Disney World & Universal Orlando News: Holiday Events, Park Updates, Discounts, and New Snacks

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

• 🗓️ The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays will run from November 28th to December 30th.
• 🎤 The Candlelight Processional will feature new celebrity narrators including Jennifer Garner, Henry Winkler, and Brie Larson, alongside returning favorites like Brendan Fraser.

Security Incident and Park Construction

• 🚨 A man robbed the Paddlefish Restaurant in Disney Springs of $10,000-$20,000 while wearing scuba gear; no one was injured.
• 🏗️ Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando will undergo major construction, demolishing nearly five acres in the Lost Continent area, impacting Mythos restaurant and gift shops.
• 🎢 Jurassic Park River Adventure will close from January 5th, 2026, to November 19th, 2026, for a lengthy refurbishment.

Disney Technology and Resort Renovations

• 💡 Disney has filed a new patent for 3D projections on animatronics, potentially enhanced by AI for real-time guest interaction.
• 🛏️ The Contemporary Resort's Bay Lake Tower has completed major room renovations, featuring a mid-century modern design with updated sofa Murphy beds and twin Murphy beds.

Discounts and Special Events

• 💰 Disney World is offering new hotel and ticket deals for Florida residents, including holiday hotel stays starting at $129/night and a 3-day, 3-park ticket for $210.
• 🌟 Moonlight Magic after-hours events are returning for Disney Vacation Club members with added dates in 2025 and 2026 across multiple parks.
• 🚠 The Disney Skyliner will undergo its annual closure in late January 2027 and January 2026.

New Food and Merchandise

• 🦞 New menu items are launching at Epcot's Space 220 Lounge on October 1st, including Cosmic Lobster Bow, DLR Curry Wurst, Solar Flare Pork Belly, Astro Cluck, and the Saturn Reuben.
• 🍕 Pizza Ponte in Disney Springs is introducing a limited-time Cocoa Pizza, a brownie and cookie mashup, benefiting Cookies for Kids Cancer.
• 🍩 A limited-time lemon glazed doughnut supporting an ovarian cancer awareness group is available at Everglaze Donuts.
• 👻 The Hitchhiking Ghost cookie is now available at Joffrey's Coffee and Tea in Disney Springs.
• 🎃 Halloween tiaras are available for building at Magic Kingdom's Crystal Arts Tiara Foundry and Disney Springs.
• 👻 The Mickey ghost popcorn bucket is now available at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

Park Operations and Theming

• 🌃 Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios has adjusted showtimes to 8:00 PM and 9:30 PM starting September 18th.
• 🚗 Tron Lightcycle / Run in Magic Kingdom has a new limited-time overlay with ambient music and a red color shift on the canopy.
• 🎶 Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in Epcot will feature September as the song choice on September 21st.