for new rides/attractions?

 

[LKing]

I was wondering more about the current Simba lot and the Stitch CM lot. Weren’t they going to turn those into areas for new rides/attractions?

Yes, eventually. According to the Anaheim.net document I shared above, the development will take place over four decades.

Editing to add screenshots.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Message from Kermit on the last day of MuppetVision 3D, takeover of RnRC to happen in 2026.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1931320877884293230

https://twitter.com/x/status/1931320922385858561

 

[pens4821]

Message from Kermit on the last day of MuppetVision 3D, takeover of RnRC to happen in 2026.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1931320877884293230

https://twitter.com/x/status/1931320922385858561

Really hoping for RnR to still be open end of January. Not only is it my favorite ride, but it was closed our last trip. Two of our other favorites will be also be closed (Big Thunder/Buzz).

 

[HokieRaven5]

Heather Henson was the last guest to enter the MuppetVision 3D theater

 

[Minnie1222]

My cousins and I were among the first few groups to watch Muppets when it first opened, and two of us had the opportunity to sit for our last show at the end of last month. Don't worry! The rest of the cousins are still alive. They're just too lazy to haul their behinds to Orlando. It was nice to have the opportunity to say goodbye.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

I’m definitely sure all these projects were announced and have been/are about to be commenced, because Bob Iger knows he’s leaving Disney and retiring in 2026 and he’s made them his final projects before his departure.

 

[SeanW]

Heather Henson was the last guest to enter the MuppetVision 3D theater

I saw that, and I would think it would have been cute idea for Disney Parks socials to have a video of her grabbing the key from under the mat and locking the doors.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Message from Kermit on the last day of MuppetVision 3D, takeover of RnRC to happen in 2026.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1931320877884293230

https://twitter.com/x/status/1931320922385858561

(“Cryin” by Aerosmith intensifies)

 

[crazy4wdw]

Disney Store to sell talking figures of Walt Disney:

https://mickeyblog.com/2025/06/11/a-walt-disney-talking-figure-is-coming-soon-to-the-disney-store/

 

[cellomom]

Blog Mickey
New Fort Wilderness Pool Under Construction: Meadows Mystery Project Revealed

According to information provided by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, the mystery project taking place near the Meadows Swimmin’ Pool at Fort Wilderness is actually another swimming pool. Here’s what we know.
New Swimming Pool Coming to Fort Wilderness

We’ve been tracking the work since April 2024, when Walt Disney World filed a permit for “confidential facility improvements”. The initial permit did not indicate that a swimming pool was planned, instead focusing on a new 5,500 sqft building. Now, new information from Walt Disney World’s governing authority sheds some new light on the project. Walt Disney World did not return a request for comment.

According to public information maintained by the CFTOD, the construction that is now underway at the Meadows is for a second swimming pool. The building is going to house a restroom and equipment for the pool.


As seen in our file photo below, the pool equipment building and restroom building is highlighted in red. The pool will fit into the empty space between the building and the existing pool area. It’s unclear if the existing pool will remain open, or if it will close or receive updates.



Thinking about the why of this project, Walt Disney World plans on opening the Disney Lakeshore Lodge hotel on the very north end of Fort Wilderness property in 2027. Permits indicate that Lakeshore Lodge will have quite the pool area, perhaps even some mini-water park elements like a lazy river. The hotel looks like it’ll be a very nice property (location notwithstanding).

My guess is that the pool complex for Lakeshore Lodge may not be open to regular Fort Wilderness guests, or at least, non-DVC Fort Wilderness guests. If that’s the case, an expansion of the pool area to ensure that the current lineup of guests has plenty of room to lounge would make sense. Disney has not announced any restrictions for Lakeshore Lodge, and details about the new hotel remain slim. In fact, Disney hasn’t even released updated concept art for the hotel since the project was resurrected.

 

[HokieRaven5]

NEW: Sept. 1 is last day to experience The Boneyard at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The area will permanently close on Sept. 2 to make way for Tropical Americas construction.

NEW: Disney also confirmed Tropical Americas *will* have a new kids play area when the land opens.

Scott Gustin

 

[HokieRaven5]

Test Track Reopens July 22

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/test-track-reopening-date-july-22/?CMP=SOC-DPFY25Q3wo0612250009G

 

[mcjaco]

Test Track Reopens July 22

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/test-track-reopening-date-july-22/?CMP=SOC-DPFY25Q3wo0612250009G

Love it when I'm told the right info. LOL


So much for all the youtubers stating it was being delayed because it's estimated opening date was removed from the website.