By Sinaiyouth 
Welcome to another edition of theme park news. This week brought a big headline from the Walt Disney Company as its new CEO was finally revealed. That’s our main topic this week, although we’ll also talk about what’s new at the theme parks and what you can expect if you head to Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort over the next few months.
This is a time of major change both at the highest levels of the Walt Disney Company and on the ground, in the way we enjoy Disney theme parks every day. With DinoLand, USA permanently closed, Animal Kingdom, in particular, is about to experience its biggest change in nearly a decade. Let’s take a look back at these last few stories from last week.
Josh D’Amaro named next CEO of The Walt Disney Company
It was announced this week that Josh D’Amaro, President of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, will be the next CEO of the Walt Disney Companysucceeding Bob Iger. Iger’s last day as CEO will be March 18. 2026, although he will remain employed at Disney until the end of the calendar year.
D’Amaro rose through the ranks of the Walt Disney Company through the parks, before serving as president of Disneyland Resort and briefly president of Walt Disney World before being named president of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. In total, D’Amaro has been with the company for 28 years.
D’Amaro already has numerous projects underway, including the construction of the the newest Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi.
D’Amaro’s appointment as the next CEO isn’t the only leadership news we’ve heard this week. It was also announced that Dana Walden, current co-president of Disney Entertainment, will become Disney’s first-ever president and chief creative officer.
READ MORE: TIMELINE OF MAJOR CHANGES COMING TO DISNEY THEME PARKS
Napa Rose reopens at Disneyland after several months of renovation
The flagship gourmet restaurant of Disneyland Resort, NapaRose, was closed for several months while an extensive renovation and reinvention was underway. This work is finally finished and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa restaurant officially reopened on February 6.
From a renovated bar and lounge with new seasonal prix fixe menu in the dining roomNapa Rose is once again offering guests an enhanced dining experience that is sure to be unforgettable!
Napa Rose Veteran Chief Andrew Sutton worked with Napa Rose Executive Chef Clint Chin develop new menu offerings. Be on the lookout for dishes like American Wagyu NY, oak-roasted 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 of the time).
READ MORE: A MONTH-BY-MONTH GUIDE TO PLANING A DISNEYLAND VACATION IN 2026
Disney California Adventure celebrates its 25th anniversary
Disney California Adventure opened on February 8, 2001. That means Disneyland’s second gate is celebrating its silver anniversary this year, and we got our first look at how the park commemorates the occasion.
In addition to limited time merchandise and food productsDisney California Adventure gets a a head start on the annual return of Soarin’ Over California. The OG version of the ride usually returns for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival (which begins 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 colors and designs of California Adventure.
Disney California Adventure is expected to be in party mode until early summer, when Soarin’ Over California closes and is replaced by an all-new 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 undergoing a major refresh at EPCOT, and luckily, the ride downtime won’t last too long! The ride closed on January 26 so Imagineers could install updated audio-animatronic systems, similar to those seen at Hong Kong Disneyland. We now know that Frozen Ever After will reopen with the new Audio-Animatronics on February 12.
These Audio-Animatronics no longer use projection design animated faces but instead use next generation practical faces. These updated Audio-Animatronics will also be seen on Frozen Ever After when a third installment of the ride opens next month at the soon-to-be-renamed Disney Adventure World at Disneyland Paris.
READ MORE: WHAT HAPPENS TO DISNEYLAND PARIS IN 2026
Conservation Station will temporarily close at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Looking ahead to this summer, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be the perfect place if you have a little one who is a big Bluey fan! Both Bluey and Bingo from the hit Disney+ series will begin appearing at the Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom starting this summer, and this area of the park will temporarily close to prepare!
The last day of operation at the Conservation Station before its temporary closure will be February 22. The Wildlife Express train will also temporarily close its doors from February 23. When the area reopens, it will feature a Bluey and Bingo meet with return offerings like the Affection section with animals from Bluey’s home in Australia. The animals currently being caressed will soon be rehoused. Upon reopening, the Veterinary care room will also come back.
READ MORE: DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM WILL OPEN A TROPICAL AMERICAS LAND IN 2027
Theme Park News: Disney Announces New CEO, Disney California Adventure Celebrates 25 Years was originally published on The World of Spark.