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This Disney+ crime thriller is a must-watch for fans of Netflix’s You, with one standout difference that sets this stalker series apart from the rest.

With streaming services flooded with thrillers, crime, and mystery programmes, the storylines can occasionally feel repetitive and formulaic. There hasn’t been a riveting thriller that has captured the nation’s attention quite like Netflix’s You (2018).

However, Disney+ is venturing into this sinister realm with its new stalker thriller entitled Watching You (2025). The series delivers a nerve-wracking, gripping narrative packed with twists and shocking revelations. Audiences can anticipate intricate characters whose hidden truths gradually emerge, maintaining the tension throughout.

Yet, there’s one distinctive feature that distinguishes this programme and renders it essential viewing for thriller devotees.

What is Watching You about?

Protagonist Lina has a one-night stand, which is secretly filmed by a mystery person. However, Lina is engaged to someone else, meaning this one night of passion is an affair.

Lina is subsequently blackmailed by this enigmatic individual who appears to be monitoring her every action. Intent on exposing the stalker threatening her existence, she quickly discovers the peril may be considerably nearer than she ever suspected.

There’s murder and domestic violence in this thriller with layered characters. Whilst it may not feature the most twists and turns, the programme expertly keeps you on edge as secrets steadily emerge, given that no character is entirely blameless.

Similarities to Netflix’s You

Both programmes portray domestic violence, threats against women, stalking and murder. The villains in both shows conceal their true identity while manipulating women.

The only difference is that in Netflix’s You, stalker Joe is the main character and more charismatic than the villain in Watching You. Spoilers ahead.

However, both men are completely unhinged and will do anything to keep their secret whilst convincing themselves they are relentlessly, madly in love with the women they are obsessed with.

One reason you should watch

Watching You does a brilliant job of addressing domestic violence. Unlike Netflix’s You, this show is from the perspective and follows the actions of Lina. Though she is flawed, the show does not excuse what happened to her as a victim.

Her fight against the abuser is fierce, intense and complicated, but it is well written and delivered. Netflix’s You has been criticised for the “romanticisation” of male violence against women, as seen from Refinery29, Our Wave, and feminists.co, but Watching You intensifies the feeling of danger and suspense.

Early ratings

Commenting on IMDB, one person said: “It’s a refreshing and paychpatic watch. All the characters are stupid and follow questionable and illogical choices. But haven’t we all been there? The series reminds me of ‘You’ to a certain degree.

“It’s the plot of stalking someone and manipulating them into loving you. That’s about it with the similarities. The acting could be better; there’s some nudity, which I am not appalled by, but sometimes it makes no sense. Anyway, it’s not vulgar or anything. All in all, it’s a good show. But judge for yourselves.”

Another viewer commented: “I was very entertained by the first 3 episodes. Steamy show, interesting relationship dynamics, good performances. Despite the plot being more than obvious, I enjoyed watching the story unravel.”

They continued: “After the fourth episode, the story started getting more and more ridiculous. Characters were making one stupid decision after another, and the final episode was a letdown, the way it ended. Was that even justice being served? I doubt so.

“Overall, it’s a nice show for a binge, easy to follow despite being predictable. The finale just wasn’t to my taste. It wouldn’t hurt you to watch it.”

Disneyland Resort’s high percentage of California visitors has helped mitigate a dip in international tourists, an executive said Thursday.

More than 50% of the Anaheim theme park’s audience has typically been from California, Thomas Mazloum, president of Disneyland Resort, told reporters during a media event at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. As a result, the company has been able to quickly shift marketing focus to that audience, as well as its ongoing efforts to boost out-of-state attendance.

Walt Disney Co. had previously indicated a slowdown in international visitation at its U.S. theme parks in its fiscal first-quarter earnings call earlier this month.

Company executives said they expected to see “modest” growth in its operating income for its experiences sector — which includes Disney’s theme parks — due to “headwinds” in foreign visitation trends to its domestic parks, as well as pre-launch costs for its new cruise ship and a “Frozen”-themed land in Disneyland Paris.

And as Disneyland Resort hit its 70th anniversary last year, the park is looking to grow and find new audiences to stay relevant for the future.

Because of the large number of California visitors, the company recently expanded its traditional deal for Southern California locals to all residents of the Golden State. Disneyland Resort has also made its lowest-price entry ticket of $104 available year-round to active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces, and introduced a new summer promotion pricing a one-day, park-hopper kids’ ticket at $50 a day.

The theme park is also looking to attract more young families. To that end, Disneyland Resort will open an immersive theater experience called “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” on March 22 at the Fantasyland Theatre, a nod to the massive appeal of Australian animated show “Bluey.”

“I continue to say how critical it is to expand the audience,” Mazloum said. “I still see a lot of opportunity for people who haven’t discovered Disneyland yet.”

Disney California Adventure’s Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! ride will also stay open into 2027, Mazloum said. The ride was originally scheduled to be retired this year to make way for an “Avatar” ride and experience, but after some planning from the engineering and operations teams, it can now stay open without negatively affecting construction and project progress, he said.

The park is also looking to increase spontaneity for visitors, and will eliminate the current 11 a.m. start time for park-hopping later this year, allowing guests to move back and forth between the parks at their leisure, Mazloum said.

The plans for growth at Disneyland Resort come as Disney recently named theme parks chief Josh D’Amaro as its new chief executive. The theme parks sector he previously oversaw is Disney’s economic engine, providing the majority of the company’s operating income in the last few years.

TOY STORY fans have been left horrified after noticing that Woody has a bald spot in the trailer for the fifth movie.

The first trailer for the high-anticipated fifth instalment was released yesterday and it looks like fans of the franchise are in for a treat.

But loyal Disney enthusiasts have been left saddened by one part of the teaser as signs of aging have creeped up on the toys they know and love.

At one point in the first-look, Woody takes off his cowboy hat and a bald patch can be seen on his head.

A flash of light shines on the spot and blinds the other toys as Trixie the dinosaur cheekily says: “Someone needs a brown marker.”

Lily the Tablet asks: “What are you? Some sort of old man toy?”

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Trixie responds: “She thinks you’re old because you’re bald, Woody!”

The moment didn’t go unnoticed as one viewer commented: “If he is getting old, what does that mean about me?”

Another person said on X: “There was absolutely no reason to give Woody a bald spot.”

Somebody else commented: “Sad to see Woody is going bald.”

Yet another penned: “Woody having a lil bald spot is making me sad.”

While a fifth added: “It’s okay Woody. We all understand and sympathise. I too have a bald spot back there that is slowly turning into a tropical hurricane.”

The synopsis of the film reads: “The toys are back and this time, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs are challenged when they come face-to-face with Lilypad (voice of Greta Lee), a brand-new tablet device that arrives with her own disruptive ideas about what is best for their kid, Bonnie. Will playtime ever be the same?”

The fifth film was first announced back in 2023 along with sequels for Frozen and Zootopia.

Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger expressed: “I’m so pleased to announce that we have sequels in the works from our animation studios to some of our most popular franchises – Toy Story, Frozen and Zootopia.

“We’ll have more to share about these productions soon, but this is a great example of how we’re leaning into our unrivalled brands and franchises.”

Several stars from the first films are back, including Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz, John Ratzenberger as Hamm, Wallace Shawn as Rex, Blake Clark as Slinky Dog, Annie Potts as Bo Peep and Joan Cusack as Jessie.

Among the newcomers are Scarlett Spears as the new voice of Bonnie, Craig Robinson as GPS hippo toy Atlas, Shelby Rabara as excitable camera toy Snappy, Mykal-Michelle Harris as Blaze, Conan O’Brien as Smarty Pants, and Matty Matheson as tech-fearing toy Dr Nutcase.

The first Pixar film released back in 1995, followed by Toy Story 2 in 1999 and Toy Story 3 in 2010.

The fourth instalment came out in 2010 and a spin-off of Buzz Lightyear’s character was released in 2022.

Toy Story 5 releases in cinemas on June 19

A NEW multi-million pound McDonald’s has opened in Europe – and it is the BIGGEST in the world.

The new restaurant is a remodelled version of the former restaurant at Disneyland Paris’s Disney Village.

The new €20million (£17.5million) restaurant is spread across 2,000sqm according to local reports.

This makes it the biggest in the world overtaking the Orlando, Florida restaurant which measures 1,800sqm.

The new French McDonald’s also seats up to 600 guests, which is 250 more than the Orlando site.

The restaurant is spread across three floors, with a 200-seat outdoor terrace.

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As visitors step inside, they will be greeted by a bright and spacious reception area and a wall with the outline of Disneyland Paris on it.

There is then also McCafé for caffeine fixes as well as unique French menu items like Croque McDo for €3.70 (£3.23).

For kids, there is even a three-story indoor play area.

Unlike other McDonald’s sites, this one also has a panoramic elevator as well as a curly slide between the floors.

And guests shouldn’t have to wait long to make their order as there are 23 self-service kiosks.

Otherwise there will be 210 employees, that speak 16 languages between them.

Boris Solbach, senior vice president, chief financial officer, Disneyland Paris said: “Since 1999, Disneyland Paris and McDonald’s have built a relationship grounded in trust and a shared vision of the guest experience.

“The opening of this new restaurant fully supports the transformation of Disney Village through a landmark project that combines innovative architecture, high-quality hospitality, and seamless integration into the site’s universe.”

The environment has also been thought about during the construction process and as a result, the restaurant has a green roof, planters and a 120sqm living wall.

The original Disney Village McDonald’s – which sits just next door – opened in 1999 but has now closed as the new venue has opened.

The restaurant will soon be demolished as well, as part of the wider plan to reimagine Disney Village.

Disney Village is located between the theme parks and Disney Hotels and has a number of shopping and dining experiences.

The village is currently undergoing a revamp and once complete will have new restaurants, shops, building facades and guest experiences.

The two new Disney shops will be a lifestyle shop with ready-to-wear clothing, jewellery and accessories and then there will also be a Disney home store with collectible items and decorations.

The Lego store has also been improved recently, with more photo opportunities, big builds and play stations.

Back in November, Sports Bar & Lounge reopened with an expanded dining area, redesigned terrace and fresh interiors.

The bar also now has a giant fresco featuring Goofy and another featuring Big Hero 6: The Series on the restaurant’s façade.

Pelé Soccer, a new shop dedicated to the world of football, will open soon as well.

Last year, McDonald’s opened its biggest site in Europe last year in Majorca, Spain.

The restaurant can be found at Level P30, Module A Airside of Palma de Mallorca Airport in the Spanish island and sprawls across 1,000sqm.

There are a number of McDonald’s across the world that also double as tourist spots.

For example, the UK’s ‘most beautiful’ McDonald’s has its own ‘beer garden’ built inside historic old pub near idyllic woods.

Plus, here’s the McDonald’s that’s one of the world’s most beautiful with pretty outdoor courtyard and volcano views.

POP superstar Lady Gaga is set to release a concert film about her record breaking Mayhem Ball.

The Sun can reveal the Abracadabra hitmaker, 39, has secretly enlisted British director Sam Wrench to help bring her vision to life.

The special is set to be filmed over Lady Gaga’s four nights at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles this week.

While no release date is set, the film is expected to be released later this year after being snapped up by streaming bosses following a fierce bidding war.

Sam is no stranger to concert documentaries, having previously worked with Taylor Swift on her 2023 Eras Tour film.

Not only was the film released on Disney+ but it also was rolled out across cinemas – breaking box office records in the process.

Most recently Sam teamed up with Christina Aguilera for her festive special;  Christmas in Paris.

It’s not the first time Gaga and Sam have worked together.

They previously teamed up on Gaga’s 2024 Chromaica Ball HBO special which documented her 2022 stadium tour of the same name.

A source said: “Gaga has poured her heart and soul into The Mayhem Ball.

“She is so proud of everyone who has helped make the tour what it is and is keen to give it the full concert film treatment.

“Not only is it arguably her most elaborate show of all time, it’s also reminded the world that almost two decades into her career she is still at the top of her game.”

The insider added: “Gaga and Sam have a close working relationship so bringing him on board was a no brainer.

“The show will be filmed across her four dates in Los Angeles and is pencilled in for release late 2026.”

The Sun understands Sam is joining the creative team headed up by the superstar.

He will sit alongside Gaga’s fiance Michael Polansky, 42, and her choreographer Parris Goebel, 34, who are also helping creatively manage the project.

Michael is now an integral part of the Poker Face singer’s inner circle.

He was listed as an Executive Producer alongside Gaga on Mayhem – as well as landing a number of writing credits including on the record’s lead single Disease.

Gaga previously said: “Michael was in the studio every day with me.
“He oversaw the whole process of making the record, completing it, helping me shape the sound of the record creatively.

“It was an amazing thing to do with your partner, because when I start to doubt myself, there is nobody that’s going to call me on it better than he is”.

Kicking off in July last year, The Mayhem Ball is one of Gaga’s biggest ever tours, seeing her play 87 dates across four continents.

Last September and October Gaga played four sold out shows at London’s O2 before a further two dates at Manchester’s Co-op Live.

By the time she takes her final bow at Madison Square Garden in April, she will have played to over 1.3million fans.

The concert film comes off the back of an already packed 2026 for Gaga.

Despite only being weeks into the year the singer has already filmed a concert special for Apple Music, performed at the Grammys and the Super Bowl and wrapped up the Asian leg of The Mayhem Ball.

Next week she will go head to head with some of the biggest artists in the world at the 2026 Brit Awards.

While she is unable to attend the ceremony due to playing a show in Texas on the same date, she is up for two of the biggest gongs of the night.

Gaga is nominated for International Artist of the Year and International Song of the Year thanks to her Bruno Mars collaboration Die With A Smile

It marks the first time in over a decade she has been nominated.

People are raving on about the drama series which is believed to be a ‘hidden gem’ and it’s available on a number of TV networks, including Disney+. So have you seen this before?

Looking for the next big TV series to binge-watch? It can be hard finding a new show to watch, especially if you’ve just finished something decent on Netflix or Amazon Prime.

Now people are raving on about a ‘hidden gem’ they found – and it’s available on a number of TV networks, including Disney+. After one TV fan asked for recommendations in a popular thread, many people flooded the comments section where they offered a number of suggestions, one of them being Will Trent, a American police TV drama. The series follows a Special Agent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.

As a child, Trent was abandoned and forced to endure a harsh coming-of-age in Atlanta’s overwhelmed foster care system. It was based on one of prolific New York Times author Karin Slaughter’s bestselling books.

The Reddit post read: “Any current network (CBS, ABC, NBC, etc.) TV shows that are any good? Most of the shows I currently watch are on streaming services and I’m wondering if there’s any hidden gems I’m missing out on.”

Many people shared their suggestions, including High Potential and The Rookie.

But plenty of viewers labelled Will Trent as a must-see. The series, which is also available on other network channels, can be streamed on Disney+ for subscribers.

The series was developed by Liz Heldens and Daniel T. Thomsen which stars Ramón Rodríguez and premiered on January 3, 2023, on ABC.

A year later in April, the series was renewed for a third season which landed on January 7, 2025. Then months later, the series was given the green light for a fourth season which finally premiered on January 6, this year.

The series follows Will who grew up in the Atlanta foster care system after being abandoned as a child. Despite being dyslexic and his upbringing having a lasting effect on him, he became a Special Agent in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Will, a highly observant character, had been assigned a corruption case involving the Atlanta Police Department which shares an office building with the GBI.

The story also shows his on-again off-again relationship with APD Detective Angie Polaski, a childhood friend from the foster care system.

Will Trent has a 7.7 out of 10 rating on IMDb and 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. To watch it on Disney+, you must have a subscription on the streaming platform.

After the fake video of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt fighting went viral, a surge of AI-generated content from Seedance 2.0 flooded the internet.

Some fans were using the new AI video generator, backed by ByteDance, to refashion the finales for shows like “Game of Thrones” and “Stranger Things.” Others created battle scenes between iconic superheroes like Wolverine and Superman or between a Transformer and Godzilla.

As these Seedance videos amassed millions of views on social media, industry guilds like SAG-AFTRA and the Motion Picture Assn. have criticized the AI platform that was launched last week. Now, many major Hollywood studios are threatening to take legal action against ByteDance, the same Chinese parent that oversees TikTok.

Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount and Disney have all sent individual cease and desist letters, detailing the unauthorized reproduction of each of the studios’ copyrighted intellectual property.

Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery were the latest studios to send cease and desists letter to ByteDance on Tuesday.

Netflix calls Seedance “a high-speed privacy engine” and says that they “will not stand by and watch ByteDance treat our valued IP as free, public domain clip art,” as stated in the letter. The streamer also cites the illegal use of sets derived from “Squid Game,” costumes from “Bridgerton” and character design from “KPop Demon Hunters.”

Warner Bros. Discovery looks to repurposed content, including characters from the “Harry Potter” and “Lord of the Rings” franchises, as well as superheroes like Batman, as “ blatant infringement” by ByteDance. The studio argues that it’s clear that their AI technology was trained on Warner Bros. copyrighted material “without authorization.”

“But the users are not the ones at the root cause of the infringement; they are merely building on the foundation of infringement already laid by ByteDance as Seedance comes pre-loaded with Warner Bros. Discovery’s copyrighted characters,” wrote the studios’ legal executive vice president Wayne Smith. “That was a deliberate design choice by ByteDance.”

Disney and Paramount were the first of the studios to call out ByteDance, sending their letters last Friday and Saturday. Disney accuses ByteDance of loading its Seedance service “with a pirated library of Disney’s copyrighted characters from Star Wars, Marvel, and other Disney franchises.”

“Over Disney’s well-publicized objections, ByteDance is hijacking Disney’s characters by reproducing, distributing, and creating derivative works featuring those characters. ByteDance’s virtual smash-and-grab of Disney’s IP is willful, pervasive, and totally unacceptable,” Disney’s attorney David Singer wrote, per Axios.

Paramount’s cease and desist letter was reviewed by The Times and makes similar assertions about ByteDance’s unapproved use of copyrighted material.

ByteDance has since pledged to implement more safeguards to protect copyrighted material in response to these letters.

“ByteDance respects intellectual property rights and we have heard the concerns regarding Seedance 2.0,” a company spokesperson said in a statement shared with CNBC. “We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorized use of intellectual property and likeness by users.”

But with or without the safeguards, Dan Purcell, chief executive of Midnight Labs, an AI-powered company that specializes in IP protection for high-value entertainment, said these letters might be a bit of a delayed reaction from the studios.

“Once synthetic content is generated, it spreads instantly and at a massive scale. By the time lawyers engage, the damage is done,” said Purcell in a statement. “The only path forward is strict licensing, real-time enforcement, and consequences that actually hurt. Reactive letters won’t fix this. The industry needs to move at the speed of AI — not the speed of litigation.”

DISNEY Cruise Line fans were treated to a welcome surprise this week when it was announced that the Disney Wish would be making its way to the UK for the first time.

Arriving next year, the ship will sail on a series of European itineraries departing from Southampton – meaning no need to faff around with flights.

And without the need to splurge on airfares, travellers have more cash to splash on board.

This year will see many mega ships sailing out of Britain on no-fly itineraries.

Sophie Swietochowski takes a look at five top cruise ships – of varying sizes – to keep your eye on in 2026 for some cracking European voyages . . . 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S LIBERTY OF THE SEAS: NORWAY

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Kids can hurl down three storeys on whooshing waterslides, twirl on an indoor ice rink and test their nerves in a mind-boggling escape room, all while the adults kick back with a frozen daiquiri at the Solarium Bar.

On top of al that, there are 15 lip-smacking restaurants — pizza, Mexican, teppanyaki, they’ve got it all — as well as a selection of all-singing, all-dancing theatre shows that will amaze.

And with plenty of space on the upper decks for soaking in the views, this vessel is a great choice for a Norwegian fjords cruise.

GO: A six-night Norwegian Adventure is from £547pp, departing Southampton on October 10 and calling at Stavanager and Oslo.

See iglucruise.com.

CUNARD’S QUEEN ANNE: CANARY ISLANDS

THOSE who like the finer things in life will love the grand and sparkling lobby, swish drawing room and sophisticated games room.

Cabins are equally elegant, decorated in navy and gold.

If wellness is your thing, the spa and fitness areas are some of the best and brightest at sea, home to a yoga and meditation studio, plus thermal rooms including a steam bath, Himalayan salt sauna and cold room.

And when that cold room gets too much, head to the upper decks — a late November sailing around the Canary Islands is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of sunloungers, thanks to temperatures in the 20s.

GO: A 14-night Canary Islands sailing is from £1,035pp, departing Southampton on November 29 and calling at Lisbon, La Palma, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Funchal (for Madeira).

See cruise.co.uk or call 0870 990 8824.

AMBASSADOR’S AMBITION: HOLLAND AND BELGIUM

AMBITION is an ideal size for first-timers, with capacity for just 1,200 passengers, meaning it won’t feel overwhelming when on board.

If you start with a short cruise, like the four-night Holland and Belgium one, you can get a feel for cruising without jumping in headfirst.

Swing by The Cavern bar, named after Liverpool’s Cavern Club which was visited regularly by the Beatles back in the day — there is live music and fresh pours flowing day and night.

If that doesn’t bowl you over, The Palladium sure will, with its constant dance, music and comedy performances.

For something special, splurge extra dosh on the Chef’s Table — a nine-course celebratory fiesta.

GO: A four-night Weekend Escape to Holland and Belgium is from £410pp, departing London Tilbury on November 27 and calling at Zeebrugge for Bruges, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

See iglucruises.com.

P&O’s IONA: PORTUGAL, SPAIN, CANARY ISLANDS

YOU need not worry about the weather when you’re sailing on P&O Cruises’ Iona.

The ship’s vast Skydome means you can swim in the main pool come rain or shine, thanks to a glass-domed roof that gives the area a greenhouse feel.

Take That fans should grab a ticket to the Greatest Days theatre show, adapted from the West End musical with sing-along bangers.

Among the 30 bars and restaurants are Sindhu, the British-Indian fusion joint that does a knockout lamb bhuna, as well as The Olive Grove which celebrates all things Mediterranean.

A two-week Med cruise will give you plenty of time to explore the on-board shopping and bars.

GO: A 14-night Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands sailing costs from £978pp, departing Southampton on November 21 and calling at Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Lisbon, Vigo and La Coruna.

See cruise118.com/cruise/POG638.

PRINCESS CRUISES’ SKY PRINCESS: NORWAY

COUPLES should set their sights on Sky Princess, which has a more grown-up atmosphere than the other ships mentioned here.

Entertainment extends throughout the day, well into the evening.

Creative types can attend history of art lectures in the Fine Arts Gallery, while the boozier crowd can stomp their feet several storeys above at one of the famous top-deck parties.

When the sun dips beyond the horizon, snuggle down in the open-air poolside theatre for a movie under the stars and then, if you’re feeling lucky, swing by the Vegas-style casino.

Balcony cabins are still available for the Norwegian fjords cruise — you will be grateful for them with the jaw-drapping views coming your way.

GO: A seven-night Norwegian Fjords sailing is from £843pp, departing Southampton May 23 and calling at Bergen, Skjolden, Olden and Stavanger.

See cruise118.com/cruise/PRINCESSY618?variant2=1.

Disney has struck a multiyear deal with the United Kingdom’s leading entertainment aggregator, Sky.

The agreement announced Wednesday will fully incorporate Disney+ streaming content into Sky’s platform. Disney+ Standard with Ads will be included in eligible Sky TV packages starting next month. The deal also introduces a new linear movie channel for Sky’s paid-TV network called Disney Cinema.

It’s the first time U.K. subscribers will have access to Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix and Hayu (a reality TV streaming service) all in one subscription under the Sky brand. The subscription costs around £24 a month (roughly $33).

“We’ve grown Disney+ in the U.K. into our largest market across Europe over the past six years, and Sky is the perfect partner for our next wave of growth in the U.K. and Ireland,” said Karl Holmes, Disney+ general manager. “This agreement gives millions of Sky customers a simple, seamless way to enjoy all the great stories that Disney+ offers, and opens up a substantial new audience for content creators and advertisers.”

As part of Disney’s move to expand its reach in the U.K., Sky customers will be able to access the studio’s classic films like “Lilo & Stitch,” Marvel movies and well-loved TV shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Simpsons.”

The partnership is the latest in Disney’s effort to further globalize its streaming service. The company previously reached deals with Germany’s ZDF, Spain’s Atresmedia and Saudi media conglomerate MBC Group and UAE firm Anghami, so its content will be available in countries across the Middle East.

Disney+ isn’t the only streamer attempting to expand its global reach. In recent months, Netflix inked a deal with French broadcaster TF1, which will launch this summer. HBO Max also planted a flag in Germany and Italy — a move previously blocked by Sky.

Under the new leadership of recently appointed chief executive Josh D’Amaro, it’s expected that Disney will continue to invest in local language content and increase international subscriptions. After recording billions of dollars in losses, Disney’s streaming services, which include Hulu and ESPN+, reached profitability in 2024. The company said it hopes to reach 10% operating margins in its entertainment streaming business.

Times staff writer Samantha Masunaga contributed to this report.

Walt Disney Co. will pay $2.75 million to settle allegations that it violated the California Consumer Privacy Act by not fully complying with consumers’ requests to opt out of data sharing on its streaming services, the state attorney general’s office said Wednesday.

The Burbank media and entertainment company allegedly restricted the extent of opt-out requests, including complying with users’ petitions only on the device or streaming services they processed it from, or stopping the sharing of consumers’ personal data through Disney’s advertising platform but not those of specific ad-tech companies whose code was embedded on Disney websites and apps, the attorney general’s office said.

In addition to the fine, the settlement, which is subject to court approval, will require Disney to enact a “consumer-friendly, easy to execute” process that allows users to opt-out of the sale or sharing of their data with as few steps as possible, according to court documents.

“Consumers shouldn’t have to go to infinity and beyond to assert their privacy rights,” Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said in a statement. “In California, asking a business to stop selling your data should not be complicated or cumbersome.”

A Disney spokesperson said in a statement that the company “continues to invest significant resources to set the standard for responsible and transparent data practices across our streaming services.”

“As technology and media continue to evolve, protecting the privacy and preserving the experience of Californians and fans everywhere remains a longstanding priority for Disney,” the spokesperson said.

The settlement with Disney stemmed from a 2024 investigation by the attorney general’s office into streaming devices and apps for alleged violations of the California Consumer Privacy Act, which governs the collection of consumers’ personal data by businesses.

Under the law, businesses that sell or share personal data for targeted advertising must give users the right to opt-out.

Disney’s $2.75-million payment is the largest such settlement under the state privacy act, Bonta’s office said.

The attorney general has also reached settlements with companies such as beauty retailer Sephora, food delivery app DoorDash and SlingTV for alleged violations of the privacy act.

I got a sneak peek at the luxurious Tower Suite on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish, with Moana-themed décor, walk-in wardrobes and prices from £15,000 per cruise

A tour of a suite costing £30,000 per cruise is likely the closest I’ll come to actually seeing inside. So, when given the opportunity for a sneak peek at Disney Cruise Line’s stunning Tower Suite, tucked away in the funnel of the Disney Wish cruise ship, I jumped at the chance.

The cost varies depending on the itinerary and duration of the cruise, but prices for the suite reportedly start at £15,000. Despite the hefty price tag, it’s regularly booked out.

It’s easy to see why; the luxury begins before guests even set foot in the suite. There’s a dedicated check-in area, a private entrance to the suite, and a lift within the funnel itself for those who’d rather not take the stairs.

Upon entering, it’s immediately apparent that this isn’t your average cruise ship cabin. The suite draws inspiration from the much-loved animated film Moana, with stunning artwork and an eye-catching sculpture welcoming you as you step inside. The main space is a vast open-plan living and dining area, complete with sofas, sideboards, a coffee table, and a large dining table.

READ MORE: Sneak peek at mega cruise ship ‘bigger than UK towns’ set to sail in 2026

The entire room was practically larger than my own home, and the floor-to-ceiling windows (tinted for privacy) only added to the sense of grandeur. A central island conceals a retractable TV, ensuring unobstructed views of the ship when not in use.

There’s a compact kitchen complete with a well-stocked fridge, and a freezer drawer brimming with Mickey choc ice bars, a beloved treat amongst Disney enthusiasts on its cruises and Florida theme parks. On the subject of food, one of the suite’s greatest advantages is the array of in-room dining possibilities if you’d rather not venture out amongst your fellow passengers.

Those staying in the Tower Suite can request in-suite dinner from the main restaurants during their service hours, and if you fancy the all-inclusive Palo brunch, you can have everything brought to your room as well. (The brunch at Palo steakhouse is an all-you-can-eat affair that’s adults-only, and one I’d thoroughly recommend – just save room for the generously portioned servings!)

The Tower Suite sleeps up to eight guests, and spans two floors with two master bedrooms, a children’s room featuring bunk beds and an additional room that can serve as either another bedroom or a library. Given that cruise ship cabins and suites are notorious for requiring inventive space-saving solutions, visitors to this suite won’t face that challenge.

The bedrooms themselves offer ample space and exceed the size of some hotel rooms I’ve experienced, but the real showstopper was the walk-in wardrobes. Truthfully, I’m not convinced I could fill them even if I packed up my entire wardrobe and gave it my best shot!

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The bathrooms were nothing short of spectacular, featuring plush robes, enormous freestanding tubs and generous showers. They resembled the sort of space you’d stumble upon in an upscale spa, complete with marble finishes, expansive mirrors and naturally, Disney toiletries.

Guests who book the Tower Suite gain access to the Concierge desk and its accompanying benefits; staff can assist with arranging shore excursions, securing restaurant bookings or activities on the ship, plus you’ll have access to exclusive Concierge areas such as a lounge and sun deck. For those who love cruising, one significant advantage of the concierge accommodation is the complimentary bottled water included – which can be rather precious on cruise ships!

READ MORE: Your ultimate guide to all the best holiday destinations every month in 2026

Sadly for me, a sneak peek tour is likely as near as I’ll get to experiencing the Tower Suite, but thankfully the Disney Wish boasts a wide selection of other stunning staterooms with a gentler price point, yet still offering ample space. During my recent voyage on the vessel, I was in a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with a verandah, and it provided all the room we required – myself, my partner and our little one sharing the quarters.

Of course, whilst a lovely cabin is wonderful on a cruise, it’s equally about what’s on offer throughout the ship – and the Disney Wish certainly delivers on that front. You can read my full review of the Disney Wish here, but standout features included the action-packed schedule of performances, trivia competitions, deck celebrations, live entertainment, West End-calibre productions, and the AquaMouse water slide.

That’s before even mentioning the Star Wars -themed bar, pirates-inspired pub, and the fantastic dining venues including an interactive Frozen meal experience. You can discover more about the Disney Wish and next summer’s itineraries on disneycruiseline.com..

GAUDY arcades, faded bucket and spade shops and donkey rides on the beach. You may call Blackpool stuck in the past, but I think it’s timeless.

Recently named as one of the best big towns in the UK, Blackpool may be about to see a resurgence.

As Britain’s original seaside holiday resort, this sometimes sunny stretch on the Lancashire coast embodies everything us Brits want from a holiday.

Blackpool, with its seven-mile sandy beach, three pleasure piers, seafront theme park and iconic tower landmark has everything you need for a family holiday – and unlike other coastal towns in the UK – can be enjoyed at an affordable cost.

As a travel writer and content creator, I travel almost every month for work and I’m lucky enough to have been to many of the world’s best holiday destinations, such as New York City, Thailand, Australia and Florida.

In fact, as a Disney travel expert, I’ve been to Disney World more than 50 times, but but I’ve had just as much fun on a weekend in Blackpool as I have at the Florida theme park.

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I live in London now and I also lived in Los Angeles in my 20s, but Blackpool has always held a special place in my heart. I know I will always go back.

Being from a working-class family, overseas family holidays were not something we did very often when I was growing up.

Instead, we would get the train to destinations like Weymouth, Margate and Blackpool from London.

No passport required, but holidays were still the most exciting thing we did every year.

Blackpool was always my favourite.

The seafront was so exciting. We would always walk from the station, passing B&Bs with neon Vacancy signs glowing in the window, that always smelled like egg and chips.

The Blackpool illuminations were dazzling for a little kid like me. Designed in 1879 as an ‘artificial sunlight’ attraction, this appeal has never faded.

Modern light trails and events are popping up from Land’s End to the Scottish Highlands these days – and often charge guests to enter. Even in 2026, Blackpool’s illuminations are still completely free to enjoy.

Who needs Vegas? The Blackpool arcades would be flashing and whirring, luring you inside to win big on the 2p machines. With the great British weather, this was often a necessary past time.

I became a master at winning naff pastel-coloured teddy bears in the grabber machine.

As a theme park nerd, something I inherited from my dad, Blackpool Pleasure Beach was my Disneyland.

The Big Dipper, a wooden rollercoaster built in 1923 and still going strong, was my first thrill ride. Being tall enough to ride this was like graduating tweenhood. My dad was thrilled as he finally had a rollercoaster buddy.

When The Big One opened in 1994, it was the highlight of the holiday. I was 12. From the top of the 235ft drop, you can see the whole of Blackpool Seafront laid out in front of you. It’s spectacular.

As you tip over the edge and race to the ground at 85mph with the wind in your hair, it’s exhilarating. For 12-year-old me, I was on the top of world.

Family holidays these days feel far more complicated. Even with short breaks in the UK, costs can add up.

I often want to create the wholesome British beach breaks of my childhood, but many destinations feel very different.

Some UK hotspots cost more than flying abroad. But, nabbing a great deal overseas can sometimes be stressful, confusing and time consuming.

Then you have to factor in long travel days, airports and finding somewhere with something for everyone that comes in under budget.

Like most parents, if I can take advantage of a kid’s club or send my two children on the rides together, while I wave from the side-line, I will. Life is busy these days and even 10 mins of peace can feel like a mini break.

But Blackpool hasn’t changed much since my memories of the early 90s.

Everything can be enjoyed together. Paddling on the beach, sharing a bag of chips, screaming in the lift to the top of the Blackpool Tower and enjoying the famous Blackpool Tower Circus.

The foundation for family fun is at the heart of this seaside town and I think it always will be.

Unlike many places which jump between personalities, Blackpool has always known its place – and better still, been proud of it.

I have gone back many times. I’ve also sold my friends on to Blackpool’s charms and we try to get a girls’ weekend in every couple of years too.

It’s an ideal weekend break for all ages.

Bursting onto the scene as a leisure destination for industrial workers and working-class families, in over 150 years, nothing has changed.

While other seaside towns have been infiltrated with artisan coffee shops, art galleries and trendy crowds migrating from the big cities, sending house prices and rents through the roof, Blackpool is still an affordable place to live and visit.

It’s not the spot for a delicate macaron or an eye-wateringly expensive afternoon tea.

But if you’re happy with a £2 doughnut and a hot cocoa in a paper cup, you can enjoy a great snack with sea views for under a fiver.

Budget-conscious visitors can get a decent hotel room for only £17 per night. Haven Morten Mare Holiday Park, just 15-minutes down the road has deals for £112 for a weekend for the whole family.

Attractions like the Blackpool Illuminations, Stanley Park, the promenade and piers are all free to experience. There are sometimes deals to enter Blackpool Pleasure Beach theme park for only £10 too.

As a mum, knowing I won’t be racking up a huge debt makes holidays less stressful from the start.

My kids are far more travelled than I was at their age, but I have noticed that spending big doesn’t always make them happiest on holiday.

Kids, like me and like my parents 30 years ago, just want to let off steam, have a bit of fun and have a bit of a break from life.

You don’t have to spend a lot to get that, especially in Blackpool.

I do sometimes splash out though. Mr Whippy with two flakes? Oh go on then.

It has been a roller coaster week for theme parks boss Josh D’Amaro, who was named the next chief executive of Walt Disney Co. last week.

Once he officially takes the helm of the Mouse House in mid-March, he must tackle several key areas to chart the future of the 102-year-old media and entertainment giant.

For one, he’ll need to bolster Disney’s pipeline of content. As the saying goes, “content is king.”

The Burbank company already has a strong stable of franchises and stories that power its entertainment and streaming businesses, theme parks, merchandise and cruise ships, but Disney will need to keep building on that.

Strong sequels like last year’s “Zootopia 2” and live-action adaptations such as “Lilo & Stitch” — both of which grossed more than $1 billion in worldwide box office revenue — show that good stories can keep paying dividends in new ways, Moffett Nathanson senior research analyst Robert Fishman wrote in a note to clients last week.

On the bright side: This year’s film lineup has several historically strong franchise contenders, including Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” and Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Doomsday.” (Marvel, however, has struggled in recent years to pump out consistent hits at the box office.)

But Disney also needs to develop new stories — which has been more of a struggle.

Disney and Pixar’s “Elio” misfired at the box office last year, as original animated movies have had a harder time bringing in the massive audiences they once did because of the drop-off in theater attendance since the pandemic.

That puts more pressure on Disney and Pixar’s upcoming “Hoppers,” an original animated film out in March. The film has gotten strong early traction in online trailer views, Fishman wrote.

The content investment also extends to scripted series, which Fishman noted are a “critical component of success and cannot become an afterthought to theatrical.” He singled out Disney-owned FX as a “prestige outlet” that can contribute to both television and streaming lineups. The network has had a number of successes, including 2024’s “Shogun,” which was one of my favorites.

D’Amaro likely will get help on the content side from soon-to-be president and chief creative officer Dana Walden, a longtime television executive who is respected in Hollywood and well-versed in the entertainment knowledge he lacks.

D’Amaro’s area of expertise is Disney’s experiences sector, which includes the theme parks, cruise line, merchandise and Aulani resort and spa in Hawaii and brings in the lion’s share of operating income for the company. In the fiscal first quarter of this year, the experiences business hauled in a record $10 billion in revenue.

The challenge there will be maintaining Disney’s market dominance in the theme park space while continuing to invest to drive growth and managing attendance in the face of ongoing competition from arch rival Universal Studios.

On the investment front, Disney is all in. The experiences business is in the midst of a 10-year, $60-billion expansion project that would add new themed lands to parks around the world, including at Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort. The company also is building a park in Abu Dhabi and added new cruise ships.

In the near term, however, are concerns about “international visitation headwinds” at Disney’s U.S. parks. The company signaled in its most recent earnings call that those foreign visitor trends could contribute to “modest” operating income growth for the experiences division in the fiscal second quarter, along with pre-launch costs for a new cruise ship and an upcoming “Frozen” land in Disneyland Paris.

To keep attendance rates up, the company shifted its marketing and promotional focus to a more domestic audience, said Hugh Johnston, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, on the earnings call. But stock analysts — and D’Amaro — undoubtedly will be keeping an eye on international attendance rates and what that will mean for the theme parks going forward.

The part of the company with the potential to drive the most growth, analysts say, is its streaming business.

After recording billions of dollars in losses, Disney’s streaming services, which included Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, finally reached profitability in 2024. The company’s next goal is to reach 10% operating margins in its entertainment streaming business comprised of Disney+ and Hulu — a milestone that would give investors confidence in its vision.

To get there, continued investment in local language content will be a key priority to increase international subscriptions, as well as bolstering the tech that powers the platforms and provides recommendations.

In short, D’Amaro faces a choice.

“Some investors are thinking, ‘Will he choose to be the same? Or can he start a new era?’” asked Laurent Yoon, senior analyst at Bernstein.

At least one former Disney CEO has weighed in.

“My advice to Josh is continue Bob Iger’s strategy that creativity will handle profits, always protect the brand, and keep close the words of Walt Disney: ‘We love to entertain kings and queens, but the vital thing to remember is this — every guest receives the VIP treatment,’” Michael Eisner posted on social media last week.

But D’Amaro’s own words provide an idea of what he’s thinking. At a global town hall meeting with Disney employees last week, D’Amaro spoke about the company’s legacy — and its path forward.

“We are 100 years old, but we’re 100 years young as well, willing to embrace new technology, new creators and new markets,” he said. “That willingness to change and take risks is what keeps the brand going, and it’s something I intend to continue to push on.”

Stuff We Wrote

Film shoots

Number of the week

Post-apocalyptic horror film “Iron Lung” has grossed $34.3 million in worldwide box office revenue, a remarkable number given the film’s reported $3 million production budget and self-distribution route.

Written, directed and executive produced by YouTuber Mark Fischbach, who goes by the online alias of Markiplier and also stars in the film, “Iron Lung” follows the story of a convict who sails a blood ocean in a submarine. The movie had a $17.8-million opening during the weekend of Jan. 30, placing it right behind Disney’s 20th Century Studios’ “Send Help,” which grossed about $19.1 million in its debut. “Iron Lung” picked up an additional $6 million this past weekend.

Its success reignited the debate about self-distribution and the theatrical draw of content creators.

What I’m watching

Since the Olympics started last week, I’ve been all in on figure skating, a sport I’ve watched since I was a kid who marveled at the artistry and athleticism of stars like Kristi Yamaguchi, Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano and Michelle Kwan.

So I was supremely interested in this piece by my colleague Thuc Nhi Nguyen about the strength of the U.S. Olympic figure skating team this year, and the camaraderie between U.S. women Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito.

Disney Cruise Line has confirmed the Disney Wish will sail from Southampton for the first time in summer 2027 with European itineraries – and I’ve been onboard to review the incredible ship

Mickey Mouse fans across Britain, it’s time to dust off those iconic ears – because we’re about to welcome an unprecedented wave of Disney enchantment next summer.

In a historic first, the Disney Wish cruise liner will set sail from British shores. Launching from Southampton, the flagship vessel of Disney Cruise Line’s Wish class fleet is confirmed to embark on a series of sun-drenched European voyages throughout summer 2027.

This maiden European adventure will feature sailings ranging from three to 10 nights, departing from the UK, Spain or Italy, with exciting new ports of call including Zadar in Croatia, Trieste close to Venice in Italy, and Hellesylt in Norway.

Having recently experienced the Disney Wish firsthand with my other half and our two year old, I was absolutely thrilled when this announcement dropped – especially since I’ve already been daydreaming about our next voyage. Here’s my guide to the standout features aboard the Disney Wish, and exactly why I’ll be at the front of that virtual queue when bookings launch later this month.

The entertainment

Adults, prepare to unleash your inner child aboard the Wish (whilst, in our experience, your little one also literally unleashes theirs). This isn’t your typical cruise offering a single show, a handful of activities, and then leaving you lounging aimlessly poolside.

Instead, expect an action-packed schedule brimming with spectacular performances, trivia contests, deck celebrations, live musical acts, and two cinemas screening the freshest Disney releases alongside timeless favourites. For those preferring a more relaxed approach, there’s ample poolside real estate – and the onboard spa continuously tempted us throughout our stay.

The ship’s top deck boasts several pools, a feature I particularly appreciate as it prevents overcrowding in one spot. However, being someone who can’t sit idle for more than a couple of minutes, I made a beeline for the AquaMouse water slide.

With its twists, turns and initial surprises, it’s easy to see why it’s dubbed Disney’s first sea attraction – it wouldn’t feel out of place in a theme park!

Deck parties are another must-add to your schedule. On the day of embarkation, Mickey Mouse and his pals host a ‘Sail Away’ party on the top deck that’s well worth attending. Expect lively music, dancing and a grand countdown before the ship’s horn blares out a Disney melody!

One evening is always dedicated to a pirate theme. Dress up, meet characters like Captain Hook, and join in the fun with Mickey and friends at parties featuring spectacular fireworks at sea (Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise company permitted to offer this).

A visit to the theatre promises a fantastic show, whether it’s the charming ‘Seas the Day’ performance, or West End-calibre productions of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin.

The Kids’ Club

Families must give a big cheer for the exceptional kids’ club, known as the Oceaneer Club. Included in the cruise package, it boasts zones inspired by Marvel, Star Wars and the Disney Princesses.

We barely saw our friends’ children all week; they were utterly smitten with the place!

The Oceaneer Club caters to children aged 3 and above, so our toddler was a tad too young but there were open house hours where he could scamper about, including ‘Toddler Time’ which provided a fantastic space for him to burn off some energy.

A handy hint for other parents; the Small World Nursery accommodates babies and toddlers under 3. You’ll need to book and it’s an additional $10 per hour, but it does afford you that much-needed breather if you fancy a trip to the spa or an adults-only bar!

Character encounters

An often overlooked benefit of a Disney cruise is the ease of meeting the characters. Besides the shows, there are plenty of chances to meet your favourites throughout the day, with queues typically lasting around 10-15 minutes.

Characters roam the ship, and you can also join dance parties where they’ll have a little jig with the kids – a truly delightful interaction. For princess fans, it’s worth trying to secure a spot for A Royal Gathering; this is free but fills up fast, offering you the opportunity for meet and greets with the likes of Cinderella, Belle, Moana and Rapunzel.

The food

Disney cruises operate on an all-inclusive basis, and even with my most valiant attempts, I’m fairly certain I didn’t manage to sample every single dining venue on offer. Beyond the Marceline Market eatery featuring a conventional buffet spread, passengers can indulge in pizzas, tacos and barbecue fare at the Festival of Foods street food-inspired zone, or help themselves to the self-serve ice cream stations.

For dinner service, Disney has a ‘rotational dining’ system which eliminates the scramble for bookings; you’re guaranteed a table at each of the ship’s three restaurants. There’s a Frozen-themed venue complete with live entertainment and abundant character meet-and-greets, the sophisticated 1923 which exudes elegance whilst paying homage to legendary Disney pictures, and the Worlds of Marvel restaurant where guests become immersed in an interactive superhero escapade.

Whilst these are all covered in your fare, additional premium options are available for an extra charge. Brunch at the Palo Steakhouse proved to be a genuinely memorable experience for our party.

Reservations are required, but this adults-only establishment truly embodied fine dining, with the cuisine being utterly exquisite. Pastries, pizzas, brunch staples such as Eggs Royale and puddings all feature on the bill of fare.

A cautionary note; it’s unlimited dining and those servings are substantial – I genuinely believed I might never manage another morsel. (This proved incorrect the instant I spotted the Inside Out inspired confectionery shop, where I constructed an ice cream creation that I suspect has left me on a sugar rush ever since).

For those partial to an evening drink, there’s a variety of options. The Bayou lounge offers live music, exquisite cocktails and a relaxed vibe, while Nightingale’s is an adults-only bar.

However, it was the themed bars that kept drawing me back – from the Star Wars-inspired Hyperspace Lounge, where you feel as though you’re journeying through space, to the pirate-themed Keg and Compass pub, where you can enjoy a proper pint.

My verdict

I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the Disney Wish; it truly caters to everyone. It’s a sophisticated ship with ample adults-only areas for those seeking tranquillity, but there’s also plenty of room for families.

The overall atmosphere is fantastic, and it’s definitely one I’ll be keen to book again. Plus, on a personal note, the extra sprinkle of Disney magic worked wonders for us; amidst all the excitement and fun during the day, our two year old actually managed to sleep through the night!

Want to book it for yourself? The Disney Wish will embark on 3, 4 and 5-night European sailings in summer 2027. Bookings open on February 23, 2026. For more details, visit disneycruiseline.com.

FOR the first time ever, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish is coming to the UK.

From summer 2027, Disney fans can head off on a cruise on the Disney Wish from Southampton on three to seven-night European sailings.

Bookings for sailings go live on February 23.

The Disney Wish is the fifth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet and is full of storytelling.

As guests board the ship, they will enter through the Grand Hall, with their name even being called out.

Princes and princesses will be there to greet you before you head off to discover the rest of the ship and your room.

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Inside each stateroom, passengers will find spacious wardrobes, sprawling beds and a theme specific to a Disney character.

Mine featured Moana artwork, including a huge piece on Te Fiti – the goddess of life and nature.

Most of the staterooms also feature a split bathroom and an ocean view.

When it comes to food on board the ship, guests won’t be short for choice, with market-style buffet options and immersive dining adventures.

For example, at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure there is a live performance from the characters of the film, including Olaf.

All the iconic songs are performed, and plenty of opportunities to sing along as you get served your food.

Another dining experience is Worlds of Marvel where you are immersed in a futuristic-style restaurant and accompanied by Ant-Man and Spider-Man.

As a sweet-tooth, I especially loved Inside Out: Joyful Sweets, where you can pick up handmade gelato and ice cream or tuck into a themed macaron, cupcake, or chocolate treat.

Coffee onboard the ship is also an experience – each time I picked up my morning latte from either The Wishing Star Café or The Enchanted Sword Café, I was greeted by a character printed onto the foam.

As for other entertainment, the ship has an endless amount of things to do.

Each night over a voyage, the Walt Disney Theatre puts on a West-End style show.

My personal favourite was Disney Seas the Adventure, where passengers follow Goofy on a journey sailing the ship.

Other shows include Disney The Little Mermaid – an adaptation of the classic tale.

Kids have lots to do outside of the shows as well.

The Disney AquaMouse is a performance and ride in one, with lighting, special effects, and scenes of Mickey and Minnie on different adventures.

And for kids needing to let off steam, there is the Hero Zone, where there are a number of challenges and game-style competitions.

Once they ultimately tire out, the two cinemas are the ideal spots to cosy up with some popcorn while watching the latest Disney releases.

And the ultimate night for the whole family is Pirates’ Night, where Captain Jack Sparrow takes a fateful leap from the ship’s funnel.

If parents do want some time away from the kids, there is an entire deck dedicated to children, including a full-service nursery and separate clubs for kids and teens.

This gives parents the chance to nip off to the adult-only spaces without stressing about their kids, and these were my favourite spaces on the Disney Wish.

The Senses Spa & Salon was the ultimate destination for a pamper session.

With a sauna, steam room and heated loungers, there are plenty of spots for child-free relaxation, though my favourite was the frigidarium, sitting at a chilly 10C.

And who wouldn’t enjoy the outdoor whirlpools as the sun sets and the waves crash against the side of the ship?

Quiet Cove is another top adult-only spot, where you can relax in an infinity pool that looks over the sea.

It is the ideal place to be when the ship’s horn blasts the iconic first seven notes of the ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ song melody.

In total, the ship can carry up to 4,000 passengers, with an additional 1,555 crew members onboard.

The cheapest sailing is a three-night Belgium cruise from Southampton, sailing to Zeebrugge (Brussels) in Belgium costing from £1,633 for two people.

One of the four-night itineraries costs from £2,252 for an inside stateroom for two people, heading to La Coruña, in Spain.

Or you could head off on a seven-night Northern Europe cruise from Southampton from £3,273 for two people.

You could really splash out with the a seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise from Southampton, sailing to Kristiansand, Olden, Alesund and Haugesund in Norway from £5,235 for two people.

In other cruise news, here are our pick of the eight best cruises for both hot and cold weather – from Caribbean sailings to Icelandic glacier tours.

Plus, the ‘affordable luxury’ Nordic cruise where temperatures hit 28C.

YouTube TV will start offering customers lower-priced channel packages, including one aimed at sports fans.

The Google-owned pay-TV service announced Monday it will roll out more than 10 plans that will be priced below a full YouTube TV subscription that offers more than 100 channels.

The introduction, which will begin over the next few weeks, is in response to growing consumer resentment over the rising cost for the service, currently available for $82.99 a month. YouTube TV was introduced in 2017 as an alternative to increasingly expensive cable and satellite services with an initial price of $35 a month.

Consumer interest is likely to be highest for the Sports Plan, available this fall. For $64.99 a month, consumers will get the four broadcast networks, which all carry the NFL, plus Fox Sports 1, the NBC Sports Network and all of the ESPN channels. New subscribers will be offered a one-year introductory rate of $54.99 a month.

YouTube will also offer a Sports + News plan, which combine the two most-watched genres in the pay TV bundle. For $71.99 a month, consumers get the sports package and news networks CNN, Fox News, MS NOW, Bloomberg, C-SPAN and Fox Business. The introductory rate is $56.99.

The new plans will aim to compete with the direct to consumer offering of ESPN, which is available in tandem with Fox One, a service combining Fox Corp’s news and sports channels. The two are being offered together for $39.99 a month.

Over the last two years, El Segundo-based DirecTV rolled out smaller packages of channels aimed at consumers who no longer want a big monthly bill for networks they don’t watch. The satellite TV service now offers smaller genre packages of channels and streaming apps that cater to a particular interest available at a lower price — designed for news junkies, sports fans, children and Spanish-language speakers.

Pay-TV providers are under pressure to provide more pricing options to consumers to keep them from cutting the cord.

At the same time, carriage negotiations with programmers are more fraught, often leading to standoffs where channels are pulled, disrupting service to customers.

Disney’s channels, including ESPN, were off of YouTube TV for nearly 15 days last fall. Separately, YouTube TV customers lost access to Univision’s Spanish-language channels for two months, which drew the attention of legislators on both sides of the political spectrum.

YouTube, which has about 10 million subscribers, is also offering an Entertainment Plan that includes the major broadcast networks and an array of cable channels including FX, Hallmark, Comedy Central, Bravo, Paramount, Food Network and HGTV at $54.99 a month and an introductory rate of $44.99.

A News + Entertainment + Family Plan — which combines, news, entertainment and children’s channels including Disney Channel, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, will be available for $69.99 a month and an introductory rate of $59.99.

“Sinners” has made Oscars history.

The 98th Academy Award nominations were announced Thursday and Ryan Coogler’s musical horror earned 16 overall nominations, breaking the record for the most nominations for a film previously held by “All about Eve” (1950), “Titanic” (1997) and “La La Land” (2016). “Sinners’” nominations include best picture, directing, original screenplay and individual acting nods for stars Michael B. Jordan, Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s comedic political thriller “One Battle After Another” followed with 13 total nominations, which included nods for picture, directing, adapted screenplay and actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn.

Yorgos Lanthimos’ alien comedy “Bugonia,” Chloé Zhao’s tragic Shakespeare drama “Hamnet,” Joseph Kosinski’s racing drama “F1,” Guillermo del Toro’s gothic monster mash “Frankenstein,” Josh Safdie’s ping-pong picture “Marty Supreme,” Brazilian political thriller “The Secret Agent,” Norwegian family drama “Sentimental Value” and Clint Bentley’s lyrical period piece “Train Dreams” rounded out the nominees for best picture.

Performers from both “The Secret Agent” and “Sentimental Value” also earned acting nominations, making it another banner year for international features. Other top nominees include “Frankenstein,” “Marty Supreme” and “Sentimental Value,” which earned nine nods apiece.

Actors Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman announced the nominations at the academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. See the full list of nominees below.

Best picture
“Bugonia”
“F1”
“Frankenstein”
“Hamnet”
“Marty Supreme”
“One Battle After Another”
“The Secret Agent”
“Sentimental Value”
“Sinners”
“Train Dreams”

Actress in a leading role
Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
Kate Hudson, “Song Sung Blue”
Renate Reinsve, “Sentimental Value”
Emma Stone, “Bugonia”

Actor in a leading role
Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “One Battle After Another”
Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon”
Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”
Wagner Moura, “The Secret Agent”

Actress in a supporting role
Elle Fanning, “Sentimental Value”
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, “Sentimental Value”
Amy Madigan, “Weapons”
Wunmi Mosaku, “Sinners”
Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another”

Actor in a supporting role
Benicio del Toro, “One Battle After Another”
Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein”
Delroy Lindo, “Sinners”
Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another”
Stellan Skarsgård, “Sentimental Value”

Directing
Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet”
Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme”
Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
Joachim Trier, “Sentimental Value”
Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”

Adapted screenplay
“Bugonia,” Will Tracy
“Frankenstein,” Guillermo del Toro
“Hamnet,” Chloé Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell
“One Battle After Another,” Paul Thomas Anderson
“Train Dreams,” Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar

Original screenplay
“Blue Moon,” Robert Kaplow
“It Was Just an Accident,” Jafar Panahi
“Marty Supreme,” Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein
“Sentimental Value,” Joachim Trier and Eskil Vogt
“Sinners,” Ryan Coogler

Documentary feature
“The Alabama Solution”
“Come See Me in the Good Light”
“Cutting Through Rocks”
“Mr. Nobody Against Putin”
“The Perfect Neighbor”

Documentary short
“All the Empty Rooms”
“Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud”
“Children No More: ‘Were and Are Gone’”
“The Devil Is Busy”
“Perfectly a Strangeness”

Animated feature
“Arco”
“Elio”
“KPop Demon Hunters”
“Little Amélie or the Character of Rain”
“Zootopia 2”

Animated short
“Butterfly”
“Forevergreen”
“The Girl Who Cried Pearls”
“Retirement Plan”
“The Three Sisters”

Cinematography
“Frankenstein,” Dan Laustsen
“Marty Supreme,” Darius Khondji
“One Battle After Another,” Michael Bauman
“Sinners,” Autumn Durald Arkapaw
“Train Dreams,” Adolpho Veloso

Costume design
“Avatar: Fire and Ash,” Deborah L. Scott
“Frankenstein,” Kate Hawley
“Hamnet,” Malgosia Turzanska
“Marty Supreme,” Miyako Bellizzi
“Sinners,” Ruth E. Carter

Film editing
“F1,” Stephen Mirrione
“Marty Supreme,” Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie
“One Battle After Another,” Andy Jurgensen
“Sentimental Value,” Olivier Bugge Coutté
“Sinners,” Michael P. Shawver

International feature
“It Was Just an Accident” (France)
“The Secret Agent” (Brazil)
“Sentimental Value” (Norway)
“Sirāt” (Spain)
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Tunisia)

Live-action short
“Butcher’s Stain”
“A Friend of Dorothy”
“Jane Austen’s Period Drama”
“The Singers”
“Two People Exchanging Saliva”

Makeup and hairstyling
“Frankenstein,” Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey
“Kokuho,” Kyoko Toyokawa, Naomi Hibino and Tadashi Nishimatsu
“Sinners,” Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine and Shunika Terry
“The Smashing Machine,” Kazu Hiro, Glen Griffin and Bjoern Rehbein
“The Ugly Stepsister,” Thomas Foldberg and Anne Cathrine Sauerberg

Original score
“Bugonia,” Jerskin Fendrix
“Frankenstein,” Alexandre Desplat
“Hamnet,” Max Richter
“One Battle After Another,” Jonny Greenwood
“Sinners,” Ludwig Göransson

Original song
“Dear Me” from “Diane Warren: Relentless”
“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters”
“I Lied to You” from “Sinners”
“Sweet Dreams of Joy” from “Viva Verdi!”
“Train Dreams” from “Train Dreams”

Production design
“Frankenstein”
“Hamnet”
“Marty Supreme”
“One Battle After Another”
“Sinners”

Sound
“F1”
“Frankenstein”
“One Battle After Another”
“Sinners”
“Sirāt”

Visual Effects
“Avatar: Fire and Ash”
“F1”
“Jurassic World Rebirth”
“The Lost Bus”
“Sinners”

Casting
“Hamnet”
“Marty Supreme”
“One Battle After Another”
“The Secret Agent”
“Sinners”

After two decades and two stints as Walt Disney Co. boss, Bob Iger finally is hanging up the reins.

Disney this week tapped 54-year-old parks chief Josh D’Amaro to succeed Iger as chief executive. The handoff is set for March 18, at the company’s annual investor meeting, with Iger staying on as a senior advisor and board member until his December retirement.

The changing of the guard atop one of America’s iconic companies marks the end of an era.

History probably will remember Iger as a visionary leader who transformed Disney by reinvigorating its creative engines through a series of blockbuster acquisitions, broadening its international profile and boldly steering into treacherous streaming terrain by launching Disney+ and ESPN+ as audiences drifted from the company’s mainstay TV channels.

Iger, 74, has long been Hollywood’s most respected and inspiring studio chief, known around town simply as “Bob.”

Disney Chairman James Gorman said in an interview that Iger’s nearly 20 years in power is framed by two epochs: “Bob 1” and “Bob 2.”

After becoming CEO in 2005, Iger presided over a period of remarkable growth. Through acquisitions of Pixar Animation, Marvel Entertainment and the “Star Wars” studio, LucasFilm, the company gained blockbuster franchises and popular characters, including Captain Marvel, Baby Yoda and Sheriff Woody from “Toy Story,” to populate movie theaters and theme parks.

“Bob steadied the company and built it out,” Gorman said. “He created an absolute powerhouse.”

Simultaneously, Iger strived to preserve ABC, ESPN and the whimsical charm that spilled from founder Walt Disney’s imagination so many decades ago. Iger has treasured such animated gems as Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Winnie the Pooh, Polynesian princess Moana and more.

“The Iger era has been defined by enormous growth, an unyielding commitment to excellence in creativity and innovation, and exemplary stewardship of this iconic institution,” Gorman said in a statement on behalf of the board, adding: “We extend our deepest gratitude to Bob Iger for his extraordinary leadership and dedication to The Walt Disney Co.”

Former CEO Michael Eisner told The Times that Iger has “succeeded masterfully” at every turn.

“From ABC Sports to ABC Television Network and then at Disney, when we inherited him in the ABC/Capital Cities acquisition, Bob created success upon success,” Eisner said. “It’s why he was picked as the Disney CEO, a role that has been his greatest success … What a record!”

Iger‘s first reign ended when he stepped down as CEO in February 2020, then retired from the company 22 months later.

But that leadership handoff proved disastrous, becoming Iger’s biggest blunder — one he has since worked hard to correct.

Bob Iger passed the CEO torch to Bob Chapek in 2020.

(Business Wire)

Former parks chief Bob Chapek stepped into the big role, but he lacked stature, creative chops and support among key executives. He quickly confronted the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic, which shuttered Disney’s revenue machines — theme parks, movie theaters and sporting events that anchor ABC and ESPN.

Wall Street soon soured on multibillion-dollar streaming losses by Disney and traditional entertainment firms that were jumping into streaming to compete with Netflix. The company’s stock fell.

Chapek also stumbled into a political feud with Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who branded Disney as “woke.” The public tussle tarnished the Burbank company’s clean image and undermined its goal of entertaining the masses, no matter their political stripes.

The board beckoned Iger back in November 2022 to quell a revolt by senior Disney executives and allay concerns among investors.

“When I came back three years ago, I had a tremendous amount that needed fixing,” Iger acknowledged during a Monday earnings call with analysts. “But anyone who runs a company also knows that it can’t just be about fixing. It has to be preparing a company for its future.”

Succession immediately became the board’s top priority with Iger then in his early 70s. But Disney’s executive bench had thinned through a series of high-level departures and the company’s expenditures had gotten out of control.

Iger restructured the company, which led to thousands of layoffs, and gave division executives financial oversight to, in Iger’s words, give them “skin in the game.”

His successor, D’Amaro, last spring recalled bringing a 250-page binder to Iger for review upon the chief’s 2022 return to the Team Disney building in Burbank. The book was stuffed with detailed updates for each component of D’Amaro’s enormous parks and experiences division.

The following day, Iger showed up at D’Amaro’s office, binder in hand.

“He pulled out one page,” D’Amaro recounted during an investor conference last year, adding that Iger said: “we have plenty of room to grow this business. We’ve got land in all of our locations around the world,” D’Amaro said. “We’ve got the stories [and] we’ve got the fans.”

That laid the seeds for Disney’s current $60-billion, 10-year investment program to expand theme parks and resorts, cruise lines and open a new venture in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. D’Amaro was put in charge of the effort, which is designed to cement Disney’s leading position in leisure entertainment. That mandate has become increasingly important to Disney amid the contraction of linear television and cable programming revenue.

Iger’s second stint as CEO wasn’t nearly as fun as the first.

He was dragged into a bitter proxy fight with two billionaire investors, who challenged his strategy, succession plans and Disney’s 2019 purchase of much of Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox. The move was controversial, with critics lamenting the $71-billion purchase price. Disney reduced its outlay by selling regional sports networks and other assets, but the deal left the company with significant debt just before COVID-19 hit.

The Fox deal gave Disney rights to hundreds of properties, including “Avatar,” “Deadpool” and “The Simpsons.”

Iger vanquished the proxy challenge, and this week, he again defended the Fox purchase, which gave Disney control of streaming service Hulu, National Geographic channels and FX.

“The deal we did for Fox, in many ways, was ahead of its time,” Iger said on the earnings call, noting the lofty bidding war currently underway for Warner Bros. Discovery.

“We knew that we would need more volume in terms of [intellectual property], and we did that deal,” Iger said, pointing to Disney’s deployment of its franchises beyond the big screen into its money-making theme parks. “When you look at the footprint of the business today, it’s never been more broad or more diverse.”

TD Cowen media analyst Doug Creutz still thinks the Fox deal was a dud, saying in a report: “There were plenty of value-destroying media deals before DIS-FOX, so we disagree with their assertion” despite the multiples being offered for Warner.

From left; James Gorman, chairman of the Walt Disney Co. board of directors; Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro; Dana Walden, co-chair of Disney Entertainment; and Bob Iger, chief executive of the Walt Disney Co.

(Walt Disney Co.)

Iger is credited with astutely managing Disney’s image and corporate culture.

He was instrumental in resolving Hollywood’s bitter year of labor strife by negotiating truces with the Writers Guild of America and performers’ union, SAG-AFTRA, in 2023.

He has also sought to distance the company from divisive politics, albeit with limited success.

Disney agreed to pay President Trump $16 million to settle a dispute over inaccurate statements that ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos made a month after Trump was reelected. But free speech advocates howled, accusing Disney of bending to Trump.

In September, Iger led the company out of political quicksand amid an uprising of conservatives, including the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, a Trump appointee, who were riled by comments by ABC late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel in the wake of activist Charlie Kirk’s killing.

Iger maintains Disney made the decision to return Kimmel to his late-night perch independent of the political pressure from both sides.

Enormous challenges remain for D’Amaro, the incoming CEO.

He and his team, including Chief Creative Officer Dana Walden, must ensure Disney’s movies and TV shows deliver on the company’s commitment to quality, and that its streaming services — Disney+, Hulu and ESPN — rise above the competition.

In recent years, Disney’svaunted animation studios, including Pixar, have struggled to consistently release hits, though it has found success with sequels. Disney Animation’s “Zootopia 2” is now the highest-grossing U.S. animated film of all time, with worldwide box office revenue of more than $1.7 billion, and the 2024 Pixar film “Inside Out 2” hauled in nearly $1.7 billion globally.

The company also must maintain its pricey sports contracts, including with the NFL, to drive ESPN’s success. This week, Disney and the NFL finalized their deal for the league to take a 10% stake in ESPN.

And, as broadcast TV audiences continue to gray, Disney must evaluate the importance of the ABC network, where Iger got his start more than 50 years ago working behind-the-scenes for $150 a week.

Investors also are looking for D’Amaro to lift Disney’s wobbly stock, which has fallen 9% so far this year.

“The stock price doesn’t fairly reflect what [Iger] has done, but … it will,” Gorman said. “And he should get credit for it.”

In a statement Tuesday, D’Amaro expressed gratitude to Disney’s board “for entrusting me with leading a company that means so much to me and millions around the world.”

“I also want to express my gratitude to Bob Iger for his generous mentorship, his friendship, and the profound impact of his leadership,” D’Amaro said.

Times staff writer Samantha Masunaga contributed to this report.

A record fiscal quarter for Walt Disney Co.’s theme parks division was dampened slightly by a streaming aquisition and a protracted fight with YouTube, the Burbank media and entertainment giant reported Monday.

Disney recorded overall revenue of about $26 billion in the three-month period that ended Dec. 27, up 5% compared to the previous year. Disney’s income before income taxes totaled nearly $3.7 billion, a 1% jump from the same time period last year. Earnings per share were $1.34 for the quarter, down from $1.40.

Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger said in a statement that he was “pleased” with the company’s start to the fiscal year and nodded at the transition ahead to a new CEO.

“As we continue to manage our company for the future, I am incredibly proud of all that we’ve accomplished over the past three years,” he said.

It was a big quarter for Disney’s experiences division, which includes its theme parks, cruise line and Aulani resort and spa in Hawaii.

The sector reported $10 billion in revenue, aided by a 1% bump in attendance at its domestic theme parks and higher guest spending. The launch of the new Disney Destiny cruise ship in November also helped boost operating income to $3.3 billion, a 6% boost compared to the previous year.

Disney’s box office success with billion-dollar hits like “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” helped propel revenue for its entertainment division by 7% to $11.6 billion. But costs related to its acquisition of a majority stake in FuboTV, as well as higher marketing costs in theatrical distribution and streaming services affected the sector’s operating income, which declined 35% to $1.1 billion.

The dip in operating income from the entertainment sector took a toll on the company’s total segment operating income, which was down 9% to $4.6 billion. That was also partly due to Disney’s contract dispute last fall with YouTube TV, which lasted for nearly 15 days and resulted in a blackout of Disney channels.

The temporary suspension of Disney channels on YouTube TV took a $110 million toll on operating income within Disney’s sports division, which was down 23% to $191 million. Sports revenue for the quarter totaled $4.9 billion, up 1% compared to the previous year.

DID you know there’s a town in the UK that is twinned with Disney World?

While Swindon is often overlooked as a destination, it is now even bidding to replace Bradford to be the latest current UK City of Culture.

Every four years, places in the UK are crowned the City of Culture – which in this case will come with £10million of government funding for arts and events.

Swindon is going up against the likes of Plymouth and Portsmouth for the crown in 2029.

One hope would be to rebrand the town, even Council leader Jim Robbins said: “I’m bored of just reading those same, old negative comments about Swindon.”

Despite it being slated, the town actually has a number of big claims to fame.

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Back in 2010, Swindon was surprisingly twinned with Florida‘s Disney World after a competition.

Beating 24 other British towns, a promotional video compared the town’s famous Magic Roundabout the the Disney teacup ride.

Afterwards, a plaque at the park read: “Swindon, Wiltshire, UK, the Walt Disney World resort, sharing the magic 2010.”

Not only did British band Oasis took their name from the town’s now-closed Oasis Leisure Centre, but it was mentioned in the BBC‘s The Office starring Ricky Gervais.

And it was was even used as a backdrop for two James Bond movies.

Pierce Brosnan filed scenes in The World is Not Enough at the former Motorola building.

He reportedly called the town a ‘great place’ during his stay – he was spotted at the Chiseldon House Hotel and local pubs.

And Roger Moore also filmed scenes in Swindon at the iconic Renault Building, which is now the Spectrum Building for A View to Kill.

If any of that still hasn’t tempted you, let’s see what Swindon has to offer…

Street Art

Swindon is an artistic town with 127 murals scattered about the town.

There’s a long-standing tradition of street art here which was originally spurred by local artist Ken White in the 1970s.

The most well-known mural in Swindon is the Golden Lion Bridge on the corner of Corporation Street and Fleming Way, dating back to 1976 although was restored last year,

If you want to see the murals, head to StreetArtCities which has all the details – and a handy map so you can see them all.

Kids Activities

High Score Arcades Swindon is a new arcade with over 80 games and for £12.50, you get free reign over all of them for one hour.

There’s old-school classics like Space Invaders and PAC-Man, to pinball, sports games and the newest arcade fun; there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Another place perfect for entertaining the kids, especially during half-term is Roves Farm which has an indoor play and activity barn with huge slides, tunnels and soft play.

It’s also a working farm so there are lots of animals to see too.

Parks and Playgrounds

Swindon is more than a busy town – it’s actually got wide open spaces and some pretty parks.

Lydiard Park is 260 acres and has a Palladian House, a church, Walled Garden, hotel and restaurant.

Throughout the year events are held at Lydiard Park and in the summertime there’s open air theatre, live music and an outdoor cinema.

There’s also an outdoor play area with a huge climbing frame, plenty of slides, poles and rope ladders.

Next to the play area is the Forest Café which serves hot and cold drinks, snacks, pastries, soups, jacket potatoes and toasted panini.

When the weather warms up an Ice Cream Parlour opens next door.

Day ticket entry to Lydiard Park for adults is £6.70, and £3.65 for children (age 3-15).

Road Attractions

One of the strangest tourist attractions in Swindon is The Magic Roundabout in the centre of town.

The ring junction was built in 1972 – it’s made up of five mini-roundabouts arranged in a circle.

People travel from all over to test out the roundabout – it’s even rated the 10th best thing to do in Swindon on Tripadvisor with 126 ‘excellent’ reviews.

One Australian tourist said: “I checked out how it worked on YouTube just to be sure, I’m guessing it’s easy for the locals anyway and love how it’s called “magic roundabout” adds a bit of a laugh to the whole quagmire – love how the Brits think!”

Swimming Pool

Health Hydro pool in Swindon, a Grade II listed swimming pool has just reopened after a £6.5million renovation.

The Victorian structure recently underwent improvements to its pool – which is 33-metres long with four-lanes and gym.

While it might seem like your typical leisure centre, this swimming pool has been part of Swindon since 1891.

It was built by Great Western Railway workers – the washing baths were built in 1891, with the Turkish and Russian baths being added in 1904.

You can book to swim in the new pool for £8.

Heritage Railway

The Swindon and Cricklade Railway is Wiltshire‘s only standard gauge heritage railway – and it’s open for plenty of events throughout the year.

Visitors are welcome to check out vintage locomotives.

In September last year, Swindon & Cricklade Railway opened the last surviving and fully restored railway cinema carriage for a unique event.

Vintage seats were even salvaged from a cinema in Deptford, London, and placed inside the carriage for comfy viewing.

Events include Mother’s Day Cream Tea, Beer and Cider Festival, Jazz Evening and Santa Specials at Christmas time.

There’s even more trains to be seen at Swindon’s STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway.

Here you can learn all about the history of the Great Western Railway, filled with vintage trains and interactive museums.

Tickets for adults cost £14 and entry for children is £10.50.

Restaurants & Bars

There are plenty of eateries in Swindon, but some of the top-rated on Tripadvisor include Del Mundos in the old town, with hundreds of five star reviews.

It serves up full English breakfasts for £14, brunch options, small tapas plates, sharers and cocktails.

Another popular choice is The Choptank Restaurant– the ‘Old Town’s Premier Champagne & Oyster Restaurant’.

When it comes to drinks, head to the Vault Bar & Lounge – this is Swindon’s ‘hidden bar’ found in the vault of the old post office building.

It even has 2-for-£14 on selected Happy Hour cocktails until 9pm every night.

Hotels

When it comes to staying in Swindon, there’s the classic Premier Inn, Holiday Inn and ibis.

But for a more unique stay, there’s the beautiful Chiseldon House – where rooms are available from £75.

The country house hotel built in 1821 is tucked away on the outskirts of Swindon and feels more like a countryside escape.

It has 21 ensuite bedrooms and has a beautiful patio for dining in the summertime – you can book afternoon tea for £27.50.

Plus, this quaint British villages with toy-town cottages, car-free roads and cosy pubs – handpicked by our travel writers.

And the lesser-visited Cotswolds town with one of the UK’s prettiest high streets – and used to film huge Disney TV show.

Writers from around the world have provided their top tips on how to get the most out of going to one of Disney’s many resorts, and how to save money along the way

A writer who has been on more than 50 Disney vacations has given their advice on what to do when visiting one of the parks. Kari Becker, a travel planner and freelance writer, has a vast amount of experience visiting various Disney locations.

After years of engaging in the experience of these places, Kari has discerned several major tips and tricks for getting the most out of the magical destination.

Her number one tip, she said, was to make sure to arrive as early as possible. This is due to the large crowds that continue to visit these parks.

She told Business Insider: “My No. 1 tip for visiting theme parks of any kind is to arrive early. You’ll get a huge jump on your day if you get to the parks as soon as they open, or just before.

“Crowd levels tend to be much lower at this time, meaning you can experience many attractions early in the day. By midday, the crowds usually significantly increase.”

As well as providing guidance on when to go, Kari also outlined some of the mistakes people usually make when either planning or physically going to one of Disney’s many parks.

These include cutting the trip too short, going during school holidays, as well as arriving too late, and over-planning.

On the latter, she explained: “Make a general outline of your daily agenda — with dining reservations and a list of must-do rides and attractions — but leave room for spontaneous fun.

“If you’re on too tight a schedule, you’ll miss all the good stuff, like unique character interactions.”

Kari isn’t the only writer to have provided some tips on how to experience Disneyland to the maximum with ReachPlc’s Portia Jones also providing some tips on how to do the visit yearly without spending a lot of money.

Her main tips were to skip the crowds, book tickets in advance, and, in the case of Disneyland Paris, take the train, plan as much as possible, consider a Disney meal plan, and bring your own food.

On the last matter, she told WalesOnline: “Disneyland Paris may be the happiest place on earth, but its food prices can bring you down to earth with a bump.

“Pack your snacks and bring a refillable water bottle to save money. You can bring food into the park, so load up on sandwiches, crisps, and fruit before you arrive.

“Plenty of water fountains are scattered around where you can refill your bottle, meaning you’ll avoid paying sky-high prices for drinks.”

PARK CITY, Utah — Welcome to a special Sundance Daily edition of the Wide Shot, a newsletter about the business of entertainment. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.

Good evening — it’s Monday, Jan. 26, and you’re reading the last of our Sundance dispatches. Today we’ve seen a high of 36 degrees on a notably sunny day. We waited and waited for deal news, but it hasn’t quite arrived yet.

We’re hearing about distributors circling both Olivia Wilde’s “The Invite” and the provocative “Josephine,” the latter of which is coalescing into a critical favorite at the fest.

We’ve been speaking the last few days with a parade of fascinating stars and directors: Ethan Hawke, Salman Rushdie, the legendary Billie Jean King, Brittney Griner, many more. Check out our videos right here as we make them live.

Mark Olsen spoke with director NB Mager about her debut feature “Run Amok,” which premiered at the festival today. Here are some recommendations for you.

What we’re watching today

“Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass”

Miles Gutierrez-Riley, John Slattery, Ken Marino, Zoey Deutch and Ben Wang in the movie “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass.”

(Sundance Institute)

Twenty-five years ago, the Sundance premiere of David Wain’s “Wet Hot American Summer” reignited the ’80s-style sex romp. Now he’s returned to Park City to see if he can rescue the comedy again.

“Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” stars Zoey Deutch as a Kansas hairdresser whose fiancé cheats on her with his “hall pass”: a get-out-of-the-doghouse-free exemption for canoodling with his movie-star crush. (I’ll let you discover that cameo yourself.)

To even the score, Gail travels to Los Angeles to sleep with her own idol, Jon Hamm, and is soon skipping down Hollywood Boulevard with a ragtag group of new friends, including “Mad Men’s” John Slattery as himself. There’s a sensitive indie way to tell this story — and then there’s Wain’s giddy lampoon of “The Wizard of Oz.”

Too many modern comedies are jokeless anxiety attacks. I just wanna laugh. I need to laugh. If you need to laugh, this is your hall pass to get slap-happy. — Amy Nicholson

“Chasing Summer”

Iliza Shlesinger stars in the movie “Chasing Summer.”

(Eric Branco / Summer 2001 LLC / Sundance Institute)

Comedian Iliza Shlesinger writes and stars in “Chasing Summer,” directed by Josephine Decker. Having recently lost her job and her boyfriend at the same time, Jamie (Shlesinger) returns to her parents’ house in the small Texas town where she grew up.

As she falls back into some of the same social dynamics from when she was a teenager, possibly rekindling an old flame (Tom Welling), Jamie also enjoys an affair with a much-younger man (Garrett Wareing).

Though Schlesinger’s bawdy humor and Decker’s explorations of female interiority in films such as “Shirley” and “Madeline’s Madeline” (both played at Sundance) might make for an unexpected collaboration, it’s a surprisingly good match. Funny and insightful, the movie shows that sometimes you can in fact go home again. — Mark Olsen

The sexy ‘Sundance tribute’ in ‘Gail Daughtry’

Having the world premiere of “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” at Sundance was a full-circle moment of sorts for director and co-writer David Wain. His first introduction to the festival was Steven Soderbergh’s hall of famer “sex, lies and videotape,” and Wain noted after the well-received premiere of his new film that he “overtly stole” two sex scenes from that indie classic as “a tribute to Sundance.”

Of course, “Gail Daughtry” is about as opposite as you can get from Soderbergh. It’s an absurdist, cameo-filled comedy proudly shot on location in L.A. that co-writer Ken Marino described before the screening as a “silly, fun romp.”

Even before its theatrical release, it already has the hallmarks of a cult classic à la another Wain and Co. film, “Wet Hot American Summer,” and features many faces from that movie as well as the State, the comedy troupe that cast member Kerri Kenney-Silver explained started in a supply closet at New York University because they couldn’t get any other rehearsal space.

“Making movies with your friends is a privilege,” cast member Joe Lo Truglio said. And with their ever-expanding circle of friends, we’re the ones who benefit. — Vanessa Franko

Some deal news

Neon has acquired the worldwide rights to horror film “4 X 4: The Event” from filmmaker Alex Ullom, the indie studio said Sunday afternoon.

The deal is the first to be made in Park City so far, though the film was not shown at Sundance and will begin production later this year. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

The film follows eight contestants who join an illegal “sensory assault” livestream in which they can only harm each other with items they can buy online, Neon said in a statement.

The studio previously bought global rights to Ullom’s first horror film, “It Ends,” after it premiered at SXSW last year. — Samantha Masunaga