DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Virtual Queues Ending; 8 New Flower & Garden Offerings; Guardians Joining Early Entry; Popular Lounge Closing Date & More
Big news this week. Soon, two of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World will no longer require a virtual queue, which means guests are reclaiming 7 am and rejoicing! We got a look a new offerings at the upcoming EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, a confirmed closing date for Jellyrolls, and a heartwarming Cinderella Make-A-Wish. Learn about these stories and more at the link below.
1 – Disney Announces the Two Attractions Will Drop the Virtual Queue Requirement
This week, Disney made two long-awaited announcements regarding using a virtual queue for two of its most popular attractions. Soon, guests will be able to use a traditional standby queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Both attractions have used a virtual queue since their openings, in the case of Guardians, for over 2.5 years! While some guests like having the option for a virtual queue, the requirement makes it much more difficult for many others to enjoy. Learn more at the link below.
2 – Disney Announces 8 New Ways to Enjoy the EPCOT Flower &d Garden Festival
The 2025 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival kicks off in under two weeks on March 5. Disney has shared eight new ways to enjoy this year’s festival, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Learn more at the link below.
Click here to learn about eight new ways to enjoy the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival.
3 – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Added to EPCOT’s Early Entry lineup
Now that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will no longer use a virtual queue, the attraction will be added to the Early Entry lineup at EPCOT beginning February 25, 2025. Early Entry is a popular perk for Disney Resort hotel guests. It allows guests to enter the park thirty minutes before the official opening, enjoy select attractions, and get a head start on the day. With Guardians specifically, resort guests will get a huge jump on the line. We would not be surprised if the standby line for Guardians were to be 1-2 hours upon opening once the virtual queue ends.
With this update on February 25, EPCOT’s Early Entry lineup now includes:
- Frozen Ever After
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Mission: SPACE
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Spaceship Earth
- Test Track (when not closed for refurbishment)
4 – Closing Date for Jellyrolls Announced at Disney’s BoardWalk
The popular dueling piano bar, Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk, has announced that its last day of operation will be April 19, 2025. Disney has not made any announcements on its replacement.
5 – Disney Surprises Guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Villaintine’s Day and Valentine’s Day
From time to time, Disney will surprise guests in unexpected ways. Guests of Disney’s Hollywood Studios on February 13 and February 14 were treated to free gifts upon entry and popup character meet and greets. On February 13, Villaintine’s Day, in honor of the upcoming new show, “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After,” guests received Villains-themed cards and were able to meet with Cruella de Vil, Maleficent, and Jafar.
On February 14, in honor of “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,” premiering this summer, guests received commemorative Valentine cards and were able to meet with Ariel and Prince Eric. We love how Disney offers these surprises to guests!
6 – Disney Cruise Line Announces New Marvel Experience, Captain Jack Sparrow, and Duffy and Friends to Debut on the Disney Adventure
Disney Cruise Line today unveiled a series of new and incredible experiences coming to the Disney Adventure, including several firsts for the fleet, giving guests even more reasons to book and enjoy a magical vacation at sea.
More beloved Disney stories and characters will come to life on the Disney Adventure through Marvel Style Studio that makes its Disney Cruise Line debut, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and Royal Society for Friendship and Tea. In another first for the fleet, Duffy and Friends will appear onboard through a series of delightful retail and entertainment experiences, including the brand-new show “Duffy and The Friend Ship.”
The Disney Adventure will set sail on its maiden voyage on December 15, 2025, from Singapore. Guests can book new sail dates between April and September 2026 directly from the Disney Cruise Line website or with their preferred travel agents. To help book your vacation, call our travel partners, Magical Vacation Planners, at (407) 442-0227. You can also get a no-obligation, FREE vacation quote by clicking here. Their services are free to you, and they can answer any questions you may have.
Learn more about the new experiences on the Disney Adventure at the link below.
7 – Disney Pin Trading is Celebrating 25 Years
One of our favorite hobbies in the park is Disney pin trading! It’s hard to believe that Official Disney Pin Trading is celebrating 25 years! New pins have been released to celebrate. Watch the Reel below to learn more.
8 – Disney and Make-A-Wish Make a Cinderella Wish Come True
A 10-year-old aspiring designer who is battling cancer wished to meet Disney costume design experts at Walt Disney World as part of her Make-A-Wish trip. She was inspired by the ballgowns she saw in the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic “Cinderella,” and knew she wanted to design a royal dress of her own. At the link below, you’ll find details of her visit to Walt Disney World, which happened just in time for the film’s 75th anniversary on February 15, 2025. This is one of many Disney Princess wishes that will be granted at Walt Disney World this year.
Click here to learn about a special Cinderella Make-A-Wish.
9 – Disney and Marc Jacobs Launch New Kids Collection
Disney has teamed up with Marc Jacobs to launch a new Kids collection for Spring/Summer 2025.
Celebrating the playful and timeless spirit of the iconic Disney character, Disney x Marc Jacobs combines style, comfort and fun in a range of clothing that will delight boys and girls alike (size 2-14 years). Capturing the essence of summer – lightness, freedom and joy – the girls’ and boys’ collections feature comfortable swimsuits, t-shirts, shorts and more in a contemporary Mickey Mouse print and the character’s signature colors: black, white and red. Both sporty and stylish, the collection features hats in the Mickey Mouse print and comfortable sneakers.
The Disney x Marc Jacobs collection is now available www.kidsaround.us and is coming soon to DisneyStore.com and Disney Store Times Square.
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!
Click here to learn more about the 2026 summer itineraries with Disney Cruise Line.
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
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.