When it comes to Disney news, there is quite a bit to keep up with these days! The company just announced a new CEO, and the theme parks are expanding at a rate we haven’t seen in a long time.

That’s why each week, we like to do a news roundup of the biggest moments from the Walt Disney Company! So we never miss a moment, and neither do you. Let’s dive into this week’s biggest news and updates right here.

Another day, another Disney update! That’s how it’s been feeling around these parts lately. We love the changes, but it can feel like a bittersweet time to be a theme park fan. Luckily for us, this week didn’t come with any major permanent closures or demolitions, so we’re already starting off strong.

A New Theme Park Patent Was Filed

One of the biggest news drops from this week was that Disney filed a new patent that could be a huge theme park game-changer. The new patent that was filed was for a ride system that uses an attraction vehicle that can move along a track, but is also attached to a movable arm. The arm could move a ride vehicle up, down, sideways, backwards, and more, while still staying on the track.

This means upcoming rides could move around the track in ways we have never seen before! According to the patent, the system includes a ride vehicle that can move normally on a track, but the attached arm can move to adjust the position of the ride vehicle relative to the track. The patent said, “the ride vehicle is movable separately from the arm.” The arm is also extendable, so it could move the ride vehicle towards and away from the track.

The patent states this could provide a more “immersive and unique guest experience.” The patent also makes it look like it could create a”jumping-type” attraction. It even mentions that the ride system could allow guests to control the vehicle’s moment during their ride. This is major news as Disney is working on several new lands around the theme parks, like Piston Peak and Villains Land in Magic Kingdom.

To read more about this new patent and its potential impacts, click the link below!

This NEW Disney Patent Could Be a Game Changer for Future Park Expansions

A Popular Ride Reopens EARLY

Our second big news of the week is that Frozen Ever After reopened EARLY in EPCOT! The popular ride in the Norway pavilion had been closed since the end of January 2026 to make way for brand-new animatronics of our favorite characters!

The ride was originally supposed to reopen on February 12th, 2026, but Disney surprised us! It opened early on January 11th, 2026, for those lucky enough to be in EPCOT that day. We were some of those lucky few, so we got to check out the big changes early.

The new animatronics removed the facial projection features and now more closely match their counterparts at Hong Kong Disney and Tokyo Disney Sea.  We were seriously blown away by the changes! To see more of the updates, click the link below.

SURPRISE! Frozen Ever After Has Reopened EARLY at EPCOT

New Details for EPCOT’s Upcoming Flower and Garden Festival

Finally, we got more details for EPCOT’s next festival! EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival kicks off on March 4th, 2026, and we are eagerly awaiting the full booth menus. We’re trying to be patient, but it’s getting tough! Thankfully, Disney finally shared some more details while we wait on those menus.

This week, Disney shared which topiaries we can expect to see at the festival, including new gardens! The gardens you can check out and leisurely stroll near are:

• Pluto’s Pet-Friendly Garden(NEW!): Learn about pet-friendly gardening—inspired by Mickey’s best pal.
• Wildlife Crossing Garden (NEW!): Learn how animals safely roam at this garden inspired by the new Disney and Pixar film Hoppers.
• Trendy Tropicals Garden (NEW!): Discover a world of plants that never go out of style.
• Rain or Shine Fruit Stand Presented by Outshine (NEW!):
Celebrate the water cycle and how it nurtures crops in all its forms—liquid, vapor, and ice!
• Butterfly Landing presented by AdventHealth:
Observe a kaleidoscope of butterfly species up close in this vibrant walk-through experience.
• Camp Get Out ’N’ Play Garden presented by OFF! Repellents:
Families can venture into a camp-themed garden where little ones are invited to jump, play, and climb.
• Blossoms of Fragrance presented by Scentsy:
Follow your nose and create lasting memories with fresh, unforgettable fragrances in the garden. Then, sniff your way through the festival to discover which festival topiary is featuring Scentsy’s Strawberry Sweetie for 2026.

and more!

Disney also confirmed over 60 topiaries will be on display throughout the festival! Disney hasn’t confirmed every single topiary, but they have let us know that we’ll see some returning friends like:

• Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Bo Peep and her sheep, Lotso, and the Pixar Ball
• Mike Wazowski & Sulley — near Creations Shop
• Figment, Flower Topiaries and Flower Towers — World Celebration Plaza
• Encanto (Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela, and Luisa) — Near the Imagination Pavilion
• Simba and Friends (Rafiki, Simba, Mufasa, and Sarabi) — Near the Imagination Pavilion
• Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Chip, Dale, and Pluto

The topiaries are one of our favorite parts of this festival because they really bring the park to life! We wish they could stick around all year long, but we guess that wouldn’t make them as special. To read more about the gardens and topiaries, click the link below!

NEW Details Announced for the 2026 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival

This week was full of exciting and happy news with lots to look forward to over the next few weeks (and years)! Not every week comes with happy news, so we will happily take it. Be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney news, updates, and more.

11 Game-Changing Updates Announced for Disney World Restaurants in 2026

 

Tell us what news you’re the most excited about in the comments!