This week brought some truly magical moments—from Zootopia 2 shattering box office records to Disney lighting up Altadena's historic Christmas Tree Lane after devastating wildfires.

We've got exciting updates on EPCOT's Festival of the Arts, delicious treats from the Cookie Stroll, and a groundbreaking partnership with OpenAI that's about to change how fans interact with their favorite characters. Plus, there's plenty of holiday cheer, new merchandise, and heartwarming stories to brighten your week. Stick around till the end for free downloadable wallpapers for your phone and desktop. Let's dive in!

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EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Returns in 2026
Mark your calendars! Disney has announced dates and offerings for the 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, including the incredible lineup of artists who will be showcasing their work at the festival.
See what's coming at Disney Parks Blog (dates & offerings) | Meet the featured artists at Disney Parks Blog

Perfect Pairings: A Foodie's Guide to the EPCOT Cookie Stroll
Looking for the best treats at EPCOT's holiday Cookie Stroll? Disney Parks Blog food experts have created the ultimate guide to eating your way through this festive experience, complete with their top recommendations and perfect pairings.
Get the delicious details at Disney Parks Blog

Disney Water Park Seasonal Pass Returns to Walt Disney World
Great news for water park fans! The seasonal pass for Disney's Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon is back, offering a budget-friendly way to enjoy unlimited visits to Walt Disney World's water parks.
Splash into the details at Disney Parks Blog

Disneyland Paris Reveals 2026 Details Including World of Frozen Opening
Planning a European Disney vacation? Disneyland Paris has announced important dates for 2026, including the highly anticipated March 29 opening of World of Frozen within the newly reimagined Disney Adventure World.
Start planning your trip at Disney Parks Blog

Your Guide to Holiday Characters at Disneyland Resort
Want to know where to find your favorite characters in their holiday finest? Disney Parks Blog has created the ultimate guide to spotting special holiday character appearances throughout Disneyland Resort this festive season.
Find your favorites at Disney Parks Blog

Merry Menagerie: Holiday Magic at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Discover the unique holiday celebrations at Disney's Animal Kingdom, where the Merry Menagerie brings festive decorations and special experiences to this wild corner of Walt Disney World.
Explore the holiday magic at Disney Parks Blog

2025 Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade Details Revealed
Get ready for Christmas morning! Disney has announced details for the annual Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade, featuring performances from Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Aulani that will air on ABC.
Preview the parade at Disney Parks Blog

Disney Cruise Line Updates and Adventures
Disney Cruise Line has shared exciting updates about their newest ships and upcoming itineraries. Whether you're planning your first Disney cruise or you're a seasoned sailor, there's something new to discover.
Set sail with the latest at Disney Parks Blog

Celebrate 70 Years of Disneyland in Fortnite
Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebration is coming to Fortnite! Disney has announced a new Disneyland-themed experience launching in the popular game, bringing park magic to players worldwide.
Level up with the details at Disney Parks Blog

Stars Bringing Holiday Magic to Disney Parks
Celebrity appearances and special performances are happening across Disney theme parks this holiday season. Find out which stars are helping spread the magic at Disney Experiences properties worldwide.
See who's visiting at Disney Parks Blog

Couple Celebrates 70 Years of Marriage—and Magic—at Disneyland
Grab the tissues! A heartwarming story of a couple who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at Disneyland Resort, proving that Disney magic truly does last a lifetime.
Read their love story at Disney Parks Blog

Zootopia 2 Crosses $1 Billion at Global Box Office in Record Time
Walt Disney Animation Studios' Zootopia 2 has officially joined the billion-dollar club after just 17 days in theaters, making it the fastest animated film ever to reach this achievement. This marks Disney Animation's first back-to-back billion-dollar releases.
Continue reading at The Walt Disney Company | See the official press release at Walt Disney Studios

Celebrating Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke
D23 celebrates Disney Legend Dick Van Dyke with a look back at seven memorable times the beloved actor joined the worlds of Disney throughout his legendary career.
Enjoy the nostalgia at D23

Disney and OpenAI Announce Landmark Partnership Bringing Characters to Sora
Disney and OpenAI have reached a three-year licensing agreement allowing fans to create their own short videos featuring over 200 beloved characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars using OpenAI's Sora platform. The deal includes a $1 billion equity investment, and fan videos will stream on Disney+.
Dive into the details at The Walt Disney Company

James L. Brooks' New Film 'Ella McCay' Releases in Theaters
Disney Legend James L. Brooks returns with his first original feature in 15 years—Ella McCay, a heartwarming family comedy starring Emma Mackey and Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis about family, hope, and finding your way.
Get the full story at The Walt Disney Company

Meet the Characters of Avatar: Fire and Ash
D23 has unveiled details about the new and returning characters we'll meet in James Cameron's next journey to Pandora. The highly anticipated third film promises to expand the Avatar universe in exciting new directions.
Discover who's returning to Pandora at D23

Marvel's Year in Review: The Best of 2025
Marvel looks back at an incredible year across movies, TV, comics, and games. From blockbuster theatrical releases to groundbreaking streaming series, 2025 was massive for the MCU and beyond.
Relive Marvel's biggest moments at Marvel.com

Avatar: Fire and Ash Products Now Available
Celebrate the upcoming return to Pandora with new merchandise featuring characters and imagery from Avatar: Fire and Ash. From apparel to collectibles, there's something for every Na'vi fan.
Shop the collection details at Disney Parks Blog

Disney Store Japan Exclusives Coming to DisneyStore.com
Fan-favorite plush toys and keychains that were previously only available at Disney Store Japan locations are now making their way to DisneyStore.com, giving US shoppers access to these adorable exclusives.
See what's coming stateside at Disney Parks Blog

Last-Minute Holiday Gifts on Amazon Merch on Demand
Running out of time for holiday shopping? Disney has partnered with Amazon's Merch on Demand service to offer quick-shipping Disney-themed products perfect for last-minute gift-giving.
Find your perfect gift at Disney Parks Blog

Holiday Gift Guide for Disney Readers
D23 has curated the ultimate gift guide for book lovers, featuring Disney-related books, graphic novels, and literary treasures that make perfect presents this holiday season.
Browse the book recommendations at D23

Disney Water Bottles Holiday Gift Guide
Stay hydrated in style! Disney Parks Blog has rounded up the best Disney-themed water bottles and drinkware available at Disney Parks and shopDisney—perfect for the Disney fan who has everything.
Quench your thirst for gifts at Disney Parks Blog

Your Guide to Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game
New to Disney Lorcana? Disney Parks Blog has created a comprehensive guide to help you get started with Disney's popular trading card game, perfect for collectors and players alike.
Start your Lorcana journey at Disney Parks Blog

Disney Supports Altadena's Historic Christmas Tree Lane After Wildfires
As part of Disney's $15 million commitment to Los Angeles wildfire recovery, the company donated $100,000 to preserve Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane. Disney VoluntEARS helped string lights, hosted family activities, and donated over 1,300 toys to families in need during the 105th annual Lighting Ceremony.
Learn about Disney's community support at The Walt Disney Company

Gary Sinise on Honoring Families of Fallen Heroes at Disney World
Actor and philanthropist Gary Sinise discusses the powerful impact of the "Snowball Express" program at Walt Disney World, which brings together families of fallen military heroes and first responders for a healing five-day retreat each December.
Read Gary Sinise's inspiring interview at The Walt Disney Company | See Disney Parks' coverage at Disney Parks Blog

Free Disney Holiday Wallpapers
Deck your digital halls! Disney has released free downloadable holiday-themed wallpapers for your phone and computer, perfect for spreading seasonal cheer.
Download your favorites at Disney Parks Blog

From billion-dollar box office milestones to heartwarming community initiatives, Disney continues to create magic both on and off the screen. Don't forget to grab those free holiday wallpapers, and if you're planning a trip to EPCOT, start dreaming about those Festival of the Arts dates!

Until next week, may your dining reservations be easy to snag, your park days be filled with Extra Magic Hours, and your phone and desktop be a little more festive! See ya on the monorail!

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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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