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What to Film
Updated daily at 6:15 AM PT
Dustin’s Live Filming Brief
*Updated: Thursday, July 9, 2026, 6:15 AM PT*
*LOCATION NOTE: This refresh targets Southern California per the content-calendar cron: Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and Universal Studios Hollywood.*
Morning refresh: Universal Studios Hollywood remains the strongest Southern California filming target because Mega Movie Summer is live and has the cleanest movie/franchise hooks. Disney California Adventure is still the cleanest Anaheim parks story with Soarin’ Across America now in its first full week. Downtown Disney’s free Disney Jr. Bubbles Experience opens tomorrow, July 10, and Disney’s live-action *Moana* also reaches theaters July 10, so Disney movie chatter is useful only when tied to official Disney company, parks, merchandise, or resort context.
Blogwatcher check: `blogwatcher scan` checked 37 feeds and found 1 new article this morning (July 9). No unread official items from Disney Parks Blog, Walt Disney Company News, D23 News, Universal Destinations Corporate, or Universal Orlando Blog. The fresh feed item was from Variety, and the larger unread Variety backlog is currently heavy on entertainment and film topics including *Dune 3*, *The Odyssey* red-carpet/premiere chatter, Disney/TV industry items, horror roundups, and general studio business. Treat all entertainment-feed items as trend cues only. Do not publish film-industry, operational, safety, closure, incident, or rumor framing without same-day official confirmation and a clear park/resort/company tie.
Best Southern California moves for Thursday, July 9
1) Universal Studios Hollywood: Mega Movie Summer, strongest franchise filming package
Official hook: Universal Studios Hollywood lists Mega Movie Summer daily from June 13-August 9, 2026, included with regular park admission. Source: https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/events-and-seasonal-activities/mega-movie-summer
Franchise hook: Universal’s official page highlights Illumination’s *Minions & Monsters*, the screen-used ship from Christopher Nolan’s *The Odyssey* on the Studio Tour, Fast & Furious 25th anniversary experiences, Wicked meet-and-greets, Jaws food/merchandise, and CityWalk movie tie-ins. Source: https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/events-and-seasonal-activities/mega-movie-summer
Timing hook: Universal’s page says *The Odyssey* opens July 17, then guests can see the actual ship on the Studio Tour during Mega Movie Summer. With Variety/feed chatter around *The Odyssey* premiere activity, this is the best current “movie hype becomes park content” angle.
Ticket note (context only): Universal has promoted a “Buy A Day, Get A 2nd Day Free” General Admission offer for visits completed by December 16, 2026. Verify on Universal’s official ticket page before publishing any deal.
Best B-roll: Universal arch, Mega Movie Summer signage, Studio Tour trams, CityWalk movie signage, Fast & Furious photo ops/food, Wicked character area, Minions & Monsters touchpoints, Jaws food/merch displays, Super Nintendo World entry flow.
Best hook: “Universal Hollywood is basically a movie-content buffet right now: The Odyssey, Fast & Furious, Wicked, Jaws, and Minions & Monsters all have official park hooks.”
Do not claim: Horror Nights house lineup, Hollywood Drift opening date, specific showtimes, celebrity involvement, premiere details, or exact ticket savings unless Universal’s same-day pages confirm it.
2) Disney California Adventure: Soarin’ Across America, first full week open
Official hook: Disney Parks Blog says Soarin’ Across America began July 2, 2026, at Disneyland Resort after debuting at Walt Disney World on May 26. It is now OPEN, use present tense. Source: https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/soarin-across-america-at-disneyland-and-disney-world/
Official attraction hook: Disneyland’s Soarin’ Across America attraction page places it in Grizzly Peak at Disney California Adventure Park and describes it as a coast-to-coast simulated flight experience celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Source: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disney-california-adventure/soarin-across-america/
Official resort hook: Disneyland’s 2026 events calendar lists “Soarin’ Across America takes off on July 2, 2026” and ties it to America’s 250th anniversary. Source: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/calendar/
DCA 25th hook: Disney Parks Blog’s DCA 25th anniversary guide says the all-new airborne adventure debuts July 2 in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Source: https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/california-adventure-25th-anniversary-offerings/
Best B-roll: DCA entrance, Grizzly Peak Airfield, Soarin’ exterior, Soarin’ wait-time board after checking the app, guests around Grizzly Peak, Buena Vista Street, America 250 signage if installed, official Soarin’ food/merch displays if visible.
Best hook: “Soarin’ Across America is open at DCA, and it is the cleanest Disney filming story in Anaheim this week.”
Do not claim: exact film scenes beyond Disney’s published descriptions, same-day wait times, downtime, guest reaction, or queue behavior without checking the live app/calendar on site.
3) Disneyland Park: 70th Celebration and America 250 context
Official resort hook: Disneyland Resort’s official 70th page says the celebration runs from May 16, 2025, through August 9, 2026. Source: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/70th-anniversary/
Official 70th hook: Disney Parks Blog’s 70th guide says the celebration includes limited-time entertainment, decor, food and beverage, merchandise, character attire, MagicBand+ interactions, and resort-wide 70th touches. Source: https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/guide-to-the-70th-anniversary-at-disneyland-resort/
Official America 250 hook: Disney Parks Blog says Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort are part of Disney’s coast-to-coast America 250 celebration, anchored by Soarin’ Across America. Source: https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/disney-festivities-announced-for-americas-250th-anniversary/
Summer angle: Kids ages 3-9 can visit both parks for $50 with a special 1-Day Park Hopper Ticket this summer per Disneyland’s official 70th page. Verify on the official ticket page before publishing pricing.
Best B-roll: Main Street 70th decor, castle/Partners statue, patriotic merchandise or decor if still up, Tapestry of Happiness projections, Wondrous Journeys/Paint the Night crowd flow if the live calendar confirms.
Best hook: “Disneyland is still in 70th mode through August 9 while Disney’s America 250 push runs coast to coast.”
Do not claim: same-day fireworks, special in-park filming access, exact showtimes, attraction closures, or weather-dependent entertainment without checking Disney’s live calendar/app.
4) Downtown Disney: free Disney Jr. Bubbles Experience opens July 10
Official hook: Disney Parks Blog says the Bubbles Experience at Downtown Disney District runs every day from July 10-August 16, 2026, around the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage and lawn. Source: https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/ultimate-summer-at-disneyland-deals-and-things-to-do/
Official timing detail: Downtown Disney’s official Must-Sees page lists The Bubbles Experience presented by Disney Jr. daily from July 10-August 16, 2026, with listed afternoon/evening times. Source: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/downtown-disney-district/must-sees/
Current use: Opens tomorrow. Clean coming-soon family/free-content angle for calendar planning, especially if there is visible stage setup or Kids Rule Summer signage today.
Best B-roll: Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage, family crowd flow, Disney Jr. signage if present, Beignets Expressed/Jazz Kitchen anniversary offerings if visible, shops/restaurants, parking/tram approach, Pixar Place/Disneyland Hotel paths.
Best hook: “Downtown Disney’s free Disney Jr. Bubbles Experience opens tomorrow, July 10, a value angle for guests outside the parks.”
Do not claim: performance quality, capacity, weather backup, or daily availability beyond Disney’s official page.
5) Anaheim forward-look: D23 and Halloween calendar
Official D23 hook: D23 says the Ultimate Disney Fan Event returns to Anaheim August 14-16, 2026, with Anaheim Convention Center show hours from 9:00 AM-8:00 PM and Honda Center showcases on August 14, 15, and 16. Source: https://d23.com/ultimatefanevent2026/
Fresh D23 planning hook: D23’s June 29 update says afternoon programming includes the Disney Rewind Concert and “A Whole New World of Alan Menken” offerings, with some Afternoon Only Fan Passes still available at publication. Source: https://d23.com/incredible-afternoon-programming-for-d23-the-ultimate-disney-fan-event/
Official Disneyland hook: Disney Parks Blog says D23 Day at Disneyland Resort is August 13, 2026, and Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party runs August 13-16 across DCA and Downtown Disney. Source: https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/disneyland-resort-2026-calendar-events-and-offers/
Fall hook: Disneyland Resort’s official event calendar lists Oogie Boogie Bash as a separately ticketed DCA event on select nights August 18-October 31, 2026, and Plaza de la Familia from August 21-November 2, 2026. Source: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/calendar/
Current use: Secondary planning only. Useful for Anaheim/DCA/Downtown Disney setup if signage appears, not for claiming new ticket or lineup details.
Best B-roll: Anaheim Convention Center/Honda Center exteriors if nearby, DCA entrance, fall/Oogie promo signage if visible, Buena Vista Street, Cars Land exterior, Halloween merchandise if officially on shelves.
Best hook: “Anaheim’s next Disney fan wave is dated: D23 Day August 13, then the full Ultimate Disney Fan Event August 14-16.”
Do not claim: unannounced panels, ticket availability, Oogie Boogie prices, sellout timing, entertainment lineup, or Plaza de la Familia details without official same-day confirmation.
Trending film/franchise angles to keep tied to parks
Universal Hollywood: Highest priority for movie/franchise content. Mega Movie Summer gives official park hooks for *The Odyssey*, Fast & Furious, Wicked, Jaws, and Illumination’s *Minions & Monsters*. Entertainment feeds are noisy, but the publishable park tie is Universal’s official Hollywood event page.
The Odyssey: Universal officially says guests can see the screen-used ship on the Studio Tour during Mega Movie Summer, and the film opens July 17. Variety/feed chatter around premieres and cast photos can explain why the title is trending, but the TPS angle must stay sourced to Universal’s official Studio Tour/ship activation. Source: https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/events-and-seasonal-activities/mega-movie-summer
Minions & Monsters: Universal lists a Mega Movie Summer meet-and-greet featuring James and Henry from Illumination’s *Minions & Monsters*. Box office chatter is a trend cue only; the parkable angle is the official meet-and-greet/food/merch/photo-op package.
Moana: Disney’s official summer theatrical slate lists Disney’s *Moana* for July 10, making this the immediate Disney film trend this week. Keep Southern California visuals tied to official Disney company pages, merchandise, Downtown Disney/Disneyland Resort displays, or other official Disney Experiences hooks. Source: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/disney-movies-theaters-summer-2026/
Toy Story 5: Disney Parks Blog gives official park/product hooks for *Toy Story 5* across Disney Experiences. At DCA, keep this tied to Toy Story Midway Mania, Pixar Pier, official merchandise, and official Disney Experiences posts. Source: https://disneyparksblog.com/disney-experiences/toy-story-5-across-disney-experiences/
Disney Blockbuster Summer: Walt Disney Company News frames Disney’s summer theatrical push around Pixar, Star Wars, Disney, and company-wide experiences. Use it as broad company context, then anchor visuals to official parks, merchandise, Downtown Disney, Pixar Pier, Tomorrowland, Galaxy’s Edge, Avengers Campus, or Disney Parks Blog material. Source: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/blockbuster-summer/
Dune 3: Variety has July 9 feed chatter around behind-the-scenes images and July 8 trailer coverage. This is trend awareness only, not a TPS park story unless an official studio, park, or guest-facing activation creates a theme-park tie.
Star Wars / Marvel: Entertainment-feed items around Grogu, Spider-Man, Marvel, or DC casting are not park stories on their own. Use Galaxy’s Edge or Avengers Campus visuals only if the story is officially tied to Disneyland/DCA or Disney Experiences.
Nintendo / Pokemon / Zelda: Universal Hollywood’s official Nintendo connection is Super Nintendo World. Keep Nintendo visuals to the land and do not imply Pokemon/Zelda park plans.
James Bond / DC / horror / studio-business chatter: These are trend-awareness topics only. Do not turn them into TPS park coverage unless an official studio, park, resort, or event source connects them to a guest-facing activation.
Incident and operational headlines: Fan/outlet backlogs often contain Disneyland closure/safety/operations headlines. Avoid incident, safety, weather-stop, mechanical, construction-rumor, and fan-leak framing unless Dustin or Jerry explicitly overrides and an official source confirms the facts.
Morning checks before filming
Recheck Disneyland, DCA, Downtown Disney, and Universal Hollywood official calendars before naming hours, showtimes, tickets, prices, food items, or event availability.
Prioritize Universal Hollywood for movie/franchise content: Mega Movie Summer runs through August 9 and carries the strongest official park hooks.
Prioritize DCA for the Disney hook: Soarin’ Across America is open as of July 2. Check ride status in the app first.
Use Disneyland Park for 70th Celebration visuals and America 250 context, not unsupported claims about special same-day programming.
Use Downtown Disney as a tomorrow/free-family planning angle; the Bubbles Experience opens July 10.
Watch D23 official pages for Anaheim updates. Afternoon programming and fan-pass details are useful planning context, but only official D23/Disney pages should be used for claims.
Keep blogwatcher entertainment and fan-blog items as trend cues only. Do not publish entertainment-industry items as TPS park news unless an official park, resort, studio, or event source ties them to a guest-facing activation.
Avoid incident, safety, weather-stop, mechanical, construction-rumor, and fan-leak framing unless Dustin or Jerry explicitly overrides.