DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: New Park/Resort Announced; 2026 Packages Available Including Free Dining Offer; Details & Menus for 2 New Lounges; Special Summer Offerings Revealed; Typhoon Lagoon Reopens & More
After a relatively quiet few weeks, we’ve got some exciting news as we head towards summer! This week, there was a surprising announcement that Disney is building a seventh theme park and resort. We’ve got more details on limited-time offerings for summer 2025 and 2026 vacations at Walt Disney World are now on sale. We got more details on two upcoming lounges coming to Epcot and Magic Kingdom and some exciting Star Wars news. Learn about these stories and more below.
1 – The Walt Disney Company Announces 7th Theme Park and Resort
In a surprise announcement, the Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The waterfront resort will be located on Yas Island, a world-class destination for entertainment and leisure, connecting travelers from the Middle East and Africa, India, Asia, Europe, and beyond. This seventh Disney theme park resort will combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters, and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture. Learn more about the upcoming theme park at the link below.
Click here for details on the announcement of the seventh Disney theme park resort.
2 – 2026 Packages Including Free Dining for Kids Now Available
Guests looking to visit Walt Disney World in 2026 can now book their vacations through October 31, 2026. Special deals and packages have also been announced. Learn more at the link below.
Click here to learn about the new 2026 Walt Disney World packages that are now available.
3 – Disney Announces Menus & Opening Date for Spaceship Earth Lounge
A new lounge in Spaceship Earth will be opening soon! Disney has announced the opening date and menu for the new lounge. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for the opening date and menu for the upcoming Spaceship Earth lounge.
4 – Name and New Details Announced for the Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern Coming to Magic Kingdom
A new swashbuckling world of fun and adventure is coming to Magic Kingdom! A new Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired tavern will welcome pirates of all ages with a sea-worthy selection of grogs and grub, and more than a few mysterious and magical surprises in store! Disney has announced the tavern’s name and given new details on what we can expect! Learn more at the link below.
5 – Disney Releases Details on “Cool Kid Summer” at Disney World – Surprises, Activities & More
Summer 2025 is almost here! Disney is celebrating with “Cool Kid Summer” surprises, activities, and more! Catch all the details about what you can expect at Walt Disney World this summer at the link below.
Click here for details on “Cool Kid Summer” at Disney World.
6 – Typhoon Lagoon Reopens with Tidal Waves of Water Park Fun
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park has reopened for guests just in time for the summer heat! Learn more about the opening at the link below.
Click here for more on the reopening of Typhoon Lagoon Water Park.
7 – New Savi’s Workshop Lightsaber Offering and More at Disney World
Savi’s Workshop in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge now offers a new Lightsaber option and more. Learn more about this new experience at the link below.
Click here to learn about the new Savi’s Workshop Lightsaber offering and more at Disney World.
8 – The Mandalorian, Grogu, and New Crew Controls Coming to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
In 2026, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run will receive updates with The Mandalorian and Grogu. Learn more about the updates, including new controls, at the link below.
Click here to learn about the updates coming to Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run in 2026.
9 – Disney Cruise Line Creates Magic at Sea for Make-A-Wish Families to Honor Disney “Week of Wishes 2025”
As part of The Walt Disney Company’s inaugural “Disney Week of Wishes” celebrating the company’s 45-year relationship with Make-A-Wish®, Disney Cruise Line granted some wishes at sea. Three Make-A-Wish children and their families had their wishes granted when they were invited to sail aboard the aptly named Disney Wish.
Disney Cruise Line cast and crew members were excited to welcome Kara, Delaney, Anthony and their families aboard for a magical cruise vacation. Each of the families sailed aboard the Disney Wish from Port Canaveral, Florida, visiting Nassau, The Bahamas, and Disney Cruise Line’s private island destination, Disney Castaway Cay. While onboard, they experienced incredible live shows, spectacular fireworks at sea, special moments with some of their favorite characters, and more.
Efforts like these are part of what makes Disney the world’s largest wish-granter for Make-A-Wish, granting a wish every hour of every day.
Meet the Wish Kids
For years, ever since she saw her first TV commercial for Disney Cruise Line, 15-year-old Kara Betancourt, from Colorado, dreamed of sailing with DCL. When asked what her wish would be, Kara, who is nonverbal, gleefully signed “big boat” in American Sign Language. Kara’s sister, Ella, another Make-A-Wish grant recipient, and their parents joined for a family adventure. The family had a blast floating in the turquoise water at Disney Castaway Cay and delighted in catching bubbles during the stage show of The Little Mermaid in The Walt Disney Theater.
Delaney Binker, 15, from Florida, was excited to board the Disney Wish and visit another country – The Bahamas – for the first time. Along with her mom, dad, and brother, Delaney was joined by her best friend, her grandma. Onboard the Disney Wish, Delaney met all of her favorite Disney princesses. “The smile that she’s had this entire trip has said everything it needs to,” her dad Brian said at the end of the voyage. “Only Disney can do it better than anybody else.”
Anthony DiDonato, 17, from Colorado, loves cruising and enjoyed his first time on a Disney Cruise Line ship. Anthony’s younger sister Aubrey, 10, said that Anthony was “really happy” during the sailing, adding that “he loves spending time with his family.” Anthony, Aubrey, their parents, and members of their extended family donned pirate garb for the Pirates in the Caribbean deck party, where they danced in the glow of fireworks over the upper decks.
Meet the Wish Makers
While onboard, Anthony, Delaney and Kara made friends with many of the Disney Cruise Line crew members, who helped make their voyage even more magical. “Crew and cast members have gone out of their way and just make you feel like you’re the most special person on the ship,” said Delaney’s mom, Carolyn.
And it wasn’t only the guests who were moved and inspired by the courage and resilience of guests like Anthony, Delaney and Kara.
Dining team crew members said they are proud and honored to serve Make-A-Wish families onboard. “You’re creating memories that they’re going to cherish for the rest of their life. It makes me happy inside” said Gilmar “Gil” Carneiro, a member of the dining team from Brazil. Added Richard Allemant Vera, a crew member from Italy, “We do something magical; it’s really beautiful.”
World’s Largest Wish Granter
Disney is proud to be the world’s largest wish granter for Make-A-Wish, and Disney Cruise Line cast and crew are thrilled to play a part in making magic for these special families.
Since 2010, Disney Cruise Line has granted more than 5,600 wishes for kids around the world. When the Disney Wish debuted in 2022, Disney Cruise Line even reimagined the time-honored role of a ship godparent by naming all Make-A-Wish children – including past, present and future recipients – godchildren of the Disney Wish.
Disney and Make-A-Wish have helped grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses around the world since 1980. Historically, one out of every two wishes granted in the U.S. through Make-A-Wish has been a Disney wish. For nearly 45 years, Disney has created joy for kids and families when it’s needed most, granting over 165,000 wishes in the process. For children with critical illnesses, a Disney wish can be transformative – bringing happiness, hope, and inspiration when it’s needed most.
10 – Mother’s Day Dining in Central Florida
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and restaurants across Central Florida are serving up delicious brunches and specials to celebrate mom. Please see below for full details!
Disney Springs’ signature Pan-Asian destination will offer a special dish during Mother’s Day weekend, May 9 through May 11. The Lobster Shumai, served with a Japanese pepper Lobster bisque for $18, is the perfect elegant dish for Mom to treat herself.
Maria & Enzo’s at Disney Springs
Maria & Enzo’s will be open on Mother’s Day, serving its Sicilian cuisine-inspired brunch menu from 11:30 a.m – 4 p.m. Indulge in favorites like the Crunch Toast, a cornflake-crusted brioche with nutella mascarpone and strawberry compote, plus the Smoked Salmon Board, including tomatoes, red onion, capers, chive, mascarpone, hard boiled eggs and toasted schiacciata bread. Full menu here.
The beloved seafood scratch kitchen serves a comforting brunch each Saturday and Sunday, including Mother’s Day. Indulge in $20 bottomless mimosas or bloody marys, alongside signature specials like the crab & spinach benedict or shrimp and waffles. Served 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., the full menu is available here.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a brunch that captures Italian passion. Enjoy dishes like Avocado Toast with crispy pancetta or a Stuffed French Toast, plus traditional pastas and hearty entrées. These Mediterranean-inspired dishes are best paired with classic brunch cocktails, like a Peach Bellini or a Caffé Disaronno. For those celebrating at home, BRIO’s special catering packages are also available, featuring a variety of crowd-pleasing favorites perfect for Mother’s Day gatherings. Catering package details here. Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m, alongside BRIO’s dinner menu.
Tropicale at Caribe Royale Orlando
Treat mom to a classic American breakfast menu made up of hearty individual plates, as well as a full buffet option. Options include omelets and eggs made-to-order, selection of breakfast meats, pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit, freshly baked pastries, toast and bagels, oatmeal, yogurts, toppings and more. Available 7 a.m. – noon.
11 – Popular Disney Springs Restaurants Debut Summer Menu Changes
With summer just around the corner, visitors to Disney Springs can savor new flavors at some of Patina Group’s concepts, including The Edison, Maria & Enzo’s, Enzo’s Hideaway and Pizza Ponte, as they debut their summer menu changes. Inspired by guest feedback and the latest food trends, these new dishes, crafted by the restaurant’s top chefs, feature dishes that captivate the palate and offer a refreshed culinary journey. Please see below for the full list of new menus at participating restaurants.
A lavish, 1920s-themed restaurant, bar and entertainment destination, serving creative twists on American comfort foods, plus handcraft cocktails. The restaurant’s new menu features:
- Pulled Pork Handpies: Slow roasted pork, cheddar cheese, flakey pie dough, and cilantro-garlic aioli – $17.
- MD Style Blue Crap Dip: Served with Old Bay seasoned naan – $19.
- Deviled Eggs: Cage-free eggs, traditional-style, with crispy potato cake, bacon and smokey paprika – $15.
- Angeled Eggs: Cage-free eggs, traditional-style, with crispy potato cake and 1 oz caviar – $99.
- Circuit Board: Handmade buttermilk biscuits, country ham, hatch pepper cheese, pickles, ranch pretzels, apple butter and Whistle Pig barrel-aged maple butter – $19.
- Mikey’s Bag-a-Donuts: Warm powdered sugar doughnuts, with nutella and raspberry – $19.
- Chicken & Waffles: Buttermilk-battered chicken breasts, crispy buttered Belgian waffle and cherry pepper maple syrup – $32.
- St. Louis Ribs: Apple-braised ribs, Carolina gold sauce, house cabbage slaw, and L. Burbank fries – $39.
Maria & Enzo’s & Enzo’s Hideaway at Disney Springs
Maria and Enzo’s is an elegant Italian trattoria set in a 1930s airline terminal featuring Sicilian-inspired fare, handmade pastas, and a stunning dining room, while Enzo’s Hideaway, located in a rum runner tunnel beneath, offers a speakeasy experience with Prohibition-era cocktails and hearty Roman-style dishes. The restaurants will serve new menu items like:
- Burrata Caprese (new recipe): Tomatoes, basil pesto, sea salt and ciabatta crostini – $19.
- Salumi E Formaggi (new cheese- 24-month Parmigiano-reggiano): Prosciutto di parma, mortadella, salame calabrese piccante, 24-month Parmigiano-reggiano, gorgonzola dolce, moliterno, marinated olives, local honey, and grissini bread sticks. Serves two people – $36.
- Salmone Alla Griglia (new recipe): with parmigiano potatoes, roasted baby carrots, green beans and salsa verde – $36.
- Coppa Di Maria: House vanilla, chocolate & pistachio gelato, amaretti & pizzelle cookies, and amarena cherries – $16.
- Torta All’olio Di Limone: Lemon olive oil cake, whipped mascarpone, lemon curd, and fresh strawberries – $14.
Maria and Enzo’s Only:
- Rosetta Di Lasagna Per La Tavola: Fresh egg pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, fontina, besciamella, short rib & pork ragu, pomodoro and parmigiano-reggiano. Serves 2, limited availability – $49.
Serving the biggest and most authentic pizza on Walt Disney World property, Pizza Ponte is a quick-service option offering its signature Pizza al Taglio, Sicilian-style pizza by the slice, plus house-basked sweets and more. New menu additions include:
- Il Gladiatore: Tomato, mozzarella, prosciutto cotto, Italian sausage, pepperoni. $8.95.
- Cannolis:
- Traditional: Sweet ricotta, chocolate chips. $8
- Chocolate: Chocolate shell, cocoa ricotta, chocolate chips. $8
- Black and White: Half cocoa & half sweet. $8
- Chocolate Chip Cookies: Baked fresh daily. $5.50
- Tiramisù: Mascarpone crème, espresso lady finger cookies and cocoa powder. $8
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
Now – June 2 – EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
Click here for the 11 Things You Don’t Want to Miss at the 2025 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival.
Click here for the Menus for the 20205 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival.
Now Open! – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Click here for our review and what you need to know about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Click here for details on a new, unique PhotoPass ops for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom.
Coming to Walt Disney World
17 Changes Coming to Walt Disney World in 2025 and Beyond
2025 – Reimagined ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Click here for more on the upcoming Little Mermaid show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
D23 Horizons Projects Announced for Walt Disney World
Click here to learn more about the Villains’ land coming to Magic Kingdom.
Click here to learn more about the Monsters, Inc. land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Click here to learn more about the Cars expansion in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom!
Click here to learn more about Tropical Americas Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Click here to learn more about the new nighttime parade coming to Magic Kingdom.
Click here to learn more about the lounges coming to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT!
Click here to learn more about Test Track reopening in 2025.
New & Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
Now Open – Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point – DCL’s Newest Private Island
Click here for an overview of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and what you need to know.
Click here for the menus for Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Disney Treasure – Now Sailing
Click here for an overview of the Disney Treasure.
Click here for Dining on the Disney Treasure – What You Need to Know.
Upper Deck Fun on the Disney Treasure – What You Need to Know.
The Haunted Mansion Parlor on The Disney Treasure – Step into the Best Disney Cruise Line Venue Yet!
Entertainment on the Disney Treasure – What You Need to Know
Visit the links below to view our Instagram Story during our Preview Cruise to get a look at the Disney Treasure:
Itineraries in 2025-2026
Click here to learn about Disney Cruise Lines’ summer 2025 itineraries.
Click here for details on Fall 2025 and Spring 2025 itineraries; now booking!
Click here to learn more about the 2026 summer itineraries with Disney Cruise Line.
Disney Destiny – Sailing November 2025
So Many Updates! 10 Exclusive Offerings Coming to the Disney Destiny That We’re Excited For
Everything New Coming to the Disney Destiny Sailing in November 2025
The Disney Destiny – An Overview of What You Can Expect on Disney Cruise Line’s Upcoming Ship
Disney Adventure, Sailing from Singapore
Click here for the grand reveal of the Disney Adventure, sailing in 2025!
Click here for details about the Disney Adventure, sailing from Singapore in 2025.
D23 Horizons Announcements
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.