It’s April 1st, which means it’s a good time to stay vigilant about news – you never know who might be trying to trick you today! But what I’m sharing below is not pranks. Just your regular Disney news and roundup.
We are also on our last round of the March tournament to choose the top villain sidekick! It comes down to Kronk vs. Iago, so if you want to cast your vote be sure to head on over to that blog page. The winner will be announced next Monday!
Disney news
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will be getting some upgrades! You can read the full details here, but in particular, you can expect a new character named Buddy to greet you in the queue, updated ride vehicles that include video monitors for scoring, new handheld blasters, different colored lasers, and new technology for when the targets are hit.
- We have some new details on the previously announced lounge opening in Epcot this year. It will be called Geo-82, and will be adults-only.
- A new stage show is coming to Hollywood Studios. Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After will open on May 27th at Sunset Showcase.
- Another new(ish) show opens that same day, May 27th, in the same park – The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure will begin, replacing what was previously Voyage of the Little Mermaid.
- Disney Vacation Club is opening a new location in the Canada pavilion, called Château de Voyage. This will be a welcome center to learn more about DVC and a sales location.
- For the first time in a number of years, Disney will have both of their water parks open for the summer! Typhoon Lagoon opens on May 1st this year, and Blizzard Beach will re-open after some maintenance on May 21st. Both will be open through September 7th.
- A huge sporting event which was typically hosted in Disney World in December every year is moving locations in 2025. The 2025 and 2026 Pop Warner Super Bowl and Cheer & Dance Nationals will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. This may relieve some of the unexpected crowds in early/mid December.
- Over in Disneyland, they will get a new show opening on May 16th in California Adventure: Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!
- California Adventure is also getting a new character meet and greet – Rex from Toy Story will be appearing starting on June 1st!
- The live action Snow White movie hit theaters two weeks ago, but it has not been performing as Disney hoped – making $42 million its opening weekend and only around $14 million the second weekend.
Disney rumors
Magic Kingdom // We got several announcements for opening dates of new shows in Hollywood Studios (Little Mermaid and Villains opening May 27th), but no mention of the new nighttime parade coming to Magic Kingdom. Disney is still saying “summer” for this one, but it seems likely that it will be sometime after May 27th – otherwise I suspect they would have announced it with the others.
Resorts // Blog Mickey is reporting that Disney has started running a test for online check-in at the resorts. Currently it is very limited – only available for those flying Southwest and staying at Pop Century. But if it goes well, I imagine it will spread to other resorts and airlines. This service allows guests checking out of their resort and into Disney to check their bags at the Disney resort (you don’t have to do anything again until you pick them up at your home resort). This is a different service than Magical Express and the luggage delivery from the airport to your hotel, though perhaps that will be in the cards again in the future if this goes well?
Other Disney blogs
Over at Fairest Run of All, Jenn has her review of Crockett’s Tavern at Fort Wilderness. And I was there – check out her post for the details on my Moonshine Flight and the great charcuterie we had!
If you’ve read any of the articles recently about how Disney is too expensive for the middle class, you might be interested to hear what Bob Iger’s response to that is. Tom at Disney Tourist Blog has the details on his statement, as well as Tom’s thoughts on the whole thing.
Indya at The Small Adventurer has the cutest Inside Out Jello cups recipe! I love all of the bright colors.
If you’ve ever booked a placeholder on a Disney Cruise, you’ll be happy to know that you will now be able to manage your placeholder reservation online (rather than by phone). The Disney Cruise Line blog has all of the details.
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