MickeyBlog News for October 27th, 2025
Disney announced a new ride and all sorts of festival details this past week.
So, let’s not dilly-dally. Here’s MickeyBlog News for the week of October 26th.
All Hail Patrick Warburton
Photo: Disney
As far as surprise announcements go, this one was pretty high on the list.
With no warning whatsoever, Disney suddenly revealed the existence of a new ride overlay.
Specifically, Soarin’ will receive a new film during the summer of 2026.
This decision slots under Disney’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Disney Celebrates America will begin in just three weeks, but it will continue through July 4th Weekend.
One of the highlights will be the arrival of Soarin’ Across America, which is just what it sounds like.
Previous versions of Soarin’ highlighted California and then the global landmarks.
Soarin’ has been around so long that it will celebrate its 25th anniversary in February 2026.
So, Disney is following the wisdom of Kool & the Gang by celebrating good times all over the place.
Specifically, the parks that brought you Soarin’ Over California and Soarin’ Around the World will mix things up with a new version.
Disney is being a bit secretive with the details, which may be because we’re still half a year from Soarin’s reveal.
Still, here’s how the official Disney Parks Blog this upcoming version of Soarin’:
Soarin’
“The new bi-coastal offering will showcase the United States—from sea to shining sea—highlighting some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes.
“This will be brought to life with the iconic elements that make Soarin’ unforgettable – the flight, the sights and score, even the scents!
Photo: Disney
“Walt Disney Imagineering is hard at work capturing more than a dozen breathtaking locations for the new flight.”
So, big things are afoot at Disney California Adventure and EPCOT next summer.
If you don’t believe me, take it from your favorite captain, Patrick Warburton!
The Festival of the Arts Is Coming Soon
Disney could have stopped right there, and it would have been a huge week for news.
That’s not really Disney’s style, though, as the company tends to pile on the great news.
Disney
Sure enough, the company just confirmed the dates and details for the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts.
The next version of the beloved event starts on January 16th and runs through February 23rd.
Completer Prize
Those dates almost exactly mirror the 2025 schedule, with both events starting on the third Friday in January.
Then, the event lasts for five weeks and finishes on a Monday. This information should help you in future years.
Crowds
But I’m getting ahead of myself. What matters right now is 2026, which is just two months away!
Let’s start with the one that matters most to you. Yes, DISNEY ON BROADWAY will return!
Disney on Broadway
As usual, America Gardens Theatre will host three nightly performances of one of Disney’s biggest Broadway stars.
Presumably, all these shows will sell out quickly, as they have done since the festival’s inception in 2017.
Photo: Disney
So, Disney will once again sell DISNEY ON BROADWAY dining packages.
I view these meals the same way I do the ones with the Candlelight Processional.
Photo: Disney
Presuming you have any desire to catch a show, you MUST book a dining package.
Otherwise, you’ll get shut out. So, speak with MickeyTravels to guarantee a seat at the show.
Book with MickeyTravels now!
These agents will know when the dining packages go on sale and which ones provide the best value.
Disney also confirmed the return of the Food Studios (duh!) and the scavenger hunt.
Yes, guests can participate in Figment’s Brush with the Masters again in 2026.
Disney Miscellany Part One
We’ve still got a lot to cover this week, starting with some exciting news for me personally.
My favorite ride in the world, Spaceship Earth, has reopened after its recent refurbishment.
Technically, this was a soft reopening at first, with the official return occurring on Saturday, October 25th.
MickeyBlog’s ace reporters visited the ride almost immediately after its surprise return.
They noticed brighter visuals, more fluid Audio-Animatronics, and superior audio.
So, Disney took something great and plussed it without touching the spirit of Spaceship Earth.
For people like me, that’s music to our ears, as the ride’s perfect as is. Don’t @ me.
On the Disney Jollywood Nights front, I’ve got additional unexpected news.
Photo: Disney
The after-hours party will add four new characters this year, including Bing Bong from Inside Out!
Also, Chewbacca will be wearing his “Life Day” outfit when he meets fans, which I’m sure means something to somebody.
All I know is that he’s grumpy and furry and apparently has a wife, something I learned from The Big Bang Theory.
The other big park news at Disney’s Hollywood Studios involves a moved character greeting.
Disney has temporarily relocated the live-action version of Ariel’s character greeting.
There’s a lot of that going around, too. I previously mentioned several changes a couple of weeks ago.
Now, we’ve got more, starting with Goofy’s recent move at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Russell and Dug have also relocated to a new home, which will take some getting used to for me and mine.
Since there’s a lot of this happening, Madison Owens has thoughtfully put together an updated list.
Disney Miscellany Part Two
Meanwhile, at DinoLand USA, the end is near. Disney has officially closed Trilo-Bites and Dino-Bite Snacks.
The Countdown to extinction for everything else has dropped to double digits, too. It won’t be long now.
So, you really do need that to know what’s open where everything is at Animal Kingdom right now.
Speaking of which, those of you who plan to visit Walt Disney World this holiday season should know something.
Photo: Disney
Some – although not many — tickets still require theme park reservations.
If you’re getting one of those tickets, please be aware that holiday season theme park reservations are booking quickly.
Photo: Disney
On the other coast, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Disneyland Park.
Imagineers have restored the snow effects at Sleeping Beauty Castle.
If you’ve never seen them, they are quite magical and worth a look.
Finally, the Disney Destiny has unveiled its Black Panther statue in the Grand Hall.
Photo: Walt Disney Imagineering
In a matter of weeks, thousands of vacationers will taking their pictures by this statue.
So, stay tuned to MickeyBlog to learn more about the maiden voyage of the Disney Destiny!
Disney
Have a great week, my many loves.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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Feature Photo: Disney
