Theme park news: Disney announces new CEO, Disney California Adventure celebrates 25 years

Welcome back to another edition of theme park news. This week brought major headlines from the Walt Disney Company as its new CEO was finally announced. That’s our main story this week, although we’ll also talk about what’s new at the theme parks and what you can expect if you visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort in the next few months.

This is a time of great change both at the highest levels of the Walt Disney Company and on the ground in our daily lives enjoying Disney theme parks. With DinoLand, the US closed permanently, Animal Kingdom in particular is headed for its biggest change in nearly a decade. Let’s catch up on the latest stories from last week.

Josh D’Amaro has been named the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company

It was announced this week that Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro will be the next Chief Executive Officer of the Walt Disney Companyreplacing Bob Iger. Iger’s last day as CEO will be March 18. 2026, although he will remain with Disney through the end of the calendar year.

D’Amaro rose through the ranks of the Walt Disney Company through the parks, previously serving as President of Disneyland Resort and briefly as President of Walt Disney World before he was named Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. In total, D’Amaro has worked at the company for 28 years so far.

D’Amaro already has many projects underway, including construction of the building the newest Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi.

D’Amaro’s appointment as the next CEO wasn’t the only leadership news we heard this week. This was also announced Dana Walden, currently co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, will become Disney’s first President and Chief Creative Officer.

READ MORE: TIMELINE OF MAJOR UPCOMING CHANGES AT DISNEY THEME PARKS

The Napa Rose reopened at Disneyland after several months of renovations

Disneyland Resort’s flagship luxury restaurant, Napa Roses, has been closed for several months while extensive renovations and reconfiguration are underway. The work finally ended, and… Grand Californian Hotel & Spa restaurant officially reopened on February 6.

From a a renovated bar and lounge area to a new seasonal prix fixe menu in the dining roomNapa Rose is once again providing guests with an elevated dining experience that is sure to be unforgettable!

Napa Rose Veterans Chef Andrew Sutton working with Napa Rose Executive Chef Clint Chin to develop new menu offerings. Beware of such dishes American Wagyu NY, Grilled Oak Forest Mushrooms and Sorpresine Pasta.

An expanded outdoor patio provides additional seating options when the weather calls for outdoor dining (so, in Southern California, that’s usually the case most days).

READ MORE: MONTH BY MONTH GUIDE TO PLANNING A DISNEYLAND VACATION IN 2026

Disney California Adventure celebrates its 25th anniversary

Disney California Adventure opened its gates on February 8, 2001. That means Disneyland’s second gate celebrated its silver anniversary this year, and we got to see it for the first time how the park commemorates the event.

In addition to limited-time merchandise and foodDisney California Adventure gets a begins the annual return of Soarin’ Over California. The OG version of the ride usually returns for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival (starting this year on March 6), but fans of the ride can now enjoy an early treat thanks to the anniversary.

Guests can also meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse in new outfits inspired by the original California Adventure color scheme and design.

Disney California Adventure will be in full party mode until early summer, when Soarin’ Over California will close and be replaced with an updated version of the ride, Soarin’ Across America, to celebrate America 250.

READ MORE: DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS IN 2026

Frozen Ever After reopening date with updated Audio-Animatronics announced at EPCOT

Frozen Ever After is currently getting a major refresh at EPCOT, and luckily, travel downtime won’t be long! The ride first closed on January 26 so Imagineers could install updated Audio-Animatronics similar to those seen at Hong Kong Disneyland. We now know that Frozen Ever After will reopen with new Audio-Animatronics on February 12.

These Audio-Animatronics no longer use animated projection design faces and instead use next generation practical faces. These updated Audio-Animatronics will also be seen in Frozen Ever After when the third series of rides opens next month at the soon-to-be-renamed Disney Adventure World at Disneyland Paris.

READ MORE: WHAT’S COMING TO DISNEYLAND PARIS IN 2026

The Conservation Station will be temporarily closed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Looking forward to this summer, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be the place to be if you have a little one who is a big fan of Bluey! Both of them Bluey and Bingo from the hit Disney+ series will start appearing at Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom starting this summer, and that area of ​​the park will be temporarily closed in preparation!

The Conservation Station’s last operational day before temporary closure was February 22. Wildlife Express trains will also be temporarily closed from 23 February. Bluey and Bingo meet and greet along with return offerings such as Part of Affection with native animals from Bluey in Australia. Animals being petted at this time will be immediately returned home. After reopening, Animal Care Room will also be back.

READ MORE: DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM WILL UNLOCK LAND OF TROPICAL AMERICA IN 2027

Theme Park News: Disney Announces New CEO, Disney California Adventure Celebrates 25 Years was first published on The World of Spark.

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