DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: New Attraction Announced; Details & Menus Released for Halloween Party; New Nighttime Parade; Test Track Reopens; New Disney Ship Updates & More
As we head into August, Walt Disney World is looking to the fall with the upcoming Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicking off on August 15. This week, Disney released more information about this year’s party, including menus for exclusive eats during the event. We also learned about a new attraction coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as two attractions that will close to make way for the new one. There’s a new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom, and we love it! We have updates on the Disney Destiny and new menu items at Chicken Guy! Learn about these stories below in this week’s news roundup.
1 – New Attraction Announced for Disney’s Hollywood Studios
A brand-new animated adventure is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2026. “The Magic of Disney Animation” will debut in the building that currently houses Star Wars: Launch Bay. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California, and the Emmy award-winning and heartwarming short film “Once Upon a Studio,” guests will step into a whimsical twist on the real-life studio building, but this time, when the animators are away, the characters come out to play! Topped with Mickey’s iconic Sorcerer Hat, the space will invite guests to explore different studio departments brought to life by Disney characters. Learn more about this new attraction and the closing dates for Star Wars: Launch Bay and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! Below.
Click here to learn more about the new attraction coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
2 – Reimagined Test Track Now Open at EPCOT
The next evolution and reimagined Test Track has reopened to guests at EPCOT. With this reimagined attraction, Walt Disney Imagineering has collaborated with General Motors to celebrate humanity’s ability to dream and innovate a brighter, smarter, and more enjoyable tomorrow. Test Track presented by General Motors, demonstrates how technology will make our cars smarter and our lives more fun, all with the twists, turns, and high-speed thrills fans know and love. Test Track has a standby queue available for guests, or they can purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass to access the attraction.
3 – Disney Releases Details on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is just a few weeks away! Disney has released more details about this year’s party, along with a sneak peek at the merchandise. Learn more below.
4 – Disney Reveals Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Menus
Every year, there are exclusive beverage and food items available to purchase at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Disney has released this year’s menu for the party, and there are some great items available. Visit the link below to learn more and discover which items are available during regular park hours.
Click here to see the menu lineup for meals and treats at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
5 – New Nighttime Parade ‘Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away’ Debuts at Magic Kingdom and What You Need to Know
“Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” has debuted at Magic Kingdom Park. This dazzling celebration of dreams and wishes coming true will be brought to life through the magic of the Blue Fairy, who will set a dreamlike tone that resonates throughout this all-new nighttime parade. Guests will see beloved characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ classics, such as “Peter Pan” and “Pinocchio,” alongside modern favorites from “Encanto,” “Frozen,” and “Moana,” with some appearing in a nighttime parade for the very first time. Learn more about the parade at the link below.
Click here to learn more at Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away at Magic Kingdom.
6 – Chicken Guy! Disney Springs Debuts New Summer Menu Items
Chicken Guy! just launched two new limited-time items that tap into peak summer flavors: the Honey Money Chicken Sandwich, featuring their signature chicken topped with their limited-time Honey BBQ Sauce, and the Key Lime Pie Milkshake, a cool, tangy twist on the classic dessert.
The combo brings together contrasting flavors – heat and citrus, crunch and cream – that feel tailor-made for the season. It’s part of a broader trend we’re seeing, where menus are leaning into regional summer flavors and playful pairings.
7 – Updates from the Disney Destiny, the Heroes and Villains Ship Coming November 2025
The Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering teams are hard at work with the crew at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, to bring Disney Cruise Line’s heroes and villains-themed ship, the Disney Destiny, to life – and it may be further along than you think! Here are some updates from Disney Cruise Line.
“DISNEY HERCULES” REHEARSALS AND RENDERING
Five, six, seven, eight: “Bless my soul, Herc is on a roll!”
That’s right, “Disney Hercules,” the brand-new, Broadway-style Disney Cruise Line stage show, is indeed on a roll, preparing to raise the curtain exclusively onboard the Disney Destiny. But before the ship launches this November, the Cast is hard at work at Disney Cruise Line’s Toronto-based entertainment rehearsal facility, where every show – from a deck party to a Broadway-style musical spectacular – comes to life before being performed on any ship in Disney Cruise Line’s growing fleet.
While in Toronto, the Disney Destiny entertainment team is preparing for three shows in The Walt Disney Theatre: “Disney Seas the Adventure,” “Frozen: A Musical Spectacular,” and “Disney Hercules.”
Today, we’re unveiling an exclusive, behind-the-curtain look at “Disney Hercules” rehearsals, plus an all-new rendering of the stage show.
First, let’s dive into “Zero to Hero,” where we get a peek at the show’s contemporary take on the Walt Disney Animation Studios film’s classic soundtrack and how this beloved tale is recreated to be tailor-made for a theater audience:
If that doesn’t get you excited for the show, here’s an additional look: a depiction of the show’s iconic battle with the Titans. Learn more about the epic exo-skeleton innovations behind “Disney Hercules” Titans here.
After the Cast completes rehearsals in Toronto, they will travel to Germany to begin preparations to perform in the Walt Disney Theatre for the first time this November.
STERN CHARACTER INSTALLATION
Spider-Man and his Spider-Bots have made their way onto the Disney Destiny! Earlier this week, the shipyard team installed the first-ever Marvel stern character in Disney Cruise Line history, using cranes to hoist the larger-than-life sculpture up and securely bolt it to the back of the ship.
The figure depicts Spider-Man swooping into action as he teams up with three Spider-Bots to add the finishing touches to the ship’s geometric filigree. The sharp edges and crisscrossing designs in the filigree are a playful nod to Spider-Man’s web-slinging skills. The Spider-Bots are equipped with yellow-dipped paintbrushes and some must-have cruise accessories, including sunglasses and a snorkel mask.
When guests arrive at the Disney Destiny’s home port in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., later this year, the stern character will be their first glimpse into the magic that awaits aboard the ship, setting the scene for an adventure full of experiences inspired by legendary Disney heroes and villains.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
Now to September 1 – Cool Kid Summer at Walt Disney World
July 20 – Disney Starlight
Click here to learn more at Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away at Magic Kingdom.
Coming to Walt Disney World
7 Things We’re Excited About in the 2nd Half of 2025 for Walt Disney World
August 15-October 31, Select Nights – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Click here for the dates and more details on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
August 28 – November 22 – 2025 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
Click here for the dates and other details for the 2025 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival.
November 7 – December 21, Select Nights – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Click here for the dates and details for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2025.
November 8 – December 21, Select Nights – Disney Jollywood Nights
Click here for the dates and details of Disney Jollywood Nights in 2025.
November 14 – December 31 – Holiday Season at Walt Disney World
November 28-December 30 – EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
Click here to get the dates and details for the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays.
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 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
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
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