Two giants of entertainment and sport – Disney and Formula 1 – announced a surprising new collaboration last week, set to hit the track in 2026. As someone who adores both, I’ve spent the past week thinking: what exactly can we expect from this partnership?
What Can We Expect to See in Formula 1?
When I first heard the news, my mind immediately jumped to Cadillac, the new American constructor joining the Formula 1 grid in 2026. Sponsorships are a pivotal way F1 teams fund their car development, and with Cadillac being an American team, a major Disney sponsorship seemed like a logical fit.
However, upon reading the press release, it’s clear the collaboration is between the overarching Formula 1 brand and Disney, rather than with an individual team. The release states that fans can “look forward to seeing Mickey & Friends in F1 through experiences, content, and merchandise around the globe.” This sounds much more like Formula 1’s recent collaboration with the LEGO Group, which has given us everything from merchandise to a hilarious mini-race featuring drivers in full-scale LEGO replica cars.
There are a whole host of exciting opportunities within Formula 1. We could see interactive zones at Grand Prix circuits, Disney-themed pre and post-race shows or entertainment, and, of course, character appearances. Don’t be surprised if Disney-themed race car liveries feature at races, whether across all teams or just individual ones. The Mickey and Friends themed livery showcased in the announcement photos actually looks super eye-catching, and I truly hope we see more of this in the future!
The Cars franchise will no doubt embed itself into Formula 1 somehow. Could we see Lightning McQueen racing the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen? This could be similar to the LEGO mini-race we saw at Miami this year. While the press release specifically frames this as a Mickey and Friends collaboration, there are a few drivers on the current grid who are openly Cars fans. Because of that, I fully expect the collaboration to extend beyond the initial announcement.
From a digital perspective, we can expect Disney-themed F1 game content. With F1 25 just released, we might see Disney liveries and even themed tracks as early as next year. F1 x Disney mobile app integration also seems plausible, especially with F1’s ongoing push to target younger fans.
What can we expect to see in the world of Disney?
As with any Disney partnership, there’s one thing we can always expect: merchandise! Similar to the LEGO and Formula 1 partnership, we’ll likely see items specifically celebrating this unique pairing. Given LEGO produced Formula 1 race car replicas, expect something similar with Disney – perhaps toy sets featuring Mickey and his friends driving F1 cars?
One category of merchandise I’m certain we’ll see plenty of is apparel. F1 thrives on clothing collaborations — I was gutted to miss out on the Peanuts range last year! It’s an easy win for cross-brand tie-ins, so expect plenty of F1 x Disney clothing available at both the parks and the Grand Prix events.
One of the areas I’m most intrigued to see Formula 1 influence at Disney is, of course, the theme park rides. While there’s no mention of rides in the press release, I can definitely envision F1-themed attractions popping up in Disney theme parks in the near future. EPCOT’s Test Track would be an ideal candidate for an F1-inspired redesign – imagine guests designing their own F1 car before taking it for a spin on the circuit. Interestingly, Test Track is currently being “reimagined” – could this align perfectly with the new collaboration?
Beyond potential new rides, I can certainly see Disney and Formula 1 coming together with promotional content at the Disney theme parks. This is especially plausible given the geographical proximity of several F1 tracks to Disney resorts. The Miami International Autodrome is approximately 350 km from Walt Disney World in Orlando, the Suzuka Circuit is around 400 km from Tokyo Disneyland, and the Shanghai International Circuit is just 30 km from Shanghai Disneyland. Imagine F1 drivers visiting Disneyland Parks for a day of challenges or a special event, creating unique content for both brands!
One final key point involves Formula 1 broadcasting. Interestingly, ESPN (a Disney-owned company) holds the rights to broadcast Formula 1 in the United States. We’ve previously seen innovative Toy Story-themed NFL coverage featured on Disney+, broadcast via ESPN. I fully expect similar animated broadcasts to appear for Disney+ subscribers, and I really hope they won’t be limited to certain regions.
Overall, the Disney and Formula 1 collaboration holds exciting possibilities for fans of both brands. Personally, I’m all for it, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come!
Earlier this year, I visited Disneyland Paris, and as I found myself with a little too much time to think while waiting for Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop, a spark of an idea hit me: I started tracking my actual wait times for each ride and comparing them to the estimated wait times posted by Disney.
I recorded the data across 26 rides in both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. My stopwatch started the second I entered the queue and stopped when I reached the ride boarding point. Here’s what I found.
Curious about the numbers behind the magic? Here’s the complete dataset of wait times I collected, showing how often Disney’s estimates hit the mark – or missed it.
Overall Performance
Out of the 26 rides:
10 rides (38.5%) had an actual wait time shorter than Disney’s estimate
16 rides (61.5%) had actual wait times longer than estimated
So, if you’re wondering whether to trust those posted wait times, the short answer is: expect to wait a little longer than advertised, especially on the more popular rides.
The “Short Wait” Sweet Spot
Disney tends to be more accurate (or conservative) with rides that have low estimated wait times (under 15 minutes). Examples:
Flying Carpets Over Agrabah: Est. 5:00, Actual 00:16
Disneyland Railroad: Est. 10:00, Actual 03:17
It’s a Small World: Est. 5:00, Actual 03:18
That said, not all short wait rides are spot-on:
Phantom Manor: Est. 5:00 → Actual 05:18
Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin: Est. 5:00 → Actual 05:45
Still, these slight overruns feel minor, and in some cases, the wait felt even shorter than the timer suggested because of how quickly the line moved.
RC Racer: So thrilling, I forgot to time it. Whoops!
The Mid-to-Long Wait Struggle
Rides with estimated waits of 15+ minutes tend to be underestimated more often:
Dumbo the Flying Elephant: Est. 15:00 → Actual 22:40
Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure: Est. 35:00 → Actual 41:35
Tower of Terror: Est. 40:00 → Actual 47:19
Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop: Est. 30:00 → Actual 50:37
These longer waits can definitely disrupt carefully planned itineraries—especially when they run over by 10 to 20 minutes or more.
Shortest vs Longest Actual Wait Times
Shortest Wait: Flying Carpets Over Agrabah — just 16 seconds vs. a 5-minute estimate.
Longest Wait: Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop — 50 minutes 37 seconds, exceeding the estimate by over 20 minutes.
That 16-second queue was a rare and glorious “walk-on” moment. The 50-minute wait, though? Not so much.
Disneyland Park vs. Walt Disney Studios Park
Disneyland Park
Walt Disney Studios Park
Total Rides Tracked
16
10
% Rides Under Estimate
43.75% (7 rides)
30% (3 rides)
% Rides Over Estimate
56.25% (9 rides)
70% (7 rides)
Average Estimated Wait
14 min 41 sec
25 min 30 sec
Average Actual Wait
15 min 8 sec
27 min 8 sec
Average Over (Actual – Est)
27 seconds
1 minute 38 seconds
Longest Actual Wait
Orbitron (32 min 27 sec)
Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (50 min 37 sec)
Shortest Actual Wait
Disneyland Railroad (3 min 17 sec)
Flying Carpets Over Agrabah (16 sec)
Biggest % Over
Pirates of the Caribbean (233%)
Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop (68.7%)
Biggest % Under
Disneyland Railroad (-67.2%)
Flying Carpets Over Agrabah (-94.7%)
Notable “Guest Wins”
Peter Pan’s Flight (-46.4%)
Crush’s Coaster (-36.7%)
Key Takeaways:
Walt Disney Studios Park estimates are less accurate, with more frequent and larger overruns.
Disneyland Park is closer to a 50/50 split between over and under — a more balanced experience.
Studios Park has higher average wait times overall due to housing more high-demand thrill rides.
Proof that even the most accurate estimates still involve a whole lot of ‘hurry up and wait.
So… What Does All of This Mean?
At the end of the day, Disney’s posted wait times are just that – estimates. They can be fairly accurate, wildly optimistic, or occasionally a delightful surprise.
If the ride says under 15 minutes, you’ll often get on quickly – maybe even faster than expected. But for anything over 20–30 minutes, it’s safer to mentally prepare for a longer wait than what the board says.
And sometimes, it just comes down to timing and luck.
For instance, when we rode Flying Carpets Over Agrabah, we walked straight onto the ride — no queue whatsoever. On Cars Quatre Roues Rallye, we missed the previous group by one person and had to wait a whole cycle. It wouldn’t have took our wait time below the estimated wait time, but it definitely would have shaved off a few minutes!
Have you noticed rides taking way longer than estimated? Or had a walk-on surprise? Drop your stories in the comments – I’d love to hear how your wait times compared!
Disney has officially dropped the first teaser for Zootopia 2, ahead of its November 2025 release. Clocking in at under 90 seconds, the teaser may be brief, but it’s packed with clues and easter eggs hinting at what’s to come. Check out the teaser trailer below and read my analysis and predictions after the break.
Initial Trailer Thoughts
I love the artistic approach that Disney have gone for with this trailer! Rather than a typical trailer made up of movie clips, Disney have solely created and animated this trailer as a complete teaser. Not a single word is spoken by any of the characters in the trailer, but through the power of storytelling, the trailer paints a picture of what we can expect to see in Zootopia 2.
What can we expect to see in Zootopia 2 from the trailer?
The majority of the trailer follows Nick, Judy and a large blue snake as they are seemingly pursued by the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD). At the end of the first Zootopia movie, both Nick and Judy worked for the ZPD as partners, working to make Zootopia a better place.
In the trailer, it appears as if Nick and Judy are helping the snake evade capture from the ZPD, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a criminal (or perhaps an innocent party wrongly accused). As we know from the first movie, Judy is a very honourable bunny and likes to see the good in people, so don’t be surprised to see her dragging Nick into whatever adventure they find themselves in!
The trailer also takes us through various different biomes, some of which I don’t believe we have seen in Zootopia thus far. There’s an underwater biome where we can see two sea lions enjoying a drink together, as well as a mountainous region where we can see two goat-like creatures wearing lederhosen-style outfits. I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see Zootopia 2 go beyond the main districts of the city of Zootopia.
Nick, Judy and their snake friend also appear to go through what looks to be the frozen streets of Tundratown, as well as the desert biome of Sahara Square. There are no obvious snapshots of Little Rodentia in the teaser trailer, but I think it’s too much of an iconic location to not feature in the sequel!
Could this be a new biome we see in Zootopia 2?
Returning characters confirmed in the trailer?
There are also a number of instantly recognisable characters from the first Zootopia movie that feature in a montage towards the end of the trailer, including:
Mr. Big
Benjamin Clawhauser
Gazelle
Flash
Yax
Dawn Bellwether (wearing a prison jumpsuit notably)
Koslov (Mr Big’s bodyguard)
Bonnie & Stu Hopps (Judy’s parents)
Fru Fru
Duke Weaselton
Chief Bogo
Finnick
I think it’s safe to assume that all of these returning characters will feature to some extent in the story of Zootopia 2 and frankly, this is one of the reasons Zootopia is so good in the first place! Its huge and entertaining roster of characters is what makes the movie so fast paced and enjoyable.
Star Wars references?
One thing which is noticeable in the trailer is the number of Star Wars references. During the nightclub/party scene around 52 seconds in, there is a zebra raving, dressed in a cape, chest plate and helmet that look very similar to that of Darth Vader. This is only reinforced further a second later, when he waves a red light up-sword in the air which looks suspiciously like a lightsaber.
Did you spot “Darth Zebra” in the teaser trailer?
Shortly after this scene, Nick, Judy and the snake are met with a mysterious looking cloaked figure who stands above them at a flight of stairs. This looks a lot like Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Additionally, the shot where the trio are running from the ZPD in the desert biome holds a lot of resemblance to the Star Wars planet of Tatooine.
Disney are infamous for their easter eggs, but given the references in the trailer, could we see more Star Wars references or possible crossovers in Zootopia 2? It’s likely just Disney having fun with its IP, but the references are bold enough to get us fans talking!
Overall, it’s a really enjoyable trailer which doesn’t give too much away of what’s to come, yet provides enough to keep us Zootopia fans speculating! I can’t wait to see the sequel released later this year.
Did you spot anything I missed? Got your own theories or favourite returning character? Let me know in the comments below!
Spanning five films, five theme park rides, a dozen video games and endless merchandise, it’s safe to say that Pirates of the Caribbean (POTC) is one of the most beloved Disney franchises of all time. However, given its popularity, why haven’t we seen a new Pirates movie in over eight years?
Cast your mind back to the post credit scene of POTC: Dead Men Tell No Tales (or ‘Salazar’s Revenge’ for those of us not based in the United States); a reunited Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann are asleep in bed, when the shadow of Davy Jones enters the room. Will promptly wakes up and assuming it was a nightmare, goes back to sleep, unaware of the barnacles lying on the floor next to the bed. It’s fair to say that the POTC franchise was very much left on a cliffhanger; so why haven’t we seen a sixth movie – and will we ever?
Box Office vs. Critical Reception
While critics largely gave Dead Men Tell No Tales negative reviews, long-time fans remained loyal – as evidenced by its strong box office performance. With a global haul of nearly $800 million against a budget of $230–320 million, Dead Men Tell No Tales was financially successful.
With that kind of return, a sequel would usually be a no-brainer. It’s common for sequels and remakes to flop both critically and commercially, often leading studios to throw in the towel. But this wasn’t the case with Pirates.
The Sixth Film That Never Came
In fact, prior to the release of POTC: On Stranger Tides (the fourth Pirates movie), it was reported that Disney were planning to shoot the fifth and sixth Pirates films back to back. In 2017, both director Joachim Rønning and producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that Dead Men Tell No Tales would not be the last film in the Pirates series.
Later that year, actress Kaya Scodelario, who played Carina Smyth, stated that she was contractually signed to return for a sixth movie. Despite all this buzz, the news around a sixth Pirates movie seemed to tail off, until the year 2020, when the future of the franchise became far murkier.
Multiple Films, One Messy Timeline
In 2020, Jerry Bruckheimer stated that the first draft of the screenplay for the sixth film was soon to be finished. Later that year, Disney revealed plans for a female-led spin-off starring Margot Robbie – separate from the still-in-development sixth Pirates film.
However in 2022, Margot Robbie said that the Pirates spin-off was no longer going forward. Despite this, Jerry Bruckheimer (yep, this guy again!) stated that the project wasn’t dead and just needed more work. He also stated that another spin-off movie was in the works, separate from the one starring Margot Robbie.
That meant three projects were supposedly in the works: the sixth mainline film, the Robbie-led spin-off, and a third, separate spin-off Bruckheimer teased in later interviews.
More recently in 2024, Jerry Bruckheimer (seemingly the voice of the franchise by this point!), provided additional clarity to the status of the Pirates of the Caribbean series. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he confirmed that two Pirates movies are currently in the pipeline: a reboot (technically the sixth film in the franchise) and the long-rumoured Margot Robbie-led spin-off. He noted that the reboot would be an entirely new cast, however hoped that Johnny Depp would make an appearance.
Will the Original Cast Return?
Interest from the original cast has been mixed. Orlando Bloom expressed a desire to return in 2023, while Keira Knightley stated that her character had already ‘sailed away in brilliant style.’ During his infamous defamation trial with Amber Heard, Johnny Depp declared he had no intention of working with Disney again. However, a 2023 People magazine report suggested Depp might be open to returning under the right conditions.
What Has Disney Actually Said?
Despite all of this anticipation, teasing and speculation, we are still yet to have any official communication as to the status of the Pirates franchise. The last we’ve officially heard from Disney about the POTC franchise was back in 2023 when Sean Bailey, President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, stated that restarting the Pirates franchise was a priority for the studio. Ironically, amidst all this Pirates circus, Sean Bailey stepped down as president in 2024 – so honestly, who knows where we are now!
Real-World Roadblocks
Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike slowed down any momentum the Pirates movies were gathering. While most updates have remained optimistic, the timelines remain frustratingly vague.
According to the reports and interviews, we could potentially have three movies on the horizon, however, it doesn’t seem as though we are any closer to seeing these released.
Is It Too Late to Continue the Original Storyline?
I grew up on the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and adore the franchise, so personally I’d love to see more films in the future, however it very much feels like the ship has sailed on the storyline from the first five movies.
If a sixth Pirates movie were to happen, we’d likely be looking at 2027 – a full decade since Dead Men Tell No Tales. At that point, it’s questionable whether the franchise could realistically continue the story of Henry Turner and Carina Smyth.
Key Events in the Pirates Franchise Timeline
2011 – POTC: On Stranger Tides (4th film) is released
Plans reportedly begin to shoot the 5th and 6th films back to back.
2017 – POTC: Dead Men Tell No Tales (aka Salazar’s Revenge) is released
Director Joachim Rønning and producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirm it’s not the final film.
Kaya Scodelario reveals she’s signed on for a sixth movie.
Post-credit scene teases the return of Davy Jones.
2020
Jerry Bruckheimer says the first draft of Pirates 6 is almost complete.
Disney announces a female-led spin-off starring Margot Robbie.
Reports of a third Pirates-related project (another spin-off) begin to circulate.
2022
Margot Robbie says her spin-off is no longer moving forward.
Bruckheimer claims the project is still alive and just “needs more work.”
2023
Orlando Bloom expresses interest in returning.
Keira Knightley says Elizabeth Swann’s story is complete.
During his defamation trial, Johnny Depp declares he won’t work with Disney again — but later that year, he’s reportedly open to a return under the right conditions.
Disney’s Sean Bailey calls rebooting POTC a “priority” for the studio.
2024
Jerry Bruckheimer confirms two movies are in development:
A reboot (technically the 6th film, with a new cast)
The Margot Robbie spin-off (still on the table)
Sean Bailey steps down as President of Walt Disney Studios.
Ultimately, we’re still left in the dark about the future of the franchise, but here’s hoping that the franchise isn’t completely dead and we can see more movies in the future.
Jerry Bruckheimer, if you’re reading this – what’s the latest?!
It’s no secret that Disneyland Paris – and well, Paris in general – has lagged behind other Disney parks in its plant-based offerings. But in 2025, that’s finally changing, with at least one plant-based option now available at nearly every eatery across the resort.
As a vegetarian, I’ve had slightly more choice compared to my vegan friends, however on my trip to Disneyland Paris earlier this year, I set out to try as many of the plant-based meals (fully vegan where possible!) as I could. Here are my top 5 plant-based meals available at Disneyland Paris in 2025.
Located in the Disney Village, The Steakhouse is one of the more premium table service offerings available at DLP. Whilst a steakhouse may not necessarily be the first place you’d think to find a decent plant-based offering, to my surprise, the plant-based meatball stew was unbelievably tasty!
Interestingly, despite the name, the dish doesn’t include traditional meatballs but instead features plant-based mince, combined with carrots, mushrooms and broad beans all of which combine to create a delightfully comforting dish. The stew is super hearty and has a very meaty taste to it; at one point we almost second guessed what we were eating as it genuinely tasted very meaty. The menu doesn’t state whether the stew comes with any sides or not, but as you can see from my photo, it is in fact served with fries.
At €28, it’s far from a budget meal, especially when paired with a glass of wine or two, but we had this in one of the evenings to warm us up before heading off to watch the fireworks and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Hearty and delicious ‘Meatball’ Stew at The Steakhouse!
4. Casey’s Corner – Plant-Based Hot Dog
I’ve often overlooked Casey’s Corner when visiting Disneyland Paris for no other reason than I always thought its menu was a little on the basic side. That decision to skip it ended this time around when I discovered that there is a plant-based hot dog on the menu! Loaded with a veggie chilli, made with beans and corn, and a delicious vegan sausage, this is a perfect example of where less is more when it comes to quick-service dining.
At €11, I thought this was probably fairly priced, although I’d have appreciated some crisps or fries included within that (fries are an additional €4). That said, the hot dog itself was more than filling and served as an ideal quick pitstop for lunch. One thing we did also notice was that the foil the hot dogs came in was colour-coded depending on the contents; in this case green for plant-based. A minor observation, but one duly noted!
Check out the colour coded foil! And no, not my nails for those wondering!
3. Casa de Coco Restaurante de Familia – Vegan Burrito
The vegan burrito at Casa de Coco has been a staple of Disneyland Paris’ plant-based offerings for quite a few years now and this has always been one of our go to restaurants for a nice and filling lunch. Packed with vegan chilli, rice, plant-based mozzarella, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, onion and cilantro, this burrito is an absolute flavour bomb. I’m not the biggest fan of plant-based cheese in all honesty, but in the burrito it is very subtle and you would have a very hard time telling the difference between this and regular cheese.
Like Casey’s Corner’s plant-based hot dog, this too is priced at €11 and unfortunately doesn’t come with any fries – again, these are available but an additional €4. It’s ok value for money, and not like the plant-based options are more expensive than the meat counterparts, but it’s still expensive for what it is. That said, the staff at Casa de Coco are some of the most accommodating and friendly we’ve come across at Disneyland Paris. We ordered two vegan burritos, one with no salad and one as is and this was not an issue for them at all. Definite bonus points for helping out the fussy eaters amongst us!
Unfortunately, I was too hungry and ate my burrito before I could snap a pic!
2. Manhattan Restaurant – Lasagnette
The most expensive plant-based option in my top five is the Lasagnette at the Manhattan Restaurant, in the Hotel New York, coming in at a toe-curling €32. However, this is not second place for no good reason! The Manhattan Restaurant at Hotel New York may just be the most impressive eating establishment in the whole of Disneyland Paris. It is the very definition of fine dining; from the ambience of the restaurant, the first class service through to the quality of the food; and this does naturally mean the fare on offer is pricier than some of the alternate restaurants.
Manhattan is an Italian restaurant, so it’s no surprise to see plenty of pastas and meats on the menu. The plant-based offering for the main meal is a Lasagnette, made with chestnut flour, forest mushrooms and tomato sauce. The Lasagnette really is exquisite, tasting authentically Italian and blending its rich tomato sauce with its fluffy pasta. Beyond its incredible taste, it’s a visually appealing dish, thoughtfully plated for a gourmet feel. Manhattan’s Lasagnette really is one of the tastier and more luxurious offerings available at Disneyland Paris.
Top tip: Unfortunately the Lasagnette doesn’t come with any sides (roast potatoes are available as a side on the menu at an additional cost, however these are cooked in butter, so not vegan!), but towards the beginning of the meal, your waiter will come round and give you a bread roll. I’d definitely recommend saving this with your Lasagnette if you can, it will help to mop up some of that delicious tomato sauce!
Without a doubt, my absolute favourite plant-based meal from my trip to Disneyland Paris has to be the delicious Lentil Dalh available at Colonel Hathi’s Outpost. Served with fluffy basmati rice and a puffy Naan bread, the Lentil Dalh delivers a fantastic combination of hearty, tasty richness, without feeling too stodgy. The dalh itself combines various aromatic flavours and has a nice spice to it, without feeling like you need to have a drink every 10 seconds. So often, theme park food can be greasy and too much of the same, so it’s so refreshing to get a quick service dining option that actually feels healthy and nutritious.
Plant-based options are plentiful at Colonel Hathi’s Outpost as not only is there a Lentil Dalh on offer, but guests are also treated to plant-based Onion Bhaji Fritters as well as Vegetable Pakora Fritters. These are a little pricey at €6.50 (for 6 fritters) each, but I must say, they do make a perfect accompaniment to the Lentil Dalh. The dalh is also on the pricier side of some of the quick-service dining options, priced at €15, but I found it good value for money.
It’s so nice to see vegans and those who opt for plant-based options actually feel like they are being catered for and are not just an afterthought. For me, you can’t beat Colonel Hathi’s Lentil Dalh!
My favourite plant-based option at Disneyland Paris! Tasty Lentil Dalh!
Other plant-based meals that definitely deserve a mention too are the vegan Shawarma available at the Super Diner in the Studios park, as well as the plant-based nuggets and chips option available at the British-themed Toad Hall. Unfortunately, it looks as though Toad Hall have recently decided to drop their plant-based fish and chips from their menu which is a huge shame as this would definitely have made my top five. Still, the plant-based nuggets and chips are worth trying and are fairly priced at €12.
Frankly, it’s great that there are now so many plant-based options available at Disneyland Paris. If I’d tried to have put together this list a few years ago, I’m sure it would primarily have been made up of burgers and fries – and that’s if we were lucky! Fingers crossed, in a few years’ time, I can make this list again and there be even more plant-based options to choose from.
🌱 Top 5 Plant-Based Meals at Disneyland Paris (2025) – Quick Guide
Dish
Restaurant
Park/Area
Price
Quick Notes
Lentil Dhal
Colonel Hathi’s Outpost
Disneyland Park (Adventureland)
€15
Comes with naan + rice; warming, nutritious, and satisfying. Also pairs well with fritters.
Lasagnette
Manhattan Restaurant
Disney Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel
€32
A refined pasta dish with chestnut flour and forest mushrooms. Great bread roll for sauce-mopping!
Vegan Burrito
Casa de Coco – Restaurante de Familia
Disneyland Park (Frontierland)
€11
Filling, flavour-packed burrito with rice, chilli, and guacamole. Great for picky eaters too!
Plant-Based Hot Dog
Casey’s Corner
Disneyland Park (Main Street, U.S.A.)
€11
Quick-service gem with veggie chilli and vegan sausage. Would benefit from included sides.
Plant-Based “Meatball” Stew
The Steakhouse
Disney Village
€28
Hearty and surprisingly “meaty” stew with mince, mushrooms, and fries. Ideal pre-fireworks dinner.
What’s your favourite plant-based meal at Disneyland Paris? Is there anything you would like to see added to the menu in the future? Let me know in the comments.
Every week, I round up some of the best Disney related deals to be found online. From free downloadables to bonus theme park cash for booking your next trip to Disneyland, here are some of this week’s best deals.
FREE Dining & Drinks for your 2026 Walt Disney World Trip
Planning a 2026 holiday to Walt Disney World in Florida? You could snag FREE Disney Dining & Drinks when you book a Hotel & Ticket package for selected dates between January and December 2026.
This amazing deal also includes 14 days of Disney Magic Tickets for the price of just 7 days, giving you more time to explore all the parks! Plus, if you book by July 1st, 2025, you can save up to £300 on your total holiday cost.
Free dining and drinks on 2026 Walt Disney World holidays!
Depending on your Disney Resort hotel, your free dining could range from quick-service meals to a full Disney Dining Plan, saving you hundreds of pounds (up to £1,119 per adult for a two-week stay!). Children aged 3-9 also get a free dining plan if an adult buys one.
Booking direct with Disney also offers perks like low deposits (from £50pp) and flexible payments, as well as those valuable magic hours!
Learn more about the promotion and book your trip to Walt Disney World here.
FREE gift card worth up to €150 when booking a summer trip to Disneyland Paris
Until 1 June 2025, guests can receive a gift card worth up to €150 to spend in Disneyland Paris shops and restaurants when booking select Disney Hotel and Park Tickets packages. Guests can simply pick up their gift card upon arrival at their booked Disneyland Paris hotel. Guests are eligible for the gift card when booking a stay between 5 July and 7 September 2025.
This offer nicely coincides with the brand new Disney Music Festival which is currently going on until 7September. With festival exclusive themed merchandise available, this gift card could be very handy!
Learn more about the promotion and book your Disneyland Paris trip here.
Amazon Disney deal round up
As usual, there are tons of Disney related deals available over on Amazon, from heavily discounted LEGO sets to a Disney parks cookbook, I’ve picked out some of the highlights below. Note, as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases – this really helps to grow my blog!
FREE Pua soft toy with Disney Store UK Orders over £60
Shoppers who spend over £60 on the UK Disney Store can receive a free Pua soft toy with their order. The Pua plush is from the Disney Blissful Buddies Collection, created for the Disney Store. There are numerous items currently on sale at the Disney store to take you over the £60 threshold. Some of the highlights include a festive Mickey and Minnie Christmas jumper, an awesome Grape Soda drinking tumbler from Up, and a very reasonably priced Elsa costume for kids.
FREE Shipping and FREE gift when you spend $100+ at the US Disney Store
For Disney fans based in the United States, free shipping is available on orders over $99 when you use the code SHIPMAGIC at checkout. Alternatively, shoppers who spend over $100 can redeem an alternative code at the checkout to receive one of four gifts; either a Mickey Mouse mug, a Minnie Mouse mug, a WDW snow globe Christmas decoration or a Disneyland snow globe Christmas decoration.
Check out these offers on the US Disney Store here and view the free gift codes below.
Free gift when you spend $100+ at the Disney Store
FREE Tie-Fighter token in MONOPOLY GO! for Disney+ subscribers
Players of the hugely popular MONOPOLY GO! mobile game can download a free Star Wars themed Tie-Fighter token to use in the game, provided they are subscribed to Disney+. Unfortunately, this freebie is only available to Disney+ subscribers based in the United States.
Ahead of Disney’s live action reimagining of Lilo & Stitch releasing on Friday 23rd May, Disney fans can download a free Stitch activity pack. Perfect for younger Lilo & Stitch fans, the activity pack contains colouring pages; “Spot the Difference” games; word searches; a Stitch mask you can cut out and wear; and more!
FREE Walt Disney Archives 55th anniversary mobile wallpapers
To celebrate 55 years of the Walt Disney Archives, Disney fans can download a collection of 55th Anniversary wallpapers. There are six wallpapers to choose from:
Mickey Mouse Plush Doll
Cinderella Glass Slippers
Winnie the Pooh Live-Action Reference Stand-In
BB-8, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Hitchhiking Ghosts, Haunted Mansion attraction
Prop Storybook (“Mickey Mouse – His Book”)
Image Credit: D23.
I’ve currently got the BB-8 set as my phone wallpaper but I think they are all really cute!
You can download the wallpapers here, as well as checking out the other upcoming Walt Disney Archive events instore this summer.
Seen a deal you’re excited about? Let me know in the comments or tag me on socials if you grab one!
With last week’s announcement of a new Disneyland park coming to Abu Dhabi, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what Disney’s seventh theme park might look like. From attractions to park pricing, here’s everything we could potentially see at Disneyland Abu Dhabi.
At first glance, it seems simple – Disneyland Abu Dhabi (DAD) will be located on Yas Island. But of course, it’s not quite that straightforward! The exact location of DAD has yet to be revealed, so there’s no clarity on how big the park will be. There has been a fair bit of speculation online as to how big the park will be, but nothing officially confirmed.
Putting on my digital detective hat, it looks like there may only be one possible location on Yas Island for DAD, if you look closely at Google Maps. Located on the north of Yas Island, there is a huge area next to the waterfront which looks suspiciously empty at this moment in time. We know DAD is on a waterfront, could this be the park location?
Could this empty stretch of Yas Island be the future home of Disneyland Abu Dhabi?
With regards to the size of the park, looking at the available space mentioned above, this looks roughly 4 or 5 times larger than the size that Warner Bros. World currently occupies. Warner Bros. World is 15.3 hectares in size, meaning the Disneyland Abu Dhabi park could be anywhere from 60 to 100 hectares. For context, the Disneyland Park in California is only 40 hectares in size, meaning DAD could potentially be double the size of this.
Pricing
I expect Disneyland Abu Dhabi’s pricing to be similar to other Yas Island theme parks and broadly aligned with global Disney parks. Below, I’ve compiled an overview of single-day adult ticket prices at Disney parks worldwide alongside the current Yas Island theme park prices (pricing and currency conversions accurate as of time of writing this blog post!).
Disney Theme Parks – 1-Day Adult Ticket Pricing
Theme Park
Local Price Range
USD Range
GBP Range
EUR Range
Notes
Walt Disney World (Florida)
$139–$199
$139–$199
£110–£157
€128–€183
Prices vary by park and date; Magic Kingdom is typically most expensive.
Disneyland Resort (California)
$104–$179
$104–$179
£82–£141
€96–€165
Pricing varies by day and park.
Disneyland Paris
€63–€123
$68–$134
£54–£106
€63–€123
Prices vary by season and park access (1 or 2 parks).
Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea
¥7,900–¥10,900
$58–$80
£46–£63
€53–€74
Prices vary by date; Tokyo DisneySea is often considered a better value.
Shanghai Disneyland
¥475–¥799
$66–$110
£52–£87
€61–€101
Four-tier pricing: Regular to Peak Plus.
Hong Kong Disneyland
HK$639
$82
£65
€75
Standard adult 1-day ticket price.
Walt Disney World is the most expensive globally, with prices ranging from $139–$199.
Theme Parks on Yas Island – 1-Day Adult Ticket Pricing
Theme Park
Local Price Range
USD Range
GBP Range
EUR Range
Notes
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)
AED 375
$102
£81
€94
Fixed price; includes 8 immersive realms and 15+ rides.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)
AED 345
$94
£74
€86
Home to the world’s fastest roller coaster.
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi (Yas Island)
AED 295
$80
£63
€74
Fully indoor park with six themed lands.
Yas Island parks are generally more affordable, with ticket prices averaging around $86.
Looking at these figures, the average single-day ticket for Yas Island parks is around $86 (approximately £68 or €79). Interestingly, international Disney parks outside the USA tend to be slightly cheaper, averaging about $81 (£64/€75). Adjusting for inflation and the premium expected from a Disney-branded park, I speculate Disneyland Abu Dhabi tickets might be priced around $106 (£80/€95). Of course, this is just an estimate.
It’s also worth noting that all Yas Island parks offer fixed ticket prices regardless of the day of visit. Hopefully, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will follow this model, sparing visitors from the steep price surges often seen during peak seasons at other Disney parks!
Emirati Inspiration
Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be ‘authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,’ according to the official announcement. This means the park is likely to feature Emirati-inspired architecture – think modern, geometric designs that reflect Abu Dhabi’s contemporary skyline – while still capturing the magic and storytelling Disney is known for.
I’m excited to see dining options that blend authentic Emirati flavours with classic Disney fare. Imagine something like the Agrabah Café at Disneyland Paris, but serving genuine Emirati dishes. That fusion could be a real highlight for visitors.
Of course, we can’t discuss the Emirati inspiration of the park without mentioning the local customs of the United Arab Emirates. While Disney parks generally have a relaxed dress code, in Abu Dhabi, there will likely be an emphasis on encouraging modest attire. Likewise, it’s likely that during the holy month of Ramadan, the park’s operating hours, dining options, and entertainment might be adjusted to respect those observing the fast.
There has already been a huge amount of criticism around Disney’s stated commitment to LGBTQ+ rights in other regions and its decision to build a major theme park in a country where same-sex sexual activity is criminalised. I think it’s safe to assume that LGBTQ+ visitors should not expect any specific recognition or celebration of LGBTQ+ identities within the park. I plan to explore this complex topic further in an upcoming blog post.
Attractions
The topic everyone has been waiting for: attractions! Now there is a lot to unpack here, so I am going to break it down into three subsections: the audience, the announcement video and the concept art.
The Audience
According to the press release, the UAE is home to the largest global airline hub, with 120 million passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year. This makes the UAE a gateway for visitors from the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, and Europe. It’s mentioned several times that this diverse audience will likely influence the park’s design and attractions.
Given the film’s Middle Eastern setting, I’d be surprised if Aladdin doesn’t feature prominently at Disneyland Abu Dhabi. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin ride already appears at three Disney parks worldwide, including Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Tokyo DisneySea, and Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. So, a variation of this attraction is almost a given.
Backing this up, the 2019 live-action Aladdin remake is the highest-grossing film of all time in the Middle East, breaking records for the best Ramadan opening in the UAE and Jordan. As a fan myself, I hope to see immersive rides inspired by iconic scenes—imagine a journey through the Cave of Wonders! And of course, plenty of Aladdin-themed merchandise too (fingers crossed!).
Looking at some of the other box office data for the region, there are a number of films which I can definitely imagine seeing having an influence at Disneyland Abu Dhabi. These include, Frozen, Moana, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Jungle Book and somewhat surprisingly, Elemental (one of my favourite Pixar films!). Given the waterfront location, nautical-themed movies could be a natural fit.
Another franchise likely to feature heavily is The Lion King. Like Aladdin, its 2019 live-action remake saw massive success across the Middle East and Africa. Given the UAE’s proximity to Africa and the film’s setting, I expect rides, merchandise, and shows – perhaps even The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands – at Disneyland Abu Dhabi.
I can’t move on from this section without mentioning the Marvel franchise, given its HUGE popularity in the Middle East and Africa. Avengers: Endgame holds the record for the UAE’s highest box office, and Black Panther is the highest-grossing film across the combined region. Black Panther also marked a milestone as the first film publicly screened in Saudi Arabia after a 35-year cinema ban. I already have ideas brewing about what Disney Imagineers might create for a Marvel-themed area at Disneyland Abu Dhabi – but I’ll save that for later!
Announcement Video
There’s a lot to unpack in the announcement video, but a few key moments stood out to me as strong clues about what Disneyland Abu Dhabi might feature.
One segment, lasting about five or six seconds, focuses on Moana and the Journey of Water attraction, while highlighting that the park will be “anchored by a beautiful waterfront that will allow us to tell our stories in brand new ways.” Water will clearly play a pivotal role at DAD, and Moana’s inclusion suggests it will have a significant presence. I strongly suspect that instead of traditional fireworks behind the park’s central icon, we’ll see spectacular water fountain projections. These are very popular in the Middle East – the Burj Khalifa hosts one of the world’s largest fountain shows, for example.
Later in the video, Bob Iger says Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be “authentically Disney,” just as Anna and Elsa appear on screen. This feels like a not-so-subtle hint that Frozen will feature prominently at the park. It seems increasingly likely that the main castle will be Frozen-inspired, and the timing of that statement alongside the visual pretty much confirms it.
Beyond Moana and Frozen, the video also includes clips from The Lion King, Tron, Avatar, Zootopia, Cars, Marvel, and Star Wars. While some of these might be purely aesthetic for the trailer, I can easily imagine all these franchises having some presence at Disneyland Abu Dhabi. Disney tends to be very intentional with these kinds of choices!
Concept Art
The concept art for DAD may give us the largest number of clues as to what we may be able expect. First and foremost, we have to talk about the castle. Castles are undeniably iconic to the Disney brand and Disney theme parks and it looks as if DAD is going to be no different with a striking castle as the main centre of focus for the theme park. The one big difference to the standard Disney castle is the striking architectural difference.
Featuring a striking combination of white and blue colours with a spiral curvature, the castle unmistakably resembles Elsa’s ice palace from Frozen. Nestled on the waterfront, this icy design will undoubtedly be the focal point of Disneyland Abu Dhabi. The contrast between a shimmering ice castle and the surrounding desert landscape promises a visually stunning and unique centrepiece for the park. While Moana’s water themes also fit naturally with the waterfront location, the castle’s architecture clearly signals a strong Frozen influence.
Image Credit: Disney
One area that really grabs my attention on the concept art is at the very back right of the artwork. There is what appears to be two towers next to each other which I think hold a similar resemblance to that of the city of Wakanda in Black Panther. Given Black Panther’s popularity in the region, I’m confident in saying I think we can expect a few homages to the Marvel film and I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see the fictional African country brought to life. Whilst the concept art doesn’t appear to show the iconic gigantic Black Panther stone statue that appears in the films, don’t be at all surprised if the Disney imagineers are keeping a few tricks up their sleeves!
Given Abu Dhabi’s extreme summer heat, the popularity of fully indoor parks like Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi makes it likely that DAD will also incorporate significant indoor areas. Whilst I don’t think Disney necessarily want the full park to be indoors, I think it’s fair to say we can expect some indoor areas and this is what I think the two building type areas on the left of the concept art will be. While the artwork offers few concrete clues to their themes, I have a hunch that one of these could be a climate-controlled cityscape inspired by Zootopia.
Image Credit: Disney
The concept art gives us a few more clues as to what we might expect to find at Disneyland Abu Dhabi including:
A snowcapped mountain on the left of the artwork – could this be an Expedition Everest style ride?
To the right of the castle and nestled into the waterfront, there is what looks to be a large tree, half submerged into the water. Could this be one of the many symbolic trees we see in the Avatar franchise?
To the very left of the castle we see what looks to be an enclosed lagoon which, if you zoom in closely, appears to have a boat on it. Could this be Moana’s boat? Or perhaps a Pirates of the Caribbean inspired boat ride?
Of course, this concept art is an early look, so these predictions should be taken with a pinch of salt. But I definitely think Disney is already teasing some exciting ideas!
Nothing is officially confirmed yet, but I’m confident that Disneyland Abu Dhabi will draw heavily from its local culture and audience, shaping its attractions and theming throughout the park.
What are your predictions for Disneyland Abu Dhabi? Let me know in the comments!
Disneyland Paris has announced a brand-new seasonal outdoor terrace, Lounge Lightspeed, coming to Discoveryland from 31 May to 17 September 2025. Guests will be able to enjoy refreshing drinks or Star Wars-themed snacks before their journey “to a galaxy far, far away.”
According to the news article released on the Disneyland Paris news website, the lounge will have a capacity for 50 guests and will offer a unique view of the X-Wing, as well as the wider Discoveryland. The article goes on to say that the lounge will be directly linked to the attraction Star Tours: The Adventures Continues, and guests will be able to meet BDX droids, as well as other Star Wars characters.
It’s so refreshing to finally see some innovation and new ideas coming to Disneyland Paris! Discoveryland has for too long been at severe risk of becoming one of the blander areas of the Disneyland Park, so I’m very happy to hear of this new lounge, especially with it being Star Wars themed!
Looking at the concept art and images by DLP, it appears as if the lounge is going to be primarily based on the terrace area which sits above the Starport, underneath the large X-Wing model and next to the Star Tours: The Adventures Continues ride. Most recently, the Starport was being used as a Darth Vader character encounter, but looking at the digital DLP map, it appears as if this is no longer there (note, the Disney Photopass Service is still showing on the map there).
I do wonder if the Starport’s base will serve as the bar before guests take their drinks to the terrace. Of course, this is just speculation, but I’m keen to see how the lounge integrates with the Star Tours: The Adventures Continues experience and how Disney Imagineers utilise the existing space around the ride.
There’s no news yet on what to expect with the drinks or snack menus, but hopefully, this can match some of the unbelievable themed Star Wars offerings available at Galaxy’s Edge. The article does state that the lounge will be hosted by Coca-Cola – Wompa Cola anyone?
The only downside? Lounge Lightspeed is currently only planned as a seasonal offering. Here’s hoping it proves popular enough to become a permanent addition!
Live-action remakes are seemingly all the rage with Disney at the moment. Despite a host of mixed reviews over the last few years, Disney continues to give their films the live-action treatment.
At this point, it’s important to note that I am not at all opposed to live-action remakes. I think they can actually offer a really entertaining, fresh look at some of the classic Disney movies of old. One of my recent favourite live-action movies over the past few years is Cruella, and while it is more of a live-action prequel than a remake, it offers something new and entertaining, rather than simply a retelling of a story which no one really needs.
Unfortunately, the latter is precisely the case with 2025’s Snow White. In all honesty, there’s nothing particularly wrong with this live-action remake; it just doesn’t deliver anything new. It’s a straightforward retelling of the story, and sadly, that’s it. 2017’s Beauty and the Beast was also a direct retelling; however, it brought a level of charm and excitement to the story we all know and love, and this is where Snow White really fails to deliver.
At no point throughout the movie did I feel gripped or on the edge of my seat. There’s a hint of a darker undertone, particularly when focused on the Evil Queen’s tyrannical jealousy of Snow White; however, it always falls short and fails to strike a balance between a children’s movie and a more mature adventure. Despite a promising pace in the opening half hour, the film soon tails off. There were some scenes throughout the middle section that I wished would end quickly.
On a positive note, Rachel Zegler delivers a standout performance as Snow White. She brings fantastic depth to a character going through a very much coming-of-age journey, and I felt far more engaged whenever she was on screen. She is let down at times by some poor writing and dialogue, but I think it’s fair to say she has rightfully cemented her place as a Disney Princess.
The same cannot be said for Gal Gadot, however. Now, I’m not one to criticise actors or actresses (they do a hell of a job for our entertainment!), but her portrayal of the Evil Queen felt very wooden to me. Again, she is not helped by some terrible dialogue choices, but her entire delivery and on-screen persona fell very flat. It is worth noting that she more than looks the part – kudos to the costume department for that – it’s just a shame the performance doesn’t match.
One of the big controversies that surrounded Snow White prior to its release was the use of CGI to animate the infamous Seven Dwarfs, in their words, to “avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film.” I must admit, at first glance, I raised an eyebrow at the appearance of the CGI dwarfs; however, it didn’t take long for them to blend into the movie and for the characters to bring humour and charm to proceedings. Snow White does a great job of bringing out the varying personalities and characteristics of the dwarfs, and there are a few nods to the classic animations from the 1937 movie which fans of the original can certainly appreciate.
True to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 2025’s Snow White is also a musical, and for the most part, it’s fairly enjoyable. In particular, there are a few ‘sing at the top of your lungs’ songs which I think will prove to be popular, such as “Waiting on a Wish” and “Good Things Grow.” “Waiting on a Wish” is perfectly suited to Rachel Zegler’s vocal range and will no doubt be considered a classic Disney song for many years to come.
The Verdict
Despite a stellar performance from Rachel Zegler as the titular character, Snow White is sadly not the fairest live-action remake of them all – it’s a technically polished film that ultimately struggles to find its own voice.
The Lego Group and Disney continue to expand their longstanding relationship with a brand new wave of Lego Disney sets which are set to release this summer. We are in for a treat too as there are some fantastic sets releasing, with sets covering Toy Story, Princesses and even 101 Dalmatians! Check out the details of each set below.
I am a huge fan of this set! I think it’s a great tribute set for Toy Story’s 30th anniversary, encapsulating some of the charm of the first two Toy Story movies. The train itself really reminds me of the sort of train you’d see at a Disney park parade. Minifigure wise, it’s also really nice to get a Bo Peep minifigure in her dress from the early Toy Story films; previously, we’ve only had her refreshed Toy Story 4 look in the previous wave of sets. Plus, there’s a fantastic-looking Billy, Goat and Gruff print to accompany Bo Peep, which I think is a really nice touch.
Price-wise, $39.99/£34.99/€39.99 isn’t too bad in the scheme of things. Unfortunately, Disney sets often come at a premium compared to Lego’s own, but I think for the 4 minifigures, 3 army men, Billy, Goat and Gruff print, and the overall build, the price is justified.
It’s been a few years now since we’ve had a Toy Story set release, so it’s great to see that the Lego Toy Story license is continuing – does this also mean we will get sets when Toy Story 5 releases next year?!
This is another absolute standout set for me! Usually I don’t pick up any of the Princess sets (not a huge fan of the mini dolls, much more of a minifigure man!), however, I don’t think I can resist picking this set up!
Firstly, I think the castle itself is really impressive, with 5 different sections to the castle all being designed specifically for the 5 different princesses included in the set. From left to right, we have a water-themed tropical section for Moana, an Arabian-style castle for Jasmine, a standout tower at the centre of the set for Rapunzel, elements of traditional Chinese architecture for Mulan, and then finally another water section, this time focused on the ocean for Ariel. I feel that having these five different sections will help keep the build fun and also offer great play opportunity for younger builders.
However, the standout from this set for me is undoubtedly the pet mini-doll figures that accompany their Princess counterparts. We’ve seen some of the pet figures in various sets before; however, I believe this is the first time we have seen a Lego Mushu figure! Being a huge Mulan fan, this is definitely a day-one purchase! Whilst the retail price may be a little high to justify the Mushu figure alone, I think the set as a whole offers fair value for money and is perfect for Lego fans young and old.
This is the first of two 101 Dalmatians sets releasing as part of this summer 2025 wave, and it’s aimed at younger builders. However, despite the 6+ rating, I think this set is going to have huge appeal for Lego Disney fans of any age! Featuring brick-built figures of Lucky and Penny, plus a small TV with a nice little tribute to Thunderbolt from the original 101 Dalmatians movie, I think the build looks really smart overall. I do question the use of tan pieces on the underside of the two Dalmatians, as Dalmatians are typically white all over; however, this is only a minor concern I have. At a retail price of $24.99/£19.99/€24.99, I think this set is fantastic value – the only issue is I would want to buy 50 more sets to have 101 Dalmatians!
While I appreciate I’m not necessarily the target audience for this Minnie Mouse Pet Hotel Lego Set, the set overall just seems fairly lacklustre, particularly given the price. While there is some playability with the slide and there are some nice characters, Figaro and Creampuff in particular, I think the set is grossly overpriced. When you compare the price of this set to the Toy Story Celebration set, it’s a no-brainer which one to pick up, if you were given the choice!
Again, this is another set that doesn’t quite tick the boxes for me. Firstly, the build seems fairly lacking in my opinion – rather than focusing on both the Arendelle Castle and Ice Castle, focusing on one, slightly larger build would have been a better route to go down. I get the impression that Lego are almost going for a Polly Pocket style build with this set; however, I don’t think this translates very well to Lego.
This is reinforced with the strange-looking mini-doll figures in the set too. Now, I mentioned I am not a huge fan of the mini dolls anyway; however, in this set the large heads and small bodies just frankly look rather odd. I am impressed with the wide selection of characters in this set, however, particularly Honeymaren, who is a bit of a random yet welcome inclusion. Price-wise, I’d argue that this set is a little overpriced and would definitely wait for a sale if you were looking to pick this up.
With the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch film releasing later this month, it makes perfect sense that Lego are releasing more Lilo & Stitch sets, and finally, Angel gets the brick treatment! I think the build looks fantastic and really encapsulates the charm and sassiness that Angel exhibits in Lilo & Stitch: The Series. While I feel like the playability of this set will be fairly limited, I think Angel will make a fantastic display piece, particularly when accompanied by the existing Stitch set. At $64.99/£59.99/€64.99, I think this set is priced pretty reasonably.
The second of the 101 Dalmatians sets releasing this summer is this 101 Dalmatians Puppy Set, coming in at a whopping 1722 pieces. 1 Given the piece count, it’s no surprise that this set is marketed as 18+ (People under 17 can’t build big sets too?!). Of course, that comes with a hefty price tag. At $149.99/£129.99/€139.99, the set actually represents a fair price per piece, but it is still going to be an expensive purchase for any collector.
What helps to somewhat justify the price is the seemingly interchangeable nature of the set. It looks like there are several options to modify the puppy as you please: a red collar, blue collar, tongue in, tongue out, or perhaps one black eye to recreate everyone’s favourite puppy, Patch? Whilst definitely an expensive set, this is definitely one that I will be picking up.
Last but certainly not least is the brilliant Luxo Jr. set! I’m over the moon that the iconic Luxo Jr. lamp and Pixar ball have been made into a Lego set, and I’m equally happy with the very reasonable pricing. For a Pixar fan boy like myself, this is the ultimate display piece. What’s more, the fact that you can display it with Luxo Jr. crushing the Pixar ball is just the cherry on top! It is worth noting, however, that I do feel like the appeal of this set is going to be fairly limited; ultimately, it is just a lamp and ball, and it doesn’t have the universal appeal that a Mickey Mouse or Lion King set would have.
Overall, I’m very impressed with this wave of Lego Disney sets. It’s great to see some iconic movies like 101 Dalmatians getting some love, as well as Lego catering to both Disney and Pixar fans with varying display pieces. It’s looking like this summer is going to be an expensive one for me!
All these sets release on June 1st at Lego and other select retailers. Which sets are you most excited to pick up? Let me know in the comments below!
Steamboat Charlie 