August was FULL of Disney World news with the 2026 edition of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, but that wasn’t all!

Throughout the whole month, Disney released news regarding its Orlando theme parks, attractions, hotels, and more, and we’re here to fill you in on EVERYTHING!

Vacation Fun Closed For Annual Passholder Magnet Distribution

Vacation Fun – An Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie, located in the Mickey Shorts Theater, is currently closed for the distribution of the Annual Passholder magnet. Magnet distribution ends on September 24th, and the theater has plans to reopen later this year.

Disney World Just Started a New Annual Passholder Perk – Enjoy It While It Lasts

Six Ravens Opened In Disney Springs

Gideon’s Bakehouse opened a new savory restaurant in Disney Springs called Six Ravens. This grab-and-go restaurant serves up coffyns, which are handheld yeast rolls stuffed with different fillings. Each coffyn is served with a dipping sauce, which the Cast Members recommend you stick with, but you can also mix and match sauces.

REVIEW: Six Ravens Is NOW OPEN at Disney World, and We’re Trying EVERYTHING

New Layover Hits Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Another layover has been added to an attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Guests can now link their Disney and Fortnite accounts to accept a special mission in the ride queue of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. They’ll also get a chance to unlock an exclusive Forsworn Trooper Outfit in Fortnite.

NEW Changes Hit Disney’s Smugglers Run

Disney World Luggage Service Expands

Disney’s Airport Luggage Transfer added another hotel to its service! Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is now part of the list that offers guests the ability to transfer their luggage to and from their resort to the Orlando International Airport. Included airlines are Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.

Disney World Luggage Transfer Service Expands To Additional Hotel!

Big Top Souvenirs Reopened

After being closed for months, Big Top Souvenirs over in Storybook Circus at Magic Kingdom officially reopened with new treats, including a Mickey Churro Caramel Apple, a Dumbo Caramel Apple, a Minnie Pink Lemonade Cupcake, Big Top Dippers, and more!

REVIEW: Disney Brought Back Dunkaroos for $7, and Now We’re Questioning Everything

The Play Disney Parks App Announced To Shut Down

The Play Disney Parks App will retire starting on September 16th. This app provided a lot of entertainment with trivia and games to play in line for attractions. However, it was best known for several interactive games, including Star Wars: Datapad, Batuu Bounty Hunters, and DuckTales World Showcase Adventure.

The MASSIVE Disney World App Change Coming THIS Month

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Began

Spooky season is officially underway in Disney World as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicked off at the beginning of August! This party runs on select nights from now until October 31st and is a separately ticketed event. We were there on opening night, so we have EVERYTHING you need to know about the party!

Is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Worth It in 2026?

D23 Announcements

Dreamfinder Is Returning to EPCOT!

Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum shared that Figment and Dreamfinder will be reuniting! Mazloum shared, “We know how important this is to you. We’ve heard you, and this is one more way we’re putting you in the center of everything we do.”

Spaceship Earth Is Getting A Refurb

Disney Imagineer Ali Rubinstein announced that Spaceship Earth is getting an update for the first time in nearly 20 years. While the current attraction celebrates human communication, the focus of the refurbished attraction will be human connection! A closing date to begin the refurbishment has not been announced.

The Expedition Everest Yeti Is Getting Fixed

The Disco Yeti will no longer be there because the Animatronic inside Expedition Everest will be getting fixed! This is a BIG deal since the yeti hasn’t worked in years and we never thought it would! Disney has not revealed a timeline for this project yet.

Opening Timeline And Cast Announced For Carousel of Progress

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress in Magic Kingdom recently closed for a reimagining, and Disney announced the cast and opening timeline at D23! Bryan Cranston and Jamie Lee Curtis will voice ‘Father’ and ‘Mother,’ respectively. The attraction will reopen in late spring of 2027.

Piston Peak Is Getting Two New Attractions

Frontierland’s newest expansion will bring guests into the world of Cars with new attractions, dining, and shopping! There will be two attractions in this land: Cars Ridge Run Rally — a race through the mountains on wild terrain along mountain trails — and Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along, which is geared toward “smaller racers” for a more family-friendly attraction.

We Finally Have An Opening Timeline For Monstropolis

The Monsters, Inc.-themed land will open sometime in 2027 and will feature new restaurants, entertainment, shopping, and attractions! Opening with the land will be Archie’s Square Pig Pizza — the quick-service eatery — Harryhausen’s Restaurant, the Scareporium, and the “Welcome to Monstropolis” theater show. The suspended coaster will NOT open with the land.

A Closer Look Into Villains Land

The name, storyline, and attractions were revealed for the upcoming Villains Land in Magic Kingdom. The land will be called… Villains Land, and it will focus on an original take on all the iconic Disney villains, but mainly Cruella de Vil, the Evil Queen, and Dr. Facilier. There will be two rides in this land: a Maleficent Coaster and a dark ride hosted by the Magic Mirror.

Pueblo Esperanza’s Attractions Announced

Three attractions will be featured in Animal Kingdom’s newest land. Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent will be located in the former DINOSAUR attraction building and bring guests into a portal to the underworld and have them involved in a chase to escape before time runs out! Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto will be a themed ride-through experience where guests will enter Madrigal Casita and join Antonio after he received his special gift of the ability to communicate with animals. Finally, El Carrusel de los Animalitos, which translates to “The Little Animals’ Carousel,” is a classic Disney carousel attraction with 22 uniquely carved Disney characters as options to ride.

Disney Just Made 12 MAJOR Announcements

Oaxacan Wood Carvings Has Closed Permanently

Oaxacan Wood Carvings in the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT has closed permanently as of September 1st. This shop featured small carvings by local artists who used machetes and pocketknives to carve the figures, which were then sanded and meticulously painted. Other shops in the Mexico Pavilion remain open.

The Ultimate Guide to Eating Around EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion: Unspoken Rules, Hidden Gems, and Insider Secrets

Solar Trash Cans Continue To Be Added To The Parks

On the first day of the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, we spotted more solar trash cans being added to the park! Disney World first began rolling out new trash cans earlier this year. Compared to the older trash cans, the newer cans are significantly taller and boxier, and the curvature of the top stands out even more.

More NEW Trash Cans Arrive at EPCOT, and No, We Won’t Shut Up About It

Lakeshore Lodge Reveals Opening Date

Disney’s newest Vacation Club hotel — Lakeshore Lodge — has announced its opening date of July 1st, 2027. Guests can begin booking their stay at this resort on October 6th, 2026. The resort will feature artwork inspired by Bambi, Brother Bear, and Pocahontas.

Disney Reveals FIRST LOOK at the New Lakeshore Lodge Hotel Rooms

Dining at Saratoga Springs Reopens… And Closes

Turf Club Lounge at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort officially reopened on August 31st with a similar, but slightly refreshed menu, which includes items like a pretzel stuffed with charcuterie, a burger similar to The Turf Club Bar & Grill’s Turf Burger, and crispy chicken wings. Speaking of The Turf Club Bar & Grill, this restaurant is currently closed for refurbishment. A reopening date isn’t confirmed, but if Disney sticks with their originally announced schedule from March, the restaurant should open back up in mid-September.

REVIEW: The Disney World Lounge Refurbishment We Didn’t Know We Needed, but Can’t Live Without

The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Kicked Off

From now through November 21st, guests visiting EPCOT can experience the Food & Wine Festival! This annual celebration of global cuisine features over 100 items and 30 Global Marketplaces, so there is something for everyone to try! In addition, there is a plethora of activities and entertainment, including the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, Emile’s Fromage Montage, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt, and Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit!

EVERYTHING You Need To Eat and Drink at the 2026 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival

A Disney Springs Restaurant Is Closing

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill is confirmed to permanently close after September 13th. While the Cast Member we spoke with couldn’t provide many details, they did confirm the closure, and reservations are available up until the 13th online.

NEWS: Disney Springs Restaurant Permanently Closing

Yachtsman Steakhouse Reopened

After a months-long refurbishment, Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort reopened. This New England-style steakhouse serves premium steaks, fresh seafood, and more, and our recent trip there was so good that we’re already planning our next one!

REVIEW: Disney World FINALLY Reopened This Restaurant, and We’re Already Planning Another Visit

August was a pretty hefty month when it came to Disney news, but don’t worry — we’ve always got you covered, so you know what’s going on! Stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more Disney news, updates, tips, and tricks!

CONFIRMED: 9 Exclusive Perks for Disney World in September 2026

Which of these Disney announcements is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!