What a busy week it has been for Disney theme park and Disney Cruise Line news! After my recent voyage aboard the Disney Dream, I’m especially excited about the cruise news we have on deck this week (and the incoming stories next week…stay tuned!).
In the meantime, there is much to catch up on, including a major addition coming to one of Disney World’s flagship resorts as well as an excellent hotel discount you may want to consider taking advantage of this summer.
New Lobby Bar Coming to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Our lead story this week comes from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, where a major announcement was made regarding the next phase of the hotel’s multi-year renovation. Up next is extensive work being done on the resort lobby, which includes a brand new lobby bar. The tea room will also be updated, with more details to come at a later date.
Work on the lobby is set to begin next week and will be ongoing throughout 2025. As a result, the fan-favorite gingerbread house display will not be available during this year’s holiday season.
According to Disney, the new lobby bar will be inspired by the lobby’s iconic birdcage. Also, “the bar will pay tribute to the resort’s Victorian roots with intricate woodwork, stained glass, and brass accents.”
READ MORE: DISNEY’S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT AND SPA IS GETTING A NEW LOBBY BAR!
New Discounts Announced For Summer at Walt Disney World
That summer vacation to Walt Disney World you might be considering just became a lot more financially feasible — that is, depending on where you want to stay and whether you are subscribed to Disney+.
Disney announced a rather generous discounts to select Disney World Resort hotels this week, exclusive to Disney+ subscribers. This new offer is valid for stays from June 29 through July 31, with the following rates available at these hotels:
- $99 per night for Standard Rooms at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- $169 per night for Woods View Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- $229 per night for Cars Family Suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- $249 per night for Deluxe Studios at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
- $339 per night for Savanna View Rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
To redeem this offer, you must provide proof of a Disney+ subscription. The Disney+ subscriber must also stay in the room. More information is available on Disney World’s website.
READ MORE: HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION
Disney Fantasy To Receive New Dining and Upgrades During Dry Dock Period
Disney Cruise Line has been one busy bee. With two new ships on the horizon for 2025, Disney is also working on upgrading their current fleet. Last year, the Disney Dream underwent some upgrades during its dry dock period, including the addition of Ramone’s Cantina to Flo’s Cafe and upgrades to spaces in Senses Spa.
Ramone’s Cantina is where you’ll find those tasty build-your-own taco bowls. I had one on my recent Disney Dream sailing and I can vouch that they are indeed delicious and a welcome addition to any Disney Cruise Line vessel.
Similar upgrades are coming to the Disney Fantasy, the Dream’s sister ship, when it goes into dry dock later this year. In addition to Ramone’s Cantina and the Senses Spa upgrades, the Fantasy will also receive a new concierge lounge inspired by Hercules, a new funnel suite inspired by Sorcerer Mickey, and teen club Edge relocating to Deck 5.
Disney Cruise Line’s next ship, the Disney Destiny, will launch on November 20.
READ MORE: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT DISNEY CRUISE LINE’S NEXT SHIP, THE DISNEY DESTINY
New Details Revealed For Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration
We’re a little more than one month out from the start of Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration. As we inch closer to the festivities, Disney has released new details of some of the offerings that will be available to guests.
For example, the previously-announced new iteration of World of Color, “World of Color Happiness!,” will feature interactive elements where guests can vote using their phone on one of the four emotions from Inside Out — Envy, Sadness, Anger, or Disgust — to be featured in scenes throughout the show.
Speaking of entertainment, we also learned this week that a new projection show called “Tapestry of Happiness” will play at Disneyland Park on the facade of “it’s a small world” before that evening’s performance of Wondrous Journeys, the nightly spectacular (with fireworks on select nights). The show will create an “animated mosaic of Disneyland attractions, moments and memories brought to life in a unique style inspired by the work of legendary Disney artist Mary Blair.”
That’s not all — during the day, guests can sign up for a brand-new walking tour called A Story of Celebration: 70th Anniversary Guided Tour. This two-hour walking tour “will explore the rich heritage of Disneyland park, from opening day attractions to the latest innovations.” Bookings will be available on Disneyland.com starting on April 24.
READ MORE: DISNEYLAND’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION STARTS NEXT MONTH
Destination D23 Ticket On Sale Dates and Perks Announced
This year’s Disney fan event, Destination D23, officially dubbed A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney, is happening this summer at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort! The smaller-scale version of last year’s D23 Expo will take place from August 29 through 31, and tickets go on sale soon.
We learned this week that tickets will go on sale April 14 at 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM ET and will be exclusively available to D23 Gold Members. Tickets will come with a number of perks, including guaranteed general seating to all Destination D23 events.
All Destination D23 attendees will also be able to enjoy D23 Kuzcotopia Night at Typhoon Lagoon on Saturday, August 30, and Disney’s ‘80s-‘90s Celebration in Concert. There will also be a Disney Archives exhibit called The Walt Disney Archives Presents: Charting the Course, Disney’s Global Stories & Inspirations, available to all Destination D23 attendees. You can learn more about this year’s Destination D23 on D23’s website.
READ MORE: LOOK BACK AT EVERY ANNOUNCEMENT MADE AT LAST YEAR’S D23 DISNEY FAN EVENT!
On Sale Dates Announced For Disneyland After Dark Pride Nite Tickets
The fourth and final Disneyland After Dark event, Pride Nite, takes place this June! Pride Nite will be on June 16 and 18 and will feature fireworks, a Pride cavalcade, dance party, themed food, and more.
This week, Disney announced that tickets will go on sale for Magic Key holders starting April 16. The general public may purchase tickets starting April 17. Tickets will cost $169 per person, plus tax.
READ MORE: START PLANNING YOUR 2025 DISNEYLAND VACATION
Poster and Character Art Revealed For Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After is a brand-new live stage production debuting at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on May 27, 2025.
Ahead of its debut, Disney released the official poster for the show this week:
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After joins all of your favorite Disney villains together live on stage as each one makes the case for who among them is the most misunderstood. Ultimately, it will be up to the audience to decide which villain has the most claim!
