Hi there! Happy Friday and welcome back to another weekly roundup of Disney parks and cruise news. There has been a big shift this week for anyone planning a Disney World or Disneyland vacation, as the new Lightning Lane Pass system rolled out on Wednesday. But there is much more to cover, and news this week spans the country as well as the high seas!
With just two weeks until D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, eagle-eyed fans are tuned in to all of the latest news and updates from the Walt Disney Company as they predict what Disney could announce. Let’s catch up on the latest news from the Disney theme parks as well as from Disney Cruise Line.
Genie+ Is Officially Retired And Replaced By Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Of course, the big event that happened this week in the world of Disney theme parks is the launch of Lightning Lane Passes. These two new passes — Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass — have replaced Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane. That’s right, just when you thought you were getting the hang of Genie+, an entirely new system has arrived.
Over in Disneyland, nothing has changed beyond the names. At Disney World, however, quite a lot has changed, including bringing back the ability to book your Lightning Lane return times ahead of your vacation. I wrote an entire guide explaining the basic fundamentals of this new system, so be sure to check that out as you plan your next Disney World vacation.
GENIE+ IS OUT AND LIGHTNING LANE MULTI PASS IS IN! READ UP ON WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION.
Disney Cruise Line to Host Three-Day Virtual Disney Destiny Preview
The next big news item to come out this week was more of a hint of what next week’s news will be! Disney Cruise Line announced that a three-day virtual reveal of the Disney Destiny will take place from July 30 through August 1. Also announced is that Disney Destiny bookings will open to the public on August 9.
The Disney Destiny is scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage in December 2025. Assuming the Disney Adventure, the ship that will be home docked in Singapore, launches prior to that, the Destiny will be Disney Cruise Line’s eighth ship. The next ship to join the fleet, the Disney Treasure, embarks on its maiden voyage this December.
THERE’S A LOT COMING TO DISNEY CRUISE LINE IN 2024 AND 2025!
Deadpool and Wolverine Arrive at Avengers Campus at Disneyland
With the arrival of Deadpool and Wolverine in theaters, Disney is doing something I frankly never thought would happen: Deadpool is in the theme parks! Earlier this week it was announced that Deadpool would be making appearances in Avengers Campus at Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris. It was later announced that Wolverine would be joining Deadpool in making appearances at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure starting today, July 26.
Disney has not announced a timeline detailing how long Deadpool and Wolverine will be making appearances in Avengers Campus. If you’re visiting Disneyland in the coming weeks, make sure to check the Disneyland app for the most up-to-date times when the characters will be making appearances.
Reopening Date of Haunted Mansion Holiday Announced For Disneyland
Haunted Mansion has been closed throughout 2024 as construction continues around the ride’s outdoor queue. While we do not know the exact timeline of when construction will be completed, we did hear an exciting announcement for when the ride will reopen! Starting July 29, guests will be able to experience Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Haunted Mansion Holiday typically doesn’t arrive until around Labor Day, so this is a significant shift up in the calendar. It could be that Disney decided it didn’t make any sense to reopen as regular Haunted Mansion for a brief period, only to close for the switchover (it usually takes a few weeks each year for the transition to happen). Either way, it looks like guests can enjoy Haunted Mansion Holiday for over 5 months this year!
When it opens on July 29, Haunted Mansion Holiday will only be available via Virtual Queue as construction continues on the outdoor queue. Guests can join the Virtual Queue at 7:00 a.m. if they have a Disneyland Park reservation, or at 12:00 p.m. if they have a Disneyland Park reservation or are in Disney California Adventure with Park Hopping privileges.
Hungry Bear Restaurant at Disneyland To Be Re-themed To Country Bear Jamboree
Disneyland Park is one big construction project right now, at least that back left corner of the park! As work continues on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, certain areas of Critter Country are going through their own transformation. In fact, all of Critter Country is currently unavailable as work continues. A reopening date has not been announced, but we did hear some exciting new details on what’s coming to the land.
Hungry Bear Restaurant is going to be re-themed after the Country Bears! The quick service dining location will reopen as Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree with a menu inspired by “the Country Bears’ favorite regional barbecue dishes.”
One-Day Exclusive D23 Day Festivities Announced For Disneyland Resort
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is just a couple of weeks away! The day before the Expo kicks off, August 8, is being dubbed as the first-ever “D23 Day” at Disneyland Resort, with exclusive one-day activities planned for both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.
Admission to either theme park will include exclusive D23 Day Mickey Mouse Ear hats, available to all guests (while supplies last). Also included with theme park admission on August 8 is complimentary unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken that day.
Exclusive character meet and greets available only on August 8 include Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear in Pixar Pier, and Max and Goofy in their “Goof Troop” looks at Mickey’s Toontown. Starting on August 8, select shopping locations at Disneyland Resort will be restocked with the popular Create Your Own Headbands.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Tarzan (that’s fine no one needed to remind me how old I am), commemorative merchandise will be available for purchase at Disneyana at Disneyland park, Off the Page at Disney California Adventure park and WonderGround Gallery at the Downtown Disney District.
We haven’t even gotten to talking about the dance parties! D23 Day is shaping up to be a highly-anticipated day for anyone visiting Disneyland on August 8 (slowly raises my hand…).
