MickeyBlog News for February 16th, 2026
This past week, Disney California Adventure turned 25, and Seattle went to Disneyland.
We’ve got a fun week of MickeyBlog News, with a sneaky-big number of stories.
Happy Birthday!
Photo Credit: Michael Eisner via Twitter @Michael_Eisner
On February 1st, 2001, Disneyland Resort expanded with a new theme park.
Let’s just say that the results were lackluster enough that Roy E. Disney tried to get then-CEO Michael Eisner fired.
Photo: Scott Brinegar
Doesn’t that feel like forever ago? Well, it should because that park just turned 25 years old.
Happy birthday, Disney California Adventure! You may have started rough, but you’re great now!
Photo: Disney
Sure, we’ll always joke about Superstar Limo, but that was forever ago.
Nowadays, guests adore the park for Avengers Campus, Radiator Springs, and all the Pixar attractions.
Photo: Yesterland
Disney is quite proud of everything it’s done to elevate DCA into a top-tier theme park.
So, park officials have thrown a 25th birthday party, and it’s been a big deal at the park.
DCA 25th Anniversary Merchandise Collection
MickeyBlog brought you photos of the 25th anniversary park map. Then, we took you along for a visit.
We even attended the Magic Key event and the D23 Spotlight Series. Oh, and there’s a popcorn bucket!
By the way, DCA isn’t the only place that just turned 25. A beloved Downtown Disney eatery did, too!
We’re Going to Disneyland
Photo: Disney
The fun didn’t stop there at Disneyland Resort, either. It’s where the world champions visited.
As usual, a few members of the Super Bowl champions headed to a Disney theme park.
Photo: Disney
This time, Disney chose Disneyland as a way to start the hype for next year’s Big Game.
In case you didn’t know, Disney will broadcast Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
As the start of an unprecedented marketing campaign, Disney sent the ESPN crew to Disneyland.
Here’s Mina Kimes wearing Mouse Ears as she celebrates her beloved Seattle Seahawks winning the title:
We watched this Sports Center segment live, and I’m still laughing at Kimes. This clip includes the quote, “Y’all are embarrassing me in front of Sam Darnold!”
Seriously, this whole thing went better than Disney could have hoped.
Photo: Disney
Darnold and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III appeared on camera and discussed their park visit.
Here are two world champion NFL football players stubbornly refusing to turn the tea cups on Mad Tea Party:
Disney’s crew included Josh D’Amaro and Bob Iger, who visited as part of the countdown to the next Big Game.
Stephen A. Smith even provided a MickeyBlog-like list of his favorite Disneyland eats.
Oh, and Disney characters were out in force as part of the We’re Going to… campaign.
Photo: Bob Iger on Instagram
How great is this Disney-fied Super Bowl splash page?
EPCOT Updates
For no particular reason, EPCOT experienced a remarkably hectic week.
For starters, Disney surprised park guests by reopening Frozen Ever After earlier than expected.
MickeyBlog noticed before Disney even announced it, and we even provided you with a first look.
Then, we brought you coverage of the official reopening of the newly plussed attraction.
Disney has replaced the notoriously unreliable facial projection mapping in some spots.
Now, the Audio-Animatronics feature the updated special effects from Disney’s international parks.
So, the days of comically terrifying upside-down faces are over. I won’t lie. I’ll miss them.
Still, I want to pay tribute to the Imagineers who de-terrified Elsa and Anna.
More Topiaries – 2026 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
The other big news this week involves something that doesn’t happen until March.
Disney isn’t waiting until the last minute for its festival changes these days.
Even though the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts still has a week left, prep work has begun.
Yes, attentive fans will notice that the topiaries have started blooming around EPCOT.
You should know what that means! The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is nearly here!
Disney has already brought in several classic topiaries, with work underway for more.
Topiaries – 2026 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
Management went ahead and confirmed some of the new and returning experiences for 2026.
One of them is a Spike the Bee interactive garden at CommuniCore Hall.
Disney also revealed the Garden Rocks! dining package restaurants and prices for this year’s event.
As always, I can encourage you to book one of these packages if there’s a band you like.
These concerts can and do book quickly. You can speak with a MickeyTravels agent to learn more about this year’s goodies.
By the way, Festival of the Arts isn’t done with adding new stuff, either!
Disney Miscellany
Photo: Disney
One day soon, Walt Disney World will be whole again when both water parks simultaneously operate.
As a reminder, Blizzard Beach reopened today, while Typhoon Lagoon closed.
Photo: Disney
However, Typhoon Lagoon will return on May 12th and remain open all summer.
So, from May 12th onward, both water parks will be open to guests. That’s when Disney World is at its best.
Speaking of this week, President’s Day and Valentine’s Day always draw in a crowd.
MickeyBlog’s exceptional team of reporters tracked attendance at Disney World.
Let’s just say that these lines at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith blew our minds.
Disney also charmed us by hosting couples character greetings at EPCOT for Valentine’s Day.
In Disneyland news, Walt Disney – A Magic Life and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln are now being presented daily.
The change has already started, so you can adjust your Disneyland itineraries accordingly.
Humphrey the Bear – Storytellers Cafe
Speaking of which, you might want to head over to Storytellers Café. You can meet Humphrey the Bear!
On the downside, the pool at Pixar Place Hotel will briefly close for refurbishment.
Humphrey the Bear – Storytellers Cafe
Back at Disney World, the Disney Springs Lime Garage has reopened for a few days.
Finally, I’ll let you know that Disney Cruise Line has previewed its 2027 itineraries.
Photo: Disney
The biggest news is that the Disney Wish will host several European itineraries.
Those will sell out quickly. So, again, you should speak to a MickeyTravels agent to learn more.
I’m totally serious when I say that my wife was eyeballing these dates pretty hard.
Happy Valentine’s Day to her and to you, my many loves!
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Feature Photo: disney
