DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Permanent Closure Date for Fan Favorite Attraction; Festival of the Arts Details; Blizzard Beach Opening Date; Christmas Parade Details; Taylor Swift Exhibit & More

Chad & Cindy NykampDecember 20, 2025Last Updated: December 20, 2025

This week, we got more information about the 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Arts, which kicks off in mid-January. We learned about when Blizzard Beach will reopen and learned about the new Water Park Season Pass. We’ve got the closing date for a fan-favorite attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, along with a new limited-time attraction at the park. Learn about these stories and more in this week’s news roundup.

1 – Disney Confirms Closing Date of Fan Favorite Hollywood Studios Attraction

We knew it was coming. Disney has finally announced the last day of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Work has already begun, with the preshow now walled off, but the ride itself will have the Aerosmith theme for just a bit longer. It will close forever to make way for a new Muppet version. Learn the date and more details at the link below.

Click here for the closing date of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.

2 – EPCOT Festival of the Arts – Artists Announced and Merchandise Sneak Peek

The 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Arts kicks off on Friday, January 16! This week, we got the full lineup of artists coming to the festival and a merchandise sneak peek! Learn more at the links below.

Click here for the full lineup of artists coming to the 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Arts.

Click here for a merchandise sneak peek of items coming to the 2026 Festival of the Arts.

3 – Blizzard Beach Reopening Date & Water Park Season Pass Announced

Right now, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is the only water park open. This week, Disney has announced when Typhoon Lagoon will close for refurbishment and when Blizzard Beach will reopen. Also announced is the return of the Water Park Season Pass, which has new benefits this year! Learn more at the link below.

Click here to learn the Blizzard Beach reopening date, along with details on the water park season pass.

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4 – Details Announced for the 2025 Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade

If you’re like our family, one of the highlights of Christmas morning is to watch the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade! Disney has released information on what we can expect this year and how to watch it! Learn more at the link below!

Click here to learn more about how you can watch and enjoy the 2025 Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade.

5 – Taylor Swift The Eras Tour Exhibit Now Open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

To celebrate the premiere of The End of an Era docuseries and Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show on Disney+, fans can now dive into the enchanting world of Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. A new exhibit features three costumes Swifties know well! Learn more about the exhibit at the link below.

Click here to learn about the new Taylor Swift The Eras Tour Exhibit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

6 – New Holiday Movie Filming at Walt Disney World

Hallmark Channel, the undisputed number one destination for holiday movie viewing, and Walt Disney World, The Most Magical Place On Earth, are teaming up for the first time ever for an all-new, original holiday movie filled with magic and romance. The new movie will shoot on location at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and is set to debut in 2026. Learn more about the new film, including the stars of the movie, at the link below.

Click here for details on the new holiday movie filming at Walt Disney World.

7 -Disney Cruise Line VoluntEARS and Stitch Deliver Holiday Magic to Hundreds of Children

To kick off the holiday season, Disney Cruise Line VoluntEARS, joined by fan-favorite Disney character Stitch from Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch,” brought joy and holiday gifts to children across Central Florida and The Bahamas.

These special visits are part of Disney’s Holiday Magic Tour, which is spreading cheer to kids and communities through local events, donations, and special Disney surprises across the country and around the world.

In Central Florida, Disney VoluntEARS from the Disney Fantasy ship, which calls Port Canaveral home, surprised nearly 100 students at Endeavour Elementary School in Cocoa with holiday gifts. Stitch brought extra holiday cheer, playfully posing for photos, sharing hugs, and dancing with teachers and students.

“At Disney Cruise Line, we know the happiness of a single moment can create memories that last a lifetime for kids and families—especially during the holidays,” said Beth Thibodaux, director of external affairs for Disney Cruise Line. “That’s why we’re proud to support Brevard County students all year through learning programs, grants, and more. This holiday celebration is one of the moments our VoluntEARS look forward to the most.”

Disney VoluntEARS also visited children in three different communities in The Bahamas, delivering hundreds of gifts for the holidays. Stitch and the VoluntEARS from the Disney Fantasy visited Woodcock Primary School in Nassau and hosted students from Deep Creek Primary School in Eleuthera for a festive gathering to play games, dance and celebrate the season. In Abaco, VoluntEARS from Disney Castaway Cay also brought gifts for children at three schools across the island.

“Our port communities are incredibly important to us at Disney Cruise Line so we want the residents to feel like we are a part of their communities,” said Joey Gaskins, regional director, public affairs, Disney Cruise Line. “Through the meaningful impact our VoluntEARS make year-round, their dedication shines even brighter during the holiday season when giving back matters most.”

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