Walt Disney World Resort Update for July 9, 2025

I hope you had a happy and safe Independence Day. With the 4th of July now in the rear view mirror, the Walt Disney World Resort (and some retailers beyond) are already setting their sights on Halloween merchandise, and winter holiday planning. In the meantime, its the time of year that we have our eyes on the tropics with the first named storms of the season fortunately missing Central Florida, but the nearly daily thunderstorms doing their thing during the days with high temperatures at or above 90º pretty regularly too. If you are heading to the parks: be prepared. Indeed, if there is “lightning in the area” it is no joke, and it can reach a good ways away from where a storm is centered–just yesterday my local power company said a bolt took out power for me and over 2,000 neighbors for a few hours…and it was one of those rare afternoons that the thunderstorm was not even close by!

Anyway, here we go with our Walt Disney World Resort news all-in-one-place Update this week. Sorry that the Updates have not been weekly lately. It would sure be nice to hear from more of you on our social media channels about what you would like to read about around Walt Disney World–it is a really big place with a lot going on, but lately, we have seen a lot less directed communications from the Resort about where it is focused.

Looking Ahead to Winter Holidays

With the passing of Independence Day, July begins the usual time to plan for visiting Walt Disney World Resort for the winter holidays, with Disney making announcements this past week of what to expect during this year’s holiday season. The Resort will officially celebrate the season from November 14 through December 31, 2025, (though Magic Kingdom’s decor usually gets put in place as soon as the last Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and October end, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party nights start on November 7, 2025; EPCOT starts the latest, after the conclusion of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival around Thanksgiving). Pretty much every corner of the Resort gets Christmas decor, themed food and beverage items, characters in festive outfits, special holiday entertainment, new holiday merchandise and more. Santa Claus will visit each of the four theme parks and Disney Springs through December 24 (be sure to check My Disney Experience for times and locations). Here are the big details Disney has released so far. 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom (Select Nights)

To celebrate Christmas, on 25 nights in November and December, Magic Kingdom closes its gates to day guests at 6 p.m. and then hosts the extra-admission required Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party from 7 p.m. until Midnight. Those with tickets to the Party can enter the park as early as 4 p.m., mixing in with the day guests as they are coaxed toward the park exist by cast members that check for Party wristbands starting at 6 p.m. throughout the park and at attraction entrances.

Tickets for this year’s Party nights go on sale starting July 16 for guests with reservations at the Disney-owned and operated hotels, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, and Shades of Green, and starting July 22 for the general public. Be aware that tickets can sellout and may not be available for sale on the day of one of the events. This page of DisneyWorld.com is where to get official information about the event and to find the links to official ticket sales (including eligible discounts for those logged in with linked Passholder and Disney Vacation Club credentials) when available; the My Disney Experience app is a useful tool for this as well; guests may also call the Disney Reservation Center at 407-934-7639. Ticket prices for the party nights are $169 to $229 per ticket, plus tax, and they vary by event date (with discounts typically not available on all dates).

Magic Kingdom gets all “decked out” for Christmas, of course. During the Party nights, guests can experience Disney “snow” on Main Street U.S.A., and “festive sweets” like cookies and hot and cold holiday sips available at designated locations around the park—at no additional charge. For those looking for more in the way of specialty food and beverage options, there will be plenty of those options announced by a Foodie Guide as the Party nights get closer (some options will be Party-exclusives). And, of course, there will be exclusive Party merchandise too, available only at Emporium to Party guests. There will be exclusive photo opportunities around the park as well.

In addition, the Party includes exclusive character meet-and-greet opportunities. So far, these have been announced:

Santa’s Christmas Carnival (Storybook Circus near Dumbo The Flying Elephant and The Barnstormer)

• Santa Claus

Princess Fairytale Hall (Fantasyland)

• Anna and Elsa in their Christmas attire 

Town Square Theater (Main Street U.S.A.)

• Sally and Santa Jack 
• Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their finest holiday looks 

Additional character opportunities can be found at dance parties:

• Disney Junior Jingle Jam at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Tomorrowland 

• Club Tinsel at Rocket Tower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland 

During the Party, guests can find many attractions with lower-than-usual wait times. Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Mad Tea Party, Jungle Cruise, and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor all get holiday-themed overlays for the party (with the “Jingle Cruise” being the only one typically also available during regular park operating hours).

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade is usually shown twice during each Party night (weather permitting), and it includes dancing gingerbread men, ballroom dancers, marching toy soldiers, and upbeat holiday music and scents, plus, of course, many Disney characters dressed in their holiday attire with a special appearance by Santa Claus as he wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and happy New Year. The parade route enters the park next to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Frontierland and winds past Hall of Presidents and across the Liberty Square bridge to the hub and up Main Street, U.S.A. toward the Walt Disney World Railroad Station. Parade times are subject to change and are usually posted in My Disney Experience.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, hosted by Minnie Mouse, is presented (weather permitting) once each Party night. The show includes holiday classics — such as “Deck the Halls” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” — along with pyrotechnics, castle projections and lighting effects. To see projections, guests do need to view the show from in front of Cinderella Castle, but the fireworks display itself, which usually includes perimeter fireworks in addition to those launched from and behind the Castle, can be viewed from many locations throughout Magic Kingdom, like Liberty Square, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. (The fireworks can also be seen from the usual spots outside the park, along with the accompanying music at places at the Disney Resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.)   The Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant will also host the additional price Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party with reserved fireworks viewing. (Details have not yet been posted.)

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration is scheduled to be performed on the Cinderella Castle stage multiple times (weather permitting) during each Party night (with the final show often scheduled at or just after the scheduled end of the Party). The show includes numerous Disney Characters, including appearances by Clarabelle Cow, Daisy Duck, and Woody, plus live performers and some pyrotechnics.

Frozen Holiday Surprise, with Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and the snowgies, is scheduled at 8:15 p.m. on Party nights at Cinderella Castle. In this show, the Castle is “frozen,” with lighting effects and pyrotechnics (but do not expect the return of the old dream lights).

Indeed, whether or not attending one of the Party nights, Magic Kingdom usually presents the Frozen Holiday Surprise twice nightly — in the past, the first showing was around park closing on Party nights and the second one during the Party (as already announced this year). In past years, starting the day after the last Party, a version of Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks is usually performed nightly instead of Happily Ever After fireworks, and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration takes the Castle stage several times nightly as well. Keep an eye on the My Disney Experience for when those get added to the schedule. Be aware that except for IncrediPass, all Passholders are blocked out December 21-31 this year (and January 1, 2026).

In past years, in addition to some usually unannounced daytime performances of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade for recording for ABC-TV (and other Disney-owned platform) holiday television specials, the Christmas Parade is typically shown during those final days of the year as well instead of the usual afternoon performance of the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. With the introduction the new nighttime “Disney Starlight–Dream The Night Away” parade, debuting July 20, and Disney’s assurance that it will be scheduled twice nightly throughout the holiday season on nights when there is no Party, we will all need to keep watch for what this end-of-year’s parade schedule will be at Magic Kingdom.

Before we leave the Magic Kingdom, this is a good place to recap some important details about the new Disney Starlight parade. First announced last August at the Disney D23 event in Anaheim, Magic Kingdom’s new nighttime parade, “Disney Starlight–Dream the Night Away,” debuts on July 20th. Magic Kingdom’s first regularly-scheduled nighttime parade since the Main Street Electrical Parade last “glowed away” back in October 2016, will be presented, weather permitting, twice nightly, at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., but only on the nights when Magic Kingdom is not hosting Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This parade will step off on Main Street U.S.A. and travel the parade route towards the hub and then exit through Frontierland (next to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure).

For those that pay attention to these operational details, this parade follows the opposite route from that of the daytime Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade (a/k/a the “3 o’clock parade), as well as that used by the specialty Halloween and Christmas parades during the parties). Disney says that the route is intended to allow for better guest flow at the end of the night, and let’s keep our fingers crossed that the operations team has thought through all the details of running a nighttime parade, showing fireworks, and again clearing the parade route for a second parade like they have not done for nearly a decade! Since this new parade will not be available seven nights a week until at least as early as when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ends, absent a “Light Magic” level debacle, we expect Magic Kingdom could be extremely crowded at night on non-party nights this summer and fall!

Finally, remember that as another bit of attempted crowd control, for what Disney says is a limited time starting July 20, 2025, Passholders visiting Magic Kingdom at any time of day, every day of the week will be required to have a theme park reservation. Passholders will continue to be able to enter EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom after 2:00 p.m. on any day without a theme park reservation. Oddly, Disney has not modified Park Hopping rules to further limit potential Passholder influx into Magic Kingdom in the evening, but remember that Disney does reserve the right to suspend park hopping at any time and it has invoked that suspension on a few high park attendance occasions over the years since the current policies were put in place.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Return of Disney Jollywood Nights (Select Nights)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios gets “decked out” for Christmas too, of course. With the introduction of Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios two winters ago, the park increased its decor and then made some of its offerings available only to guests attending its additional-ticket required events. Let’s start with the holiday offerings available to all guests before we move on to talking about the third annual edition of Disney Jollywood Nights.

 “Sunset Seasons Greetings” returns at nightfall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with holiday projections on the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Music accompanied by lighting and projections viewed from Sunset Blvd. transform the Hollywood Tower Hotel into a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a “Toy Story” toy hotel, a snowy corner of Arendelle and a Dickensian village from “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” In the past, those projections have been accompanied by Disney “snow,” though the announcement so far does not say so. The projections continue until park closing, and, on Jollywood Nights, will continue during those events too.

In the Hyperion Theater, the “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” returns for the holiday season. The Royal Historians of Arendelle retell the story of “Frozen” with the sing-along-scenes from the original Disney animated movie, and with appearances by Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff. For the holiday season, the show concludes with a holiday finale featuring Olaf the snowman.

In Toy Story Land, Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear meet and greet in holiday attire at their photo opps. Minnie Mouse and friends dressed for the season appear at Hollywood & Vine during Minnie’s Holiday Dine character meals. The venue will mix festive music, decor, and menu items including oven-roasted herbed chicken, carved beef tenderloin, seared salmon, spice-rubbed pork loin and a plant-based roasted mushroom-farro risotto. Desserts offered will include seasonal bread pudding, Mississippi mud pie and more. Advance reservations are recommended (like at other character dining opportunities) and can be in My Disney Experience and the other usual places.

Disney Jollywood Nights returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on 13 nights this November and December. November dates are set for select Saturdays and Mondays (November 8, 15, 17, 22, 24, and 29), while December dates fall on select Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays (December 1, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, and 22). This separate-admission required event celebrates Christmas with the glitz, glitter, and glam of old Hollywood. Specialty food and beverage offerings will be available (with details to be announced this fall–Backlot Express will have a specialty menu for the event), along with exclusive merchandise, and special photo opportunities.

Tickets for this event permit park entry at 5:30 p.m. before the event officially starts at 7:30 p.m. (while the day guests without wristbands are sent to the park exit) and the event concludes at 12:30 a.m. (note that on event nights, Fantasmic! is scheduled at 6:30 p.m.). Tickets for this year’s Jollywood Nights go on sale starting July 16 for guests with reservations at the Disney-owned and operated hotels, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, and Shades of Green, and starting July 22 for the general public. Be aware that tickets can sellout and may not be available for sale on the day of one of the events.This page of DisneyWorld.com is where to find official information about the event and links to tickets when available (and applicable discounts for Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members on all event dates). Event tickets are $159 to $199 plus tax depending on date, and tickets include digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos and videos from the event.

The event promotes that it will feature more than 20 classic and rare characters to encounter. So far, the list includes:

• Miguel from Coco—new to this event in 2025, appearing at Holiday Fiesta en la Calle near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.
• Baloo or King Louie from TaleSpin – appearing at Echo Lake
• José Carioca or Panchito from The Three Caballeros – appearing near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Lotso from the Toy Story 3 – appearing at the entrance to Toy Story Land
• The Mandalorian and Grogu – appearing at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Joy from Inside Out – appearing at Pixar Place
• Phineas and Ferb – appearing at Echo Lake
• Max Goof as Powerline – appearing at Echo Lake
• Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers – appearing at Echo Lake
• Stitch (Santa) – appearing at Celebrity Spotlight at Echo Lake
• Duffy (Santa) (location to be announced)
• Edna Mode and Frozone from The Incredibles – appearing at Pixar Plaza
• Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc. – appearing at Pixar Plaza
• Donald Duck and Daisy Duck (location to be announced)
• Goofy and Pluto (location to be announced)
• Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse – appearing at Red Carpet Dreams

This event also features dance parties, so the Pixar characters appearing at Pixar Plaza are actually participating in Pixar Disco lights up Pixar Plaza. Dance parties are scheduled 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Holiday Fiesta en la Calle returns this year as well, but in a new location: the Coaster Courtyard on Sunset Boulevard. offering a Latin-inspired holiday street fair. Latin holiday music, colorful decorations, and (from the character list above), José Carioca and Panchito from “The Three Caballeros,” and nMiguel from “Coco” join in this area. The food and beverage offerings here are inspired by traditional Latin holiday flavors, with unique desserts and beverages. The menu has not yet been released.

The more glitz, glitter, and glam dance party that fits the theme of the Jollywood Nights events is the Twilight Soirée at the Tip Top Club in the courtyard of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. This is billed as something that transports guests to a 1930s-style jazz lounge, complete with live holiday music at 7:30 p.m., 8:10 p.m., 8:50 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 11:10 p.m., and 11:50 p.m. on event nights.

On the more limited attendance list, Jazzy Holidays at The Hollywood Brown Derby is the event’s “refined, adult-oriented retreat within the Christmas atmosphere of Jollywood Nights.” The venue offers up a menu of “culinary delights,” along with “live music, and a touch of holiday elegance.” Reservations are recommended and they open in September.  The food and beverage offerings will be announced as fall approaches..

The Disney Parks Blog post about the event includes as reasons to attend this event the park’s two new shows, “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” and “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After.” Both shows are listed as among the attractions and shows event guests should be able to enjoy along with:

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Slinky Dog Dash

Be sure to check My Disney Experience on the day of your visit, for expected hours of operation and, indeed, any of that can change. For example, during DVC Moonlight Magic events at Hollywood Studios, it is not unusual for Rise of the Resistance to close its queue before that event ends because of the attraction’s required nightly maintenance needs.

The event-exclusive entertainment includes a (weather-permitting) showing of Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! at 10 p.m. This nighttime spectacular at Jollywood Nights (which pre-pandemic was shown to all guests during the holiday season) lights up the Chinese Theater with fireworks, lasers, projections, and holiday music, and stars Wayne and Lanny from “Prep & Landing,” during their mission to rescue Santa, with scenes from Disney films like “Beauty and the Beast,” “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”  This show includes Disney “snow” on Hollywood Boulevard and synced MagicBand+ effects.

“Glisten!” which debuted last year, is also returning to Jollywood Nights in 2025. This holiday skating show in front of the Chinese Theater features world-class skaters that twirl, leap, and even jump rope with Christmas lights across a synthetic rink, set to classic holiday tunes and original Jollywood songs. Along with “twinkling projections, and Art Deco flair,” showtimes will be 8:10 p.m., 9:10 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 11:10 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. 

“Disney Holidays in Hollywood” is an event-exclusive musical stage show (returning from the past editions of Jollywood Nights) inspired by classic Hollywood holiday TV specials held at the Theater of the Stars, with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy hosting a holiday gathering of appearances by Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, Belle, and Tiana. It is scheduled at 8:15 p.m., 9:15 p.m., 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. on event nights.

At the Hyperion Theater, “What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along” returns on event nights at 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. The show tells the story of Halloween Town and Christmas Town coming together with Jack Skellington as “snowflakes” gently falls in the theater. It features songs from the film, including “What’s This?” and “Sally’s Song.”

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Returns Seasonal Offerings

The only park that traditionally places its main Christmas Tree beyond the park’s gates, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will feature many returning elements for the holiday season. When arriving at Discovery Island, guests will see the returning winter holiday decor and the artisan-sculpted puppets of arctic animals coming to life during the Merry Menagerie appearances by penguins, reindeer, foxes, and polar bears. Original artwork from artist Rob Kaz will be available at Island Mercantile in Discovery Island throughout the holiday season, and he will greet guests inside Island Mercantile from November 1 through November 20. 

Winter is one of the rare times of year these days that Disney’s Animal Kingdom remains open for awhile after the sun sets. During the holiday season, the park offers up the colors and animated imagery of the “Tree of Life Awakenings Holiday Edition” after dark. The shows occur when it is dark enough, approximately every 10 minutes until park closing.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will appear at their usual Character Outpost meeting location wearing holiday outfits.

Disney Springs Returns Seasonal Offerings

Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll returns across the Disney Springs neighborhoods with its wide collection of themed Christmas trees, including elaborately decorated Christmas trees inspired by Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars stories. Disney “snow” will fall nightly in the Town Center neighborhood.

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will once again become Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar. The fictional character who was Indiana Jones’ pilot in Raiders of the Lost Ark, turns his mementos-filled venue into one filled with plenty of holiday decorations. The bar will serve up select seasonal bites, brews and libations.

Holiday entertainment and plenty of other specialty food and beverage offerings (plus, of course, holiday shopping opportunities) will be announced as the season draws nearer.

Disney Resorts Deck Out For the Holidays

The more than 25 Disney Resort Hotels and many of the others on Disney property get decked out for the holidays with bigger-than-life displays. So far, Disney has not shared details of things like the Gingerbread houses or special food and beverage offerings, but those will be coming before too long. We do know that the refurbishment of the lobby at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa means that its life-size gingerbread house will be on hiatus this year. So far, Disney is offering guests the opportunity to save up to 20% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels, while also receiving up to a $100 Walt Disney World Resort Dining & Shopping Card when adding four-day (or longer) standard theme park tickets to their stay. The offer is available to book starting July 10 for stays most Sunday to Thursday nights October 12-November 20, 2025, and most nights November 23-December 25, 2025. Visit DisneyWorld.com/SpecialOffers on July 10, 2025, to get offer details. 

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Returns November 28-December 30, 2025

We have saved the traditional EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays for last since it officially starts after the rest of the holiday celebrations are underway. This Festival always starts after EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival wraps up; and tends to start after Thanksgiving which, this year, is November 27. Indeed, this is the Festival that Passholders other than IncrediPass can only enjoy for three weeks: November 30 to December 20, 2025 because of blockout dates (and some Passholders will have more blockout dates in that time frame too).

The headline event of this Festival is Candlelight Processional, a retelling of the nativity story by a guest celebrity narrator along with a large live orchestra, herald trumpets, and vocal ensembles including the Voices of Liberty, Disney Cast Choir, and local community groups, who perform Christmas carols and traditional tunes. It takes place at the America Gardens Theatre three times nightly, at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m., with a runtime of approximately 50 minutes. Seating is first-come, first-served and often fills up fast, with standing viewing also available along World Showcase Promenade. Dining packages with reserved seating will be available soon. Past celebrity narrators have included Josh Gad, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jodi Benson, among many others, but this year’s line-up has not yet been announced.

Around World Showcase during the day, Holiday Storytellers share festive traditions and bring holiday tales to life in their respective countries. Each country will spotlight unique stories and performers, including: 

• Mexico Pavilion – Las Posadas Celebration 
• Norway Pavilion – A Mischievous Magical Barn Santa 
• China Pavilion – Chinese Lion Dancer 
• Italy Pavilion – La Befana 
• Japan Pavilion – Daruma Storyteller 
• Between the Morocco and France Pavilions – Hanukkah Storyteller 
• France Pavilion – Père Noël 
• United Kingdom Pavilion – Father Christmas 
• Canada Pavilion – Canadian Holiday Voyageurs 

Performances occur throughout the day with the times posted in My Disney Experience and usually on signs near the performance stages.

In World Celebration, JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season returns with its concert series that celebrates the spirit of Christmas and Kwanzaa. Shows are performed by the Central Florida group D’Vine Voices in an upbeat mix of music styles including gospel, jazz, and R&B. Check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes. 

Like other EPCOT Festivals, this one features kiosks (called “Holiday Kitchens” for the season) that feature specialty food and beverage offerings. Menus and such will be published closer to the start of the Festival. The Holiday Cookie Stroll will return too; when guests purchase any five cookies from the official locations and collect the corresponding stamps in their Festival Passport, it can be redeemed for a special surprise at Holiday Sweets and Treats.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt also returns this year. Whether you play for the prize or not, guests can locate Olaf in 13 different spots around EPCOT. To get the “prize,” guests can purchase a map and stickers, available at select festival merchandise locations. Find all of Olaf’s holiday traditions (or not), and then redeem the map at Creations Shop or World Traveler at International Gateway for the gift.

Finally, Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses returns at The Land pavilion. During Festival of the Holidays, the classic attraction Living with the Land transforms into “a glittering greenhouse tour, featuring sparkling Christmas lights and dazzling decor, sure to fill guests of all ages with childlike wonder and awe.”  The boat ride still discusses the work of Walt Disney World plant scientists and their growing techniques and technologies, with a holiday-themed narration.

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Returns August 28 to November 22, 2025

When I visited EPCOT last weekend, I found it rather quiet. It’s the second annual of what I have called the EPCOT International Summer Without a Festival, and it really shows–in a nice way. It has been a very long time since I felt like EPCOT was in full operation and yet populated like an “off-season.” That probably will not last too long, as the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Returns as Labor Day approaches and runs until right before Thanksgiving: August 28 to November 22, 2025. As we headed into Fourth of July weekend, Disney Parks Blog released more of the details of this year’s Festival and the Eat to the Beat Concert Series lineup.

This year’s 90 day edition of the Festival includes over 35 Global Marketplaces with diverse cuisines from around the world. The menus will again include kid-friendly and plant-based options, but the full Disney Eats Foodie Guide that lists every single item on the menus has not yet been released. Emile’s Fromage Montage will return where guests purchase a selection of cheese dishes from various Festival Marketplaces scattered around the park, collect stamps in the festival passport, and redeem for a complimentary treat.

Remy’s Hide and Squeak scavenger hunt also returns to find Remy “hidden” throughout World Showcase. Anyone can search for Remy, but if you want the prize, you need to purchase a map and stickers and then redeem it.

At the American Gardens Theatre, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series returns from August 29 to November 17, featuring headliners and local performers. A surprising new headlining group this year is The Beach Boys. Keep an eye on the official TasteEPCOT.com part of DisneyWorld.com for a list of the latest performers (because they do sometimes change). As of publication of this Update, the lineup is:

• Aug. 29–30 – Joey Fatone & Friends 
• Aug. 31–Sept. 1 – MercyMe 
• Sept. 5–6 – KT Tunstall (NEW) 
• Sept. 7–8 – TobyMac 
• Sept. 12–14 – STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas 
• Sept. 15 – Bacilos 
• Sept. 19–20 – Sheila E. 
• Sept. 21–22 – Ben Rector (NEW)
• Sept. 26–27 – Tiffany 
• Sept. 28–29 – Jesse & Joy 
• Oct. 3–4 – Baha Men 
• Oct. 5–6 – TBD 
• Oct. 10–11 – The Wanted 2.0 (NEW)
• Oct. 12–13 – The Fray 
• Oct. 17–20 – Hanson 
• Oct. 24–25 – Hoobastank 
• Oct. 26–27 – Smash Mouth 
• Oct. 31–Nov. 1 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy 
• Nov. 2–3 – Boyz II Men 
• Nov. 7–8 – David Archuleta 
• Nov. 9–10 – Jordin Sparks (NEW) 
• Nov. 14–15 – Bowling For Soup (NEW) 
• Nov. 16–17 – The Beach Boys (NEW) 

Seating at the theater is first come-first served, and the standby queue can fill up hours before the first concert of the day. Reserved seating is available for Friday-Monday shows by purchasing a dining package for a particular performance. The details for this year’s dining packages will be available online and reservations open on July 16th.

V.I.Passholder 40% Dining Discounts and other Perks Continue Through July 31

“V.I.Passholder Summer Days” promotion continues through July 31. The headline-grabbing perk, limited time 40% discount off of food and non-alcoholic beverages on Mondays through Thursdays is available at a fresh list of venues for July for the Passholder and up to 3 guests during regular operating hours (and subject to other exclusions):

From July 1 to July 31 at:

• The Diamond Horseshoe
• Whispering Canyon Cafe
• Tiffins Cafe
• Coral Reef Restaurant
• Ale & Compass Restaurant (breakfast & lunch only)

A Maleficent-themed complimentary Passholder magnet is still available to Passholders that have yet to pick one up at Creations Shop during regular park hours through July 31.

A specialty Passholder-exclusive Cruella Ice Cream Sundae is available for purchase at Hollywood Scoops at Disney’s Hollywood Studios through July 31 during regular operating hours. A nonrefillable exclusive tumbler designed by artist Joey Chou is available by mobile order purchase at EPCOT (Connections Eatery & Reagle Eagle), Hollywood Studios (Dockside Diner), and Animal Kingdom (Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus).

The Passholder Lounge has returned to Morocco pavilion in the former Restaurant Marrakesh. It is open 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily, but only until July 13. It is first come, first served, and it really is Passholders only–no additional guests may be brought in by Passholders. The air conditioned space offers water and snacks (which can run out and did on the day of my visit), a complimentary button, a PhotoPass opportunity (magic shot but no character), and charging stations. Usual park entry requirements apply.

While last year, the Passholder Lounge included a character-based photo opportunity, this year, a Passholders-exclusive character meet and greet opportunity has opened separately over at Der Teddybar in Germany pavilion, open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. through July 31. It is also first come, first serve, and is designated as Passholders-only, with usual park entry requirements in place as well.

This & That & Reminders…

…At Magic Kingdom, the “last verse” composed by the late Disney Legend Richard Sherman shortly before his passing last year for “it’s a small world” will debut in the final scenes on the attraction on July 17, 2025 (and on the Disneyland Park version of the attraction too). Originally composed by Richard and his brother Robert Sherman for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, “it’s a small world” is a staple of Disney Parks around the world.

…At EPCOT, Test Track 3.0 (as fans call it to distinguish it from its prior versions, just “Test Track” when you are reading official Disney publications) officially debuts July 22, 2025. Cast Members Family & Friends Previews are now underway, and we had a chance to experience the attraction (more on that in a moment). Passholder previews are July 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19 — using a virtual queue that will open at 7am and 1pm daily (the usual daily park reservations policy applies to APs). DVC Members with hotel reservations have been invited to their own previews. Golden Oak residents and Club 33 Members also get previews (but those details do not cross my email for obvious reasons). So, to be as spoiler free as Disney releases have been so far, the new version of the attraction has “all-new musical score, as well as new scenes that highlight technology making our cars smarter and our lives more fun.” Walt Disney Imagineering shared a preview of some of the new lighting effects guests see in one of the new scenes on the attraction: the visuals represent how modern vehicles can use advanced cameras and sensors to “see” the world they drive through, and WDI has used over 29,000 points of light to do so. The attraction does include some nods to the prior attractions in the building, including a bit of music from “It’s fun to be free” from the World of Motion. One of the last of the sponsored pavilions at EPCOT, Test Track is once again sponsored by General Motors, the original presenting sponsor of World of Motion and the original version of Test Track that replaced it. The GM showroom leading to the gift shop and exit also seems like it is not yet complete, but it contained current model vehicles from across GM’s collection of brands.

The preview opportunities I had last week fall under what folks usually call a “soft opening” or a “test and adjust phase” of operation — and, indeed, my experiences reflected that: there were elements in the queue that were not finished; video elements in the queue that were not running when I walked through; and out on the loop behind the building, the pavement had not been repainted since its Test Track 2.0 days and none of the cars GM probably plans to show off were in that circle you can see when speeding past at what the attraction says is over 65 mph; finally, the gift shop at the exit–Test Track Gear Shop–was not yet out from behind curtain walls. The Test Track 3.0 ride is the same as the prior versions; the story and decor has changed and the ride vehicles have been refurbished so much that it felt like a smoother ride to me. If you do not mind some spoilers, I have embedded one complete trip through the building in the video below.

…Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party returns on select nights to Magic Kingdom from August 15 until October 31. Tickets for the party nights are on sale, are priced differently by date (generally, with the prices getting higher as Halloween approaches and, indeed, as the typical nighttime weather improves), and are already sold out on Halloween itself. If logged in with linked credentials, different discounts are available on select nights (those in August and September only) for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members. For planning purposes be aware that August party dates are on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. In September, it is the same plus Thursday, September 25th. In October, the parties are every Thursday and Friday, most Sundays, most Tuesdays and Monday, October 13th. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary guests can enter the park without a reservation or other ticket as early as 4:00 p.m. on party night, and the party officially begins at 7:00 p.m.; day guests without party credentials (usually wristbands) will start getting sent toward the park exit at 6 p.m.

…Over in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad remains closed for its year-long refurbishment that began in January and is expected to run into 2026 with what Disney says will include “a little bit of new magic” upon the return of the wildest ride in the wilderness. Beyond BTM, Disney announced last August that a new Disney Villains-themed area will be built, and those of us in the neighborhood can now see construction going on back that way, with a very large swath of forest now felled.

…Speaking of Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, this Sunday, guests said farewell to Rivers of America, The Liberty Square Riverboat (the Liberty Belle) and Tom Sawyer Island to make way for attractions themed to Disney-Pixar’s Cars films. On Monday, July 7, walls went up all along the old riverfront, and the Walt Disney World Railroad began operating as “a shuttle between Main Street station and Fantasyland station only.” A surprise element of the train’s new shuttle mode is new narration with co-conductor Stitch, as well as a realignment of some of the seats on the train cars so that some seats face forward and some back (kind of like all sorts of modern passenger trains around the world). The new area of the park being built behind those construction walls which will be home to the Cars-themed attractions will be named Piston Peak National Park. Disney says, the area will “continue the sweeping storytelling tradition that has crossed Liberty Square and Frontierland since opening day.” Disney has not shared a timeframe for the construction: our best guess is that it is measured in years. But, if you are looking for something else to do in Liberty Square, The Hall of Presidents has reopened with President Trump back in front and speaking the oath of office.

Resort Reservations, Ticket Advice & Special Offers

Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Walt Disney World Resort Update.

While it was once the busiest time of the year, Disney now offers its lowest-priced dates during the summer. Of course, if you visit in the summer, be sure to pack your wet weather gear along with your sunscreen because pop-up thunderstorms are the norm and, unless you are used to a tropical climate, the storms coupled with the heat and humidity are not what you are used to. Remember to take some opportunities to cool down and stay hydrated too!

• 50% Off on Kids Tickets: You can purchase a 3-day or longer kids (ages 3-9) standard ticket for 50% off. This deal is available for visits beginning May 27 through September 20, 2025.  
• 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket: Get a 3-day, 3-park ticket starting at $89 per day ($267 total, plus tax) for visits starting on April 6 through September 22, 2025. This ticket is for admission to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (one theme park per day, not valid for admission to Magic Kingdom).  
• Free Dining Plan Deal Returns: You can get a free dining plan with the purchase of a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day (or longer) package that includes a room at select Disney Resort hotels and a ticket with a Park Hopper option. This offer is for visits on select dates from June 29 through December 22, 2025.   
• Disney Resort Room Deals: Save up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotel rooms when you stay longer for visits beginning August 1 through October 11, 2025. Special deals on rooms are also available for Florida Residents and Annual Passholders.   

Visit DisneyWorld.com/Offers for more details, on each of these special deals.  Military Discounts are now posted for the whole year. And, looking ahead to 2026, there’s a free dining for kids offer that Disney Parks Blog revealed too. The gist of the offer is that guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel will get a free dining plan for their kids (ages 3-9) when purchasing a dining plan with their package for others in their party (ages 10 and up)–remember that, as always, everyone on the same room reservation has to purchase the same dining plan.

MousePlanet’s travel partner, Get Away Today, can help you book each of those offers too, and at no additional cost to you. Each of the following links will take you right there, and you help MousePlanet too:

• Kids 50% Ticket Offer – Save 50% on the purchase of a 3- to 10-Day Disney Theme Park Ticket for children ages 3-9.
  Dates: May 27 – Sept. 20, 2025

• Get a FREE dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted, 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Resort package with Park Hopper option. (This one Get Away Today recommends you book by phone)
  Dates: June 29 – Sept. 30, Oct. 20 – Nov. 1 and Dec. 6-22, 2025
• 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket Offer – Enjoy a specially priced 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket that’s valid for admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, EPCOT®, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park only.
  Dates: April 6 – Sept. 22, 2025
• Stay longer and save more on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels – up to 30% on 5-night and longer stays!
  Dates: Aug. 1 – Oct. 11, 2025

REMINDER: Get Away Today’s Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages can now be booked completely on its website! No cumbersome quotes needed! Simply compare all your favorite Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Get Away Today’s hand selected off-property hotels in a few clicks, and then customize for your included tickets for your vacation.

Get Away Today’s Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages now have the option to add Layaway Plans, which allow you to pay the total balance up to eight days prior to travel. You can also add their popular “Peace of Mind Plan” when booking a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, which allows any reschedules and cancellations up to five days prior to travel with no penalty.

When booking with Get Away Today, all Walt Disney World Resort on-site packages include Get Away Today’s e-concierge, which includes its Best Price Guarantee, Dining Reservation Reminders, access to their Concierge Team email for help before and during your vacation, and more.

Looking to go beyond Walt Disney World Resort when visiting Central Florida? Check out Get Away Today’s Universal Orlando Resort ticket offers and resort package stay offers too. Universal Express Pass is now available for the new EPIC Universe theme park opening the summer, and Get Away Today can help you with that too!

Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or a travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today! As always, we remind our readers that Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Florida or eligible for U.S. Military Personnel benefits. Historically, non-Florida residents tend to benefit the most by purchasing tickets in advance (and, of course, being mindful of the rules relevant to those tickets). Don’t get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside Disney property stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Walt Disney World Theme Park admissions, and may result in denial of entry. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks.

Finally, speaking of Florida Residents, the Resort offers 2025 Florida Resident Summer Magic Tickets:

The Florida Resident Summer Magic Ticket offers four days of fun at Walt Disney World theme parks for just $60 per day (total price: $240, plus tax). This is available for visits through September 27, 2025 (with an advance park reservation, subject to availability).  There is also a 3-Day version: $75 per day (total price: $225, plus tax); and a 2-Day Ticket: $105 per day (total price: $210, plus tax). Visit DisneyWorld.com/Summer for more details and offers.