food IS a theme park
Things are ALWAYS changing in Disney World! New lands are on the way, like Villains Land, Piston Peak, and Monsters Inc. Land, meaning there are lots of construction walls and big updates each week.
Cinderella Castle
Each week, Disney is constantly dropping new information, details, and hints about new snacks, theme park changes, and more! That’s why we like to do a weekly wrap-up of the biggest news so you don’t miss a single thing. Let’s dive into this week’s latest and greatest Disney news.
Alright, Disney World, it’s time to really dive in and see what you’ve got going on this week. It’s currently wall-city all around the parks (with the exception of EPCOT; rock on, EPCOT), but it’s all to bring exciting new additions to the parks…but that doesn’t mean they’re any easier to look at for now.
Polynesian construction
This week, we didn’t see too much movement on the major projects behind the walls, but we DID see a lot of details added to one specific new land, and it does make us laugh a bit every time we see it (in a good way!). On the flip side, a project in EPCOT did finally finish up, though we’re not sure people are going to be big fans of the final product, and for the holiday lovers out there, one of your favorite ride overlays comes back this week!
We’ve seen EPCOT crowds rise pretty exponentially over the past few weeks, thanks to both the Food & Wine Festival and the fact that it’s the only park without major construction walls right now (we find ourselves gravitating there too).
Crowds entering EPCOT
During festivals, especially Food & Wine, which is one of the most popular of the year, if not THE most popular of the year, crowds can get pretty intense, so it’s important to pack your patience. Though, based on new data that’s just come out from the TEA Global Experience Index, the theme park isn’t NEARLY as busy as about seven others that have been experiencing higher crowds.
I will never forget walking into Tomorrowland and seeing an empty spot where Astro Orbiter used to be in Magic Kingdom. Well, maybe it wasn’t what I saw, but what I didn’t see, and that was the ENTIRE attraction. During a recent refurbishment of the spinning ride, they removed the entire thing from the top of the PeopleMover before returning it to its normal spot. It was weird.
Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland
Well, another refurbishment has been announced for Astro Orbiter, but luckily, this closure is much shorter than last time.
When I went to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for the first time, I felt like I would never get everything done. From trying to get a spot for the fireworks, the parade, and that castle show, I can’t forget meeting characters and special snacks, and ahhhhh, it was so much! There’s a lot to do during the party, and if you don’t plan ahead, you might miss something you were really looking forward to.
Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
One way to plan ahead of time is to know all the available showtimes so you know what to prioritize and where to head first. Disney World just announced the showtimes for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and here’s everything you need to know!
Your go-to Lightning Lane strategies might need to change in 2027!
Expedition Everest
Disney World’s Lightning Lanes are an add-on service booked through the My Disney Experience app that allows guests to bypass the standby lines for shorter “Lightning Lanes” at select attractions. There are plenty of popular strategies for snagging the top attractions and getting the most bang for your buck. But beware that some of those Lightning Lane tips might not work anymore for your 2027 trip!
After a month of closure, this popular Magic Kingdom attraction has reopened, and a full day early!
Train Station
The Walt Disney World Railroad closed on September 28th, and for a month we had to patiently wait for the refurbishment to finish. While the Disney World calendar showed the attraction reopening on October 30th, it ended up opening a day early. So, what changes did we notice?
Construction seems to be the name of the game in Disney World because it’s pretty much EVERYWHERE. Not only are you likely to see signs of construction at your Disney World hotel, but you’ll also see construction in Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom as Disney adds new lands, expansions, and rides to those three parks. Even EPCOT will soon have construction.
Big Blue and Beyond!
Well, there’s no sign that the construction will end anytime soon. Disney World just filed four new permits, suggesting that more work will be done throughout the resort. So let’s get into these permits and see what they mean.
Candy canes! Mickey wreaths! Santa hats! If we’re talking about those, it’s time for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. This seasonal after-hours event transforms Magic Kingdom into a winter wonderland filled with exclusive entertainment, snacks, and characters.
©Disney
Disney World just announced the snacks coming to the event, and if you don’t have tickets yet, you might want to grab some before they sell out, because this year’s menus sound amazing.
When it comes to dining at Disney World, you’ve got a TON of options. Want something quick and easy? You’ve got it. Something middle of the road and comforting? Yep, that too. And if you’re looking for something upscale and luxurious, you can find that as well.
New eats from Columbia Harbour House
We recently stopped by Columbia Harbour House at Magic Kingdom to check out their newly revamped menu, and now we’re bringing you our FULL review. Is it worth a stop on your next trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth? Find out here!
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