Theme Park News: Disney World debuts new parade, announces animation experience

What a busy week it as been for Walt Disney World! Also, fittingly, I myself have been in Walt Disney World this week checking out all of the latest offerings (be sure to stay tuned for more!). Any time of the year is a great time to be at Disney World, but the buzz you feel from so many new offerings adds an extra dose of magic to your stay. This week’s theme park news roundup includes stories from both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. No matter where you are looking to visit next, there’s plenty of activity and new offerings to check out! Let’s catch up on the past week of theme park news.

Animation experience coming to Hollywood Studios in 2026

Our lead story this week WAS going to be the double-header of debuts and openings happening at Disney World, but the House of Mouse dropped a huge announcement this week that will change the way you plan your day in Hollywood Studios starting in 2026!

Disney World announced that Animation Courtyard, including Star Wars Launch Bay, will be reimagined into a new offering called The Magic of Disney Animation. This interactive experience will feature an indoor play area for kids, character meet and greets, a new Disney Jr. show, and more.

The facade of this experience is inspired by the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, complete with iconic landmarks of the Los Angeles building like its sorcerer hat entrance, Pluto’s Corner, and more.

To make way for this new experience, Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! will close beginning on September 25, 2025. 

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Disney Starlight debuts at Magic Kingdom

Following a weekend of soft previews, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away had its official debut at Magic Kingdom on July 20. This marks the first time the park has had a nighttime parade in nearly a decade!

For its initial run, Disney Starlight will have two performances nightly at Magic Kingdom: 9pm and 11pm. The nightly fireworks spectacular, Happily Ever After, will take place at 10pm.

I saw the parade this week, and I have a few quick thoughts if you’re planning on catching the parade: if you can swing it, go for the 11:00 pm parade. There were far fewer crowds and we were able to get a great spot on Main Street 10 minutes before it started. Also, it’s not so mission-critical to be in the front. It feels like 90% of the parade are very large (very beautiful) floats, which lends itself well for everyone to have a great view.

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Test Track officially reopens at EPCOT

Following a year-long closure and extensive reimagining, Test Track finally reopened to the public this week. Its opening follows a period of preview for Disney World Cast Members and Annual Passholders.

Guests looking to expedite their wait on Test Track may do so by purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which Test Track is included with as a Tier 1 attraction.

This third iteration of Test Track has guests test and go for a spin on the ‘Test Vehicle of Tomorrow’ which has been designed with the latest advancements in automative technology. The ride showcases the features of the vehicle while celebrating the joy and freedom of driving with friends and family. The attraction pays tribute to the versions of Test Track that came before as well as the pavilion’s predecessor, World of Motion.

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New Disneyland Resort holiday season details announced

It may still be the middle of summer, but now is the time to start talking about the holiday season — after all, Halloween begins in just a few short weeks at Disney World and Disneyland. Over in Anaheim, Disneyland Resort revealed new details about this year’s holiday offerings, including a new character dining experience coming to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.

The holiday season is my favorite time of year at Disneyland, at this year looks to be no exception. Starting in November, Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast at Storytellers Cafe brings your favorite characters to dinner dressed in their ‘Mickey’s Christmas Carol’ outfits!

This year, you’ll also be able to meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse in new holiday outfits. These are inspired by Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration, which continues through summer 2026. Mickey and Minnie’s holiday outfits feature designs that are a “holiday spin” on their clothing from the 70th Celebration.

Returning holiday classics at Disneyland include ‘A Christmas Fantasy Parade,’ the ‘Believe…In Holiday Magic’ fireworks spectacular, “it’s a small world” Holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and more. The season kicks off on November 14, 2025, and continues through January 7, 2026.

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Rapid-fire news roundup!

• Disneyland’s Halloween Time begins on August 22 (less than one month away!) and the Happiest Place on Earth released its Foodie Guide for the season this week. Disneyland’s Halloween offerings are among the best of the entire year. Returning favorites include the Pumpkin Spiced-flavored Mickey-shaped Beignet, but all eyes are on the new offerings (Disneyland ALWAYS seems to show up when it comes to prioritizing new menu items annually). There are over 100 (!!!) new menu items around the resort this year, so make sure to read Disneyland’s Foodie Guide ahead of your visit if you want to check out what’s new and exciting.

• ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is now in theaters, and fans can celebrate the arrival of the film with a series of new offerings at Disneyland Resort. As of July 25, a new character meet and greet experience brings all four members of the Fantastic Four, along with H.E.R.B.I.E., in Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park. Limited-time menu items have also started to make appearances around Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Be on the lookout for these special treats on your next visit.

• In Disney Cruise Line news, we have a new look at the Spider-Man and the Spider-Bots on the stern of the Disney Destiny. Disney Cruise Line’s next ship, which launches this November, brings heroes and villains front-and-center in the ship’s design and entertainment offerings. This lends itself perfect to Marvel, and your favorite MCU characters will appear throughout the ship.

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Theme Park News: Disney World Debuts New Parade, Announces Animation Experience originally appeared on The World of Spark.

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