A new Poppy headband inspired by the “Trolls” character has arrived at Universal Orlando Resort to join other new DreamWorks Land merchandise.
Poppy Headband – $22
Poppy is a pink troll who wears floral blue and green hair accessories. This headband is inspired by her hair and tiara. The outside of the headband features braided blue and green fabric.
On top is a blue piece resembling four leaves or long petals. Two sets of green stems stick out the sides. There are plush puffs of pink hair behind the leaves.
The decorations are sparkly. The leaves each have two yellow ovals on them.
The headband is available with the other summer merchandise in the same building as the UNI VRS and Hello Kitty stores in Universal Studios Florida.
For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.
Until recently, The Walt Disney Company hasn’t understood the significance of A Goofy Movie. Sure, the 1995 film’s VHS sales were strong enough to warrant a direct-to-video sequel in 2000, but there’s otherwise been very little love for the movie from the studio that made it. Max rarely made appearances in domestic Disney Parks after […]
While Fantasmic!’s closure was obviously unplanned, Disney took the opportunity to refresh the show a bit, introducing a few updates with its return. The show still includes lots of returning fan-favorite elements, but there are two BIG changes this time around.
Fantasmic! returns!
Of course, the biggest change is in the finale showdown between Mickey and Maleficent. Previously, Maleficent transformed into a dragon during this scene, which was the animatronic that caught fire back in 2023 and led to the show’s hiatus for over a year.
Showdown Between Mickey & Maleficent
Now, Maleficient remains in human form during her final duel with Mickey, rising high above the stage on a tower 35 feet tall.
Maleficent vs. Mickey!
There are still pyrotechnic effects during the scene, as Maleficent sets the river below her on fire. There are other special effects as well, including lasers, water effects, and sparks that Mickey shoots from his hands.
Effects during Fantasmic!
The show itself — and the final battle between Mickey and Maleficient — still retains its original premise, just with the removal of the iconic dragon.
The Final Showdown got Some Changes!
And that’s not the only scene that got an update! The revamped Fantasmic! also brings back the Peter Pan pirate ship scene, which previously featured characters from Pirates of the Caribbean before the show went on hiatus.
Fantasmic! Pirate Ship
In this scene, Peter Pan and Captain Hook duel high above the deck of the ship while The Lost Boys battle Hook’s crew below.
Peter Pan vs. Captain Hook
After over a year-long hiatus, it felt good to see Fantasmic! BACK in its longtime rightful home on the banks of the Rivers of America at Disneyland. Stay tuned to DFB for MORE Disneyland updates!
Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney to attend their media preview of Fantasmic! at Disneyland. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ
Are you a fan of the new updates to Fantasmic? Let us know in the comments below!
Fantasmic!, the nighttime spectacular at Disneyland Park that has been a park staple since 1992, is BACK after a lengthy refurbishment that began in April 2023,!Not only has it returned to the Rivers of America, but it’s also got some updated scenes, music, and effects!
April 2023 changed everything when Fantasmic!’s Maleficent dragon animatronic in the show’s finale caught fire and caused damage that forced Disney to rethink the show. It closed that month, and nearly a month later, on May 24th,2024, the show returned but not without a few changes. The Disneyland Resort invited us to experience these changes for a Fantasmic! media preview and we have A LOT to report! So on with the show!
Fantasmic! is back!
Before the show reopened, Disney revealed that Fantasmic! would be largely the same with improved special effects. We have to say the show looked great.
The new effects look great!
However, the company did promise some new music and new scenes, as well as the return of the Peter Pan ship sequence, replacing the Pirates of the Caribbean scene that had once replaced the aforementioned Peter Pan sequence. So now that we’ve seen the show, what’s it like? Take a look for yourself as Peter Pan and Captain Hook cross swords from high up!
Peter Pan sequence
The projections are looking better than ever.
Simba
The character floats also look gorgeous.
Rapunzel and Flynn Rider
Of course, it’s not a party without some Disney villain sequences. “Magic Mirror on the wall…”
Magic Mirror
Disney also detailed a change to the finale where Sorcerer Mickey fights off the evil Maleficent. The infamous dragon is now gone and replaced with new effects. Maleficent also soars high into the air.
Finale
There are still some fire effects, though.
Finale
If you’re looking to catch Fantasmic! in Disneyland, performances are held on most nights, but you’ll want to check the Disneyland app for times. Unlike Disney World, there is NO dedicated seating for the show, so if you want to get a good view, you’ll want to grab a spot early around Rivers of America. If you don’t want to stake out a spot early, you might want to consider a Fantasmic! dining package, which gets you a meal, as well as a reserved viewing area for the show.
We sorely missed Fantasmic! at Disneyland, so it’s incredibly exciting to see it back where it belongs. As always we’ll continue to keep you posted on Disney show news as well as all kinds of Disneyland updates, so stay tuned here at DFB to stay in the know!
Share some of your favorite (and not-so-favorite) Fantasmic! changes in the comments below!
Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by the Disneyland Resort to attend their media preview of Fantasmic!. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ
There sure are a lot of changes happening around Disney World and the other Disney parks, right?
Magic Kingdom
About that, we’ve seen so many construction projects across all of the parks in their various stages, and that all has us wonder what your thoughts were on all of it. To that point, you shared all of your thoughts on how you truly feel about Disney’s expansion plans!
Based on the current layout of Dinoland U.S.A., it looks like the whole land will be undergoing a massive transformation. While plans can always change, we’re really excited about what we see.
A couple of years ago, Disney announced a “blue sky” project that would bring a NEW land (or lands) to Magic Kingdom. Disney has always teased the possibility of adding Coco-, Encanto-, and/or Disney VILLAINS-themed lands and attractions to Magic Kingdom. The project has been dubbed “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” because expansion will likely be physically located behind the Big Thunder Mountain ride.
At first, it was just a “maybe, what if” kind of idea, but it’s been confirmed as something that’s really happening since then. At the moment, we’re still waiting for Disney to officially share the plans, opening timeline, and addition of new attractions, restaurants, shows, and more.
Another expansion project that’s currently underway is DisneylandForward. It’s the plan for rezoning Disneyland’s land so that new attractions and experiences can fill areas that are currently only allowed to be parking lots or hotels.
As we said, those are some of the main projects that are in the works, and now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s dive into your responses!
Not Happy With The Announcement
It looks like the biggest thing you took umbrage with, regarding Iger’s comments, was the notion that all future Disney Parks projects will be IP-based. (About 100 of you responded this way)
“It’s ironic how the team behind creating Disney parks and attractions are called Imagineers, when imagination is something completely void at Disney these days! Now it’s all sequels, prequels remakes and IP-only rides! They can’t come up with anything original anymore! Walt would be ashamed of what his beloved company has become!”
While we love Disney IP, we can’t disagree with you on this. Just take a casual glance at the Disney World parks and hotels and you’ll find less and less that is completely original IP that is developed for the parks.
Cars Land
Taking the thought a bit further, you mentioned:
“While IP’s can be a good draw for kids, they can become quickly outdated. When the parks originally opened, the ol’ school Imagineers had to literally come up with rides just to fill in the space as Disney didn’t have a lot of IP’s to work off of. Some of the best rides in Disneyland and Disney world are non-IP based. Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, the Matterhorn, and Jungle Cruise were all originally ideas from the Imagineers. I feel sorry for the Imagineers nowadays because the powers at be are probably tying their hands saying that only IP themes rides and attractions are allowed to be created. Hence, no single ride can ever stick out because they’re already represented by the IP they’re connected to.”
We’re going to come out immediately and say the Imagineers are awesome and we wouldn’t have these amazing experiences without them. Also, there is something to say about them not being able to exert the amount of pure creativity that they were able to in the past, but such is life in a capitalistic world, right?
Non-IP Attractions Are Still Pretty Awesome
Another thing that’s highlighted in that last response that a number of you echoed, was that a lot of the non-IP attractions are still pretty fantastic today in 2024. (Also, about 100 of you responded this way)
Spaceship Earth
Here’s an example of what you said:
“I love the non ip rides like spaceship earth and living with the land, and shows like hall of presidents and tiki room. You can have fantastic entertainment without the IP”
“Hot take, but their best attractions are the ones not based on IP – original Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Horizons, Journey Into Imagination.
I wish they would stop with the IP.”
Living with the Land
Listen, we definitely don’t disagree with you. There are many, MANY days when we hit up the parks ONLY to hop on rides like Spaceship Earth and Living With The Land. They’re classics for a reason and, like you said, completely non-IP.
Want To See The U.S. Parks Get The Attention They Need
When you look at the incredible projects that have been completed overseas and then look at what we have here, you’re not wrong in thinking that the US parks definitely need to get more attention. (Also, about 100 of you responded this way)
Here’s an example of what you said:
“Hoping all U.S.-based parks get much needed love”
“Would have like to see some non-IP attractions but as long as they invest as much money into the rides as Tokyo does I’m okay with it”
It’s so beautiful!
That’s the thing. If Disney will truly invest in the U.S. parks the way they do in Tokyo, well, let’s just say that we’ll all be some pretty happy Disney fans. I mean, have you SEEN that Tangled Lantern Festival Scene in Fantasy Springs?! We went to check out the NEW lands in Tokyo, and you can watch our video right here to see exactly what we’re talking about.
Those were just some of your thoughts on Disney’s expansion plans, especially when it comes to the use of IP, and we’d love to hear from you! Until then, keep it right here for all the latest Disney news! Also, follow us on Facebook to join in on the next discussion.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What are your thoughts on Disney’s expansion plans especially when it comes to the use of IP? Let us know in the comments below!
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What do you think about this Disney news? Let us know in the comments!
Are you planning a trip to Disney World and looking for the sweet spot of low prices and low crowds? There are several weeks in 2025 that offer the best …
Now’s your chance to win the ULTIMATE luxury trip at a hotel right outside of the Disney World parks!
Cinderella Castle
If you like your Disney World vacations to include some serious LUXURY, we’ve got great news. Now you can enter to win a trip with TONS of amenities, including a stay at a super fancy hotel right by the parks!
And now, the game-changing transportation provider is partnering with the hotel Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World to provide a lucky winner with a vacation that includes the finest in luxury AND convenience!
Four Seasons
The Brightline X Four Seasons Resort sweepstakes is running NOW, giving participants the chance to win a complete $24,000 VIP vacation package for four! The prize package includes:
Four PREMIUM Brightline roundtrip tickets
Roundtrip VIP Transportation between Brightline and Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World ® Resort
A three-night stay in a two-bedroom Park View Suite
Welcome amenities
Breakfast for four daily
Dinner for four at the Michelin-starred restaurant, Capa
Private poolside cabana at the adults-only pool
Four 50-minute spa treatments
One round of golf for four people
Four Seasons
The sweepstakes is running now through May 29th, and U.S. residents age 21 and older are eligible to enter. The full details about entry rules and terms are available on Brightline’s sweepstakes page, including the entry form!
The sweepstakes is only running for a few more days, so be sure to act fast if you want to throw your hat in the ring to win this luxury stay!
Pretty in Pink Drink
We’ll continue to be on the lookout for more sweepstakes and contests that give you the chance to win bucket list vacations, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Have you ever stayed at the Four Seasons Orlando? Share your experience with us in the comments!
Walt Disney World is hopping on the Stanley trend with a new Pirates of the Caribbean tumbler inspired by the signature Stanley design.
Pirates of the Caribbean Tumbler – $39.99
The tumbler features the wider top half and slimmer bottom half that Stanleys are known for, which means they can hold more liquid but also fit in a standard cup holder.
It’s a coral color with a silver design on one side featuring crossed swords, a skull, an anchor, a ship, and a compass rose. A quote in a circle reads “Always be yourself unless you can be a pirate.”
It has a rectangular handle with black stripes through it. It includes a black lid and a translucent straw.
The Stanley-esque lid includes flexible silicone around the straw holes that help hold it in place.
The tumbler is stainless steel. It appears to be about 40 oz.
This weekend’s construction updates at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom include fake foliage, fresh paint, and more.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Construction
The new fake foliage is above the attraction’s future entrance, which is on the front of the Frontierland Railroad Station. Signs have yet to be installed in the purple and green frames on the entrance marquee, and another sign remains covered in tarps.
The greenery spills over the marquee like plants in a flowerbed. We previously saw crew members installing copper in this space.
From above, the foliage covers the more boring and unsightly top of the wooden structure.
We saw some extra foliage sitting on a box nearby.
We also took a look down at the walkway that curves under the train station. A crew member was working on the fencing around the lily flower gate. The tops of the fence poles were recently painted gold.
It looks like this crew member was touching up the blue paint around the gold.
There’s been more paint work in the back of the queue. The frames of the window above the barn entrance were painted purple. This completes the barn’s new color scheme of purple, green, and yellow — the colors of Mardi Gras.
We could also hear crew members working inside.
At the top of the staircase next to the barn, a Stitch “Wet paint!” sign was taped to a wall. There are no major color differences here, so the wood walls of the stairs may have just received another layer of brown paint.
We saw a crew member exit the doors at the top of this staircase with a long red cord.
Near the back of the queue, we saw a freshly painted blue façade.
In the back left corner of the queue, a few crew members were working in a tree on Saturday morning.
We couldn’t see what they were doing, but it may have to do with the lights on tension wires over the queue.
