Disney patents technology to make dark ride vehicles vanish — plus three new Disney parks planned for Asia, FLIK wait time tracking retires after 25 years, and Wilderness Lodge loses AC in a heat advisory.
★ Sat Jun 20 · 5 min read
Florida theme parks, every single morning.
Sat · Jun 20 · 2026 · ⛈ 94°
★ Today's Edition · Disney · Universal · Imagineering ★
Disney is patenting technology to make dark ride vehicles disappear.
A newly filed patent reveals Disney's Imagineers are working on vehicles that can vanish mid-attraction — plus three new Disney parks planned for Asia, FLIK's retirement after 25 years, and a bad weekend at Wilderness Lodge.
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⬤ Disney · Imagineering · Patents
Disney files patent for technology to make dark ride vehicles disappear mid-attraction
Disney Imagineers have filed patent applications that include technology for making dark ride vehicles vanish while a ride is in motion. Theme Park Insider's Robert Niles has the details — this week's patent filings also include a new type of more reliable roller coaster wheel. The disappearing-vehicle concept would allow guests riding a dark ride to see characters or scenes without a visible ride vehicle interrupting the sightline, creating a more immersive on-ride experience. Patent applications rarely translate directly into built attractions, but they give a window into where Disney's R&D is currently focused — and making vehicles "invisible" fits the company's long-running push toward more theatrical, seamless ride environments.
★ Source: Theme Park Insider →
⬤ Disney · Global Expansion
Disney has three new theme parks envisioned for Asia — here's what we know
Robert Niles at Theme Park Insider breaks down the three new Disney parks currently envisioned for Asia — examining what Disney has announced, what remains unconfirmed, and what the competitive landscape looks like as Universal Kids Resort and Epic Universe continue reshaping what a new theme park can look like. Asia represents Disney's biggest growth market and the parks would potentially sit alongside existing Shanghai and Tokyo and Hong Kong resorts. The details are still developing, but for fans watching long-range expansion, this is the most comprehensive current picture available.
⬤ Disney · Annual Passes
Disney World Passholder Good-to-Go Days return for Summer 2026
Walt Disney World has added the first wave of Summer 2026 Good-to-Go Days for Annual Passholders. Chip and Co has the calendar — if you hold an Annual Pass, these are lower-crowd days worth planning around for the rest of the summer.
FLIK wait time tracking officially retired — 25+ years of shaping how Disney guests plan their day
The final FLIK location at Disney Parks has been converted, ending a system that tracked wait times across the resort for over 25 years. Laughing Place marks the occasion — FLIK was a foundational piece of Disney's guest experience data infrastructure before the era of the My Disney Experience app.
Wilderness Lodge loses AC, Indiana Jones outpost gone for good.
Disney · WDW Resort · Advisory
Wilderness Lodge experiencing multi-day air conditioning outage during active heat advisory
Disney · Hollywood Studios
Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost permanently closed at Hollywood Studios — space now used for caricatures
Disney · Magic Kingdom
Three early clues about Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2026 at Magic Kingdom
Universal · Islands of Adventure
Former Islands of Adventure Will Call pavilion converted into a "Cool Zone" with seating and fans
Universal · Universal Studios Florida
Trojan horse statue appears at Universal Studios Florida promoting the upcoming film The Odyssey
Universal · Minions & Monsters
New Minions pop-up attraction heading to Xfinity stores nationwide — no theme park ticket required
The final FLIK location has officially been converted, closing out a system that helped shape the guest experience for more than 25 years.
— Laughing Place — on FLIK's retirement at Disney Parks
★ 7-Day Orlando Outlook
Morning showers possible today, then afternoon storms — 50% chance. Sunday similar at 40%. Heat returns Monday and Tuesday near 97°.
Coming up in the parks
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay hosting Father's Day Brunch. All parks expect elevated attendance.
Disney Springs bus service restricted to resort guests
Free resort bus service to Disney Springs limited to hotel guests at peak times. Drive or rideshare otherwise.
July 4 — Magic Kingdom open until midnight + SeaWorld drone show
Extended WDW park hours Jun 30–Jul 4. SeaWorld America 250 celebration with drones and fireworks.
Universal Celestial Goodnight debuts at Epic Universe
New nightly fireworks and fountain spectacular in Celestial Park — runs every evening after that.
Moana live-action opens in theaters
Dwayne Johnson as Maui, with a new original song from Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Universal · Universal Kids Resort
Review: Universal Kids Resort isn't about impressive rides — it's built entirely for young families
Attractions Magazine →
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Animal drumsticks now available at Hollywood Studios
Disney · Galaxy's Edge
New lightsaber storage box debuts at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge alongside other new Star Wars merch
Toy Story 5 celebration food guide: all the themed treats now available across the Disney Parks
Ranked: we tried 10 new July 4th snacks at Disney World — not all are worth your time
Disney+ just added 3 new limited-time subscriber perks — they expire next month
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★ SOURCES · THEME PARK INSIDER · WDWNT · LAUGHING PLACE · ALLEARS.NET · CHIP AND CO · ATTRACTIONS MAGAZINE ★