We’re hitting pause, looking back, and taking stock of just how big 2025 was for Disney — before turning our eyes forward to what 2026 has in store for Walt Disney World and beyond.

From emotional goodbyes to major park areas, to brand-new lounges, shows, and even a brand-new Disney park announcement overseas, 2025 delivered some of the most impactful Disney news we’ve seen in years. We break down the biggest announcements from the past year, including park closures, major transformations, new entertainment, and the changes that are already reshaping the Disney parks we know and love.

Then, we shift gears and look ahead to 2026, a year that’s shaping up to be absolutely packed. We talk through the Walt Disney World calendar, including festival dates, attraction reopenings, special events, and some guest perks. From refreshed classics like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, to re-themed experiences like the Muppets-themed Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, updated Frozen Ever After animatronics, new Soarin’ adventures, and more, there’s a lot to be excited about.

We also cover returning favorites like After Hours events, seasonal parties, EPCOT festivals, and what families can look forward to throughout the year.

Whether you’re planning a trip, keeping up with Disney news, or just love talking theme parks, this episode is your perfect reset heading into 2026 — full of context, excitement, and a little bit of Disney optimism.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We’re diving into Disney behaviors that should absolutely be socially accepted everywhere, because somehow the parks figured out how humans actually want to function… and then we all had to go back home. From skipping lines like a pro to paying for everything with your wrist, Disney has quietly raised our expectations for daily life — and we’re not mad about it.

We’re counting down our favorite habits, systems, and quirks that feel perfectly normal inside the Disney bubble but earn you very strange looks anywhere else. Things like Lightning Lanes for everyday errands, posted wait times for places that desperately need them (looking at you, DMV), mobile ordering everything, and treating Cast Members — aka employees — like the absolute legends they are.

We’ll also talk about why these ideas actually make sense, how they could lower stress, save time, and maybe even make people a little nicer to each other. Shocking concept, right? This episode is lighthearted, relatable, and guaranteed to have you saying, “Why don’t we do it this way?”

No trip planning, no ride rankings — just a fun, slightly chaotic look at how Disney logic might secretly be the blueprint for a better real world. And yes… Lightning Lanes is our hill to die on.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We’re breaking down our full experience using the Candlelight Processional dining package at Garden Grill Restaurant, capped off with an unforgettable performance narrated by Gary Sinise.

We walk you step-by-step through how the dining package works, what’s included with the prix-fixe meal, and why Garden Grill continues to be one of the better overall choices when it comes to Candlelight dining packages. From the rotating restaurant views inside The Land Pavilion to the all-you-care-to-enjoy holiday meal, we’ll share what stood out, what surprised us, and what you should know before booking.

Of course, the highlight of the night was the Candlelight Processional itself. We’ll talk about the reserved seating process, how early you really need to arrive, and why having a guaranteed seat can completely change your holiday experience at EPCOT. We also dive into what makes Gary Sinise such a powerful and emotional narrator, and why his performances consistently rank among the most talked-about each year.

Whether you’re visiting EPCOT during the Festival of the Holidays, trying to decide between standby and a dining package, or simply want a more relaxed way to experience Candlelight, this episode will help you decide if this is the right option for your trip.

Grab a cozy drink, settle in, and let’s talk food, holiday traditions, and one of EPCOT’s most meaningful seasonal experiences.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

This episode is a little different — because it was recorded live, unfiltered, and full of holiday chaos. No edits, no do-overs, just festive fun with the Main Street Magic community from start to finish.

We kick things off by catching up and diving straight into Would You Rather: Disney Holiday Edition, letting the live chat decide between some tough holiday-themed Disney choices. From there, things get even more festive as we set the stage for a very special guest appearance.

Santa himself joins the show live (with Rhonda holding down the Lounge), where he takes on Naughty or Nice: Disney Edition, judges questionable park behavior, and answers listener questions in real time. It’s unpredictable, hilarious, and exactly the kind of chaos you can only get when you go live.

After Santa heads back to the North Pole and Jeremy returns, we wrap things up with Eat It or Beat It: Holiday Edition, breaking down holiday dishes from around the world and letting the audience vote on what they’d actually eat.

This episode is pure Main Street Lounge — festive, interactive, a little messy, and completely uncut. Pour yourself something cozy and enjoy the holiday magic.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We’re spending a full day exploring Universal’s Epic Universe to see if it really does live up to the hype. From the moment you step into Celestial Park, it’s clear this isn’t just another theme park — it’s a massive leap forward in immersive storytelling, ride technology, and atmosphere.

We break down each world we explored, starting with Celestial Park and its stunning design, headlined by the thrilling Stardust Racers coaster. From there, we jump through portals into SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, where the colors pop, the energy is nonstop, and attractions like Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and Mine-Cart Madness bring video games to life in a way we’ve never seen before.

Next, we head into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, where the details are next-level. We talk about our days experience with the flagship attraction Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, plus Le Cirque Arcanus, a Cirque-style live show featuring magical creatures, aerial performances, and a story pulled straight from the Wizarding World.

We also explore How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, covering rides like Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and the live stage show The Untrainable Dragon, before ending in the darker, moodier Dark Universe, home to classic Universal Monsters and standout attractions like Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.

We share what surprised us most, what worked, what didn’t, and where Epic Universe fits into the future of Universal Orlando. If you’re planning a visit — or just want to know if it’s worth the hype — this episode has you covered.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We’re checking into Universal Helios Grand Hotel to see if this Celestial Park stunner truly lives up to the hype. From gorgeous views and modern rooms to breezy pool vibes and a rooftop bar that practically begs you to stay all night, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about Universal’s newest Signature resort.

But before we get too relaxed, we do the exact opposite of relaxing… and launch ourselves straight into the Upside Down for the Sandbox VR Stranger Things experience. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be a freshly recruited Hawkins Lab test subject — complete with haptic vests, free-roam VR, and Vecna breathing down your digital neck — this one’s for you. We’ll walk you through the story, the scares, the teamwork chaos, the Demogorgon encounters, and of course… who on our team “carried the squad” (the after-action video never lies).

From high-end luxury at Helios Grand to high-intensity thrills in Stranger Things VR, we’re covering food, vibes, gameplay, pricing, and whether these two experiences are worth adding to your next Universal vacation.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We’re back and diving headfirst into the whirlwind that was our Thanksgiving weekend—because what better way to jump back in than with a little chaos, a little sparkle, and a whole lot of Disney?

We kick things off at Disney Springs with a quick update on the brand-new Disney Drop Shop, a permanent addition to the Marketplace Co-Op that’s basically a treasure chest for collectors. Blind boxes, Cosbi figures, Pop Mart surprises… if it’s tiny, adorable, and dangerously addictive, it’s probably in this shop.

From there, we slide over to STK Orlando for a lunch that… well… didn’t exactly steal our hearts. We break down what we ordered—from the Filet Sandwich and Wagyu Burger to the towering Parmesan Truffle Fries—and talk about why this meal left us scratching our heads more than licking our fingers.

Then it’s time to trade “meh” for “merry” as we step into the glitz and glow of Disney’s Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios. We cover everything from early entry strategy to the incredible entertainment lineup, including Disney Holidays in Hollywood, the Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along, and the stunning Glisten! ice-skating show. We explore special themed areas like Holiday Fiesta en la Calle, the Pixar Disco, and the always-fabulous Tip-Top Club, plus rare character sightings like Partysaurus Rex and Bing Bong!

With festive snacks, low wait times on major attractions, and a party atmosphere that blends retro glam with Disney whimsy, Jollywood Nights truly shines.

Join us as we recap the highs, lows, laughs, and magic of a very busy holiday weekend.

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We're kicking things off at the IAAPA Expo 2025, the global meeting place for theme-park creators, innovators, and anyone who thinks fun should come with seat belts and safety restraints. With more than 1,100 exhibitors and endless new ride concepts, animatronics, VR demos, and snack samples, the Expo is always an overload of creativity — in the best possible way. We’ll break down what caught our eye, the coolest booths we explored, and of course… the food we sampled along the way.

From there, we head into Hollywood Studios for dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, one of the most uniquely themed restaurants in all of Walt Disney World. We’ll share what we ate, some fun Imagineering trivia (including those famous license plate Easter eggs), and why burgers, onion rings, and milkshakes just taste better when you’re sitting in a glowing retro convertible under a fake night sky.

Finally, we wrap up at The BOATHOUSE, where we enjoyed classic lobster rolls with perfect waterfront views and a side of Disney Springs energy. We’ll talk ambience, fun facts, and why this spot continues to be one of the most reliable dining experiences at Disney.

We’re diving head-first into another wildly fun round of Resort Wars, and this time the battle is big, bold, and packed with classic Disney history. We’re putting Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort into the ring, and trust us… this showdown is a monorail-line heavyweight match. 

If you’ve been following our Resort Wars journey, you know we’ve taken on some iconic battles — Pop vs. Art of Animation, Riverside vs. French Quarter, Grand Flo vs. Riviera, and more. But there’s something special about comparing two Opening Day Resorts that have shaped Walt Disney World since 1971. These places aren’t just hotels… they’re pieces of Disney history.

On Team Polynesian, you’ve got tropical vibes, tiki torches, beachside sunsets, and DOLE Whip on demand. On Team Contemporary, you’ve got sleek mid-century magic, the monorail gliding through the Grand Canyon Concourse, the iconic Mary Blair mural, and the best walk to Magic Kingdom on property.

We break down theming, rooms, dining, transportation, amenities, and value — and of course, we leave Listener Intel and the final verdict to YOU.

So grab your Mickey ears, hop on the monorail, and tune in as we decide which Opening Day legend takes home the crown in this edition of Resort Wars!

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.

We’re cracking open another round of our Listener Q&A series, where your questions take center stage and we get to time-travel, daydream, debate, and laugh our way through the wild world of Walt Disney World. From Back to the Future-style time hopping to EPCOT engineering, this one covers a little bit of everything—so buckle up, because the flux capacitor is… well, metaphorically humming.

We kick things off with a big one: If you had one day to time travel to any Disney park in history, where and when are you landing? Parade nostalgia, extinct attractions, retro vibes—nothing is off the table.

Then, we get delightfully nerdy as we design a brand-new World Showcase Lagoon attraction and pitch a fresh Skyliner route that Imagineering will probably ignore but shouldn’t. 

Over on Twitter, we tackle what kind of perk could actually convince us to buy direct DVC—and yes, we get honest. 

Instagram brought the planning heat: Pop Century vs. French Quarter for a June family trip, Skyliner convenience vs. resort charm, and how to tackle Fourth of July fireworks across a three-night celebration.

Plus, we wrap up with a festive bite of holiday goodness as we spotlight Columbia Harbour House’s Gingerbread Cake—because every Q&A needs a little sugar. 

Tune in, laugh along, and keep those questions coming!

🎉Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel

Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin!

📱Stay Connected with Main Street Magic

Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic:

• Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community
• Facebook: @MainStMagic
• Instagram: @MainStMagic
• TikTok: @MSMPodcast
• X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic

🌐Visit Us Online

• Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com
• Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com

🍽️Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation

Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally!

🤝Support & Discover Our Friends

Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/

🎵Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions

Because every great show deserves a great beat.