Sams Disney Diary

This special Thursday edition of our weekly live show covered a lot of ground. Sam joined us from the road just after the premiere Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite event at Disneyland. That meant new popcorn buckets , sippers, event details , and a firsthand look at what the night actually felt like in the park. But the show did not stay in one lane. Holly returned with a quick Hallmark updat...

It was another packed night on our weekly live show, and this one pulled from just about every corner of Disney fandom. We got into the latest Disney news out of CinemaCon , the newly announced Star Wars Celebration 2027 details, the ongoing Rock 'n' Roller Coaster set list conversation , Star Wars popcorn buckets , and LEGO Smart Play . That already would have been enough for one episode, but the...

It was another packed week for Disney fans, and this episode of This Week at Walt Disney World had a little bit of everything. Greg checked out the 2026 Walt Disney World Easter Parade . Cinderella Castle continued its eye-catching repaint. Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord kept the Disney+ conversation going. Disneyland added more fuel to the May the 4th hype train . And, naturally, popcorn buckets s...

A Question Beneath Cinderella Castle This week's special Tuesday night edition of This Week at Walt Disney World started with a simple question. As work around Cinderella Castle revealed old tracks in the drained moat, Greg asked what they were. That question led Sam down a deeper path — and the answer brought back one of Walt Disney World's earliest attractions. The Full Story of the Swan Boats T...

Cinderella Castle Pops with New Color Magic Kingdom guests are seeing a brighter look at the park icon as Cinderella Castle continues its latest visible transformation. Fresh color is making the castle stand out in a new way, and even routine work on the centerpiece of Walt Disney World always becomes a talking point. For Sam and Greg, the castle update was one of the clearest signs that spring ch...

Big Disney News Changes the Shape of the Show This week's episode of This Week at Walt Disney World came in with a full list of park updates , entertainment news, and fan conversation. Then the 2026 Disney shareholder meeting added a new layer to everything Sam and Greg were already discussing. It did not stop the show. Instead, it gave the episode more weight.  With new CEO Josh D'Amaro sharing u...

Flower & Garden Festival Blooms at EPCOT Spring officially arrived at EPCOT as the Flower & Garden Festival opened across the park. Topiaries, gardens, and fresh seasonal color changed the atmosphere almost overnight. This annual shift always gives EPCOT new energy. After Festival of the Arts,  Flower & Garden brings a brighter look and a different rhythm to the park. Hoppers Hits Theaters Disney...

Live from EPCOT After Hours For this special Thursday night edition of This Week at Walt Disney World , Sam and Greg went live from EPCOT After Hours . The plan was simple: explore the park at night, check the crowds, and answer one big question. Is EPCOT After Hours worth it? The night did not go exactly as planned. Even so, the live show still delivered a real look at what the event feels like o...

Festival of the Arts Closes, Flower & Garden Ahead EPCOT officially wrapped the  2026 Festival of the Arts  as the park begins its transition to the  Flower &   Garden Festiva l. While festival booths close and signage comes down, early floral installations and seasonal shifts already signal what's next. The quick turnaround highlights EPCOT's constant evolution. One festival ends, and another beg...

This week at Walt Disney World, February 18, 2026, Greg became one of the first guests to experience the updated Frozen Ever After , now featuring new animatronics. The refreshed scenes add improved movement, facial detail, and lighting enhancements that noticeably elevate the attraction's finale. The update signals Disney's continued investment in existing attractions while larger park expansions...

Live from Disney's BoardWalk For the week of February 11, 2026, Sam and Greg went live on location from Disney's BoardWalk at Walt Disney World. The setting brought great atmosphere and real park energy, even if a few technical difficulties cut the show slightly short. The experience delivered valuable lessons, and yes — more live broadcasts from the parks are coming. The Big Game Is Over — MVPs t...

It's Frozen at Walt Disney World This week at Walt Disney World felt more like winter than Florida. Cold temperatures settled across the resort, creating an unusual backdrop for park visits. While the chill surprised many guests, it also gave the parks a very different vibe, especially with lighter crowds and brisk evenings. A New Era of Disney Leadership Begins One of the biggest Disney stories i...

What's Next: Lucasfilm Leadership Shakeup and the Disney CEO Question This week on This Week at Walt Disney World , Sam and Greg opened with one of the biggest conversations in Disney fandom right now — the leadership shakeup at Lucasfilm . They broke down what the changes could mean for Star Wars storytelling, upcoming films, and Disney+ projects. From there, the discussion naturally expanded to...

Disney kicks off another busy week as Disneyland Handcrafted premieres on Disney+ tomorrow , February 22. The documentary celebrates the craftsmanship and creative vision behind Disneyland, while a special featurette highlights director Leslie Iwerks and her deep Disney roots. At the same time, Star Wars fans have plenty to talk about. Disney dropped a surprise teaser for  Star Wars: Maul – Shadow...

Disneyland Handcrafted Premieres with Red Carpet Event Disney kicked off the week with the premiere of Disneyland Handcrafted , now streaming January 22nd on Disney+. Greg attended the red carpet media event and shared firsthand reactions from the celebration. The documentary highlights the  artistry , craftsmanship , and creative vision behind Disneyland. One standout feature focuses on Leslie Iw...

Happy New Year from Disneyland and Walt Disney World The new year started on both coasts. Sam rang in New Year's Eve at Disneyland, while Greg spent the holidays at Walt Disney World. As a result, this week's show covered a wide range of park experiences and major Disney World updates. At Disneyland, the 70th Anniversary Celebration set the tone for the trip. The resort felt familiar, yet noticeab...

December 10, 2025 marked our final live show of the year, and it was a packed one. From park construction updates and major Disney milestones to box office records and streaming news, the conversation highlighted just how much Disney packed into 2025. Monsters, Inc. Funday Football Returns We kicked things off with Monsters, Inc. Funday Football , which continues to blend sports and storytelling i...

Holiday Magic Arrives at EPCOT December 3, 2025, brought a massive week of holiday celebrations at Walt Disney World. Greg started at EPCOT on the opening day of the Festival of the Holidays , when storytellers returned, decorations filled every corner, and a new Walt Disney opening message surprised guests exploring the festival. The park also features Santa Goofy, updated Magic Shots, and the co...

Rolling Into Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World This week, November 26, 2025, we rolled into Thanksgiving with a full slate of holiday magic at Walt Disney World. From gingerbread displays and Santa meet-and-greets to new international park news and popcorn bucket previews, it was a packed pre-holiday show. Gingerbread Houses Across the Resorts Gingerbread galore across the resorts. The star this w...

Disney Destiny: Sam's First Reactions Sam is back from the Disney Destiny , and the excitement is real. This week, we compared the Destiny to the Wish and Treasure , highlighting what's different, what's familiar, and what's brand new. The Destiny elevates Disney Cruise Line storytelling with new lounges, unique restaurant concepts, and fresh entertainment spaces. Sam shared early impressions and...

Zootopia Takes Center Stage November 5, 2025, brought huge excitement across Walt Disney World. Greg shared his first impressions of Zootopia: Better Zoogether , now in previews at Disney's Animal Kingdom . Guests can meet Nick and Judy and grab the new Zootopia popcorn bucket .   Lots of Zootopia Merch Dropped. Fort Wilderness & the Halloween Parade Before saying goodbye to spooky season, Greg ca...

Christmas Comes Early at Walt Disney World Halloween might be over, but at Walt Disney World, the holidays arrive fast. During our October 29 live show, we covered everything from gingerbread popcorn to the latest updates on Disney+. The parks are already transforming for the Christmas season, and Disney fans have plenty to look forward to. Festive Food Highlights Both Mickey's Very Merry Christma...

Disney World Updates and Big Changes Across the Parks Construction continues around Disney World, and guests are noticing major updates. At Disney's Hollywood Studios , the iconic entrance animation courtyard archway is gone, marking a significant visual change to the park. Inside Walt Disney Presents, One Man's Dream , new models showcase the future of Disney World . Models include Tropical Ameri...

The countdown is on! Disney just dropped the final trailer for Zootopia 2 .  Plus, Tron: Ares speeds into theaters and IMAX next week—here's everything you need to know. In the parks, major changes are underway: the  Star Wars Launch Bay is permanently closed, and the Animation Courtyard is undergoing a reimagining. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is getting a  Muppets-themed refresh at Hollywood Studios....

From anniversaries and holiday announcements to attraction closures and new partnerships, Disney fans had plenty to talk about this week. Here's the latest news and highlights from across the parks, Disney+, and beyond. Disneyland's 70th Anniversary Celebration Disneyland marked its 70th anniversary in style. ABC aired a two-hour primetime special filled with archival footage, celebrity appearance...