There’s still plenty of magic happening at Disney. Ever hear about Pumpkin Trees? Let us tell you about this long-time Halloween tradition from Disney Cruise Line. Then we cover Toy Story’s 30th Anniversary, the Elio streaming premiere, and some Hocus Pocus and international merch. Let's dive into this week’s official Disney news.

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Most Disney fans don't know about one of the company's most charming traditions: magical Pumpkin Trees that have enchanted Disney Cruise Line guests since the early fleet days. This Halloween season, Disney Treasure introduces Ginger, the sixth member of this exclusive family.

Six Ships, Six Enchanted Trees

Each Disney ship hosts its own unique pumpkin tree character during Halloween sailings: Reap (Magic), Bog (Wonder), Grim (Dream), Muckelbones (Fantasy), Boo (Wish), and now Ginger (Treasure). The original four were inspired by Ray Bradbury's "The Halloween Tree," while Boo was blessed by the Wishing Star with pumpkins so magical that one allegedly became Cinderella's carriage.

What makes Ginger special? She's the first tree inspired by Aladdin's Agrabah, featuring elongated gourds that reflect Middle Eastern design. During the interactive "Tale of the Enchanted Pumpkin Tree" experience, storytellers Coriander and Sage introduce her to Halloween traditions, creating a cross-cultural magical moment where guests help her understand trick-or-treating.

As Disney's Philip Kelley notes, these aren't simple decorations—they're "fully realized characters" with rich backstories that transform ship atriums into immersive Halloween experiences. It's Disney storytelling magic hiding in plain sight.

Meet Ginger on Disney Cruise Line’s Treasure sailings now through October 31.

Read More: Disney Parks Blog | Halloween on the High Seas | Disney Treasure

Disney marked the 30th anniversary of Toy Story with reflections from Pixar's Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, and Jonas Rivera on the groundbreaking 1995 film that revolutionized animation and launched Pixar. Originally pitched as a "half-baked" idea about toys among three concepts to Disney, the film overcame early development challenges (including an infamous "Black Friday" screening that nearly canceled the project) to become the highest-grossing film of 1995 with nearly $400 million worldwide. The creative team emphasized how they broke animation conventions by avoiding musical tropes and creating multidimensional characters like Woody, whose fear of being replaced resonated universally, leading to a franchise that now spans five films, with Toy Story 5 set for June 19, 2026.

Read More: The Walt Disney Company

Disney and Pixar's space adventure "Elio" debuts on Disney+ today, September 17, bringing the story of an alien-obsessed boy who gets mistaken for Earth's leader by extraterrestrials to home screens. The Certified Fresh film invites families into the "Communiverse" for intergalactic laughs and heartwarming discovery.

Read More: Disney+ Press

Bring out the holiday decor and get ready to be filled with holiday spirit! Disney revealed many all-new products coming this Holiday season to DisneyStore.com and select Disney Parks!

For a limited time, receive Free Shipping on orders of $85 or more using code: SHIPMAGIC.

Pullovers, plushes, charms, luggage, bags, and more, DisneyStore.com saw arrivals from China, Japan and around the world this past week. These items are absolutely adorable and going FAST! Follow the link to view the full collection.

A reminder that shoppers can receive Free Shipping on orders of $85 or more using code: SHIPMAGIC.

Read More: Disney Parks Blog

Here’s more Disney news this past week that we didn’t have room to highlight.

This week showcased Disney's ability to surprise and delight with hidden traditions like the enchanting Pumpkin Trees, while celebrating major milestones like Toy Story's 30th anniversary and expanding digital offerings through new partnerships. From cruise ship atriums to streaming platforms, Disney continues finding fresh ways to share beloved stories with fans around the world.

The Monorail Newsletter is an independent fan publication published weekly and focuses exclusively on official Disney news from verified Disney sources. The Monorail is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Walt Disney Company.

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