DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Biggest News Week in Disney World History; Villains Land, Monsters Inc Land, Tons of New Attractions, Attractions Closing, New Shows, Food & Wine Menus & Much More
After a relatively quiet few weeks, we had a huge burst of activity on the Disney news front this week, mostly because of the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event that took place last weekend. At the Horizons: Disney Experience Showcase, Chairman Josh D’Amaro unveiled the future for Disney parks, cruise ships, and beyond. Among the many announcements were plans for four new cruise ships and details about new themed lands and areas at Walt Disney World that will bring guests deeper into the stories they love, including Monsters, Inc., Cars, Indiana Jones, Encanto, and the classic Disney Villains fans know and loathe. Beyond the D23 announcements, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicked off at Magic Kingdom and we’re gearing up for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival with a look at the menus for the upcoming festival kitchens. Learn all about this and more below!
1 – Villains Land at the Magic Kingdom
Ending years of speculation about a Disney Villains-themed fifth park, Disney announced that work is already underway on a new land dedicated to Disney Villains coming to the Magic Kingdom—complete with two attractions, dining, and shopping—where happily ever after may feel like just a distant dream. It will be a fearless new vision of what a Disney experience can be on a grand scale that only Disney can deliver. Disney has confirmed that the Villains land will be “beyond” Big Thunder Mountain.
Click here to learn more about the Villains’ land coming to Magic Kingdom.
2 – Two Magic Kingdom Attractions Closing for New Development
After announcing that Frontierland would be expanded to make way for two “Cars”-themed attractions (see below), there was a lot of speculation about where those attractions would go. Thankfully, Disney didn’t make us wait long to learn, and it has announced the closure of two iconic attractions, Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Belle Riverboat, to make way for the new area.
Click here for full details on the closure of these two attractions.
3 – Monsters, Inc. Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Construction begins next year on the first full land dedicated to Monsters, Inc., coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. The land will feature the first suspended coaster ever in a Disney park, where guests can experience what it’s like to zoom through the door vault in the factory, just like Mike and Sulley. Speculation is wild about where this land may go, and the prevailing opinions are that it will either replace Muppet Courtyard or Animation Courtyard. Disney has made no announcements regarding where the land will be built.
Click here to learn more about the Monsters, Inc. land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
4 – Cars at the Magic Kingdom
Pixar Animation Studios’ beloved Cars franchise is coming to a reimagined area of Frontierland with two all-new attractions taking guests into the wilderness beyond Radiator Springs – a thrilling off-road rally race and a family-friendly attraction even the youngest racers will love. Construction on this area will begin early next year. Disney has confirmed that Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America will close to make way for the Cars attractions.
Click here to learn more about the Cars expansion in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom!
5 – Menus Announced for EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is just around the corner, and we’ve finally got a look at the menus for the Global Marketplaces. There are a lot of fantastic new offerings, and we can’t wait for the festival to try them out!
Click here for the menus for the 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival!
6 – Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The Tropical Americas land replacing DinoLand USA at Disney’s Animal Kingdom was confirmed this week. The land will feature two new signature attractions – a thrilling adventure following the heroic Indiana Jones into an ancient Maya temple and a journey through the Casita Madrigal from “Encanto” following Antonio’s story on the day after he received his magical gift. It will also feature a beautiful carousel featuring animals from many favorite Disney stories, perfect for young families to enjoy. Tropical Americas is set to open in 2027.
Click here to learn more about Tropical Americas Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
7 – Zootopia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The newest show coming to the Tree of Life Theater features Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and all their friends from Disney Animation’s Zootopia. The show, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” will take guests on an adventure through different biomes seen in the film and opens next winter.
8 – New Nighttime Parade to Debut at Magic Kingdom
It has been many years since Magic Kingdom has had a nighttime parade. Thankfully, a new parade will once again waltz down Main Street! Get ready to witness “Disney Starlight” in 2025.
Click here to learn more about the new nighttime parade coming to Magic Kingdom.
9 – Two New Lounges Coming to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT
While we already knew a pirate-themed land was coming to Magic Kingdom, we learned this week that a new lounge will also be coming to EPCOT. Relax with friends and family at two themed lounges coming to Disney World in 2025 inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean and Spaceship Earth. Cheers!
Click here to learn more about the lounges coming to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT!
10 – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Now at Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has kicked off at Magic Kingdom! New this year, you’ll see Mickey and Minnie in new outfits, meet Bruno with Mirabel, and see more Disney Villains throughout the park. We’ve been twice so far, and we’ve loved our time at the party! Visit the links below to learn more!
Click here for the five can’t miss entertainment at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!
11 – Test Track Reimagined at EPCOT
Test Track closed in June 2024 for reimagining with no word on how long it would take. This week we learned that the reimagined attraction will open in 2025. Explore the past, present, and future of automation with a newly-rethemed Test Track presented by Chevrolet. Buckle up, it might get bumpy!
Click here to learn more about Test Track reopening in 2025.
12 – New Adventures in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Mando and Grogu have a new adventure on the horizon coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Join the Mandalorian and his youngling on brand-new adventures coming to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in celebration of the new Star Wars film “The Mandalorian and Grogu” coming to theaters in 2026.
13 – Disney Cruise Line Expansion
Disney Cruise Line also made a huge announcement this week. The cruise line will add four new vessels to its growing fleet between 2027 and 2031. Once these ships are built, guests will have 13 different ways to experience Disney’s world-class entertainment, renowned dining, and impeccable guest service in more parts of the world. New details were also announced for the upcoming stage shows coming to the Disney Treasure (2024) and Disney Destiney (2025).
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
Now Through -October 31, Select Nights – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Click here for the five can’t miss entertainment at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!
Now Open! – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Click here for our review and what you need to know about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Click here for information on how to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Click here for details on a new, unique PhotoPass ops for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom.
Now Through August 31 (select nights) – Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Click here for details on Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.
Now Through September 2, 2024 – “Dreams That Soar” at Disney Springs
Click here for more on the new drone show at Disney Springs and why you don’t want to miss it!
Now Through September 6 – 30th Anniversary of “The Lion King” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Now Open – CommuniCore Plaza and CommuniCore Hall
Click here for more on CommuniCore Plaza and CommuniCore Hall!
Coming to Walt Disney World
August 29 – November 23 – EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
Click here for dates and details for the 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival.
Click here for the menus for the 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival!
2024 – Reimagined ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
November 8-Date, Select Nights – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party & Jollywood Nights
Click here for dates and details for 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party & Jollywood Nights.
November 23-December 30 – EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
New & Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
Now Open – Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point – DCL’s Newest Private Island
Click here for an overview of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and what you need to know.
Click here for the menus for Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Itineraries in 2024-2026
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.
Click here for details on Fall 2025 and Spring 2025 itineraries; now booking!
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.
Click here for a First Look at Disney Treasure Menus.
Click here for details on “The Aristocats”- Themed Lounge Coming to the Disney Treasure.
Click here for details on the new Marvel-themed Dining Experience Coming to the Disney Treasure.
Disney Destiny – Sailing November 2025
Click here for all the details on the upcoming Disney Destiny, sailing in 2025.
Click here for “Discover the Disney Destiny Day 1 – Your Own Heroes Journey.”
Click here for “Discover the Disney Destiny Day 2 – Villains.”
Disney Adventure, Sailing from Singapore
Click here for details about the Disney Adventure, sailing from Singapore in 2025.
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