DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Full Menus for Festival of the Holidays; Complete Holiday Offerings List; New Lion King Merch; New Robotic Olaf; New Disney Cruise Ship News & More

Chad & Cindy NykampNovember 30, 2025Last Updated: November 30, 2025

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Now that the holiday season is in full swing, we’ve got a complete list of all of the holiday offerings at Walt Disney World, including the festival menus for the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. The Disney Destiny has been christened and enjoyed its inaugural sailing! We really enjoyed our preview cruise on the Destiny and have lots to share about Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship! Walt Disney Imagineering announced a next-generation Olaf robot and released a behind-the-scenes look at its development. There is also a new ‘Disney Unscripted’ show, which shows more about how Disney spreads magic. We’ve got these news stories and more in this Disney news roundup.

1 – EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Opens and Full Menus

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays kicked off at EPCOT. The festival runs now through December 30. Offering bites and beverages at Holiday Kitchens around the park, festive sights, and returning fan-favorite entertainment, including the Candlelight Processional, “JOYFUL!,” World Showcase Storytellers, and more, this seasonal festival shares holiday cheer from around the globe. Check out the complete list of menus for the Holiday Kitchens at the link below!

Click here for the full menus for the Holiday Kitchens at the 2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.

Click here for “2025 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Details & What You Don’t Want to Miss”

2 – The Holiday Season at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is once again sprinkling extra magic across all four theme parks, more than 25 resort hotels, and Disney Springs, transforming the entire resort into a twinkling wonderland of holiday cheer. From sparkling decorations and seasonal treats to heartwarming entertainment and joyful daytime celebrations, guests of all ages can wander, wonder, and make merry during the most magical time of year at The Most Magical Place on Earth.

This year, guests can look forward to returning holiday favorites and all-new experiences that bring the spirit of the season to life throughout the resort. Whether strolling down Main Street, U.S.A. under the glow of shimmering lights or discovering seasonal touches at Disney Springs, guests will find endless ways to make holiday memories that last a lifetime. Visit the link below for a complete list of offerings at Walt Disney World this holiday season.

Click here for a complete list of holiday offerings at Walt Disney World.

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3 – New Lion King Novelty Items Now at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Lion King fans can purchase new novelty items at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Learn more at the link below!

Click here to learn about the new ‘Lion King’ novelty items now at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

4 – Walt Disney Imagineering Debuts Next-Generation Robotic Character Olaf

This week, Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) released the latest episode of its hit series, “We Call It Imagineering,” taking audiences inside the global Research & Development efforts driving the next wave of Disney innovation. This group represents the very beginning of the development process, where Imagineers blend creativity and technology to spark ideas for the innovative Disney experiences of tomorrow. This team has worked on some of the most exciting advancements at Disney parks, including interactive attractions, innovative projection systems, and advanced robotic characters. Visit the link below to learn more about this amazing development.

Click here to learn about a real-life robotic character of Olaf from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen films.

5 – Disney Cruise Line Christens Disney Destiny in South Florida

A hero’s welcome awaited the new Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Destiny, on November 10 during a sensational christening celebration at its homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Disney Destiny Christening combined the spirit of a high-energy concert with the theatricality of a Disney spectacular, including a multi-tiered set, drone special effects, and scenic projections on the ship itself, alongside a live band and a dozen dazzling vocal performers. Learn about the special ceremony below!

Click here to learn about the Disney Destiny Christening ceremony in South Florida.

The Disney Destiny Christening on November 10, 2025 at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Kent Phillips, Photographer) © Disney

6 – Disney Destiny Set Sail on Inaugural Voyage

The Disney Destiny, Disney Cruise Line’s newest and most innovative ship, embarked on its maiden voyage on November 20 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This marks another major milestone in The Walt Disney Company’s ambitious global expansion of its cruise business, building on the successful launches of the Disney Wish in 2022 and Disney Treasure in 2024.

We sailed on a special preview cruise and loved our time on the ship! Visit the links below for our coverage of the Disney Destiny. More coverage is coming!

Why We Love the Disney Destiny! 13 Exclusive Offerings Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship You Don’t Want to Miss

Click here to view our Day 1 Instagram Story of our Disney Destiny Preview Cruise.

Click here to view our Day 2 Instagram Story of our Disney Destiny Preview Cruise.

Click here to view our Day 3 Instagram Story of our Disney Destiny Preview Cruise.

Click here to learn about the Disney Destiny’s Christening Ceremony.

Click here for “10 Fun Facts (with Photos!) About the Disney Destiny – Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship

Click here for “Family Dining on the Disney Destiny – What You Need to Know”

Click here for 10 Character Encounters on the Disney Destiny You Don’t Want to Miss!

7 – Special Military Offer: Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with a $250 Onboard Credit

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, Disney Cruise Line is proud to recognize US military personnel with an exclusive $250 onboard credit per reservation on select Disney Wish and Disney Dream sailings throughout 2026.

Your onboard credit can be used for purchases on board, including services, merchandise, food, beverages, or Port Adventures. Plus—for even greater savings—this special offer can be combined with Disney Cruise Line Special US Military Rates.

We highly recommend booking with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner to ensure you are well taken care of and get all the discounts available to you. For more details and help booking your vacation, call (407) 442-0227. You can also get a no-obligation, FREE vacation quote by clicking here. Their services are free to you, and they can answer any questions you may have.

8 – Go Behind the Scenes in Imagineering Video Series

The YouTube show “We Call it Imagineering” takes you behind the scenes into how Imagineers work their magic. A new show debuted this week, and you don’t want to miss it. Learn how to watch the latest episode, including a complete list of episodes, at the link below.

Click here to go behind the scenes of Walt Disney Imagineering.

9 – Disney Releases New Show ‘Disney Unscripted’ – Shows How Magic Happens

A new YouTube Show called ‘Disney Unscripted’ shows viewers that Disney makes the magic happen. Learn more and watch the first episode at the link below.

Click here to learn more and watch the new show, ‘Disney Unscripted.’

10 – 6 Things You Missed from “We Call It Imagineering” Episode 7

The latest episode of “We Call It Imagineering” is out! Did you miss some details? Visit the link below for more information.

Click here for the six things you missed from episode seven of “We Call It Imagineering.”

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.