MickeyBlog News for March 15th, 2026

We’re getting even more Bluey at the parks than we’d expected.

Also, the return of the recently plussed Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is right around the corner.

Photo: Disney

Oh, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg on big Disney opening announcements.

I’ll give you all the details you need in this week’s MickeyBlog News.

Disney Plans an Epic Summer

Photo: Disney

I always love it when Disney releases a massive amount of news on a random Thursday morning.

That’s exactly what happened this week, with Walt Disney World revealing tons of new information.

Disney 

We’ll start with Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, the announcement you’ve awaited.

Disney took the beloved Tomorrowland attraction offline last summer for an epic plussing.

Imagineers have spent the past several months modernizing the attraction.

After all, the last thing anyone wants is an outdated Tomorrowland ride, right?

NEW Sign Installation – Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Well, you can watch some Imagineers testing out the new version of Space Ranger Spin.

Let’s just say that it looks like a blast with a blaster. Your aiming mechanism is handheld now.

So, you’ll enjoy more freedom of movement when you aim and try to collect those batteries.

Disney has added more interactive targets plus an onboard ally fittingly named Buddy.

Frankly, Space Ranger Spin looks like it’ll be on the level of Toy Story Mania! when it returns.

Now, we know when you can play it, as the ride reopens on April 8^th, 2026.

That’s three weeks from tomorrow, giving you plenty of time to plan a quick visit.

Then again, you may want to wait until the summer, presuming you cannot visit at both times.

Photo: Disney

I say this because Disney just unleashed tons of other opening and reopening dates.

For example, we just learned that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will return in early May.

That’s a less definitive date than the others we’re about to discuss, but it drives home the point.

By the time the summer season (unofficially) begins during Memorial Day Week, many new options will be available.

What Disney Is Adding

One of the biggest changes will occur at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Animation Courtyard closed last year as Disney prepped for its successor.

Now, we know that The Walt Disney Studios will debut on May 26^th. So, the park is about to change dramatically.

Disney had previously revealed all the character encounters we can expect at The Magic of Disney Animation.

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!

We also just learned that Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! will debut on May 26^th, too.

Oh, and The Walt Disney Studios Courtyard will host guests as of May 26^th as well.

You should circle May 26^th on your calendar as the date of the park’s huge transformation.

To a larger point, everything we’ve discussed here should be open by that date.

Here’s the updated schedule as Disney has confirmed it:

• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – April 8^th
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Early May
• Cool Kids’ Summer – May 26^th
• Soarin’ Across America (EPCOT version) – May 26^th
• The Walt Disney Studios – May 26^th
• Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! – May 26^th

Photo: Disney Parks Blog

Importantly, Memorial Day falls on May 25^th this year. So, Disney is leaning into another trend.

As I discussed after President’s Day, the days following the holiday were the most crowded.

That’s a bit odd, given that Valentine’s Day fell on the Saturday before the holiday.

When people have a Monday government holiday, they tend to spend that week at Disney.

So, park officials are encouraging this behavior with all these May 26^th opening dates.

Disney is also offering a discount of up to 35 percent on Walt Disney World hotel rooms.

Photo: Disney

We’ve got ticket discounts and free dining plans available, too. You know what to do!

Speak with a MickeyTravels agent to learn the best summer vacation deals! Remember that MickeyTravels is Diamond Earmarked but entirely free!

But Wait! There’s More!

Photo: Disney

I’m saving the best for last here, as May 26^th will include one more huge addition.

Bluey’s Wild World at Conservation Station will debut on that date as well.

Photo: Disney

Families can hang out with Bluey, Banjo, and several authentic Australian animals.

Obviously, this one is a must-do for families with small children…or Bluey lovers of all ages.

Photo: Disney

At Jumping Junction, we can all learn about animals that reside in Bluey’s part of the world.

This experience includes a combination of character meetings and dance-offs.

Photo: Bluey.tv

So, children of all ages will absolutely adore it, making Disney’s Animal Kingdom the place to be this summer.

Speaking of Bluey, Disney+ will debut Bluey’s Big Play – The Stage Show tomorrow, March 16^th.

Photo: Disney

Then, we will get a new batch of Bluey minisodes on May 20^th.

Bluey season starts tomorrow and lasts through Cool Kids’ Summer! And the puppies are here to stay at Animal Kingdom.

Disney Miscellany

With daylight saving time here (grr), Walt Disney World has updated its hours for later in March.

Also, for everyone falling in love with Hoppers – isn’t it great? – Disney has added a Tom Lizard Magic Shot.

Photo: Disney PhotoPass

We’re also witnessing all the signs of Spring Break season, starting with Lightning Lane sellouts.

Orlando International Airport also suggests that we’re in the middle of March’s busiest days.

Photo: MCO

If you’re traveling this week, you should account for the continued government shutdown and this.

Please plan to arrive an hour or two earlier than usual from now through Easter at a minimum.

Photo: Jerry Driendl / Getty Images

In adorable news, Animal Kingdom has introduced us to Winnie. I just met her, and I love her.

Also, Daisy and Donald Duck have a new home for their character greetings at the park.

At Disneyland, we have unfortunate news, as a hazmat incident briefly hospitalized a few Cast Members.

Thankfully, none of them appear seriously injured, unlike the Indiana Jones incident.

Daisy and Donald

Internationally, we’ve got plenty of World of Frozen stories coming this week, starting with this one.

Finally, in meta theme park news, we just learned that Thomas Mazloum will succeed Josh D’Amaro.

Photo: Disney

The future is never assured, but Mazloum was my preferred choice due to his comprehensive background.

He was a cruise expert in the late 1990s, which makes him a prescient hire for Disney.

After all, the Disney Adventure just embarked on its maiden voyage on March 10^th. I’ll discuss it more next time.

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Feature photo: Disney