News Roundup
1. Disney World Releases 2026 After Hours Event Dates
Disney has just announced the 2026 After Hours event schedule for several Walt Disney World parks, letting guests enjoy extra nighttime magic. After Hours allows park entry after official close, with shorter lines, surprise characters, free snacks, and extended ride access. For example, Magic Kingdom events run 10 pm to 1 am, and some entries are allowed as early as 7 pm.
R2 reacts: “Late nights in the park? Sign me up for those extra hours!”
2. Universal Confirms Fan Fest Nights for Spring 2026
Universal is bringing back Fan Fest Nights for Spring 2026, running from April 23 to May 16, with immersive crossovers, themed food, merchandise, and fan events. The first mash-up is Scooby-Doo × Universal Monsters, promising ghostly fun, mystery, and surprises on the Universal backlot. More fandoms and interactive experiences will be revealed later.
Lilly reacts: “Scooby teams up with monsters? That’s the kind of mash-up I live for!”
3. Villains Take Over Hong Kong Disneyland for Halloween
Hong Kong Disneyland is celebrating Disney Halloween Time through November 2, and this year the Disney Villainsare staging their grandest takeover yet. Expect a new villainous block party led by Maleficent, a spookified Jungle River Cruise after dark, and immersive villain encounters like Ursula, Gaston, Cruella, and more. Seasonal bites and terrifyingly cute merchandise also join the fun.
R2 reacts: “All the villains showing up? That’s wickedly awesome!”
4. New Disney+ Shows & Movies in October 2025
Disney+ is rolling out a fresh batch of shows and films in October 2025. Some of the new titles include Vampirina: Teenage Vampire, Traveling with Snow Man, and several original features and series across genres like family, fantasy, and music. These releases give little ears more magic to stream at home.
Lilly reacts: “New Disney treasures every month? My watchlist is never short of sparkle!”
5. Disney in the Desert: A Park That Could Change Everything
Disney dropped a hint about building a new park in the desert (Abu Dhabi)—a bold expansion that could reshape how Disney imagines global parks. This would be a new frontier beyond their traditional theme park locations, possibly with fresh designs, climate adaptions, and new storytelling styles. It’s still in early stages, but fans are buzzing with speculation and excitement.
R2 & Lilly react together: “A Disney desert park? That could be the most magical mirage ever!”
Tiny Ears Tip of the Week 🎃
Visit during September and October for spook-tacular fun! Both Disney World and Universal Studios go all out for Halloween season—think Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando. Crowds are lighter earlier in September, and you’ll find cooler evenings and festive treats like pumpkin spice churros and spooky popcorn buckets. For little ones, September is the sweet spot: you’ll enjoy the decorations and parades before the Halloween events get extra busy in late October.