Credit: rickpilot_2000, Flickr
Disney World is bringing back Mickey and Minnie in a way that will surely bring joy and wonder to thousands of guests.
Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), Flickr
Mickey and Minnie Make a Triumphant (and Timely) Return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
It’s been a season of bittersweet emotions at Walt Disney World. Between the countdown to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s final loop and the buzz over its upcoming Muppets transformation, fans have spent the last few months wondering: what will Hollywood Studios look like in 2026?
But as one door prepares to close for good, another is ready to swing open again—this time with a little laughter, a little love, and a whole lot of Mickey Mouse magic. So, what’s quietly making a comeback before the New Year?
The answer lies in a small corner of Echo Lake, where something cheerful has been missing since October.
Credit: gardener41, Flickr
A Disney Short Takes a Long Pause
Back in October, the curtains quietly closed at the Mickey Shorts Theater. Vacation Fun, Disney’s original animated short experience starring Mickey and Minnie, suddenly went dark on October 20 for what was called a “refurbishment.” No fanfare, no big press release—just an entry on the Walt Disney World calendar and a few curious visitors noticing the darkened theater.
Since then, its exit area became the unlikely home of the Disney Jollywood Nights gift shop, where festival guests wound through the space to pick up shimmering holiday merchandise. Despite the crowds, guests noted that no visible construction seemed to be happening in the theater itself. Still, Disney remained quiet about what, exactly, was happening behind the scenes.
Until now.
Credit: Disney Dining
The Curtain Rises Once More
According to the official Walt Disney World calendar, Vacation Fun will reopen to guests on December 27, 2025—just in time for the holiday rush and weeks before Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith takes its final bow on March 1, 2026. The timing feels deliberate, a thoughtful bit of showmanship from Disney to ensure fans have a spot for joy and nostalgia amid so many big transitions.
For those unfamiliar, Vacation Fun isn’t your typical theme park film. It’s a celebration of Mickey and Minnie’s most hilarious and heartwarming adventures—featuring “never-before-seen” animation that stitches together moments from fan-favorite shorts like Panda-monium, Potatoland, and Croissant de Triomphe. The 10-minute film captures the duo’s charm at its best: playful, sincere, and timeless.
Credit: Jeremy Thompson, Flickr
Why This Matters Now
In an era where Disney’s Hollywood Studios continues to evolve—leaning into franchises like Star Wars and Pixar’s Toy Story—the return of Vacation Fun marks a quiet but significant nod to the icons who started it all. While thrill rides and cinematic universes drive much of the park’s modern energy, Vacation Fun carries the emotional heartbeat of Disney’s legacy.
It’s easy to see this reopening as small compared to major updates—after all, it’s just a short film in a small theater. But in a park about to lose a decades-old roller coaster, Vacation Fun’s comeback reminds guests that amid change, Mickey and Minnie remain constant. They’re not just characters on a screen—they’re symbols of Disney magic surviving every rebranding and re-theme.
Credit: Disney
Looking Ahead to 2026
With Vacation Fun set to reopen on December 27 and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster closing forever on March 2, 2026, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is clearly entering a new chapter. The addition of The Muppets coaster later that summer signals the park’s ongoing evolution—but the return of Vacation Fun ensures the park doesn’t lose sight of its heritage.
Fans visiting this winter can once again laugh, smile, and maybe tear up a bit as they join Mickey and Minnie on their animated escapades. In a year full of endings, it’s heartening to see one simple, joy-filled beginning take its place.
Because at Walt Disney World, every farewell deserves a little fun before the next adventure begins.
