Greetings fellow Rope Droppers,
We're writing this one having just gotten into town. We're in Fort Lauderdale, about to set sail on the Disney Destiny for a quick Bahamas run, our eleventh Disney cruise.
Feels like a fitting way to kick off a week that's got some real shakeups back on dry land.
Let's head in.
| 1 | Disney is cracking down on who can and can't be part of your next resort visit. |
| 2 | Disney's next CEO is a name you already know. |
| 3 | Booking a dining reservation? One field just quietly disappeared. |
| 01 | This Week's E-Ticket Disney Closes Ranks |
Disney's version of "no outside coolers" just got a lot bigger. Walt Disney World has sent cease-and-desist letters to a wave of unauthorized third-party businesses working its resort property, hotels, theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs, ordering them to stop.
The affected list is personal: private photographers, personal chefs, stylists, and hotel-room decorators, many of them part of the "Ear For Each Other" Facebook group that formed back in 2020 to support furloughed Cast Members' side hustles.
The letters cite rules against unauthorized commercial activity, photography, solicitation, and events on property. One personal chef was told to stop cooking at Disney, pull his ads, or risk a trespass notice. A photographer said she's done shooting on Disney property and plans to shift her business to Central Florida and Universal Orlando, which she says is more permissive (WDWNT).
This isn't new territory. Disney trespassed several third-party tour guides for the same reasons back in late 2023. (Washington Post)
For your planning:
If you've booked an outside photographer, personal chef, or room decorator for an upcoming trip, confirm they're still operating; a growing number aren't.
This is aimed at people physically working on property or in your room, not delivery apps. Grocery and food delivery services aren't expected to be affected.
The message is consistent: if there's money changing hands on Disney property, Disney wants it changing hands with Disney.
How do you feel about Disney tightening the reins on outside vendors?
| 02 | Ears to That Josh D'Amaro Takes the Helm |
Josh D’Amaro (right center), with Bob Iger (center). Photo: Disney Parks Blog
A parks exec just got tapped to run the whole company. The Walt Disney Company's board has unanimously elected Josh D'Amaro, current Chairman of Disney Experiences, as the next CEO, effective at the Annual Meeting on March 18, 2026, when he succeeds Bob Iger.
Dana Walden becomes President and Chief Creative Officer in the same move, reporting directly to D'Amaro, also effective March 18. Iger stays on as Senior Advisor and a board member through his retirement on December 31, 2026 (Disney's official release).
D'Amaro is a 28-year Disney veteran who joined at Disneyland Resort in 1998 and has chaired Disney Experiences since 2020.
And it matters why a Parks lifer is getting the job now: Disney Experiences just posted a record $10.0 billion in Q1 FY2026 revenue, up 6% year-over-year, fueled by new cruise capacity, higher attendance, and higher guest spend (BlogMickey). Parks and cruises are carrying the company, and the company just handed the keys to the guy who's been running them.
| 03 | On the Horizon Next Stop for the Disney Adventure |
A fun one while we're at sea ourselves: the Disney Adventure just completed a westbound transit of the Panama Canal, setting a record as the largest ship to ever transit the canal (208,000 gross tons, roughly 6,700 passengers). The Panama Canal Administrator marked the occasion with a commemorative plaque as the ship passed through the Agua Clara Locks (Disney Cruise Line Blog).
Next stop: Los Angeles, before the ship continues on toward its home port in Singapore, where it runs three- and four-night sailings.
| 04 | In the Queue A New Disney Credit Card |
Chase and Disney just launched the Disney Inspire Visa, a $149-annual-fee card with real teeth (WDWNT):
200 Disney Rewards Dollars after $2,000/year spent on U.S. Disney Resort stays and Disney Cruise Line bookings
$100 statement credit after $200/year spent on U.S. Disney Theme Park tickets
Up to $120/year toward Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+
10% back on streaming, 3% at most U.S. Disney locations and gas stations, 2% at grocery and dining, 1% everywhere else
Launch offer: a $300 Disney gift card plus a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 in your first three months
Five new card designs exclusive to it, including Mickey Mouse and Stitch options
We'll admit it: we've stayed away from Disney-branded cards up until now, but the value bundled into this card's benefits has us looking twice. Can't decide between the Golden Mickey and Coco card designs.
| 05 | From Around the Kingdom Seven Things You Might've Missed |
Just Ask Instead: You can no longer flag food allergies when booking a dining reservation online, just tell your server at the table instead. Disney's allergy accommodation standards haven't changed. (Disney Food Blog)
Bluey Takeover: Wildlife Express Train and Rafiki's Planet Watch close for good on Feb 23 to make way for a Bluey experience this summer, and yes, that likely means the Affection Section petting zoo isn't coming back. (AllEars)
Half-Off Down Payment: Florida-resident Annual Passholders can now start any pass tier, Pixie Dust through Incredi-Pass, with just $99 down on a 0% plan; the total cost and monthly payments don't change. (wdwinfo.com)
Zootopia Perks Drop: Passholders get a free carrot cake sundae, a Nick Wilde photo op, and a keepsake magnet at Animal Kingdom now through March 15. (wdwinfo.com)
Monkey Walls Down: The colobus monkey habitat on the Gorilla Falls trail lost its walls after a months-long refresh, a good sign a reopening (rumored before summer) is getting close. (WDWNT)
France Pavilion Pause: Impressions de France and the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along both go dark Feb 22 for refurbishment, no reopening date given. (BlogMickey)
Pool Refurb Underway: Surfboard Bay Pool at All-Star Sports is drained and under construction through late April, so double-check your resort's pool situation before booking a spring stay. (WDWNT)
Walt Disney World honored World War II veteran Herb Maneloveg's 101st birthday with a special Flag Retreat at Magic Kingdom on January 25, complete with a stroll down Main Street, a private Festival of Fantasy Parade viewing, and a visit from Mickey and Minnie. (Disney Parks Blog)
Disney Parks Blog
| 06 | That's A Wrap Same Time Next Thursday |
That's a wrap for this week, Rope Droppers. We'll see you back here next Thursday.
How'd we do this week?
Gabe
