Happy Earth Day! We all know Disney for the movies and the rides, but behind the scenes, there’s some seriously impressive work going on to keep the magic sustainable.
To celebrate Earth Day 2026, I’ve picked out three of my favourite recent initiatives that show how Disney is actually walking the walk when it comes to the environment.
1. Harnessing the Florida Sun
One of the big updates today is that Disney have finally opened their new solar facility in Levy County. It’s part of a much bigger push across their parks worldwide – they’ve got massive solar canopies over the parking lots in Disneyland Paris, thousands of panels on the rooftops at Hong Kong Disneyland, and even arrays powering Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.
In Florida specifically, this new site means they now have enough solar power to cover 100% of the daytime needs for the entire resort on a sunny day. It’s pretty wild to think that everything from the monorail to the coasters is being powered by the sun while you’re actually there.
The iconic Mickey-shaped solar array at Walt Disney World is just one part of a global push to power the magic with renewable energy. (Photo: Fantasyland News)
2. A 3,000-Mile Commute for Purple Martins
A lot of people don’t know this, but every year, thousands of purple martins travel all the way from the Brazilian Amazon just to spend their spring at Walt Disney World. It’s a massive journey – over 3,000 miles – and they come specifically to nest in the parks.
Disney has set up these specialised nesting “condos” (you can spot them at Saratoga Springs or near EPCOT) to give them a safe place to raise their chicks. It’s actually turned the golf courses into certified wildlife sanctuaries! On May 1st, they’re even hosting a “Purple Martin Palooza” at the Magnolia Golf Course where fans can see the conservation work up close. It’s a great reminder that the parks are a home for wildlife as much as they are for us.
Cast Members at a Purple Martin Palooza event showing off the specialized “condos” that help these birds nest safely in the parks. (Photo: Walt Disney World Golf)
3. 30 Years of Global Magic
The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) is officially celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Since it started back in 1995, they’ve actually directed over $141 million toward protecting wildlife, which is a pretty massive milestone.
One project that stands out to me is Proyecto Tití in Colombia. They work with cotton-top tamarins to create forest corridors so they can move safely in the wild. They even work with local communities to recycle plastic bags into tote bags, which is a great touch. It’s definitely cool to think that a day at Animal Kingdom actually helps fund projects like that.
The Disney Conservation Fund helps protect the Cotton-top Tamarin and their native habitats through projects like Proyecto Tití. (Photo: Pexels)
The Verdict
I’m a big fan of the attention to detail Disney puts into these projects. It’s easy to talk about being “green,” but seeing hundreds of acres of solar panels or tracking a bird’s 3,000-mile journey shows they are actually putting in the work. As someone in the early stages of my golf career, I’ll definitely be adding a trip to the golf course to check out the purple martins (and the greens!).
If you’re looking for something to watch tonight, Disney+ just released a new film for Earth Day called Orangutan, narrated by Josh Gad. If you’re after more Earth Day picks, I’ve put together a full Disney+ watchlist too – check it out here.
Which of these initiatives is your favourite? Are you heading to the Purple Martin Palooza in May? Let me know in the comments!
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and Disney fans of all ages – welcome! 2025 proved to be a whirlwind year for the Walt Disney Company, with a massive slate of releases across both TV and film. From live-action remakes that redefined nostalgia to original hits that broke the mould, it has been a year of big risks and even bigger magic.
The votes are in, the envelopes are sealed, and the stage is set. Without further ado, welcome to the Steamboat Charlie 2025 Disney Awards!
1. Best Original Song
The Criteria: This category celebrates the track that defined the year’s musical landscape – the one that felt like an instant Disney classic.
🏆 The Winner: Waiting on a Wish (Snow White)
Why it won: Despite the box office flop that Snow White proved to be, it’s hard to disagree that the soundtrack was incredibly catchy! “Waiting on a Wish” was absolutely the pick of the bunch, becoming an instant Princess powerhouse ballad. It’s little surprise to hear that the song was written by Pasek & Paul, the legendary songwriters behind The Greatest Showman. This was the track I found myself playing late into 2025, and it serves as proof that even when a movie is divisive, Disney can still deliver a timeless musical masterpiece.
Notable Mentions:“Burning Love” (Lilo & Stitch) by Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm, “Zoo” (Zootopia 2) by Shakira.
2. The Sidekick Spotlight (Best Side Character)
The Criteria: This award is for the supporting character who stole the show, often overshadowing the lead with pure charisma or heart.
🏆 The Winner: Glordon (played by Remy Edgerly in Elio)
Why it won: In a year filled with live-action remakes and sequels, Pixar’s Elio went a little under the radar in 2025 – which is a shame, as the film is great fun! One character who did not go under the radar, however, was Glordon, Elio’s worm-like alien sidekick. It’s a classic Pixar move to take a “scary” alien and make him the sweetest character on screen. His willingness to be Elio’s “bargaining chip” was the funniest and most endearing part of the movie, and his friendship with Elio was the real emotional anchor of the story.
Notable Mentions:Pleakley (played by Billy Magnussen in Lilo & Stitch), K-2SO (played by Alan Tudyk in Andor)
3. Biggest Surprise Hit
The Criteria: I’m looking for the project that beat the odds, exceeded the hype, or simply proved the sceptics wrong.
🏆 The Winner: Pixar’s Win or Lose
Why it won: When I first heard that Pixar was creating a feature-length television series, I naively thought it wouldn’t quite live up to the Pixar magic we’ve come to expect from their movies and that this would simply end up a failed experiment. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Win or Lose got me gripped and engaged right the way through the series. There was absolutely so much I loved about it, from the unique and relatable characters to simply how compact and wild of a ride each episode ended up being! The series genuinely blew my expectations out of the water and ended up being one of my favourite watches of 2025.
Notable Mentions:Lilo & Stitch (Live-Action), The Fantastic Four: First Steps
4. Most Disappointing Release
The Criteria: Not necessarily a “bad” project, but the one where the final result didn’t quite live up to the massive potential or expectations.
🏆 The Winner: Snow White
Why it won: I guess it’s no surprise that Snow White comes in as the most disappointing release of 2025, given its poor box office results and negative reviews among critics. I’ll preface this by saying that I don’t actually think the film was as bad as it’s made out to be; I found the soundtrack to be incredibly catchy and the performance of Rachel Zegler was near faultless, in my opinion. I was, however, disappointed with the overall story and direction of the film. A live-action remake of one of the biggest Princesses in Disney’s IP should have felt fresh and exciting, but instead, Snow White ended up feeling like a poorly written pantomime put on the big screen.
Notable Mentions:Captain America: Brave New World, Tron: Ares
5. Best Performance
The Criteria: This award goes to the actor who gave the most nuanced, powerful, or memorable performance across Film or TV this year.
🏆 The Winner: Diego Luna as Cassian Andor
Why it won: There were a few brilliant performances across 2025, but in truth, there was only ever one winner for this award: Diego Luna and his portrayal of Cassian Andor in Season 2 of Andor. His performance throughout the series was delivered with a fantastic amount of depth and grit, and his character development from a cynical survivor to the rebel leader we see at the end of the series is sensational. Some of his quiet, tense interactions with Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) are among the best dialogue-led scenes in Star Wars history.
Notable Mentions:Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock (Daredevil: Born Again), Rachel Zegler as Snow White (Snow White)
6. The Golden Streamer for Best Series
The Criteria: My pick for the most well-rounded, addictive, and high-quality storytelling found on Disney+ or Hulu.
🏆 The Winner: Andor (Season 2)
Why it won: Again, maybe there are no surprises here with my pick for Best Series, given it picked up a whopping five Emmy wins out of 14 nominations. Andor Season 2 may just be one of the best series that Disney and Star Wars have released in the past 10 years, let alone in 2025! There’s just so much depth to the show, and it explores themes and narratives we’ve never-before-seen in any Star Wars media. The cast is faultless, the soundtrack is exquisite, and it serves as the perfect prelude to Rogue One. I can’t recommend the series enough!
Notable Mentions:Pixar’s Win or Lose, Daredevil: Born Again
7. The Platinum Mickey for Best Film
The Criteria: The big one. My favourite movie released under the Disney umbrella in 2025.
🏆 The Winner: Lilo & Stitch
Why it won: This was probably the toughest category to pick a winner in, and on any other day, Zootopia 2 or Elio could have taken the crown. However, I have to say, I absolutely loved the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake! These remakes often fail to live up to the original (see Snow White for example!), so I went in a little sceptical, worried that it would tarnish the legacy of the 2002 animated classic. Thankfully, my concerns were short-lived.
The film perfectly encapsulated all the charm and fun of the original while managing to feel like its own unique experience. The blend between live action and animation worked seamlessly – which was one of my biggest fears going in – and the bond between Lilo and Stitch felt more grounded and real than ever. It wasn’t a flawless film by any means, and critically Zootopia 2 was arguably “better,” but the sense of nostalgia and euphoria this movie gave me was unmatched. It made me feel like I was six years old again, falling in love with Stitch for the very first time. In a year of massive blockbusters, this was the one that truly captured the Disney magic.
Notable Mentions:Elio, Zootopia 2
Do you agree with my winners? What was your favourite movie or series released by Disney in 2025? Let me know in the comments below!
If you thought 2025 was busy, 2026 is shaping up to be an absolute powerhouse for Disney, Pixar, and Marvel. From long-awaited sequels to some incredibly unique original stories, here is the full checklist of everything we’ll be watching on the big and small screens this year.
January
January 6: Will Trent
January 6: The Rookie
January 7: Tron: Ares (Disney+ Streaming Debut)
January 13: Hey A.J.!
January 16: Phineas and Ferb
January 22: Disneyland Handcrafted (New Documentary)
January 26: American Idol
January 27: Wonder Man
January 30: Send Help (Theatrical)
February
February 4: The Muppet Show: Sabrina Carpenter Special
February 20: Psycho Killer (Theatrical)
February 25: Scrubs
February 27: Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars
March
March 4: Daredevil: Born Again
March 6: Hoppers (Theatrical)
March 22: The Bachelorette
March 27: The Dog Stars (Theatrical)
March 27: Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (Theatrical)
May
May 1: The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Theatrical)
May 22: The Mandalorian and Grogu (Theatrical)
June
June 19: Toy Story 5 (Theatrical)
July
July 10: Moana (Live-Action Theatrical)
July 31: Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Theatrical)
August
August 1: Sofia the First: Royal Magic
October
October 16: Whalefall (Theatrical)
November
November 25: Hexed (Theatrical)
December
December 18: Avengers: Doomsday (Theatrical)
Looking at that list, I honestly can’t wait for the year ahead. Seeing Star Wars return to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu feels like a massive moment we’ve been waiting years for, and the hype for Robert Downey Jr.’s return in Avengers: Doomsday is very, very real.
On the animation front, I have to say that Hoppers is right at the top of my list – the trailer looks like such great fun and it’s exactly the kind of quirky original story Pixar does best. What are you most excited for in 2026? Let me know in the comments!
2025 proved an exciting year for Disney fans and there was plenty to keep us busy and occupied with as the years went on. Below, I’ve recapped some of the most notable highlights, across new movies, theme park news and various other topics.
Movies
Movies were in plentiful supply in 2025 from the Walt Disney Company, with Disney, Pixar and Marvel all releasing blockbuster hits. Snow White released back in March to a storm of controversy that seemed to overshadow the film itself. Things did pick up later in the year with the positive release of Lilo & Stitch in May which grossed $1.038 billion and became the third-highest-grossing film of 2025 and the highest-grossing live-action/animated hybrid in history.
On the animated front, Zootopia 2 broke further records for Disney, having the highest grossing opening weekend for an animated movie. Pixar’s Elio released in June to generally positive reviews, however a severe lack of marketing for the movie in the lead up to its release led to it underperforming at the box office.
2025 proved a busy year for Marvel Studios too, with three feature length movies hitting the big screen. Captain America: Brave New World released back in February to mixed reviews and a fairly poor box office performance by Marvel standards, with President Kevin Feige citing the film’s disappointing $415 million box office performance to the absence of fan-favourite Chris Evans. Both Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps also released in 2025, both of which receiving generally positive reviews.
There were plenty of other movies released last year that too deserve a special mention including Freakier Friday, Tron: Ares and of course Avatar: Fire and Ash.
TV Series
It was also a busy year for TV Series for Disney, with a number of new and original series arriving to Disney+, as well as returning fan favourite series.
2025 saw the highly anticipated season 2 of Andor arrive and I have to say, this may just have been one of my highlights of the year! The series received fantastic critical acclaim and received twenty-two nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards, winning five in 2025, including a huge win for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.Marvel also had a busy year with TV series, with Daredevil: Born Again and Ironheart joining the MCU, with both received generally positive reviews across the board.
The first ever Pixar long-form television series released in the form of Win or Lose, a coming of age comedy drama centred around a softball team called the Pickles. The second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians arrived to Disney+, as well as the revival of the iconic Phineas and Ferb with its fifth season.
Theme Parks
The biggest event of the year was Disneyland Resort’s 70th Anniversary, with a number of events and celebrations to commemorate its 70th anniversary.
One of the biggest pieces of theme park related news in 2025 was the announcement of the Disney Abu Dhabi project which was officially unveiled as a major partnership with Miral. While an official opening date is yet to be announced (though rumours point to 2030), it will be Disney’s first theme park resort in the Middle East, opening up a host of new and excited adventures for a brand new audience.
Disney Abu Dhabi Concept Art (Image Credit: Disney)
We also said an emotional goodbye to Muppet*Vision 3D which permanently closed its doors at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, much to the disappointment of Disney fans across the globe. Phased closures also began at Animal Kingdom’s Dinoland U.S.A. as it prepares for a ‘Tropical Americas’ retheming.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line saw a brand new ship launch in November 2025 with the magnificent Disney Destiny. With a capacity for 4,000 passengers the “Heroes and Villains” themed ship features the debut of Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King, a first-of-its-kind musical dinner show, and The Sanctum, the first Doctor Strange-inspired lounge at sea. Early reviews of the Disney Destiny have been fairly positive, particularly amongst families with mixed-age kids and adults seeking a more mature sailing experience.
Merchandise
It’s very hard to summarise all of the new releases when it comes to Disney merchandise as it is a never ending cycle at times! That being said, there were a few particular new releases of note, particularly with some of the Disney LEGO sets released over the past 12 months. From the affordable display pieces like the Pixar Luxo Jr. and WALL-E and EVE sets, to the more extravagant LEGO Icons Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Ship (The Black Pearl) which brought back the return of the fan favourite LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean theme.
Trading cards also saw a massive surge in popularity across the board in 2025 and Disney trading cards also exploded in 2025 across released from Topps, Kakawow and Lorcana. 2026 looks set to continue this trend with a number of other sets due for release across all three of these manufacturers.
As a big LEGO and card collector, 2025 proved an expensive year for myself!
Commercial Performance
Commercially, Disney had a fantastic year, crossing a massive milestone in 2025, reaching nearly $94.4 billion in annual revenue (up 3% from 2024). Despite strong earnings, the stock remained volatile throughout the year, fluctuating between a low of $80 and a high of $124 as investors weighed streaming wins against declining traditional TV. The Parks and Experiences division reached a record $10 billion in annual operating income, remaining the company’s most reliable and resilient “cash cow.”
2025 Milestone
Achievement
Highest Grossing Movie
Zootopia 2 ($1.58B+)
Newest Destination
Disney Abu Dhabi (Announced May 2025)
Newest Ship
Disney Destiny (Launched Nov 2025)
Financial Growth
$94.4 Billion Revenue (Up 3%)
All in all, 2025 proved a successful year for the Walt Disney Company, not just commercially, but positive critical responses across movies proved that there’s still life in the mouse yet!
What was your Disney highlight of 2025? Let me know in the comments below!
Pixar surprised fans on social media yesterday with a major announcement: a new film set in the world of Luca, plus new images and concept art for their upcoming projects.
New Pixar Movie Gatto Announced!
Image Credit: Pixar
Slated to arrive in cinemas in 2027, Gatto comes from Luca director Enrico Casarosa and returns to Italy, whilst following a black cat named Nero. Pixar’s post states that Nero is “Indebted to a feline mob boss, he finds himself forced to forge an unexpected friendship that may finally lead him to his purpose…”.
I’m thrilled we’re heading back to the world of Luca! I’ve always felt the film flew under the radar due to its pandemic release, but I also like the fact that Gatto is a completely new original story, set in the world of Luca, rather than a direct sequel. I wonder if Nero will cross paths with Machiavelli, Giulia’s dads cat?
The image released alongside of the announcement shows the main character Nero exploring the streets of what looks to be Venice. At first glance, the image looks like concept art — but it’s actually the final animation style of the entire movie! This is super refreshing to see and credit to Pixar for trying something new.
The whole concept of a main cat protagonist in an animated movie is especially interesting, given that earlier this year the animated movie Flow won the Academy Award, as well as countless other awards. It may just be a coincidence, but those animated movie cat lovers out there are in for a treat!
New Image From Hoppers
Image Credit: Pixar
Pixar also released a brand new image from Hoppers, an upcoming Pixar film scheduled for release in March 2026. The image shows two joyful-looking beaver-like creatures, one wearing a crown and holding a stick. Whilst we don’t know a great deal about Hoppers just yet, the Pixar website states that the basic premise is that ‘scientists have discovered how to “hop” human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals!’.
Of course, the new image doesn’t reveal much in terms of plot, but I must say, the animation looks fantastic. Just look at how fluffy the beavers’ fur is!
New Concept Art Image From Toy Story 5
Image Credit: Pixar
Toy Story 5 is also set for a 2026 release, and Pixar has released a concept art image. The image depicts Buzz, Jessie and Bullseye facing off with a tablet, which again coincides with what we know about the premise of Toy Story 5: ‘it’s Toy meets Tech’. Again, the image doesn’t really give us anything more than what we already know, but it’s another sign that we’re edging ever closer to seeing Woody, Buzz and the gang back together!
Which upcoming Pixar film are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments.
Disney has announced plans to lay off several hundred people across the world, according to a report this week from Deadline. But what’s driving the decision?
Which areas are most impacted?
The layoffs are hitting several core creative and support functions. Specifically, the article states that workers in:
Film departments
Television departments
Finance departments (including corporate finance)
Marketing departments for both film and television units
Casting and development
To me, these specific areas clearly point to a strategic trimming – not just cost-cutting, but a deeper reshaping of Disney’s creative and financial DNA. Disney states no teams will be entirely closed, implying a strategic scaling back, not a complete elimination of departments.
Time for change: As Disney announces global layoffs in 2025, even the most iconic symbols of the company remind us that no era lasts forever.
Reasons behind the cuts
The article highlights 3 main reasons for the layoffs:
Industry Transformation & Shift to Streaming: This is the overarching reason given by Disney for the layoffs. The Deadline article highlights that viewers are moving “away from cable TV subscriptions in favour of streaming platforms.”
Continuation of Cost-Saving Initiative: These layoffs aren’t a new, isolated event. They follow the major layoffs announced in 2023, part of CEO Bob Iger’s ambitious plan to save $5.5 billion.
Efficiency While Fueling Creativity: Disney claims these cuts are about “efficiently managing our businesses while fuelling the state-of-the-art creativity and innovation.”
What can we take from this?
Interestingly, these layoffs are happening shortly after Disney reported “stronger than expected earnings in May,” with revenue up 7% due to Disney+ subscriber growth. It’s striking – and a little disheartening – to see layoffs follow strong streaming growth. Clearly, subscriber numbers aren’t the only metric that matters anymore; profitability is taking the wheel.
From a film perspective, it’s been a bit of a mixed bag for Disney of late: Snow White significantly underperformed, while the live action remake of Lilo & Stitch has broken numerous box office records.
These layoffs aren’t unusual for Disney, they appear to be part of Bob Iger’s plan to reshape Disney. These layoffs are also planned for employees across the globe, showing it’s a global realignment, not just a domestic focus.
These layoffs may be framed as strategy, but they’re also a reminder that even in times of growth, creative workers are rarely safe in corporate restructuring – especially when Wall Street’s approval seems to matter more than storytelling.
Have you or someone you know been impacted by the changes at Disney? Or do you have thoughts on how the entertainment industry is evolving? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
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!
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!
The Walt Disney Company has this week officially announced its intention to develop a seventh theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This expansion will see Disney partner with Miral, a prominent Abu Dhabi-based creator of immersive experiences.
The upcoming resort will be located on Yas Island, an established global destination for leisure and entertainment. This placement aims to attract a broad international audience, connecting travellers from the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond. The project intends to integrate Disney’s renowned storytelling, characters, and attractions with the distinct culture and environment of Abu Dhabi, including its shorelines and architecture.
Image Credit: Disney
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral, commented on the collaboration, stating, “The collaboration between Abu Dhabi and Disney demonstrates the remarkable results of combining visionary leadership and creative excellence. What we are creating with Disney in Abu Dhabi is a whole new world of imagination—an experience that will inspire generations across the region and the world.”
Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, highlighted the significance of this expansion: “As our seventh theme park destination, it will rise from this land in spectacular fashion, blending contemporary architecture with cutting-edge technology to offer guests deeply immersive entertainment experiences in unique and modern ways. Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati—an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world.”
Miral will oversee the development and construction of the resort, while Disney’s Imagineers will be responsible for the creative design and operational guidance to ensure a high-quality guest experience. Miral has a track record of developing family entertainment destinations on Yas Island, including popular attractions like Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and will manage the resort’s operations.
Image Credit: Disney
Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Experiences, emphasized the innovative aspects of the project: “Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique—anchored by a beautiful waterfront—which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways. This project will reach guests in a whole new part of the world, welcoming more families to experience Disney than ever before.”
Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, noted the strategic importance for Yas Island: “Bringing a Disney theme park resort to Yas Island marks a historic milestone in our journey to further advance the island’s position as a global destination for exceptional entertainment and leisure.”
Upon completion, the resort will feature signature Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, unique dining and retail options, all designed to celebrate both Disney’s legacy and Abu Dhabi’s cultural identity.
While specific details regarding the park’s layout, attractions, and opening timeline are yet to be announced, this development marks a significant expansion for The Walt Disney Company’s theme park portfolio. It signals a strategic move to tap into a new and growing global tourism market.
Personally I’m super excited about the prospect of a brand new Disney park opening up! Living in the UK, this will be the second closest Disney park for us Brits (after Paris) and I’m really eager to see how Disney and Miral collaborate to bring Disney Abu Dhabi to life. Disney’s partnership with Miral follows a well-established trend of collaborating with local experts in destination development and management, as seen with the Oriental Land Company for the Tokyo Disney Resort and with Miral’s track record of current entertainment destinations, I have full confidence that the park will be first class.
What are your initial thoughts on this new Disney venture? What kind of unique integrations of Disney and Emirati culture are you hoping to see? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Steamboat Charlie 