Why, hello there! It’s the end of another week! It’s time to catch up on Disney theme park news! It’s a new month! It’s my BIRTHDAY month! Hoorah!
This week was jam-packed with a couple of major announcements from Disney World that could have a huge impact on your 2025 vacation. Yes, we’re already thinking about 2025 Disney World vacations. Let’s go over all of this week’s major news stories from the Disney theme parks.
Walt Disney World 2025 Packages Available For Purchase
The biggest news to come out of Disney World this week was the launch of 2025 vacation packages! As of this week, you can begin booking your hotel room or room and ticket vacation packages for 2025, making advance planning a breeze. If you’re one of those type-A planners like myself who love to get a jump start on vacation planning, this should be music to your ears!
As of right now, vacation packages are only available for January through October 2025. If you were thinking about a November or December 2025 vacation, you’ll have to wait a little longer before you can book those hotel rooms and packages.
CLICK HERE FOR A 10-STEP GUIDE TO BEGIN PLANNING YOUR DISNEY WORLD VACATION.
New Complimentary Water Park Access For Arrival Day at Disney World
Another big piece of news dropped this week regarding 2025 Disney World vacations. If you are staying on Disney World property, starting January 1, 2025, you will receive complimentary admission for your entire party to one of Disney World’s water parks (Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach) on your check-in day.
This deal is good for all Disney World hotel reservations with check-in days starting on January 1, 2025. You do not need theme park tickets in order to receive this benefit, and this benefit extends to reservations booked in cash or Disney Vacation Club points. Every guest must be listed on the reservation in order to receive this benefit.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION.
EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival Begins
This week saw the start of not one, not three, but two food festivals – one on each coast. In Walt Disney World, the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival began its run on February 28. The festival runs through May 27.
The Flower and Garden Festival is home to nearly 20 Outdoor Kitchens where guests will find roughly 60 brand-new menu items. It is also where you’ll find the Garden Rocks Concert Series, with beloved musical acts performing daily at the American Gardens Theatre. The springtime festival is filled with colorful topiaries inspired by Disney characters, and frankly, EPCOT is at its most beautiful during this festival IMHO.
CLICK HERE TO READ MY FULL GUIDE TO THE EPCOT FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL
Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Begins
Over on the West Coast at Disneyland Resort, the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival also started this week, on March 1. This festival is shorter and runs through April 22 but is no less impressive. This year, the festival is once again shaking things up in a big way, offering nearly 100 new items. It’s one of the many reasons I personally think the DCA Food and Wine Festival is the best!
In addition to the food and beverage items available for purchase during the festival, guests can sign up for an array of educational seminars and tastings around Disneyland Resort. This includes a mixology class at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar!
CLICK HERE TO READ MY FULL GUIDE TO THE CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
Soarin’ Swaps On Both Coasts
Over the years, there have been two versions of the fan-favorite Soarin’ attraction – Soarin’ Over California and Soarin’ Around the World. Until this week, the O.G. California version was having a limited-time run at EPCOT, while the current Around the World version was available at Disney California Adventure.
This week, the two versions did a little switcher-oo. Soarin’ Around the World is back at EPCOT as of February 28, and Soarin’ Over California is back at Disney California Adventure for the duration of the Food and Wine Festival. When the festival concludes, Soarin’ Around the World will likely be the only version of the ride available on both coasts for the time being.
