Free Water Park Perk Returning to Walt Disney World in 2027 But With Resort Exclusion in Today’s Dai

Stripes removed from The Magic of Disney Animation days after painting at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney teases over 2,000 bats in revamped Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Spirit Airlines liquidation may be imminent due to jet fuel costs — all this and more in today’s daily recap for Friday, April 17, 2026. Table of contentsDisney News RecapUniversal News RecapWatch WDW News Today Disney News Recap Concrete Work Underway Near Liberty Square Riverboat Landing for Piston Peak National Park Joey Lawrence Explains How Disney’s ‘Oliver & Company’ Changed Animation by Casting Billy Joel Foliage Cleared From Coco Ride Construction Site, New Trees Planted Outside Disney California Adventure Perimeter O Canada! New Apparel Highlights Hockey, Skiing, and the Great White North at EPCOT’s World Showcase Scaffolding and Scrim Appear Around Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland Scott Hunnel, Victoria & Albert’s Veteran and Culinary Director for Walt Disney World Resort, Announces Retirement Excavation Continues on Future Porto’s Bakery Site at Downtown Disney District Construction for New Island Tower Window at Disney’s Polynesian Resort New Pin Celebrates Reimagined Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom First Look Images From ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ Permit Filed for Aloha Isle Sign at Walt Disney World Tokyo DisneySea’s 25th Anniversary “Sparkling Jubilee” Officially Begins with Commemorative Ceremony Construction Walls Removed From Cinderella Castle as Repainting Project Nears End First Signs of Work Behind Sir Mickey’s Curtains in Magic Kingdom FIRST LOOK: Han Solo Meet and Greet Character Coming Soon to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge First Look at Cast Member Costumes for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets at Walt Disney World Walt Disney World Mystery Pins Moved Behind Locks After Man Stole $900 Worth of Them Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro Named One of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2026 Skyway Straw Clip Coming to Disneyland Resort We Got to Hear Two of The Electric Mayhem’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Songs Tomorrowland Speedway Debuts New Mural at Magic Kingdom Cancer Survivor Will Meet Life-Saving Donor at 2026 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend Richard F. Irvine Ferryboat Returns to Magic Kingdom With Fresh Paint First Look at The Electric Mayhem Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Performance BREAKING: Second Electric Mayhem Song Revealed for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets First Look at Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Popcorn Bucket & Merchandise Coming This Summer Disney’s Pop Century Resort Sign Under Refurbishment Disney Store Launches In-Person ‘Disney Store Limited Time’ Shops Walking Olaf Animatronic Coming to Another Disney Theme Park Muppets Plush, Keychains, and Ear Headband Arrive Online at the Disney Store Asteria Storyliving by Disney Community Reveals Peter Pan-Inspired Club & Cottage Universal News Recap Minions vs....