Westward Ho Refreshments permanently closes as Piston Peak takes over Frontierland — plus Bob Iger on the deals he almost made, LEGOLAND trolls Universal Kids Resort, and Six Ravens is coming to Disney Springs.
★ Wed Jun 24 · 5 min read
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Wed · Jun 24 · 2026 · ⛈ 94°
★ Today's Edition · Disney · Universal · Frontierland · Industry ★
Westward Ho is gone. Piston Peak is coming.
Frontierland's transformation is accelerating — plus Bob Iger opens up about the deals he almost made, LEGOLAND Florida takes a shot at Universal Kids Resort, and Six Ravens is setting up shop at Disney Springs.
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⬤ Disney · Magic Kingdom · Frontierland
Westward Ho Refreshments permanently closes at Magic Kingdom as Piston Peak Frontierland expansion moves forward
Another piece of Frontierland has quietly ridden off into the sunset. Chip and Co reports that Westward Ho Refreshments has permanently closed as part of the ongoing Frontierland transformation that will bring the Piston Peak land to Magic Kingdom. The closure adds to a growing list of changes in the area as Disney makes room for what's expected to be a Cars-themed expansion, continuing the park's largest reimagining since Tomorrowland was overhauled in the 1990s. There's no announced opening timeline for Piston Peak, but the speed of these closures signals the project is moving faster than some expected.
★ Source: Chip and Co →
★ Industry · Bob Iger · Disney Leadership
Bob Iger opens up about the deals he almost made , AI, and what he leaves behind
Former Disney CEO Bob Iger spent a day at Disneyland with the Financial Times ' Daniel Thomas before his retirement, talking candidly about his tenure — the acquisitions he made, the deals he didn't make, his views on AI's role at Disney, and what he thinks about Jimmy Kimmel . The conversation at the park he helped transform into a global entertainment empire is a rare candid look at one of the most consequential figures in modern American media — and the decisions that shaped Disney into what it is today.
★ Source: WDW News Today →
LEGOLAND Florida posts a playful swipe at Universal Kids Resort — one week before it opens
With Universal Kids Resort set to open in Texas on July 1, LEGOLAND Florida posted a video arguing it's what a real kids theme park looks like . The Florida angle: LEGOLAND Lakeland has been the incumbent kids-first park in the state for years. It's a rare moment of competitive marketing from a park that usually stays in its own lane.
⬤ Disney · Disney Springs
Six Ravens — Gideon's dark-aesthetic sister brand — installs window displays at Disney Springs
Window displays have appeared at the future Six Ravens location in Disney Springs. WDWNT has photos of the moody, dark aesthetic — think Gideon's Bakehouse but gothic. A hard-to-book Disney Springs destination is getting a sibling.
New ferry boat, Disney AI plans, and Wilderness Lodge still without AC.
Disney · Magic Kingdom · Resort
Assembly has begun on Magic Kingdom's new ferry boat — a piece of park history being renewed
Disney · Wilderness Lodge · Update
Wilderness Lodge AC outage update: portions of the resort still without working air conditioning after almost a full week
Disney · My Disney Experience
Disney Gift Cards can now be saved directly in the My Disney Experience app — a long-requested feature
Disney · Technology · AI
How Disney plans to use AI in vacation planning, streaming personalization, and staffing decisions
Disney · Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is adding fountain drones to the Cascade of Lights nighttime spectacular at Disney Adventure World
Disney · Disney Springs · Transportation
Resort pool restrictions are also arriving June 28 alongside the Disney Springs bus access changes
He spent a day at Disneyland talking about the deals he made, the deals he didn't — and what a company looks like when it's been shaped by one person's taste for two decades.
— WDW News Today — on Bob Iger's exit interview with the Financial Times
★ 7-Day Orlando Outlook
Active storm pattern through the week — 50% chances today and Thursday, dropping to 40% Friday and Saturday. Plan around afternoon storms all week.
Coming up in the parks
Disney Springs bus service limited to resort guests + resort pool restrictions begin
Both changes hit the same day. Non-hotel guests lose peak-hour bus access; drive or rideshare to Disney Springs.
Universal Kids Resort opens in Frisco, Texas
The park LEGOLAND is currently trolling. SpongeBob, Shrek, and a whole lot of colorful rides for the under-10 crowd.
July 4 — all Orlando parks with fireworks, MK until midnight
SeaWorld drone show + America 250th fireworks. WDW extended hours Jun 30–Jul 4. Full 4th of July schedule: Attractions Magazine.
Universal Celestial Goodnight debuts at Epic Universe
Nightly fireworks and fountain show in Celestial Park. Already being tested — looking spectacular on video.
Live-action Moana opens in theaters
Tracking ~$85M opening weekend. Dwayne Johnson as Maui. Disney parks have food and merch tie-ins ready.
Disney · Disney Springs
Kakigōri Kool shaved ice is now open just outside Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs
Disney · Annual Passes
Select July dates added as Good-to-Go Days for Disney World Annual Passholders
Disney · Magic Kingdom
Reports suggest a significant update may be coming to Main Street Confectionery at Magic Kingdom
Disney · Hollywood Studios
Concerns grow about a nighttime show at Hollywood Studios that may be on its way out
Disney · Disneyland · Safety
Video shows the moment the 13-year-old fell headfirst down Tiana's Bayou Adventure's 50-foot drop
Disney · AI · Shopping
Disney Store is testing an AI shopping assistant on its iOS app to help guests discover products
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★ SOURCES · CHIP AND CO · WDWNT · LAUGHING PLACE · ALLEARS.NET · TOURINGPLANS · ATTRACTIONS MAGAZINE ★