Another week of Disney theme park news has come and gone, and this latest roundup features a ton of announcements from Disneyland Resort. I personally love when we have a Disneyland-heavy news roundup, as I used to be a Disneyland Cast Member and local for many years. So, the Happiest Place on Earth has a special place in my heart.
Of course, this year is going to be a big one for Disneyland with the 70th Anniversary Celebration set to start this May! Before we can get to the kick-off of the multi-year celebration, however, we need to catch up on the latest news from both Disneyland as well as Walt Disney World.
Closing Dates Announced For Muppets Courtyard at Walt Disney World
Late last year, Disney World announced that Muppets Courtyard, home to Muppet*Vision 3D, will close permanently to make room for a new land inspired by the Monsters Inc. franchise. We now know a little bit more about the timeline for these changes, which will include a phased closure of the land.
Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano will have its final day of operation on May 10. About a month later, the remainder of the land will close, with Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo having their final day of operation on June 7. Starting on June 8, construction walls will be erected behind Ice Cold Hydraulics as work begins on transforming the area into Monstropolis.
The Muppets won’t be gone for too long, as they will find a new home in a imagined Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Disney has not provided an update on when those changes will occur, nor do we know exactly when the Aerosmith version of the attraction will have its final day.
READ MORE: HOW YOUR 2025 DISNEY WORLD VACATION WILL LOOK DIFFERENT THAN PREVIOUS YEARS
Lightning Lane Premier Pass Available For All Guests at Disney World
Last fall, Disney launched Lightning Lane Premier Pass, the top-tier version of its Lightning Lane Pass system. This pricey skip-the-line pass is now available to all guests of Walt Disney World (previously it was only available to guests staying at Disney World’s hotels). This change went into effect on January 21.
Now, resort guests can buy Premier Pass seven (7) days in advance, and all other guests can buy three (3) days in advance.
READ MORE: SHOULD YOU BUY LIGHTNING LANE ON YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION?
New Lounges, Refurbishments, and More Coming to Disneyland Resort Hotels
All three of Disneyland Resort’s hotels are in for some significant changes this year. We learned this week about plans to refurbish rooms, lounge spaces, and even some restaurants at Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, and Pixar Place Hotel.
Let’s talk about the Grand Californian first. Its hallmark restaurant, Napa Rose, will take on a new look this year as well as a brand-new menu. These changes include an expanded patio area, expanded countertop seating, and more. To make way for these changes, Napa Rose will temporarily close this spring and is slated to reopen in fall 2025.
Grand Californian will also receive a second club-level lounge. This two-story space will be a tranquil spot where “club level guests can relax, rest and “nest” in luxury and hospitality.” The lounge is slated for completion in 2026.
The guest rooms at the Grand Californian will also receive a face-lift. All guest rooms, including Disney Vacation Club Villas, will get a fresh new look along with new artwork that was commissioned from local plein air painters.
Over at Disneyland Hotel, work is underway on a new concierge lounge. The lounge, called the High Key Club, is slated to open summer of 2025. The lounge space celebrates “the music and sounds of Disneyland park circa 1955.” The club will nearly double the space of the previous club-level lounge in the hotel’s Adventure Tower.
Finally, over at Pixar Place Hotel, new themed signature suites will soon be available for guests. These two-bedroom premium suites are inspired by Coco…
…and The Incredibles.
Both of these brand-new suites are scheduled to open and be available for booking this summer.
READ MORE: DISNEYLAND’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BEGINS THIS MAY
New Dining and Shopping Locations Open at Downtown Disney District
Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort has gone through some major changes lately, with new dining locations seemingly opening left and right. This week saw a number of new locations open, including some re-designed retail spaces.
First up is Parkside Market. This diverse food hall is home to four brand-new eateries, including GG’s Chicken Shop, Seoul Sister, Sip & Sonder, and Vista Parkside Market.
Downtown Disney also welcomed Wonderful World of Sweets to the lineup of retail locations this week. Wonderful World of Sweets is in the former location of Marceline’s Confectionery.
You can expect to find many of the same favorite sweets at Wonderful World of Sweets that you could at Marceline’s Confectionery, along with some new collections of treats.
Lastly, Disney Storyland Boutique opened in the former location of the Dress Shop in Downtown Disney. Disney Storyland Boutique is home to Disney character items that will change throughout the year.
If you haven’t been to Downtown Disney in a few years, you’ll be blown away by how much the area has changed. Be sure to swing by the newest locations on your next visit!
READ MORE: PLAN YOUR 2025 DISNEYLAND RESORT VACATION
Disneyland After Dark: Sweetheart’s Nite Begins, Star Wars Nite Tickets To Go On Sale Next Week
Disneyland After Dark kicked off its annual lineup of after-hour events this week with the first two evenings of Sweetheart’s Nite taking place at Disneyland Park. Sweetheart’s Nite takes place this year on January 21, 23, and 28 along with February 4, 6, 9, 11, and 13.
We also got some news this week about an upcoming Disneyland After Dark event, Star Wars Nite. This event takes place at Disneyland Park April 8, 10, 22, 24, and 29 along with May 1, 4, and 6. If you’re thinking of attending, we learned the on-sale dates for tickets this week. Inspire Magic Key holders pre-sale begins on January 28, with all other Magic Key tiers eligible for pre-sale on January 29. Tickets go on sale to the general public on January 30.
On all three of those dates, tickets will go on sale no earlier than 9:00 AM PT.
Hall of Presidents Temporary Closure Begins in Magic Kingdom
As is customary when a U.S. President is sworn in, the Hall of Presidents has closed for a refurbishment. Historically, during this time, the show undergoes changes, ranging from the new President being added to the show to more significant refurbishments to the movie that plays at the start of the show as well as the theater itself.
It is unclear how many changes will take place during this closure, and at this time, Disney World has not shared a re-opening date.
