DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Water Park News We’ve Been Waiting For; Tons of Details & Sneak Peeks for New Ship; Refurb News; Animal Kingdom Baby & More

Since our last news roundup, we learned that the Grand Floridian lobby will be refurbished this summer, we finally got the water park announcement we’ve been waiting years for, and a popular Disney restaurant received an award. This week, Disney Cruise Line dropped so many updates about the Disney Destiny, the next ship that will sail out of Fort Lauderdale in November 2025. We got a special look at the offerings and are so excited about this ship. Learn about these stories and more below.

1 – Disney (finally) Makes the Water Park Announcement We’ve Been Waiting For

For the first time since 2019, Disney has announced that both water parks will be open this summer! Disney’s Blizzard Beach will close briefly in May and reopen in the summer, giving guests more opportunities to enjoy the water parks. Visit the link below to catch all the details, including operating dates.

Click here to learn more about visiting the Disney Water Parks this summer.

2 – So Many Updates! 10 Exclusive Offerings Coming to the Disney Destiny That We’re Excited For

Beginning in November 2025, the Disney Destiny will draw on the legacies of Disney’s larger-than-life heroes and villains to forge a legendary cruise vacation steeped in the lore of illustrious Disney stories. The new Disney Cruise Line ship will debut with one-of-a-kind venues and experiences that complement the extraordinary entertainment, world-class dining, and unparalleled hospitality that make every Disney Cruise Line vacation legendary. We recently attended the Disney Destiny Showcase at Walt Disney World and the Disney Wish to learn more about the exciting offerings coming to the ship. Learn more by visiting the link below.

Click here to learn about ten exclusive offerings coming to the Disney Destiny this November 2025.

3 – Disney Eats-First Look at Dining and Beverage Experiences Aboard Disney Destiny

There will be plenty of amazing new dining and beverage offerings on the upcoming Disney Destiny. This week, we learned more about Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, a first-of-its-kind dining experience celebrating the renowned Walt Disney Animation Studios film Enda Mode Sweets and De Vil’s piano lounge. Learn more at the link below.

Click here to learn more about the dining and beverage experiences coming to the Disney Destiny.

4 – First Look at New ‘Disney Hercules’ Stage Show Aboard Disney Destiny

Like all Disney Cruise Line ships, the Disney Destiny will offer spectacular entertainment for the whole family, featuring the debut of brand-new experiences and the return of guest-favorite shows and activities that immerse families in legendary worlds, both real and imagined, through unparalleled Disney storytelling. An all-new headliner developed exclusively for the Disney Destiny: “Disney Hercules,” a dazzling retelling of the beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios film, is coming to the ship. This week, we got an update about the show. Learn more at the link below.

Click here for more details about the ‘Disney Hercules’ stage show coming to the Disney Destiny.

5 – New Details on Villainous Experiences Aboard the Disney Destiny

For the Disney Destiny, the Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering teams are summoning some of Disney’s most powerful tales of heroism and purpose to forge a first-of-its-kind design theme: “Heroes and Villains.” Recently, Disney shared details about the villainous experience coming to the ship. Learn more at the link below.

Click here to learn about the villainous experiences coming to the Disney Destiny.

6 – Disney Announces Refurbishment for Grand Floridian Lobby

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort’s lobby is getting refurbished this year! Learn more about the changes coming by visiting the link below.

Click here to learn more about the refurbishments at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

7 – Baby Giraffe Debuts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Mara, a Masai giraffe, recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Tucker. The onstage debut of this precious endangered giraffe calf took place in early April on Harambe Wildlife Reserve at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! This long-awaited arrival marks the first giraffe calf born at Walt Disney World Resort since 2021 and underscores Disney’s ongoing commitment to wildlife and species protection. Learn more about Tucker by visiting the link below.

Click here to learn more about Tucker, New Baby Giraffe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

8 – Walt Disney World’s Victoria & Albert’s Retains MICHELIN Star Rating in 2025 

Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has retained their MICHELIN star rating in 2025. This honor celebrates the restaurant’s dedication to refined technique, inspired creativity, and continued excellence that surrounds the Victoria & Albert’s experience.

“Every single member of our team is part of this success. Their unwavering dedication and passion for excellence has made this possible,” Chef de Cuisine Matthew Sowers stated. “Each of us, from the kitchen to our reservations office, plays a role in delivering something truly special and to have our efforts acknowledged by MICHELIN is deeply humbling.”

For over 20 years, this signature dining experience has been known for its lavish setting, offering a multi-course dining experience that features carefully curated menus featuring premium and sustainable ingredients sourced globally. Drawing inspiration from Queen Victoria’s historic Jubilee Celebration, guests are immersed in an experience where timeless traditions seamlessly blend with modern culinary artistry. Beyond the culinary creations in the kitchen, the restaurant has a world-class wine collection featuring more than 500 different selections.

Sommelier Israel Perez, recipient of MICHELIN’s 2024 Florida Service Award, has been committed to crafting dining moments throughout Walt Disney World Resort for more than 20 years. As the maître d’hôtel, Perez and his team diligently ensure that guests of Victoria & Albert’s have an outstanding, personalized experience.

“Many of the guests that visit us come with MICHELIN recognition in their minds, we want each of our guests to know that the food is an essential part of the journey and our commitment to both hospitality and genuine, gracious, heartfelt service is what completes the experience,” said Perez. “The moment you walk through our doors, you are not just dining with us, you are being welcomed into something that we hope will stay with you long after the last bite.”

Victoria & Albert’s is the sole location in Florida to hold both the AAA Five Diamond and the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star awards, consistently since 2000 and 2018 respectively. The restaurant has also been honored with the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence and the Florida Trend Golden Spoon Hall of Fame – American Regional.

Recognized globally, the MICHELIN Guide is widely considered an authority on dining quality and excellence and an international benchmark for fine dining. Restaurants in the MICHELIN Guide are recommended by anonymous inspectors, who assess restaurant quality based upon five criteria: product quality; mastery of cooking techniques; harmony of flavors; the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; and consistency over time and across the entire menu.

Victoria & Albert’s made its MICHELIN Star debut in 2024 and remains the first and only theme park destination in the U.S. to ever earn a MICHELIN Star. The Victoria & Albert’s experience is an incredible example of how Walt Disney World continues to raise the bar for exceptional dining – from Mickey Bars to MICHELIN Stars.

9 – Patina Restaurant Group Celebrates Earth Month with “Bee the Difference” Campaign

This year, Delaware North, a corporation dedicated to sustainability and managing its environmental impact, is launching the “Bee the Difference” campaign to support The Bee Cause, whose mission is to protect pollinators, while raising awareness toward their importance through education.

Until May 20, Patina Restaurant Group’s Disney Springs restaurants invite guests to raise a glass with the Bee’s Harvest Margarita, a cocktail that not only celebrates sustainability but also supports pollinator conservation. Available at Morimoto Asia, Maria & Enzo’s, The Edison, and Enzo’s Hideaway for $19, this refreshing drink features Patrón Silver or Reposado Single-Barrel Tequila, Florida orange liqueur, lime, honey simple syrup, and bee pollen salt. Crafted in partnership with PATRÓN Tequila, this spirited concoction highlights and celebrates ingredients reliant on pollinators.

Morimoto Asia

Bee’s Harvest Margarita $19

Patrón Silver Tequila, Florida orange liqueur, lime, honey simple syrup, bee pollen salt

The Edison/Maria & Enzo’s/Enzo’s Hideaway

Bee’s Harvest Margarita $19

Patrón Reposado Single-Barrel Tequila, Florida orange liqueur, lime, honey simple syrup, bee pollen salt