This is a quieter month in terms of news (expect the same at the beginning of August), since Disney will be saving any major announcements for the D23 Ultimate Fan Event. We still have some news though, and a lot of rumors have been flying around. I just got back from a Disney (and Universal!) trip two weeks ago. A few things are already up on the blog, like my review of Wilderness Lodge and Geo-82, and more will be coming from my experiences!
Disney news
- In Epcot, what was previously the Refreshment Port has officially reopened as La Poutinerie.
- We received some small updates and news for Monstropolis, the Monsters Inc. area coming to Hollywood Studios. What was previously Mama Melrose’s will become the sit-down restaurant Harryhausen’s. It looks like PizzeRizzo will be another quick service dining location, and the old MuppetVision 3D theater will become a new Monsters Inc. show.
- Level99 has recently opened in Disney Springs.
- Disney’s Boardwalk has a few new additions coming soon, including the Hurly-Burly lounge (which will be family friendly during the day and 21+ at night), a Basin shop, and more.
- Disney World has announced a number of new restrictions in terms of guests traveling around Disney property. There is a lot of information going around, so I want to emphasize that if you are an on-site guest of any Disney resort, you will be able to travel to any other Disney resort. These restrictions are specifically for people who do not have a reservation at a Disney resort or do not have a dining reservation at a resort The one that has been officially posted by Disney states that transportation from Disney Springs to Disney resorts will be limited to only guests with reservations (resorts or dining/activity).
- Please keep in mind that people who are staying off-property or are local are still able to visit the resorts, they just can’t do so from Disney Springs. For example, if you are at Magic Kingdom for the day, you can get on a bus to any resort you would like to visit.
- Dates for Christmas celebrations at Disney World have been announced, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights, and Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays.
- Another holiday announcement – the traditional gingerbread house display at the Grand Floridian resort will not be returning.
- Typhoon Lagoon water park will close for the season on September 9, 2026.
Disney rumors
Hollywood Studios // With a little more information on Monstropolis, it feels like the opening of the land is getting even closer. Although we don’t have any dates yet, 2028 still seems likely – with some people predicting it will be around Memorial Day weekend of that year.
Disney resorts // Along with the transportation rules recently implemented at Disney Springs, a lot of information is going around about other types of transportation to the Disney resorts. Remember that this only affects people who are not staying at a Disney resort. Though not yet officially confirmed by Disney, some people have reported that only guests of a Disney resort are being permitted to park at that resort. There are also rumors that monorail access to the resorts may be limited in the same way as the boats and buses from Disney Springs.
Other Disney blogs
If you want more details on the nuances of the new Disney resort transportation policies, Tom from Disney Tourist Blog really digs into them a bit more.
Over at Polka Dots and Pixie Dust, Melanie gives us her tips on doing split stays at Disney World.
Need some great Disney parks background music to play at home? Jenn at Fairest Run of All has you covered!
The Resorts Gal brings us a review of brunch at the Grand Floridian.
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