Welcome back to another weekly roundup of Disney theme park and Disney Cruise Line news! As we head into the unofficial end of summer this weekend, let’s take a moment to catch up on what’s going on at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and beyond.
This week turned out to be a busy one, with the arrival of the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, news about Disneyland’s holiday season lineup, and much more! I know I’m ready to head into the fall season with cooler temperatures.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Begins
Foodies, the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is finally here for 2024! The festival officially began on August 29, significantly later than recent years. As Disney World returns to “diet EPCOT,” the Food and Wine Festival got a shorter run this year, lasting through November 23.
This year’s festival offers tons of new eats and sips, exclusive merchandise, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, and more! Enjoying the festival, including the concert series, is included with your park admission (though you’ll pay for whatever food and beverage items you wish to try). Returning activities, available for an added cost, include the Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak and Emile’s Fromage Montage.
READ MORE: EPCOT’S 2024 FESTIVAL LINEUP
Disneyland Announces Holiday Season Lineup
If you think August is too soon to start thinking about Halloween, I’ll need you to cover your ears…because we’re going to talk about Christmas. Disneyland this week announced its plans for its 2024 holiday season lineup, including dates, entertainment, and more. The holidays will be at Disneyland Resort from November 15 through January 6.
Returning offerings during those dates include ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party, taking place on select days in Disney California Adventure. On days when the full street party is not taking place, Mirabel from Encanto and Miguel from Coco will appear in street performances that celebrate the holidays.
At night, ‘Believe…In Holiday Magic’ and ‘World of Color – Season of Light’ will perform at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, respectively.
“it’s a small world” Holiday also returns to Disneyland Park during the holiday season.
“it’s a small world” will reopen during its extended refurbishment to transform into the holiday version. At the end of the “it’s a small world” Holiday run, the ride will re-close for continued refurbishment through spring 2025.
READ MORE: THIS YEAR’S HALLOWEEN LINEUP AT DISNEYLAND RESORT
Disney World After Hours Dates Revealed For 2025
This week, Disney World announced its initial lineup of dates for Disney World After Hours, returning in 2025. The hard-ticket after-hours events will take place at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Magic Kingdom After Hours dates are as follows (event will take place 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., with park access beginning at 7:00 p.m. for ticket holders):
- January 6, 13, 20 and 27
- February 3, 10, 17 and 24
- March 3, 17, 24 and 31
- April 7 and 28
- May 5, 12 and 19
EPCOT After Hours dates are as follows (event will take place 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., with park access beginning at 7:00 p.m. for ticket holders):
- February 27
- May 8 and 29
- June 19 and 26
- July 10, 24 and 31
- August 7, 14, 21 and 28
- September 11 and 25
Disney’s Hollywood Studios After Hours dates are as follows (event will take place 9:300 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., with park access beginning at 7:00 p.m. for ticket holders):
- January 22 and 29
- February 12 and 19
- March 5 and 26*
- April 1* and 30
- May 14 and 28
- June 4,11 and 25
- July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
- August 6, 20 and 27
- September 3
*on select dates, Disney’s Hollywood Studios After Hours events will take place from 10:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m., with park access beginning at 7:00 p.m.)
Tickets for all three parks’ After Hours events go on sale for guests staying at Disney World Resort hotels on September 4, 2024 and for all other guests on September 10, 2024. Tickets range in price from $175 to $185 for Magic Kingdom, $155 to $175 for EPCOT, and $155 to $185 for Disney’s Hollywood Studios (prices do not include tax). Disney World Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members can redeem specially priced tickets for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
READ MORE: THE BEST TIMES TO VISIT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2025
New Restaurants and Details Revealed For Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort
Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort has been going through a major transformation over the past couple of years, and there is still plenty of work to be done!
This week it was announced that two new restaurant concepts–a full-service steakhouse and a quick-service barbeque eatery, both from Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori–will join the dining lineup at Downtown Disney.
Earl of Sandwich will also reopen in a new permanent location with a brand-new full-service restaurant concept. The current Earl of Sandwich location on the east side of the district will close in 2025 so work may begin on Porto’s Bakery.
On the second floor above the new Earl of Sandwich, a new restaurant called The Carnaby Tavern will also open.
A trio of new shops are coming to Downtown Disney this winter. The new shopping locations include Avengers Reserve…
…D-Lander Shop…
…and a reimagined Marceline’s Confectionary, reopening as Disney Wonderful World of Sweets. The sweet shop will sell classic Disney treats including “churro toffee, caramel apples, sour balls, lollipops, packaged confections and freshly made Werther’s Original Caramel popcorn.”
A Kawaii Slime cart will be also arrive at Downtown Disney this fall. In a release from Disney, the cart will offer “guests a wide array of slime concoctions and toys to choose from.”
New Details Revealed on Avengers Campus Expansion Timeline
At D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, it was announced at Avengers Campus would be receiving TWO new attractions — Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab.
We learned this week that construction for these new projects will begin in early 2025. A timeline on when these rides would be complete was not announced. We also learned that to make room for these new attractions, the Red Trolley Car barn would need to be closed, and with it, the Red Trolley Car attraction at Disney California Adventure.
The Red Trolley Car will continue to operate through 2024 and into early 2025 until construction begins for Avengers Campus. I will be sure to share an exact date when we hear of it!
READ MORE: EVERY ANNOUNCEMENT MADE AT D23: THE ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT
Maiden Voyage Date Announced For Disney Destiny
We’re just a few months away from the maiden voyage of the Disney Treasure! In addition, two more ships are preparing to join the Disney Cruise Line fleet in 2025: the Disney Adventure and the Disney Destiny.
We learned this week that the maiden voyage of the Disney Destiny will be on November 20, 2025 out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This special four-night cruise will include stops at Castaway Cay as well as Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Bookings for the maiden voyage open to the general public on September 12, 2024.
READ MORE: THE DISNEY DESTINY SETS SAIL IN 2025
Portions of Critter Country at Disneyland Park Reopen
As work continues on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland Park (opening November 15!), we saw new developments in the surrounding area this week. Portions of Critter Country reopened on August 29, including The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Pooh Corner. Louis’ Critter Club and Ray’s Berets will reopen at a later date. Also reopening at a later date is Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree.
When Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens, the land’s name will change from Critter Country to Bayou Country.
