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Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Joe Schott named Walt Disney World's new president; TouringPlans rides Soarin' Across America; Lost Continent demolition underway at Islands of Adventure; Tom Kane remembered.

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Joe Schott named Walt Disney World's new president; TouringPlans rides Soarin' Across America; Lost Continent demolition underway at Islands of Adventure; Tom Kane remembered.

★ Tuesday May 19 · 5 min read

Florida theme parks, every single morning.

Tuesday · May 19 · 2026 · ☀ 91°

★ Today's Edition · Disney · Universal · SeaWorld ★

Joe Schott named Walt Disney World's new president — arriving just as WDW's biggest expansion era gets underway.

Plus: TouringPlans reviews Soarin' Across America, Lost Continent demo begins at Islands of Adventure, and the industry mourns Disney voice actor Tom Kane.

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★ Disney · Walt Disney World · Leadership

Disney Experiences announces Joe Schott as the next president of Walt Disney World Resort

Disney Experiences has named Joe Schott as the next president of Walt Disney World Resort, according to Theme Park Insider . The announcement arrives at a pivotal moment for the resort: multiple multi-hundred-million-dollar projects are simultaneously underway across all four parks — including Piston Peak at Magic Kingdom, Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom, Project Fedora at Hollywood Studios, and the Soarin' Across America debut at EPCOT in one week. Schott steps into the role as Walt Disney World's most ambitious expansion cycle in decades moves from planning into active construction on nearly every front. Theme Park Insider notes the appointment was widely welcomed in theme park circles.

★ Source: Theme Park Insider →

★ Disney · EPCOT · Opens May 26

TouringPlans gets on Soarin' Across America — Len's full first-look review is in

TouringPlans attended a preview of Soarin' Across America and published Len's full review — spoilers included. The piece adds to the growing picture of the new film: a deeply felt, America-wide tour arriving just in time for the country's 250th anniversary, and a meaningful update to one of EPCOT's signature attractions. With the public opening now exactly one week out on May 26, two independent first-ride reports (AllEars and TouringPlans) have now weighed in with similar takes — the core Soarin' experience is intact and the new film is emotionally resonant, even if opinion splits on the America-only framing. AllEars also published a six-things-to-know guide today for guests planning their first ride.

★ Sources: TouringPlans → | AllEars →

★ Universal · Construction | Disney · Disney Springs

Islands of Adventure · Demo Update

Lost Continent demolition underway — original Islands of Adventure area fades away

Construction is now actively underway in The Lost Continent at Universal Islands of Adventure, with Attractions Magazine documenting the demolition of one of the park's original themed areas. The area is being cleared for future development, marking the end of an era for one of IOA's opening-day lands.

Attractions Magazine →

Disney Springs · New Dining

Six Ravens at Disney Springs — early look at the Gideon's Bakehouse team's savory hand-pie concept

The team behind cult-favorite Gideon's Bakehouse is back with a savory concept at Disney Springs: Six Ravens, a hand-pie restaurant. Attractions Magazine takes an early look at the menu and concept — and weighs in on whether it belongs on your must-do list.

Tom Kane, the voice of the WDW Monorail and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, passes away at 64

Tom Kane, the veteran Disney voice actor known to millions of Walt Disney World guests as the voice of the resort's monorail system — and to Star Wars fans as Yoda and Admiral Ackbar in The Clone Wars — has passed away at 64, according to AllEars . Kane's voice has been part of the Walt Disney World experience for decades — "Please stand clear of the doors" a phrase instantly recognized by any frequent guest. His work in animation and video games spanned hundreds of credits. He is remembered across the park and entertainment communities with deep affection.

★ Source: AllEars.net →

More from the parks: Nomad Lounge turns 10, red-white-and-blue at Magic Kingdom, Imagineer That! on Disney+, and Muppets Most Wanted extended.

Disney · Animal Kingdom

Nomad Lounge debuts new menu items marking 10 years at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Tiffins Restaurant and Nomad Lounge are celebrating a decade of globally inspired cuisine inside Animal Kingdom. Nomad Lounge has a refreshed menu of new flavors to mark the milestone — WDWNT has the full rundown.

Disney · Magic Kingdom

Red, white and blue patriotic bunting transforms Main Street U.S.A. ahead of summer

Summer celebrations are underway at Magic Kingdom as patriotic decorations have appeared along Main Street U.S.A. — a colorful preview of the America 250th-themed season that runs through July 4th and beyond.

Imagineer That! behind-the-scenes Imagineering shorts now streaming on Disney+

The Walt Disney Imagineering short-form series featuring Tom Morrow 2.0 has arrived on Disney+, giving fans a look behind the curtain at how the parks are designed and built.

Muppets Most Wanted: Unnecessary – Extended Cut lands on Disney+ next month

A longer, wilder cut of the fan-favorite Muppets film is heading to Disney+ in June — timed perfectly ahead of the Muppets coaster opening at Hollywood Studios on May 26. Laughing Place has the details.

A new president for the world's most-visited theme park resort — walking in the door with Piston Peak, Tropical Americas, Project Fedora, and Soarin' Across America all in motion at once. Joe Schott isn't just running Walt Disney World. He's running a construction site with 50 million guests a year.

— Park Pulse Daily — May 19, 2026

★ 7-Day Orlando Outlook

Hot and mostly sunny all week — afternoon storm chances stay slim through Friday as the countdown to May 26 ticks down.

Coming up in the parks

The Mandalorian and Grogu Opens + Busch Gardens Summer Nights Begin

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu opens nationwide. Galaxy's Edge activations live. Busch Gardens Tampa: Summer Nights begins, runs through Aug 9.

Universal Summer Blockbuster Experiences Begin

Mega Movie Parade and summer activations launch at Universal Studios Florida. Runs through August 10.

The Big Day — Muppets Coaster + Soarin' Across America + Bluey's Wild World + FØØD Opens

Hollywood Studios: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets reopens; FØØD by Swedish Chef opens. EPCOT: Soarin' Across America debuts. Animal Kingdom: Bluey's Wild World opens (virtual queue).

Premiere Orlando + Epic Universe Access & SeaWorld Pass Member Picnic

Convention attendees get complimentary evening access to Celestial Park at Epic Universe, May 30–June 1. SeaWorld Orlando: Pass Member & Military Picnic May 30–31.

Electric Ocean & IGNITE Drone Show — SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld's signature summer event returns with the new IGNITE nighttime drone spectacular. Runs through September 7.

Class action lawsuit filed against Disney over facial recognition tech at Disneyland

Disneyland 70th Finale Collection is here — and yes, one ear headband is $500

Universal Orlando announces another lengthy attraction closure for summer

Disney · Polynesian Resort

Disney+ announces special exploring the creation of Island Tower at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Disney · Pop Century Resort

Pop Century's iconic 'POP' sign refurbishment enters final stages

Everything coming to Disney+ in June 2026 — Avatar: Fire and Ash headlines the lineup