DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: New Details on Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Re-theme; Zootopia Opening & Details; Food & Wine Menus; New Lounge Sneak Peek; Full Halloween Offerings; Changes to Big Thunder & More
After a quiet few weeks, Disney has shared a lot of news about the Halloween season and new and upcoming attractions at Walt Disney World. A new pirate-themed tavern is opening next week in Adventureland, and we’ve got a sneak peek. We’ve also got the opening date and new details on the upcoming Zootopia show coming to the Tree of Life. We learned about story updates coming to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad next year and learned more about The Muppets retheme coming to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Menus are out for the 2025 Food & Wine Festival, and the Halloween season has kicked off around the resort. We’ve got these stories and more below in this week’s news roundup.
1 – We Got a Sneak Peek at the Upcoming Beak & Barrel Coming to Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland
Starting August 29, 2025, Walt Disney World welcomes The Beak and Barrel, a first-of-its-kind experience, to Magic Kingdom Park. The Beak and Barrel is a lively new tavern located in Adventureland, inviting swashbucklers, scoundrels, bandits, and buccaneers of all ages to experience the pirate life. This latest adventure brings fresh energy to Magic Kingdom – full of thirst-quenching tropical beverages, delicious small bites, sing-alongs, storytelling, and enchanting surprises waiting to be uncovered by the whole family.
Click here to step inside the upcoming Beak & Barrel coming to Magic Kingdom.
Click here for a look at the menus at the Beak and Barrel.
2 – Disney Gives Updates on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets
Get ready to crank up the volume in 2026 as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppetsspeeds into Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a high-energy, rockin’ concert. This one-night-only event will feature the Electric Mayhem, and guests are invited to riff along for the ride. Thanks to new management under legendary Muppets tycoon and owner of The Muppet Theatre, J. P. Grosse, groovy vibes will take over the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Courtyard including a new psychedelic wrap on the giant guitar marquee – complete with one gold key on the piano motif, a nod to a certain far-out band leader’s gold tooth.
The story amps up at the recording studio, where J. P. Grosse’s nephew Scooter and his penguin audio engineers are trying to convince the band to wrap up a recording session and get to their increasingly restless fans. But will it be enough to get the band across town and onstage in time?
With the help of Muppet Labs and a really fast limousine, guests will take a screamingly fun trip across town while the sounds of Electric Mayhem play iconic hits to keep the music and adrenaline pumping.
Click here to learn more about the updates on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
3 – Menus Released for 2025 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival returns in 2025, delighting guests from August 28 through November 22 with a culinary journey that spans the entire park. This year’s festival will feature more than 35 Global Marketplaces offering a diverse range of cuisine from around the world, including plant-based and kid-friendly options. Visit the link below for the complete menu lineup, detailing every savory, sweet, and sip-worthy item available throughout the event. This includes favorites like the Lump Crab Cake from Coastal Eats and new concoctions such as Osakana Karaage from Japan, as well as the Apple-Cinnamon and Caramel Mini Churros Sundae from Milled & Mulled.
Click here to view the full menu lineup for the 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
4 – Zootopia: Better Together Opening Date Announced!
Get ready to go wild as Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, a brand-new 4D show inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios films “Zootopia” and “Zootopia 2,” opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in November. In this new 4D show at the Tree of Life Theater, familiar furry faces and new friends come together for a special watch party in celebration of Zoogether Day – the holiday that celebrates unity across the diverse biomes of Zootopia – and guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are invited to join and catch all the fun. Catch the opening date and more details about the upcoming show at the link below!
Click here to learn more about the story of Zootopia: Better Together and learn the opening date.
5 – Halloween Season Kicks Off at Magic Kingdom
Fall has arrived at Walt Disney World, bringing plenty of festive fun for guests to enjoy. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has kicked off with eerie-sistible merchandise, delicious seasonal bites, and boo-tiful décor. There’s no shortage of autumn magic to discover at the Most Magical Place on Earth. We’ll be attending the Halloween party on August 29 and will have our review out shortly after that. For now, visit the links below to learn more about the Halloween offerings at Walt Disney World.
Click here for where to find characters at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
6 – New Magic Coming to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
This week Disney shared an update on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom. Sometime in 2026, the caverns and peaks of will once again echo with the delighted sounds of thrill-seeking guests and the thunder of speeding train cars. Reinvesting in the beloved attraction, the familiar loops and drops of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be refreshed for guests new and old to enjoy for years to come, in addition to an infusion of new magic. Newly released renderings reveal some of the fresh experiences coming to the iconic mountain, including a journey through the spectacular natural phenomenon of the Rainbow Caverns, which may not be as welcoming as they first appear. Check out the photos below.
7 – New Disney Cruise Line Itineraries Announced
Disney Cruise Line releases the fall 2026 and spring 2027 itineraries, offering West Coast and Texas families more sailings in their backyard with even more voyages from San Diego and Galveston. These itineraries invite guests to create lasting memories with many ships returning to favorite destinations, including the Caribbean and The Bahamas. Early bookings open August 25, 2025, for select Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club members, and general bookings open September 2, 2025. For more information, visit the link below.
Click here to learn more about the fall 2026 and spring 2027 itineraries for Disney Cruise Line.
8 – Jock Lindsey’s Halloween Hangar Bar: Frightful First Look
Halloween has also arrived at Disney Springs, and this year, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs is charting a spooky new course with its first-ever Halloween overlay, transforming into Jock Lindsey’s Halloween Hangar Bar. Through November 4, 2025, this high-flying hideaway swaps its globe-trotting flair for frightful décor, and limited-time, seasonal bites and sips. Learn more and see photos at the link below.
Click here for photos and details on Jock Lindsey’s Halloween Hangar Bar.
9 – Construction Begins on Next Disney Cruise Line Ship
Disney Cruise Line celebrated the start of construction today on the fourth ship in the Wish class with a steel-cutting ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences, joined Philip Gennotte from Walt Disney Imagineering, Bernd Eikens from Meyer Werft, and Cruise Director Carly Scott to cut the first piece of steel for the next addition to the Disney Cruise Line fleet. With the help of special guest Captain Mickey Mouse, sparks flew within the yard’s laser cutting room, revealing the shape of a Disney cruise ship.
Click here to learn more about the construction beginning on the next Disney Cruise Line ship.
10 – Early Booking! Dine with Santa
The holiday season will be here before we know it, and as holiday planning ramps up, tickets are on sale now for the annual Breakfast with Santa at Maria & Enzo’s! Gather loved ones to savor a festive, family-style breakfast surrounded by holiday cheer and sweeping views of Lake Buena Vista. After filling their bellies, guests will have a special visit with Kris Kringle himself, where they can share their holiday wishes and receive a keepsake photo of the experience. New this year, guests can enhance their holiday celebration by adding indulgent treats, including a delectable double crisp chocolate Santa coal, hot chocolate spoons, hot cocoa bombs with marshmallows, and a limited-edition collectible Christmas tree cup.
This beloved event will be hosted with multiple seating times on December 13, 14, 20, 21, 23, and 24. Special early-bird summer pricing is available now through October 1, starting at $84 per adult for Platinum, which includes premium seating and priority access to meet Santa, and $74 for Gold, along with special rates for children—tickets and more info HERE.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
Now to September 1 – Cool Kid Summer at 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.
Coming to Walt Disney World
What We’re Excited About in the 2nd Half of 2025 for Walt Disney World
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
Itineraries in 2025-2026
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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