Walt Disney World News Roundup - July 3, 2025
- Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
🏠 Walt Disney World News Roundup | Week of July 3, 2025
Published July 3, 2025 • Last updated July 3, 2025
Welcome to your weekly Pixie Dust Drop ✨—where we round up everything new, noteworthy, and need-to-know from Walt Disney World. Whether you're planning a visit or just keeping tabs on the magic, here's what's happening this week across the parks:
📃 What's Inside This Week's Update:
🤝 Animal Kingdom Character Finds New Summer Home
🎆 Independence Day Highlights
Where to catch the best fireworks, DJs & patriotic photo ops
Magic Kingdom and EPCOT lit up the skies with limited-time fireworks shows, DJ dance parties, and special MagicShots celebrating the Fourth of July. If you were in the parks this week, you might’ve caught:
🎇 “Celebrate America!” fireworks at Magic Kingdom
🎶 DJ parties in Tomorrowland and Frontierland
📸 Limited-time patriotic photo ops with characters in festive attire
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Book a dessert party or dining package for next year’s Fourth festivities to score reserved fireworks viewing with lower stress. Learn more about Disney's Fireworks Dessert Parties and Dining Packages here
🎩 Hall of Presidents Reopens June 29
A quietly historic return in Liberty Square
Without much fanfare, The Hall of Presidents officially reopened in Liberty Square on June 29, following a lengthy refurbishment.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This show is in A/C, and low-crowd refuge on hot afternoons and a unique piece of Disney history.
🏎️ Test Track 3.0 Returns July 22
Beat the crowds with these Lightning Lane hacks
The newly reimagined Test Track zooms back into EPCOT on July 22—and with it comes a shakeup in Lightning Lane strategy:
🚗 Test Track moves to Tier 1 for Lightning Lane Multi Pass
🚂 Soarin’ drops to Tier 2, giving planners more flexibility
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Book Test Track as your Tier 1 pick, then snag Soarin’ and Living with the Land as Tier 2s for a smooth EPCOT morning.
🔗 Need to learn more about Lightning Lanes - hop over to our Lightning Lane FAQ. Looking for a quick reference instead? Download our Lightning Lane Cheat Sheet.
🚧 Last Chance: Tom Sawyer Island & Liberty Belle Closing July 7
Say goodbye to some Frontierland favorites before construction begins
Starting July 7, Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Belle Riverboat, and the surrounding Rivers of America will temporarily close to make way for Disney’s next major Magic Kingdom expansion.
If these are must-dos for your family, this is the final week to catch one last raft ride or scenic spin around the river before walls go up.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Ride the Liberty Belle during the golden hour for peaceful views and low crowds. It’s one of the park’s most relaxing experiences—and it's going away for a while!
🏞️ What’s Coming Next: Piston Peak National Park
This multi-year project will transform the back half of Frontierland into a Cars-themed land inspired by the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains and the iconic landscapes, lore, and adventure of America’s frontier and national parks. Expect new attractions, updated landscaping, and eventually a nighttime parade route.
🔎 Ride Alert: Buzz Lightyear Closing August 4
Tips for families on this upcoming closure
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is going down for a major refurbishment starting
August 4, 2025, with a new reimagining rumored to open in 2026. Expect updated tech, fresh animatronics, and revamped gameplay.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If you’ve got a space ranger-in-training, prioritize this ride now before it goes dark for a long stretch.
📉 Summer Crowd Trends
Why June-July feels like WDW’s new shoulder season
According to crowd data from Thrill-Data, the summer crowds at Walt Disney World in 2025 have remained solidly average—never rising into "high" territory for any of the four parks.
Does that mean rides are walk-on? Absolutely not. But wait times have been mostly manageable—especially for guests who can handle the heat and plan smartly.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Beat the heat and the lines! Check out our Crowd Survival Guide and download our Beat the Heat Park Maps for the coolest shady spots and indoor breaks..
Reports this week show:
Easier dining reservations
Last-minute Lightning Lane availability
More elbow room at midday in most parks
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Want fewer crowds and better value? Now might be the time to plan that spontaneous summer trip.
🤝 Character Moves
Where to catch Daisy & who’s MIA now
Character locations are shuffling again this week:
🪤 Daisy’s Dig is now open inside Restaurantosaurus at Animal Kingdom—interactive, themed, and cool!
🧪 Phineas & Ferb pop-up meet at EPCOT has wrapped up its limited run.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: For a low-stress meet & greet, visit Daisy’s Dig during the first or last hour of the park day to avoid long lines.
Grab our updated Character Maps - here
🎤 Eat to the Beat Concert Lineup + Merch
Big names and fresh festival gear just dropped!
Disney has released the 2025 Eat to the Beat concert lineup, plus a first look at Food & Wine Festival merch featuring Mickey, Remy, Figment, and Muppet Labs.
2025 Eat the Beat Concert Lineup
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 ft. 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)
For the first time at the 2025 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, KT Tunstall, Bowling for Soup, and Jordin Sparks will take the stage at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. And closing out the season with a splash of nostalgia: The Beach Boys!
Concerts are included with EPCOT admission. Arrive early for best seats or book the Eat to the Beat dining package.
We’ve also got an early peek at the 2025 Food & Wine Festival merchandise collections! From Mickey Mouse to the Muppets, Figment to Remy, this year’s lineup offers something for every Disney fan. Scroll down to check out the released images and get a taste of what’s coming to EPCOT.
Concerts are included with EPCOT admission. Arrive early for best seats or book the Eat to the Beat dining package.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Want to stay caught up on everything happening at this year’s EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival? We’ve got you covered in our full 2025 Festival Guide, plus downloadable cheat sheet maps to help you find every food booth, concert, and activity.
🔁 ICYMI: This Week’s Blog Highlights
Here’s what’s new or updated on Practically Perfect Pixie Dust:
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Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim 💫
P.S. Planning your own magical getaway?
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