This week’s news reinforces how dynamic the world of Disney-style entertainment remains, from streaming business tensions and ride upgrades to theme-park expansions and cruise-line innovations. For the Tiny Ears crew, it means more opportunities: new ride experiences to anticipate, travel deals to check (see the travel-deal article this week), and cruise adventures to day-dream about. Lilly and R2 are especially excited about the ride refresh (R2) and cruise escapades (Lilly). As always, we’ll keep an eye on how these developments might tie into our family trips, whether near or far, and how we can leverage upcoming deals to make memories that last a lifetime.
1. Disney Destiny Set for Maiden Voyage, Plus New Villain-themed Experiences
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Destiny, is gearing up for its maiden voyage on November 20, 2025, and is packed with immersive “heroes and villains” themed experiences. Highlights include the Grand Hall where Loki may “take over the ship,” a Maleficent-themed lounge, and the Pride Lands dining experience based on The Lion King. The ship is positioned to be a very different brand of Disney vacation at sea.
R2’s take: I want to go on that ship! Villains and heroes together sounds so fun!”
2. Dollywood First-ever Race Weekend Announced
Dollywood has unveiled its inaugural race weekend, scheduled for April 25–26, 2026. The event—held within the park and adjacent resort lodging—will include a half-marathon, shorter races, live music at finish, and a unique “Earn Your Wings” achievement for participants completing all events. This marks a notable shift for the Tennessee attraction into active-lifestyle territory.
Lilly’s take: “That sounds like the kind of race I want to do—run through rides and music? Yes please!”
3. Disney’s Streaming Showdown Hits $30 million Weekly Loss
The Walt Disney Company is reportedly losing about $30 million per week as its channels—such as ABC and ESPN—remain blacked out on YouTube TV amid a carriage-fee dispute that began around October 30, 2025. With millions of households unable to access Disney networks, analysts cite a substantial hit to the company’s content-distribution strategy and streaming pipeline.
Lilly’s take: “Wow — that’s a giant number! I hope it gets fixed soon so people can watch their shows.”
4. Dollywood’s Parent Company Acquires Major Northwest Park
R2’s take: “I didn’t even know about this park! Maybe we’ll plan a visit up north one day!.”
5. Re-opening Alert: Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at Epcot Returns After Upgrades
At Walt Disney World’s Epcot France Pavilion, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure returned on November 14, 2025 following a short closure (Nov 10-13) for upgrades converting the ride from 3D to 2D visuals, enhancing lighting and props. While the storyline remains unchanged as guests still “shrink” to rat-size and dash through a kitchen—the refreshed presentation offers clearer imagery and updated queue décor.
Kids’s take: “Cool! So the ride is back! I liked the old version, but 2D might be smoother.”
Tiny Ears Tip of the Week
Always check park refurbishment calendars twice—once when booking and once the week before you leave.
Disney and Dollywood frequently update refurbishment schedules with little notice, especially when shifting attractions from 3D to 2D, improving queue areas, or refreshing seasonal entertainment. A quick re-check can save you from unexpected closures and help you rearrange must-do experiences so your park days run smoother.
Don’t forget to use our planner for the best time to visit Disney, best Disney Snacks, and our Disney height guide!