Disney World News: New CEO, DinoLand Closure, Ride Reopenings & More!

Disney Leadership and Park Reimagining

• 👑 Josh Tomorrow has been named the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company, succeeding Bob Iger and taking over after the annual meeting on March 18th, 2026.
• 🎨 Dana Walden will assume the newly created role of president and chief creative officer, focusing on storytelling across the company.
• 🦖 DinoLand U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom is officially closed to make way for the new Tropical Americas land, slated to open in 2027 with an Encanto ride and an Indiana Jones attraction.

Animal Kingdom Closures and Reopenings

• 🚂 The Affection Section at Rafiki's Planet Watch and the Wildlife Express train will temporarily close from February 23rd until summer for a new Bluey experience.
• ❄️ Frozen Ever After in Epcot will reopen on February 12th, 2026, featuring brand new audio animatronics.
• 🍽️ Harambe Market in Animal Kingdom has reopened with a new menu, including classic theme park bites previously at Restaurantosaurus.
• 🍦 Terra Treats in Animal Kingdom is now an ice cream spot, offering a new cookie dough brownie ice cream sandwich and an AP-exclusive carrot cake sundae.

Universal and Disney Park Updates

• 🎢 Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift at Universal Studios Hollywood is set to open in summer 2026, promising an outdoor, high-speed roller coaster experience.
• 🚫 Volcano Bay will become a cashless park starting February 25th, 2026, requiring guests to use prepaid cards for transactions.
• 🍎 Napa Rose at Disneyland has undergone a significant redo, offering a premier fine dining experience with impressive multi-course meals and exceptional service.

Merchandise and Passholder Perks

• 🧲 A new Zootopia-themed annual passholder magnet featuring Nick and Judy is available at Disney's Animal Kingdom until March 15th.
• 📸 A limited-time Zootopia photo opportunity is also available near the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom.
• 💰 Florida residents can take advantage of a new annual pass deal, with a reduced down payment of $99.
• 🍿 New Pixar Pal-A-Round and Monsters Inc. Scream Canister popcorn buckets are available at California Adventure and Hollywood Studios, respectively.
• 👽 The Little Green Men Jetpack Sipper is now available at Hollywood Studios for $15.

Dining and Beverage News

• 🍹 Thirsty River Bar in Animal Kingdom offers unique drinks like the Himalayan Ghost and Kumbú Frozen Icefall.
• 🥤 An exclusive Sprite Island Time Fizz flavor is available at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.
• 🍩 Valentine's Day treats are available, including berry and love beignets at Scat Cat's Club Cafe and the Bee Mine éclair and Valentine's Entremet at Amorette's Patisserie.

NFL and ESPN Partnership

• 🏈 The NFL has acquired a 10% ownership stake in ESPN as part of a deal that includes ESPN gaining full control of NFL Network and NFL Red Zone.
• 🤝 This agreement aims to integrate NFL content more seamlessly across ESPN's platforms, enhancing fan access to games and fantasy football services.