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Walt Disney World Resort Update for March 24, 2025

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Writer’s Note, News & Views

Some personal travel adventures brought me away from Central Florida after our last Walt Disney World Resort Update. Of course, wherever I go, it is never surprising to see something that ties back to Walt Disney World, and this trip was no exception. I happened upon a drone that flew over Star Wars: Galaxy Edge’s opening celebration back in 2019 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

This drone aircraft dressed to resemble a Star Wars “X-Wing” flew over the opening ceremony for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios back in 2019. It now resides at the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. This is actually a Boeing CV2 Cargo Air Vehicle known as an eVTOL (electrical vertical takeoff and landing) drone that can carry 225 kg (500 lbs) of cargo. The museum which is part of the Smithsonian Institution, is located just south of Washington-Dulles International Airport (the runways are within sight) and is also home to the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery, the Boeing 707 prototype plane, a retired Concorde jet, the Enola Gay and many other military and civilian aircraft and spacecraft. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

As for the news and views since our last Update, let’s get caught up. Since there were compelling images of fire and dark smoke coming from the France pavilion at EPCOT, you may have seen and heard the news that there was a fire at EPCOT on Saturday night from more than one other news source by now. I happened to be at EPCOT at the time of the fire, enjoying a performance of Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone. Even Peter noted that “France is on fire” in the middle of one of his songs, but he kept on singing and the concert ran its usual length. By the end of the set, the fire seemed to have been extinguished, as the dark black smoke faded to a grayish white, and then completely dissipated. After the concert, I was able to walk past the France pavilion along World Showcase Promenade, but all of the parts of the pavilion had been evacuated, with cast and security standing out in front of the pavilion’s various entrances. Local news reports said that the fire was in a walk-in cooler backstage and that there were no injuries

While enjoying Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone perform their 6:45 p.m. Garden Rocks Concert on Saturday night, a fire broke out backstage of France pavilion. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

The rest of our catching up on the news and views is integrated throughout our usual This & That & Reminders section. On March 8, 2025, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro along with Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, a number of Imagineers, plus Marvel’s Kevin Feige (with a special appearance by Robert Downey, Jr.), filmmaker Jon Favreau (creator of The Mandalorian, among many other credits), and Pixar’s Pete Docter, took the stage in Austin, TX at the South by Southwest conference for a presentation on “The Future of World-Building at Disney” and provided additional details about a number of projects underway at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. The details relevant to Walt Disney World projects are included below.

The SXSW presentation was available for live streaming on YouTube, but has not been available for replay. As luck would have it, on the evening of March 8, I was at Disney’s BoardWalk with some friends. While we were there, we ran into Josh D’Amaro on the BoardWalk, who had just arrived at the Resort following the presentation in Austin, and he introduced me to Kevin Feige who had traveled with him. I admit that I enjoy speaking with Josh when the opportunity arises, but other than him asking me if I had watched the live streamed presentation (which I had), he did not share any additional details.

This & That & Reminders…

…Though no debut date has yet been announced, Disney Parks Blog has shared the poster for Magic Kingdom’s new nighttime parade, “Disney Starlight–Dream the Night Away,” and a first look at concept art for the parade’s Coco-themed float. The post also includes concept art depicting parade units including the Blue Fairy, Peter Pan, Wendy, Elsa, a Princess Float, the family Madrigal from Encanto, and Moana and friends. Disney says that this parade will include nods to the classic Main Street Electrical Parade which was the last nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom which glowed away in October 2016, and has made occasional appearances in the California parks as recently as 2022. Disney has said the parade is expected to debut this summer and says that more details will be shared in the “coming months.”

…Disney Parks Blog shared the name for the new lounge coming to the former VIP space above the Spaceship Earth exit overlooking the World Celebration neighborhood at EPCOT: GEO-82. Expected to open at an unspecified date later this year, the new location will be adults-only, and will offer reservations for guests 21 and older. The venue will serve up “innovative cocktails” and “globally influenced small plates.”

Disney says that guests at GEO-82 will “sit amid rich textures and warm, metallic tones that echo Spaceship Earth in an elegant and intimate setting.” Concept art courtesy of Disney Parks.

…Though we do not yet have an opening date for the new version of Test Track coming to EPCOT later this year, the new entrance for the attraction continues to take shape and can be seen from the monorail.

The reimagination of Test Track at EPCOT (and its entrance) continues behind the construction walls. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…With Easter coming up in just weeks, Disney Parks Blog has published its Foodie Guide. The festive Easter Eggs created by the culinary team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are already on display in the main lobby through April 20. Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort displays are expected to be in place April 1-20.

The Disney Festival of Fantasy Maleficent float is represented as one of the Easter Egg creations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa this year. Easter Eggs are scheduled to remain on display in the resort’s lobby until April 20th. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The poison apple above the Evil Queen rotates on this elaborate Easter Egg display at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
All of the decorative Easter Eggs at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort are arranged around The Grand Cottage at the end of the lobby farthest from the Monorail Station and Porte Cochere. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…REMINDER: The 2025 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is underway through June 2. As we have seen in recent annual editions of the festival, the 30th anniversary edition of the festival features topiaries, gardens, foods, beverages, merchandise, and more, including the three times nightly Garden Rocks Concert Series at the America Gardens Theatre (the lineup is published here on DisneyWorld.com and changes, when they happen, will appear there and the My Disney Experience app; dining packages are available for guaranteed seating at Friday through Monday night shows). This year’s main entrance topiary display is a brand new one featuring Moana, Maui, Heihei and Pua. Disney Parks Blog has published a Foodie Guide: Disney says there are 180 bites to try at this year’s Festival, including new items and returning favorites. As shown in the Passport, the Garden Graze is back: guests partake of a “food stroll” by purchasing five items from the list of 10 in the Festival Passport, get their corresponding stamps, and then receive an exclusive treat from the Pineapple Promenade. The Foodie Guide also highlights kid-friendly picks on the menus around the festival.

The 2025 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival runs through June 2. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Grilled Street Corn on the Cob is one of the many food items available during the Flower & Garden Festival, and is one of the items guests participating in the “Garden Graze” can purchase toward earning the complimentary bonus item. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The Orange Bird ears headband available during the 30th annual Festival are scented. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
As the bands fans know and as announced before every performance of Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone (and they have returned to the Festival year after year for more years than I know), the band was part of the “British Invasion” of the1960s. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…REMINDER (time has run out): Inside the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, It’s Tough to Be a Bug closed forever on March 17, 2025, to make way for Zootopia: Better Zoogether! which is expected to open in “winter 2025.” Closures over in DinoLand U.S.A. to make way for the Tropical Americas land scheduled to open in 2027, got underway on January 13, 2025. TriceraTop Spin, the Fossil Fun Games, and the Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures gift shop are all now closed forever. The rest of DinoLand USA, including the DINOSAUR attraction and Restaurantosaurus remain open for now, but will eventually close as the Tropical Americas construction expands.

…UPDATED REMINDER: The last opportunity to experience Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is June 7, 2025. On June 8, 2025 it will close permanently to make way for construction of the new Monsters, Inc. themed land and at the South by Southwest presentation earlier this month, Disney shared some new concept art for the flying doors-themed coaster coming to the expanded area. And, while the Monsters are displacing the Muppets from this part of the park and bringing an end to the last major project Muppets creator Jim Henson personally worked on, the Muppets will be displacing Aerosmith from Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at some point in the future that we very well could hear some attraction closing dates for in the coming months. Next door to the coaster, the new show Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After is scheduled to debut this summer as well.

The big attraction in the new Monsters, Inc. themed land will be the first-ever suspended coaster at a Disney Park, and the first-ever vertical lift where guests will be “hoisted into the air (just like in the movie!) to zoom into the door vault.” Concept art courtesy of Disney Parks.

…While we are talking about Disney’s Hollywood Studios, at the recent South by Southwest presentation, in the Star Wars section of the talk, director Jon Favreau joined Walt Disney Imagineers Leslie Evans and Asa Kalama to let fans know they should plan to visit Batuu on May 26, 2026, to experience a new version of Millennium Falcon – Smugglers Run based on the upcoming film, “The Mandalorian & Grogu.” The ride will feature a new mission set parallel to the events of the film, and include locations from the new movie.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be updated with a new Mando and Grogu mission that debuts May 26, 2026. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
The new mission at Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will simultaneously debut at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on the same day as the theatrical release of the new “The Mandalorian & Grogu” film. Concept art courtesy of Disney Parks.

The presentation also included word that the BDX Droids which debuted at Disneyland last April will appear in “The Mandolorian & Grogu,” and will soon make visits to Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.

…UPDATED REMINDER. Still speaking of closures, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom has closed for its year-long refurbishment. Since Disney has announced its significant park expansion projects beyond BTM, we expect this refurbishment project could also lay the groundwork for that further expansion, but Disney has not elaborated as yet. We expect that the Walt Disney World Railroad at Magic Kingdom will need to close to make way for the expansion project, but Disney has not yet announced a closing date for it and the My Disney Experience app shows it operating during its usual hours. Also in the Frontierland vicinity, in at least in some of the area where the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island now are, Disney plans to build its new Cars-themed attraction, and at the recent South by Southwest presentation, Disney shared some new concept art for the new ride vehicles and car personalities created by Pixar.

A construction crane towers above Big Thunder Mountain, as the attraction is closed for a year-long refurbishment, and Disney has shared plans for a massive expansion beyond the attraction and reimagination of other parts of Frontierland. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.
Some or all of the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will be replaced by the new Cars-themed attraction Disney announced will be part of the reimagination of part of Frontierland. Photo by Alan S. Dalinka.

…REMINDER. Disney D23 announced the 2025 return of Destination 23 to Walt Disney World Resort. Billed as “the biggest Disney fan event of 2025,” Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney will be August 29-31, 2025. This edition will be held at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, and D23 says the event has more than doubled in size. A block of rooms is available for reservation at: https://www.mydisneygroup.com/destd25/. D23 Gold Membership seems to be required for ticket purchases, though the on-sale date and information has not yet been published; it is expected this spring. Gold Membership tiers are in effect in 2025, and effect existing Gold Members upon their renewals. Read more about all that, on this page of D23.com.

…REMINDER: Disney’s Blizzard Beach will be celebrating its 30th anniversary starting April 1. On April 1, the water park will offer up “a high-energy DJ spinning some toe-tapping tunes on the deck near the Polar Pub. And fun interactions with Mickey and Minnie decked out in their winter attire. There’s even going to be snowman bowling and character-themed tubes for floating down Cross Country Creek.” The water park will continue its celebration throughout April with dance parties, special anniversary food & beverage items “and more frosted fun than ever.” There will also be some family-friendly games with prizes such as snowflake tattoos, wintery-themed rubber ducks and snowy bubbles. April 30 will be Blizzard Beach’s last operating day for the season, as Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon reopens on May 1 from its seasonal refurbishment. Remember: for those staying at Disney Resorts Collection hotels in 2025, admission to a water park is free on check-in day (details are here on DisneyWorld.com). Disney Water Parks offer free parking for all guests. For more information on the seasonal pass for unlimited water park visits through May 23, visit DisneyWorld.com.

Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park celebrates its 30th anniversary during April and then closes after April 30 for the season. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park reopens on May 1. Photo courtesy Disney Parks.

…UPDATED REMINDER: Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic nights are back in 2025. Remaining dates and locations are:

  • EPCOT: April 30 and July 17
  • Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: May 20, June 9, and August 11
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: September 1

Registration for events is required. Registration for Spring Events has closed. For the following Summer Season events, be aware that Early Registration is May 15, 2025 and General Registration is May 22, 2025.

Summer Season Events

  • EPCOT: 7/17/25
  • Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: 8/11/25
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9/1/25

Registration is complimentary for eligible DVC members. “Eligible” generally includes only members that purchased their membership points directly from Disney, and their guests. For Early Registration, an eligible member also must have a Disney Resort reservation at a DVC property (which includes Disney’s Vero Beach Resort) or any of the other Disney owned/operated hotels, with the party size on the resort registration finalized a few specified days before the Early Registration window opens. Full details and reservation requirements are on this page of DVC’s website, and that is the page where the RSVP link appears on registration dates. Members must enter their DVC Member number prior to entering the virtual waiting room on registration days, and, as of the Spring 2025 Early Registration, it seems that entering the DVC Member number limited entry into the virtual waiting room to one position per number no matter how many different internet browser sessions were used.

Once successfully registered for an event, the DVC member designated as attending in the registration form is the one that must be present at check-in to check-in the entire party, and that member must have their digital member identification (preferably loaded in their device’s digital wallet) and photo I.D. The entire party must check in together, and early entry to the park before the event’s designated “mix-in” time requires a separate park admission (and park reservation for applicable ticket and pass-types).

…Speaking of Disney Vacation Club, the newest Member Lounge, McKim’s Mile House in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom is now open for eligible DVC members and their guests (up to 4 or the number of guests on a qualifying resort reservation). Regular operating hours are currently 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Be aware that this space is small, with just over half the capacity of the original Members Lounge at EPCOT now named the ImaginAtrium. In other words, there can be a wait to get in, and, in fact, the waiting list itself may be paused or closed as closing time approaches.

McKim’s Mile House is the newest lounge for DVC Members. It is located in Frontierland in the former Shooting Gallery space. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.

…And, finally, Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course is now fully re-opened, with all 18 holes available for play. The course has introduced “Grumpy’s Gauntlet,” a series of four holes, 14 through 17, that have been fully reimagined and that Disney Parks Blog says:

In addition to being esthetically-pleasing, though, “Grumpy’s Gauntlet” will also test your nerves and your skill. I mean, take the 15th hole for instance. It’s a whopping 597 yards from the back tee box. And No. 17 is a par 3 that plays more 200 yards.

Extensive renovation work has taken place on the entire course which first opened back in 1971. Disney touches have been added throughout the course: every hole now a name related to a Disney movie and includes a quote from legendary golfer Arnold Palmer or Walt Disney. For instance, hole No. 6 is called “The Mouse Trap” and features Walt Disney’s famous quote “I hope we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.” Hole No. 15 is called “The Dinglehopper” in reference to the Disney movie The Little Mermaid with an Arnold Palmer quote that says, “It’s a funny thing; the more I practice, the luckier I get.” A new 18-hole putting green at the course has also been completed named the “Greatest Green Ever Played” which features a scorecard and hole locations that change almost daily. The name pays homage to the biographical Walt Disney Pictures sports film, The Greatest Game Ever Played, which is based on the early life of amateur golf champion Francis Ouimet and his surprise victory at the 1913 U.S. Open.  A detailed description of the renovated course is available on the Walt Disney World Golf Blog. Tee times are available on golfwdw.com.

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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.

Special offers are available on this page of DisneyWorld.com. Packages now posted provide for various discounts for stays through June 30, 2025, and Military Discounts are now posted for the whole year.

A general Florida resident theme park ticket offer is available on this page of DisneyWorld.com which starts at $119 plus tax for a one day ticket and can be as low as $72/day plus tax for a four day ticket (before the various add-ons). As a date-based ticket, the first date of use has to be selected when purchased and users of a Florida resident ticket will be required to provide proof of residency either at the time of purchase or at a park ticket window prior to first use. If you are looking for a start date that gets as low as that advertised $72/day plus tax, advance the calendar all the way out to August.

The Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket is now also available on this page of DisneyWorld.com. The Discover Disney Ticket is a special 4-Day Ticket for $240 plus tax ($60/day plus tax) valid for use until May 23, 2025, with an advance park reservation. A 3-Day version is also available for $225 plus tax. Reservations are limited and subject to availability of reservations allocated to this ticket as determined by Disney, and park capacity. These tickets can be used on consecutive or nonconsecutive days, and Park Hopper and water park options may be purchased for additional benefits. Usual residency proof required too.

NEW: Caribe Royale Orlando, a resort fairly close to Walt Disney World Resort, offers year-round Florida and Georgia resident rates as well as seasonal offers for quick getaways. Its new Book Early and Save Offer is for guests who like to plan ahead to save on a summer getaway.  From now until April 13, for stays from May 23 through September 10, guests can receive 20% off stays of 3 nights or more plus a $25 daily dining credit. Other offers include a reduced rate for Spring Break stays now through May 22, plus ongoing discounts for military, first responders, educators and nurses. See all offers on this page of the resort’s website.  

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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.

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.

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