MickeyBlog News for March 17th, 2025
New rides and experiences are coming to Disney theme parks around the world.
We just learned a ton more about these attractions, and I’ll spill the beans in this week’s MickeyBlog News.
A Mini-D23
Photo: History.com
The headline going into March was that three different Disney executives had high-profile speaking engagements this month.
You and I don’t care, but Hollywood and Wall Street perceived these appearances as integral to Disney’s succession wars.
Photo: Deadline
Currently, every person with the Chairman title at The Walt Disney Company is trying to follow Bob Iger as CEO.
Two of the four, Alan Bergman and Josh D’Amaro, appeared at the South by Southwest festival.
Photo: Disney
The expectation was that they were both jockeying for favor, but the whole thing turned into a festival of friendship instead.
D’Amaro, the head of Disney Experiences, joined Bergman, the Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, at SXSW.
Photo: Disney
This wasn’t D’Amaro’s first appearance at the event, but he’d always appeared solo in the past.
For the 2025 event, Disney wanted to show the world how closely its various divisions work together on all things.
Photo: JIM CARCHIDI
So, Disney brought out the stars and storytellers to demonstrate the cohesion among the film and theme park businesses.
Actor/director Jon Favreau, Inside Out director Pete Docter, and screen legend Robert Downey Jr. all appeared.
Photo: Disney
And Downey, in particular, acted like he was living out a childhood dream by working on theme park attractions.
His buddy, Favreau, also delighted in the fact that the Disney Flywheel will spin in his favor in May 2025.
Photo: Disney
As for Docter, the Chief Creative Officer at Pixar, wanted to show off an idea he’d had more than 20 years ago.
This group of Disney talents revealed several new innovations coming to theme parks soon and…not so soon.
Here’s what they revealed.
Let’s Talk Star Wars!
Jon Favreau
Disney started with Favreau, the creator of The Mandalorian.
The actor/director wholesomely thanked SXSW for everyone’s warm reception to his delightful film, Chef.
Photo: Nick Agro/AFP via Getty Images
Then, he started selling his next film, The Mandalorian & Grogu, which comes out in May 2026. Here comes the synergy.
Disney revealed that BDX Droids, the one seen in The Mandalorian and the upcoming movie, are making a comeback.
Photo: Disney
We previously saw them in a controlled setting at Disneyland Park.
Now, they’ll appear at Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, and Walt Disney World. And that’s not all!
Photo: Disney
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will add an entirely new mission based on The Mandalorian & Grogu.
I’m not even a Star Wars fan, yet I marked out at a location reveal for this mission.
Guests will travel to the remnants of the second Death Star for this particular heist!
Even More Ride News
Photo: Disney
For his part, Docter told an anecdote about the creation of Monsters, Inc.
While working on his directorial debut, Docter came up with the unforgettable multi-door chase at the end of the film.
Photo: Disney
Docter envisioned it as a Disney attraction. Now, life will imitate art as Imagineers build Monstropolis.
Disney revealed the ride lift for the upcoming Monstropolis roller coaster, and it’s…stunning. You can read more about it here.
Photo: Disney
The Pixar crew also showed off their summer vacation pictures from when they went off-roading.
Don’t worry! It was a working vacation, as Disney planned the new ride cart for the Cars thrill ride coming to Magic Kingdom.
Photo: @michael.e.moriarty via Instagram
Finally, RDJ got on stage and gleefully talked about how he was working on Stark Flight Lab, alongside the Imagineers.
This thing looks like a vomit comet to me, but RDJ’s excitement was endearing.
Photo: Disney
By the way, We Call It Imagineering is back. You can learn more about the rides by watching the latest YouTube video.
Disney Miscellany
Other than SXSW, this was an unusually quiet week at Disney.
We did learn about some pricing changes with Walt Disney World annual pass payments.
Kali River Rapids
Also, Kali River Rapids has opened after its annual winter refurbishment , and the Bat House is back, too.
Meanwhile, the Winter Summerland mini-golf course is about to close for its upcoming refurbishment.
Photo Credit: https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Winter_Summerland_Miniature_Golf
At Magic Kingdom, we got our first look at the Disney Starlight parade. We will soon Dream the Night Away.
Along those lines, something spectacular happened this week. For the first time ever, the Disneyland Band played at Disney World!
H2O Glow After Hours
The other news on the Orlando campus is that H2O Glow After Hours will return at Typhoon Lagoon this summer!
On the other coast, there’s news that may impact your upcoming hotel stay.
Photo: Disney
Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa won’t have its private entrance to Disney California Adventure available for a while.
Management is updating the entire setup and must close the section until it has completed the upgrades.
Photo: Disney
Speaking of Disneyland, the 70th anniversary discount deals have arrived!
You can speak with a MickeyTravels agent to learn specifics, but please be aware this isn’t the only deal right now.
Disney is also offering a Disney Cruise Line/Walt Disney World deal that’s truly exceptional.
More Disney Miscellany
Photo: D23
Speaking of deals, D23 members will love what they can do on April 12th.
Mickey’s of Glendale will make a rare appearance at Disney World. It’s a pop-up event selling exclusive Imagineering merch!
Disney
How rare is this opportunity? If I weren’t traveling the previous week, I’d strongly consider a flight to Orlando. Not even joking.
For those of you in the area that week, this is a MUST-DO! Join D23 today if you haven’t already.
Photo: mission-food.com
Finally, I’ve got two restaurant updates. My beloved Whispering Canyon Café will close soon for refurbishment.
On the bright side, Paddy’s Bar is now open at Raglan Road! MickeyBlog’s ace reporters got a look for you.
Paddy’s Bar on Raglan Road
Okay, that’s everything for this week. Enjoy March Madness, my many loves.
Oh, and don’t miss our equivalent, Mickey Madness, which is coming this week!
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Feature Photo: DIsney
