Highlight of the Week: ๐ D23 took over Anaheim August 14-16, and Disney used it to drop the biggest pile of Walt Disney World news we've gotten all year. The Magic Kingdom's long-teased villain expansion finally has an official name โ Villains Land โ headlined by a Maleficent coaster and an Evil Queen's Magic Mirror dark ride, while the Cars-themed Piston Peak National Park revealed its two attractions (Ridge Run Rally and Miss Fritter's Daredevil Spin-Along) and Animal Kingdom's DinoLand replacement, Pueblo Esperanza, showed off Encanto and Indiana Jones rides. Hollywood Studios also got its first real look at the Monsters, Inc. land, Monstropolis, going in where Muppets Courtyard used to be. Read the recap at Undercover Tourist
Walt Disney World
Top story: Beyond the D23 fireworks, the ground-level news this week was all about fall gearing up fast โ new seasonal menus, party dates locking in, and the Food & Wine Festival countdown officially on.
Parks & Attractions ๐ข
- The Warrior Games are coming back to Walt Disney World in 2027, giving the resort another multi-day athletic event to add to the calendar โ start stretching now. Disney Parks Blog
- Disney Springs previewed its fall refresh, with new shops and seasonal touches rolling in ahead of pumpkin season. Disney Parks Blog
Dining ๐ฝ๏ธ
- Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar relaunched its Halloween-themed pop-up with a new frightfully fun menu โ bring your appetite and your best pilot pun. Disney Parks Blog
- A pop-up food and drink stand landed at the Diamond Horseshoe in Magic Kingdom, giving guests a new grab-and-go option near Frontierland. Disney Parks Blog
Deals & Policies ๐๏ธ
- Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates and teaser treats are officially out โ the party's already underway and runs select nights through October 31. Disney Parks Blog
- EPCOT's International Food and Wine Festival confirmed its 2026 window: August 27 through November 21 โ mark the (very long) calendar. Disney Parks Blog
Other Disney Parks ๐ฐ
- Disneyland's Halloween season is in full swing, with a foodie guide to seasonal treats across the resort now live. Disney Parks Blog
- Character lineups for Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure were revealed, giving trick-or-treaters a preview of who they'll bump into in line. Disney Parks Blog
- Also via D23: Disneyland Resort's Avatar-themed land and an Avengers Campus expansion (two new rides) both got fresh concept models and details.
Disney Cruise Line ๐ข
- The cruise news this week was all D23, all the time โ see the special section below for the big fleet announcement.
D23 2026 Special Report โจ
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event ran August 14-16 in Anaheim, and the Disney Experiences showcase (“Horizons: A Carousel of Progress”) was packed with reveals for both parks and cruises.
Walt Disney World highlights:
- Villains Land (Magic Kingdom) is officially named, with a Maleficent-themed coaster and an Evil Queen's Magic Mirror dark ride featuring Cruella de Vil, Dr. Facilier, and other classic baddies. Disney Food Blog
- Piston Peak National Park, the Cars expansion replacing part of Frontierland, revealed both its attractions: Ridge Run Rally and Miss Fritter's Daredevil Spin-Along. Disney Food Blog
- Pueblo Esperanza, the Encanto/Indiana Jones-themed land replacing DinoLand U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom, showed off three attractions for the first time. Disney Food Blog
- Monstropolis, the Monsters, Inc. land taking over Muppets Courtyard at Hollywood Studios, got its first character and concept reveal. Disney Food Blog
- Carousel of Progress's retheme, “Horizons: A Carousel of Progress,” got a sneak peek and streamed live on Disney+. Disney Parks Blog
Disney Cruise Line highlights:
- Disney announced an entirely new class of ships โ three vessels around 100,000 gross tons carrying 3,000 guests each, launching in early 2029, late 2029, and late 2030. Disney Cruise Line Blog
- The Disney Believe will get its full reveal on October 7, 2026, with Tinker Bell as the bow figure and Woody and Buzz Lightyear featured on the stern. Mickey Visit
- Itinerary shakeups: San Diego sailings are doubling, the Disney Wish heads to Europe, and the Magic and Wonder return to Alaska. AllEars
Next Month at Walt Disney World ๐๏ธ
What Happens in September 2026
Parties & Special Events ๐
- Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party continues on select nights (Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays, plus one Thursday on 9/24), running into October. Disney Parks Blog
- EPCOT's International Food and Wine Festival kicks off August 27 and runs through the entire month of September and beyond. Disney Parks Blog
Park Hours โฐ
- Nothing notable confirmed yet โ hours typically post closer to the date on the official Disney World calendar.
New Attractions / Experiences ๐ข
- No September openings confirmed; the big D23 lands (Villains Land, Piston Peak, Pueblo Esperanza, Monstropolis) remain multi-year construction projects with no opening dates yet.
Closures & Refurbishments to Know About ๐ง
- Disney's Typhoon Lagoon begins its seasonal closure September 9, 2026, with Blizzard Beach recommended as the alternative; no confirmed reopening date yet. WDW Info
Discounts ๐ท๏ธ
- Nothing notable confirmed yet for September โ we'll keep an eye out.
That's a wrap on a genuinely huge week, Disney-goers โ between Villains Land finally getting its name and Disney Cruise Line quietly announcing a whole new ship class, Imagineers really said “hold my Mouse ears.” Grab a churro, keep an eye on that Typhoon Lagoon closure, and we'll be back next week with more magic (and probably more construction walls). ๐ฐ
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