The year is chugging along and we’ve once again arrived at another weekly roundup of Disney theme park news! I know January felt like it was 150 days long, but February flew by — I’ll take it!
This week’s Disney theme park news roundup includes a major virtual queue change going into effect at Walt Disney World, a festival kicking off at Disneyland Resort, and more. If you have an upcoming vacation at either resort, you’ll definitely want to read up on this latest Disney theme park news roundup so you’re prepared to have the best trip possible!
Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Begins
Today, February 28, marks the official start of the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival! The late winter and early spring flagship festival runs through April 21 this year and is filled with tasty bites, bookable dining experiences, and the annual return of Soarin’ Over California.
In addition to all of the happenings inside Disney California Adventure, the festival also extends outside of the park to the hotels at Disneyland Resort as well as Downtown Disney District, with limited-time menu specials available to guests.
I personally love the DCA Food and Wine Festival and am always excited when it makes its return! If you’re visiting Disneyland Resort between now and mid-April, IÂ highly suggest you take some time to check out the food booths and perhaps a beer and wine demonstration.
READ MORE: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
Foodie Guide Released Ahead of EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
This is a busy time of year for foodies, as Walt Disney World is also gearing up for a spring filled with festivities. I’m talking, of course, about the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, running this year from March 5 through June 2.
Ahead of the festival’s start, Disney released a Foodie Guide this week with all of the Outdoor Kitchen menus. There are dozens of brand-new food and beverage items available this year, which marks the 30th anniversary of the Flower and Garden Festival.
I cover all of the menu items as well as important planning info in my ultimate Flower and Garden Festival guide, which you can visit by clicking the link below.
READ MORE: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE EPCOT FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL
Blizzard Beach to Celebrate 30th Anniversary in April
Walt Disney World’s Blizzard Beach turns 30 this year, and to celebrate, the water park will host a series of special events and happenings in the month of April. On April 1, a live DJ will perform at Blizzard Beach, and special character meet-and-greets will be available.
Throughout the month of April, guests can also celebrate the 30th anniversary with specialty food and beverage items as well as merchandise available at Blizzard Beach. Then, on May 1, Disney World will close Blizzard Beach for its regular refurb and reopen its other water park, Typhoon Lagoon.
Don’t forget that if you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel in 2025, your check in and arrival day includes complimentary admission to a Disney Wold water park — whichever one is open at the time of your visit.
READ MORE: HOW TO SPEND YOUR FIRST DAY AT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2025
Disneyland Eggstravaganza Returns in Late March
Let’s hop (pun not intended, I promise) back over to Disneyland Resort for an Easter-themed news story! Each spring, colorful Easter Eggs designed to look like Disney characters appear around Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney for the Eggstravaganza scavenger hunt.
We learned this week that the Disneyland Eggstravaganza will return from March 25 through April 21. If you’re interested in participating in the hunt, you can pick up a map along with a prize at participating locations for $9.99.
READ MORE: EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT DISNEYLAND’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Two Disney World Rides Remove Virtual Queue
Major changes took place this week in the way guests map out their days at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT and, as a result, the way they spend their 7:00 AM on those days. That’s because, as of February 25, Virtual Queue is no longer offered for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
These two attractions are now available via regular standby as well as Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Lightning Lane Single Pass.
This is the first time in several years no ride at Disney World has a Virtual Queue option, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see it again. This system can be implemented whenever Disney opens a new ride. For example, we may see it briefly return when the new version of Test Track opens later this year. Otherwise, it may be some time before we see Virtual Queue return, as no major attractions are scheduled to open for the next couple of years.
