What do tiki birds, a Jungle Cruise adventure, and a boatload of international dolls have in common? This week, they’re all backdrops for a new Disney+ series starring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Director Jon Favreau has been spotted filming around Disneyland for the upcoming hybrid animation project, bringing a bit of Hollywood hustle to the parks.
At the same time, Halloween is creeping in early—with spooky windows and eerie lighting already showing up—and Christmas is already elbowing its way onto the calendar as well. If you’re wondering what season it is… the answer is yes.
Stay tuned for a Disneyland Update packed with the latest news, photos, construction, refurbishments, events, opportunities, and more. It’s time for our weekly look at the Happiest Place on Earth…
Star Sighting
What do Oswald and Baby Yoda have in common? Disney Legend Jon Favreau! As we first announced early last month, the director of hit Marvel and Star Wars projects has been busy at Disneyland in recent days, taking over attractions such as the Enchanted Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, and Small World for a new “Oswald The Lucky Rabbit” series for Disney+, an animation/live-action hybrid similar to “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988).
We even caught a glimpse of Oswald himself… or at least a stand-in…
Deadline has reported the show’s cast includes kid actors Ravi Cabot-Conyers (“Skeleton Crew,” “Encanto”), Mykal-Michelle Harris (“Raven’s Home,” “Mixed-ish”), and Ryder Allen (“The Penguin,” “Palmer”), but also spotted in the park last week with Favreau (and Oswald) was Kathryn Hahn (of “WandaVision” and “Agatha All Along” fame).
We’ve been told the crew will be filming in the park for a few weeks, but while fans wait for the new series (release date TBD), Oswald can be seen in his 1927 shorts “Trolley troubles” and “All Wet” on Disney+.
Halloween Creeps In
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort officially kicks off in three weeks, but we’re already seeing signs of the spooky season ahead of it’s August 22 start date. Stores and displays will be in a rapid state of change over the next two weeks.
Buena Vista Street’s windows are being transformed
And we’ve already seen Halloween lights going up in the trees around Cars Land.
Of course, our favorite milestone for any season are the Children of the Corn and their seasonal flair in Main Street’s holiday store:
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is currently being transformed into Villains Grove for Oogie Boogie Bash. You can see crates filled with equipment and props waiting to be unpacked.
And the Haunted Mansion will close its wrought iron gates on August 9th for its annual Nightmare Before Christmas-themed makeover.
For all the Halloween Time news, check out our guides:
- Disneyland Halloween Time 2025: Oogie Boogie Bash, Broken Spell & Beyond
- DISNEYLAND HALLOWEEN TREATS 2025: Eat, Drink & Be Scary!
- Halloween in July? More Spooky Disney Merchandise for 2025 Has Arrived!
Holiday Sneak Peek
Yes, we know it’s not even Halloween, but we’re already looking forward to what’s coming to the Merriest Place on Earth this holiday season, which returns Nov. 14, 2025, through Jan. 7, 2026.
As always, Disneyland park will be twinkling with holiday magic, including A Christmas Fantasy Parade, Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, and the Believe… In Holiday Magic fireworks spectacular (complete with the fan-favorite holiday snowfall).
And of course, the “it’s a small world Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction overlays will also both be back this year, along with the Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends experience in the Fantasyland Theater, with craft-making, holiday sing-alongs, and photo ops with Disney characters and Santa.
Across the esplanade, Cars Land will be decked out for the season, including the return of Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree.
But the most delicious seasonal celebration is Disney Festival of Holidays, with Festive Food Marketplaces, live entertainment, and other special holiday happenings, including the Mickey’s Happy Holidays cavalcade, Mirabel’s Gifts of the Season featuring music from “Encanto,” A Musical Christmas with Mariachi Alegria de Disneyland & Miguel inspired by “Coco,” and the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party led by the Three Caballeros.
Check out our 2025 holiday guide for all the festive details:
Magic Keys Are Locked
Constructionland…
Storybookland & Casey Jr.
A major project has just begun in Fantasyland, with construction walls stretching from Dumbo to the parade corridor.
That project is a combination of the Storybook Land Canal Boats and Casey Jr. attractions. Because both attractions tie into each other, both have return dates of TBA. Permits filed with the City of Anaheim suggest there are going to be some pretty substantial structural and electrical changes to these attractions… including a new 10ft (max) height show element and two aluminum tube trellis arches. It sure does sound like a possible Tangled tower with floating lantern archway… but time… and a future press release… will tell.
Edelweiss Snacks
The turkey leg stand in Fantasyland, across from the Matterhorn and in front of the old Motorboat Cruise dock, is under exterior refurbishment but remains open… So, you’ll still be able to get yourself a bratwurst on cheesy garlic pretzel bread.
Downtown Disney Shuffle
It’s a whirl of activity in Downtown Disney with surprise closures, numerous construction projects, and some notable refurbishments…
Sunglasses Icon Closes
In Downtown Disney, there was an unexpected closure of Sunglass Icon. There is no indication if this is a refurbishment or something else is coming.
Sephora Refresh
Not far away Sephora is also closed, but signs make it clear that it will reopen after a refurbishment.
LEGO Restacked
The Lego store is wide open, but some exterior elements are behind refurbishment walls with signs saying that new elements are on the way. The interior underwent a refurbishment earlier in the year with a promise for a phase two in the future. Looks like that’s finally underway.
ESPN Reborn
The project to add new stores and shopping to the defunct ESPN Zone continues. What took so long? It’s been closed for years! You’ll soon be able to buy spandex (Lululemon), plastic bobble heads (Funko – unconfirmed), and boba (Bopo Go).
Earl of Sandwich
At the back of the new parkside area on the west end of Downtown Disney the new Earl of Sandwich is taking shape. It could open as soon as the holiday season with a target of Thanksgiving, though it sure looks pretty far off from that goal.
The current Earl of Sandwich is in extra innings. The location was set to close last week, but will remain open for the time being.
BBQ & Steaks!
It’s slow going in the future home of Arthur & Sons Steakhouse and Bourbon, and Pearl’s Roadside BBQ. The old Tortilla Jo’s was torn down months ago, but no vertical progress has been made here yet.
Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar (updated 8/1/25)
Currently Under Refurbishment
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue: June 30 – September 4
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – Villains Grove installation: July 21 – August 14
- Storybook Land Canal Boats: July 28 – TBA
- Casey Jr. Circus Train: July 28 – TBA
- Incredicoaster: July 28 – August 14
Upcoming Refurbishments
- Haunted Mansion – holiday installation: August 9 – 21
- Radiator Springs Racers: August 18 – TBA
- Mark Twain Riverboat: September 8 – 11
- Main Street Cinema: September 8 – TBA
This & That
Don’t touch that browser bar… There’s more Disney fun to share…
Disneyland Live @ 5
Dusty and crew are joined by little Johnny from Orlando this week as they explore what’s new at Disneyland. This is Johnny’s first visit since he was a baby, so it’s all new to him. We guarantee you’ll love this episode or your money back (thank goodness it’s free to watch).
Follow along with us every Thursday at 5pm (Pacific) on YouTube or Facebook… and if you miss us live, just visit our channels to watch the replay! And please do us the favor of sharing and leaving comments so more people can find our zanny but informative weekly show. MiceChat Live on FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE
What’s New at Salt & Straw?
The newest limited-edition menu from Salt & Straw is The Farmer’s Market Series, which will be available from now through August 28.
The “hyper-seasonal” series celebrates late summer produce available at local farmer’s markets. But do you see any that you can’t live without trying? They’re creative, but possibly a bit too ambitious:
- Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread – Chocolate chip ice cream with decadent chunks of chocolate chip zucchini bread, and vibrant spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove
- Tomato Gelato with Olive Brittle – A vibrant, creamy gelato featuring tomatoes crushed with buttery Arbequina olive oil and lemon zest, and dehydrated black olives folded into a caramelized butter brittle
- Melon and Prosciutto – Candied prosciutto ice cream swirled with fresh cantaloupe ice cream, inspired by the ancient Roman salty-sweet pairing
- Peach Jam Miso Blondies (v) – Toasted coconut cream studded with hunks of white miso-infused butterscotch blondies, and ribboned with peach jam
- Pickled Cucumber Sorbet (v) – A tangy sorbet of Grillo’s pickle brine, fresh puréed cucumber, and an herbaceous bouquet of dill
Salt & Straw has also debuted the new vegan classic flavor, Hazelnut Cookies and Cream, featuring crushed sandwich cookies folded into coconut cream, spiked with bourbon vanilla, and rippled in hazelnut butter fudge… we can’t wait to try this one.
Mobile Order Update
Disneyland has removed The Tropical Hideaway from Mobile Order, but Mobile Order from Tropical Hideaway Express is still available for classic pineapple Dole Whip (including floats), bottled water, and pineapple juice.
Oogie Boogie Ticket Tracker
As of Saturday afternoon, there were only 5 after-hours Halloween parties with tickets still available… which also happen to be 5 of the first 6 party dates.
Anniversary Gift
Walt Disney Imagineering commissioned a painting by artist and former Imagineer, Eric Robison, which was gifted to Disneyland to honor its 70th-anniversary.
Visit Walt Disney’s Storybook Mansion!
Dusty has been hosting sold-out tours of Walt Disney’s stunning Hollywood Mansion for the last few weeks. Due to overwhelming demand, he has JUST added August 16th to the calendar. Follow the Walt Disney Storybook Mansion page on Facebook (HERE) for details as tours are added and future events and tours are announced. Plus, reach out to Dusty about hosting your own private events, parties, weddings, screenings, and tours at the Disney Mansion (enquire here).
MiceShots
We had a fun week in the parks with lots of news, construction, and things to do. We also had a number of friends in town from all over the world. Here are some images we thought we’d share from our recent visits.
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Let’s Hear From You!
From Oswald on Jungle Cruise to Halloween creeping up the calendar (and Christmas sneaking in the back door), there’s a lot happening at Disneyland right now. What do you think of the filming in the parks impacting guests paying up to $206 a day for a visit? Fun or too disruptive? And are you excited for the creepy season… or already bracing for the holiday frenzy?
Let us know in the comments below!
Today’s Disneyland Update was shot by Mike Kindrich and Dusty Sage, assembled by Samantha Davis Friedman, and contains contributions from Brian Pinsky, Suzanne Lee, and the MiceChat Disneyland Crew.