DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: New Details on What’s Coming in 2025; Festival of the Holidays; First Look at New Bar & Grill; Follow Along on Disney Treasure Preview & More
As we head into December, Disney is already looking ahead to 2025 and has given us a look at everything new that’s coming to Walt Disney World and beyond. EPCOT joined the holiday celebrations this week when the 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays kicked off. New lions joined Kilimanjaro Safaris this week, and we got a look at the menu of a new quick-service restaurant coming to Disney’s Polynesian. Finally, we’ve got exciting Disney Cruise Line news and more! Read about these stories and more in this week’s news roundup.
1 – New Details About What’s Coming to Walt Disney World in 2025
As 2025 approaches, Walt Disney World is preparing to unveil a number of experiences that we’re super excited about. New lounges, brand-new live shows, and the return of a nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom are just some of the offerings we’re excited about. Visit the link below to get a glimpse at what’s coming in 2025.
Click here to learn about what’s coming to Walt Disney World in 2025.
2 – 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
There is nothing like the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays for a global holiday flavor. The annual festival will take place this year now through December 30, celebrating festive traditions from around the world with fantastic holiday storytellers, delicious dishes, merchandise, entertainment, and more.
Click here for what you need to know about this year’s Festival of the Holidays.
Click here to view our Instagram Story with lots of photos and videos from our visit on December 1.
3 – We’re Sailing on the Disney Treasure! Follow Along with Us!
We’re sailing on the Disney Treasure next week, and we’re so excited! The Disney Treasure, Disney Cruise Line’s sixth ship, will unlock the far-reaching realms of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel and embrace dynamic tales from beloved Disney Parks attractions through captivating and immersive experiences on the high seas. The Disney Treasure will sail its maiden voyage on December 21, 2024, followed by a season of seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises out of Port Canaveral. We’re embarking on a special preview cruise on December 9 and will have tons of coverage on our Instagram account and then lots of articles on our website. Learn more about the Disney Treasure and how you can follow along at the link below.
Click here to learn more about the Disney Treasure and how to follow along!
4 – First Look at Wailulu Bar & Grill Coming to New Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
In just a few weeks, the Island Tower, coming to Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows at Walt Disney World, is set to open. In keeping with the existing theme of the resort, the striking waterfront retreat will immerse guests in the charm of the South Pacific islands, the thrill of exploration, and the beauty of the natural world. The tower will have a new quick-service restaurant, and this week, we got a first look at the menu, including photos. Visit the link below for all the details.
5 – Disney’s Newest Lion Pride Strides onto the Savanna
For the last decade, the lions Dakari and Kamari have thrilled many guests on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Recently Disney announced their retirement to a conservation haven in Florida accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This week, new young sibling lions have taken their place at the iconic spot of the safari. Learn more about the new arrivals at the link below.
Click here to learn about Disney’s newest lion pride on Kilimanjaro Safaris.
6 – Holiday Chocolate Wonderland at Caribe Royale Orlando Near Walt Disney World
Caribe Royale Orlando, the luxurious, all-suite resort just minutes from Walt Disney World, has debuted new and returning yuletide programming for the most wonderful time of the year. Beginning today and continuing through Jan. 1, guests can immerse themselves in the season’s spirit.
The resort’s signature “Holiday Chocolate Wonderland” is the highlight of the festivities, showcasing seasonal chocolate sculptures. Marvel at a 32-foot-long railroad train made from 1,600 pounds of chocolate, a life-sized sleigh with Santa’s reindeer, and the new “Jingle Bell Junction,” featuring a whimsical village of snow-covered homes for Santa’s helpers. Each display is hand-crafted by the resort’s expert pastry team in “The Chocolate Room,” dedicated to culinary artistry.
Caribe Royale has partnered with Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream to debut a new exclusive flavor, Rum Cake Royale. Available at The Market, this flavor blends warm rum, ripe bananas, and the luxurious creaminess of the resort’s exclusive, custom-blended milk chocolate available only at Caribe Royale Orlando. Guests checking in on Fridays and Saturdays from Dec. 6-28 at 4-6 p.m. will also receive a complimentary cup of cocoa for an extra touch of sweetness.
On Christmas Day, guests can enjoy special holiday meals at Caribe Royale’s restaurants. Tropicale will offer a buffet brunch from 12 – 4 p.m., featuring elevated holiday dishes, a carving station, sushi, house-made pastries, and desserts. The Venetian Chop House will host an elegant Christmas dinner from 4 – 9 p.m., with a specialty prix-fixe menu including Brasstown Beef Prime Rib and slow butter-poached halibut. Stadium Club, Orlando’s top game-viewing destination, will serve a festive meal of open-faced turkey pot pie, hot shaved prime rib beef, and a dark chocolate orange tart.
Guests of all ages can enjoy a variety of holiday activities throughout the season, including:
- Christmas Cookie Decorating: Fridays and Saturdays, 4 – 6 p.m. until Dec. 28
- Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt: Scavenger hunt with a special prize for completion
- Letters to Santa: Delivered directly to the North Pole
- Holiday Outdoor Movies: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
- Festive Photo Opportunities: Across the property
- Menorah Lighting for Hanukkah: Dec. 25 – Jan. 2
- Annual Christmas Tree Lighting: Dec. 24, with refreshments, caroling, and Santa
- Photos with Santa: Dec. 20-24, share holiday wishes and make memories
Guests can save on a stay to experience the best of the holiday season with the resort’s Winter Suite Offer, running on Dec. 6, 2024 through March 31, 2025. The offer includes 15% off stays of 2 or more nights, plus a $25 daily dining credit.
To learn more about Caribe Royale Orlando’s seasonal offerings, dining, amenities and rooms, visit www.cariberoyale.com.
7 – Ring in the New Year at Promenade Sunset Walk New Walt Disney World
Get ready to “Party Like it’s 1999” for just $19.99, as Promenade at Sunset Walk welcomes 2025 with their Rocking New Year’s Eve Street Party. The dining and entertainment complex located just minutes from Walt Disney World will offer the ultimate New Year’s Eve street party, with live music including a Tribute to Prince, street performers, a laser light show, complimentary party favors and a midnight fireworks spectacular. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Dec. 31, the event is all-ages friendly and parking is free. Get tickets HERE.
Plus, check out the “Happy Noon Year” Kids Party earlier in the day, for a family celebration featuring a confetti blast at noon, plus live music and children’s performers, games, complimentary party favors, snowball fights, and more. Admission and parking are free!
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
Now – December, Select Nights – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party & Jollywood Nights
Click here for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Magic Kingdom holiday menus!
Click here for our review and what you need to know about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Click here for the 5 can’t-miss entertainment offerings at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Click here for our review and what you need to know about Disney Jollywood Nights.
Click here for the 7 can’t-miss entertainment offerings at Disney Jollywood Nights
Click here for the foodie guide for special eats and treats at Jollywood Nights.
Now – December – Holiday Season at Walt Disney World
Click here for the 2024 Guide to Holiday Offerings at Walt Disney World.
Click here for the complete guide to holiday treats at Disney Resorts.
Click here for the eight can’t-miss gingerbread displays and treats at Disney World in 2024.
November 29-December 30 – EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
Click here for what you need to know about this year’s Festival of the Holidays.
Click here for details on the Candlelight Processional at the 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.
Click here for the full menus for the 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.
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 details on a new, unique PhotoPass ops for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom.
Coming to Walt Disney World
2025 – Reimagined ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
D23 Horizons Projects Announced for Walt Disney World
Click here to learn more about the Villains’ land coming to Magic Kingdom.
Click here to learn more about the Monsters, Inc. land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Click here to learn more about the Cars expansion in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom!
Click here to learn more about Tropical Americas Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Click here to learn more about the new nighttime parade coming to Magic Kingdom.
Click here to learn more about the lounges coming to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT!
Click here to learn more about Test Track reopening in 2025.
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 “Everything New Coming to the Disney Destiny Sailing in 2025.”
Click here for an overview of what you can expect on the Disney Destiny.
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 the grand reveal of the Disney Adventure, sailing in 2025!
Click here for details about the Disney Adventure, sailing from Singapore in 2025.
D23 Horizons Announcements
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