Disney is TEASING us with a new mystery.

Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland

If you’re a Disney Parks history buff, you’re likely familiar with the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.). But if you’re not, allow me to educate you. This “secret” society has ties to many Disney attractions around the world. Its members include many fictional characters from the backstories of Disney rides, and as new rides and characters are added, the backstory of the S.E.A. grows. And now, it looks like Disney is planning a big reveal!

If there’s an adventure-related Disney attraction, ride, or offering in the parks (without a previously-establed IP), it probably has some kind of tie to the S.E.A. Think Jungle Cruise, Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland, Tower of Terror in Tokyo DisneySea, or Trader Sam’s in Disney World and Disneyland Resort. Those are just a handful of the more than two dozen Disney locations that have ties to this fictional society. It’s woven so deeply into the backstories of Disney that fans have become heavily interested in it.

©Disney

So when Disney announced that the S.E.A. would be present at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, and that they’d be there to share a never-before-seen artifact, we knew we had to check it out! Walt Disney Imagineering hosted a special panel where they introduced some new history of the S.E.A. and revealed a mysterious crate. A crate which, when opened, was EMPTY!

Where did it go?!

Well, we suppose there was one thing in the crate — a letter. The letter noted that a new villain has stolen the artifact, and now it’s up to Disney fans and S.E.A. enthusiasts to find out who did it! We were told that follow-up clues would be shared on the Walt Disney Imagineering Instagram account after D23. This quest will likely lead us to some new information for an upcoming attraction or offering.

©Disney

The first clue was posted on the Instagram account shortly following D23. You’ll be able to solve these clues either by walking through Disneyland or looking up pictures of the park online at home. You can read the first clue below. WARNING: Do not scroll past the Instagram post below and continue reading this article if you want to avoid spoilers. Or, just figure out the riddle on your own and then come right back!

View this post on Instagram

Here’s our interpretation of this first clue — the description given in the riddle is clearly Main Street, U.S.A., and it seems to lead you straight to the cinema. Outside the cinema is the ticket-taker, named Tilly (wave to Tilly, everyone!). The end of the riddle asks what she’s drinking, which is tea. The first letter to know is ‘T.’

Tilly the ticket taker

Each clue will reveal a new letter, and those letters will need to be unscrambled to reveal the name of the villain who took the artifact. So far, we know from this riddle that the villain is an S.E.A. reject. Though it’s not confirmed by Disney, it’s possible that these clues could tie into a new project for Disneyland…ya know, since they’re using Disneyland as the background of the scavenger hunt?

Disneyland Main Street

And now Disney has revealed yet another clue!

View this post on Instagram

Now, it’s safe to say that this clue was much trickier than the first. But after some time we think we’ve figured it out! The clue says “find another letter where steam fills the air” which we think means the Disneyland Railroad! Now to figure out the exact letter another part of the clue explains “the view from this car is quite presidential” and the presidential car on the train is named the Lily Belle so we think the next letter is L.

The Disneyland Railroad

We’ll be on the lookout for more clues and we’ll let you know what we discover. This is a fun way for Disney fans to learn about the next news, and we’re excited to uncover each answer as we go!

Learn More About Disney’s Secret Society From This Older Post of Ours!

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It’s officially Halloween season at Disneyland Resort, and that comes with quite a bit of excitement!

Haunted Mansion Holiday

There are new snacks, new merchandise, and lots of exclusive entertainment options. But of course, one of the highlights of the season is a major ride overlay at Disneyland Park.

It’s official, folks — Haunted Mansion Holiday is BACK at Disneyland Park, and we are hyped! This ride overlay happens each year throughout the fall and winter, mainly the Halloween and Christmas seasons. Why so long? Because it’s themed to The Nightmare Before Christmas!

Haunted Mansion Holiday

This ride gets incredibly popular during the overlay season, and the Lightning Lanes book up quickly. You may be looking at a long wait if you want to check it out. Of course, the overlay starts on the outside, so you’ll have some awesome decor to take in while you wait!

So many pumpkins!

Throughout the ride, you‘ll spot characters from the film, including Jack Skellington, Sally, Zero, and Oogie Boogie. Wave hello to your friends!

It’s Jack and Zero!

They’ve also updated some of the ride gags and scenes to fit with the Nightmare Before Christmas motif. In terms of holiday ride overlays, this one is particularly impressive.

It’s Madame Leota in her Christmas outfit!

Of course, one of the most iconic parts of this overlay is the gingerbread display in the ballroom scene. Each year, there’s a new gingerbread creation, and they are MASSIVE. Check out this year’s version!

The new gingerbread house!

This overlay typically runs through early January before the ride closes to be turned back into the regular Haunted Mansion. If you want to check it out, you have a few months to stop by!

So cute!

It’s important to note, too, that this isn’t the only Halloween ride overlay at Disneyland Resort. At Disney California Adventure, Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween come to life in Cars Land, and in the afternoons and evenings each day, you can ride Guardians of the Galaxy — Monsters After Dark.

Tow Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree

We’ll keep you in the loop with any more Halloween and seasonal fun at Disneyland, so subscribe to our newsletter for the latest.

Here’s Your Guide to Halloween at Disneyland!

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

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Are you going to check out this ride in 2026? Tell us in the comments!

Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disneyland Resort to attend their media preview of Halloweentime offerings. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ

Disney is gearing up for a major event this weekend, and to kick it off, today is D23 Day at Disneyland Resort!

It’s time to celebrate!

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event starts tomorrow, and with so many Disney fans arriving in Anaheim early to go to the parks, D23 Day is the perfect way to add a little bit of extra fun to a long weekend of excitement. And you know what one of the best parts of D23 Day is? The super rare parade!

The Disney Legends Cavalcade is a mini-parade that ONLY happens on D23 Day in Disneyland Park. During this processional, you get to see Disney characters, the Disneyland Band, and a handful of Disney Legends. So who’s riding in the cavalcade this year? Check out the video below!

WE ARE HERE at D23 Day at Disneyland! Today's been a whole vibe: cheering on Disney Legends, spotting characters everywhere we turn, and the Disneyland Band has been amazing! pic.twitter.com/lEsyqqsu1B

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 13, 2026

The cavalcade was kicked off by some Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie themselves! The first car had Disney Legends Susan Egan, Kim Irvine, and Eric Goldberg.

©Susan Egan

Disney Legends who appeared riding on the omnibus included Bob Gurr, Tom Nabbe, Bill Farmer, David Stoller, and Martha Blanding. The cavalcade rounded out with some members of the Walt and Roy Disney families. What a fun surprise!

Bob Gurr c/o @bobgurrofficial on Instagram

We can’t wait to bring you all the fun from D23 this weekend. We’ll be attending a variety of panels and showcases and checking out the show floor to see all the news that Disney has to offer. We’re expecting big announcements from Imagineering about upcoming Disney projects in the parks, and we’re planning for some news about Disney movies and TV shows as well. It’s going to be a blast.

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event

Make sure you follow along with us all weekend to get the latest news! We’ll be sharing updates on social media and with our newsletter, so go ahead and subscribe.

See What We’re Doing at D23 Here!

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Been dreaming of a Disney wedding? Well, now’s your chance to get a free showcase of what they’re like!

Wedding Pavilion

A wedding in a Disney destination is a big wish for many Disney Adults, but there are so many factors to consider — price, location, event size, and more. If you’re considering diving into the world of Disney Fairy Tale Weddings and you want to get a glimpse at what’s available, there’s a special event coming to Disneyland Resort soon.

During D23 Day at Disneyland Resort on Thursday, August 13th, Disney Fairy Tale Weddings will be hosting a pop-up event at the Disneyland Hotel. Here, in the Rose Court Garden, you’ll be able to check out “inspiring floral & decor installations, unique entertainment & enchanting photo-ops.”

©Disney

Disney Weddings at D23 Day will offer a way for you to see everything Disney Fairy Tale Weddings has to offer for your wedding ceremony or vow renewal. You’ll be able to chat with a member of the team to learn more about the options available — representatives will be on site from wedding destinations like Disney World, Aulani, Disney Cruise Line, and Disneyland Resort. The event is open to anyone attending D23 Day!

©Disney

The event will take place from 10 AM to 6 PM and is treated as a “social hour” where you can come and go whenever you’d like. Pre-registration is available through the Disney Weddings website and is encouraged, but not required. You can check in at Rose Court Garden at Disneyland Hotel and explore the showcase across Adventure Lawn.

©Disney

This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in Disney Fairy Tale Weddings or anyone who is just curious and wants to see what all Disney has to offer! We’ll keep you updated with any more details, so subscribe to our newsletter.

5 Huge Regrets Brides Had About Their Disney World Weddings

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

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Disney is working to make its parks even MORE technologically advanced in the coming years.

Galaxy’s Edge

We’ve seen groundbreaking animatronics and innovative rides, but the goal is to step up and do MORE before Disneyland Abu Dhabi opens down the line, as that park is going to be Disney’s most technologically-advanced yet. As part of that initiative, Disneyland Park will soon be getting snack carts operated by hovering droids!

A little while back, we shared that Disney was working on a project to create snack carts with hovering droids that would be used for Star Wars areas in the future. These snack carts are inspired by a similar one featured in The Mandalorian and Grogu movie that released in theaters earlier this year, and were developed in conjunction with filmmaker Jon Favreau’s production department.

©Disney

How do they work? Well, the droids hover over a stationary food truck as if it were a stage. Guests will be able to order several different soda options from a mobile app and then pick them up at the cart. Depending on what you order, the droids have programming to put on a little “show.” Bloomberg says, “If the guest only buys one drink, for example, the robot might act lonely.”

A droid-themed drink cart in Galaxy’s Edge

Disney’s team plans to showcase this new snack cart at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event on August 14th-16th, 2026. From there, they hope to potentially debut the cart in Disneyland Resort by the end of the year, likely in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Droid on a drink cart in Galaxy’s Edge

We can’t wait to see this technology in action and report back on exactly how it operates. We have a feeling this would be a rather popular addition to Star Wars spaces in the parks!

Learn More About the Robotics Coming to Disney Parks

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

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Would you visit a robotic snack cart? Tell us in the comments!

If you’re looking for a way to visit the Disney parks on a budget, you’re not alone!

Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland

Thankfully, Disney World and Disneyland Resort often offer special deals so that you can get tickets and hotel stays at a discount. A NEW ticket deal for Disneyland just dropped, and if you qualify, you’ll want to jump on this one FAST.

The new Anaheim Resident Disneyland Resort Ticket allows you to visit for as low as $71. That’s a steal! The 1-Park, 1-Day tickets are just $71 for adults 10 and up, and they’re valid on dates from July 20th through October 8th, 2026. Park reservations are required.

Small World!

The 1-Park, 1-Day tickets for kids 3-9 years old are $50 per person. Adult 1-Day Park Hopper Tickets are $104 per person and kids can get Park Hopper tickets for $50 per person, which is the SAME price as their standard tickets. These tickets are available to purchase online currently or over the phone.

Disneyland

This offer is valid for Anaheim residents who live within ZIP codes 92801 through 92809, 92812, 92814 through 92817, 92825, 92850, and 92899. You’ll need to show proof of residency to use your ticket, and a valid government ID is required for purchase and admission. These tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Pixar Pier

This could save you a lot of money on a single-day visit if you live local! We’ll keep you updated with more Disneyland deals and discounts, so subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.

Disney Discounts and Deals — See What’s Available Here!

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

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Do you qualify for this ticket deal? Tell us in the comments!

One of Disney’s biggest events of the year is coming back this fall to California Adventure!

Oogie Boogie Bash 2025

Oogie Boogie Bash is the most spook-tacular offering for the Halloween season at Disneyland Resort, and it’s VERY popular! In 2026, it’ll be running on select nights from August 18th through October 31st. Just a few weeks are left until the first night happens, and we just got a MAJOR teaser about a new character!

The past few years at Oogie Boogie Bash, Disney has added NEW villains to its treat trails, so that when you walk through to get your complimentary candy, you can interact with an often rare Disney character! We’ve loved some of the additions we’ve seen, like Syndrome, Mother Gothel, and even Dr. Doofenshmirtz. So who’s coming this year?

Syndrome at 2025 Oogie Boogie Bash

Well, Disney just posted a teaser on Instagram, and based on the video, it looks like we’re FINALLY going to see Yzma from The Emperor’s New Groove!

View this post on Instagram

The video shows pink potions brewing. Perhaps the poison…the poison for Kuzco? The poison chosen specifically to kill Kuzco? Kuzco’s poison? Yeah, that looks about right. The video ends with a purple feather falling down to the tray, a feather that looks suspiciously like the ones Yzma wears. We’re pretty confident on this one, folks!

Spinach Puffs! ©Disney

This would not be the first-ever appearance of Yzma in the Disney parks, but it’s exceedingly rare. We’re talking specialty events or runDisney races for the most part. This is a character whom dedicated Disney fans love and based on the hype in Disney’s comments, are VERY excited to see in California Adventure.

©IMDb ©Disney

We’ll be at Oogie Boogie Bash this year to bring you all the updates and share the new happenings with you, so stay tuned to DFB by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter.

Get All the Oogie Boogie Bash Details Here!

IT'S SPOOK-TACULAR!

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Get ready for the spookiest season of the year at Disney World with our guide -- Halloween at Disney World: DFB's Spook-tacular Guide!

From the thrills of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party to the enchanting resort decorations that'll send shivers down your spine, our guide is packed with tips and tricks to help you squeeze every ounce of ghoulish fun out of your visit. Plus, we've got the inside scoop on all the limited-time-only bone-chilling activities happening across the parks!

Get the Halloween at Disney World: DFB's Spook-tacular Guide to make your frightfully delightful adventure even more magical!

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Halloween at Walt Disney World

• Get ALL the Info on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

• Photos AND Reviews: ALL the Fall and Halloween Treats in Disney World!

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When Disneyland Park opened to the public in 1955, it was overcrowded.

Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland

15,000 people were expected on opening day, which was initially supposed to be an invite-only preview event. However, nearly 28,000 people showed up. Counterfeit tickets and people charging visitors to climb a ladder to get into the park over the back fence made for an absolute fiasco. Opening day may have been a bit of a mess (to the point that it was nicknamed “Black Sunday”) but those guests got to experience something that over one billion people have now done…enjoy the magic that is Disneyland Park!

Yep, that’s right! One billion people have now officially visited Disneyland Park from all around the world. During a recent visit to the park, a young boy named Andres Robles from Arizona was selected as the honorary one billionth guest. He and his family participated in a ceremony on the train station that revealed a new sign to mark the milestone.

©Disney

After the ceremony, Andres and his family snapped some photos with Mickey and Minnie, the Disneyland Ambassadors, and Disneyland President Jill Estorino. They were then gifted with a VIP tour guide for the day so that they could visit historic backstage areas (like Walt Disney’s apartment), as well as do popular attractions.

©Disney

Disneyland Park reaches this milestone just days before its 71st birthday on July 17th. Over the past 71 years, the park has expanded to a full-blown resort with three hotels, the Downtown Disney district, and a second park, Disney California Adventure. Dozens of rides and attractions have been added, new character meets have been introduced, and visitors from all over the world have made memories in this park. What a legacy!

©Disney

There’s more expansion and fun on the horizon as well, and we can’t wait to see what happens before the two billionth guest visits. The park truly lives up to Walt Disney’s idea that “Disneyland will never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world.”

©Disney

We’ll keep you in the loop with more Disneyland Resort news and updates. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest and follow us on social media!

Learn More About Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebrations Here!

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

Have you been to Disneyland before? Tell us in the comments!

There is nothing worse than finding out your favorite attraction is closed for refurbishment just as you walk up to ride it. We always want you to be aware of any upcoming ride closures. So, if you’re planning a trip to Disneyland this summer, you’ve got to heed this warning!

Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland

Several popular attractions are closing (or have already closed) for refurbishment. We always let you know when a ride is set to close, but it also helps to check the online refurbishment calendar before your trip. However, we’re here to warn you about another new ride closure that has been added to the list!

Disneyland has updated its online calendar to note that a refurbishment starts for the Matterhorn Bobsleds on July 20th. Currently, the Disneyland calendar only goes through July 21st, so it’s not clear when the refurbishment will end. There’s no additional information listed on the website at this time.

Matterhorn Bobsleds

On that same day, there are also refurbishments ongoing for Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition and Pirates of the Caribbean. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is currently closed in the park, but will reopen on June 12th. King Arthur Carrousel will also have a short closure this summer.

©Disney

Closures and refurbishments can be added to the Disneyland calendar at any time, though they usually show up at least a few weeks out. It’s a good idea to check the calendar a couple of times leading up to your trip to see if any planned closures could affect you. You’ll need to go to the “Day View” section of the calendar and scroll down until you see “Closed for Refurbishment.” Don’t forget to check both parks, Downtown Disney, and the hotels!

Small World!

Knowing which rides, attractions, or restaurants will be closed can help eliminate that last-minute disappointment when you arrive in the parks. It also might give you the flexibility to reschedule your trip to go at a time when your favorite offering will have reopened. Most of the time, these closures are just for planned maintenance, but occasionally, Disneyland will update rides or change them for the season. Haunted Mansion typically closes in late summer to become Haunted Mansion Holiday, an incredible The Nightmare Before Christmas overlay.

Haunted Mansion Holiday

Then, recently, we saw a brief closure at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, where it was updated to include new missions themed to The Mandalorian and Grogu. The ride now has new scenes, missions, and planets available, featuring beloved Star Wars characters from the new movie and hit Disney+ series.

Mando and Grogu on Smugglers Run

We’ll keep you in the loop with any other ride closures and refurbishments, so stay tuned to DFB. You can get the latest news by subscribing to our newsletter!

Closures and Construction at Disneyland Resort

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

What do you think of this closure news? Tell us in the comments!