It has been another busy week in Disney theme park news! And I’m not just talking holiday after-hours parties and gingerbread houses!
With the holiday season upon us (ok let’s be honest, my trees have been up for a week already; the holidays are here), the news has been in a bit of an up-and-down wavy sort of pattern lately. One day there’s a ton of news, and the next four days there’s radio silence. But as it turns out, as I reviewed which stories I wanted to highlight for you today, there’s actually a lot of exciting developments that have come out in the last five days.
World of Frozen Opens at Hong Kong Disneyland
The big story from this week comes all the way from Hong Kong Disneyland. The park’s new land, World of Frozen, officially opens to the public on November 20, but invited media got a sneak peek as well as an opening ceremony this week.
World of Frozen will feature two rides: a family-friendly coaster called Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs and a boat ride called Frozen Ever After, modeled after the EPCOT attraction of the same name.
In addition to the rides, World of Frozen will feature character meet and greets as well as an array of unique dining and shopping. There will be plenty of stories to add to World of Frozen in the coming years, as this week Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that Walt Disney Studios was working on two more Frozen sequels.
Click here to read more about what’s up and coming at Disney Parks around the globe.
More Details Unveiled For 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Arts
We may have not even reached the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays this year, but we’re already hearing more about some of the details being added to next year’s EPCOT Festival of the Arts! The festival, which runs from January 12 through February 19, celebrates all things visual, culinary, and performing arts. Returning in 2024 are all of the fan-favorite ancillary events surrounding the festival, like the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, interactive experiences, and more.
When the festival returns in January, it will feature over 15 Food Studios (those are the booths where you’ll find all of those snack-size food and beverage items), along with some NEW dishes that I can’t wait to see. The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine will be back in 2024 as well. Festival of the Arts is, in my opinion, EPCOT’s most unique and creative festival (it ought to be as a celebration of all things art), and I can’t wait to see the full menus as we get closer to January.
Click here to read about how EPCOT is celebrating the holidays this year.
Life Day Returns on November 17
November 17 is a special day if you’re a Star Wars fan – it’s Life Day! The festive celebration takes place during the holiday season, inspired by a Wookiee tradition not dissimilar to the holidays celebrated on our planet Earth.
In recent years, Disney Parks has taken to observing Life Day in a special way, and this year is no exception. Over at Disneyland Resort, guests can order some limited-time treats in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This includes Kashyyyk Cake at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Cheesy Blue Orbs at Ronto Roasters, Life Day Cheese Branch at Kat Saka’s Kettle, and a Joh Blastoh Sangria Gocola and Millaflower Toast at Oga’s Cantina.
Life Day merchandise, including a Life Day-inspired spork (if you remember back to the grand opening of Galaxy’s Edge in 2019, then you probably know all about the infamous spork incident), will also be available for purchase at Disneyland. The sporks will be available with your meal when ordering at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. Other specialty merchandise can be found at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World.
Click here for ways to SAVE on your 2024 Walt Disney World vacation.
Great Maple Modern American Eatery Opens at Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort is receiving many new dining locations in the coming months. The lineup of new eateries kicked off earlier this year with the opening of Tiana’s Palace in New Orleans Square and several new foodie spots at the redesigned San Fransokyo Square in California Adventure.
The next restaurant to open up at the resort is Great Maple Modern American Eatery at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel (soon to become Pixar Place Hotel this January). The new table-service dining location welcomed its first guests on November 15 and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
According to Disney, guests at Great Maple Modern American Eatery can “enjoy modern American comfort food with an element of fun made from the highest quality of seasonal ingredients while dining in a stylish atmosphere.”
Click here to read about what’s coming to Disneyland Resort in 2024.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Wins Big at Thea Awards
This was a big week for the attractions and themed entertainment industries. In addition to the annual IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) Expo in Orlando, Florida, this week also marked the Thea Awards, held by Themed Entertainment Association (TEA).
Disney was recognized in a major way this year, with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind winning the Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction in 2024.
Click here for your 10-step guide to planning a Walt Disney World vacation in 2024.
Closer Look at Upcoming Disney Springs Restaurant
Remember back when I said Disneyland was getting a ton of new restaurants? The outpouring of new places to grab a bite to eat extends to Walt Disney World as well. One of the many new restaurants coming soon, Summer House on the Lake, will open soon.
Known for its giant cookies, Summer House will feature a “Cookie Bar” complete with its signature flavors: Sea Salt Chocolate Chip, Birthday Cake, Oatmeal Scotchie, Vegan Snickerdoodle, and more.
An opening date has not been announced yet, but Summer House is part of a busy lineup of restaurants opening soon at Disney Springs. Also on the way is eet by Maneet Chauhan and Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers.
