LEGO has announced a new 3,899-piece Disney Main Street USA set designed to celebrate the 70th anniversary of this iconic location at Disneyland. The detailed model recreates several recognizable buildings including the Fire Station, Disneyland Emporium, Crystal Arcade and Jewelery Shop. It includes fifteen minifigures featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, characters from Cinderella and The Little Mermaid alongside various Main Street cast members. The set is priced at $399.99 and will be available for purchase starting June 4, 2026 with early access beginning June 1st for LEGO Insiders. This collaborative building experience allows multiple users to construct different sections simultaneously using the LEGO Builder app. The announcement has generated excitement among both adult collectors and Disney fans who appreciate the detailed architecture and storytelling elements captured in brick form.
Category: Disney Parks
Disneyland Resort is implementing significant changes starting June 9th, allowing guests with park-hopper tickets to visit both parks at any time without the previous 11am restriction. The resort continues expanding its Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge area with a new nighttime projection show featuring Grogu and merchandise including droid buckets and themed drinkware. Several new food items are arriving at Galaxy’s Edge dining locations, while Green Milk has been removed from the park menu. Security personnel narrowly avoided a strike after union members voted on contract changes, though internal disputes remain unresolved. Construction progress continues across the property with updates to various attractions and new dining venues nearing completion. The resort is also celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with special merchandise and treats available throughout summer 2026.
This week’s feature examines the most disappointing changes to beloved theme park attractions across Disney and Universal parks. The analysis begins with Minion Mayhem at Universal Studios Florida, which lost its immersive 3-D effects in 2019, significantly diminishing what was once a superior experience. Similarly, Skull Island: Reign of Kong removed its thrilling scare actors after the pandemic reopening, eliminating a unique interactive element that delighted guests for years. Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean received criticism for excessive additions like Davy Jones and Blackbeard that disrupted the original ride’s atmosphere and storytelling. The Soarin’ Around the World update introduced bizarre visual distortions where landmarks appeared to bend unnaturally, frustrating visitors before Disney corrected this issue in 2024. Seuss Landing’s Cat in the Hat attraction lost its distinctive spinning mechanism, becoming indistinguishable from other dark rides at Universal parks. Finally, The Enchanted Tiki Room underwent a controversial “Under New Management” update that interrupted the show with meta-commentary about the attraction itself, which was later removed after a fire incident. These modifications demonstrate how well-intentioned updates can sometimes undermine what made original attractions special and memorable for guests worldwide.
Disney is preparing to launch Soarin Across America, a new limited-time overlay celebrating the United States’ 250th anniversary. The attraction will premiere at Epcot in Walt Disney World on May 26, 2026, and later at California Adventure starting July 2, 2026. Cast members are already previewing the experience while current versions of Soarin Around the World and Soarin Over California continue operating until mid-June. The new ride will showcase iconic American landscapes including Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, and Diamond Head crater in Hawaii. Guests will enjoy updated music arrangements and enhanced effects like wind to create a more immersive patriotic journey across the nation. A trivia challenge called The Soarin Challenge Across America will be available at Walt Disney World locations for interactive learning experiences. Disney is also introducing new themed treats including a Sam Eagle popcorn bucket as part of the broader bicentennial celebration.
A park tester recently visited Universal Studios Orlando to evaluate the newly launched Express Pass Now feature. This capacity-based, limited-time option allows guests to purchase single-attraction skip-the-line access only after entering the theme park. Unlike traditional Express passes that can be bought in advance, this new service requires guests to use the Universal Orlando Resort app while inside the park. Users must select their desired attraction and check for available passes through a specific button on the ride page. The cost ranges from twenty to thirty dollars per pass, with prices only displaying when availability exists. Availability fluctuates throughout the day, similar to Disney’s Lightning Lane Single Pass system, requiring guests to repeatedly check their app. This flexible option aims to provide last-minute skip-the-line opportunities for popular rides like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.