Disney

Subscribers of sports streaming service Fubo TV have lost access to channels owned by NBCUniversal in the latest TV distribution dust-up.

Fubo blasted NBCUniversal for its stance during collapsed contract negotiations, resulting in a blackout of NBCUniversal channels just days before Thanksgiving when scores of viewers hunker down for turkey and football. NBC is set to broadcast the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the National Dog Show and Thursday night’s NFL game featuring the Cincinnati Bengals battling the Baltimore Ravens. The events also will stream on Peacock.

The blackout, which also includes Bravo, CNBC and Spanish-language Telemundo, affects Fubo’s nearly 1.6 million customers.

The dispute comes a month after NBCUniversal’s rival, Walt Disney Co., acquired the controlling stake of Fubo and folded the smaller sports-centric offering into Disney’s Hulu + Live TV. (Hulu + subscribers still have NBCUniversal channels available because they are covered by a separate distribution contract.)

Fubo customers could also miss NBC’s broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

(Eduardo Munoz Avarez / Associated Press)

In its Tuesday statement, Fubo alleged that NBCUniversal had refused to give Fubo leeway to offer just a few of its channels — rather than its entire portfolio. Fubo is looking to control costs and designed its product to be a slimmed-down version of a bulky bundle — but one with a heavy complement of sports networks.

Fubo also took issue with NBCUniversal negotiating on behalf of the cable channels that NBCUniversal plans to cast off in January as part of a corporate split.

Legacy cable channels including MS Now (formerly MSNBC), Syfy, CNBC, USA Network and Golf Channel will be form the new publicly traded company, Versant.

“Fubo offered to distribute Versant channels for one year,” Fubo said in its statement, adding that it views most of those networks as “not being worth the cost.”

“NBCU wants Fubo to sign a multi-year deal – well past the time the Versant channels will be owned by a separate company,” Fubo said. “NBCU wants Fubo subscribers to subsidize these channels.”

NBCUniversal, owned by cable and broadband giant Comcast, countered that it had offered Fubo similar terms to those contained in deals struck with other pay-TV distributors — but Fubo balked.

“Unfortunately, this is par for the course for Fubo,” NBCUniversal said. “They’ve dropped numerous networks in recent years at the expense of their customers, who continue to lose content.”

The Nov. 21 blackout came one week after Disney resolved a separate, high-profile dispute with Google’s YouTube TV. That dispute, which resulted in a two-week blackout of Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, for about 10 million YouTube TV customers, hinged on fee increases sought by Disney.

The two companies also tussled over YouTube TV’s desire to offer the ESPN streaming app to its customers at no extra cost.

They reached a compromise, and YouTube came away with authorization to provide some ESPN streaming content.

In September, YouTube TV avoided a similar blackout of NBC channels by making a deal just hours before the deadline.

Disney acquired 70% of Fubo TV in October 2025.

(Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

Fubo pointed to NBCUniversal’s recent deals with YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video, which allows those companies to offer NBC’s streaming app Peacock as part of their channel stores. Fubo alleged that NBC refused to give Fubo the same rights.

“Fubo is committed to bringing its subscribers a premium, competitively-priced live TV streaming experience with the content they love,” Fubo said. “That includes multiple content options, including a sports-focused service, that can be accessed directly from the Fubo app. We hope NBCU reconsiders their stance, or we’ll be forced to move forward without them.”

Disney’s latest animated film, “Zootopia 2,” a sequel to its 2016 box-office juggernaut, isn’t exactly an adult political drama, though the stakes certainly feel grimmer. Members of Zootopia’s elite plan to expand their territory by displacing certain indigenous animals from an area they want to claim for themselves. And they will do so without pushback by convincing the rest of the population that their uprooted neighbors are dangerous. Any attempt by the victims of this injustice to reclaim their homeland and their dignity will be deemed a violent attack. In turn, anyone who sides with their cause will be labeled a criminal enabler, a disloyal pariah.

Meanwhile, tensions flare in law enforcement as pawtners Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps (voiced by Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin) — who in the previous film saved Zootopia from a power-hungry wolf in sheep’s clothing — have to prove their compatibility after their recklessness lands them in hot water with Chief Bogo (Idris Elba). Could their personalities be too disparate for them to make a dream team? Judy values justice above all things, while Nick prioritizes survival and comfort. In truth, the tie-wearing fox only became a cop because of his fondness for Judy, not out of a sense of dutiful conviction.

That push-and-pull tests the strength of their bond as they visit previously unseen areas of Zootopia, including a visit to the Marsh Market, where exiles live. These adventures occur as they search for Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan), a fanny-pack-strapped viper, and Pawbert Lynxley (Andy Samberg), the socially conscious son of a wealthy family. They’re on a quest to find evidence that would clear the reputations of reptiles in Zootopia, all of whom have been forced to exist on the outskirts for decades.

Writer Jared Bush, who also co-directs with Byron Howard (both return from the first “Zootopia”), leans into Quan’s personal history as an immigrant whose family had to escape Vietnam to render Gary a resilient survivor with a noble soul. Leave it to Disney to make a giant snake look disarmingly adorable and to Quan to match that energy with his warm vocal performance. On top of the new characters, Judy and Nick’s emotional arc is adorned with cameos from fan-favorite minor players from the original (Flash, the sloth; Mr. Big, the shrew). The loaded narrative robs the picture of more time with Gary and Pawbert, even if Bush finds plot-effective ways to feature the supporting mammals.

Like its predecessor, “Zootopia 2” impresses visually, especially given the breadth of characters and environments it immerses the audience in. In the faces of new characters like the anxious Pawbert and friendly Gary, one can best appreciate the level of nuanced expressiveness that Disney’s animators, working at the highest level of 3-D CG technique, can achieve.

After several haphazard attempts with the “Frozen” and “Moana” franchises, “Zootopia 2” can take the title as Disney’s most effective animated sequel yet. In most regards, the formula that propelled the first one to hit status remains unchanged: an encyclopedia of animal puns, an upbeat tune by Shakira and a twist villain (in this case, an Elon Musk type desperate for approval that all the money in the world can’t buy). And yet, “Zootopia 2” arrives as an expansion with a punchier, more focused approach to its mature ideas. This is a movie where the antagonists are willing to kill for their nefarious goals, and where the heroes are willing to die in order to uphold what’s right.

The more one reads into the movie’s timeliness, though, the more obvious it becomes that there’s a dissonance between the artists making an animated feature such as this one and the company’s leadership, which continues to push artificial intelligence and capitulate to those who bemoan “wokeness.” Those people might certainly find “Zootopia 2” rather woke indeed. (Who knows, maybe in the next installment Judy and Nick will question their role in perpetuating the police state.) In our bizarro world, the “Zootopia” franchise serves as a vehicle for thought-provoking subjects disseminated by way of colorful anthropomorphic animals.

DISNLEYLAND Paris has opened its doors for an exclusive look at the World of Frozen.

In a rare, behind-the-scenes look, a spectacular drone show revealed the date for its newly reimagined second park, Disney Adventure World.

Fans are now counting down to 29th March 2026, the date unveiled during a stunning night time reveal.

The sky above Adventure Bay erupted into colour as hundreds of drones assembled into a giant World of Frozen logo before forming the opening date in mid-air – with the images perfectly reflected in the water below.

Once complete, Disney Adventure World will have almost doubled in size, offering new experiences that it says will push the boundaries of storytelling.

Ahead of next year’s grand debut, Disney Imagineers are adding the final touches to North Mountain, a towering 36-metre structure that anchors the land.

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The mountain required 400 tons of metal to build before being hand-sculpted in concrete and painted to create its icy, snow-capped look.

At its summit sits Elsa’s glittering Ice Palace – the highest point in World of Frozen.

Matthieu Robin, lead show creator for Disneyland Paris, said: “It’s our biggest expansion ever – truly the first time in forever.

“We’re extending worlds our guests already love, bringing those stories to life in new ways. There is so much to discover, explore and experience.

“My personal favourite moment is simply standing by the lake, taking in the view of Arendelle from across the water, maybe enjoying something to eat from Regal View Restaurant.

“We’re creating world-class entertainment, and we want to continue pushing that forward.

“With the drone innovations, the new lake show, and the aquatic drones we’ve developed, we’re always creating something new for our guests – and this is just the beginning.”

Inside the new area, guests will encounter 34 state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronic figures, explore Arendelle Castle – inspired by traditional Scandinavian architecture – and discover how Anna and Elsa live behind the castle walls.

Alongside its attractions, World of Frozen will offer immersive dining, bespoke shopping and a royal encounter with Anna and Elsa.

The expansion also brings a new night time spectacular to the resort.

Staged across the central lake at Adventure Bay, the show will combine soaring drone choreography, dramatic water screens and a brand-new musical score recorded at Abbey Road Studios.

John Mauro, portfolio executive creative producer for Walt Disney Imagineering Paris, said: “World of Frozen will certainly draw guests in, but it’s really all the elements coming together.

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“Even at the front of the park, we’ve transformed Studio 1 into World Premiere with a whole new look that starts the storytelling the moment you enter.

“You walk through what feels like a movie theatre and it opens up into this brand-new world. I hope guests leave thinking ‘Wow – they’ve really created something incredible here’.”

A SNOW-capped mountain towers behind an ancient clock tower, its frosty peak protruding a whopping 36-metres into a cloudy sky.

At its foot, a wooden-rimmed postbox is waiting to receive a bundle of postcards, Arendelle’s first ever mail, while a magnificent snowflake-shaped fountain sparkles in the centre of the street.

No detail has been spared on ensuring Disneyland Paris’ new World of Frozen is its most magical venture yet.

I was taking an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the much-hyped area of the theme park, scheduled to open on March 29 next year with a bundle of new rides and activities based entirely on the animation blockbuster.

Visitor postcards sent home from the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, over which Frozen characters Elsa and Ana rule, are just one small part of what makes this land so special.

The clock tower, complete with mini Ana and Elsa figurines, sparks into song every 15 minutes and flickering lanterns dangle from pastel-coloured buildings.

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Classic cuddly toys have been scrapped and in their place sits Rúna, an animatronic teddy-sized troll doll that interacts with its owner.

Only available to buy at World of Frozen’s themed shop, for a rather hefty 70 euros, this doll communicates not just with its owner, but the park too.

As kids carry their Rúna doll towards certain trigger points, he’ll vibrate with excitement or gossip enthusiastically about the ride he’s approaching – something that hasn’t been seen at any Disney park before.

I’d like to know what Rúna thinks about the food at the kingdom’s local boozer, Nordic Crowns Tavern, where dishes have been inspired by the flavours of Norway.

It’s certainly not your typical Disney fare – think fermented goods, smoked fish and light cakes shaped into an icy snowflake, in fitting with the Frozen theme.

But that’s just the pub. There’ll be a whopping 13 other dining venues in Arendelle alone, including food stalls serving sticky cinnamon rolls and the grand Regal View, World of Frozen’s character-dining venue.

This spot is impressive enough without the meet-and-greets. Disney Princesses have been painted into fresco-like murals across the walls and curved chandeliers dangle from the ceiling.

Parents haven’t been forgotten about either. How does a flight of kir royales sound?

Knock them back to keep you going until the nightly fireworks displays.

These are the pinnacle of any Disney trip and the fiesta here promises to be spectacular.

Technological enhancements have been made to a team of drones, which can withstand most weathers as they flash to the beat of the music, morphing into characters in the sky and concluding with an explosive fireworks finale.

You won’t need to panic about securing a decent spot, either, like many do for the displays at the main park, with the show taking place above the circular lake, offering 360-degree views.

And of course, no trip to Arandelle would be complete without a visit to the kingdom’s impeccably dressed Elsa and Ana.

And the duo won’t just appear on the street; they will dramatically sail across the lake via a huge wooden vessel, preparing to greet their fans at the “Royal Encounter” in the castle.

A lifesized and hyper-realistic Olaf will make an appearance, too. But unlike every other character at Disneyland Paris, Frozen’s star snowman has been built using clever robotics that allow the character to talk and even waddle away on his stumpy snow feet.

And what about the rides? The highlight will most definitely be the lands boat ride, Frozen Ever After, which will carry riders through the snowy forest towards the Valley of the Trolls and Elsa’s sparkling Ice Palace.

Animatronics promise to bring scenes to life as riders approach Arendelle Bay which will be showered in snowflake-shaped fireworks.

It’s not all about Elsa and Ana, though. Rapunzel has left her mark on the Raiponce Tangled Spin ride.

This is a reinvention of the classic teacups where a series of wooden boats twirl underneath a ceiling of swaying pastel lanterns.

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It was the postbox that stuck out for me, though.

What could be more special than returning home to a self-written letter, delivered straight to your door all the way from Arendelle?

NICOLE SCHERZINGER has revealed an audience member fell ASLEEP during one of her Disney gigs.

The ex-Pussycat Dolls star, 47, had a hilarious response to the seemingly knackered attendee, whose mid-show nap has gone viral after a clip was shared on social media.

Nicole made light of the seemingly heavy sleeper during her Walt Disney Concert Hall debut in Los Angeles on Thursday last week, where he was filmed wide mouthed as she performed.

The footage, which shows the audience member enjoying a snooze as Nicole’s belting vocals echoed around the venue, was widely shared on Tiktok.

She then jokingly re-posted the footage on her Instagram account, where she captioned it: “Lullaby album pending”.

Her post has already received over 18,000 likes on the platform.

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British singer Natasha Bedingfield chimed in on the action in the comments section, as she wrote: “I would definitely play that every night”.

While other pals and followers also left equally hilarious responses.

One wrote: “The performance of his dreams”.

While another added: “Bless him. He looks so relaxed bet he woke up for Don’t Cha”.

It comes as the star took the Royal Albert Hall by storm with a one woman show last month.

The performance, on October 6, received a stellar review from The Sun Bizarre’s Jack Hardwick, though she reportedly faced ‘diva’ allegations backstage, according to MailOnline.

She kicked off the evening by making a rude joke about hooking up with her fiancé, former rugby ace Thom Evans.

Dressed in a stunning tight black dress covered in a silver spiderweb pattern, Nicole told the crowd: “I want you to know that this little girl, this little ­Hawaiian, Filipina, Spanish, Chinese, ­Polish and Irish — that’s right, two per cent Irish, that counts — has come a long, long way.”

Smirking, she added: “I also have English in me. His name is Thom. That’s him over there.”

Lusting after her fiance may have left Nicole slightly confused, though. He’s actually Scottish.

The singer met Thom as she worked on The X Factor: Celebrity back in 2019.

The couple then went public with their relationship in 2020, as they made their red carpet debut.

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Nicole and Thom have been together for four years, and plan to get married following the former rugby ace’s beach proposal in 2023.

The pair seem loved up as ever. and regularly post cute snaps and work out clips together.

ZOOTROPOLIS 2 star Ginnifer Goodwin says her kids would mock her for saying she voiced the main character, rabbit Judy Hopps, and refused to believe it was really her.

The actress, who attended the London premiere of the Disney animated adventure yesterday, previously spoke to Bizarre’s Jack at Walt Disney World in Florida, while she was at the launch of the park’s new Zootopia attraction – the film’s name in the US.

Ginnifer, who is married to Josh Dallas, her co- star in TV fantasy series Once Upon A Time, said: “My kids still don’t feel comfortable with watching me on screen.

“Even though they are obsessed with Disney, they have never seen more than the pilot of Once Upon A Time, which they did love but they said it was weird for them – even though Mummy and Daddy are together in the show.

“A few years after, I showed them Zootropolis.

“Someone said to them, ‘That’s your mum’, and they were like, ‘That is a rabbit and it’s not our mum’.

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“My eldest replied, ‘I know Mum thinks she sounds like that rabbit but she doesn’t’.”

And Ginnifer said of the sequel to the 2016 original, which opens in cinemas on Friday: “I was ecstatic to grow with the character and it may be a bit weird to say about your own product, but I do think it’s outrage-ously good.”

THIS former Disney Channel star had her first taste of stardom back in 2016 appearing in hit teen drama Backstage.

But it was her dazzling vocal talent that really piqued people’s attention with her most popular hit, the viral Princesses Don’t Cry, going on to rack up over 250 million streams.

But despite her notable accolades, child star Aviva Chiara Mongillo, who released music under the name ‘CARYS’, is now back living at her parent’s house.

The now 27-year-old, who played Alya Kendrick in Backstage, shared a candid moment about her current living situation with fans online.

Aviva took to TikTok to share a meme about the complete U-turn her life seems to have taken, while simultaneously expressing gratitude for the way her life is today.

“When you were on Disney channel, signed to a major label and had a viral song before the age of 20 and now you’re 27 living with your parents,” the actress-turned-musician quipped, smiling at the camera in a red jumper.

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She quipped: “To be honest, I don’t know what happened but we need a re-do”.

There didn’t seem to be any real ill feeling towards her current lifestyle though, as Aviva thoughtfully captioned the post to say she “wouldn’t change a thing”.

“for real though… I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m grateful that this is my life.”

The post has currently been liked around 90,000 times, with fans flooding the comments section with praises.

“Aviva Mongillo you will always be famous to me,” gushed one user in a comment Aviva has hearted.

“Backstage is one of my favourite disney shows ever!!!,” exclaimed another.

Though one of the most common comments was people shocked to learn that Aviva was the voice behind Princesses Don’t Cry, as she wasn’t recognisable.

“YOU’RE THE ONE WHO MADE PRINCESSES DONT CRY???,” said one of the post’s top comments with over 4,200 “likes”.

The star simply responded with “YOU BETCHA”.

Princesses Don’t Cry came out in 2019 and immediately gained popularity through TikTok and other social media platforms.

Sung under the artist name CARYS, the song subverts traditional fairy tales by asserting that princesses are strong and independent, not “crying over boys with pretty eyes”.

Meanwhile, Aviva’s stint on Backstage saw her star in sixty episodes where she frequently sung and played guitar.

Initially, Aviva was discovered by a music producer who was looking to craft music to feature on Backstage.

But later on she was encouraged to audition for a role instead, eventually landing the part of Alya Kendrick.

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Aviva ultimately left backstage in season two to go on tour with the cast of La Boheme.

After her Disney days, Aviva went on to star in comedy-drama Workin’ Moms as the recurring character Juniper.

Six years ago, when San Jose author Katie Keridan joined Disney+, the cost was just $6.99 a month, giving her family access to hundreds of movies like “The Lion King” and thousands of TV episodes, including Star Wars series “The Mandalorian” with no commercials.

But since then, the price of an ad-free streaming plan has ballooned to $18.99 a month. That was the last straw for 42-year-old Keridan, whose husband canceled Disney+ last month.

“It was getting to where every year, it was going up, and in this economy, every dollar matters, and so we really had to sit down and take a hard look at how many streaming services are we paying for,” Keridan said. “What’s the return on enjoyment that we’re getting as a family from the streaming services? And how do we factor that into a budget to make sure that all of our bills are paid at the end of a month?”

It’s a conversation more people who subscribe to streaming services are having amid an uncertain economy.

Once sold at discounted rates, many platforms have raised prices at a clip consumers say frustrates them. The entertainment companies, under pressure from investors to bolster profits, have justified upping the cost of their plans to help pay for the premium content they provide. But some viewers aren’t buying it.

Customers are paying $22 more for subscription video streaming services than they were a year ago, according to consulting firm Deloitte. As of October, U.S. households on average shelled out $70 a month, compared to $48 a year ago, Deloitte said.

About 70% of consumers surveyed last month said they were frustrated the entertainment services that they subscribe to are raising prices and about a third said they have cut back on subscriptions in the last three months due to financial concerns, according to Deloitte.

“There’s a frustration, just in terms of both apathy, but also from a perspective that they just don’t think it’s worth the monthly subscription cost because of just fatigue,” said Rohith Nandagiri, managing director at Deloitte Consulting LLP.

Disney+ has raised prices on its streaming service nearly every year since it launched in 2019 at $6.99 a month. The company bumped prices on ad-free plans by $1 in 2021, followed by $3 increases in 2022 and 2023, a $2 price raise in 2024 and, most recently, a $3 increase this year to $18.99 a month.

Disney isn’t the only streamer to raise prices. Other companies, including Netflix, HBO Max and Apple TV also hiked prices on many of their subscription plans this year.

Some analysts say streamers are charging more because many services are adding live sports, the rights to which can cost millions of dollars. Streaming services for years have also given consumers access to big budget TV shows and original movies, and as production costs rise, they expect viewers to pay more, too.

But some consumers like Keridan have a different perspective. As much as some streaming platforms are adding new content like live sports, they are also choosing not to renew some big budget shows like “Star Wars: The Acolyte.” Keridan, a Marvel and Star Wars fan, said she mainly watched Disney+ for movies such as “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and shows like “The Mandalorian.” Now she’s going back to watching some programs ad-free on Blu-Ray discs.

While Keridan cut Disney+, her family still subscribes to YouTube Premium and Paramount+. She said she uses YouTube Premium for workout videos instead of paying for a gym membership. Her family enjoys watching Star Trek programs on Paramount+, like the third season of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” Keridan said.

Other consumers are choosing to keep their streaming subscriptions but look for cost savings through cheaper plans with ads, or by bundling services.

“Consumers are more willing today than ever to withstand advertising and for the sake of being able to get content for a lower subscription rate,” said Brent Magid, CEO and president of Minneapolis-based media consulting firm Magid. “We’ve seen that number increase just as people’s budgets have gotten tighter.”

Keridan said she’s already cutting other types of spending in her household in addition to quitting Disney+. The amount of money her family spends on groceries has gone up, and in order to save cash, they’ve cut back on traveling for the year. Typically, Keridan says, they would go on two or three vacations annually, but this year, they will only go to Disneyland in Anaheim.

But even the Happiest Place on Earth hasn’t escaped price hikes.

“Just as the streaming fees have risen, park fees have risen,” Keridan said. “And so it just seems every price of anything is rising these days, and they’re now directly in competition with each other. We can’t keep them all, so we have to make hard cuts.”

With the release of Wicked: For Good today, a travel company has named the top 10 most beautiful destinations to experience real-life Disney charm

A stunning little-known city just a stone’s throw from the UK is like stepping foot into a real-life Wicked movie. Travel company Omio released their findings in time for the release of smash-hit musical Wicked: For Good today (November 21).

Colmar in France is filled with Disney-inspired charm, pastel houses and stunning canals. To get there is easy too, requiring just a 1hr 30 flight from London to Strasbourg, before a 55 minute drive to the city. Other recommended destinations in the top 10 include Sintra in Portugal, Lake Bled in Slovenia and the UK’s very own Isle of Skye.

The list came as part of a new survey that found more than a third of Gen Z (36%) are more likely to travel with friends they “hold space” for in the year ahead compared to just 12% of Boomers.

The ‘holding space’ phrase – meaning to be emotionally present with who you are with – became a viral meme during Wicked’s press tour in 2024, but now fans are incorporating it into their holidays.

These friendship trips can lead to a deeper bond and create lasting memories according to travel company Omio, mirroring the evolving relationship between the characters Elphaba and Glinda.

More than a quarter of Brits (28%) quizzed in Omio’s latest ‘Now Next 2025-2026 Travel Report’ say they’re influenced by film and TV when choosing where to go. Despite Oz not being a viable destination for jetsetters, whimsical fairytale-inspired destinations are found to be on the rise.

The report also reveals that almost two-fifths (37%) of women internationally want to feel connected, with 44% planning family and friend reunions. Wellbeing-led escapes are found to be on the rise with more than half (59%) of travellers wanting to return from holidays feeling recharged.

The report also discovered that people are opting for unique travel plans, with 32% preferring under-the-radar locations that would make people green with envy. Veronica Diquattro, President of Consumer and Supply Business Europe, said: “Our extensive inventory makes finding the best route to niche destinations simple.

“Gen Z leads the charge. They are purposeful planners, determined to travel more, for longer, and sustainably. Omio meets their expectations with breadth, flexibility and digital-first solutions.

“Our report reveals a new age of smart, conscious and value-driven travel. The desire to explore is stronger than ever, and Omio is at the forefront, ensuring every trip is seamless.”

Omio’s top 10 recommended fairytale destinations

1. Colmar, France: Disney-inspired charm, pastel houses and canals for cottage-core queens
2. Schwangau, Germany: a village in Bavaria, southern Germany. It’s a gateway to the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, a magical hilltop fairytale castle that famously inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
3. Sintra, Portugal: Home to whimsical palaces and castles nestled in lush hills, plus candy-coloured palaces for the perfect girls’ trip.
4. Hallstatt, Austria: a picturesque village nestled by lakeside magic, with mountain backdrop drama.
5. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic: A small city with a large castle complex and a charming medieval old town.
6. Isle of Skye, Scotland: A rugged and scenic island with dramatic landscapes.
7. Lake Bled, Slovenia: A picture-perfect lake surrounded by forested mountains.
8. Giant’s Causeway, Ireland: An iconic World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland, steeped in legend and folklore.
9. Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore, Italy: A combination of grand architecture, vibrant floral displays, hidden grottoes, and the presence of white peacocks.
10. Grindelwald, Switzerland: Stunning natural scenery featuring towering snow-capped mountains and lush valleys.

There’s a reason crowds endure yearly price increases and jammed sidewalks at Disneyland each November through early January. It’s the merriest time of the year — and arguably when the resort is at its glistening, glowing best with seasonal food offerings, holiday ride makeovers and unique live entertainment options.

Disneyland, of course, is home to the long-running A Christmas Fantasy Parade, but I’d argue it’s not even the best processional happening this time of year. And this year, even Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, though not part of Disneyland’s holiday programming, is finding new ways to get festive.

Here’s a sample of some of my favorite things to do at the park this holiday season, which runs through Jan. 7. If you’re curious to check it out but looking to save a little on tickets, Disneyland has announced a new California ticket offer that goes on sale Dec. 3 and takes effect Jan. 1. The deal is for a three-day park-hopper ticket, which can be used on non-consecutive visits, and starts at $249 per person, which amounts to $83 per day.

If you go, don’t be shy, and say hi, as it’s the time of the year when I visit most often.

Don’t miss Disneyland’s best street party

The ¡Viva Navidad! street parade is one of Disney California Adventure’s most lively, diverse and dance-focused offerings.

(Disneyland Resort)

There’s one show at the Disneyland Resort that each year, without fail, brings me to tears — tears of joy, but also tears of surprise that something so lively, diverse and dance-focused exists at a Disney park. That show is California Adventure’s ¡Viva Navidad!

A boisterous celebration of Latin art and music from beginning to end, ¡Viva Navidad! uses the characters from Disney’s mid-1940s goodwill film “The Three Caballeros” as a jumping-off point to showcase folklórico dancers, mariachis and 12-foot-tall mojiganga puppets (large-scale, papier mâché sculptures that dizzyingly rocket up and down a small portion of California Adventure). The show, which came from the minds of Susana Tubert and her team at Disney Live Entertainment, feels a bit like a Mexican street parade and works because it extends a hand to guests of all walks of life. Though launching with Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime,” it ends with the always-festive “Feliz Navidad” from José Feliciano.

Running since 2014, ¡Viva Navidad! is a blast. It’s a treasure. The only quibble is the show primarily runs on weekends only.

Embrace a cultural tradition — with stories, candles and thoughtfulness

“A Musical Christmas With Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel” is an evening performance at Disneyland that centers on a mariachi band and is inspired by Las Posadas.

(Joshua Sudock / Disneyland Resort
)

Introduced last year, California Adventure’s “A Musical Christmas With Mariachi Alegría de Disneyland & Miguel” features the star of Disney/Pixar film “Coco” but, like ¡Viva Navidad!, is rooted in cultural traditions. Specifically Las Posadas. Think a festive procession that travels among the community, Las Posadas are traditionally staged in Mexico between Dec. 16 and 24. In their purest form, Las Posadas depict the biblical story of Joseph and Mary and the search for shelter at the time of Jesus’ birth.

The Disney performance, which typically runs on weekdays, deviates from the religious overtunes. But some of the key touchstones — a mix of music and stories, a centering of children with candles — are present. It begins with a trot to the center of California Adventure to the tune of “El Burrito de Belén” and throughout the course of the show it will touch on such staples as “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” albeit in bilingual renditions.

The show’s narrator and singer regales guests with tales of how different Latin countries present stories of Santa Claus, or, say, the joy of unwrapping a tamale. The climax instead of the street performance is a candlelit rendition of “Silent Night,” with audience participation. What a moment ago was festive theme park fare becomes something more reflective, all while slightly nodding to the holiday’s more spiritual underpinnings.

Participate in a fantastical holiday at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Life Day is a fictional holiday exclusive to the “Star Wars” universe.

(Disneyland Resort)

OK, so this is a bit of a curve ball. It should be noted that what happens in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is not part of Disneyland’s traditional holiday programming, as Life Day is not an actual holiday, unless, perhaps, your religion is “Star Wars.” It’s also lighthearted good fun. Life Day has its roots in the beloved but campy and culturally questionable “Star Wars Holiday Special” as an event that originated on the Wookie home planet of Kashyyyk.

When Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019, fans wondered if during the holiday season the land would get in on the Life Day action. Initially, fans started showing up on Nov. 17, the day the television special aired, for impromptu celebrations of their own. Credit Disneyland for embracing the guest-driven activity, so much so that the park started developing Life Day ornaments and shirts as well as offering limited time food specials.

This year, a red-robed Chewbacca holding a glowing orb — the official symbol of Life Day — will for the first time wander Galaxy’s Edge to meet with visitors. Disney hasn’t said for exactly how long this festive version of Chewbacca will be present in the land, but here’s hoping Life Day is celebrated at least until the end of Disneyland’s more conventional holiday proceedings.

After all, I enjoyed my morning paying respects to the fictional holiday, as I indulged in a limited-run anise-spiked sangria at Oga’s Cantina (the Joh Blastoh Sangria Gocola, $19.50) along with a large, fluffy slice of cinnamon toast topped with a richly sweet, cheesecake-inspired frosting and ornamental lychee pearls (Millaflower Toast, $13). The latter meant I essentially had dessert for breakfast, and while it was too sugary to finish — definitely share it — I couldn’t help but smile at the fact that Disneyland has embraced one of the silliest aspects of the space fantasy the land is dedicated to.

You’ll love the gingerbread (and other tasty delights)

The Festival of Holidays in Disney California Adventure is serving up two types of mac and cheese this year. On the left is the al pastor mac and cheese and on the right is the savory kugel mac and cheese.

(David Nguyen / Disneyland Resort)

I stopped in the lobby of the Grand Californian on my way out of the park for some Mickey-shaped gingerbread cookies and balked at a line that some guests said they had spent 40 minutes standing in. But having had it in year’s past, as well as a Halloween version of the cookie just a couple weeks ago, I can vouch for the fact that it is quality, soft gingerbread. Worth the wait? Your mileage may vary, but know that the best gingerbread cookie in Disneyland is actually inside the park at the Harbor Galley, where the cookies are smaller and rounder but also spicier and chewier. And 13 of them cost just $13.79, making them one of the more budget-friendly snacks in the resort. They’re a must.

Yet there’s much to sample across Disneyland’s two parks, its shopping district and hotels, so much so that I spent much more time on Sunday eating than going on rides. The bulk of my afternoon was devoted to the food booths of Disney California Adventure’s Festival of Holidays, where most items run between $6 and $9 (or buy a passport to try six items for $49). The highlight was an al pastor mac and cheese where I slathered the cubes of pork in the finest theme park cheese slop. Don’t miss some returning favorites, such as the barbacoa tamal de res, in which the beef is pleasantly tender, or the braised pork belly adobo, one of the heartier dishes at the festival. Just know that throughout the day booths may periodically run out of items, so be prepared to pivot.

Elsewhere, I sampled the creamy, rum-forward horchata with whipped cream ($18) at Downtown Disney’s Centrico, a frosty, mid-afternoon cinnamon-focused dessert drink, and made a note to come back for the seasonal, mole tamales. It wouldn’t be the holidays without a little eggnog, so I made it over to the Disneyland Hotel’s Broken Spell Lounge for its $19 cognac and rum-spiked rendition. It’s heavily alcohol forward, so next time I may simply stick to the space’s spirit-less house-made eggnog at $9. While there, don’t miss the French dip, which, albeit pricey at $34, is an ample, filling sandwich that debuted during last year’s holidays and became so popular with guests it stuck around.

Still on my must-try list: a gingerbread-cranberry cheesecake trifle at Disneyland’s Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe and the gingerbread pancakes at River Belle Terrace.

And of course, don’t miss the holiday ride makeovers, including Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World

The Haunted Mansion is currently themed to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” a charming, Christmas-focused makeover.

(Disneyland Resort / Christian Thompson)

In a way, Disneyland has been celebrating Christmas since August. That’s when its Haunted Mansion was remade into its “Nightmare Before Christmas” form and became a ride that largely cheers the Dec. 25 holiday.

While Disneyland’s original Haunted Mansion is the one after my heart, the overlay has its charms, namely the demented gingerbread house in the ballroom scene. This year’s rendition is filled with murderous red-eyed ravens up to no good, and in true Haunted Mansion fashion it has a pun for a name. The 13-foot gingerbread house is titled “A Murder So Fowl.” Pay close attention as you glide by, as not all these ravens and crows appear to survive a visit to the gingerbread mansion.

And while Disneyland’s early evening tree lighting tends to draw a crowd, you’ll want to make your way to Fantasyland at 5 p.m. for the nighttime illumination of the It’s a Small World facade. Here, tens of thousands of lights instantly flip on for arguably Southern California’s most memorable Christmas light display. It’s so bright, that nearby walkways will glow red and green and twinkle along with the playful piece of mid-’60s architecture.

The attraction itself remains a joy. The ride’s namesake song plays give and take with “Jingle Bells” and seasonal adornments adorably enliven the leisurely boat ride with even more cheer. The regular version is my favorite ride at Disneyland, and during the holidays it’s like riding through a giant, wintry music box.

The holidays may be one of the busier times to visit the Disneyland Resort, but it’s also a time when the theme parks are at their best.

(Christian Thompson / Disneyland Resort
)

After 14 days, two “College GameDays,” two “Monday Night Footballs” and one election night, the protracted contract dispute between YouTube TV and Walt Disney Co. is finally over.

As my colleague Meg James reported last week, the two sides settled Friday after agreeing on a multi-year distribution deal for YouTube to carry Disney-owned programming.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Both sides touted the agreement as a win for consumers. Disney Entertainment Co-Chairs Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro said in a joint statement that the deal “recognizes the tremendous value of Disney’s programming and provides YouTube TV subscribers with more flexibility and choice.”

For its part, YouTube also noted that the settlement “preserves the value of our service for our subscribers” and “future flexibility in our offers.” The Google-owned platform also apologized to consumers for the “disruption,” saying it appreciated people’s patience during the dispute.

Of course, reaching an agreement is good for customers who had lost access to ESPN, ABC News election coverage and other programming during the two-week blackout.

But this is far from the last impasse that sports fans and other viewers will see — if history is any guide.

In fact, the number of blackouts related to carriage and contract disputes has been increasing over the last decade, particularly as the health of the television business has declined, raising the economic stakes for all sides.

Back in the day, contracts between content providers and distributors would last for five years or more because the industry was more stable and little would change over the course of an agreement.

That’s obviously all different now, with most deals today lasting about two to three years, reflecting rapid changes in a TV business that has been upended by streaming platforms.

In today’s TV landscape — with cable cord-cutters aplenty and many more options to watch your favorite shows and sports teams — negotiations are more fraught.

Traditional pay TV providers like DirecTV and Charter Communications are scrambling to retain their subscribers, while legacy media companies like Disney are trying to support their networks — particularly channels such as ESPN that have invested huge sums for those all-important sports rights that keep viewers engaged.

And in the midst of it all is the growing power of live TV streaming distributors, especially YouTube TV, which has become a much bigger force in the TV business.

The platform’s subscriber base has been quickly growing.

YouTube is approaching 10 million subscribers, making it the third-largest pay-TV distributor, behind Charter Communications and Comcast. Back in February, when it reached a deal with Paramount Global to avert a CBS blackout, that number was reported at 8 million.

Such growth is giving YouTube TV — with the financial backing of tech giant Google — more clout in contract negotiations, making them more willing to push back against fee increases demanded by legacy Hollywood media companies.

Disney sought rates similar to those paid by major distributors, including around $10 a subscriber per month for ESPN, CNBC reported.

“They realize their power,” said Brent Penter, associate analyst at Raymond James. “And they’re trying to use it.”

But Disney is no wilting flower, either. Last week, Disney’s Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston struck a tough tone on CNBC when talking about the negotiations, saying, “We’re ready to go as long as they want to.”

The Burbank entertainment giant has some of the most popular programming around, meaning it can command the biggest fees from providers. It also owns a competitor to YouTube TV in Hulu + Live TV and its new ESPN Unlimited direct-to-customer streaming service.

But in this dispute, Disney temporarily lost the distribution fees and potentially advertising dollars for any of its programs that a YouTube TV subscriber didn’t watch, making it a costly standoff.

No one wins in a blackout situation. But if you had to pick a winner, analysts say it might be the alternatives to YouTube TV — services like Fubo, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV.

If you’re a diehard Eagles fan who also happens to be a YouTube TV subscriber, and you refused to miss the game against the Packers last Monday, you might have signed up for temporary passes through one of these services. And if you liked it, well, you might choose to keep that subscription instead.

That also goes back to the complicated web of options consumers must wade through to find their favorite teams and shows.

“There is friction out there,” said Ric Prentiss, managing director at Raymond James. “Blackouts raise it to a head, where people say, ‘Wait, I don’t know how to navigate this,’ and they start looking at other alternatives.”

Stuff We Wrote

Film shoots

Number of the week

TV station owner Sinclair Inc. has an eye toward dominating the TV market. The Baltimore-based company, which is known for its conservative bent, has acquired about 8% of rival broadcaster E.W. Scripps, according to a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sinclair also said in the filing that it has had “constructive discussions” with Scripps about potentially combining, though no deal has been reached. Scripps, however, has suggested that it is not interested in a merger.

Finally …

It might be a sign of the economy. My colleague, Suhauna Hussain, wrote about how McDonald’s is seeing lower traffic from one of its core customer bases, low-income households.

Disney World and Universal have an incredible selection of rides whether you’re into thrill rides or gentler kid-friendly ones

I spent an incredible two weeks visiting both Disney World and Universal in Florida. The two parks are enormous and there’s more to do in both of them than anyone can possibly do in a fortnight.

Disney World’s scale, especially, is hard to believe. It is effectively its own city or county. It is comparable in size to San Francisco in the USA or Manchester in the UK and is twice the size of Manhattan. It has its own roads and transport system including ferries, a cable car network and 490 buses. For comparison, the entire Cardiff Bus network has 171 buses.

Around 58 million people visit Disney World every year. Estimates from the ONS indicate that there were around 42.6m inbound visits to the UK in 2024. Disney World employs 80,000 people, making it the largest employer in the state of Florida.

Universal seems small in comparison but by any other measure Universal itself is also huge. And its comparatively smaller size gives it plenty of advantages, particularly in allowing guests to “hop” easily between some parks on foot, something that’s not possible in Disney World.

Of course, both Disney World and Universal, which are both near Orlando, are about far more than rides. There are countless shows on everything from Beauty and the Beast to Indiana Jones, as well as parades, fireworks and character meets, not to mention thousands of shops. But for many people the rides take centre stage.

In two weeks, I did more than 50 of them. I was travelling with young children so I got to sample the “thrill” rides as well as those for younger children. Both are a huge part of the Disney and Universal experiences and many of the kids’ rides are just as enjoyable as the more adrenaline-pumping (and, at times, frankly insane) flagship roller coasters. So I’ve included both in the list to help you make the most of your trip, especially if you’re visiting as a family. But one ride will live in the memory more than any other. Here are my top 10 rides from both Disney World and Universal, ranked in order:

10. Ko’okiri Body Plunge – Volcano Bay, Universal

At the heart of Universal’s Volcano Bay water park is the volcano itself. And going from the top to the bottom via a 125ft drop, 70-degree fall through a dark tube is this body plunge ride. You start to realise how scary this drop is going to be during your long climb up the stairs to the top – it’s way higher than it looks. You begin the ride by climbing into a one-person pod at the top. Then, with no warning, the floor gives way and you plummet to the bottom at blistering speed, emerging into a pool at the bottom. Watch it here:

9. Avatar Flight of Passage – Animal Kingdom, Disney World

The queue for this ride is an event in itself. You pass through an “active ACE (Alpha Centauri Expeditions) research lab” complete with working experiments and a life-size Avatar in a tank before you reach the linking chamber where you have fun while linking to your avatar. This journey builds up a huge amount of anticipation for the ride itself but nothing prepares you for what is to come. You put on 3D glasses and board your own mountain banshee before embarking on a totally immersive flight. Though your seat doesn’t actually go anywhere (though it does tilt and turn to an often- terrifying degree) the ride is completely immersive and you really feel like you’re flying. It’s a Disney must-ride! Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Universal Studios is a similarly brilliant experience.

8. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – Epic Universe, Universal

Monsters Unchained is the marquee attraction of Dark Universe at Universal’s new Epic Universe and tells the story of Dr Victoria Frankenstein’s attempt to control Dracula in her “ultimate challenge”. Like Avatar above, the build-up to this ride is as much of an attraction as the ride itself, building suspense as you go, not least when riders are shown a model of the chair they’ll be sitting on being hurled around by an enormous robotic arm as a crazed scientist Igor raves at them on a screen. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal Studios is a similar style of ride and just as good.

7. Haunted Mansion – Magic Kingdom, Disney World

In some ways, Haunted Mansion is a much gentler version of Monsters Unchained. There’s far less motion to the two-person Doom Buggy carriages that take you through the mansion as the disembodied voice of a ghostly host guides you through so it’s kid-friendly (though obviously there’s a major supernatural theme). The part of the ride where ghosts dance as a pianist plays is fantastic. I loved this ride, all the more so for being able to experience it with my nine-year-old daughter and five-year-old son.

6. ET Adventure – Universal Studios, Universal

There are lots of gentle-ish flying rides across the two parks and you should also try Peter Pan’s flight at Magic Kingdom. But this was the pick of the bunch for me, especially for some pretty serious childhood nostalgia vibes. You sit on a bicycle as you try to avoid chasing police and secretive forces to get ET home. It’s wonderful.

5. Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges – Islands of Adventure, Universal

There are lots of fantastic water rides across Disney and Universal and I could have picked any number of them here. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom is superb, featuring a major and thrilling drop at the end. Pirates of the Caribbean, also at Magic Kingdom, is also fantastic, with pirates so realistic I found myself checking with fellow riders that some of them were not in fact actors. Na’vi River Journey at Epcot is stunning, with the animatronic Na’vi Shaman seen towards the end of the ride reportedly the most advanced Audio-Animatronics figure ever designed by Walt Disney Imagineering at a reported cost of $23m.

Living with the Land at Epcot is a one-of-a-kind (very) gentle educational boat ride, as are It’s a Small World at Magic Kingdom and Jungle Cruise in the same park, one of very few rides which comes with a host (Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom is another). Jurassic Park River Adventure at Islands of Adventure is also brilliant – and exciting.

But I’ve gone for Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges at Universal’s Islands of Adventure as my pick of the bunch. It’s a great white water ride without being excessive so it’s kid-friendly. And it gets you absolutely soaked.

4. Tron Lightcycle/Run – Magic Kingdom, Disney World

This exceptional ride sees riders climb aboard their very own Lightcycle and take off on a high-speed adventure, racing against the Grid’s most menacing “programs”. Part of the ride takes place in daylight under the ride’s domed roof where you soar at speed above the park-goers on foot below, with the other half of the ride in near darkness set against thrilling screens. Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot was another futuristic contender for this spot, but the additional spinning on that roller coaster made it too much to handle and Tron was a much smoother and more enjoyable ride.

3. Fearless River – Volcano Bay, Universal

If you thought you liked a lazy river, then wait until you try the Fearless River at Universal, which my family all took to calling the “crazy river”. We went around it so many times I lost count, with the kids refusing to leave for large parts of the day, usually to my secret delight. A strong current carries you around the river as you float in large rubber rings (or just swim) at a pretty fast pace, with big, chopping waves and churning rapids adding to the adventure. Life jackets are a must for adults as well as the kids. It’s amazing.

2. Surf Pool – Typhoon Lagoon, Disney World

There are wave machines… and then there’s the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool. I’d seen so many videos of this before arriving at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and wasn’t convinced it was real until I saw it with my own eyes. The Surf Pool is the centrepiece of this Disney water park and is a relatively calm and enjoyable pool for the most part. But every 90 seconds a “sonic boom” is heard sparking immediate squeals and screams of excitement at what is to come: a six-foot wave that comes surging through the pool consuming everything in its path. Some experienced lagoon-goers are able to body-surf it. Others, like me, were just battered. At one point, it knocked me into a backwards somersault. I’ve never seen anything like it.

1. Velocicoaster – Islands of Adventure, Universal

Of all the amazing rides throughout Disney World and Universal, this one stands out as the best. I’d been watching videos of it for weeks and was so nervous about riding it that I didn’t know I’d follow through with it until I was at the front of the queue and stepping on to the ride with a thumping heart.

Velocicoaster is the fastest and tallest launch coaster in Florida, launching to 70mph in 2.4 seconds. The Velocicoaster’s “top hat” is 155-feet tall, with riders plunging from its peak down an 80-degree drop. There are inversions and the “Mosasaurus roll” which inverts riders over water at 53mph to end the ride. A truly incredible experience that I will never forget. Other superb roller coasters I tried were Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in the Islands of Adventure and Stardust Racers at Epic Universe. The Crush n Gusher water coaster at Typhoon Lagoon is also fantastic, as is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom. For a gentler ride for younger children that’s still fun, try the Trolls Trollercoaster at Universal Studios.