It’s been a busy stretch across both coasts, and we’re catching up on two weeks of Walt Disney World updates in one packed episode. The biggest headline? Magic of Disney Animation returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026! Disney has officially announced plans for a new version of the classic attraction, and concept art has already surfaced. We’ll be watching this one closely.
Meanwhile, Walt Disney World has seen a flurry of updates. After surprise previews on July 18 and 19, the Disney Starlight Parade officially debuted at Magic Kingdom, bringing dazzling new floats and an all-new original character, Whimsy, to Main Street, U.S.A. Greg was there for the early shows, and his full breakdown is in this week’s video.
Test Track Reopens and BDX Droids Debut
Test Track is back! The attraction officially reopened to all guests, boasting updated visuals and effects while keeping its familiar design-your-car feature. Over at Hollywood Studios, BDX Box Droids made another appearance, although some performances were delayed due to Florida’s summer storms.
Speaking of Hollywood Studios, more construction walls are now visible. Toy Story Land now features new construction walls near the restrooms—possibly signaling upcoming infrastructure work.
Disneyland Turns 70 with Celebrations on Both Coasts
Disneyland celebrated its 70th anniversary on July 17 with a full day of festivities. One of the highlights? A tribute to the Sherman Brothers playing inside Main Street Cinema. Even more magical: the official Disneyland 70th balloon completed its coast-to-coast flight, landing in California just in time for the anniversary. Walt Disney: A Magical Life Opens.
To mark the occasion, Disney+ released 17 new point-of-view ride-throughs, offering immersive experiences of classic Disneyland attractions in stunning 4 K resolution. It’s a subtle but strong message: Disney+ is becoming the go-to source for park content.
Disney+ Highlights and Rapid Fire News
In addition to the Disneyland POV collection, Disney+ dropped:
- Zombies 4
- SHARKFEST content for Shark Week
- A new daily news program: What You Need to Know
- The return of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with brand-new episodes
On the awards front, The Walt Disney Company earned 137 Emmy nominations, a huge haul across streaming and broadcast platforms.
Foodies will appreciate the peach-flavored Dole Whip, which appeared on Dole Whip Day (July 17) at Disneyland. Over at Disney’s BoardWalk, Greg found a unique banana Nutella dog that might just be the most unusual snack this month.
Marvel and More: Trailers, Concerts, and Popcorn Buckets
A double dose of excitement with the release of the TRON: Ares trailer, complete with a new Nine Inch Nails soundtrack single, and the full trailer for Pixar’s Hoppers ahead of its 2026 debut.
The Descendants and Zombies: Worlds Collide concert tour kicked off in San Diego, featuring stars from both franchises. And in popcorn bucket news, Greg tracked down new offerings in the parks, and the biggest popcorn bucket ever!
Finally, the Fantastic Four make their big-screen return this weekend. Stay tuned for Sam and Greg’s thoughts after opening night!
Watch the full update now on Sam’s Disney Diary YouTube, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next round of breaking Disney news from both coasts!
