MickeyBlog News for January 13th, 2025
Hello, my friends! I hope you’re safe and warm wherever you are.
This week has proved trying on both coasts. I’m experiencing a rare snow day, as is most of the south.


Olaf’s Frozen Adventure – on Disney+
Meanwhile, California has suffered through a waking nightmare that impacted many theme parks.
We’ll discuss the Disneyland part of the story in MickeyBlog News.
Before I get to that, I want to say that I know it’s been bad for a lot of you. I’m truly sorry if you’re one of the impacted.
Disneyland Stays Open


Universal
Universal Studios Hollywood resides approximately 35 miles from Disneyland.
That difference never felt larger than during the past few days, as Universal sits dangerously close to the disaster zone.


Photo: ABC News
The raging California brush fires devastated wide swaths of Southern California, forcing several people I know to evacuate.
Thankfully, they were among the “lucky” ones in that they left due to air quality issues.


Photo: KGET
Many Californians are currently homeless in the wake of this devastating natural disaster.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s proximity to the brush fires forced the park’s closure on Wednesday and Thursday.

Photo: The Independent
Management made the highly questionable decision to reopen on Friday, and they’ve rightfully been loudly second-guessed for it.
Many Universal employees were either directly impacted or had family members in the area. So, it’s not a great call for them, just Comcast.


Photo: The Hollywood Reporter
Disneyland didn’t face the same local pressure as it was 50 miles south of most of the worst.
Still, as you might imagine, many of the wonderful Cast Members at Disneyland were impacted as well.


Photo: Wikipedia
Walt Disney Studios even had to close due to the weather.
So, while we’re all happy that the parks didn’t need to close during this nightmarish event, it’s still been tough on workers.


The Walt Disney Company
For those of you visiting Disneyland over the next few weeks, please remember that and treat the Cast Members with kindness.
They deserve that anyway, but it’s especially true in early 2025. This was a bad week.
On to Disney News…


Photo:visitorlando.com
There’s no tasteful way to pivot from something so traumatic to a Disney discussion.
Still, you’re probably here for the fun stuff and need the distraction. So, here we go…


Photo: orlandoattractions.com
Something funny happened in Orlando this week. Walt Disney World had a snowy forecast!
The park’s “no snow” streak dates back to the 1970s, and it remains that way.
While there was a weather advisory in place, and we did post advice on how to handle the snow, Jack Frost never nipped anybody’s nose.
There was a moment on Friday when I stared out my own door and watched the dedicated Domino’s delivery person try to do his job.


Photo: Disney
Someone had ordered a pizza despite our having several inches of snow on the ground, which shuts down civilization in Tennessee.
This person dutifully parked their car in front of a hill and hiked the rest of the way. That’s how the weather was in the south.


Photo: Disneyplanning.com
As usual, Florida remained above the fray, though.
When I asked my wife whether it was snowing at Disney World, she replied, “It’s currently 65 degrees.”
And that’s why people vacation in Florida and/or plan to retire there. The Sunshine State is accurately named.
Disneyland Miscellany
The first thing you need to know is that Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite has sold out for every night.
That’s not a surprise to any attentive Disneyland fans, as it seems to happen each year.


Photo: Disney
Still, 2025 has sold out quicker than usual. Those of you planning to attend a different Disneyland After Dark should hurry.
All the other events will sell out as well. So, please speak with a MickeyTravels agent as soon as possible to avoid missing out! The FOMO is real!


Photo: Disney
By the way, if you were one of the fortunate folks who scored Sweethearts’ Nite tickets, here are your dining options!
At Disneyland, there was some initial confusion about Haunted Mansion Holiday.


Storytelling with Deadpool
Eventually, Disney confirmed that the beloved attraction overlay will return on August 22nd.
I do have some bad news, though. Storytime with Deadpool has closed.


Storytelling with Deadpool
Disney didn’t provide much context here, but I’m confident we haven’t seen the last of Deadpool at Disney California Adventure.
Disneyland is also offering the kind of discount that should become the norm.


Photo: Disney
Magic Key holders can save 50 percent on Lightning Lane purchases this month.
If you want a Magic Key, Disney has also made it a bit easier to know when the annual passes are available to buy.
Walt Disney World Miscellany


Photo: Disney
At Walt Disney World, festival season is already upon us again.
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays closed 12 days again, but its replacement is right around the corner.


Photo: Disney Parks
We just learned the full menu for the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. And yes! There’s a new Figment popcorn bucket.
Disney temporarily closed CommuniCore Hall & Plaza to prepare its new look for the festival. I love that this place changes with each festival.


Photo: Disney Parks
At Magic Kingdom, construction has officially begun around Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Disney also updated the dialogue on the Walt Disney World Railroad to reflect the fact that the ride isn’t open this year.
We had another runDisney event at the parks this weekend. So, Disney released some marathon news.
Here’s the full list of 2025/2026 races. And here are the medals for the virtual runDisney races.


Photo: Disney
As usual, the event forced some minor theme park operating hours changes.
Oh, and if you thought you saw a firefighter racing, it wasn’t your imagination.

Photo: Disney
For Disney Vacation Club members, the company announced its 2025 Moonlight Magic events. So, I’ll see you there!
Okay, that’s everything for this week. Please be safe and warm, my many loves.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!