Happy New Year from Disneyland and Walt Disney World

The new year started on both coasts. Sam rang in New Year's Eve at Disneyland, while Greg spent the holidays at Walt Disney World. As a result, this week's show covered a wide range of park experiences and major Disney World updates.

At Disneyland, the 70th Anniversary Celebration set the tone for the trip. The resort felt familiar, yet noticeably different, especially when compared to Walt Disney World. The Rivers of America area now stands out even more, given its recent closure back east.

Breaking Disney News and Streaming Updates

Disney opened the year with several major announcements. Most notably, Disney officially announced a live-action Tangled film, instantly becoming one of the most talked-about stories of the week.

Meanwhile, new content continues to arrive on Disney+. Avengers: Doomsday trailers keep dropping, fueling speculation. At the same time, TRON Ares is now streaming, expanding the TRON story beyond the parks.

Looking ahead, Disneyland Handcrafted arrives on Disney+ on January 22, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry that shaped the original park.

Festival of the Arts and a Disney Legend Returns

Disney Parks released the Foodie Guide for the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, and anticipation is already building. The festival begins soon, and food, art, and performance once again take center stage.

Adding to the excitement, Tony Baxter will appear at the festival. His presence connects EPCOT's creative future with its rich history, making this year's event especially meaningful for longtime fans.

Cool Kid Summer Returns to Disney World

One of the biggest Disney World updates for 2026 is the return of Cool Kid Summer. This year's lineup blends nostalgia with new energy across multiple parks.

Highlights include:

GoofyCore Hall, bringing bold visuals and playful vibes
Muppets Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, continuing the Muppets takeover
Bluey experiences expanding family-friendly offerings
Soarin' Across America, returning as part of the Celebrate America celebration
Updates coming to Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
A new look at Jessie's Roundup at the Diamond Horseshoe

Together, these additions position summer 2026 as one of the most character-driven seasons Disney World has seen in years.

Classic Disney Returns and Farewells Begin

Disney also confirmed that Must Do Disney is back, once again featuring Stacie. For many fans, this marks a welcome return to a familiar planning tradition.

[caption id="attachment_8643" align="aligncenter" width="1075"] Must Do Disney October 2009 with MNSSHP and Epcot Food and Wine Festival[/caption]

At Magic Kingdom, the painting of Cinderella Castle has begun, signaling routine upkeep ahead of busy seasons.

However, not all news brought celebration. Every Muppet reference has been removed from Muppet Courtyard, officially closing the door on that era. Additionally, Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom closes permanently on February 1, making now the final window to experience the attraction.

Elsewhere, Sprinkles unexpectedly closed all locations, surprising many Disney Springs regulars.

Muppets 70: The Magnet Mystery Solved

The Muppets' 70th Anniversary magnet set is finally complete. During the show, Sam and Greg reviewed the full collection and revealed who made the cut.

Then came the surprises. Several Muppets were left off the list, which sparked a deeper look at the new Muppet Show trailer. By matching the magnets to the opening sequence, the missing characters became clear.

And yes, Greg really did buy a new refrigerator just to fit all 70 magnets.

Join Us Live Every Wednesday

From Disneyland trips to major Disney World updates, the new year is already moving fast. Join Sam and Greg every Wednesday for This Week at Walt Disney World LIVE, where the conversation continues with news, history, and a lot of Disney fun.

Watch the full episode now on Sam's Disney Diary, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss what's next.

Disney World Updates January 2026: New Year Trips, Big Announcements, and Park Changes