Dirk Libbey
@themeparkdirk.bsky.social
Covering the theme park industry for CinemaBlend. Film Critic. Semi-Pro Disney historian. Future Club 33 member. he/him *opinions are my own*
Pinned
Dirk Libbey
@themeparkdirk.bsky.social
· Jul 14
The animatronic Walt Disney is an incredible technical achievement and a truly special addition to Disneyland
I've started my morning on the "Sydney Sweeney's underwear" beat for the last two days. Some people would kill to have my job
January 27, 2026 at 2:17 PM
I've started my morning on the "Sydney Sweeney's underwear" beat for the last two days. Some people would kill to have my job
My Christmas gift to my mom was visiting once a month to help her go through the far to much stuff that has accumulated over the decades. Some of it is familiar. I have NO IDEA where this came from, but I love it
January 25, 2026 at 12:14 AM
My Christmas gift to my mom was visiting once a month to help her go through the far to much stuff that has accumulated over the decades. Some of it is familiar. I have NO IDEA where this came from, but I love it
I'm sure Gordan Ramsey is actually a really nice guy but I choose to believe that when somebody told him he had to do a photo op with Mickey he said some very un-Disney words.
January 24, 2026 at 2:25 AM
I'm sure Gordan Ramsey is actually a really nice guy but I choose to believe that when somebody told him he had to do a photo op with Mickey he said some very un-Disney words.
Universal Kids Resort is looking amazing. My kids are going to flip out. youtu.be/T7UiIMMbFY0?...
All-New Universal Kids Resort: Isle of Curiosity & More!
YouTube video by Universal Kids Resort
youtu.be
January 24, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Universal Kids Resort is looking amazing. My kids are going to flip out. youtu.be/T7UiIMMbFY0?...
I appreciate THE PITT for making a good "Pros From Dover" reference. youtu.be/LpH4Fblhang?...
Mash (1970) The Pros From Dover
YouTube video by Steven Perez-Salgado
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 4:15 AM
I appreciate THE PITT for making a good "Pros From Dover" reference. youtu.be/LpH4Fblhang?...
Disneyland Handcrafted is another home run documentary from Leslie Iwerks, that highlights the hands that built Disneyland www.cinemablend.com/movies/disne...
Disney+’s Disneyland Handcrafted Review: A One-Of-A-Kind Documentary For A One-Of-A-Kind Place
You may have seen Disneyland, but never like this.
www.cinemablend.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Disneyland Handcrafted is another home run documentary from Leslie Iwerks, that highlights the hands that built Disneyland www.cinemablend.com/movies/disne...
Oscar noms, Masters of the Universe, and Pokemon at Universal all before I've had my coffee.
January 22, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Oscar noms, Masters of the Universe, and Pokemon at Universal all before I've had my coffee.
Based on the trailer, this isn't quite the way it works, and the pop culture connection appears to be more reference than plot point. I'll allow it.
This shot in the Masters of the Universe teaser, with action figures in the background, seems to imply a guy from the "real" world discovers the cartoon he loved was real and takes on the mantle of He-Man. I'm all for this movie not being too "serious" but I've never loved that particular conceit.
January 22, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Based on the trailer, this isn't quite the way it works, and the pop culture connection appears to be more reference than plot point. I'll allow it.
A movie coming out in 2026 where your HEROES are cops and AI is a CHOICE.
January 22, 2026 at 4:59 AM
A movie coming out in 2026 where your HEROES are cops and AI is a CHOICE.
Wish is no PATF, so it should rightly lose this bracket, but I will remain steadfast in my belief that the movie is still "good, actually"
Today in the first round of the Walt Disney Animation Studios bracket, we have two recent titles with distinctive animation and music going head to head. But we all know the *correct* answer. …right?
1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/zmaLi8/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">The Princess and the Frog
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/zmaLi8/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Wish
📊 Show results
1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/zmaLi8/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">The Princess and the Frog
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/zmaLi8/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Wish
📊 Show results
January 21, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Wish is no PATF, so it should rightly lose this bracket, but I will remain steadfast in my belief that the movie is still "good, actually"
This shot in the Masters of the Universe teaser, with action figures in the background, seems to imply a guy from the "real" world discovers the cartoon he loved was real and takes on the mantle of He-Man. I'm all for this movie not being too "serious" but I've never loved that particular conceit.
January 21, 2026 at 4:29 PM
This shot in the Masters of the Universe teaser, with action figures in the background, seems to imply a guy from the "real" world discovers the cartoon he loved was real and takes on the mantle of He-Man. I'm all for this movie not being too "serious" but I've never loved that particular conceit.
I went through a phase watching old episodes streaming a couple years ago and discovered that many eps have text updates regarding anything that has happened with the cases since the show went off the air
Unsolved Mysteries premiered 39 years ago. When this music hit, you knew you weren't getting sleep. Whatever did happen to that missing soldier? The bank robbery conducted by ghosts? And what of the alien signal this family's TV set? All those and more on tonight's Unsolved Mysteries...
Unsolved Mysteries Theme Song
YouTube video by FILMFave
youtu.be
January 21, 2026 at 4:02 AM
I went through a phase watching old episodes streaming a couple years ago and discovered that many eps have text updates regarding anything that has happened with the cases since the show went off the air
I started watching DISNEYLAND HANDCRAFTED, hoping that one specific person wasn't left out of the story. I should have known Leslie Iwerks wouldn't let me down.
January 20, 2026 at 10:50 PM
I started watching DISNEYLAND HANDCRAFTED, hoping that one specific person wasn't left out of the story. I should have known Leslie Iwerks wouldn't let me down.
I wasn't a big Winnie the Pooh fan but my kids are so I've watched both theatrical films multiple times in the last few years and they are straight up bangers.
That said, Strange World didn't deserve getting the Treasure Planet treatment by Disney. Neither did Treasure Planet for that matter.
That said, Strange World didn't deserve getting the Treasure Planet treatment by Disney. Neither did Treasure Planet for that matter.
Today in the first round of the Walt Disney Animation Studios bracket, two criminally underrated films go head to head. Which one should move on?
1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/mvNZaA/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Winnie the Pooh (2011)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/mvNZaA/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Strange World
📊 Show results
1️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/mvNZaA/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Winnie the Pooh (2011)
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/mvNZaA/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Strange World
📊 Show results
January 20, 2026 at 8:28 PM
I wasn't a big Winnie the Pooh fan but my kids are so I've watched both theatrical films multiple times in the last few years and they are straight up bangers.
That said, Strange World didn't deserve getting the Treasure Planet treatment by Disney. Neither did Treasure Planet for that matter.
That said, Strange World didn't deserve getting the Treasure Planet treatment by Disney. Neither did Treasure Planet for that matter.
Sometimes it's the little things that make you feel like you might actually know what the hell you're doing in your chosen profession
January 20, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Sometimes it's the little things that make you feel like you might actually know what the hell you're doing in your chosen profession
New: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is coming (and Supercharged is closing) in 2027.
January 20, 2026 at 5:10 PM
New: Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift is coming (and Supercharged is closing) in 2027.
Reposted by Dirk Libbey
if someone punches your neighbor and you go to protect them, that does not make you a protester. that makes you someone who protects your neighbor.
January 18, 2026 at 4:43 PM
if someone punches your neighbor and you go to protect them, that does not make you a protester. that makes you someone who protects your neighbor.
Hey Disney, you know that thing Lucasfilm just did with its top executive?
Do that, but for CEO. www.cinemablend.com/movies/disne...
Do that, but for CEO. www.cinemablend.com/movies/disne...
Disney's Hunt For A New CEO Should Take A Lesson From Lucasfilm's Recent Changes
Lucasfilm's changes at the top should be a blueprint for Disney's CEO hunt.
www.cinemablend.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Hey Disney, you know that thing Lucasfilm just did with its top executive?
Do that, but for CEO. www.cinemablend.com/movies/disne...
Do that, but for CEO. www.cinemablend.com/movies/disne...
My official job title is Senior Popcorn Bucket Correspondent
January 16, 2026 at 3:08 PM
My official job title is Senior Popcorn Bucket Correspondent
Kathleen Kennedy has earned her place in Hollywood history and will be remembered as one of the all time great film producers.
I'm excited for the future of Star Wars. Even more excited that a certain class of YouTuber will have absolutely zero to talk about anymore.
I'm excited for the future of Star Wars. Even more excited that a certain class of YouTuber will have absolutely zero to talk about anymore.
January 16, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Kathleen Kennedy has earned her place in Hollywood history and will be remembered as one of the all time great film producers.
I'm excited for the future of Star Wars. Even more excited that a certain class of YouTuber will have absolutely zero to talk about anymore.
I'm excited for the future of Star Wars. Even more excited that a certain class of YouTuber will have absolutely zero to talk about anymore.
The first three times I read this in my email, I thought Paramount had greenlit something called FEAR, and the press release was telling me who was not involved in it, and I was very confused.
January 15, 2026 at 8:42 PM
The first three times I read this in my email, I thought Paramount had greenlit something called FEAR, and the press release was telling me who was not involved in it, and I was very confused.
Yes, Back to the Future was incredible during last year's Fan Fest Nights, but its replacement is making me inner movie nerd, freak the hell out. www.cinemablend.com/theme-parks/...
Universal Studios Hollywood Isn't Bringing Back The Best Part Of Fan Fest Nights, But The Replacement Might Be Even Better
I'll miss my favorite part of Fan Fest Nights, but what's coming sounds awesome.
www.cinemablend.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Yes, Back to the Future was incredible during last year's Fan Fest Nights, but its replacement is making me inner movie nerd, freak the hell out. www.cinemablend.com/theme-parks/...
Scooby X Universal appears to be replacing Back to the Future, as it will take place on the backlot, but guests will be walking sets where some of the original Universal Monster movies were shot, which sounds INCREDIBLE.
Tickets are now on Sale for Universal Studios Hollywood's Fan Fest Nights, which will see the new Scooby Doo X Universal Monsters, a new One Piece experience, the return of Dungeons & Dragons, and more
January 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Scooby X Universal appears to be replacing Back to the Future, as it will take place on the backlot, but guests will be walking sets where some of the original Universal Monster movies were shot, which sounds INCREDIBLE.