We’re marching right through this month, and just like that, it’s time for another Disney theme park news roundup, including a story this week from Disney Cruise Line. In fact, this is quite the long news update, with several big announcements from the Disney theme parks.
If you’re thinking of a summer trip to Disney Word, this news update will be of particular interest to you! Keep reading to learn more about new entertainment debuting at Disney World in time for summer, brand new ways to save on a Disney vacation, and much more!
Opening Date Announced For New Entertainment at Walt Disney World
We’re filling in more details about this summer at Walt Disney World, which includes the debut of multiple new entertainment offerings. We learned this week that two stage shows — Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure — will open on the same day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: May 27.
Disney World will also premiere its first new nighttime parade in a decade later this summer! Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away does not have an opening date announced yet, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated.
READ MORE: WHAT’S COMING THIS SUMMER TO WALT DISNEY WORLD
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin To Undergo Major Renovation at Disney World
This week, a major announcement was made from Magic Kingdom that will involve a rather lengthy closure of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. The Tomorrowland attraction is getting a facelift, including a new animatronic, upgraded ride vehicles, and more.
The refurbishment will also include brand-new handheld blasters that come with haptic feedback and easier aiming. The handheld blasters will be similar to the Disneyland version of the ride, which is a huge upgrade in my opinion!
To make way for this refurbishment, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will close in August of this year. The closure is scheduled to last into 2026, though a reopening date has not been announced at this time.
READ MORE: MAJOR CHANGES ARE COMING TO BUZZ LIGHTYEAR’S SPACE RANGER SPIN
New Summer Discounts and Promotions Available at Walt Disney World
If you’ve been thinking about booking a summer vacation to Walt Disney World (it’s me, hi), there are brand-new discounts and promotions that were announced and went live this week you’ll want to know about!
The previously-announced Free Dining Plan Offer that was exclusive to Disney Visa cardholders last week has been expanded to all guests and is available for booking. The Free Dining Offer is valid for most stays June 29 through December 22, 2025. To be eligible for this offer, you must book a nondiscounted stay of at least four nights at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel along with a four day Park Hopper ticket.
Guests can also purchase a 3-day or longer kids (ages 3-9) standard ticket for 50% off this summer. This deal is available for visits beginning May 27 through September 20, 2025.
That’s not all — buy a special 3-day Disney World park tickets start at $89 per day ($267 total, plus tax) for visits starting on April 6 through September 22, 2025. This ticket is for admission to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (one theme park per day, not valid for admission to Magic Kingdom).
Disney World is also offering a new hotel promotion where you can save up to 30% on longer stays for visits beginning August 1 through October 11, 2025.
READ MORE: HOW TO SAVE ON A DISNEY WORLD VACATION IN 2025
Star Wars Season of the Force Begins at Disneyland Resort
From today (March 28) through May 11, guests visiting Disneyland Resort can celebrate Star Wars: Season of the Force. This limited-time festival is back this spring, featuring specialty menu items around Disneyland Park, meet-and-greets with rare Star Wars characters like Luke Skywalker, and more.
Tonight is also the premiere of a new nighttime projection show called Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga.
Be sure to check out the Season of the Force offerings at Disneyland if you find yourself there from now until early May!
READ MORE: NEW PLANNING TIPS FOR A 2025 DISNEYLAND VACATION
H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Dates Announced
H2O Glow After Hours is returning this summer to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, and we just learned about dates, tickets, and more!
The after hours event will take place on the following dates (event takes place from 8PM to 11PM):
- May 23 and 31
- June 6, 13, 20 and 27
- July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
- August 5, 13, 18, 25 and 31
- September 6 and 13
Tickets will cost $85 per adult and $42.50 (Ages 3-9) per ticket, plus tax. Disney World Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $15 per ticket for Ages 10+ to H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, April 1 for guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. All other Guests may purchase tickets online beginning April 4, 2025.
READ MORE: HOW TO SPEND YOUR FIRST DAY AT DISNEY WORLD IN 2025
Entertainment Closure Announced at Disneyland Resort
It was revealed this week that Avengers Assemble!, the live action stunt show that happened throughout the day at Disney California Adventure, will close on April 5.
A lot of changes are in the works around Avengers Campus with two new attractions in the works: Stark Flight Lab and Avengers Infinity Defense.
The announcement of this closure comes right on the heels of the closure of Disney Jr. Dance Party!, which had its final performance on March 23. Disney noted that the show ended to make way for a new show set to debut later this year, per theme park journalist Scott Gustin.
READ MORE: NEW DETAILS RELEASED ON UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS AT DISNEYLAND AND DISNEY WORLD
Disney Destiny Reaches New Milestone Ahead of Maiden Voyage
Disney Cruise Line is busy at work adding not one, but two new vessels to its fleet in 2025. One of its upcoming ships, the Disney Destiny, reached an important construction milestone this week known as a Float Up.
A float up is when a ship touches water for the first time as the shipyard fills the building dock with water from the floor of the chamber. A lot of work still needs to be done before the Destiny is ready to welcome guests, but this signifies it’s on track to being completed in time for its maiden voyage on November 20, 2025.
READ MORE: THE DISNEY DESTINY SETS SAIL THIS NOVEMBER!
First In-Park Disney Vacation Club Welcome Home Center to Open at Walt Disney World
It was announced this week that the first ever in-park Disney Vacation Club Welcome Home Center will open at Walt Disney World, specifically in the Canada Pavilion in EPCOT.
According to theme park journalist Scott Gustin, the space, known as Château de Voyage, will be available starting this spring. Welcome Home Centers allow prospective DVC members the chance to learn about the Vacation Club, tour model rooms, and more.
READ MORE: NEW PLANNING TIPS FOR A 2025 DISNEY WORLD VACATION
Jonas Brothers Announced As Performers of Disneyland Anniversary Theme
We’re less than two months away from the start of Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration! Part of the festivities, which run from May 16, 2025 through the summer of 2026, includes brand-new entertainment offerings like “World of Color Happiness!” at Disney California Adventure and the return of fan-favorite offerings like “Paint the Night” parade and “Wondrous Journeys” at Disneyland Park.
A musical motif that will appear throughout the celebration is a brand-new song called “Celebrate Happy!” This tune will be the official theme song of the 70th anniversary and will be played during the Celebrate Happy Cavalcade at Disneyland Park as well as in other entertainment offerings throughout the festival. We learned this week that the song will be recorded and performed by none other than the Jonas Brothers! Get ready to celebrate and dance along to the song starting May 16.
