MickeyBlog News for July 5th, 2026

Happy holiday weekend, my American friends! I hope you had a lovely 4^th of July.

And to my Canadian friends, I hope your Canada Day was equally lovely!

Obviously, the holiday is the big story this week, but that’s not the only thing happening at Disney.

I’ll quickly bring you up to speed in MickeyBlog News. Then, you can return to BBQ and fireworks.

Disney Celebrates America

Earlier this year, The Walt Disney Company announced its grand ambitions.

Disney kicked off an extended 250^th birthday party for the United States of America.

As a part of this event, Disney announced Soarin’ Across America.

I already reviewed the ride here, but it was only open at EPCOT at the time.

Disney

Now, fans on the West Coast can enjoy it, too. Disney California Adventure opened it on July 2^nd.

Fans of sumptuous visuals will treasure the new ride experience.

Disney

Soarin’ Across America highlights the splendor of the American countryside.

This ride is just one of the many activities available during Disney Celebrates America.

Tomorrowland Dance Party

Disney scheduled a slew of limited-time patriotic options at the parks and even on cruises.

MickeyBlog posted several comprehensive lists of everything going on.

Disney even flew in the US Air Force Band of the West for a Disney Springs performance.

On the holiday itself, Disney hosted a rare flyover event at Cinderella Castle.

Guests could also participate in Magic Shots and other holiday-exclusive PhotoPass pictures.

Your favorite characters also donned patriotic costumes for America’s 250^th birthday.

Guests got to enjoy some of the rarest character greetings at the parks.

Obviously, Disney hosted its annual Fourth of July fireworks as well.

I don’t need to tell you how great those were, but I should also mention something else.

July 4^th was once again an absolute scorcher, with a heat index well above 100.

In fact, the holiday week included 100-degree weather on several days.

So, Disney Celebrates America was a hot event, literally and figuratively.

A Few Fall Tidbits

Photo: Disney

I realize you’re not thinking about the fall on the weekend of July 4^th.

Disney is, though. And so are some of the other people vacationing there this year.

Photo: Disney

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has experienced two more sellouts.

This is when I reiterate that if you’re thinking about going, you should buy your tickets now.

Some people remain skeptical about the truth here, but all these parties WILL sell out.

I mean, ten percent of them already have…and it’s July 5^th!

MIckey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will return to Magic Kingdom this fall

So, please speak with a MickeyTravels to learn which dates are still available.

I swear to you that they’re going to go a lot faster than you think.                                                                                                  

If it seals the deal, Disney has promised a new Captain Jack Sparrow experience at this year’s party.

By the way, Halloween merchandise is popping up at various stores as well.

Level99 Debuts

Everything old is new again at Disney Springs.

Many years ago, fans loved to play games at the DisneyQuest location here.

Level99

Orlando hosted the last DisneyQuest standing, and it was pretty grim at the end.

When we visited in 2017, we saw maybe 100 people there for the whole day.

So, Disney understandably closed the place and tried something new.

That idea…wasn’t great. The project definitely could have gone better.

I tried to put lipstick on a pig with it in 2019, but you can tell the truth from my tone.

Disney charged too much for the NBA Experience without offering much of a value. When the pandemic began, the writing was already on the wall, even though it was less than a year old.

Disney never reopened the NBA Experience and eventually used the building for Star Wars MetaQuest.

A while ago, Disney confirmed that a third party would take over this building.

Now, Level99 is open, and it looks like a joyous interactive gaming experience.

Level99

I’d describe it as a cross between an escape room, a real-life videogame, and Calvinball.

Here’s a Super Enthused video of her first visit to Level99.

The video speaks for itself. All the people there are laughing and having a great time.

If you’re looking for a new thing to do at Disney Springs, Level99 is the clear choice.

Disney Miscellany

I know you’ve got grilling to do, so let’s go fast with the other big news.

Disney has officially updated the new Disney Springs transportation rules.

The other big news involves a few Walt Disney World hotel restaurants.

You WILL want to pay attention to this one, as it may impact future visits.

Disney

Disney has introduced geofencing for Mobile Orders at these resorts:

• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

If you want to make a Mobile Order at, say, Capt. Cook’s, you MUST be at the hotel.

In two instances, it applies to Table Service to Go restaurants as well.

Photo: Disney

The impacted places are Kona Café and Steakhouse 71.

Thankfully, you don’t need to be staying at the resort to make the Mobile Order.

Grizzly Peak Airfield Popcorn Cart

The geofencing doesn’t work that way yet. However, it may in the future.

Disney’s updated text states: “Mobile Ordering from Restaurant X is only available to” that hotel’s guests.

Disney

So, this is a story that we’ll need to follow. Disney may be changing.

At EPCOT, La Poutinerie is now open, while Coral Reef will close briefly.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Lagoon will shut down for quite a bit longer.

On the bright side, the Yachtsman Steakhouse will reopen sooner than expected.

Disney has also explained what’s happening with the Grand Floridian this holiday season.

At Disneyland, someone on Friday was the one-billionth guest!

Photo: Disney

If you’d like to be one of the next billion, check out this ticket deal for night owls.

Finally, Disney Cruise Line will take down its reservation system for 24 hours.

Disney Cruise Line

The system goes offline at 4 a.m. EST on Thursday, July 9^th. It’ll return on July 10^th.

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