Get ready for a packed episode of The Rhubarb Travelers Podcast as we break down major Disney news, smart vacation strategies, and some genuinely surprising updates across the theme park world. From Disney Vacation Club’s 35th Anniversary casting call to Kids Eat Free on the Disney Dining Plan, plus big changes to Disneyland perks and water park access at Walt Disney World. We also dig into major ride updates, including Rise of the Resistance going down indefinitely at Disneyland and fresh details on the Big Thunder Mountain and Buzz Lightyear refurbishments.

In the Aftershow, we roll into Universal and beyond with Halloween Horror Nights anniversary details, Mardi Gras concert lineups, Harry Potter anniversary celebrations, and what’s coming next at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Add in listener trip-planning questions, new Toy Story Land snacks, high-tech LEGO Star Wars sets, and a billion-dollar Avatar box office run, and you’ve got an episode that hits theme park news from every angle. Whether you’re planning your next trip or just love staying in the loop, Episode 10 delivers the fun and the facts.

This episode sponsored by dontresistthetravel.com



Episode 010 - Be in a Disney Ad! Disneyland Perks coming to an end, Kids Eat Free, Stacey from Must Do DIsney returns, and Busch Gardens Verbolten gets a refurb

In Episode 9 of The Rhubarbs Travelers, we ring in the new year by taking a Disney survey about the new Storyliving community Asteria located in Pittsboro, NC.  In the news, Disney is cracking down on DVC point rentals, possibly using new AI monitoring to target commercial-scale operations. We also discuss the major 2026 refurbishment of Cinderella Castle, which includes a return to its classic original color scheme. Then, we dive into the latest aerial photos of the Villains Land expansion at Magic Kingdom and the technical wizardry behind the new free-roaming Olaf animatronic. Plus, we share essential tips for new DVC members on how to score spots for the highly coveted Moonlight Magic events.

The Aftershow heats up with Universal Orlando news as the Jurassic Park River Adventure begins a massive ten-month closure, sparking rumors of a Jurassic World re-theming. We analyze new permit filings suggesting an Intamin-designed flagship attraction is coming to the Lost Continent, with speculation swirling between a Harry Potter expansion or a Legend of Zelda debut. We also take a quick trip across the globe to look at the ambitious $1 billion Dracula-themed resort currently under construction in Romania. Join Blake and Damon as we break down what these massive investments mean for your 2026 travel plans!

This episode sponsored by Dontresistthetravel.com

Episode 009 - Blake and Damon take an Asteria Survey! Crackdown on DVC Rentals, Repainting the Castle, Dracula themed resort, and new ride coming to Universal Orlando

In Episode 8 of The Rhubarbs Travelers,  we have an official date for the closing of the Aerosmith version of  Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. We also dive into Disney’s massive $1 billion investment in OpenAI, which will soon allow fans to create their own Sora videos featuring over 200 iconic characters from Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar. We also discuss the 2027 launch of Lakeshore Lodge, a project aimed at bringing "apartment-style" immersive living directly inside the parks. We also cover Disney’s new "no exceptions" final sale policy at outlet stores designed to shut down professional resellers for good. Plus, we get into the holiday spirit with details on the newly announced 2027 Hallmark movie, Holiday Ever After: A Disney World Wish Come True, filming right on location at the resort.

In our Aftershow, we react to the first-ever LEGO Harry Potter land and themed accommodations announced for LEGOLAND Deutschland, a historic investment for the Wizarding World.

Make sure to stick around to the end as Damon talks about coming to watch Blake perform with The Raleigh Ringers!  And go check out the group at www.rr.org

This episode sponsored by Dontresistthetravel.com

Episode 008 - Aerosmith goes Bye-Bye, OpenAI and Disney Partnership, a Disney Hallmark Movie, and Legoland Harry Potter style

In Episode 7 of The Rhubarbs Travelers, we celebrate the long-awaited arrival of Bluey to Disney Parks, detailing the new shows and experiences coming to Disneyland and Animal Kingdom. We also discuss the confirmed July 2026 opening date for Soarin’ Across America and analyze the rumors surrounding airline-style ticket pricing and a new partnership with Meta for smart glasses. DVC members won't want to miss our breakdown of the 2026 annual dues and the surprising 30-month extension to the Contemporary Resort's refurbishment. Plus, we explore Disney's cutting-edge animatronics, from a free-standing dancing Minnie Mouse to the next-gen tech coming to the Lion King ride in Paris.

Stay tuned for our Aftershow, where we react to Zootopia 2 making history with the biggest global opening for an animated film of all time. We also dig into intriguing permits filed at Disney Springs that point to a new concept from the owner of Gideon's Bakehouse taking over the Art of Shaving space. From the permanent closure of the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster pre-show to the reimagining of Hollywood Studios' Animation Courtyard.

This episode sponsored by Dontresistthetravel.com

Episode 007 - 2026 DVC Annual Dues, New Resale Fees, LOTS of Park News, Animatronics, Bluey and Friends, Zootopia 2 Box Office Numbers

In this week’s episode, the guys discuss the looming question of whether all the construction will make 2026 a surprisingly slow year for Disney World attendance, and dive into the massive Tropical Americas overhaul that includes the all-new Indiana Jones ride coming to Animal Kingdom in 2027. Damon and Blake also share the latest details on the Disney on Broadway Concert Series returning to Epcot for the Festival of the Arts.

Plus, we answer a listener's questions about planning a first-time trip to Dollywood. In the Aftershow, we talk about Universal Orlando's future, footers confirming the coaster replacing Rip Ride Rockit, and the prevailing rumors about a potential Quidditch-themed expansion at Epic Universe.

This episode sponsored by Dontresistthetravel.com

Episode 006 - Broadway coming to Epcot, 2026 will be slow (maybe), Ride vehicles for Nightflight, Epic Euniverse expanding, and next gen ride system development.

In this week's show, Lakeshore Lodge is confirmed to have a lazy river. Plus, the guys talk about a lot of refurb going on in the Magic Kingdom and then talk about changes coming to Jollywood Nights at DHS this year. Also, Shanghai Disney is getting a new resort.

In the Aftershow, ticket prices for Epic Universe are released and EU is now included as part of park hopping. Disney purchases the film rights to the Impossible Creatures book series. Lastly, Damon talks about his cruise he just booked.

This episode sponsored by Dontresistthetravel.com

Episode 005 – Lakeshore Lodge Update, Tons of Refurb News, Jollywood Nights Changes, Epic Universe Ticket Prices, and the Airplane Seat Question

This week the guys talk about current refurbishments going on at Animal Kingdom VIllas and the recent Property Valuations for DVC in Florida.

Also, we dive into listener questions to speculate what might happen in 2042 when the first DVC contracts expire and then discuss whether Universal Express passes are a good one day investment.

In Park news, ticket price hikes are coming to WDW! They've announced the official name for Monsters Land at DHS plus updates for Rock N Roller Coaster with the Muppets. We also talk about a big update to Soarin' and Festival of the Arts at EPCOT.

In the Aftershow: Savannah Bananas Baseball, Haunted Mansion scavenger hunts on DCL, Universal Kids Resort has unveiled their themed lands, and Damon talks about his Haunted House experience.

This episode sponsored by Dontresistthetravel.com

Episode 004 - DVC Property Values, mystery boat in World Showcase Lagoon, WDW Ticket Price hikes, EPCOT Festival of the Arts, Savannah Bananas, and Universal Kids Resort

Blake and Damon go over a lot of DVC related news this show including 2026 After Hours dates, Member discounts for Jollywood Nights and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, DVC exclusive Hoop Dee Review dinners, and special Meet and Greets at the Epcot Lounge

In Park news, queue line changes are being tested out in GotG: Cosmic Rewind in Epcot, Holiday overlay is coming back for Living with the Land, and Spaceship Earth is reopening in three weeks!

The Aftershow dives into news from Royal Caribbean Cruises launching a new ship geared towards families and a soft opening of their private beach resort in the Bahamas.

PLUS, we get some special late breaking news from Las Vegas!

This episode sponsored by Dontresistthetravel.com

Episode 003 - DVC 2026 After Hours Dates and GotG queue line changes.  Bye Bye Mythos Restaurant at UO.  Royal Carribean has a private beach club and special breaking news!

Blake and Damon discuss their recent trip reports and then dive into DVC Moonlight Magic dates.  Also, the guys respond to listener questions.

In the news portion, we talk about the Paddlefish robbery, new projection mapping and AI, and saying goodbye to Star Wars Launch Bay. We talk Candlelight Processional Narrators as well.

The Aftershow delved into several cool new things in the Dollywood area and we look at permits filed by Universal for destruction of some old show buildings.

This episode sponsored by DontResisttheTravel.com

Episode 002 - DVC Moonlight Magic, Paddlefish Robbery, Bye-Bye Launch Bay, and Candlelight Processional

Hosts Blake and Damon introduce their new podcast, setting the stage for what to expect. They mention that they will be doing things a little differently, including discussing best vacation experiences and re-telling old stories.

In addition, they discuss DVC News and Tips like using your points over the lifetime of your kids growing up, DVC Refurbishments, and New Construction. They break it up with a listener question on what price point would you sell your contract and then get into Disney News.

Also, there's talk about Disneyland Abu Dhabi and water as its major theme, Carousel of Progress updates, the last days of Dinosaur and Restaurantasaurus, as well as the overlay for Tron in Tron:Ares that will include Nine Inch Nails that will start in September. Construction is visible on Monsters, Inc. at Hollywood Studios and it is huge as we decide on what sort of ride we would like to see here.

In the Aftershow, they discuss Dollywood and the new coaster arriving 'sometime soon' plus some of the houses at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights.

This episode sponsored by DontResisttheTravel.com 

Episode 001 - DVC News, Tron, Dinosaur, Abu Dhabi, and New Beginnings

Unlock the magic of Disney Parks and the Disney Vacation Club with steadfast opinions from hosts that have been involved with Disney through all the major stages of life including  pre-kid, small children, pre-teens, and now grown college kids.

Then stick around for our Aftershow where we explore Universal thrills, Dollywood charm, Cruises, and much more. We cover the best in family travel to ensure your next getaway is packed with pixie dust, roller coasters, and unforgettable memories.

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