Welcome back to your weekly briefing from Orlando Insider. It is the 19th of January, 2026, and the holiday season is officially over. We are now firmly into the "Refurbishment Rush," and there is plenty to talk about across Disney and Universal this week.

In this week’s update:

• EPCOT Festival of the Arts: The festival is in full swing! We look at the Disney on Broadway concerts and the hunt for the latest Figment merch.
• Universal’s Mystery Teaser: What does that cryptic "01-20-26" speedometer video mean for a potential new ride announcement tomorrow?
• The Refurbishment Rush: Critical updates on the closures of Big Thunder Mountain and Buzz Lightyear, plus the upcoming Frozen Ever After overhaul.
• Muppet Transformation: Your final window to ride Rock 'n' Roller Coaster before the Muppets move into Hollywood Studios.
• Construction Watch: New foundations for the Cars land in Frontierland and the countdown to the permanent closure of DINOSAUR.

Unlock a better way to do Florida. At Orlando Insider, we offer a completely different kind of service. We aren't here just to book a flight; we ensure you have a proper holiday without the stress. When you book with us, you get your own personal Orlando Guru to handle the heavy lifting. You'll get free planning calls and access to our exclusive Park Planner App, showing you the best days to visit and the perfect ride order in real-time.

Stop guessing and start planning at: www.orlandoinsider.co.uk

Welcome to your first weekly briefing of 2026! Things are moving fast in Central Florida this week as the holiday decorations come down and "Refurbishment Season" kicks into high gear. Every week, we bring you the four most interesting stories from Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando to help you stay ahead of the curve.

This week’s highlights:

• Epic Universe Park-Hopping: Multi-day tickets now allow you to hop between all three Universal parks in a single day.
• Cinderella Castle Transformation: Disney has officially begun stripping the "anniversary pink" to return to a classic palette.
• The Refurbishment Rush: Major updates on the year-long closures of Big Thunder Mountain and Buzz Lightyear.
• Jurassic Park’s Long Sleep: Why the River Adventure is closing until late 2026 and what the rumours say about its future.

Don't leave your holiday to chance! Navigating these weekly changes is easier with an expert. Contact Orlando Insider to get your very own Orlando Guru who will turn a good trip into an amazing one. You'll get free planning calls and access to our exclusive Park Planner App, showing you the best days to visit and the perfect order for every ride.

Start planning your 2026 getaway at: www.orlandoinsider.co.uk

Data analysis reveals a shocking truth about Disney World wait times: queues actually drop by up to 41% immediately after a ride reopens following a breakdown. But there is a catch—you only have a 17-minute window before the "Drop & Spike" pattern kicks in and lines shoot back up.

In this episode, we review RideAlert.net, the SMS-based tool designed to catch these fleeting opportunities so you don't have to be glued to your phone. We also dive into fascinating Disney ride reliability data, revealing which attractions break down the most and the best strategies to maximize your day.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The "Drop & Spike" Pattern: Why guests avoid reopened rides, causing wait times for attractions like Tiana's Bayou Adventure to plummet by 41.6%.
• The 17-Minute Window: Data shows that 87.1% of the time, the wait time recovers or spikes within just 17 minutes.
• RideAlert.net Review: How to get SMS wait time alerts to save battery and international data.
• Pricing & Value: How to start tracking queues for as little as £3.26 per day.
• Reliability Rankings: Why Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is the reliability champion (99.71% uptime) while Seven Dwarfs Mine Train struggles.

• Pro Tip: Why you should never trust posted wait times in the last 35 minutes of the park day.

⏳ Queue less and do MORE in Orlando when you book your holiday with Orlando Insider

Featured Tools & Resources:

• Track Wait Times: Get instant text alerts for drops with RideAlert.net.
• Plan Your Trip: Contact the Orlando travel experts to plan your 2026 adventure.
• Stay Updated: Follow us for daily tips on Instagram and Facebook.

Keywords: RideAlert.net review, Disney World wait time data, Drop and Spike pattern, Disney ride breakdowns, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train reliability, Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run uptime, Orlando Insider, Disney World hacks 2026, Disney World queue strategy.

Thinking of heading to Florida in 2026? It’s going to be one of the most transformative years in theme park history! In this episode, the team from Orlando Insider dives into the massive updates coming to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. From the much-anticipated Muppets take-over of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster to the first-ever multi-day tickets for Epic Universe, we’ve got the full scoop. Plus, we break down the lengthy refurbishment schedule (including a year-long closure for a Jurassic Park favorite) so you can plan your trip without the stress.

In This Episode:

• Universal Orlando 2026: Key refurbishments for Revenge of the Mummy, Hogwarts Express, and the massive Jurassic Park River Adventure closure.
• Epic Universe Ticket News: How to get unlimited park-to-park access to all four Universal parks through Orlando Insider.
• Disney World Expansions: Mandalorian missions on Smugglers Run, the Muppets rockin' new coaster, and the Soarin' Across America debut.
• Character News: "For real life!" — Bluey and Bingo are coming to Animal Kingdom!
• Disney Springs: A first look at LEVEL99, the massive new challenge-room experience.

⏳ Queue less and do MORE in Orlando when you book your holiday with Orlando Insider - https://www.orlandoinsider.co.uk/do-more-lando

Links & Resources:

• Book Your 2026 Adventure: Orlando Insider Travel – Expert agents, zero stress.
• Subscribe on YouTube: Orlando Insider TV – See the construction and news in 4K.
• Follow Us: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/orlandoinsideruk Instagram https://instagram.com/orlandoinsideruk

Keywords: Disney World 2026, Universal Epic Universe tickets, Orlando Insider Travel, New Disney rides 2026, Bluey at Disney World, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Muppets, Universal Orlando closures 2026.

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Join us as we explore the ultimate Disney resort for families! From the convenience of the Skyliner gondolas to the spacious rooms and exciting amenities, we'll dive into what makes this resort a top choice for families.

Whether you're traveling with little ones or teenagers, we'll show you why this Disney resort stands out from the rest. Get ready for a magical vacation that will create lifelong memories for your family!

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⏳ Queue less and do MORE in Orlando when you book your holiday with Orlando Insider - https://www.orlandoinsider.co.uk/do-more-lando

Planning a Disney World holiday on a budget?

Look no further! In this podcast, we're exploring whether Disney's All Star Resorts offer the ultimate value for your money.

From affordable rates to fun amenities, we're diving into what makes these resorts a great option for families and travelers alike. If you're searching for Disney deals that won't break the bank, this video is for you. We'll weigh the pros and cons of staying at an All Star Resort and help you decide if it's the right choice for your next Disney holiday.

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Planning a Walt Disney World holiday can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the perfect resort.

In this podcast, we're comparing two popular options: Disney's Riverside Resort and Disney's French Quarter Resort.

Both offer a unique experience, but which one is best for you?

We'll dive into the details of each resort, exploring their amenities, location, and overall atmosphere. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a Disney veteran, this video will help you make an informed decision and find the perfect home base for your magical holiday.

From the charm of the French Quarter to the rustic vibe of Riverside, we'll explore what makes each resort special and help you decide which one is the best fit for your Walt Disney World adventure.

⏳ Queue less and do MORE in Orlando when you book your holiday with Orlando Insider - https://www.orlandoinsider.co.uk/do-more-lando

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Thinking of staying at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort on your next Disney holiday?

You've probably heard the hype, but is it really worth it? In this podcast, we're diving into the pros and cons of this popular Disney moderate resort to help you decide. From its convenient location near Epcot and Hollywood Studios, to its Skyliner gondola access, we're covering it all.

Get the inside scoop on what makes Caribbean Beach Resort stand out from the rest, and find out if it's the right fit for your Disney holiday.

⏳ Queue less and do MORE in Orlando when you book your holiday with Orlando Insider - https://www.orlandoinsider.co.uk/do-more-lando

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