DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Tons of Holiday Details Released, Haunted Mansion Bar Revealed, Blizzard Beach Reopening, Disney Cruise Line Itineraries Released & More
The past week featured a ton of news on holiday offerings at the Disney parks, along with a bunch of announcements from Disney Cruise Line. We got additional details on the brand new holiday party, Jollywood Nights, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios along with details on a new Haunted Mansion-themed bar! Blizzard Beach is reopening, and Disney Cruise Line is adding brand-new itineraries around the world. All this and more are below in this week’s Disney news roundup.
1 – Disney Releases Tons of Details on Upcoming Holiday Festivities at Disney World
The holiday season at Walt Disney World is just around the corner! Decorations at Magic Kingdom will begin going up on November 2, and the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is on November 9. Holiday celebrations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney Springs, and the resorts are some of the reasons why visiting during the holiday season is such a magical time. Visit the link below for new details on the holiday festivities at Walt Disney World!
Click here to learn about the holiday festivities at Walt Disney World.
2 – Disney Releases New Details on New Holiday Event – Jollywood Nights
A new holiday event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is coming! Disney Jollywood Nights is part Disney After Hours and part holiday party. This week, we learned more about what guests can expect during the event, which takes place on select Saturdays during the holiday season. Learn more at the links below.
Click here for new details on the new Jollywood Nights coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
3 – Disney Announces Return of Disney After Hours Events in 2024
Disney After Hours events are a popular way to enjoy the parks with low crowds and low wait times. This week, Disney announced the return of the events with dates and prices for Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT. Catch all the details at the link below.
Click here for details on early 2024 Disney After Hours events at Walt Disney World.
4 – First-Ever Haunted Mansion Bar Coming to the Disney Treasure in 2024
This week, we learned about the first-ever Haunted Mansion Bar coming to the Disney Treasure in 2024. We got an up-close look at the concept art and spoke with Disney Cruise Line Cast Members about the upcoming bar, and it looks amazing. This space will be very popular, and we can’t wait to see it in person! Learn more about the bar at the link below.
5 – Disney Announces Blizzard Beach Reopening Date
This week, Disney announced the reopening date of Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park. The water park will reopen in early November, and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon will close for its refurbishment. Blizzard Beach will have new food and beverage offerings, as well as some holiday fun. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for details on Disney’s Blizzard Beach’s reopening.
6 – Disney Cruise Line Announces Early 2025 Itineraries to the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mexico
In early 2025, Disney Cruise Line will feature new and fan-favorite itineraries, bringing guests more options for fun in the sun from four home ports in the United States. From voyages that stop at one or both of Disney Cruise Line’s island destinations in The Bahamas, to the Disney Treasure’s inaugural season of seven-night voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, to a tropical sailing to Hawaii or the South Pacific aboard the Disney Wonder, early 2025 will provide a myriad of adventures aboard Disney Cruise Line’s six ships. Learn more at the link below!
Click here to learn about early 2025 Itineraries on Disney Cruise Line.
7 – Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail in Australia for the First Time!
Disney Cruise Line reached a new milestone on October 28, setting sail from the shores of Australia for the first time and embarking on an inaugural season of ‘Disney Magic at Sea’ cruises for families in Australia and New Zealand.
Click here to learn more about Disney Cruise Line in Australia!
8 – U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to fly over Magic Kingdom and EPCOT on Monday, Oct. 30
In a historic first, Walt Disney World is hosting a flyover over both Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team on Monday, October 30. The Thunderbird’s flight path will take them over Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth. The demonstration is expected to begin at 10:30 a.m. (weather dependent) and will last approximately 5 minutes.
As part of Disney’s enduring respect for those who serve in the military and their families, this demonstration marks the beginning of National Veterans and Military Families Month in November at Walt Disney World. The timing of this flight also marks Disney’s 100th anniversary and the Thunderbirds’ 70th year of inspiring patriotism.
The flyover will be both sentimental and meaningful for Disney, which has long celebrated members of the United States military and their families. Disney has a long history of supporting the military dating back to our founders Walt and Roy Disney who both served their country during the First World War.
9 – Giant Galapagos Tortoises Celebrate National Pumpkin Day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Giant Galapagos tortoises recently enjoyed a seasonal treat at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney Cast Member Scott Terrell shares more below.
[October 26] was National Pumpkin Day, and our “chefs” at Walt Disney World Resort’s Animal Nutrition Center celebrated by preparing a delicious and nutritious snack for a group of giant Galápagos tortoises at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!
Meet Phantom, Dracula, Mummy, Frankenstein, Wolfman and Creature. These “monsters” of Discovery Island are herbivores who eat a variety of plants and fruits, and they absolutely love chowing down on pumpkins carved by their keepers and delivered by the Animal Nutrition team.
Disney animal nutritionists prepare customized diets every day for more than 5,000 birds, mammals, reptiles and fish across Walt Disney World to ensure the highest quality nutrition as part of our overall animal wellness program. From mighty hippos to the tiniest spiders, cast members at the Animal Nutrition Center serve as personal chefs for the animals in our care and handle more than 10,000 pounds of high-quality food daily — this is about the same weight as an adult African elephant!
And they’re getting into the Halloween spirit by delivering over 200 pumpkins to animals across Walt Disney World to ensure a wide variety of species get to participate in the festive fall fun.
Nutritionally, pumpkins provide many vitamins and minerals, like beta-carotene, potassium and vitamin C to help boost the immune system. They’re also loaded with fiber for good digestive health!
And while not every animal will eat the pumpkins, they are put to good use in many other ways. Some keepers add them to habitats as festive decorations. Some animals will play with them, and others sometimes smash them. It’s all part of our enrichment program that encourages natural behaviors. Enrichment provides opportunities for animals to use their instincts while exploring their environment.
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World this week, be on the lookout and you just may spot some animals snacking on pumpkins throughout the resort. From Disney’s Animal Kingdom to The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT, and even resorts like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, pumpkins will be all around!
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
Now Through November 1, Select Nights – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Click here for “Can’t Miss Entertainment at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.”
Now Through November 18 – EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
Click here for the full menu lineup for this year’s Food & Wine Festival.
Click here for photos of all of the menu boards with pricing for easy planning!
Click here to view our Instagram Story with photos of our time in Brew-Wing Lab at the Odyssey.
Now Through December 31, 2023 – Disney100 Celebration at EPCOT
Click here for dates and details on the Disney100 Celebration at EPCOT.
Now Open – Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – EPCOT
Click here for what you need to know about Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
Now Open – Tron Lightcycle Run – Magic Kingdom
Click here for our review and what you need to know about TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Click here for everything you need to know about the story behind TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Click here for the first look at TRON Lightcycle / Run merchandise.
Now Open – Roundup Rodeo BBQ – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Click here for our review and what you need to know about Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
Click here for our Instagram Story highlight showing the interior of Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
Click here to see the menu items at Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
Click here to learn about the story behind Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
Coming Soon to Walt Disney World
2023 Holiday Season
Click here for new details on the new Jollywood Nights coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Late 2024 – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Click here for storyline details of the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
New & Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Treasure – Sailing December 2024
Click here to learn about the new Haunted Mansion-themed lounge coming to the Disney Treasure!
Click here to learn about the new and exclusive Broadway-style show coming to the Disney Treasure!
The Disney Wish
Click here to learn about staterooms and our room review on the Disney Wish.
Click here to learn about upper deck fun and the AquaMouse – the first Disney attraction at sea!
Click here for an overview of family dining on the Disney Wish!
Click here to learn more about stage show entertainment on the Disney Wish!
Pixar Day at Sea on the Disney Fantasy – Spring 2024
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 3 – Part 1
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 3 – Part 2
Itineraries in 2023 and 2024
Click here to learn more about 2023 offerings on Very Merrytime Cruises on Disney Cruise Line.
Click here for details on Disney Cruise Line Early 2024 Itineraries.
Click here for details on Pixar Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea, Coming Spring of 2024
Click here to learn more about 2024 Halloween and Holiday Cruises on Disney Cruise Line.
Click here to learn about Disney Cruise Line Early 2025 Itineraries.
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