Disney Headlines for July 22nd, 2025
Disney headlines, July 2025, Walt Disney Company,
I’ll explain the recent good news and the impending bits of joy in this week’s Disney Headlines.
Happy Birthday, Disneyland!
Milestone birthdays are very in at Disney right now. In October 2023, your favorite company celebrated its 100th anniversary.
In 1923, Roy and Walt Disney, the business expert and the creative genius, started Disney.
A few decades later, Walt wanted to try something new. So, he built The Happiness Place on Earth.
Let’s just say it wasn’t easy, with Walt nearly going broke in the process. Also, Disneyland’s opening day was a debacle.
Photo: Disney
Still, tourists recognized a good thing when they saw it, leading to explosive growth in the theme park industry.
While Disneyland was far from a sure thing when it opened in 1955, its name is now synonymous with excellence.
Photo: Disneyland
You can understand why Disney officials were so proud of Disneyland on its 70th birthday last week.
As MickeyBlog has been recounting for a while, the Disneyland 70 party started in May.
Photo: Disney
However, Disney saved something special for the actual date on July 17th.
That’s when Disneyland unveiled the divisive yet impressive new show, Walt Disney – A Magical Life.
Photo: Disney
I discussed the debate over this Audio Animatronic the other day, but let’s just focus on the positive.
The show is a huge hit, and you’ll understand precisely why by watching this video.
Disney deserves so much credit for telling the life story of the company founder so elegantly.
Sure, we could quibble in the margins about the Walt Disney Audio Animatronic, as I don’t think anyone would say it’s perfect.
But the play is the thing here. When you watch A Magical Life, you’ll feel better about your Disney fandom.
More Disney Park Excitement
Photo: Disney
That’s the point, and it’s also the perfect addition on the date of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary.
Just think back to that disastrous date in 1955 and imagine how Walt Disney would have felt if he’d known the future.
Photo: Disney
The man literally banked his life’s savings on a wild gamble. Seventy years later, his robot likeness held court on Main Street, U.S.A.
This turn of events boggles the mind and speaks to the legacy of Walt Disney as well as the greatness of Imagineers.
Of course, there’s a lot of that going around right now. Disney loaded up July a ridiculous amount this year.
I’m not even talking about Cool Kid Summer, which has been an impeccable seasonal addition.
Disney Starlight
No, I’m referencing the debut of Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, which had a surprising start.
Since the parade was ready for prime time, Disney just went ahead and launched it two days early.
Disney Starlight
That trial run went so smoothly that Disney Starlight ran twice on Saturday, July 19th.
Why is that a big deal? The parade technically didn’t debut until July 20th.
By that point, Disney had already beta tested the parade three times. Folks, it’s here to stay now.
Also, like A Magical Life, this new entertainment option is a masterpiece. Check it out:
That train at the end has a name, Whimsy, and it’s absolutely spectacular from a visual AND technological standpoint.
Test Track – EPCOT
Disney’s on a heater right now both creatively and financially. Since these things rarely last, enjoy the good times.
In fact, there’s more fun today, as Test Track 3.0 opens. Technically, the debut occurs on July 22nd.
However, Disney’s been running sneak previews for a while. Here’s a video of the new ride:
It’s absolutely gorgeous, isn’t it?
The Other Good News
Photo: Disney
Humor me for a minute. Early in the pandemic, I was researching some grim stuff to keep you informed.
Since then, Disney has been on the ropes more often than not, which is why I’m savoring right now.
Photo: Disney
Seriously, everything is going right for Disney at the moment. That includes the Entertainment division.
Lilo & Stitch, which I (too) confidently told you was going to be a blockbuster, has surprised even me.
Photo: Disney
The film just reached $1 billion, which is frankly at least 25 percent more than I’d expected prior to release.
Currently, my wife’s favorite character in the world stars in the number one movie of 2025.
Let’s just say that she’s smiling a lot, and yes, we have LOTS of new Stitch merchandise.
They were supposed to be Christmas presents, but she didn’t wait. I’m sure you can relate.
Photo: Disney
On the television front, Disney’s Emmy performance wasn’t as historic as last year.
Then again, it never had a chance of making that happen. Disney’s 2024 Emmys were like its 2019 box office run.
Hollywood Reporter PHOTOGRAPHED BY DIANA KING
Sometimes, you set a record so high that even you can’t break it. That’s the case here.
Still, Disney did phenomenally well, all things considered. The question is whether it’s enough for Dana Walden.
(Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images)
Everything is relative in Disney’s race to succeed Bob Iger as CEO.
Walden’s candidacy had more momentum at this time a year ago with all of Hulu’s successes.
(Photo by Adam Kissick/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images)
Now, the parks are currently (slightly) hotter, giving Josh D’Amaro’s candidacy stronger positioning.
I’ll discuss this more in an upcoming power rankings update, but the ego aspect gets overblown.
Photo: JIM CARCHIDI
Both executives happily work for Disney, and they know that their jobs are going great right now.
One Final Thought
Entrance gates
Five years ago today, Walt Disney World’s theme parks had just reopened in the face of pure chaos.
People were questioning whether Disney even should be operational and whether it could keep guests safe.
Magic Kingdom
Fast forward to now, and the company’s objectively doing its best since 2019, the time before the pandemic.
That’s the point that keeps circling through my head in the wake of Disney’s 70th anniversary.
Photo: Disney
The park wasn’t even open on the date of its 65th anniversary. So, that’s why we should all savor Disneyland 70.
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Feature Photo: Disney
