All posts tagged: Disneyland

How New Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro Won Bob Iger’s Heart

How New Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro Won Bob Iger’s Heart

Published by Sam Flores

For the last few years, the question of who would succeed Bob Iger hovered over Disney. Entertainment executive Dana Walden’s decades-long career in television, her reputation as a talent-whisperer, and her close relationship with Iger made her the obvious choice from Hollywood’s perspective: “The word about succession is that it’s all Dana all the time,” a top agent told VF in 2024. Her biggest competition was Josh D’Amaro, the silver-haired head of Disney’s parks and resorts division, who had a devoted following inside and outside the company. When he showed up at Disney theme parks, visitors often lined up to meet him. The company finally ended its executive bake-off Tuesday with the announcement of D’Amaro as its new CEO. Disney shied away from the historic choice of appointing a first woman to top the company, though a new position was created for Walden: She’s been named President and Chief Creative Officer, giving her oversight of both film and television at Disney. “Reading the tea leaves for at least the past six months or so, there …

Disneyland Now Has a 3D-Printed Prop Canoe on the Jungle Cruise. Take a Peek Behind the Scenes

Disneyland Now Has a 3D-Printed Prop Canoe on the Jungle Cruise. Take a Peek Behind the Scenes

Published by skeptic

Our slow-moving queue curves around a two-story wooden boathouse filled with props from explorations through distant lands. At the front of the line, a Disney cast member dressed in khaki helps us step onto a quaint little boat for a tour around the jungle. This is Disneyland’s world-famous Jungle Cruise, filled with animatronic animals and painful puns from your skipper, and old-world set pieces depicting scenes straight out of the Amazon, Congo, Mekong and Nile rivers. It’s a ride that Walt Disney himself had a hand in developing, but something new is coming that separates it from its 1950s origins: a 3D-printed prop. You may have seen small-scale 3D printing being done by hobbyists at home. But that’s child’s play compared to what industrial-scale 3D-printing workshops can do.  Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source. Haddy, a 3D-printing business based in Florida, says it can build worlds. More specifically, Jay Rogers, co-founder and CEO, tells me the company is installing its first boat in a Disney park. …

What’s New at Disneyland and Disney World in 2026? Rides, Lands, Ticket Deals and More Updates

What’s New at Disneyland and Disney World in 2026? Rides, Lands, Ticket Deals and More Updates

Published by skeptic

Disneyland had a huge 2025 when it kicked off its 70th anniversary. This year, we’ll see the original Disney theme park continue to celebrate the milestone — all while building three new rides at California Adventure and a whole new Disneyland entrance and Avatar area. Over at Walt Disney World in Florida, four entirely new lands are being built right now, themed around villains, Pixar characters and more. Disney isn’t slowing down its expansion plans, with four new cruise liners also on the way. Here’s everything you need to know about Disneyland, Disney World and Disney Cruise Line in 2026 and beyond. Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source. Bluey arrives at Disneyland Concept art of the Bluey show coming to Disneyland in 2026. Disney/Ludo Studio Good news for fans (both parents and kids) of the hugely popular Australian TV series: Bluey is getting its own stage show at Disneyland. Debuting on March 22, 2026, Bluey’s Best Day Ever will be held at the Fantasyland …

Disneyland is pivoting on ‘Star Wars’ Land. Here’s why

Disneyland is pivoting on ‘Star Wars’ Land. Here’s why

Published by Sam Flores

Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is turning back the clock. In a shift from its original ambitions, the land will no longer be primarily set in the time period of the recent “Star Wars” sequels. That means modern villain Kylo Ren will be out, at least as a walk-around character, while so-called “classic” characters such as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa will make their way into the fictional galactic town of Black Spire Outpost. The changes, for now, are specific to Disneyland and are not currently planned to come to Walt Disney World’s version of the land, according to Disney. They also mark a significant tweak from the intent of the land, which was designed as an active, play-focused area that broke free from traditional theme park trappings — character meet and greets, passive rides and Mickey-shaped balloons. Instead of music, guests heard radio broadcasts and chatter, as the goal was to make Black Spire Outpost feel rugged and lived-in. Share via Close extra sharing options It was to be …

Where to find the best vegan and vegetarian food at Disneyland

Where to find the best vegan and vegetarian food at Disneyland

Published by Sam Flores

Once upon a time, the lack of plant-based options at Disneyland would have had herbivore diners ready to walk the plank at Pirates of the Caribbean. Today, in keeping with widespread updates to the parks, finding an above-average meat-free meal is easier than ever. Craft an epic visit to Disneyland and California Adventure with our comprehensive guide. It’s full of expert tips and fresh perspectives. We recently ate our way through Disneyland Anaheim resort. To our surprise, we continually found the vegetarian options more impressive than their meaty counterparts, using surprising, fresh ingredients while still remaining substantial and filling. Most restaurants are even equipped with allergy-friendly menus for those who require gluten-, nut-, or soy-free options — just ask. From towering burgers to cheesy enchiladas, bread bowl stews and fruity soft serve, you’ll find at least one vegetarian option at just about every food spot at Disneyland and California Adventure. Here are 16 of our favorites. Note that menus at Disneyland food establishments change frequently. Ask about additional vegetarian or vegan options if one isn’t …

Every ride at Disneyland, ranked

Every ride at Disneyland, ranked

Published by Sam Flores

Disneyland since 1955 has stood as a beacon of optimism, a Southern California institution and rite of passage that has shifted with and reflected back our myths and pop culture sensibilities. It is also the theme park I return to multiple times per month. Unlike any other park I’ve visited, Disneyland has a sense of history; it’s a park that has grown and evolved with American pop culture. In this sense every attraction, I believe, is special in some way, even the ones I rarely visit. But my editor had a challenge for me: Rank them. It wasn’t easy. Globally, Disneyland, the great American theme park, has become one of the mightiest exports of the United States. Craft an epic visit to Disneyland and California Adventure with our comprehensive guide. It’s full of expert tips and fresh perspectives. That makes any ranking of its top attractions a deeply personal challenge. How, for instance, does one weigh nostalgia, an individualistic trait, versus public popularity? And what takes greater precedence, historic value or the bleeding edge? How …

Best restaurants in Anaheim close to Disneyland

Best restaurants in Anaheim close to Disneyland

Published by Sam Flores

I do not like Disneyland. I do not like its rides. I do not like its lines. I do not like its crowds. I do not like how Disney has tried to influence politics in my hometown of Anaheim for decades. I might be the only person in my life who feels this way. My sister has an annual pass. My other sister was a regular at Dapper Days before the pandemic. Cousins and friends work for the Mouse; my wife always bugs me about when I’ll take her again. Craft an epic visit to Disneyland and California Adventure with our comprehensive guide. It’s full of expert tips and fresh perspectives. I try not to go, but I go enough to know that the resort’s food has improved dramatically from the days we’d sneak in burritos. And I also know there’s far better food within minutes of the Happiest Place on Earth. Disneyland’s location right off Harbor Boulevard and right next to the 5 Freeway means great eats are just a short drive to Little …

The best value hotels for families at Disneyland

The best value hotels for families at Disneyland

Published by Sam Flores

When you wish upon a star, they say, it makes no difference who you are. When you book a Disneyland-adjacent hotel, however, it makes a big difference how much homework you do. So I’ve been nosing around Anaheim, dodging unenchanted castles, sidestepping minuscule swimming pools and sniffing out small-print resort fees and parking charges, in the search for lodgings that both make sense and save cents. These are my 12 favorites. Craft an epic visit to Disneyland and California Adventure with our comprehensive guide. It’s full of expert tips and fresh perspectives. In their ranks you’ll find a water park or two (looking at you, Howard Johnson) and a few renovated old favorites (that’s you, Candy Cane Inn). And there are enough bunk beds in lodgings along Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue to accommodate all of Steamboat Willie’s progeny. Before making my very subjective best-values list, I narrowed the field by using a few objective measures. I started by ruling out Disney’s three hotels, which cost a lot more than the rest. I further narrowed …