Welcome back to another weekly roundup of Disney theme park and Disney Cruise Line news! This week’s news includes a three-day reveal of the Disney Destiny, Disney Cruise Line’s new ship that launches in November 2025.
This week’s news also has plenty of goodies for anyone looking forward to all things Halloween. It’s officially August, which in my mind is the home stretch of summer. Though in many ways I’ve already moved on to fall. Halloween must-have items have arrived at my local HomeGoods, so I’m not sure why the heat and humidity are overstaying their welcome.
Disney Cruise Line Reveals Details About Disney Destiny
This was a big week for Disney Cruise Line. A three-day virtual reveal took place, during which we learned a ton of new details about its new ship, the Disney Destiny. The Destiny will embark on its maiden voyage in November 2025.
I’ll direct you to my full Disney Destiny guide for all of the details, but major highlights I personally can’t wait to see come to life include a Lion King-themed restaurant, a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge, another lounge themed to the Sanctum from Marvel’s Doctor Strange, and the Grand Hall featuring a statue of T’Challa, the Black Panther!
Bookings for the Disney Destiny’s inaugural season go on sale for Castaway Club members on September 6, 2024. Sailings then go on sale to the general public on September 12, 2024.
READ ALL ABOUT THE DISNEY DESTINY, INCLUDING BRAND-NEW RESTAURANTS ON BOARD
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Foodie Guide Revealed
August has arrived, which means Halloween is right around the corner at Walt Disney World. We may still be in the thick of summer, but Disney World gets into the fall spirit this time of year with the start of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The beloved after-hours event starts on August 9 and continues on select evenings through October 31.
In anticipation of the start of the Halloween season and the after-hours party, Disney released a Foodie Guide detailing all of the tasty treats guests can find throughout Magic Kingdom, which is the park where you’ll find the lion’s share of fall festivities. A Foodie Guide was also released for Halloween treats found at Disney World’s resorts.
This year, there are over 40 party-exclusive food and beverage items, including a party-exclusive menu at Be Our Guest Restaurant. But there are numerous sweet and savory items at Magic Kingdom available for regular day guests as well.
START PLANNING YOUR HALLOWEEN DISNEY WORLD VACATION!
Limited-Time Fall Dining Event Announced For Storytellers Cafe at Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort is also preparing for its Halloween Time festivities, which officially begin on August 23. Several signs of fall have already arrived, like the reopening of Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Starting September 3, Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa will offer a new fall-themed dining experience: Mickey’s Autumn Adventures. This character dining experience features Mickey and his friends dressed in adorable fall outfits. Reservations are available now.
For more fall-themed character dining at Disneyland Resort, head to the Disneyland Hotel. Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates Halloween reservations will also be available soon for booking.
Temporary Ride Closure Dates Set at Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort has been going through several long periods of closures and refurbishments as it prepares for its 70th anniversary in 2025. We’ve already seen Haunted Mansion receive a new extended outdoor queue, work being done in Critter Country in preparation for the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and more!
Additional temporary ride closures are coming down the pike. Space Mountain will close for refurbishments starting on August 5, and we now know that the ride will reopen on September 6. Shortly after, Indiana Jones Adventure will begin a temporary closure on September 9. A reopening date for that attraction has not been announced.
D23: THE ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT IS NEXT WEEK! READ MY PREDICTIONS FOR WHAT I THINK WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE EXPERIENCES SHOWCASE.
Disneyland Teases New Villains Joining Oogie Boogie Bash
As I previously mentioned, Halloween Time officially starts at Disneyland Resort on August 23. This includes the kick-off of Oogie Boogie Bash, an after-hours party taking place at Disney California Adventure. Oogie Boogie Bash features exclusive food and beverage items, spooky entertainment, and immersive candy treat trails with Disney villains.
Oogie Boogie Bash has taken to introducing a couple of new villains each year, with teasers coming out in the weeks leading up to the start of the after-hours party so fans can speculate. This week, a teaser video dropped hinting that two villains, Hades from Hercules and Dr. Doofenshmirtz from Phineas and Ferb, will join the lineup of villains!
