TouringPlans Travel Beat 6-22-2024

At Travel Beat we have all the “other” news from the last week or so—the stuff that wasn’t big enough to stop the presses for. What did the newsroom bring us this week? (Sneak peek, most everything was in the headlines this week.) Bullets are just ahead if you’re in a hurry, and more details follow below. Don’t forget to check out the Headline News Recap, in case there was something you missed!

• Test Track Now Closed for Re-Theming to Test Track 3.0
• New DAS Policies Take Effect at Disneyland
• Din Tai Fung Soft Opens on Monday
• Headline News Recap

Can you guess which story inspired this week’s cover image? Leave your guesses in the comments!

Test Track Now Closed for Re-Theming to Test Track 3.0

Well, we had a week without construction walls at EPCOT, but Test Track has now officially closed on Monday to begin work on its transformation to the next, better version of itself. Details on what that will look like are still thin on the ground, but the ride is expected to remain closed for at least a year, and to remain a thrill ride with a height requirement when it reopens. Here’s hoping that it also has less downtime than Test Track 2.0.

New DAS Policies Take Effect at Disneyland

Updated DAS policies took effect this week at Disneyland, modifying eligibility and the application process. At Disneyland you can still apply onsite, but you’ll no longer do it at Guest Services, and advance registration via Zoom call is your better option for an efficient day in the park. Have questions? See our blog articles:

• How to Apply for Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS)
• Walt Disney World’s Disability Access Service: FAQ

Din Tai Fung Soft Opens on Monday

Din Tai Fung, the world-renowned dumpling and noodle restaurant, will be soft opening its Downtown Disney location on June 24 ahead of the full opening in July. Look forward to a limited selection of the menu’s wontons, noodles, steamed buns, and other dishes during the soft opening. Reservations are open on Din Tai Fung’s website.

Elsewhere in Downtown Disney, you can now make reservations for Paseo and Céntrico on the Disneyland app. These restaurants, along with their sister street-food Quick Service stop Tiendita, opened in early May.

Headline News Recap

It feels like 2026 is a long way way, but it will be here before you know it. Disney Cruise Line Announces Fall 2025 & Spring 2026 Itineraries; booking begins on Monday.

On the left coast we got details about Halloween Festivities at Disneyland: Disneyland Halloween Fun for Everyone in 2024. That included ticket prices for Oogie Boogie Bash, which go on sale Thursday to the general public.

Last but not least, Universal released details about Dark Universe, one of the worlds in the upcoming Epic Universe theme park. Universal Epic Universe – Dark Universe Revealed

That’s it for this week’s Travel Beat. What news are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!