WDW Daily News

Guests can pick up their paintbrush, prepare their palates, and put on their dancing shoes because the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is just around the corner!

From January 17-February 24, this uniquely-Disney art festival paints the town with displays of culinary, performing and visual arts that will inspire the inner artist in all of us.

To prime the canvas, here are some new artful experiences that will debut with the 2025 Festival of the Arts!

Once Upon A Stage: 30 Years of Disney on Broadway

At CommuniCore Hall, guests can experience the magic of Broadway both on and off the stage in this walkthrough exhibit celebrating three decades of Disney on Broadway. Discover costumes and props from fan favorite stage musicals, then venture behind-the-scenes to see how the classic animated films “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” were reimagined for the Broadway stage.

The only ticket guests will need to see these iconic props and costumes is their ticket to EPCOT!

Opening Bites Food Studio

Just outside at CommuniCore Plaza, guests can enjoy food! Glorious food! This menu is all about paying homage to the foods and drinks immortalized onstage. Guests should keep an eye out for the Festival of the Arts Foodie Guide coming soon for more decadent details about Food Studios around the park.

New Artful Photo Op

With the Artful Photo Ops, families can step into the canvas and strike a pose. Along with returning favorites like Luncheon of the Boating Party by Pierre-August Renoir and Edvard Munch’s The Scream, there is a new Artful Photo Op inviting guests to voyage alongside our favorite seafarer featuring Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana.”

Disney on Broadway Concert Series

Earlier, we revealed the star-studded lineup for the Disney on Broadway Concert Series. While we’re excited for literally every performer coming to this incredible concert series, we are especially thrilled to see the three newcomers to the America Gardens Theatre stage.

Guests may know Jelani Remy from his role as Simba from “The Lion King.” Rodney Ingram performed the title role of “Aladdin” on Broadway and originated the role in the Mexico City production, and John Riddle originated the role of Hans in “Frozen.” Cue the applause!

This concert series is an amazing way to see a slice of Broadway talent right here in Central Florida!

We hope guests will join us in singing, dancing and dining their way through all the EPCOT Festival of the Arts has to offer. C’mon, friends, we’ll go and paint the park from Jan. 17-Feb. 24!

December 19, 2024

“Bluey”, the beloved Emmy®-winning animated series that has captured hearts worldwide, will join Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort on land and Disney Cruise Line at sea!

Beginning in January 2025 onboard Disney Cruise Line voyages originating from Australia and New Zealand, families can interact with Bluey and her sister, Bingo, like never before. From special meet-and-greets to an interactive and clue-filled game that ends in a dance party featuring Bluey’s signature moves, families in the region can embark on a magical holiday with their favorite blue heeler.

The producers of “Bluey,” the multiple Emmy Award-winning Ludo Studio, are working closely alongside BBC Studios and Disney on a number of special activations for fans to enjoy. Details about how guests can meet Bluey and her family at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will be shared in the months ahead.

December 14, 2024

 The new Island Tower addition at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will be opening next week on December 17. Located along the stunning shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon, the new tower will celebrate the vibrant spirit of the Polynesian Islands, the natural elements and our favorite wayfinder, Moana.

With over 260 beautifully designed rooms, stunning interior spaces and brand-new amenities, the waterfront expansion will become a new “home” for Disney Vacation Club members and guests to create new vacation memories.

Here are four reasons guests will love the new Disney Vacation Club addition – which will be among the more than 25 Resort hotels located at Walt Disney World Resort.

For guests that need more room to stretch out, one- and two-bedroom villas are perfect for larger groups, sleeping five and nine respectively. The villas come complete with a full kitchen, comfy living area, outdoor patio, and even a washer and dryer.

Disney Vacation Club is debuting a stunning new type of accommodation in the new Tower: two-bedroom penthouse villas. Sleeping up to eight guests, these spaces will boast a spacious living room, dining room and gorgeous views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom park or Disney’s Oak Trail and Magnolia Golf Courses.

Escape in the Terrace Gardens

Guests should get ready to relax in four tropical garden hideaways, exclusively for guests and members staying at the tower. Each space will be inspired by the lush beauty of the Polynesian Islands and will offer unbeatable views of Walt Disney World Resort.

Guests will be able to catch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from two Terrace Gardens facing the park and a spectacular sunset over Disney’s scenic golf courses from the other two gardens. Trust us—guests will want to see it to believe it!

Finding the Way…to More Play   

Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows has long been a fan-favorite with close proximity to Magic Kingdom, whimsical pools, a collection of beloved restaurants, and, of course, an abundance of DOLE Whip! But guests should get ready to soak up even more fun, because the new tower will be adding some incredible new features.

Guests will be able to unwind at the brand-new Cove Pool area, featuring a zero-entry swimming pool, or let little ones explore “Moana’s Voyage,” a splash area with life-size sculptures of Moana and her iconic canoe. The new tower will also be home to the resort’s first and only fitness center, which is sure to be a welcome addition to the many recreation activities offered today that are included in member and guest stays.

And if guests are still hungry for more, then they should to head to our next must-do…

Treat Yourself at Wailulu Bar & Grill

A flavorful journey awaits at Wailulu Bar & Grill, the tower’s new casual dining venue. Drawing inspiration from the rich flavors of the Polynesian islands, the all-day Wailulu menu will offer delicious signature dishes like spiced ham musubi and beef short rib loco moco.

Whether grabbing lunch or settling in for dinner, Wailulu Bar & Grill will be the perfect spot for guests to savor breathtaking views of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Plus, it will be a huge hit for those looking for a new spot to catch the Magic Kingdom fireworks!

We have nearly 1,600 amazing resort cast members ready to welcome guests to the new tower beginning on December 17, including a few who originally started at the Polynesian in the 1970s!

And with so many new and future experiences at Walt Disney World, Island Tower is another great option for families vacationing at The Most Magical Place on Earth.

There is so much to do during the holidays at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort to make the season extra magical while spending less. From crafts to culture to carols to creatures, there is truly something for everyone – especially if guests are staying at one of our Resort hotels that offer so many onsite activities to enjoy. Check out our top 10 holiday activities that are $10 or less…or even free!  

Walt Disney World Resort 

1. Create Crafts with the Whole Family 

Break out those crafting skills! Guests can bring home a one-of-a-kind holiday souvenir from their Walt Disney World vacation by making fun crafts.  

If they are staying at a Disney Resort hotel, cast members will provide a variety of fun arts and crafts, ranging from coloring pages to creating a mosaic out of ostrich eggs (an activity exclusive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge) — perfect for our youngest guests and the young at heart. Ask a cast member at the Disney Resort hotel about available activities.  

2. Admire the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth   

Hop over to Disney Springs to gaze at gorgeous holiday decorations and the fan-favorite Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth. Enjoy a festive jaunt as guests encounter elaborately themed Christmas trees celebrating some Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and character favorites.  

Plus, new this year, guests can experience some extra festive fun with MagicBand+! Use MagicBand+ and look for surprises at trees or window displays with the special sign. 

Read more

December 11, 2024

Get ready to stop and smell the roses … and the orchids, and the geraniums, and the citrus blossoms, because the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will bloom at Walt Disney World from March 5 to June 2, 2025!

Springtime Floral Family Fun

The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival takes root during the time of year when the park is full of beautiful character topiaries, delightful gardens, and delicious menus full of grown goodness.  Keep an eye out because details about merchandise, menus and more will sprout up soon; there’s so “mulch” to enjoy!

In 2025, we’re celebrating thirty years of Flower & Garden? We can’t wait for guests to join us in enjoying the culmination of three decades of planting, propagating and producing memories between friends and families visiting EPCOT at its springtime best.

Rock Out with Garden Rocks

If that bushelful of news wasn’t exciting enough, let us plant another seed — with the festival, the Garden Rocks Concert Series makes its annual return to the America Gardens Theatre. We’ve harvested the first crop of performer announcements to share today:

• March 7,8 – Tommy DeCarlo, former lead singer of Boston
• March 9,10 – Air Supply – 50th Anniversary Celebration
• March 14,15 – Blue October
• March 16,17 – Rick Springfield
• March 21,22 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
• March 23,24 – 38 Special
• March 28,29 – Jason Scheff, Longtime singer of Chicago

By: Disney Destinations

Today, we’re launching the official guide to the 70th anniversary of Disneyland Resort, as we gear up for the epic celebration ahead! Beginning May 16, 2025, and running through summer 2026, the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration will honor seven decades of happiness and many moments of joy in the making.

Your clients will get to “celebrate happy” with limited-time entertainment, colorful décor, themed food and beverages, collectible merchandise, and so much more!

“World of Color Happiness!” Debuts at Disney California Adventure Park

This all-new “World of Color” show is inspired by Walt Disney’s words from the opening day park dedication from seven decades ago: “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!”

This nighttime spectacular will explore “happy” through a kaleidoscope of emotions, hosted by Joy and the other Emotions from the hit Pixar Animation Studios films, “Inside Out” and “Inside Out 2.” Along the way, the Emotions manifest music and moments from favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios’ and Pixar Animation Studios’ stories, including “Turning Red,” “A Goofy Movie,” “Tangled,” “The Lion King” and so many more.

“World of Color Happiness!” will transform Paradise Bay with a brilliant array of signature fountains, dynamic lighting, colorful lasers, fog and dramatic flame effects, painting musical memories with all the wonder that only “World of Color” can create. 

“Paint the Night” Parade Returns to Disneyland Park

This fan-favorite, dazzling nighttime parade will make its grand return to Disneyland for the 70th celebration, lighting up Main Street, U.S.A., with stunning color and more than a million brilliant LED lights.

Mickey Mouse uses his vivid imagination to harness the power of Tinker Bell’s pixie dust and “Paint the Night” in Disney dreams, bringing to light beloved characters and stories from Pixar and Disney Animation films such as “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars,” “Toy Story”, “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and more.

The “Paint the Night” parade features innovative floats, vibrant costumes, incredible special effects, unforgettable music and energetic performances.

“Wondrous Journeys” is Back at Disneyland Park

At night, Disneyland will become a magnificent canvas with the return of this beloved nighttime spectacular. “Wondrous Journeys” celebrates the legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios classics that have inspired Walt Disney’s original magic kingdom. Throughout the show, you embark on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling and heart as you experience moments from beloved stories like “Hercules,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Peter Pan,” “Frozen,” “Big Hero 6,” “Moana,” “Encanto” and more.

The show features state-of-the-art projection effects that transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, “it’s a small world” and the Rivers of America. On select nights, the show will be enhanced with fireworks.

“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” Parade at Disney California Adventure Park

As part of the fun, “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” returns to the streets of California Adventure. This delightful daytime parade is filled with incredible music, dynamic and colorful floats and nearly 30 favorite characters from Pixar Animation Studios films, including “Luca,” “Turning Red,” “Up,” and more. 

“Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacular and “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade will temporarily pause to make way for seasonal Halloween and Holidays entertainment offerings, then resume at a later time. 

Additional Entertainment and More Magic to Come

Even more details and magical touches will be coming to the resort for the 70th celebration. Brilliant, colorful décor will adorn the entire resort, including an elegant medallion on Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals will all come dressed for the party in Town Square in Disneyland park, in custom looks designed just for the occasion. 

Disneyland park will debut a new character cavalcade called “Mickey and Friends Celebrate Happy!” As it winds its way along the parade route, favorite characters will encourage you to dance and clap along in an energetic and contemporary celebration of seven decades of happiness.

In the evenings at California Adventure, the exterior of Carthay Circle Restaurant will invite everyone to “celebrate happy” during a special moment filled with music, lights and projection effects. And at Disneyland, the facade of “it’s a small world” will also get a new projection show.

Plus, created in honor of the anniversary, an upbeat new theme song “Celebrate Happy” will be heard throughout various entertainment offerings.

More 70th Fun to Be Announced in Months Ahead

We’re just getting started! More joyful touches and magical details will be shared about the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration in the coming months. Stay tuned for additional information as the celebration draws nearer!

To enter a park, both a theme park reservation and a valid ticket for the same park on the same date is required. Visit Disneyland.com/updates for more information about visiting the Disneyland® Resort. Park reservations are limited, subject to availability, and not guaranteed. Parks, attractions, entertainment, experiences, services, and offerings may be modified, limited in availability or unavailable, and are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.

Pirates of the Caribbean-Inspired Tavern

Tis time to prepare yerselves for the swashbucklin’ world of adventure as all bandits and buccaneers-to-be are invited to join our jolly crew at a new Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired tavern. Makin’ landfall in Adventureland in late 2025, this yonder lounge will welcome pirates of all ages with a sea-worthy selection of grogs and grub, and there may be more than a few mysterious and magical surprises in store! 

“Zootopia: Better Zoogether!”

Guests should hold onto their hats (and their tails, feathers, or ears!) because we want to remind them about the all-new 4D production coming to the Tree of Life Theater in winter 2025 – “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” Guests will want to herd the whole family together to join Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and more for a new story that will make them want to clap their hands.

Test Track presented by General Motors

Guests should get ready to feel the thrill of the open road, the wind in their hair, and nothing but adventure ahead! Test Track presented by General Motors is making its return lap late summer 2025. Walt Disney Imagineering has been working with General Motors on an all-new storyline – guests will want to be all buckled in for an adventure. Guests might even see cars returning to the track (for testing…at Test Track…nice) with their new look early in the year!

“Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away”

 It’s time for a new fabulous nighttime parade! “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” is coming to light up summer 2025! This new evening spectacle invites Magic Kingdom Park guests to dream the night away with a shiny new blend of nostalgic Disney storytelling and glowing innovation, continuing the legacy of dazzling nighttime entertainment that holds a special place in the hearts of so many.

Guests will get the chance to see a bunch of their favorite characters in a whole new light … literally. Featuring fan-favorites from classic and new Walt Disney Animation Studios films like “Peter Pan,” “Encanto,” “Frozen,” “Moana,” and more, the parade’s vibrant lights will dance in the dark, transforming the night into a mesmerizing canvas of glowing colors, completely surrounding guests and their loved ones!  

The Blue Fairy from the classic tale, “Pinocchio,” will weave the transformative magic of starlight through each float and every costume in the parade, illuminating the stories in a vibrant constellation of wonder, hope and imagination.