It’s Friday, which means it’s time to recap the latest and greatest Disney theme park headlines. To be honest, I thought last week’s roundup of Disney theme park news would signal a quieter week this week…boy was I wrong!
This week’s lineup of Disney theme park updates includes price hikes for Disney World Annual Passes, new eateries opening on both coasts, and much more. Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming holiday vacation to Disney World or you’re looking further ahead to a 2025 vacation, there’s a news story in this week’s lineup you’ll want to read up on!
Price Increases Roll Out For Walt Disney World Annual Passes
Historically, October is when we see prices go up for admission (both single tickets and Annual Passes) at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. October 1 marks the beginning of The Walt Disney Company’s fiscal year, so you always want to keep an eye on the price of a Disney vacation this time of year.
We already saw the price of Disneyland Magic Keys and single tickets go up earlier this month, and now, we’re seeing similar price hikes happening at Walt Disney World. This week, the price of their Annual Passes went up by $30 to $100 across all four tiers. The new prices are as follows:
- Incredi-Pass: $1549 (was $1449)
- Sorcerer Pass: $1079 (was $999)
- Pirate Pass: $829 (was $799)
- Pixie Dust Pass: $469 (was $439)
Renewal prices went up as well for all four Disney World Annual Pass tiers:
- Incredi-Pass: $1299 (was $1229)
- Sorcerer Pass: $929 (was $849)
- Pirate Pass: $709 (was $679)
- Pixie Dust Pass: $399 (was $369)
READ MORE: WAYS TO SAVE ON A DISNEY WORLD VACATION IN 2025
2025 EPCOT Festival of the Arts Dates Announced
It’s time to look ahead to 2025, specifically EPCOT’s festival schedule! The first EPCOT festival of the year is the Festival of the Arts, a celebration of all things visual and performing arts. The festival includes Food Studio booths selling bright and colorful food and beverage items, the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, and much more.
The 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will take place from January 17 through February 24. This is one of the shorter EPCOT festivals — in my opinion, it’s too short! As we get closer to the start of the festival, we’ll see menus and more information released on what guests can enjoy during their winter visit to EPCOT.
READ MORE: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT 2025 DISNEY WORLD VACATIONS
New MagicBand+ Interactive Features Roll Out at Walt Disney World
If you use MagicBand+ in Walt Disney World, you can now see several new interactive features at many of the live shows around the parks. This new feature, called Theater Show Magic, includes lighting and vibration effects that interact with the show you’re in the audience for.
These features are available now for Festival of the Lion King, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! This feature is also coming soon to Turtle Talk with Crush.
The Cake Bake Shop Opens at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
There’s a new place to dine at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn! The Cake Bake Shop officially opened this week, located in the former spot of ESPN Zone. The Cake Bake Shop features a menu of decadent cakes, but it also serves savory dishes, sandwiches, and much more.
READ MORE: GREAT DISNEY WORLD HOTELS FOR ADULTS-ONLY VACATIONS
Disneyland To Resume Sale of All Magic Key Passes
If you’ve been waiting to buy a Disneyland Magic Key, you’re in luck — all four tiers are about to go on sale once again. Disneyland announced that Magic Keys will go on sale again starting on November 6 while supplies last.
Interested in buying or upgrading your Magic Key? The online queue will open no earlier than 8:45 AM PST on November 6, with sales beginning no earlier than 9:00 AM PST. Also, keep in mind the recent price increase when budgeting your Magic Key purchase.
Foodie Guide Released For Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
We’re just a couple of weeks away from the kick off of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! The annual holiday after-hours party is back starting on November 8 at Magic Kingdom, and we’re getting a first look at the food and beverage items that will be available for purchase.
There are dozens of party-exclusive treats to try this year, including plenty of sweets to get into the holiday spirit. The menu items are available across the park, so be sure to plan your evening out accordingly if you want to try as many as possible.
READ MORE: PLAN YOUR DISNEY WORLD HOLIDAY VACATION
New Menu Items Roll Out Across Walt Disney World
The Disney Eats Instagram account (@disneyeats) posted a trio of foodie announcements earlier this week, including news of new menu items rolling out across Walt Disney World! Two restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater have new menu items, including a Beamed-Up Burger and Braised Waygu Beef on Orecchiette.
There are a series of new breakfast beverages available across Disney World, too, including a non-alcoholic Pink Spritzer, Legacy Mimosa with Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Tennessee Whiskey, and a Cold Brew Martini with SelvaRey Chocolate Rum. You can find these and many other drinks at various dining locations around Disney World.
If you’re like me, the best kinds of snacks are the ones you can munch on to keep you full in between meals. You know, french fries. Several new iterations of the classic side dish are now available at Disney World, including Street Corn Fries, Buffalo Fries, and BBQ Fries.Â
Lightning Lane Premier Pass Debuts at Disneyland Resort
October 23 marked the arrival of Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Disneyland Resort. The new Lightning Lane Pass offers an even more convenient way to experience the Lightning Lanes at Disneyland’s rides and attractions. By purchasing Premier Pass, you do not have to make any reservations for Lightning Lane return times — simply show up when you’re ready to ride. Also, all Lightning Lane rides and attractions are included in your purchase. At Disneyland Resort specifically, the purchase of Premier Pass includes both parks.
Through the end of 2024, Lightning Lane Premier Pass will cost $400 per person daily and is tax exempt. Starting in 2025, the price will vary between $300-$400 per person daily. Lightning Lane Premier Pass will debut at Walt Disney World on October 30. When it arrives at Walt Disney World in its pilot phase, purchasing Premier Pass will only be applied for one park per day.
READ MORE: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DISNEY WORLD AND DISNEYLAND’S LIGHTNING LANE PASS SYSTEM
Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree Opens at Disneyland
Over in Bayou Country (the new name for what used to be called Critter Country), Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree has officially (re)opened. Also available to guests starting today is Ray’s Berets, one of the two newly re-named retail locations in the land.
These openings are in anticipating of the main event: the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, scheduled to open on November 15. The attraction began previews for Magic Key holders this week. Also opening soon is Louis’ Critter Club, the other retail location found in Bayou Country.
READ MORE: A FULL GUIDE TO TIANA’S BAYOU ADVENTURE
Holiday Dining Events Announced For Disneyland Resort
Walt Disney World isn’t the only resort looking forward to the kickoff of the holiday season. At Disneyland Resort, guests have already noticed the arrival of a snow-capped Sleeping Beauty Castle in anticipation of the start of the season, which begins November 15.
This year, guests can enjoy three specialty dining events at the resort hotels around Disneyland, announced this week. At the Disneyland Hotel, families can enjoy Goofy’s Kitchen Celebrates the Holidays, available November 19 through January 2, 2025.
And at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, another character dining offering will be available from November 19 through January 1, 2025: Mickey’s Holiday Pajama Party Breakfast and Brunch at Storyteller’s Cafe. If you want to dine at Storytellers Cafe sans characters, a Holiday Dinner will also be available in the form of an all-you-care-to enjoy holiday dinner buffet.
On select days from December 3 through December 24, you can experience Holiday Tea with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Hearthstone Lounge at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in attendance as guests enjoy holiday-inspired bites and premium loose-leaf teas.
Disneyland Hotel Lounge Gets a Rebrand
The next time you visit Disneyland Hotel, you may notice a newly rebranded offering. The lobby lounge has officially transformed into Broken Spell Lounge this week.
The lounge’s design is inspired by the classic Disney animated film Sleeping Beauty. The lounge will open daily starting at 4:00 PM and will serve small plates and cocktails.
Two Disneyland Resort Attractions Resumes Operation
Today (October 25) is a busy day at the Disneyland Resort. In addition to the opening of Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Cast Member and Magic Key previews, guests are also seeing the return of two beloved offerings that have been M.I.A. for the past couple of months.
First up, the Disneyland Railroad has officially resumed operation. The station at New Orleans Square will remain closed for the time being as construction continues in that area.
This evening, World of Color resumes performances in Disney California Adventure following a multi-month hiatus. It’s a busy day at the Happiest Place on Earth!
