DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Closure Dates for Studios Restaurants & Attraction Announced; New Parade & Villains Show Details; Section of Animal Kingdom Closes Permanently; Festival of the Arts & More
After a relatively quiet few weeks, this week, there were a lot of announcements about upcoming closures, program offerings, and more. Disney announced the closing dates for the beloved Muppet*Vision 3D attraction and two restaurants in Muppet Courtyard. The Lightning Lane Premier Pass was updated again, the EPCOT Festival of the Arts has kicked off, and sadly, a section of DinoLand, USA, is closed forever. Learn more about these stories and more at the link below.
1 – Disney Announces Closing Dates for Two Restaurants and One Attraction Ahead of Construction for Monsters, Inc. Land
We’ve known for some time that Muppet Courtyard is where the upcoming Monsters, Inc. land will be constructed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This week, Disney announced the closing dates for Mama Melrose’s, PizzeRizzo, and Muppet*Vision 3D so that construction can begin this summer. Learn more at the link below.
2 – New Details on Villains Show and Nighttime Parade Coming to Walt Disney World
This week, we learned new details about two of the new offerings that we’re looking forward to coming to Walt Disney World in 2025! Learn more at the link below.
3 – Disney Expands Lightning Lane Premier Pass Program (Again)
Last fall, Disney added a third option to its Lightning Lane program at Walt Disney World, which allows guests to pay to skip the line. The Premier Pass, the most flexible yet expensive option, was first rolled out to guests at Deluxe Resorts and, a month later, was rolled out to all Disney Resort guests. Now, all guests may purchase the passes. While expensive (they range anywhere from $129-$449 per person, depending on the park and day you visit), they have proved to be very popular. Multiple days over the Thanksgiving and Christmas week holidays had Premier Passes sell out. While available to all guests, Disney has stated that they are still offered in limited supply. Learn more at the link below.
Click here to learn about the Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Walt Disney World.
4 – First Round of Closures in DinoLand, USA
On January 13, 2025, the first round of closures occurred in DinoLand, USA. These closures are the first step in reimagining the land to a Tropical Americas-themed land set to open in 2027. Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama, including Fossil Fun Games, TriceraTop Spin, and Chester & Hester’s Dino Treasures, are now permanently closed. However, DINOSAUR, the Boneyard, Restaurantosaurus, and Trilo-Bites remain open. Disney has confirmed that DINOSAUR will remain open “through 2025.” A groundbreaking ceremony for the Tropical Americas expansion was held on January 17, 2025, and marks the official start of construction to reimagine DinoLand to a new land.
5 – 2025 Festival of the Arts at EPCOT – 11 Things You Don’t Want to Miss
The 2025 Festival of the Arts is now open through February 24, 2025! Visit the link below to learn more about this short but fun festival at EPCOT.
Click here for the eleven things you don’t want to miss at the 2025 Festival of the Arts.
6 – Black History Month Offerings Announced for Walt Disney World
Disney Parks have always celebrated Black History Month, and this week, Disney announced the unique ways guests can “Celebrate Soulfully” with experiences that honor Black heritage and culture. Learn more at the link below.
Click here to learn about Black History Month at Walt Disney World.
7 – Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom Celebrates 50 Years
Space Mountain is celebrating 50 years! The attraction has delighted guests with a thrilling adventure through the cosmos since its grand opening on January 15, 1975. Walt Disney World recently celebrated the attraction’s 50th Anniversary! Learn more below!
Click here to learn more about Space Mountain and its 50th Anniversary at Magic Kingdom.
8 – Space Mountain Soundscape Video Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Disney Parks YouTube channel just uploaded a Space Mountain Soundscape to join our Disney Parks Music & Ambience playlist in honor of the attraction celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
The video features the sounds of Space Mountain from around the world. At nearly an hour long, it’s the perfect video to put on while you’re working, relaxing, etc., and want to experience the attraction from home.
9 – Disney Unveils New Voices of Liberty Costumes
Since its opening, Voices of Liberty at The American Adventure has been wowing guests with its vocal performances. Recently, Disney has shared that the a capella group is now performing in new outfits! Learn more below.
Click here to see the new Voices of Liberty costumes at The American Adventure.
10 – Viviana the Hippo Celebrates 50th Birthday at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Viviana, a hippo on Kilimanjaro Safaris, is celebrating her 50th birthday! She recently celebrated her special occasion with a birthday “cake” crafted and curated by the Disney Animal Nutrition team, featuring all her favorite foods, including sweet watermelon.
11 – Disney Cruise Line Luggage Tag Update
Disney Cruise Line has announced that DCL luggage tags will soon feature a new format which will streamline the luggage process by making luggage tags easier to identify.
There will now be three tag versions sent to Guests: Concierge, non-Concierge and GTY. Each ship will have its own specific color for luggage tags. The tags for Concierge Guests will no longer be a separate color. Instead, they will be the same color as non-Concierge Guests and have a crossed-key icon as pictured above. The keys will display on tags sent pre-cruise as well as the generic tags Guests can get at the port. GTY stateroom tags will feature a large blank space for Guests to write in their stateroom number once it is assigned.
The color for each ship is as followed:
- Disney Magic – GREEN
- Disney Wonder – ORANGE
- Disney Dream – BLUE
- Disney Fantasy – PURPLE
- Disney Wish – MAROON
- Disney Treasure – YELLOW
In addition to the above changes, Guests may notice the following when receiving the new luggage tag design:
- Updated luggage tags will no longer feature a barcode.
- Stateroom numbers will be printed in a larger font.
- The timeline for Guests to receive their luggage tags will remain unchanged.
- The Luggage Tag Mailer will remain the same. Only the luggage tags themselves are being updated.
- The process to obtain luggage tags at the port will remain the same.
- Porters will have both Concierge and Non-Concierge generic luggage tags available for Guests who arrive without their luggage tags.
10 – Disney Cruise Line Gratuity Update
Beginning January 22, a gratuity increase will take effect for all sailings beginning January 23, 2025, or later.
For non-Concierge Guests, Disney Cruise Line will increase the recommended pre-paid gratuities by $1.50 per person/per day. This new recommendation will increase the gratuities for the Assistant Dining Room Server, Dining Room Server, and Stateroom Host/Hostess. The total recommended gratuity is $16.00 per person/per day.
For Concierge Guests, the recommended increase is $3.75 per person/per day. In addition to the positions listed above, there is also a recommended increase for the Assistant Stateroom Host/Hostess and the Concierge Lounge Team positions. The recommended gratuity is now $27.25 per person/per day.
Guests who have already pre-paid gratuities for an upcoming sailing will not increase to the new pricing.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
Now – February 24 – EPCOT Festival of the Arts
Click here for the eleven things you don’t want to miss at the 2025 Festival of the Arts.
Click here for the menus for the 2025 EPCOT Festival of the Arts.
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
15 Changes Coming to Walt Disney World in 2025 and Beyond
2025 – Reimagined ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Click here for more on the upcoming Little Mermaid show at 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 an overview of the Disney Treasure.
Click here for Dining on the Disney Treasure – What You Need to Know.
Upper Deck Fun 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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