Theme park news: Disney announces new CEO, Disney California Adventure celebrates 25 years

Welcome back to another edition of theme park news. This week brought with it a major headline from the Walt Disney Company as its new CEO was finally unveiled. That’s our lead story this week, though we’ll also talk about what’s new at the theme parks and what you can expect if you’re heading to Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort over the next few months.

This is a time of major change both at the highest levels of the Walt Disney Company as well as on-the-ground on the day-to-day ways we enjoy the Disney theme parks. With DinoLand, U.S.A. permanently closed, Animal Kingdom in particular is on the way to its biggest change in nearly a decade. Let’s catch up on these latest stories from the past week.

Josh D’Amaro named next CEO of The Walt Disney Company

It was announced this week that Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Josh D’Amaro will be the Walt Disney Company’s next Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Bob Iger. Iger’s last day as CEO will be March 18, 2026, though he will remain employed at Disney through the end of the calendar year.

D’Amaro rose the ranks of the Walt Disney Company via parks, previously serving as President of Disneyland Resort and briefly as President of Walt Disney World before he was named Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. In total, D’Amaro has been with the company for 28 years so far.

D’Amaro already has a busy plate of projects underway, including the construction of the newest Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi.

D’Amaro being named the next CEO is not the only bit of leadership news we heard this week. It was also announced that Dana Walden, current co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, will be come Disney’s first-ever President and Chief Creative Officer. 

READ MORE: TIMELINE OF MAJOR CHANGES COMING TO THE DISNEY THEME PARKS

Napa Rose reopens at Disneyland following multi-month refurbishment

Disneyland Resort’s flagship fine dining restaurant, Napa Rose, has been closed for several months while a hefty refurbishment and reimagining was underway. That work has finally ended, and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa restaurant officially reopened on February 6.

From a renovated bar and lounge area to a new seasonal prix fixe menu in the dining room, Napa Rose is once again serving guests an enhanced dining experience that’s surely one to remember!

Napa Rose veteran Chef Andrew Sutton worked with Napa Rose Executive Chef Clint Chin to develop new menu offerings. Be on the lookout for dishes like American Wagyu N.Y., Oak Roasted Forest Mushrooms, and Sorpresine Pasta.

An expanded outdoor terrace provides additional seating options when the weather calls for outdoor dining (so, in Southern California, that’s typically most days).

READ MORE: A MONTH-BY-MONTH GUIDE TO PLANNING A DISNEYLAND VACATION IN 2026

Disney California Adventure celebrates its 25th anniversary

Disney California Adventure opened its gates on February 8, 2001. That means Disneyland’s second gate is celebrating its silver anniversary this year, and we got a first look at how the park is commemorating the occasion.

In addition to limited-time merchandise and food items, Disney California Adventure is getting a head start on the annual return of Soarin’ Over California. The O.G. version of the ride usually comes back for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival (starting this year on March 6), but fans of the ride can now enjoy an early treat thanks to the anniversary.

Guests can also meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse in new outfits inspired by the original color schemes and designs of California Adventure.

Disney California Adventure should be in full-on party mode until early summer, when Soarin’ Over California will close and be swapped out for a brand-new version of the ride, Soarin’ Across America, in celebration of America 250.

READ MORE: DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS IN 2026

Frozen Ever After reopening date with updated Audio-Animatronics announced at EPCOT

Frozen Ever After is currently getting a big refresh at EPCOT, and thankfully, the ride’s downtime won’t be for too much longer! The ride first closed on January 26 so Imagineers could install updated Audio-Animatronics similar to the ones seen in Hong Kong Disneyland. We now know that Frozen Ever After will reopen with the new Audio-Animatronics on February 12.

These Audio-Animatronics no longer use the animated projection-design faces and instead use next generation practical faces. These updated Audio-Animatronics will also be seen on Frozen Ever After when a third installment of the ride opens next month at the soon-to-be-renamed Disney Adventure World in Disneyland Paris.

READ MORE: WHAT’S COMING TO DISNEYLAND PARIS IN 2026

Conservation Station to close temporarily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Looking ahead to this summer, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be the place to be if you have a little one who’s a big fan of Bluey! Both Bluey and Bingo from the hit Disney+ series will begin making appearances at the Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom starting this summer, and that area of the park will close temporarily to prepare!

Conservation Station’s last day of operations before its temporary closure will be February 22. The Wildlife Express Train will also close temporarily starting February 23. When the area reopens, it will feature a Bluey and Bingo meet-and-greet along with returning offerings like the Affection Section with animals native to Bluey’s home of Australia. Animals in the current petting soon will be re-homed. Upon reopening, the Veterinary Treatment Room will also return.

READ MORE: DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM TO OPEN A TROPICAL AMERICAS LAND IN 2027

Theme Park News: Disney Announces New CEO, Disney California Adventure Celebrates 25 Years was originally published on The World of Spark.

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