Hi there! We’re back with another weekly installment of Disney theme park and cruise news. Just like that, we’re in the home stretch for the month of February — spring is right around the corner! I don’t know about you, but this winter has been a brutal one with frigid temperatures and relentless bad weather all around. I definitely welcome a change of pace with some sunny, warm temperatures.
You definitely don’t have to worry about extreme winter weather if you’re in Walt Disney World, where the bulk of this week’s Disney theme park news comes from. We also have a couple of fun stories from the international theme parks I included in this week’s roundup as well!
Disney World To No Longer Use Virtual Queue on Two Popular Rides
The leading Disney theme park news story this week comes out of Walt Disney World, where we learned about a major update to the resort’s Virtual Queue system. As of February 25, 2025, Virtual Queue will no longer be available for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom.Â
These two rides will offer standby as well as the ability to purchase a Lightning Lane reservation via Lightning Lane Multi Pass (for either ride) or Lightning Lane Single Pass (for Cosmic Rewind).
This means that there won’t be any rides at Disney World that use the Virtual Queue as of February 25. This doesn’t necessarily mean Virtual Queue is gone forever. Disney can always implement it for new attractions as we’ve seen in the past. With no new major rides of the horizon, however, it could be some time before we see Virtual Queue offered again. The one possible exception as of this writing is the new version of Test Track, scheduled to open in late summer 2025.
READ MORE: THE ULTIMATE LIGHTNING LANE GUIDE FOR DISNEY WORLD AND DISNEYLAND
Jellyrolls Confirms Closing Date at Walt Disney World
Earlier this month, we learned that the fan-favorite dueling piano bar Jellyrolls will close its Walt Disney World location. We learned this week that Jellyrolls, which has been in operation at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn for more than 30 years, will have its final day of operation on April 19, 2025.
No word yet on what will replace Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. Jellyrolls shard on social media that while they hope to open in a new location, that new space will not be on Disney World property.
READ MORE: THE TOUGHEST DINING RESERVATIONS TO GET AT DISNEY WORLD IN 2025
New Details Revealed For Disney Cruise Lines New Ship, the Disney Adventure
This is a big year for Disney Cruise Line, with two new ships joining the fleet in November and December. One of those new vessels, the Disney Adventure, will be the first Disney Cruise Line ship with a homeport in Asia.
We learned new details about the Disney Adventure this week, including some of the onboard entertainment that will be available to guests. This includes a brand-new show called Captain Jack Sparrow & The Siren Queen, taking place at the Disney Imagination Garden stage.
Another show coming to the Disney Imagination Garden stage is Duffy and The Friend Ship.
Speaking of Duffy, there will be plenty of opportunities for fans to get their fill of Duffy and his friends on the Disney Adventure. For example, there will be an entire store dedicated to Duffy called the Duffy and Friends Shop! A “ship-wide journey” called Duffy and Friends Discovery Quest will also be available as a fun activity to help find missing items and earn a special commemorative gift.
Other activities aboard the Disney Adventure include the Marvel Style Studio, where guests can have their hair and makeup done over to resemble Marvel characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man and Captain America to Captain Marvel, Thor and Black Panther. On select evenings during the cruise, the Marvel Style Studio will transform into an adults-only lounge with bookable beverage tastings.Â
For young princes and princesses, there’s the Royal Society for Friendship and Tea, an enchanting afternoon of scrumptious treats featuring favorite Disney Princesses. The popular Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will also be a part of the Disney Adventure offerings.
Initial Disney Adventure sailing itineraries will be entirely at sea, so it’s no surprise this ship will be jam-packed with exciting things to do! The Disney Adventure will be docked in Singapore with its maiden voyage scheduled for December 15, 2025.
READ MORE: WHAT’S COMING TO DISNEY CRUISE LINE IN 2025
Interactive Entertainment Experience Coming to Walt Disney World
We have new information on the next inhabitant in the space previously occupied by NBA Experience and, back in the day, Disney Quest. Level99, and “interactive social gaming” company, will move into the 45,000 square foot space.
Few details are known at this time of what exactly is coming to the space, but we do know that Level99 creates interactive, social entertainment experiences. The venue will feature over 60 challenge and duel rooms as well as a two-story bar. An opening timeline has yet to be announced.
READ MORE: START PLANNING YOUR 2025 WALT DISNEY WORLD VACATION
runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend Takes Place at Walt Disney World
The runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is currently taking place, concluding this Monday, February 24. The weekend consists of a 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon. If you’re at the parks this weekend, be aware that you may run into some road closures in the early morning hours, particularly on the morning of the Half Marathon.
The next runDisney event will be the Springtime Surprise Weekend, taking place from April 3 through 6, 2025. Congratulations to all of this weekend’s participants!
READ MORE: THE BEST TIMES TO VISIT DISNEY WORLD IN 2025
Disneyland Paris Announces New Restaurant Opening This March
Let’s head off to an international park for this final Disney theme park news story! The first is out of Disneyland Paris, where a brand-new restaurant is preparing to open in just a couple of weeks.
Over in Paris, the Disneyland Hotel is set to unveil its new dining experience, La Forêt Secrète par Jean Imbert. Michelin-starred chef Jean Imbert heads the restaurant, which will be a dining experience “inspired by the greatest Disney Animation movies in a magical setting.” Reservations are available now for seatings every Wednesday through Sunday evening.
