MickeyBlog News for January 12th, 2026

This past week, Walt Disney World confirmed much of its 2026 schedule.

We learned details about its upcoming events and activities, as well as a surprise or two.

That’s not all. The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is right around the corner.

So, our ace team of reporters scoured the park for all sorts of interesting details about this year’s exhibition.

Oh, and a surprising amount occurred at Disneyland Resort, including a strange brawl.

This is another eventful week for MickeyBlog News.

Disney Confirms Its 2026 Schedule

With the New Year’s holiday in the rearview mirror, we’ve officially entered the post-holiday portion of 2026.

Now, the parks will decline in attendance until Valentine’s Day.

Well, technically, there’s one exception we’ll mention in the next section, but Disney World is a lot quieter right now.

That won’t last for long, as the company just announced many of its 2026 offerings.

For starters, Cinderella Castle is undergoing a makeover as we speak.

Disney hasn’t updated the look of the castle since the start of its 50th anniversary celebration, making this change long overdue.

Park officials also provided good news about Disney’s water parks.

This summer, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will open simultaneously.

Speaking of the water parks, you gain free admission when you stay at an official Disney resort this summer.

And speaking of summer, Cool Kid’s Summer is back and even bigger than last year.

Disney recognized that this was a huge hit and is adding even more activities in 2026.

The Disney Dining Plan has also brought back the special offer for kids to eat for free in 2026.

Somehow, none of these is the big announcement.

That one involves The Diamond Horseshoe, which was formerly a dinner theater dining experience.

Well, it will be again this summer, as Jessie from Toy Story will entertain you during your meal.

Since Disney knows that you’ll want to book early for this summer, it’s currently offering several deals.

You should speak with a MickeyTravels agent to find the best deal.

We compiled a full list here, which will make you appreciate how many options are on the table.

Since MickeyTravels agents offer their services for free, you’re much better off asking one of them for help.

The Festival of the Arts Arrives This Week

This week will be huge at EPCOT, as the first festival of 2026 opens on Friday.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts debuts then, and we’re already seeing signs of the event throughout the park.

As a literal example, here’s the entrance sign.

We’ve also been tracking the arrival of the new booths, most of which are now in place.

Disney slowrolled the release of the menu this time. Still, we’ve got a release of every single item coming to The Festival of the Arts.

Also, our exceptional reporters dug deep and provided a first look at the full menus.

This year’s event runs through February 23rd and promises to be the biggest one ever.

As usual, you should follow along with MickeyBlog on Friday, January 16th.

Our staff will sample every dish and provide instant feedback on this year’s must-try items.

I’m going to stick with the Andy Warhol soup and sandwich combo.

It’s so good, it singlehandedly justifies the existence of The Festival of the Arts.

Disneyland Miscellany

Disneyland Resort just experienced an unusually eventful first ten days of the year.

For starters, we had a brawl break out at Indiana Jones Adventure.

These are apparently exciting times for anyone involved with Indiana Jones attractions, what with the runaway boulder and now this sucker punch.

Tensions are high at the parks right now, and I suspect I know the reason.

Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite has sold out all its events for 2026.

I hope you got your tickets already.

Otherwise, your potential date may go with someone else.

Never make your sweetheart choose between you and Disneyland After Dark.

The sad news continues with the knowledge that Haunted Mansion Holiday has closed the 2025 version of its ride overlay.

Disney is currently resetting the attraction, and it should be back up and running by January 23rd.

Less certain are the return dates of other rides and even a restaurant.

Grizzly River Run is undergoing refurbishment, as is Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind.

The Pixar Pier ride should return on January 23rd, but Disney will take longer with Grizzly River Run.

That’s okay since it’s, you know, winter.

Disneyland Miscellany Part 2

However, you may feel bummed about the next one, as The Incredicoaster is apparently offline from now through February 6th.

Finally, Smokejumper’s Grill was supposed to reopen right around the time of publication, but I’ve yet to verify whether it did.

Hopefully, you can visit as of today, but I cannot guarantee that.

Finally, Magic Key holders can celebrate a big event that you may not even know is happening.

While Disneyland 70 is understandably taking up all the oxygen, Disney California Adventure turns 25 this year.

Honestly, upon reading that, you may wonder how this park is JUST 25 years old.

Anyway, Magic Key holders can attend a special event from February 5th through February 15th at Hyperion Theater Courtyard.

You can participate in photo ops and grab a souvenir postcard magnet set.

To do this, you must join a virtual queue via the Disneyland app.

The booking window opens at noon each day for an event that lasts from 2 to 8 p.m. on every day except February 9th.

Finally, we have a peek at the menu for Anaheim Ducks Day.

Disney Miscellany

At Magic Kingdom, you should be aware of an impending change at TRON Lightcycle / Run.

The Tron: Aries ride overlay ends on January 19th, with the standard version returning on January 20th.

Speaking of Magic Kingdom, the new 2026 park map is out, and it features plenty of changes.

Also, I mentioned the Dining Plan earlier and may have stressed you out last week about some restaurant changes.

I’m happy to report that Starbucks and Landry-owned restaurants have been added back to the 2026 Disney Dining Plan.

The brief removal was likely an unintentional hiccup that couldn’t be cleared up with so many workers on vacation for the holidays.

By the way, Pete’s Silly Sideshow is temporarily closed for a minor refurbishment.

However, four Disney characters are still participating in character greetings at Storybook Circus.

Circling back to anniversaries, the Living Seas pavilion turns 40 this year, and EPCOT is celebrating that, too.

In international news, snow has fallen at Disneyland Paris… but not in the way you’d think.

World of Frozen is now a snowy paradise worthy of Elsa, as the park prepares for the themed lands opening.

Disney Cruise Line also got some big news this week.

As we speak, the Disney Adventure is sailing to Singapore.

Remember that this will be the massive cruise ship’s home port throughout its existence.

Finally, I’d like to give a shoutout to my friends at MickeyTravels.

Not only did these marvelous professionals earn Diamond Earmarked status for a fourth straight year, but the agency celebrated a big milestone as well.

MickeyTravels has been making magic one vacation at a time for 15 years now.

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. One of the agents from MickeyTravels, an EarMarked By Disney – Authorized Travel Agency – Diamond Level, will be in touch soon!

Feature Photo: Disney