Major Disney Parks News: Galaxy's Edge Changes, New Restaurants & More!

New Restaurant and Closures

• 🍽️ Gideon's Bake House is opening a new fast-casual restaurant called Six Ravens in Disney Springs, featuring new menu items like "coffins" (hand pie sandwiches) and savory yeast rolls.
• 📅 Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club Resort will close for a refresh from May to August 2026, with its adjacent lounge, Cruise Cup Lounge, closing sooner on February 23rd.

Galaxy's Edge Evolution in Disneyland

• 🚀 Disneyland's Galaxy's Edge is expanding its timeline to include characters and storylines from The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Mandalorian, and Ahsoka.
• 🎭 New characters like Darth Vader, Leia Organa, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, The Mandalorian, Grogu, and R2-D2 will roam the land.
• 🎶 Iconic scores by John Williams will be added to the land's soundscape.
• 🛍️ Shops like First Order Cargo will be rebranded to Black Spire Surplus, and Doc Andar's Den of Antiquities will update its displays.
• ⚠️ Oga's Cantina and Rise of the Resistance in Disneyland will undergo temporary closures for refurbishment.

Festivals and Events

• 🍎 Disney California Adventure's Lunar New Year festival will feature new cuisine and entertainment from January 23rd to February 22nd.
• 🍷 The Food and Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure will bring back beverage education seminars from March 6th to April 27th.
• 🎟️ Magic Kingdom's after-hours event on January 12th sold out, indicating continued popularity for these ticketed events.
• 🥂 The Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic is scheduled for November 20th and 21st, 2026.

Dining and Snack Updates

• 🧇 Marketplace Snacks in Disney Springs debuted three new savory waffle options: cheeseburger, barbecue brisket, and hot honey chicken, with the barbecue brisket waffle receiving the highest rating.
• 🍩 Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a limited-edition blueberry Pop-Tart donut.
• 🍦 Refreshment Outpost in Epcot has brought back the raspberry pineapple Dole Whip Swirl.
• 🥞 The Beast crepe at Crepes in Epcot is a large, savory galette filled with cheese, mushrooms, and ham, suitable for sharing.
• 🥭 Swirls on the Water in Epcot is offering new Dole Whip flavors for January, including a black vanilla cone and a sampler.

Park Operations and Construction

• 🚢 The new Disney Adventure cruise ship has arrived in Florida for viewing before its international sailings.
• 🚧 Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom has a new construction permit filed, suggesting potential show element and infrastructure updates.
• 🚠 The Skyliner will be closed for annual maintenance from January 25th to 31st.
• 🎆 Views of Cinderella Castle and fireworks from the Polynesian Village Resort may be obstructed due to exterior maintenance.
• 🏊 Beach Club Resort's Tidal Leisure Pool and Old Key West Resort's Turtle Pond Pool area will be closed for routine maintenance.
• 🚗 The Lime Garage at Disney Springs will have intermittent closures in early 2026.
• ❄️ Central Florida is expecting cold weather, potentially leading to water park closures.

New Planning Resources

• 🗺️ A new Disney World All-Access VIP Video Planning Kit has been launched to simplify vacation planning with step-by-step video walkthroughs and bonus downloads.