If you missed the past week, here’s a quick recap: a new president is taking over the resort, Halloween Party dates are disappearing fast, a long-awaited hand pie shop opens Monday at Disney Springs, and the Haunted Mansion looks better than it has in years. There was also food, merchandise, and at least one novelty cup that drove an impressive amount of traffic.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Beaker Cups at FØØD by Swedish Chef
The most-read story of the week was a novelty cup — which tells you something about how much people enjoy a good souvenir drink. FØØD by Swedish Chef in the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster courtyard is now serving Pink Le-moi-nade and Pond Water Limeade in an Erlenmeyer flask-style cup featuring Electric Mayhem artwork from Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. The cups are available while supplies last, so there’s no guarantee of finding them on any given visit. Read the full story.
Six Ravens Soft Opens at Disney Springs
Six Ravens, the hand pie concept from the Gideon’s Bakehouse team, soft opens at Disney Springs on Monday August 3. The shop occupies the former Art of Shaving storefront near the existing Gideon’s location in the Town Center area. The menu centers on Coffyns — house-made yeast rolls encasing sandwich-style fillings — priced at $10.96 each, with six options at launch. Collaborations with Central Florida restaurants including Pizza Bruno, Smoke & Donuts, and Red Panda Noodle shape the dipping sauces. As with any soft opening at Disney Springs, hours and availability may vary until a full opening is confirmed. Read the full story.
Jeff Vahle’s Final Day as Resort President
Jeff Vahle stepped down as resort president on July 31 after 36 years with the company. He marked the occasion with a farewell post on Instagram, reflecting on a career that included opening Disney’s Animal Kingdom, helping build Shanghai Disney Resort, and leading the resort through the openings of TRON Lightcycle / Run, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Joe Schott officially takes over on August 6, stepping in as the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom’s history continues alongside new lands in development at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Read the full story.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2026: Passholder Merchandise Revealed
Annual Passholders attending MNSSHP 2026 will have access to an exclusive t-shirt and pin, available only at the Emporium on party nights from August 7 through October 31. To buy either item, you need your valid Annual Pass ID from the My Disney Experience app plus a government-issued photo ID. A valid party ticket is also required for entry. The items are not available to general party guests and are not for resale. Read the full story.
Haunted Mansion Exterior Fully Revealed
The scrim is down from Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom, and the restored exterior is looking sharp. The refurbishment included repainting and replacing nearly the entire facade, with a new atrium that closely matches the attraction’s original opening day appearance. Brickwork, stonework, chimneys, and turrets all received attention. Some landscaping and perimeter construction walls remain, with Disney expecting to wrap that final work within a week — ahead of the first party night on August 7. The attraction has stayed open throughout. Read the full story.
Gideon’s Bakehouse August 2026 Lineup
August at Gideon’s is built around peanut butter and espresso. The monthly limited cookie is the Peanut Butter Cold Brew — a near-half-pound peanut butter cookie with Lineage Roasted Decaf Espresso, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Reese’s Pieces. A matching cake is available every Wednesday and Saturday by the slice, with whole cake preorders open at the East End Market location. Stuart’s Orange Mocha Nitro Cold Brew, originally a July exclusive at Disney Springs, returns for another month. A new merch drop also went live August 1, including a Gilbert pin, a returning candle in a new blue vessel, a bat tumbler, and a chrome gargoyle magnet available online only. Read the full story.
MNSSHP 2026 Tickets: Eight Dates Now Sold Out
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2026 has eight dates sold out as of this week, with September 4 — priced at $154 — the most recent to go. Every sold-out August date was either a low-price night or a high-demand date, and the remaining sub-$160 nights are the most likely next to follow. The 2025 season sold out entirely on September 24; 2026 is tracking on a similar or slightly faster pace. If you’re targeting a cheaper date, the remaining August nights at $139–$149 and early September dates at $149–$154 are the ones to move on. Read the full story.
MNSSHP 2026 Signage Installed at Magic Kingdom
Halloween signage is now up at both the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom main entrance. August 7 is opening night — the earliest in the event’s history — and full fall and Halloween decorations throughout the park are expected to go in over the next week. New additions for 2026 include a Stitch dance party at Rockettower Plaza Stage and pirate entertainment with Captain Jack Sparrow in Adventureland. Read the full story.
Maribeth Bisienere Honored with Main Street Window
Maribeth Bisienere has been given a Main Street, U.S.A. window at Magic Kingdom, recognizing more than 30 years with the company. The window sits on the Emporium facade above the Casting Agency door, reading “Academy of Talent Education & Training.” Her career spanned roles from General Manager of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort in 1995 through Senior Vice President overseeing resorts, transportation, premium services, food and beverage, and merchandise. Outgoing president Jeff Vahle shared the news on LinkedIn, noting that her impact “can be seen in the countless leaders she mentored.” Read the full story.
The week ahead is a big one: Joe Schott officially becomes resort president on August 6, opening night of MNSSHP lands August 7, and Six Ravens moves from soft opening into its early days of full operation. Watch to see how quickly the remaining lower-priced party dates disappear once the season gets going.
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