<p>Walt Disney World Marathon runners get first ground-level look at Encanto ride building in Animal Kingdom, Disney spent nearly double original $1 billion budget retrofitting newest cruise ship, and plans to reimagine Disneyland&#8217;s Tomorrowland were turned down, — all this and more in today&#8217;s daily recap for Sunday, January 11, 2026. WDW News Today That&#8217;s &#8230; <a title="Disney&#8217;s Millennium Falcon Star Wars Ride Never Received Four Other Missions Due to Budget and Time Constraints in Today&#8217;s Daily Recap for 1/11/2026" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/disneys-millennium-falcon-star-wars-ride-never-received-four-other-missions-due-to-budget-and-time-constraints-in-todays-daily-recap-for-1-11-2026/" aria-label="Read more about Disney&#8217;s Millennium Falcon Star Wars Ride Never Received Four Other Missions Due to Budget and Time Constraints in Today&#8217;s Daily Recap for 1/11/2026">Read more</a></p>

<p>A new video from Walt Disney Imagineering shares that an all-new scene from Pixar plus even more ways to score points are coming to the refurbished Buzz Lightyear&#8217;s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom. New Pixar Animations in Buzz Lightyear&#8217;s Space Ranger Spin Earlier we learned that the revamped Buzz Lightyear&#8217;s Space Ranger Spin will &#8230; <a title="Walt Disney Imagineering Shares NEW Battle Scene and More Coming to Buzz Lightyear&#8217;s Space Ranger Spin" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/walt-disney-imagineering-shares-new-battle-scene-and-more-coming-to-buzz-lightyears-space-ranger-spin/" aria-label="Read more about Walt Disney Imagineering Shares NEW Battle Scene and More Coming to Buzz Lightyear&#8217;s Space Ranger Spin">Read more</a></p>

<p>Planning for a Walt Disney World Resort trip can be expensive. From the park tickets to food and hotel stays, the costs add up quickly. That&#8217;s why so many Disney Parks fans follow discounts so closely—though it can be hard to keep them all straight. While Disney frequently releases time-sensitive or seasonal discounts, others are &#8230; <a title="Ultimate Guide to Disney World Discounts 2026" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/ultimate-guide-to-disney-world-discounts-2026/" aria-label="Read more about Ultimate Guide to Disney World Discounts 2026">Read more</a></p>

<p>On a recent visit to Universal Studios Hollywood, we noticed a few new changes to developments on the upcoming Fast &amp; Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster.</p>

<p>After being &#8220;spotted&#8221; at Walt Disney World resort for both adults and kids, the colorblock Cruella de Vil spirit jersey has arrived in Disneyland. Disneyland Cruella de Vil Spirit Jersey &#8211; $79.99 Based on Cruella&#8217;s hair, the jersey has a split black and white design. The Disneyland &#8220;D&#8221; is accented in red glitter with Cruella&#8217;s &#8230; <a title="Cruella de Vil Spirit Jersey Finally Spotted at Disneyland Resort" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/cruella-de-vil-spirit-jersey-finally-spotted-at-disneyland-resort/" aria-label="Read more about Cruella de Vil Spirit Jersey Finally Spotted at Disneyland Resort">Read more</a></p>

<p>A two-year-old heart transplant recipient was denied accommodations from Disney&#8217;s Disability Access Service. The family was forced to repeatedly disclose medical trauma, face unsafe queue conditions, and incur significant added costs to access the parks safely. Disability Access Service Disney&nbsp;updated its DAS eligibility requirements&nbsp;for Walt Disney World in May 2024 and Disneyland in June 2024. &#8230; <a title="Two-Year-Old Transplant Survivor Denied Disability Accommodations at Disney World" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/2-year-old-transplant-survivor-denied-disability-accommodations-disney-world/" aria-label="Read more about Two-Year-Old Transplant Survivor Denied Disability Accommodations at Disney World">Read more</a></p>

<p>A Cast Member that performed at Disneyland as the Evil Queen and other characters for eight years is no longer with company, People reports. Viral Evil Queen No Longer at Disney Sabrina Von B. performed as the Evil Queen at Disneyland for eight years. She has also run a successful and frequently viral TikTok account &#8230; <a title="Viral Evil Queen No Longer Employed at Disneyland" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/viral-evil-queen-no-longer-employed-at-disneyland/" aria-label="Read more about Viral Evil Queen No Longer Employed at Disneyland">Read more</a></p>

<p>Disneyland Magic Key holders are invited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Disney California Adventure at a special event taking place from February 5 through 15, 2026. Magic Key Special Event Magic Key holders are invited to commemorate this milestone anniversary for Disney California Adventure Park with nostalgic photo ops and familiar friends. Located at &#8230; <a title="Special Event Announced for Magic Key Holders Celebrating 25 Years of Disney California Adventure" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/special-event-announced-for-magic-key-holders/" aria-label="Read more about Special Event Announced for Magic Key Holders Celebrating 25 Years of Disney California Adventure">Read more</a></p>

<p>Carry Mickey and friends with you through Disneyland with this new Loungefly backpack featuring the Sensational Six. Mickey &amp; Friends Loungefly &#8211; $80 This black Loungefly backpack features the Sensational Six: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, and Goofy.&nbsp;On the front pocket, they are all seen standing together, surrounded by multicolored Mickey heads. Their heads are &#8230; <a title="New Mickey &amp; Friends Loungefly Backpack Arrives at Disneyland Resort" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/new-mickey-friends-loungefly-backpack-arrives-at-disneyland-resort/" aria-label="Read more about New Mickey &amp; Friends Loungefly Backpack Arrives at Disneyland Resort">Read more</a></p>

<p>More details including brand new and returning effects have been announced for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom. Big Thunder Mountain Refurbishment Included in the video shared on Good Morning America, new details emerged included confirmation on all-new ride vehicles and refreshed Audio-Animatronics figures. The mountain will also &#8220;push back against you&#8221; among gold &#8230; <a title="New Big Thunder Mountain Details Shared by Walt Disney Imagineering" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/new-big-thunder-mountain-details/" aria-label="Read more about New Big Thunder Mountain Details Shared by Walt Disney Imagineering">Read more</a></p>

<p>In a series of online videos, a young boy&#8217;s dreams of meeting Mickey Mouse come true after a clip of his excitement at Disney on Ice went viral. Toddler Dreams of Meeting Mickey Mouse In the first video the little boy goes viral for crying with excitement at Disney on Ice and saying &#8220;That&#8217;s my &#8230; <a title="Toddler in Viral Video Meets Mickey at Walt Disney World" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/toddler-in-viral-video-meets-mickey-at-walt-disney-world/" aria-label="Read more about Toddler in Viral Video Meets Mickey at Walt Disney World">Read more</a></p>

<p>New Mickey and Friends and 2026 &#8220;Best Day Ever&#8221; collections, several caps, and more are now available at Disneyland Resort. We found all of these items at the Emporium. Disneyland Mickey Tote &#8211; $19.99 Black and white artwork of Mickey Mouse is on this tote. He’s gesturing up at the Disneyland wordmark, also black and &#8230; <a title="Mickey &amp; Friends, Best Day Ever, and More Merchandise Arrives at Disneyland" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/mickey-friends-best-day-ever-and-more-merchandise-arrives-at-disneyland/" aria-label="Read more about Mickey &amp; Friends, Best Day Ever, and More Merchandise Arrives at Disneyland">Read more</a></p>

<p>New Mickey and Friends and 2026 &#8220;Best Day Ever&#8221; collections, several caps, and more are now available at Disneyland Resort. We found all of these items at the Emporium. Disneyland Mickey Tote &#8211; $19.99 Black and white artwork of Mickey Mouse is on this tote. He’s gesturing up at the Disneyland wordmark, also black and &#8230; <a title="Mickey &amp; Friends, Best Day Ever, and More Merchandise Arrives at Disneyland" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/mickey-friends-best-day-ever-and-more-merchandise-arrives-at-disneyland/" aria-label="Read more about Mickey &amp; Friends, Best Day Ever, and More Merchandise Arrives at Disneyland">Read more</a></p>

<p>Jim Cummings and Disney Parks have shared a heartwarming video of the beloved actor&#8217;s grandson aboard the Disney Destiny. Jim Cummings &amp; Grandson on Disney Destiny Disney Parks shared the video originally posted by Jim Cummings on Instagram. In the clip, the pair are dining at Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King. The show &#8230; <a title="Jim Cummings Shares Video with Grandson Aboard the Disney Destiny" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/jim-cummings-shares-video-with-grandson-aboard-the-disney-destiny/" aria-label="Read more about Jim Cummings Shares Video with Grandson Aboard the Disney Destiny">Read more</a></p>

<p>Joe Rohde, Disney Legend and former Walt Disney Imagineering executive designer and vice president, has responded to the viral Wall Street Journal report about the recent tumultuous years at Walt Disney Imagineering. Joe Rohde Responds to Wall Street Journal The following paragraph is in the recent Wall Street Journal feature on Walt Disney Imagineering and &#8230; <a title="Disney Legend Joe Rohde Addresses &#8220;Progressive Seduction&#8221; Claim in Wall Street Journal Feature on Walt Disney Imagineering" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/disney-legend-joe-rohde-addresses-progressive-seduction-claim-in-wall-street-journal-feature-on-walt-disney-imagineering/" aria-label="Read more about Disney Legend Joe Rohde Addresses &#8220;Progressive Seduction&#8221; Claim in Wall Street Journal Feature on Walt Disney Imagineering">Read more</a></p>

<p>The popular Starbucks castle tumblers that previously arrived at Disney World are now available in Disneyland. We found them along with a new Valentine&#8217;s Day tumbler in the Main Street Emporium. Pink Bow Mug &#8211; $29.99 This is a pink version of a blue Disney World tumbler released last month. It’s white with a matte pink &#8230; <a title="Several Starbucks Tumblers &amp; Mugs Now Available at Disneyland" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/several-starbucks-tumblers-mugs-now-available-at-disneyland/" aria-label="Read more about Several Starbucks Tumblers &amp; Mugs Now Available at Disneyland">Read more</a></p>

<p>In a new report by the Wall Street Journal, Disney Imagineers share stories from the tumultuous past several years inside the company, including the truth behind the cancellation of a major Marvel e-ticket attraction set for Disney California Adventure. Marvel E-Ticket Ride Killed Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure opened on June 4, 2021, after &#8230; <a title="Mega Marvel E-Ticket Ride Was Killed Because Disney Executives Didn&#8217;t Trust Imagineering" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/mega-marvel-e-ticket-ride-was-killed-because-disney-executives-didnt-trust-imagineering/" aria-label="Read more about Mega Marvel E-Ticket Ride Was Killed Because Disney Executives Didn&#8217;t Trust Imagineering">Read more</a></p>

<p>Walt Disney Imagineers shared with the Wall Street Journal that continued attempts to bring original ideas to the Disney Parks have been consistently rejected by executives. Imagineers Restricted to Franchises by Executives Since Bob Iger originally took over as CEO in 2005, Disney Parks have received new lands and attractions almost exclusively based on existing &#8230; <a title="Imagineers Still Want to Create Original Attractions &amp; Stories, They Just Aren&#8217;t Allowed To" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/imagineers-still-want-to-create-original-attractions-stories-they-just-arent-allowed-to/" aria-label="Read more about Imagineers Still Want to Create Original Attractions &amp; Stories, They Just Aren&#8217;t Allowed To">Read more</a></p>

<p>Walt Disney Imagineering has confirmed that Millennium Falcon: Smuggler&#8217;s Run was originally designed with five different missions, but due to budget and time restraints, the attractions opened with only one at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler&#8217;s Run An article shared by the Wall Street Journal recently shed light on several past &#8230; <a title="Disney&#8217;s Millennium Falcon Star Wars Ride Never Received Four Other Missions Due to Budget and Time Constraints" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/disneys-millennium-falcon-missions/" aria-label="Read more about Disney&#8217;s Millennium Falcon Star Wars Ride Never Received Four Other Missions Due to Budget and Time Constraints">Read more</a></p>

<p>A recent Wall Street Journal feature on Walt Disney Imagineering reveals that there were plans to refurbish Tomorrowland in Disneyland Park, but Disney executives deemed it not worth the investment. Disneyland Tomorrowland Refurbishment Rumors of a large refurbishment of Tomorrowland in Disneyland Park have existed since 2019, when word broke of a multi-year, $600 million &#8230; <a title="Plans to Reimagine Disneyland&#8217;s Tomorrowland Were Turned Down" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/plans-to-reimagine-disneylands-tomorrowland-were-turned-down/" aria-label="Read more about Plans to Reimagine Disneyland&#8217;s Tomorrowland Were Turned Down">Read more</a></p>

<p>In a recent article from The Wall Street Journal, several stories from Walt Disney Imagineering. Part of the article examines the fall and rise of WDI during and after Bob Chapek&#8217;s time leading The Walt Disney Company. Bob Chapek, COVID-19, &amp; Walt Disney Imagineering Bob Chapek was named CEO shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic in &#8230; <a title="Rebuilding Walt Disney Imagineering: Revealing the Internal Struggle Post-COVID &amp; Chapek" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/rebuilding-walt-disney-imagineering-revealing-the-internal-struggle-post-covid-chapek/" aria-label="Read more about Rebuilding Walt Disney Imagineering: Revealing the Internal Struggle Post-COVID &amp; Chapek">Read more</a></p>

<p>A report from The Wall Street Journal reveals that Walt Disney Imagineering spent $1.8 billion to retrofit the Disney Adventure, almost double the original budget. Retrofitting the Disney Adventure The unique four-funneled Disney Cruise Line ship began her life in 2018 as the Global Dream, commissioned by Genting Hong Kong’s Dream Cruises. However, Genting went &#8230; <a title="Disney Spent Nearly Double Original $1 Billion Budget Retrofitting Newest Cruise Ship" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/disney-spent-nearly-double-original-1-billion-budget-retrofitting-newest-cruise-ship/" aria-label="Read more about Disney Spent Nearly Double Original $1 Billion Budget Retrofitting Newest Cruise Ship">Read more</a></p>

<p>Our reporter spotted a new Mickey-Mouse patterned denim shirt now available at Walt Disney World. We found this item at the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom. Mickey Mouse Denim Shirt &#8211; $79.99 The long-sleeved shirt consists of a blue denim fabric, with a chest pocket and buttons. The standout feature of the shirt is the &#8230; <a title="Mickey Mouse Denim Shirt Now Available At Walt Disney World" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/mickey-mouse-denim-shirt-now-available-walt-disney-world/" aria-label="Read more about Mickey Mouse Denim Shirt Now Available At Walt Disney World">Read more</a></p>

<p>A photo shared from yesterday&#8217;s Walt Disney World marathon shows that runners passed by the Encanto ride construction, giving us a new angle of the show building in Disney&#8217;s Animal Kingdom. Ground View of &#8216;Encanto&#8217; Ride Construction The shot comes to us from bioreconstruct on X. Though known for their aerial photography of construction in &#8230; <a title="Walt Disney World Marathon Runners Get First Ground-Level Look at &#8216;Encanto&#8217; Ride Building in Animal Kingdom" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/walt-disney-world-marathon-runners-get-first-ground-level-look-at-encanto-ride-building-in-animal-kingdom/" aria-label="Read more about Walt Disney World Marathon Runners Get First Ground-Level Look at &#8216;Encanto&#8217; Ride Building in Animal Kingdom">Read more</a></p>

<p>A pin set featuring Pua, Hei Hei, and a Kakamora from Moana is now available for purchase at Walt Disney World. &#8216;Moana&#8217; Pua, Hei Hei, and Kakamora Pin Set &#8211; $22.99 This pin set contains two pins themed to different characters from Moana. One star-shaped pin features Hei Hei the chicken sitting on top of &#8230; <a title="&#8216;Moana&#8217; Pin Set Featuring Pua, Hei Hei, and Kakamora Now Available" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2026/01/moana-pin-set-featuring-pua-hei-hei-and-kakamora-now-available/" aria-label="Read more about &#8216;Moana&#8217; Pin Set Featuring Pua, Hei Hei, and Kakamora Now Available">Read more</a></p>