Theme Park News - August 18-24, 2025

Disney Cruise Line Unveils Massive Fleet Expansion for Late 2026 & Early 2027 Sailings

Disney Cruise Line is rolling out its most expansive schedule yet for Fall 2026 through Spring 2027, offering more options than ever for families across Florida, California, and Texas. The new itineraries leverage an enlarged fleet, including the highly anticipated Disney Destiny. 

New Ships & Ports Lead the Way 

The Disney Destiny is set to make a splash, offering four-, five-, and seven-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to The Bahamas and the Caribbean starting in late 2025. 

Florida sailings will be anchored by five ships. From Port Canaveral, the Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, and Disney Treasure will run various itineraries, with the Treasure focusing on seven-night Caribbean voyages. The Disney Dream will offer shorter Bahamian cruises from Fort Lauderdale before moving to Port Canaveral. Many sailings will include stops at both Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, with some offering a rare double visit to Castaway Cay. 

Notably, the schedule adds a brand-new port of call: Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

West Coast & Texas Options Expand 

The West Coast sees a welcome expansion. Both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will operate seasons out of San Diego beginning in October 2026, offering three- to seven-night voyages to destinations like Catalina Island and the Mexican Riviera. 

The Disney Magic will then reposition to Galveston, Texas, in November 2026, providing four-, five-, and seven-night sailings for Gulf Coast cruisers through April 2027. 

Key Booking Dates: Mark Your Calendars 

Booking windows open in late summer 2025, with a phased approach for loyalty members: 

• Monday, August 25, 2025: Castaway Club Pearl Members 

• Tuesday, August 26, 2025: Castaway Club Platinum, Golden Oak, and Club 33 Members 

• Wednesday, August 27, 2025: Castaway Club Gold Members 

• Thursday, August 28, 2025: Castaway Club Silver, Disney Vacation Club, and Adventures by Disney Insiders 

• Tuesday, September 2, 2025: General Bookings Open

Reach out today to your Carry on the Magic Agent to find out more! 

Get Ready to Book Your 2026 Disneyland Vacation!

Exciting news! Vacation packages and hotel room reservations for the Disneyland Resort are now available to book for 2026.  

Important Updates for Your 2026 Stay 

Starting January 5, 2026, there will be a new benefit for guests staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. To give you more flexibility, the Early Entry program will be discontinued. 

Instead, each registered hotel guest with valid park admission and a park reservation will receive one Lightning Lane entry to use during their stay. This will be for a select Multi Pass-eligible attraction of your choice, letting you enjoy a shorter wait time on a popular ride without having to wake up early! 

Please note that this benefit does not include Single Pass attractions like Radiator Springs Racers or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. We expect more details about this new benefit to be shared soon. 

Changes to the Pixar Place Hotel Entrance 

Also beginning on January 5, 2026, the direct entrance from the Pixar Place Hotel to Disney California Adventure Park will no longer be available. 

Guests of the Pixar Place Hotel can instead use the main Disney California Adventure entrance, or the entrance located inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. 

Ready to Plan Your Visit? 

Now is the perfect time to review availability for 2026, especially if you’re hoping to visit during the popular fall and holiday seasons. We can also help you check for any special offers and review all of your package options! 

Opening date for new 'Zootopia: Better Zoogether!' Attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Get ready to hop to it!  A new Zootopia show, Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, is coming to Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park on November 7. This 4D experience, located in the Tree of Life Theater, will bring back beloved characters and dive deeper into the world of Zootopia. 

The show's story and animation were created by the original filmmakers and artists, offering a glimpse into the world of the upcoming film, Zootopia 2, which hits theaters on November 26. 

Meet and Greet with Judy and Nick 

In addition to the new show, guests will have the chance to meet Judy and Nick in person! The duo, sporting new looks from the upcoming film, will be greeting guests at the Zoogether Day Gathering Spot on Discovery Island near the Tree of Life. 

So, get ready to celebrate unity and the natural world with all your favorite animal friends this November at Walt Disney World.