Disney World & Universal Orlando News: Festival of the Arts, Summer Plans, Closures & More!

Epcot Festival of the Arts & New Snacks

• 🎨 The Epcot Festival of the Arts is set to run from January 16th to February 23rd, transforming Epcot into a vibrant display of art and food.
• 🍰 New and returning food items include the Enchanted Rose, a brand new Color Scheme Cake, Hazelnut Praline, Dark Chocolate Tort, Wild Berry Funnel Cake, Imagination Cone, Sushi Donut, Chapter 1 Beach Oysters, and Chocolate Orange Eclair.
• 🍦 The Liquid Nitrogen Mini Cake Pop returns, replacing the previously mentioned "nitrogen barf".

Disney World Summer & Vacation Planning

• 🏰 Cinderella Castle is undergoing a repainting to its classic white and blue scheme, with work starting this month and expected to finish later in the year.
• 🎶 Entertainment updates include minor tweaks to "Let the Magic Begin" starting January 28th, while Happily Ever After and Mickey's Magical Friendship Fair will continue with adjustments.
• 🍕 A new Toy Story Land snack stand, "Popcorn and Snacks," is now open, featuring Pizza Planet spring rolls previously found in Magic Kingdom.
• ☀️ The Cool Kids Summer event runs from May 26th to September 8th, offering kid-friendly fun, character appearances (like Toy Story pals at Diamond Horseshoe and Goofy dance parties at Epcot's Communicore Hall), and deals.
• 🎢 New attractions and experiences include Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin with updated vehicles, The Mandalorian and Grogu mission on Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run starting May 22nd, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring the Muppets opening this summer, and Soarin' Across America launching by Memorial Day.
• 🏖️ The Water Park Per Park Per Day perk returns, offering free water park admission on check-in day for Disney resort guests, with both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach open.
• 🍽️ Free dining for kids is back in 2026 for guests booking a Disney resort stay and purchasing a dining plan, for children aged 3-9.
• 🏨 Significant hotel discounts are available, including up to 30% off for the general public, two free room nights with package purchases, and deeper discounts for Florida residents and annual passholders.
• 🎁 Extra character appearances are planned for early theme park entry and select family resorts.

Universal Orlando 2026 Event Lineup

• 🎤 Rock the Universe, Florida's largest Christian music festival, returns to Universal Studios Florida on January 23rd-24th.
• 🎭 Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnival runs from February 7th to April 4th, featuring food, entertainment, and a parade.
• ⚡ Events for Harry Potter fans include Back to Hogwarts (August 1st-September 1st) and Butterbeer Season (March 1st-May 31st).
• 💀 Dark Arts returns to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the fall, with projection shows and roaming Death Eaters.
• 🥳 Passholder Appreciation Days will take place from August 15th to September 30th.
• 🎃 Halloween Horror Nights celebrates its 35th anniversary from August 28th to November 1st.
• 🎄 Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort run from November 14th to January 3rd, 2027, featuring Macy's parade, Grinchmas, and holiday events in the Wizarding World.
• 🌊 Volcano Bay Nights are returning in 2026, with dates to be announced.

Disney Park Closures & Refurbishments

• 🤖 The Tron Identity Program in Tomorrowland Depot at Magic Kingdom has quietly closed permanently.
• ☕ New Starbucks drinks at Magic Kingdom include the Iced Dubai Chocolate Matcha (a hit) and the Caramel Protein Latte (a miss).
• 🧁 Sprinkles Cupcakes at Disney Springs closed permanently on January 1st, a decision unrelated to Disney.
• 🐧 A new Penguin Club cocktail is available at 'Eat' in Disney Springs, featuring a guitar-playing penguin garnish.
• 🍪 January's Gideon's Bakehouse cookie flavor is Banana Foster Pie, with a matching Banana Foster Nitro Cold Brew.
• 🍓 Pink Milk is now available in Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland, described as sweet and fruity, reminiscent of bubble gum or artificial banana.
• ⚠️ Several attractions are closing for refurbishment: Dinosaur closes permanently on February 1st, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster closes March 2nd (last day March 1st), Frozen Ever After closes January 26th for new animatronics, Disney Skyliner is closed January 5th-31st, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are closed until spring 2026, and Blizzard Beach is closed until February 15th.

Travel & Merchandise Updates

• ✈️ American Airlines is rolling out free in-flight Wi-Fi for Advantage program members, with nearly all flights expected to have it by early spring 2026.
• 💧 New Owala FreeSip water bottle designs include Pink Angel Food Cake, Foggy Tide, and Iced Breeze, plus a smaller Strawberry Fields Zoala Smooth Sip Slider.
• 👑 New Disney World park icon ears featuring all four park icons are available for $36.99.
• 🗺️ The Disney Parks map collection of home goods, featuring detailed park illustrations and Easter eggs, is available at Marketplace Co-op in Disney Springs.
• ☕ Starbucks collectors can find matching blue and pink ribbon Cinderella Castle tumblers and mugs at Epcot's Creation Shop.