MickeyBlog News for December 8th, 2025
If you weren’t paying attention to Disney news this week, you missed A LOT.
Everyone at Disney must be ready to go home for the holidays, as they just cleared their entire work calendar.
Disney revealed dates and details for everything happening at Disney Land and Disney World in 2026.
I wish I were joking, as our MickeyBlog reporters are VERY tired.
Here’s the MickeyBlog News you might have missed while you were out holiday shopping.
Bluey. Just Bluey.
Photo: Disney
Let’s start with the Disney announcement that matters most to families with small children.
Earlier this year, Disney revealed that characters from the number one show on streaming last year and probably this year will appear at the parks.
Photo: Disney
Technically, Bluey has already appeared on Disney Cruise Line, although it hasn’t been consistent.
That’s about to change at Disneyland, Disney World, and on cruises. Let’s just call it the Year of Bluey.
At Disneyland, guests can celebrate Bluey’s Best Day Ever beginning on March 22nd.
What’s that, you may wonder? Disney is creating a themed Bluey experience at the historic Fantasyland Theatre.
You can watch Bluey, Bingo, and a bunch of musicians and other performers onstage.
Bluey and Bingo at Bluey x CAMP
Some of the activities will be interactive, including a highly anticipated game of Keepy Uppy.
Disney is promising other activities at Gnome Village and Fairy Garden. Guests can also visit Bluey’s school to see the Grannies and Chattermax.
At Troubadour Tavern, fans can even eat Bluey-inspired foods.
Photo: Disney
That’s just at Disneyland.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also getting in on the action.
Photo: Ludo Studios
Beginning next summer, Bluey and Bingo will hang out at Conservation Station.
Fans of all ages can clap, play, sing, and dance with Bluey and Bingo.
Photo: Merlin Entertainments
While you’re here, you can play a slightly different game, Butterfly Keepy Uppy.
Finally, on Disney Cruise Line, Bluey and Bingo will appear on select domestic sailings in 2026.
Photo: Disney+
You and your family can move to “the high-energy Wakey Wakey,” a lively morning celebration.
These cruises will also host “Who’s Behind the Curtain?” This family game show ends in a party for all. Fans of freeze dancing and interactive games can participate in the Pyjama Bash.
The Disneyland Announcements
Disney thoughtfully revealed the entire 2026 calendar at Disneyland Resort.
There’s a lot to know here, so I’ll hit the major highlights and new reveals.
For starters, Disneyland 70 officially has an end date.
The 70th anniversary celebration continues through August 9, 2026.
On May 22nd, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run adds its new mission.
That’s the one starring the Mandalorian and Grogu, and that date may sound familiar to you. It’s also the same day that The Mandalorian & Grogu debuts in theaters.
Photo: Disney
A few weeks later, Soarin’ Across America debuts on July 2nd.
Disneyland Halloween Time officially starts on August 21st and ends on October 31st.
The Coco Day of the Dead Celebration also starts on August 21st, but it ends on November 2nd.
Then, on November 18th, the holidays officially begin at Disneyland Resort.
Believe it or not, that’s not all. Disney just listed the Disneyland After Dark and Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party dates.
Here are the dates:
- Sweethearts’ Nite: January 22nd, 25th, 27th; February 3rd, 5th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 17th
- Seventy Years of Favorites: March 3rd, 5th
- Disney Channel Nite: April 12th, 14th, 16th
- Star Wars Nite: April 28th, 30th; May 4th, 6th
- Pride Nite: June 16th, 18th
- Oogie Boogie Bash: August 18th, 20th, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 30th; September 1st, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 10th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 20th, 22nd, 24th, 27th, 29th; October 1st, 4th, 6th, 8th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, 25th, 27th, 29th, 31st
You probably noticed that Disney has dramatically increased the number of Oogie Boogie Bash dates in 2026, so you will have a much better chance to buy tickets than in the past.
The Disney World Announcements
Photo: Disney
Let’s start with the opening and reopening attractions… and one that never closed.
Frozen Ever After will add its enhanced Audio-Animatronics in February 2026.
Photo: Disney
This is good news for people who are visiting the parks in December and January as well, as you’ll be among the last people to experience the original robotics.
This spring, Big Thunder Mountain will finally reopen after more than a year of renovations.
Disney
Around the same time, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will reopen in its more modern form and with a new scene.
So, three different attractions will look substantially different during the first half of the year.
2025 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
Disney also announced the dates for the 2026 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, which will run from March 4th to June 1st.
As if all that weren’t enough, Cool Kids’ Summer will return for the Summer of 2026.
Photo: Disney
Also, Disney confirmed the dates for Banana Ball at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
The Long Beach Coconuts will face off against the Party Animals on May 29th and 30th.
Photo: Disney
We learned the timeline for the attractions and experiences replacing Animation Courtyard as well.
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! arrives in the summer. It’s the first show at the new Walt Disney Studios.
Disney
Later in the summer, The Magic of Disney Animation will open, and Disney has been underselling it.
This spot will feature “six unique departments from the animation studio.” They are:
Disney
- Story
- Layout
- Hand-Drawn Animation
- Computer Animation
- Lighting
- Effects
That may not sound exciting until you hear that each department will feature a unique character greeting.
DCA Lunar New Year Celebration – Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession
Disney has indicated that Mulan will appear in the Story Department, while Rapunzel will meet guests in the Layout Department.
That’s right. Hollywood Studios will add six new character greetings next summer.
Disney Miscellany
Image: Disney
I’m still not done at Hollywood Studios, as we know when a thrill ride will close.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will close in the spring, but this space won’t go unused for long.
Photo: Disney
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets will arrive in the summer.
Disney’s still not done with all the exciting changes.
Photo: Disney
On Memorial Day, Soarin’ Across America will open, so it will arrive at Walt Disney World before Disneyland Resort.
So, as you can see, Walt Disney World is adding a comical number of new experiences by the end of next summer.
Photo: Disney
Also, Disneyland has just told you everything you need to know for a 2026 visit.
This is an unprecedented strategy by Disney, and I hope it becomes a permanent practice.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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Feature Photo: Disney.
