🏰 Walt Disney World News Roundup | Week of December 29, 2025
- Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
- 5 days ago
- 17 min read
🏰 Walt Disney World News Roundup | December 29, 2025
🎆 New Year’s Eve at Disney & Universal: What You Need to Know
New Year’s Eve is almost here — and at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, that means some of the heaviest crowds of the entire year are already building.
If you’re planning to ring in the new year in the parks, this is not a “go with the flow” kind of night. Popular parks can reach capacity, wait times climb quickly by mid-afternoon, and transportation gets noticeably slower as midnight approaches.
We’ve put together a full New Year’s Eve planning guide that breaks down:
Which parks tend to feel the most crowded
When to arrive (and why earlier really is better)
The difference between Disney’s NYE experience vs. Universal’s party atmosphere
What expectations actually look like for fireworks, rides, and park hopping
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: On New Year’s Eve, park timing matters more than park choice. Arriving early, planning a midday break, and committing to one location can make the difference between an unforgettable night and a very long one.
❄️ Looking Ahead: What Comes After the Holidays
Once the confetti settles, Orlando shifts into a much calmer (and cooler) season. Festival of the Arts kicks off soon at EPCOT, and winter is one of our favorite times to tour — lower humidity, easier pacing, and fewer holiday-level crowds.
Behind the scenes, we’ve also been busy updating our planning tools and major park guides for 2026, so everything you’re reading now reflects what’s ahead — not last year’s info.
🏰 Walt Disney World News Roundup | December 22, 2025
Christmas week at Walt Disney World is a lot — big crowds, big energy, and big planning implications. With holiday parties wrapping up, park hours shifting, and seasonal offerings changing day by day, this is one of those weeks where knowing what’s happening right now really matters.
Here’s a quick look at this week’s most important park updates, crowd realities, and holiday transitions — plus what’s still bringing the Christmas magic as we head toward New Year’s.
🎄 Christmas Break Crowds Are Here (and They’re No Joke)
Christmas Break has officially arrived at Walt Disney World — along with some of the heaviest crowds of the entire year. From packed walkways and long waits to parks approaching capacity, these next two weeks require a very different planning mindset than most visits.
The good news? With smart timing, realistic expectations, and a willingness to pivot, Christmas Break can still be magical. We’ve pulled together our best strategies for navigating peak holiday crowds — including when to be in the parks, when to step away, and how to avoid burning out.
🕒 Disney Extends Park Hours for Holiday Week & New Year’s Eve
As expected for one of the busiest weeks of the year, Walt Disney World has extended park hours across the holiday stretch, giving guests more time in the parks through Christmas week and into the New Year.
🕒 Walt Disney World Holiday Park Hours
December 21, 2025 – January 1, 2026( Hours are based on Disney’s current published calendar and reflect holiday extensions. Always double-check your exact date in My Disney Experience.)
Park | Typical Hours Dec 21–30 | New Year’s Eve (Dec 31) | New Year’s Day (Jan 1) |
Magic Kingdom | 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM | 9:00 AM – 1:00 AM 🎆 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
EPCOT | 9:00 AM – 9:30 PM | 9:00 AM – 1:00 AM 🎆 | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Disney’s Hollywood Studios | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
Disney’s Animal Kingdom | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Early Theme Park Entry:✔️ Available daily for Disney Resort hotel guests (typically 30 minutes before official opening)
Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are seeing the biggest boosts, with very late closings on New Year’s Eve to accommodate holiday crowds and celebrations. Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are holding steadier schedules, but still benefit from early openings and consistent access.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: During Christmas week, park timing matters more than park choice. Early Entry in the mornings and late-night touring (especially after fireworks) can make a noticeable difference — even when crowds are at their peak.
👉 We also break down all of our best Christmas week timing and crowd strategies in our Disney World Christmas Break Crowds guide.
🎅 Santa Wraps Up His Christmas Eve Visits
After spreading plenty of holiday cheer across the parks, Santa Claus officially wraps up his Walt Disney World visits on Christmas Eve — he’s needed elsewhere and then heads off for a well-earned seasonal vacation. 🎄✨
But the holiday fun isn’t over just yet! Santa Goofy will continue meeting guests at EPCOT through the end of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, making this a great last-chance stop for festive photos even after Christmas Day.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If you’re visiting between Christmas and New Year’s, EPCOT is one of the best places to catch lingering holiday vibes — with storytellers, decorations, and Santa Goofy still spreading cheer. You can learn even more in our 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Guide
🎄 Holiday Parties Have Wrapped — But the Christmas Magic Isn’t Over
Both Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney’s Jollywood Nights have officially wrapped up for the season, but don’t worry — there’s still plenty of Christmas magic happening across Walt Disney World.
From towering resort trees and festive overlays to EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays, seasonal entertainment, and holiday treats, the parks stay merry right through Christmas and into the final days of the year.
✨ If you’re visiting this week or planning a last-minute holiday trip, here’s what’s still happening — and where to find it:👉 Holidays at Walt Disney World Guide
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Christmas week crowds are intense, but holiday ambiance is everywhere — even outside party nights. Slow down, soak it in, and build in time just to wander.
🏰 Walt Disney World News Roundup | December 15, 2025
Between weather-impacted holiday parties, a major attraction closure announcement, and some very festive (and very unexpected) surprises around the parks, this week brought a mix of important planning updates and holiday-season curveballs at Walt Disney World.
We were in the parks for much of it — rain, lightning, and all — so here’s what you need to know, what actually matters for trip planning, and where Disney magic still managed to shine through.
🎸 Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Closing Date Confirmed
Disney has officially announced that Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith will close on March 2, 2026, as the attraction begins its transformation into Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. The reimagined coaster is currently slated to reopen in Summer 2026, though Disney hasn’t shared a specific reopening date just yet.
If this high-speed classic is on your must-ride list, you’ll want to plan accordingly — especially for spring 2026 trips. We’ve updated our full breakdown with everything Disney has confirmed so far, plus what this means for future visits.
🌧️ Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Canceled Due to Severe Weather
Disney made the rare decision to cancel Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on December 7, 2025 due to severe thunderstorms and frequent lightning in the area. While MVMCP almost always runs rain or shine, safety concerns occasionally lead Disney to significantly limit or cancel outdoor offerings — and in this case, the event itself.
We were in Walt Disney World that evening but chose not to attend the party at all because of the intensity of the storms. Guests who held tickets for that night were provided with compensation options, and unused tickets retained their value toward future hard-ticket events.
If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens when Disney cancels a party for weather — what “canceled” really means, what happens to your ticket, and how this compares to rainy-but-not-canceled party nights — we’ve broken it all down in a new, evergreen planning guide.
☔️ Jollywood Nights in the Rain: What Stayed Magical (and What Didn’t)
We also attended Jollywood Nights last weekend during an extremely rainy party night — and while the weather reshaped the experience, it didn’t stop the magic entirely. Outdoor entertainment and roaming characters were limited at times, but indoor experiences stepped up in big ways, including relocated music, cozy character moments, and an A+ Jazzy Holidays escape at Hollywood Brown Derby.
From surprise indoor Fiesta en la Calle moments to walk-on rides during stormier windows, we learned a lot about how Jollywood Nights actually functions when the weather doesn’t cooperate. If rain is in your forecast — or you just want to know what to expect on a stormy party night — we’ve shared our full firsthand report along with practical tips to help you plan with realistic expectations.
🎄 Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade — Official Details
Disney has released official details for the 2025 Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade, airing Christmas morning (Dec. 25) at 10:00 a.m. EST on ABC, with streaming on Disney+, Hulu, and the Disney YouTube channel at 11:00 a.m. EST. The special will remain available to stream through Jan. 4, 2026.
If seeing Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade in person is on your must-do list, Magic Kingdom typically adds daytime parade performances during regular park hours the week of Christmas, making it one of the best times of year to catch it without attending a holiday party.
The special features hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Ginnifer Goodwin, plus correspondent Maia Kealoha, with performances from Gwen Stefani, Coco Jones, Lady A, Nicole Scherzinger, Mariah the Scientist, Iam Tongi, and Bebe Rexha. For the first time, Disney Villains will also have their own section of the parade.
Looking for all the holiday fun Walt Disney World has to offer this season? Pop over to our Holidays at Disney World Guide for 2025 for festive events, must-see entertainment, and planning tips.
🎤 Taylor Swift Exhibit at Walt Disney Presents
A limited-time Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour costume exhibit has debuted inside Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, featuring three of Taylor’s iconic outfits from the tour to coincide with the release of the The End of an Era docuseries and The Eras Tour: The Final Show concert film on Disney+.
According to Cast Members, the display is expected to remain into late January 2026, though Disney has not published an official end date. The exhibit appears to be a promotional use of the space rather than indication of a permanent replacement of previous content. As longtime Swifties, we were so bummed to miss this display by just two days. 😭. We were at least able to get a detailed look at the costumes thanks to DisneyParksBlog. Sneak a peak below.
🏰 Walt Disney World News Roundup | December 8, 2025
🚨 Major Walt Disney World Updates Confirmed for 2026
If you’ve been waiting for Disney to finally put some real dates behind all those “coming soon” announcements… this was the week. 👀✨
Disney released a wave of new details confirming opening windows and timelines for several major ride updates, reimaginings, and brand-new entertainment experiences coming to Walt Disney World in 2026 — and honestly, this is one of the most exciting refresh cycles we’ve seen in years.
Here’s what was officially confirmed:
Over in the Magic Kingdom two fan-favorite rides are finally reopening after extensive renovations
🎯 Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will reopen in Spring 2026 following a major refresh with upgraded ride vehicles, enhanced targets, and updated effects.
⛏️ Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is slated to return in Late Spring to Early Summer 2026 after extensive track replacement and ride system upgrades.
Two huge Hollywood Studio attractions are getting some exciting retheming - and will be reopening Summer of 2026
🎸 Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Featuring the Muppets will debut in Summer 2026, bringing a brand-new storyline, updated music, and refreshed pre-show elements to this Hollywood Studios headliner.
🚀 Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will receive a new Mandalorian and Grogu–inspired mission in Summer 2026, adding updated visuals, dialogue, and story beats to the Falcon cockpit experience.
Hollywood Studios also gets a huge family-focused boost with the full transformation of Animation Courtyard, all opening together in Summer 2026, including:
🎭 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! — a new interactive stage show for younger guests
✨ The Magic of Disney Animation — a walkthrough experience inspired by Once Upon a Studio
🛝 Drawn to Wonderland — a Mary Blair–inspired playground
✏️ A new character drawing studio
And EPCOT fans have two big reasons to pay attention next year:
❄️ Frozen Ever After will reopen in Winter 2026 with next-generation animatronics using technology recently debuted at the Asian Disney parks.
✈️ Soarin’ Across America will be reimagined in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, reopening by Memorial Day weekend 2026 (May 25) with all-new aerial footage, a new musical score, and updated scents highlighting U.S. landscapes from coast to coast.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This isn’t just a handful of changes — it’s a full refresh wave across every park, which means trip timing in 2026 is going to matter more than it has in a long time.
We broke everything down — opening windows, planning strategy, and how these updates overlap — in our full guide here:👉 Disney World 2026 Opening Timeline & Updates Guide
And if you’re already asking yourself “Okay… but WHEN should we go?” — we’ve got you covered there too:👉 Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World in 2026
🎸 Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Pre-Show Removed
In a quiet change at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the classic Aerosmith recording-studio pre-show at Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster has officially been removed. Guests now bypass the pre-show completely and head straight to the loading area, with the former studio space blocked off behind temporary construction walls branded with “G-Force Records” signage.
This appears to be an early step toward the ride’s upcoming retheme into Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets, set to debut in Summer 2026. Disney has not announced when the coaster itself will close for the full transformation — for now, the ride remains open and operating normally, just without its original story setup.
👉 Want more detail? We’ve got a full breakdown of the Muppets retheme, including the pre-show removal, current ride status, and what fans should expect as the transformation continues. Read our full guide here: Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Muppets Retheme Guide
🐾 Bluey & Bingo Are Coming to Animal Kingdom in 2026
Disney has officially announced that Bluey and Bingo will debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in summer 2026! The interactive character experience will be located at Conservation Station (reached via the Wildlife Express Train) and will focus on play-based interactions inspired by the wildly popular Disney Junior series — with an animal-themed twist.
Rather than a traditional meet-and-greet, guests can expect fun activities, movement, and games alongside the characters — making this a perfect fit for younger visitors and families looking for hands-on character moments. An exact opening date and experience details haven’t been released yet, but we’ll update as soon as Disney confirms timing.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Conservation Station is already one of our favorite mid-day air-conditioned break spots at Animal Kingdom — adding Bluey here makes it an even better reset for little ones.
What to know all the deets on what is coming in Walt Disney World in 2025? Head over to What's Coming to Disney in 2026 and Beyond.
🏰 Walt Disney World News Roundup | December 1, 2025
Happy December, friends! 🎄✨ Disney Christmas-time has officially arrived — and opening weekend brought everything from packed Festival of the Holidays crowds at EPCOT to sold-out Christmas parties at Magic Kingdom, while over at Universal Orlando, Epic Universe is celebrating its very first holiday season ever! We’re rounding up all the biggest seasonal happenings, planning updates, and one exciting peek into Disney’s future tech — so you know exactly what’s new, what’s busy, and what’s worth prioritizing as the most magical month of the year kicks off.
🧭 On the Ground This Week:
We’re heading to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando next weekend to capture the latest holiday photos, verify entertainment schedules, and update all of our seasonal guides and maps in real time — so keep an eye out for fresh updates and brand-new visuals coming soon!
Disney Christmas-time is here!
🎄 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Opening Weekend Recap
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays officially kicked off on November 28 — marking the official start of EPCOT’s annual holiday festival season! Opening day brought exceptionally heavy crowds thanks to the combination of festival launch excitement and Thanksgiving week travel — expect that early afternoon to remain the busiest window through the holiday weekend.
🎶 The Candlelight Processional began its celeb narrator run with Constance Wu performing on November 28 and 29, drawing packed showings across all performances.
🎭 Over in World Showcase, a brand-new storyteller debuted at the Germany Pavilion — “Adventskalender,” sharing festive traditions tied to the classic German Christmas countdown calendar.
🗺️ We’ve updated both our Festival of the Holidays Guide and our EPCOT Festival Maps post with all the opening weekend confirmations, including the newest entertainment offerings, updated schedule notes, and the most accurate locations for every Holiday Kitchen and show experience — making it easy to plan your snack crawls, seating strategies, and must-see stops.
🦌 Merry Menagerie Is Back at Animal Kingdom
Disney’s beloved Merry Menagerie has returned to Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the 2025 holiday season. Winter-animal puppeteers featuring reindeer, penguins, foxes, and more roam the park throughout the afternoon and early evening, creating spontaneous photo ops and interactive moments near Discovery Island and the park pathways.
🎄 Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll in Full Bloom
The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll is now fully underway, featuring dozens of themed trees inspired by Disney films, characters, and park lands. Guests can explore the walk-through displays throughout the shopping district all season long and collect stamps to earn a special holiday surprise. Read more in our Holidays at Walt Disney World Guide.
🎬 Jollywood Nights Continues to Pick Up Steam
Disney’s Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios is seeing higher demand than previous seasons, with several dates already sold out and more filling quickly as December approaches. The limited-capacity party features specialty entertainment, themed character encounters, and exclusive stage shows across the park.
👉 Our updated Disney Jollywood Nights Guide has all the the latest info, plus Pixie Dust Tips and Tricks. plus the Jollywood Map and Cheat Sheet has all the character meet & greet locations, entertainment times, and PhotoPass locations so you can plan your party night.
🎄 MVMCP Sell-Out Impact: What Guests Should Expect
With every Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party night now officially sold out, Magic Kingdom continues operating on early close nights (typically 6 PM) most evenings through December. Day guests should plan earlier arrival, expect heavier afternoon congestion, and consider evening park hopping to avoid premiere party crowds spilling into day operations.
👉 Full planning strategies and party details are updated in our complete MVMCP 2025 Guide. Pair it with out MVMCP Map and Cheat Sheet to have all the character and entertainment party info at the tips of your fingers.
🎄 Holiday Magic Returns to Universal Orlando (Now Through Jan 4!)
Universal Orlando’s 2025 holiday season is officially underway — and this year is extra special with Epic Universe celebrating its first-ever holidays right alongside the classic favorites! Guests can enjoy the Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, festive transformations in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Diagon Alley & Hogsmeade), and the return of Grinchmas in Seuss Landing with the beloved Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular and character meet-and-greets.
✨ New this year: Epic Universe is decked out across all lands — including Celestial Park’s glowing lagoon décor and photo spots — making it the newest must-see stop for seasonal vibes.
🎟️ Holiday Tour Update: The Universal Holiday Tour runs on select nights November 25 – December 29, starting at $79.99+ per person (separate 2-Park Park-to-Park ticket required) and includes priority Grinchmas seating and exclusive experiences.
👉 We’ve updated our Holidays at Universal Orlando 2025 Guide with all confirmed offerings, décor locations, and planning tips to help you make the most of your festive visit!
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Early mornings and weeknights are best for photos and lighter crowds — especially at Epic Universe, where first-year holiday décor is drawing big interes
❄️ Next-Gen Olaf Animatronic Revealed
Disney Imagineering unveiled a brand-new free-roaming Olaf robot this week — a tiny, screen-accurate version of the Frozen snowman designed to walk, gesture, and interact with guests in real time using AI-assisted motion technology. The next-gen Olaf is set to appear in the upcoming World of Frozen lands at Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Paris (opening March 2026).
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tip: New Imagineering tech almost always debuts outside Florida first — but many of these innovations eventually make their way to Walt Disney World. This Olaf is definitely one to keep an eye on for future Frozen experiences.
🎅 ICYMI — This Week on PPPD
Santa season has officially arrived — and we’ve put together the ultimate 2025 guide to meeting Santa at Walt Disney World! 🎄✨From classic Santa at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom to Santa Goofy, Santa Stitch, and rare Santa Duffy at Jollywood Nights — plus full Disney Springs Virtual Queue tips and the best times for shortest waits — this guide covers every way to meet the big guy in red this holiday season.
👉 Read the full guide: Meeting Santa at Walt Disney World (2025)
🏰 Walt Disney World News Roundup | November 24, 2025
Thanksgiving Week 2025
Happy Thanksgiving Week, friends! 🦃✨ This is one of the busiest (and most magical!) stretches of the entire year at Walt Disney World — and there’s a LOT happening across the parks, resorts, and even MCO. Here’s everything you should know heading into the holiday rush.
🦃 Thanksgiving Week Crowds Hit Walt Disney World
It’s officially peak-holiday week, and 2025 crowds are tracking right on trend. Expect the heaviest attendance on Wednesday, Friday, and the Saturday after Thanksgiving — typically a top-10 busiest day of the entire year. Mid-day waits for headliners will hover between 100–180 minutes, and virtual queues will continue filling instantly.
✨ Best Strategy This Week:Arrive early, mobile order ahead, hop parks after 4 PM, and build in a mid-day break to avoid sensory overload.👉 Find all of our tips and tricks on Navigating the Crowds at WDW Guide, Plus the best locations to sneak away at the parks for a much needed break in Navigating the Crowds and Sensory Break Map.
🧚♀️ Pixie Dust Pro Tips (Thanksgiving Edition)
Arrive 60–75 minutes before posted park open.
Mobile order early (Food & Wine booths get especially packed this week).
Park hop after 4 PM to dodge mid-day bottlenecks.
Build breaks into your schedule — this is one of the most overstimulating weeks of the year.
🚧 MCO Terminal Tram Construction — What Travelers Need to Know
If you’re flying through Orlando International Airport starting December 3, 2025this week, give yourself a little extra buffer time. Ongoing terminal tram construction is causing occasional delays, longer walks, and some surprise detours.
👉 We broke everything down in our full guide, including who’s impacted, how the shuttles work, and our best travel-day tips.
🛄 Southwest Airlines Restores Airline Luggage Delivery Service for Guests staying at Disney Value Resorts
Huge win for holiday travelers: Southwest Airlines is once again offering Airline Luggage Transfer (ALT) delivery at Disney’s Value Resorts. This means you can check your bags at your resort on departure day and skip the airport counter altogether. 🎉.
👉 We've broken down how it works and all the pros and cons of this new service in our Southwest and Disney Luggage Delivery Guide, plus a run down of the departure service as well.
🎄 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party — ALL 2025 Dates Are Sold Out
It’s official — every 2025 MVMCP date is sold out, and earlier than usual. If you're attending, keep an eye on weather trends, queue strategy for rare characters, and our updated cookie trail notes.
👉 Looking for tips and tricks plus all the details to make you MVMCP a success? You can find all of that in more at our Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Guide 2025 and our MVMCP Map and Cheat Sheet, featuring all of the character locations and cookie trails.
🎶 Disney Jollywood Nights — Opening Weekend Recap
Jollywood Nights kicked off this past week, and early reactions point to strong entertainment, smooth operations, and some standout treats. The holiday ambiance, special characters, themed food + cocktails, and overall “night-out” vibe Jollywood Nights delivers strongly this year.
👉 We’ll continue updating our Disney Jollywood Nights Guide as the season progresses so you can count on the latest info, plus Pixie Dust Tips and Tricks. Our updated Jollywood Map and Cheat Sheet has all the character meet & greet locations, entertainment times, and PhotoPass locations so you can plan your party night.
🍷 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Wraps Up This Week
It’s the final week of the 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival! Booths, concerts, and the last weekend of Eat to the Beat finish up on Saturday. EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is up next — menus, storytellers, and Cookie Stroll details are right around the corner.
Pop over to our EPCOT International Festival Map post for all food booth and entertainment details for both EPCOT Food & Wine and EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
🎁 That's a Wrap
If you’re heading into the parks this week, take it slow, soak in the festive details, and remember: a little strategy (and a lot of cocoa) goes a long way. ✨
Wishing you a cozy, joy-filled Thanksgiving Week — and we’ll be back next weekend with all the Festival of the Holidays updates, Universal’s holiday entertainment schedule, early December crowd trends, and more Pixie Dust. 🧚♀️💛
🔎 Looking for Past Updates?
Our Pixie Dust News Roundup is updated weekly with the latest Disney & Universal park news. If you’d like to catch up on earlier weeks, check out our monthly archives:
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim
