DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: 5 HUGE Announcements Made; New Table Service Restaurant Coming; Food & Wine Concert Lineup Revealed; 6 Disney 100 Offerings & More
The past week brought several huge announcements for which Disney guests have been waiting a long time! We also got a bunch of food news, including a brand new table service restaurant coming to one of the parks. We got our first look at the Eat to the Beat concert lineup for the 2023 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival and some news from Disney Cruise Line—all this and more in this week’s Disney news roundup.
1 – Disney Announces 5 Huge Announcements That Will Make Guests Happy
This week Disney announced five announcements that seek to improve the guest experience at Walt Disney World. Since the parks reopening in July 2020, visiting the parks has had its challenges, and guests have given feedback on how those policies affect their experiences and vacations. The good news is Disney is listening and adjusting. First up, park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets beginning in early 2024. Second, while annual passholders will still need park reservations on most days, Disney has announced “Good-to-go-days” for passholders and Cast Members. On these days, they will not need park reservations. Third, the popular Disney Dining Plans will return in early 2024. Forth, Early Theme Park entry, a perk for Walt Disney World resort guests, will be extended for visits through 2024 as well as, Extended Evening Hours for guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas. Fifth, Disney has announced plans to simplify the Disney Genie+ service and Individual Lighting Lane selections by enabling guests to choose their selections before the day of their visit. All of these offerings will improve guest experiences. Finally, 2024 resort packages will go on sale on May 31! Learn more at the link below.
Click here for full details on the five huge announcements that have guests excited!
2 – Disney Announces Line-up for 2023 Eat to the Beat Concert Series
The popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series as part of the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival is often a must-do for many who visit the festival. Now, guests can plan ahead with the release of the artist line-up this week. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for the line-up of the 2023 Eat to the Beat Concert Series at EPCOT.
3 – New Table Service Restaurant Coming to Japan Pavilion at EPCOT
The Japan pavilion is getting a new table-service restaurant this summer! Learn more at the link below.
Click here to learn about the new table-service restaurant coming to the Japan pavilion this summer.
4 – Six Disney100 Offerings to Get Excited About at Disney World
The Disney100 celebration is officially coming to Walt Disney World in early fall 2023. However, some décor, merchandise, and more have already popped up throughout the resort. Learn more at the link below.
Click here to learn about six Disney100 offerings coming to Walt Disney World.
5 – Mother’s Day Luau at Morimoto Asia
On Mother’s Day, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Morimoto Asia. The Mother’s Day Luau is an annual event that features delicious food, Hawaiian entertainment, and more. The food selection was wide, with a variety of Hawaiian-inspired poke and sushi, shrimp, Morimoto-style baby ribs (our favorite of the day), a whole roasted pig, and delicious desserts. The entertainment added to the atmosphere of the lunch, and it was very special! Morimoto holds events like these throughout the year. Be on the lookout for the next one. We had a fantastic time and really enjoyed our meal! Check out photos and video from the lunch at the link below.
Click here for our Instagram Story, including photos and video from our lunch.
6 – New Menu Items for Space 220
Space 220 Restaurant, the out-of-this-world dining experience at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT, has just added some stellar new dishes to its menu, awaiting guests a simulated 220 miles above the Earth. The new offerings now available are:
Lift-Offs (Appetizers)
-
- Seafood Cannelloni “Rockets” – shrimp, scallops, snapper, saffron cream sauce, salmon caviar, chives
- Neptuna Tartare – sushi grade yellowfin tuna, avocado crema, mango coulis, edamame, wonton crisp, yuzu dressing
- Roasted Asparagus Soup – jumbo lump crabmeat, roasted poblano and red peppers, citrus chili oil, crouton
Star Course (Entrées)
-
- Tomahawk Pork Chop – slow roasted 16 oz Niman Ranch pork chop, corn flan, succotash, spiced applesauce
- Pan Roasted Swordfish “Cioppino” – shrimp, littleneck clams, prince edward island mussels, tomato fennel seafood broth, toasted garlic bread
Supernova Sweets (Dessert)
-
- Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt Parfait – black sesame crumble, yuzu curd, macerated blackberries, basil blackberry sauce
- Cosmic Cupcake (Kid’s Menu) – chocolate vegan devil’s food cake topped with vanilla frosting & galactic sprinkles
- Fruity Pebbles Cereal Rocket Pop (Kid’s Menu) – fruity pebbles, marshmallow, chocolate rocket
7 – Chicken Guy! Seasonal Milkshake Now Available
Chicken Guy!, the fast-casual restaurant by TV personality and celebrity chef Guy Fieri has debuted a sweet treat available for a limited time at locations nationwide. Just in time for spring, the restaurant is offering the new Huckleberry Shake, made with creamy, hand-spun vanilla soft serve and mixed berry puree, topped off with fresh whipped cream and Cinnamon Toast Crumble. It will be available through June 25.
8 – Ariel from All-New ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live-Action Film Coming to Disney Parks
The all-new “The Little Mermaid” live-action film is almost in theaters! To celebrate the release of the film, guests will be able to greet Ariel, inspired by the film, in the parks beginning May 26. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for details on meeting the live-action film-inspired Ariel in the parks.
9 – Disney Cruise Line’s 25th Anniversary Season Kicks Off – What You Need to Know
Disney Cruise Line is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this summer. Special “Silver Anniversary at Sea” sailings are now underway. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for what you need to know about Disney Cruise Line’s “Silver Anniversary at Sea.”
10 – Disney Cruise Line Debuts New Experiences Bringing the Imaginative Worlds of “Encanto” and “Soul” to the Disney Magic
From the magical mountains of Colombia to the bustling streets of New York City, the colorful worlds of two fan-favorite Disney films – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” – have come to life for the first time on the high seas with the debut of new family-friendly experiences aboard the Disney Magic. Learn more about these new offerings at the link below.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
March 1 – July 5, 2023 – EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
Click here for details on the 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival and what you don’t want to miss!
Click here for the menus for the 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival.
Click here for details on the 2023 Garden Rocks Concert Series.
Now Open – Tron Lightcycle Run Now Open at 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
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.
Now Open – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Coming Soon to Walt Disney World
Spring and Summer 2023 – Disney After Hours Events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Typhoon Lagoon.
Late 2024 – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Click here for storyline details of the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
August 11 – November 1, Select Nights – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
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!
Pixar Day at Sea on the Disney Fantasy – Spring 2024
Articles with Cruising Tips and Tricks
Learn more about the Disney Cruise line and our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy!
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Getting Ready to Sail!
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 1
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 2
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
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 4
TRAVEL LOG: Day 5 of Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – San Juan, Puerto Rico
TRAVEL LOG: Day 6 of Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Sea Day
TRAVEL LOG: Day 7-Part 1 of Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Castaway Cay
TRAVEL LOG: Day 8 of Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Debarkation Day
Instagram Story with Photos and Video of Our Cruise
Day 1 – Instagram Story Highlight – Arrival Day
Day 2 – Instagram Story Highlight – Sea Day
Day 3 – Instagram Story Highlight – Pixar Day at Sea
Day 4 – Instagram Story Highlight – Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and Pirate Night
Day 5 – Instagram Story Highlight – San Juan, Puerto Rico
Day 6 – Instagram Story Highlight – Sea Day
Day 7 – Instagram Story Highlight – Castaway Cay
Itineraries in 2023 and 2024
Click here for information about Disney Cruise Line’s Summer 2023 Itineraries.
Click here for details on Disney Cruise Line Fall 2023 Itineraries.
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
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.