Disney Legend Don Iwerks dies at 96 · stray firework at Fantasmic · Fort Wilderness debuts zero-entry pool · Epic Universe's new "Celestial Goodnight" fireworks
★ Sat Jul 11 · 5 min read
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Sat · Jul 11 · 2026 · ⛈ 97°
★ Today's Edition · Walt Disney World · Universal Orlando · SeaWorld · Busch Gardens ★
Disney Legend Don Iwerks, pioneer of park filmmaking , dies at 96
The son of Ub Iwerks and a Disney Legend in his own right, Don Iwerks spent more than six decades revolutionizing Disney's film and camera technology. Also today: a stray firework incident at Fantasmic, Villains Land construction moves forward, and Fort Wilderness gets its best pool in 50 years.
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Don Iwerks, Disney Legend and camera pioneer , dies at 96
Don Iwerks, son of legendary Disney animator Ub Iwerks and himself an officially named Disney Legend, passed away on the evening of July 9 at the age of 96. A career that spanned more than six decades at the company produced some of Disney's most innovative film and projection breakthroughs — technologies that transformed both the studio's moviemaking and the storytelling tools available to Imagineers. Laughing Place and Theme Park Insider shared tributes from a community mourning one of its true originals.
★ Source: Laughing Place →
★ Hollywood Studios · Incident
Stray firework fires into Fantasmic crowd at Hollywood Studios
A stray firework shot into the Fantasmic audience at Disney's Hollywood Studios during the evening show on July 10, with video of the incident spreading widely on social media Friday night. Disney has not issued a formal statement. The show continued. WDW News Today captured and reported the incident as part of their July 10 daily recap , which also covers early looks at Piston Peak National Park construction in Magic Kingdom and a report that Disney+ is considering a free tier.
★ Source: WDW News Today →
⬤ Disney · Magic Kingdom
Villains Land construction advances at Magic Kingdom
Imagineers are actively expanding Magic Kingdom's footprint as the long-anticipated Villains Land takes shape. Attractions Magazine has the latest site update with photos.
⬤ Disney · Fort Wilderness
Fort Wilderness debuts zero-entry pool and refreshed lobby
The 50-year-old resort just got its biggest upgrade in years: a brand-new zero-entry pool and a freshly redesigned lobby. Laughing Place has full photos of both additions.
★ Sources: Attractions Magazine · Laughing Place →
★ This Week in the Parks
New fireworks, farewell to a classic, and fall season prep kicks off early .
Universal · Epic Universe
Epic Universe debuts "Celestial Goodnight" fireworks spectacular
Universal's brand-new nighttime show launched this week at Epic Universe. TouringPlans says it's "really special" — and Attractions Magazine has five tips for getting the best view.
Disney · Magic Kingdom
Theme Park Insider publishes "final farewell" to the Carousel of Progress
Robert Niles's weekly Rope Drop column leads this week with a farewell to the beloved WDW attraction. Required reading for fans of Disney's optimistic vision of American innovation.
EPCOT Food & Wine Festival booths begin appearing around World Showcase
Global marketplace booths are popping up around EPCOT ahead of the 2026 Food & Wine Festival. The countdown is officially underway, reports Chip and Co.
Universal announces "Nights at Epic Universe" hard-ticket fall event
Universal is selling exclusive after-hours access to Epic Universe this fall for all guests. TouringPlans has the pricing and dates for the park's first major ticketed seasonal event.
New Pandora charm counter now open at EPCOT's Port of Entry
A brand-new Pandora counter has opened inside EPCOT's Port of Entry shop, giving guests a dedicated charm stop on the way in or out of World Showcase. Via Chip and Co.
He didn't just document Disney's history — through his innovations in film and projection, he helped shape how we experience it.
— Park Pulse Daily — In memoriam, Don Iwerks
★ 7-Day Orlando Outlook
Heat indexes near 106° with afternoon storms Saturday through Monday — skies clear Tuesday, but stay hydrated all week.
Coming up in the parks
SeaWorld Pass Member & Military/Veteran Picnic
SeaWorld Orlando · Annual appreciation event for passholders and military/veteran guests.
Busch Gardens Bier Fest Brews & BBQ begins
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay · Thru Sep 7. Also: Pin Trading Weekend on Jul 25.
SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular begins
SeaWorld Orlando · Thru Nov 1. Family-friendly fall event with costumes and trick-or-treating.
Busch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular begins
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay · Thru Nov 1. Family-friendly daytime event running weekends.
Howl-O-Scream opens at SeaWorld & Busch Gardens
SeaWorld Orlando (thru Oct 31) & Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (thru Nov 1) · Adult scare event.
★ Park Shorts · Quick Hits
⬤ Universal · Epic Universe
Wizarding World marks one year with glass wands, chocolate frogs, and more
⬤ Disney · Disney Springs
Marketplace Co-Op phased refresh continues — another section reopens
⬤ Disney · Hollywood Studios
Disney auditions comedic actors for NBC Sing-Along holiday show
Bartender's Bash is coming back to Disney Springs
⬤ Universal · CityWalk
Cursed Coconut Club 2026 opens at CityWalk — first look inside
SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep dark ride confirmed for SeaWorld 2026
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★ SOURCES: LAUGHING PLACE · THEME PARK INSIDER · WDW NEWS TODAY · ATTRACTIONS MAGAZINE · TOURINGPLANS · CHIP AND CO · ALLEARS.NET · ORLANDO INFORMER ★