Epic Universe takes the Best Dark Ride Golden Ticket away from Disney, it’s already Christmas at the Disney Store, Disneyland Abu Dhabi’s castle will have water features, and a Downtown Disney security plaza suddenly closes — all this and more in today’s daily recap for Monday, September 8, 2025.
Daily Recap (9/8/25)
Walt Disney World
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- The entrance sign for the new Zootopia: Better Zoogether show has been installed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, though it remains covered.
New Merchandise
- Walt Disney World has a new Haunted Mansion bottle stopper inspired by the ride’s iconic gargoyles.
- In honor of the 85th anniversary of Pinocchio, a new Harveys tote inspired by the animated classic is available at Walt Disney World.
Other Walt Disney World News
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park at Walt Disney World is now closed for a seasonal refurbishment.
Disneyland Resort
Disney California Adventure
- The rumored new Avengers Campus restrooms at Disney California Adventure have been confirmed thanks to an Anaheim permit.
Downtown Disney District
- The Downtown Disney District security plaza closest to Disneyland Hotel is now closed, seemingly permanently.
Disneyland Resort Hotels
- Broken Spell Lounge at Disneyland Hotel now has themed coasters inspired by Sleeping Beauty.
New Merchandise
- Disney is marking 95 years of Pluto with vintage-style clothing, now available at Disneyland Resort.
Disney Store Merchandise
- A new Mickey Family Christmas Collection, including apparel and decorations, is available from DisneyStore.com.
- If your holiday celebrations include Life Day, Home Depot has the decoration for you: a festively-clad 7.5-foot-tall animatronic Chewbacca.
The Walt Disney Company
- The new episode of We Call It Imagineering is all about Disney’s castles and Imagineer Zach Riddley mentioned their new castle in Abu Dhabi may have water features.
Universal Orlando Resort
Epic Universe
- Universal Epic Universe dominated the 2025 Golden Ticket Awards, knocking Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance out of the Best Dark Ride spot.
New Merchandise
- New Halloween Horror Nights merchandise at Universal Studios Florida includes a Terrifier Christmas sweater, Chucky slippers, and more HamiKuma items.
Universal Studios Hollywood
- HamiKuma is now appearing at Universal Studios Hollywood for Halloween Horror Nights 2025.
Entertainment and Media
- Get ready to saddle up in Disney Dreamlight Valley: Wishblossom Ranch, a new paid expansion coming to all platforms in November 2025.
WDW News Today
Disneyland Fireworks Explode on Highway, New Disney Opening Ceremony
That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!