Toy Story 5 just had the biggest opening weekend of the year — plus SeaWorld Orlando announces the world's first suspended dark ride, Sinners joins Halloween Horror Nights 2026, and Epic Universe reflects on year one.
★ Mon Jun 22 · 5 min read
Florida theme parks, every single morning.
Mon · Jun 22 · 2026 · ⛈ 97°
★ Today's Edition · Disney · SeaWorld · Universal · Halloween Horror Nights ★
Toy Story 5 just had the biggest opening weekend of the year.
Woody and Buzz crushed expectations at the box office, SeaWorld Orlando announces the world's first suspended dark ride, Sinners joins HHN 2026, and Epic Universe's GM reflects on year one.
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⬤ Disney · Box Office · Toy Story 5
Toy Story 5 dominates the box office with the biggest opening weekend of 2026
Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5 absolutely crushed expectations over its opening weekend, raking in an estimated $1XX million domestically. Chip and Co has the full breakdown — it's the biggest opening weekend of the year by a significant margin, and the performance ensures the Toy Story franchise continues to anchor both Disney's theatrical slate and its parks strategy for years to come. All four previous Toy Story films saw a record-setting Disney+ streaming spike in the week leading up to release, as fans rewatched the full saga before heading to theaters. The parks have already moved quickly with Toy Story 5 food, merch, and character moments across Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
★ Source: Chip and Co →
⬤ SeaWorld Orlando · New Attraction · 2026
SeaWorld announces SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep — the world's first suspended dark ride
SeaWorld Orlando has officially announced a major new addition for 2026: SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep , billed as the world's first-of-its-kind suspended dark ride. Guests will board ride vehicles suspended from an overhead track — providing a free-swinging, immersive experience through undersea environments — as they explore mythical ocean depths. The announcement positions SeaWorld Orlando as a credible innovator in ride technology at a moment when the entire Florida theme park landscape is raising its ambition. No specific opening date within 2026 has been given yet, but the ride was described as arriving this year. SeaWorld already runs a strong slate of coasters; a technically distinct dark ride gives the park something new to compete on in the guest experience conversation.
★ Source: Orlando Informer →
Sinners — the Academy Award-winning vampire horror film — is officially coming to Halloween Horror Nights 2026
The Mississippi Delta is coming to Universal Orlando, and it's bringing vampires with it. Sinners has been confirmed for HHN 35 — joining Stranger Things Season 5 as one of two major IP houses announced so far. The 2025 horror film won multiple Academy Awards and delivered one of the more striking genre films in recent memory.
⬤ Universal · Epic Universe
Epic Universe's GM on year one: what surprised him, what guests love, and what comes next
Jeff Polk, EVP and General Manager of Universal Epic Universe, sat down with Orlando Informer to reflect on the park's first year — hidden details guests keep discovering, which characters became unexpected fan favorites, and what he's most focused on as Epic Universe heads into its second year of operation.
Level99 takes a major step, Disney Springs reinvents itself.
Disney · Disney Springs
Level99 in Disney Springs just revealed its full exterior — opening imminent
Disney Springs is entering its next era — here's everything that's changing this summer
SeaWorld Orlando · 4th of July
SeaWorld Orlando kicks off Fourth of July — drone show, fireworks, and new deals announced
Disney Springs converts former food truck space into a shaded seating area — food trucks are gone
Disney · EPCOT Food & Wine
Chefs de France Parisian Breakfast returns for the 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Step aside, Cosmic Rewind — this is the most popular ride in EPCOT right now
Woody and Buzz Lightyear are taking the box office to infinity and beyond once again — Toy Story 5 absolutely crushed expectations over its opening weekend.
— Chip and Co — on Toy Story 5's record-breaking debut
★ 7-Day Orlando Outlook
Patchy fog this morning clearing quickly, then a 30% storm chance this afternoon. Heat index near 103°. Wednesday and Thursday bring a stronger storm pattern — 50–60% chance both days.
Coming up in the parks
Disney Springs bus service restricted to resort guests
Starting June 28, WDW resort buses to Disney Springs are for hotel guests only at peak times. Guests without hotel access should drive or use rideshare.
July 4 — SeaWorld drone show + MK open until midnight
SeaWorld Orlando: Fourth of July fireworks and drones as part of America's 250th celebrations. Magic Kingdom extended hours through midnight. WDW extended hours Jun 30–Jul 4.
Baby Shark arrives at SeaWorld Orlando
Baby Shark at SeaWorld begins July 6 and runs through September 7. Runs alongside the IGNITE Fireworks Spectacular & Drone Show.
Celestial Goodnight debuts at Epic Universe
New nightly fireworks and fountain spectacular in Celestial Park — runs every evening going forward. The marquee end-of-night experience at Epic Universe.
Live-action Moana opens in theaters
Early tracking puts Moana at an $85 million opening weekend. Dwayne Johnson returns as Maui. Parks will have merch and food tie-ins.
Disney shares a behind-the-scenes video of EPCOT's American Adventure attraction
Universal · Epic Universe
Epic Universe begins erosion correction project at expansion pad next to Stardust Racers
Disney · Magic Kingdom
Review: the new Magic Kingdom brownie is so nostalgic it may make you emotional
DVC members can pick up a free Halloween keepsake at every Mickey's Not-So-Scary Party this fall
4 new limited-time menu items just landed at Disney Springs restaurants
All Toy Story films hit record-setting Disney+ streaming spike in the week before Toy Story 5 opened
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★ SOURCES · CHIP AND CO · ORLANDO INFORMER · ALLEARS.NET · WDWNT · ATTRACTIONS MAGAZINE · ORLANDO WEEKLY ★