Disney changes don’t arrive in a slow drip right now, they come in waves. This week is another of our quarterly Disney news roundups that help you track what matters across Disney's movies, parks, the cruise line, and corporate intrigue coming from the House of Mouse. And yes, we also have one very important personal headline: we’re headed to Napa Rose for dinner, with a remodeled, re-menued review coming soon.

On the film side, we talk about why Pixar’s Hoppers hits so well, then jump into what’s next on the release calendar. The Mandalorian and Grogu looks ready to bring Star Wars humor and a whole lot of Grogu-driven box office energy. Toy Story 5 has us laughing and questioning whether the toys even want another sequel. Live action Moana feels surprisingly soon, but we’re still curious to see how it lands. And from Marvel, Spider-Man: Brand New Day has us genuinely hyped for what looks like another tough reset moment for Peter Parker.

Then we shift to Disney Parks updates and what they mean for your next trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. Cinderella Castle is nearly done with its repaint, DinoLand U.S.A. is officially closed, and Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is moving from Aerosmith toward the Muppets. We also hit the return of high tea at the Grand Floridian, big anniversaries like Shanghai Disneyland’s 10th and Tokyo DisneySea’s 25th, and the newest additions that will drive crowds, including Bluey experiences, Frozen’s expansion in Paris, and the refreshed Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.

Finally, we get into Disney Cruise Line growth and corporate tea. The Disney Adventure launches, Japan cruise news hints at more than one ship, and leadership changes bring a new era with Josh D’Amaro as CEO and major shifts at Lucasfilm. If you like smart Disney speculation mixed with real planning context, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a Disney friend, and leave a rating and review so more fans can find us.

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Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

Instagram, Threads, Facebook: @ourmousecapades
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ourmousecapadespod
https://OurMousecapades.com
podcast@ourmousecapades.com

A last-minute flight deal turns into a full-on Disneyland stress test: two tiny kids, huge crowds, a rainy day at Disney California Adventure, and one missing “best friend” pillow that nearly breaks everyone’s heart. Jarrett is back to share how his family tackled their first Disneyland trip after recently doing Disney World and a Disney cruise and what actually changes when you swap Orlando’s giant bubble for Anaheim’s compact, walkable resort.

We talk through the real planning decisions parents care about, like whether park hopping is worth it with a five-year-old and a two-year-old, how rope drop can happen by accident, and why Lightning Lane can feel like a lifesaver and a headache at the same time. Jarrett breaks down what worked, what didn’t, and what surprised them most, from navigating stroller pinch points and record-level crowds to chasing Star Wars thrills in Galaxy’s Edge. Rise of the Resistance downtime, rider swap limitations, and height requirement surprises all make the trip feel messy, but the wins are big.

There’s also plenty of Disneyland and DCA detail for Disney trip planning nerds: ride highlights like Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Smugglers Run, Web Slingers, and kid-friendly coasters, plus food notes on better Disneyland churros, the breakfast Ronto Wrap, and a quirky popcorn bucket refill rule difference. Most importantly, we dig into the parenting side: toddlers melt down, do weird toddler things, and still walk away with memories that pop up months later. If you’re planning Disneyland with young kids or comparing Disneyland vs Disney World, this one is for you.

If you want to hear more about Jarrett's trip, go check out his blog post at https://jswordsmith.com/taking-toddlers-to-disneyland-the-real-story/.

If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe, share the episode with a Disney-loving friend, and leave a rating and review so more listeners can find us. What’s your best tip for surviving Disney with little kids?

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Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

Instagram, Threads, Facebook: @ourmousecapades
https://OurMousecapades.com
podcast@ourmousecapades.com

The Disney Treasure looks like the future of Disney Cruise Line, but it doesn’t always move like the ships you already know. We sit down with Caleb and Caitlyn from Market House Podcast to unpack their first Wish-class sailing on the Treasure, plus the real-world challenge of doing it with a toddler who wants to walk everywhere, meet every character, and stay up for Pirate Night.

We get into the big contrasts: the breathtaking Grand Hall design, the crowd flow frustrations that show up when elevators and bottlenecks meet dinner traffic, and why a seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary can feel more relaxed even when the ship is packed with kids. They share what’s worth prioritizing on board, from sail away and the pirate deck parties to evening stage shows like Seize the Adventure, Beauty and the Beast, and Tale of Moana (including how hype can change your experience).

Then we hit the memory-makers: Haunted Mansion Parlor’s next-level theming, character interactions that feel more personal when lines stay open for the full scheduled window, and the Castaway Cay cabana waitlist call that turned an already great day into a “never going back to normal” moment. We also talk Disney Cruise Line dining on the Treasure, Festival of Foods, table placement noise at Coco, and practical tips for gluten free cruising and celiac-friendly options.

If you’re debating Disney Treasure vs Fantasy, Wonder, Dream, or other DCL ships, this conversation helps you choose based on budget, travel style, and where your family is right now. Subscribe for more Disney Cruise Line planning, share this with a cruise-curious friend, and leave a review so more Disney fans can find us.

Check out more from Caleb and Caitlyn over at the Market House Podcast! You can find them on Instagram @‌markethousepodcast and online at https://markethousepodcast.com.

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Adventures & Mousecapades is a passion project from Alicea & Nathan Novak - two Seattleites addicted to The Mouse. We are not affiliated with Disney, nor are we travel agents. Opinions are our own.

Instagram, Threads, Facebook: @ourmousecapades
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ourmousecapadespod
https://OurMousecapades.com
podcast@ourmousecapades.com