DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Flower & Garden Dates; New Festival of the Arts Experiences; New Disney Ship In-depth Look; Encanto Show at Epcot; Refurb Closings; New DVC & More
As we head into Christmas week, we have a few stories to share with you from Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line. Disney has shared new details of two of EPCOT’s festivals, sharing new offerings coming to the Festival of the Arts and dates for the Flower and Garden Festival. We’ve sailed on the Disney Treasure, loved every minute, and think it’s Disney Cruise Line’s best ship yet. A new Disney Vacation Club resort opened at Walt Disney World, and we were there to check it out. Finally, we’ve got some refurbishment news for a few attractions closing in early 2025. Learn about these stories and more below in this week’s news roundup.
We wish you and yours a Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! ~ Chad and Cindy
1 – Dates Announced for the 30th Anniversary EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival
Disney has announced the dates for the 2025 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, which will celebrate its 30 Anniversary. Visit the link below for all the details.
Click here for the dates for the 2025 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival.
2 – 5 New Experiences Coming to the 2025 EPCOT Festival of the Arts
The 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is just around the corner! From January to 17-February 24, this uniquely Disney art festival paints the town with culinary, performing, and visual arts displays that will inspire the inner artist in all of us. This week, Disney shared five new experiences coming to the festival. Learn more at the link below.
Click here to learn about the five new experiences coming to the 2025 EPCOT Festival of the Arts.
3 – Disney Treasure Sets Sail on its Inaugural Cruise
The Disney Treasure, the sister ship to the Disney Wish (2022), set sail on its maiden voyage on December 21, 2024. Inspired by the theme of adventure, the Disney Treasure features both new and signature Disney Cruise Line experiences steeped in captivating Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Disney Parks stories. These include an original Broadway-style retelling of “Moana;” immersive dining experiences inspired by Pixar’s “Coco” and Marvel Super Heroes; a splashtacular Mickey Mouse-themed water attraction; signature fireworks at sea; imaginative clubs for kids of all ages; and brand-new lounges inspired by the beloved Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion and “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” Disney Parks attractions. The Disney Treasure is part of a multi-year expansion of the award-winning fleet, which currently includes six ships and seven more ships on the way by 2031.
From December 6-9, 2024, we enjoyed a special preview cruise where we had a chance to check out the ship and its new offering. We were blown away and loved our time on the ship, especially all of the new and exclusive offerings. Visit the link below to learn why we think the Disney Treasure is Disney Cruise Line’s best ship yet and what you need to know about dining on the Treasure. We’ll be sharing a lot more about the new venues and other activities you can do on the ship, so sign up for our newsletter if you haven’t already so you don’t miss an article.
Click here for Dining on the Disney Treasure – What You Need to Know.
Visit the links below to view our Instagram Story during our Preview Cruise to get a look at the Disney Treasure:
4 – ¡Celebración Encanto! Now a Full-Time Attraction at EPCOT
A temporary show has now been upgraded to a full-time entertainment offering at EPCOT. ¡Celebración Encanto! is a family-friendly sing-along show performed at the new CommuniCore Plaza in the World Celebration neighborhood of EPCOT. It was initially slated to be a seasonal offering and was to end on September 7, 2024, but it was extended and is now permanently extended to a regular offering. The popular show celebrates the music of Encanto. Check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes.
5 – New DVC Island Tower at Disney’s Villas & Bungalows Opens
The new Island Tower addition at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is now open. Located on the scenic shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World Resort, the new Tower is inspired by the vibrant spirit and rich cultures of the Polynesian Islands. The waterfront retreat adds 268 rooms to the resort, offering a unique variety of accommodations for Disney Vacation Club members and guests. We attended a media preview to learn about the new offerings of the Tower and were very impressed with the design, theming, and new offerings. Visit the link below to learn more.
6 – Bluey Coming to Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line in 2025
Bluey,” the beloved Emmy®-winning animated series that has captured hearts worldwide, will join Walt Disney World Resort in Florida on land and Disney Cruise Line at sea in 2025! Available in over 140 countries, “Bluey” is 2024’s most-watched series globally on Disney+ and the year’s No. 1 most-watched series on streaming to date through November among total viewers in the U.S., with more than 50.5 billion minutes watched (842 million hours). Learn more at the link below!
Click here to learn about Bluey Coming to Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line in 2025.
7 – Astro Orbiter Closing for Lengthy Refurbishment at Magic Kingdom Starting January 2025
Be aware that Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom will close for refurbishment beginning January 13, 2025, and is expected to be closed through summer 2025. Disney has not specified a reopening date.
8 – Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros Closing for Refurbishment in Early 2025
Rounding out the refurbishment news is that Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros at EPCOT, will close for a short refurbishment beginning January 6, 2025. According to Disney, the ride is expected to reopen on March 15, 2025.
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 five 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 seven 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
January 17-February 24 – EPCOT Festival of the Arts
Click here to learn about the five new experiences coming to the 2025 EPCOT Festival of the Arts.
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.
Disney Treasure – Now Sailing
Click here for Dining on the Disney Treasure – What You Need to Know.
Visit the links below to view our Instagram Story during our Preview Cruise to get a look at the Disney Treasure:
Itineraries in 2025-2026
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 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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