DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: New Encanto Sing-Along; Lion King 30th Anniversary In-Park Celebration; New Drone Show; 2025 Marathon Weekend Theme & Artwork & More
Easter might be a week away, but Disney World has summer on its mind. This week, we learned of four upcoming limited-time offerings this summer! We also learned about the opening date of the final project of the EPCOT transformation. After five loooong years, the construction at EPCOT will finally come to an end! We also learned the name and theme of the next Disney Cruise Line ship and more! Check out all of these news stories below!
1 – Disney Announces New Encanto Sing-Along and Opening Date of CommuniCore Hall at EPCOT
Summertime at the Most Magical Place on Earth is going to be extra magical this year! Not only will guests be able to join the party in The Big Easy when Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens at Magic Kingdom, but guests can also come talk about Bruno at EPCOT this summer and experience the new CommiCore Hall! Learn all about the new Encanto sing-along and new CommuniCore Hall at the link below.
Click here to learn more about the exciting offerings coming to EPCOT in the summer of 2024.
2 – Disney Reveals Limited-Time Offerings to Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of ‘The Lion King’ at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Summer 2024
The Lion King 30th anniversary roars into Disney’s Animal Kingdom this summer! That’s right – guests can get ready to roar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park where the celebration for the 30th anniversary of “The Lion King” animated film will prowl throughout the entire park with special merchandise, treats and popcorn buckets, and a returning character greeting. Catch all the details at the link below.
3 – Disney Springs Announces New Drone Show for Summer 2024
Along with the other summertime offerings already mentioned, guests will also be able to see a new drone experience at Disney Springs this summer! At Disney Springs, drones take to the skies above Lake Buena Vista with “Disney Dreams That Soar,” a summertime experience that will be a late-night perk for visitors.
Click here to learn more about the new drone show coming to Disney Springs in the summer of 2024.
4 – Disney Cruise Line Reveals Name and Theme of Next Ship, Sailing in 2025
This week Disney Cruise Line revealed the first details about its next ship, the Disney Destiny, as it reached a new construction milestone today with a keel laying ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The design theme of the Disney Destiny, sister to the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, will be “Heroes and Villains,” drawing on the legacy of beloved Disney stories, characters and theme park attractions, to forge a cruise vacation that will empower guests to embrace their own calling aboard every unforgettable voyage. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for all the details on the upcoming Disney Destiny, sailing in 2025.
5 – runDisney Announces Nostaligic Theme for 2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Thousands of runners from across the nation and around the globe are make their way to Central Florida for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World. This week, runDisney announced the theme for each of the weekend’s races. The first race is the 5K on Thursday, followed by the 10K on Friday, the half marathon on Saturday, and the marathon on Sunday. Runners are also trying to earn special medals by completing the Dopey Challenge (all four races) and Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge (half marathon and marathon). Learn all about the nostalgic theme for the 2025 race weekend at the link below.
Click here for details on the theme for the 2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.
6 – Disney Announces New Home for Popular Pixar Character
Joy from “Inside Out” has been greeting guests at the Imagination! Pavilion at EPCOT for a few years now. This summer she is heading to a new home for character greetings just in time for the debut of “Inside Out 2.” Catch all the details at the link below.
Click here for details on the new park and location where Joy will be greeting guests.
7 – Reservations for the New Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Now Open
Guests can now book their stay at the all-new Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, opening July 1. All guests can book reservations for arrival dates of September 27, 2024, and beyond!
Tucked away in the wondrous woodlands of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, each spacious one-bedroom cabin villa will offer the comforts of “home” and the joys of staying in the great outdoors. The first loop of cabins will open on July 1, and Disney Vacation Club Members can now book reservations. More loops will open throughout the year for all guests to enjoy.
8 – Disney’s Vero Beach Resort Character Breakfast Returns with New Menu
Disney’s Vero Beach is a Disney Club Vacation Resort not far from Disney World. This week the Vero Beach Resort announced their popular character breakfast is returning with an all-new menu. Learn more at the link below.
Click here to learn more about Disney’s Vero Beach Resort’s character breakfast.
9 – Sip, Savor & Stroll at Disney Springs – Our Review and What You Need to Know
On Thursday, March 21, we enjoyed the “Sip, Savor & Stroll” event featuring food and drink pairings at three of its Disney Springs restaurants: The Edison, Enzo’s Hideaway and Maria & Enzo’s. We had a fantastic time. Learn more about the evening at the link below!
Click here to learn more about Sip, Savor & Stroll!
10 – Tutto Italia Ristorante at EPCOT Extends Annual Passholder Discount Through September 2024
In January, we reported that Tutto Italia Ristorante at EPCOT has raised its annual passholder Discount offering to 20% for a limited time. Originally, the extra discount was supposed to go through March 31. However, that has now been extended to run through September 30, 2024. During that time, annual passholders will receive 20% off on all regularly-priced food and nonalcoholic beverages at the famed dining location. Beginning October 1, the AP Discount will return to 10% and run until the end of the year, exempting certain holidays, special events, and dining packages.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
Now Through May 27, 2024 – EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
Click here for the 11 things you don’t want to miss at the 2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival!
Click here to view our Instagram Story with photos and video from Opening Day!
Click here to view photos of the Menu Boards with pricing and Disney Dining Plan snack designations!
Now Open – Walt the Dream Statue & World Celebration Gardens
Click here for “New! World Celebration Gardens at EPCOT – 4 Reasons Not to Miss It!”
Now Open – ‘Luminous The Symphony of Us’ – New Nighttime Spectacular at EPCOT
Now Open – Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – EPCOT
Click here for what you need to know about Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
Now Open – Tron Lightcycle Run – Magic Kingdom
Click here for our review and what you need to know about TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Click here for everything you need to know about the story behind TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Click here for the first look at TRON Lightcycle / Run merchandise.
Coming to Walt Disney World
2024 and Beyond
Click here for the 18 changes coming to Disney World in 2024 and beyond that you need to know about.
Summer 2024 – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Click here to learn the opening season and more about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom.
Click here for storyline details of the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
2024 – Reimagined ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
New & Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
Itineraries in 2024-2025
Click here for details on Disney Cruise Line’s Early 2024 Itineraries.
Click here for details on Pixar Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea, Coming in the Spring of 2024.
Click here to learn more about 2024 Halloween and Holiday Cruises on Disney Cruise Line.
Click here to learn about Disney Cruise Line’s Early 2025 Itineraries.
Click here to learn about Disney Cruise Lines’ summer 2025 itineraries.
The Disney Treasure – Sailing December 2024
Click here to learn about the new Haunted Mansion-themed lounge coming to the Disney Treasure!
Click here to learn about the new and exclusive Broadway-style show coming to the Disney Treasure!
Click here for more details about “Disney The Tale of Moana,” coming to the Disney Treasure.
The Disney Destiny
Click here for all the details on the upcoming Disney Destiny, sailing in 2025.
The Disney Wish
Click here to learn about staterooms and our room review on the Disney Wish.
Click here to learn about upper deck fun and the AquaMouse – the first Disney attraction at sea!
Click here for an overview of family dining on the Disney Wish!
Click here to learn more about stage show entertainment on the Disney Wish!
Pixar Day at Sea on the Disney Fantasy
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 3 – Part 1
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 3 – Part 2
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