DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Splash Mountain Permanent Closure Date; Concert Lineup Revealed; Holiday Festival & More Now Open; Chapek Out & More
Since our last news roundup, there has been HUGE news out from Disney. The news of CEO Bob Chapek being forced out of Disney is still reverberating throughout the company and the Disney fan community. We now have a date for the permanent closure of Splash Mountain and the full lineup for the Broadway concert series at EPCOT. The holiday season is in full swing around Disney World. Disney Cruise Line announced plans for a 25th-anniversary celebration and some new character meet & greets coming to the high seas. All this and more in this week’s Disney news roundup.
1 – Splash Mountain Closing Date Announced – New Details Revealed for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
In June 2020, Disney announced that Splash Mountain at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland would be rethemed to a Princess and the Frog attraction. We’ve since learned that the attraction will be called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and will open in late 2024. Until recently, we didn’t know when the current version of Splash Mountain would close so the attraction could be rethemed. This week we learned the closing date along with more details on a new scene in the upcoming attraction. Learn more at the link below.
2 – Holiday Season at Walt Disney World – Everything You Need to Know
Christmas is now just three weeks away, and the holiday season at Walt Disney World is well underway. There are so many fantastic holiday offerings. It’s truly a fantastic time of year to visit. We’ve gathered all of our holiday planning articles so you can have the best holiday vacation. Learn all about the holiday offerings at the links below.
Click here for an overview of offerings of the Holiday season at Walt Disney World.
Click here for the 15 Things You’ll Love About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Click here for what you need to know about the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.
Click here for the lineup of Celebrity Narrator Lineup for the Candlelight Processional.
Click here for the menus for the Holiday Kitchens during the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.
Click here for an overview of the holiday offerings at Disney Springs.
Click here for the Foodie Guide to Festive Eats at Walt Disney World Resorts.
Click here for what you need to know about Meeting Santa Claus at Walt Disney World.
Click here for 10 tips & Tricks for celebrating the holiday season at Walt Disney World.
3 – Bob Chapek Out – Bob Iger In – Big Changes for the Walt Disney Company
At the start of Thanksgiving week, a shocking yet very welcome announcement was made that Bob Chapek was stepping down as Disney CEO. Bob Iger, well-respected and much loved in the Disney fan community, came out of retirement and was made CEO for a two-year transition period until his replacement could be found. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for the announcement and details on Bob Iger’s return as CEO of the Walt Disney Company.
4 – 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Now Open – What You Need to Know
The EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is now open through December 30. The festival features the very popular Candlelight Processional, Holiday Kitchens offering delicious food and beverage items from all over the world, and lots of fun for the whole family. Learn what you need to know about this festival at the link below.
Click here to learn about the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.
5 – Full Lineup Announced for 2023 Disney on Broadway Concert Series at EPCOT
In January the EPCOT Festival of the Arts will kick off on January 23. This festival features the Broadway Concert Series, and we’ve got the full lineup of Broadway artists who will be performing. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for the full lineup of the 2023 Disney on Broadway Concert Series at EPCOT.
6 – Disney Cruise Line Announces Plans for ‘Silver Anniversary at Sea’ Celebrating 25 Years
In 2023, Disney Cruise Line will celebrate twenty-five years! This week Disney Cruise Line announced its plans for “Silver Anniversary at Sea.” Learn more below.
7 – New Characters from ‘Black Panther’ Coming to Disney Cruise Line’s Marvel Day at Sea
We are huge Marvel fans and love Disney Cruise Line’s Marvel Day at Sea cruises. Disney has announced that two characters from “Black Panther” will be among the many Marvel characters guests can meet during the cruise. Learn more at the link below.
8 – “Magic Happens” parade returning to Disneyland February 24, 2023
We’ve got some exciting news about the return of the “Magic Happens” parade at Disneyland. Learn more below.
The “Magic Happens” parade will return to Disneyland Park on February 24, 2023! This sensational daytime parade had a limited debut in 2020, so we can’t wait for Guests to see this unforgettable spectacle that celebrates magical moments from favorite Disney stories!
With a wave of his wand, Mickey Mouse leads a cavalcade of fabulous floats, whimsically costumed performers and popular Disney pals around the park and into your hearts—all while moving to a high-energy contemporary musical score that puts a spin on classic Disney hits. In addition, a stirring song co-composed by singer-songwriter Todrick Hall brings some of your favorite Disney tales to life like never before.
Watch Moana ride the crest of a beautiful wave in her voyager canoe, followed by Coco’s guitar-strumming Miguel joined by his dog Danté and other fantastical spirit animals and behold the enchanted forest from Frozen 2 as Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven pass by. The parade’s grand finale commemorates memorable moments from Disney classics in an incredible procession that’s not to be missed!
9 – Disney Cruise Line Named Best for Families in the Caribbean
Disney Cruise Line has been named Best for Families in the Caribbean! Disney Cast Member Mike Piacentino has all the details below.
For the past 25 years, Disney Cruise Line has made magic at sea by delivering world-class, award-winning cruise vacations full of memories that last a lifetime. And today I have exciting news to share!
Cruise Critic has named Disney Cruise Line the “Best Cruise Line for Families” in the Ocean Category of its 2022 Editor’s Picks. Chosen by the cruise guide’s international team of editors, these awards identify the best in the industry while helping guests pick the right cruise to fit their needs.
Disney Cruise Line was applauded for introducing new approaches to family-friendly cruising – including spacious staterooms with segmented bathrooms – along with our exceptional crew members who deliver legendary Disney service to our guests.
Disney Cruise Line has also received top honors from U.S. News & World Report, earning two Gold Badges that recognize Disney as the “Best Cruise Line for Families” and “Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean” for the ninth year in a row.
To rank cruise lines, U.S. News & World Report considers ship quality, itinerary offerings, reputation among travelers, and results from health assessments conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
On behalf of all our cast and crew members, we are honored to be named among the best at sea, and we hope to welcome you onboard soon. Learn more about our “Silver Anniversary at Sea” kicking off next year and booking your next Disney cruise at DisneyCruise.com.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
November 8 – December 30 – Holiday Season at Walt Disney World
Click here for an overview of offerings of the Holiday season at Walt Disney World.
Click here for the Foodie Guide to Festive Eats at Walt Disney World Resorts.
Click here for what you need to know about Meeting Santa Claus at Walt Disney World.
Click here for 10 tips & Tricks for celebrating the holiday season at Walt Disney World.
Click here for an overview of the holiday offerings at Disney Springs.
November 25 – December 30 – EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
Click here for what you need to know about the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.
Click here for the lineup of Celebrity Narrator Lineup for the Candlelight Processional.
Click here for the menus for the Holiday Kitchens during the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.
November 8-December 22, Select Nights – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom
Click here for dates, pricing, and details for the 2022 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!
Click here for the 15 Things You’ll Love About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Click here to see special Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party food offerings.
Now Open – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Now Through March 31, 2023 – The Most Magical Celebration – 50 Years of Walt Disney World
Coming Soon to Walt Disney World
January 13 – February 20, 2023 – EPCOT Festival of the Arts
Click here to learn more about the 2023 EPCOT Festival of the Arts.
January 23, 2023
Splash Mountain Closes for Rethemeing into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Spring 2023 – Tron Lightcycle Run Coming to Magic Kingdom
Click here to learn more about TRON / Lightcycle Run coming to Magic Kingdom in spring 2023.
2023 – Happily Ever After Returns to Magic Kingdom
Click here about Happily Ever After and its return to Magic Kingdom in 2023.
New & Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Wish
Click here to learn more (and watch) the Christening Ceremony Celebration of 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!
Itineraries in 2022 and 2023
Click here to learn about early 2023 itineraries on Disney Cruise Line!
Click here for information on Pixar Day at Sea coming in early 2023!
Click here for information on Marvel Day at Sea on Disney Cruise Line in 2023.
Click here for information about Disney Cruise Line’s Summer 2023 Itineraries.
Click here for details on Disney Cruise Line Fall 2023 Itineraries.
Coming to Disney Cruise Line
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.