MickeyBlog News for December 15th, 2025
Disney isn’t taking an early holiday vacation this year.
Over the past few days, Disney announced a roller coaster closure and canceled an annual pass.
(Disney/Mark Ashman)
Of course, the company also introduced a new annual pass, brought back a ride early, and added some themed suites.
We have a LOT to cover in MickeyBlog News. So, let’s get right to it!
No Longer Living on the Edge
Photo: Disney
As of March 2nd, 2026, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will no longer be living on the edge.
Honestly, I could populate this entire section with references to Aerosmith songs, but I won’t.
If there were more Aerosmith fans in the world today, the ride wouldn’t be closing.
That’s the decision Disney recently made as a kind of domino effect.
Photo: Disney
Park officials shut down Muppet*Vision 3D even though they knew the move would be unpopular.
As an instant apology, Disney revealed that The Muppets weren’t leaving the park.
Photo: Disney
Instead, Disney would move the popular characters to a different attraction, a roller coaster.
Basically, Aerosmith lost a popularity contest to The Muppets, which is kinda funny.
After all, the reason why The Muppets were displaced is because they lost a popularity contest to Monsters, Inc.
Disney has gotten complicated lately, hasn’t it? We don’t care since it’s objectively getting better, though.
As part of the proof, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster won’t stay closed for long.
The Aerosmith version will operate for the final time on March 1st, giving you exactly ten weeks to ride it one last time.
(Courtesy: Disney)
On March 2nd, construction will begin on the roller coaster’s re-theme to The Muppets.
Disney expects that version of the attraction to arrive by the end of the summer.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
In Disney terms, that usually means August, although I suspect it’ll be sooner.
In case you missed the story, Disney has already removed the Aerosmith pre-show on the ride.
So, the other Muppets theming shouldn’t take long,
Still, I’m a huge Aerosmith fan and will miss that odd hard rock presence at Hollywood Studios.
I guess you’d say that I’m not F.I.N.E. fine. (Sorry.)
The Disneyland Updates
Photo: Magic Key
We’ve got three huge stories involving Disneyland Resort this week, one of which is odd.
For reasons passing understanding, Disney will replace one Magic Key with another.
On January 13th, the Explore Key will debut. It’s a lot like the Enchant Key…but better? I think.
I dunno, a lot of this is confusing, but the gist is that the Explore Key will offer something better.
Photo: Disney
Under the Enchant Key, annual passholders face blockout dates on weekdays in June and July.
When you purchase the Explore Key, you can visit the parks at Disneyland Resort on those dates.
Photo: Disney
So, it seems to me like Disney should just change the Enchant Key into the Explore Key.
Technically, that’s not what is happening. Owners of the Enchant Key can still renew it for the time being.
Magic Key Holder 70th Celebration Experience
While Enchant Key sales end next month, you can still use your annual pass until it expires.
Then, should you want to renew, you can do so from now through January 12th, 2026.
Photo: Disney
At that point, Disney will force you to switch, which will matter a bit to your pocket book.
The new Explore Key costs $25 more. Justin Hermes details the differences here if you’re interested.
Photo: Disney
Speaking of sales, you can now buy tickets for two of Disneyland’s most popular after-hours events.
Tickets are now on sale for Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite, which always sells out.
Whoops, by the time this article was posted, they’d already sold out! See how fast that happens?
The good news is that Disney is also hosting Disneyland After Dark: 70 Years of Favorites.
Photo: Disney
As I type this, tickets remain for March 3rd and March 5th, but you better act quickly!
Finally, Pixar Place Hotel is adding new themed suites. Check them out here!
Disney Miscellany
Kali River Rapids
Here’s a modestly surprising story for you! Kali River Rapids has already reopened.
Typically, Disney closes this ride for long stretches of the winter season for obvious reasons.
This time, Disney suggested it’d return in December, and it actually did sooner than expected.
Conversely, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland Park will temporarily close next month.
Construction Walls – Haunted Mansion
In other theme park news, Disney has altered the backdrop at Haunted Mansion to hide the expansion work.
Oh, and there are a few exclusive holiday Magic Shots available right now.
Construction Walls – Haunted Mansion
Speaking of the holidays, this is your annual winter reminder that water parks close during cold weather.
We’ve already had it happen a couple of times this winter, and it won’t be the last time. Please plan accordingly.
Disney
On the bright side, the Merry Menagerie is ongoing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and it’s great!
Meanwhile, at EPCOT, there’s some GEO-82 news you need to know about the next two months.
Photo: Disney
Also, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holiday will feature…Lorcana?
In non-theme park news, Wailulu Bar & Grill has discontinued breakfast.
(Matt Stroshane, Photographer)
At Disney Springs, The BOATHOUSE was just named the second-best indie restaurant in America.
I didn’t have a vote, but if I did, it would have actually finished first. The BOATHOUSE is the best.
Disney Cruise Line fans may be interested to learn that the cabanas at Castaway Cay have a new name.
That’s an expected move since Disney just vastly improved their quality this year.
MickeyTravels can book your next Disney vacation!
Finally, you should know that Walt Disney World has extended its future discount deal.
You can speak with a MickeyTravels agent to learn your best options for your next trip.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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