MickeyBlog News for November 3rd, 2025

The holiday season has arrived at Disney theme parks, and that’s not all!

We discovered whether Disneyland Resort would add a new tax, and we got a sneak preview of a new attraction.

So, this is a busy week for MickeyBlog News! Let’s get started.

That Was Halloween  

Good times never last, even at Disney theme parks. Yes, Halloween season has come to a close.

Weep not for what we’ve lost, though. Something even better is right around the corner!

As we speak, Imagineers are dutifully transitioning the parks to the final holiday season of 2025.

Yes, Christmas is starting to arrive at the parks, as demonstrated at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

As usual, Disney parks made the big switch in the midnight hours after Halloween.

Technically, Disney waited until November 2^nd this year, which means it happened overnight.

There’s a lot happening at the park right now, including at Disneyland, where we know where the characters will be.

Still, we’re still a few days away from the real action, which begins when the Christmas trees arrive.

After that, the holiday parties will begin, and everyone knows this.

That’s why many of the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party events have sold out recently.

The parties start this coming weekend, and Disney has kindly revealed details about them.

We’ve got the full list of foods and beverages at this year’s event as well as the complimentary cooking locations.

Disney has also shown off the new popcorn bucket, and it posted a list of the open restaurants.

So, these are the places you can eat a full meal, presuming the free cookies aren’t enough.

We also learned the location of all the party’s photo ops. Please plan accordingly.

Oh, and for non-party goers, Disney confirmed the holiday fireworks schedule for this year.

By the time you read this, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom should already have some holiday décor in place.

That’s three parks with at least some decorations live on November 2^nd.

Zoogether Is Better

So, I can say in all sincerity that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Disney theme parks.

Remarkably, that’s not the only thing happening at the parks, though, especially at Animal Kingdom.

Zootopia: Better Zoogether! opens on Friday, and Disney has already decorated the exterior.

The marquee is in place as well, and that’s not all! We got to watch the new show!

You can read our reporter’s thoughts here as well as look at several photos.

And here’s a full video of the show, presuming you don’t mind being spoiled.

Let’s just say that it’s another Imagineering masterpiece. Disney’s on such a heater right now.

Disneyland News

There is a lot happening at The Happiest Place on Earth right now.

So, let’s start with the good news and then continue into the even better news.

A Deadpool show will return to Disney California Adventure this holiday season!

Story Time with Deadpool Holiday Special makes its triumphant comeback on November 14^th.

This show delighted fans throughout the holiday season last year and is legitimately one of Disney’s best ever.

You’ll definitely want to catch Story Time with Deadpool when it comes back a week from Friday.

The even better news involves this worrisome proposal in Anaheim.

The town’s City Council was considering a three-cent “Gate Tax” on Disneyland admission.

For once in municipal government, this tax would have been exactly what it sounded like.

Disney would have charged guests three percent more as a part of the admission fee.

Of course, the company would have seen none of that money, which would have gone to Anaheim.

The city would have earned an estimated $164 million annually from the proposal.

Part of that money would have come from an even stiffer ten percent parking tax.

I understand why city officials at least considered the proposal, but they know where their bread gets buttered.

That’s why the City Council eventually rejected the proposal. Disney can breathe a sigh of relief.

Many of us remember that a previous iteration of the City Council forced the cancellation of a Downtown Disney resort.

Since that happened less than a decade ago, I’m confident this was a nervous month for Disney execs.

Even then, the past few days have been rough at Disneyland, with Disney performing 100 layoffs.

On the bright side, Make-A-Wish, Disney, and MrBeast partnered to make some dreams come true.

Disney Miscellany

Disney does this sort of thing a lot, as there was a hospital Halloween program for kids, too.

Speaking of Halloween, just because it’s so cute, here are some animals playing with pumpkins.

Yes, the “playing” turns into crushing and then eating in several instances.

Across the parks, the most recent batch of Lightning Lane Multi Pass price increases has occurred.

Disney announced them early this month, but they weren’t a factor until we entered the busy season.

Now that we’ve started the holidays at Disney, these prices have gone into effect on some dates.

Those of you looking to save money elsewhere should consider dining at Nine Dragons.

Those…aren’t words I say often, but there’s a solid lunch menu deal right now.

In other dining news, Astrofizz, the replacement for Cool Ship, has been added to My Disney Experience.

The construction walls recently came down in this area of Tomorrowland. So, we knew it would open soon…and it turned out to be Friday!

On the other side of Tomorrowland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently undergoing testing.

As a reminder, Disney tore down the tracks for this roller coaster and rebuilt them.

So, this isn’t a conventional refurbishment test. This one should take a minute.

Still, I’m keeping an eye on this one, as Disney had indicated a 2026 return.

I doubt it’s feasible, but I am confident that Disney would like the coaster up and running at Christmas.

Disney Miscellany Part Two

At EPCOT, Mickey and Minnie Mouse are sporting new outfits.

Alas, only qualifying Disney Vacation Club members will get to see them.

The costumed characters only dress this way during greetings at EPCOT’s ImaginAtrium.

Speaking of characters, you’ll find Ariel at a new home at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Also, MickeyBlog can tell you how to meet Santa Claus at Disney Springs this year.

On a different note, Disney Cruise Line is currently offering a terrific deal.

You can book a cruise for MUCH cheaper than usual right now, and you really should.

So, speak with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner at MickeyTravels to find your best itinerary.

Remember that MickeyTravels offers its services free of charge despite being the best of the best.

These Diamond Earmarked travel agents have booked tens of thousands of cruises.

They’ll help you find the perfect one for your family, and you can book it for less right now!

Speaking of cruises, this was a rough weather week. Hurricane Melissa forced an itinerary change.

Disney thoughtfully donated $1 million for hurricane relief in Jamaica, though.

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!

Feature Photo: Disney