Disney is bringing the beloved world of Bluey to life across its theme parks and Disney Cruise Line, offering families multiple ways to meet Bluey and Bingo beginning in 2026.

The expansion marks one of Disney’s most significant collaborations with a contemporary children’s franchise, designed to immerse fans in the charm, humor, and energy of the hit animated series. From live stage shows to playful activities and interactive cruise entertainment, the rollout invites guests of all ages to experience the Heeler family’s universe in new and engaging ways.

Bluey Arrives at Disneyland, Disney World, and at Sea

The first major debut comes on March 22, 2026, when Bluey’s Best Day Ever! premieres at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland. The venue will be transformed into Bluey’s school, complete with a whimsical fair, appearances from fan-favorite characters like The Grannies and Chattermax, and interactive areas such as a life-sized Gnome Village and Fairy Garden.

Throughout the day, Bluey and Bingo will perform alongside actors and musicians, bringing the show’s music, games, and humor directly to the audience. Guests will also enjoy themed food and family-friendly activities inspired by the series’ most popular moments.

In the summer of 2026, Walt Disney World will introduce a new Bluey experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. There, families can meet Bluey and Bingo at Conservation Station, where the characters will lead playful experiences with an animal-themed twist.

Games like butterfly Keepy Uppy and interactive dancing will create memorable moments, while photo opportunities offer a fun way to capture the visit. Disney describes the experience as a chance for families to explore nature and play alongside the Heeler sisters in a setting that reflects both the show’s spirit and the park’s wildlife focus.

Bluey and Bingo will also take to the seas on select Disney Cruise Line sailings in 2026. Guests can join in high-energy celebrations like Wakey Wakey, the lively family game show Who’s Behind the Curtain, and themed dance parties including the Pyjama Bash.

Character greetings, crafts, scavenger hunts, and classic Bluey-style games ensure that the fun extends across the ship’s entertainment programming. The cruise line experiences are designed to bring families together through movement, imagination, and shared laughter, echoing the heartwarming tone of the series.

New Additions to Star Wars and Disneyland Celebrations

Disney is expanding beyond Bluey-related offerings with updates to popular attractions in California and Florida. Beginning May 22, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will introduce a new storyline inspired by The Mandalorian and Grogu, coinciding with the film’s release weekend. Fans can expect a refreshed adventure that brings a beloved corner of the Star Wars universe to life in a new way.

Meanwhile, Disney California Adventure will debut Soarin’ Across America on July 2 in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. Featuring sweeping U.S. landscapes, the attraction will also arrive at Walt Disney World next summer. Disneyland’s ongoing 70th anniversary celebration will conclude on August 9, marking the end of a milestone year for the resort.

Marriott is expanding its presence in the residential hospitality space with Ambar Residences Orlando, the first Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy development available for purchase in the United States.

The project is located in Kissimmee on an 11-acre site about five miles from Walt Disney World, positioning it in the heart of one of the country’s most visited regions. Sales have already opened for the 322 fully furnished residences, with prices starting in the mid-$300,000s.

Developed by The Big Key Group, the project introduces a new hybrid model that blends vacation home ownership with Marriott’s signature hospitality services. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with completion expected in 2028.

Three seven-story buildings will house studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom units, as well as a selection of penthouses and units designed with children’s dens. Each residence will include a full kitchen, in-unit laundry and spacious living areas with pull-out sofas to accommodate families and long-stay guests.

Amenities at the property are designed around a resort-style experience. Plans call for a pool with private cabanas, community programming, outdoor yoga sessions and an indoor-outdoor bar overlooking the water.

A 2,000-square-foot fitness center will anchor the wellness offerings, complemented by landscaped spaces designed for meditation and recreation. On-site dining will include a signature restaurant and a grab-and-go café, reinforcing the development’s blend of convenience and comfort.

Coury Hospitality will manage the day-to-day operations, including weekly housekeeping and residential services. Marriott International will oversee reservations for stays when owners are not in residence, allowing owners to earn revenue throughout the year. Personal use of the homes is capped at 30 days annually, aligning the concept with Marriott’s broader approach to branded residences.

Owners will also gain access to ONVIA, Marriott’s global benefits program for residential properties, which includes enhanced Marriott Bonvoy status, preferred hotel rates and access to select Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sailings.

The offering reflects Marriott’s continued push into branded residential living, first introduced in 2022 to meet demand for spacious, extended-stay accommodations supported by consistent service.

The launch arrives as Orlando continues to see record tourism numbers and a strong demand for flexible lodging options. Positioned near Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and major convention facilities, Ambar Residences Orlando reflects both the region’s growth and Marriott’s strategy to expand beyond traditional hotels into long-term lifestyle-focused stays.

VisitBritain and Tourism Cares have introduced the Meaningful Travel Map of England, a new digital resource designed to help travelers discover experiences that create positive social, cultural and environmental impact.

The platform builds on the Meaningful Travel Map of Scotland, launched in 2024, and marks another step in the U.K.’s commitment to regenerative tourism. The goal is to encourage travel that not only minimizes harm but actively improves the destinations people visit.

The map currently features more than 30 vetted partners, including community-led projects, sustainability-focused hotels, cultural organizations and nature-based experiences.

Each selection is based on demonstrated contributions to local well-being, environmental stewardship and inclusive economic growth. The platform also categorizes each initiative through four impact lenses: people, places, partnerships and growth, helping travelers understand how their visit supports the local ecosystem.

Several examples highlight the range of offerings now available. In the Lake District, the family-run Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa has prioritized reducing plastic, conserving water and lowering energy use. In London, the Good Hotel operates as a social-impact business, directing profits toward education programs for children in Guatemala and providing hospitality training for unemployed residents.

In northern England, Invisible Cities offers guided walking tours in cities such as York and Manchester, led by local residents who have experienced homelessness and now share their personal perspectives on place and community.

VisitBritain leaders describe the map as a way to make thoughtful travel more accessible, particularly for visitors from the United States and other international markets. It arrives at a moment when many travelers are increasingly seeking experiences that feel purposeful and connected to the places they explore.

The Meaningful Travel Map of England offers a curated entry point to those experiences, steering travelers toward organizations that meaningfully reinvest in the regions they call home.

As the platform grows, additional destinations and partners across England will join, expanding opportunities for visitors to support local initiatives. The launch reflects a broader movement toward a tourism model built around stewardship, inclusivity and long-term benefit for communities throughout the country.

Expedia Group is entering a new phase of its technology strategy with the appointment of Xavier Amatriain as its first Chief AI Officer. His arrival signals a shift toward embedding artificial intelligence at the core of the company’s travel products. It also positions Expedia to compete more aggressively as AI innovation accelerates across the travel sector.

The company has been reorganizing its teams around AI-first initiatives over the past year. By bringing in an expert with deep experience in applied machine learning, Expedia is reinforcing its commitment to faster, smarter, and more intuitive travel technology. Travelers can expect improvements in search, recommendations, and trip management as the new strategy takes shape.

A Strategic Hire Signals a New Phase for Expedia’s Technology Evolution

Amatriain joins Expedia with a background that includes influential roles at LinkedIn and Google DeepMind. His work has centered on personalization systems and large-scale AI platforms that help users discover relevant content. That experience will guide Expedia’s effort to move from AI experimentation to full-scale deployment across its ecosystem.

Creating a Chief AI Officer role places Expedia among the first major travel companies to formalize AI leadership at the executive table. The company sees AI as an essential driver of efficiency, customer experience, and long-term growth. Amatriain will oversee teams responsible for integrating AI into workflows, ensuring responsible use of data, and aligning product roadmaps around smarter automation.

Leadership has already emphasized that nearly every new consumer-facing improvement will be shaped by AI over the coming years. These efforts include more responsive customer support, better disruption management tools, and pricing systems that adapt to real-time market conditions. The company aims to make travel planning more accurate, predictable, and personalized for millions of users.

Travel’s Next Frontier: Personalization, Efficiency, and Predictive Planning

The travel sector is entering a period where AI will influence nearly every stage of the journey. Expedia wants to lead this shift by offering planning tools that anticipate traveler needs and streamline decision-making. This includes systems that help users compare destinations more effectively, identify ideal dates, or plan complex multi-city trips with fewer steps.

The industry as a whole is moving toward deeper integration of predictive analytics, natural language interfaces, and real-time insights. Travelers increasingly expect platforms to simplify tasks rather than overwhelm them with options. Expedia’s new leadership structure reflects that expectation and underscores the company’s intention to deliver a unified, intelligent travel experience.

With Amatriain now guiding the strategy, Expedia is signaling that AI is not simply an enhancement but the foundation of its future competitiveness. His appointment marks a pivotal moment for the company and highlights how rapidly the travel landscape is being reshaped by emerging technology. As AI becomes more central to global travel, Expedia aims to set a new standard for personalization and reliability.

Expedia Group’s move is part of a broader hiring trend within travel tech. In September, Skyscanner appointed chief product officer Piero Sierra to the newly created role of chief AI officer. In a LinkedIn post, Sierra noted that the role is rooted in “curiosity, learning and making sure we use AI to make travel more personal, intuitive and inspiring.” This wave of leadership changes suggests the industry is preparing for a more deeply AI-driven future.

Marriott International has reached a major milestone in its Asia Pacific growth strategy with the opening of Legacy Mekong, Can Tho, Autograph Collection, marking the company’s 700th hotel in the region excluding China. The achievement reflects Marriott’s sustained expansion into diverse markets beyond major gateway cities, with Vietnam emerging as one of its most dynamic areas of development.

The new property brings Autograph Collection’s signature character-driven hospitality to the heart of the Mekong Delta, reinforcing Marriott’s commitment to introducing travelers to destinations rich in natural beauty, cultural depth, and storytelling experiences.  With nearly 260 million Marriott Bonvoy members worldwide, the milestone strengthens the brand’s connection to travelers seeking distinctive stays across Asia Pacific.

A Landmark Opening in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta

Legacy Mekong, Can Tho is set on a private islet along the Hau River, surrounded by lush tropical gardens that reflect the rhythms of life in the Mekong Delta. The design draws inspiration from local landscapes, incorporating elements of mangroves, banyan trees, and fruit orchards.

Guests are greeted with symbolic gestures such as palm leaf bracelets and traditional blessings before arriving at one of 86 bungalows and pool villas overlooking rivers, gardens, or lagoons. The boutique-scale property highlights a lesser-explored region of Vietnam, offering travelers immersive nature experiences, organic cuisine, and cultural storytelling woven into daily rituals.

Dining emphasizes local flavors, with dishes that honor the Mekong’s culinary heritage and a signature “Breakfast with a Story” experience that pairs regional recipes with narratives of their origins. Wellness is central to the property’s identity, with hydrotherapy facilities, meditation pavilions, yoga and Pilates studios, and a tranquil courtyard pool.

Families benefit from a dedicated kids’ club, while all guests are invited to participate in gong rituals and herbal refreshment ceremonies. At departure, visitors receive a linen pouch of seeds representing a symbolic invitation to “carry the Mekong home,” continuing the autographed storytelling ethos central to Autograph Collection Hotels.

The opening also underscores Marriott’s accelerating footprint across Vietnam. The company now operates 30 hotels in the country, with more than 50 in the development pipeline. Growth spans major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as well as emerging destinations including Phu Quoc, Ha Giang, and Cam Ranh.

Strengthening Regional Growth Through Strategic Development

Vietnam welcomed more than 17 million international arrivals in the first ten months of 2025, positioning it as one of Asia’s fastest-growing travel markets. The increase in inbound demand from China, South Korea, and ASEAN countries has strengthened Vietnam’s appeal as both a leisure and business hub.

For Marriott, reaching 700 properties in the region marks a pivotal moment in its long-term strategy to expand its 27 brands across 22 countries in Asia Pacific excluding China.

With an additional 400 hotels in the pipeline, the company continues to build a diverse portfolio that blends cultural expression, elevated design, and personalized experiences.

The debut of Legacy Mekong, Can Tho captures this vision, offering a unique perspective on Vietnam’s river landscapes while advancing Marriott’s broader goal of connecting travelers to places where authenticity and hospitality meet.