We’ve made it to the month of November! A lot of exciting holiday magic is in the works at the Disney theme parks, including the arrival of seasonal decorations as of this morning! But we’ll get to that in a minute; I’m getting ahead of myself…
After what has been a very busy October in terms of Disney theme park news, I’m back with another weekly update from Disney World and Disneyland. Let’s catch up and see what the latest news is and how it will impact your upcoming vacation.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass Launches at Walt Disney World
This week saw the rollout of Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Walt Disney World following its launch at Disneyland Resort last week. The highest-tier Lightning Lane pass includes one-time access to every ride that offers Lightning Lane at a park without needing to book a reservation for a return time. For this initial rollout phase, you may only purchase Premier Pass for one park each day. However, you can combine Premier Pass with Multi Pass and Single Pass if you want to ride attractions more than once, or if you are Park Hopping.
Premier Pass is, in a word, pricey. The first day price levels at Walt Disney World were as follows: Magic Kingdom $329 per person, EPCOT $169 per person, Hollywood Studios $269 per person, and Animal Kingdom $129 per person.
READ MORE: DISNEY’S NEW LIGHTNING LANE PASS SYSTEM
Fall 2025 runDisney Race Weekends Announced
This weekend, runners will take part in the annual Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World. Fittingly, we also received news for the fall 2025 runDisney events, which includes Wine and Dine. Next fall, the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend will return October 23 through 26, a week or so earlier than it has been in recent years. Registration for Club runDisney members begins February 4, 2025, with general registration opening on February 11.
Over at Disneyland Resort, the Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon will return in 2025 from September 4 through 7. Club runDisney registration will open November 26, 2024, with general registration opening on December 3.
READ MORE: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT 2025 WALT DISNEY WORLD VACATIONS
Breakfast Returns to Satu’li Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
After a several year hiatus, breakfast offerings have returned to the menu at Satu’li Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The Quick Service dining location, found in Pandora – The World of Avatar, is a fan favorite, with savory protein bowls available for lunch and dinner.
The breakfast menu features four new entrees:
- Tropical Pandoran Forest Fruits with fresh yogurt, muesli, and honey
- Cinnamon French Toast with blueberry cream cheese, passion fruit anglaise, and sausage
- Slow-roasted Pork Shoulder Potato Hash with chorizo sausage and charred onion sauce
- Vegetable-Goat Cheese Frittata with wood-fired beef tossed in chimichurri
Be sure to check these items out on your next morning visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
READ MORE: THE BEST TIMES TO VISIT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2025
Holiday Decorations Arrive in Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort
As I mentioned before, November signals the arrival of the holidays at Walt Disney World. The earliest decorations went up overnight (Disney World wastes no time!), with wreaths and garland already lining Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom. It will still take a little bit of time before we see the Christmas tree go up at Magic Kingdom, but we know it’s just around the corner!
Gingerbread displays are also currently under construction, including the fan-favorite gingerbread house in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
Of course, Disneyland has already been transitioning to its holiday look, with the snow-capped Sleeping Beauty Castle on display for the past couple of weeks. The holidays officially arrive at Disneyland Resort November 15, but the first after-hours holiday party at Walt Disney World kicks off next Friday, November 8.
READ MORE: DINING GUIDE TO MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure To Use Virtual Queue Upon Opening at Disneyland Resort
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure officially opens at Disneyland Resort on November 15, though we’ve been in Magic Key and Cast Member previews for several days now! We learned this week that when the attraction opens, it will use a virtual queue with no standby option in the initial opening days. The ability to join the virtual queue will open daily at 7:00 AM and 12:00 PM PST.
In addition to virtual queue, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be available as a Lightning Lane option when you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
READ MORE: TIANA’S BAYOU GUIDE OPENS AT DISNEYLAND RESORT NOVEMBER 15
New Booths and More Announced For EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
We’re a few weeks away from the start of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays! The seasonal festival will take place this year November 29 through December 30. Included in this year’s festival are all of the fan favorites, including the Candlelight Processional and those delicious bites and sips available at the Holiday Kitchens.
This year’s festival will also feature two new booths, both located at CommuniCore Hall: Experimental Prototype Cookies of Tomorrow and Favorites of Festivals Past. Guests will also want to keep their eyes peeled for a brand-new Spaceship Earth gingerbread display, also at CommuniCore Hall.
