The week’s loudest story is the FAA flight restriction over Walt Disney World. The old no-fly zone dropped off the list and a new one covering the same airspace around Magic Kingdom and EPCOT went up by early afternoon. Least surprising news of the year, right? Let’s dive in.
Holiday season is in full swing, and the stories are piling up. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is open, Magic Kingdom is hosting ABC’s holiday taping, and a new Cinderella Castle is going up outside Magic Kingdom. There’s also news on EPCOT’s 2027 Festival of the Arts lineup, which is always a highlight for me.
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are keeping us busy this week, from holiday parties to new performers and a new castle.
UPDATE: FAA Issues New No-Fly Zone Covering Walt Disney World (Blog Mickey)
The FAA’s Walt Disney World no-fly zone dropped off its list and was replaced the same day with a new restriction over Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Disneyland has one too.
Disney World Confirms Six New Performers Coming to EPCOT in 2027 (Inside the Magic)
Six new performers are coming to EPCOT in 2027, bringing Broadway voices to the Festival of the Arts stage.
PICKS OF THE PARTY: The Best Food at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom (Disney Food Blog)
A rundown of the standout food at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom.
Controversial Character Debuts at Walt Disney World in Surprise Update (Inside the Magic)
A surprise character debut is tied to ABC’s holiday filming at Magic Kingdom, which is also getting festive decorations and entertainment.
Disney World Begins Construction on New Cinderella Castle Outside Magic Kingdom (Inside the Magic)
Construction has started on another Cinderella Castle, a different take on the landmark, at a resort hotel outside Magic Kingdom.
Dining Packages Announced for EPCOT Festival of the Arts Broadway Concert Series (Disney Food Blog)
Disney revealed the full list of restaurants with dining packages for the 2027 Disney on Broadway Concert Series.
Decades-Old Christmas Tradition Missing from the Magic Kingdom (Inside the Magic)
Guests at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which opened November 8, have noticed a long-running holiday tradition is missing.
“BORRRRRRING.” A New Playground Is Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Fans Have THOUGHTS (Disney Food Blog)
A new playground is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and fans are split on whether it’s exciting.
Disneyland Resort
Christmas has arrived at Disneyland, along with a new way for guests to weigh in on the park’s future.
Photos: Disney Holiday Pastel Collection & More Holiday Merchandise Spotted at Disneyland (Laughing Place)
The Disney Holiday Pastel Collection has turned up in the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A., with more holiday merchandise around the park.
Disney Imagineering Labs App Launches with New Interactive Disneyland Experiences (Laughing Place)
The new Disney Imagineering Labs app lets Disneyland guests try interactive experiences using augmented reality and AI.
Disney Imagineering Labs Gives Fans a Role in What Comes Next at Disneyland (Laughing Place)
Imagineering’s new Labs app invites Disneyland fans to help shape what comes next for park technology.
Disney Parks Around the World
Shanghai Disney Resort has a firm opening date for its third hotel.
First Look Inside Shanghai Disney Enchanted Star Hotel, Opening This December (Blog Mickey)
Shanghai Disney Enchanted Star Hotel opens December 16 with 400 rooms and suites beside Wishing Star Lake.
First Look: Shanghai Disney Resort Announces Details of New Hotel (Disney Parks Blog)
The third Shanghai Disney Resort hotel opens December 16, 2026, as a premium family-friendly stay along Wishing Star Lake.
Movies, TV & Disney+
Streaming, films, and dining news from across the Disney entertainment side.
Disney+ Brings 3D and Viewing Environments to Meta Quest and Meta VR Glasses (The Walt Disney Company)
Disney+ is adding 3D and viewing environments for Meta Quest and Meta VR glasses.
Disney Announces NEW Meet and Greet for Latest Movie (Disney Food Blog)
A new meet and greet for a recent movie is coming to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World soon.
‘Star Wars’ Fans Discover 49-Year-Old Plot Hole in George Lucas’s Franchise (Inside the Magic)
Star Wars fans have uncovered a plot hole in the original film, nearly 50 years after its release.
Napa Rose Offers New À La Carte Menu and Seasonal Dishes (Disney Parks Blog)
Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian is offering a new à la carte menu alongside its prix fixe option.
Make the Season Magic: The 2026 Disney Holiday Lookbook Starts with Ornaments, Advent Calendars, and Home Alone (Laughing Place)
Disney’s 2026 holiday lookbook features ornaments, advent calendars, and Home Alone merchandise.
“Lilo & Stitch” Star Maia Kealoha to Lead New Disney Live-Action Film “Stolen Wishes” (Laughing Place)
Maia Kealoha, who played Lilo in the live-action film, is reportedly set to star in Stolen Wishes.
Billie Jean King Documentary “Give Me The Ball!” Coming to Disney+ Globally This November (Laughing Place)
The Billie Jean King documentary Give Me The Ball! arrives on Disney+ worldwide this month.
“Mosquito” Starring Nicholas Hoult and Daisy Edgar-Jones Officially Starts Production For Hulu/Disney+ (Laughing Place)
Production has started on Mosquito, a Hulu and Disney+ series starring Nicholas Hoult and Daisy Edgar-Jones.
Other Disney News
A grab bag of merchandise, plans, and reader-friendly picks to round things out.
After Play Disney Parks App Ends, Imagineering Launches Experimental ‘Labs’ App (Blog Mickey)
Imagineering’s Labs app is available on iPhone for Disneyland Magic Key holders, with wider access in early 2027.
Disney Just Made a Loungefly for a Character You Forgot About (Disney Food Blog)
A new Brother Bear Loungefly collection has arrived for a Disney character many people had forgotten.
12 Disney Gifts From Amazon I’m Ordering for My 5 Year Old (Disney Food Blog)
A holiday gift list for a Disney-loving five-year-old, with items from Amazon.
Disney Previews What’s Next at Disney World During ABC Parade Taping (Blog Mickey)
ABC’s parade taping previewed upcoming Monsters, Inc. and Encanto segments tied to new lands coming to Walt Disney World next year.
9 Disney Finds That Feel Like A Tiny Round Of Applause For Making It Through The Day (Disney Food Blog)
A roundup of small Disney finds meant to brighten a tough week.
Fantastic Four Arrive at Avengers Campus (Disney Parks Blog)
Fantastic Four characters arrive at Avengers Campus ahead of Avengers: Doomsday, opening in theaters December 18.
Disney World’s 2027 Hotel Problem: 7 Reasons to Change Your Stay (Inside the Magic)
Two popular Walt Disney World hotels are nearly identical in location and amenities, but 2027 guests may see different conditions depending on which they book.
RUMOR DEBUNKED! What’s Actually Going On With Disney World’s “No Fly” Zones (Disney Food Blog)
A look at the Walt Disney World no-fly zone rumors and what’s really happening with app glitches and checkout issues.
Next week we’ll keep an eye on the no-fly zone, the holiday lineup, and what Imagineering does with its Labs app. Until then, happy planning!