TouringPlans Travel Beat 1-26-2025

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? 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!

• Stella Nova Opens at Universal Orlando Resort
• Disney Cruise Line Increases Gratuities
• Hippo Turns 50 on Kilimanjaro Safaris
• A New Neighbor for Aulani?
• Magic Key Passes Go on Sale
• Two Store Openings at Downtown Disney
• Headline News Recap

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

Stella Nova Opens at Universal Orlando Resort

The first piece of Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe expansion opened this week, but it wasn’t a theme park – it was a hotel! Stella Nova opened on Tuesday, and it’s possible there were some people there who weren’t theme park bloggers, vloggers, or influencers. But there sure were a lot of bloggers, vloggers, and influencers. We’ll have a photo room tour and more on the resort as soon as we’ve had time to write it all up, but there was lots to love!

Disney Cruise Line Increases Gratuities

If you’ve got a future sailing on Disney Cruise Line, you’ll want to know that the gratuity rate was raised this week. More importantly, you’ll want to know that if you already pre-paid your gratuities for a cruise, then the rate hike does not apply to you. The new rates as of January 22, 2025, are $16 for standard rooms and $27.25 for Concierge-level staterooms and suites. Both rates are per person, per day.

Hippo Turns 50 on Kilimanjaro Safaris

One of the perks of being the editor here at Travel Beat is that I never have to argue with someone about whether an event is newsworthy enough to show off some cute animal pics. Today’s news: let’s all hip-hip-hooray for Viviana the hippopotamus as she celebrated a half-century on January 22nd! Viviana is one of the opening day animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and you can see her on Kilimanjaro Safaris. A hippo’s lifespan is typically 40-50 years in captivity (it’s less in the wild), so this golden anniversary is really big – similar to a human celebrating their 100th birthday.

In case you are wondering what’s in that yummy cake she’s eating, it’s … watermelon, cantaloupe, beets, lettuce, and hay.

A New Neighbor for Aulani?

Rampant rumors and speculation, we admit it. California developers have bought a big chunk of land on Ko Olina (where Aulani is located). As part of the purchase, the buyer agreed to develop an Atlantis Resort on the parcel next to Aulani. There’s plenty of water fun at Aulani today, but Atlantis’ Aquaventure parks are next-level.

There are currently three Atlantis resorts, in Dubai, Sanya, and the Bahamas, operated by two different owners. It’s not clear whether this Atlantis would be part of the Dubai/Sanya group or the Bahamas resort. It’s also not clear if it will get built; although there’s an agreement to develop, plans for an Atlantis resort on this parcel have fallen through before. But we can hope!

Magic Key Passes Go on Sale

In case you missed the memo (Go-Go-Go! Magic Key Pass Sales Return January 22, 2025), Disneyland’s annual passes went on sale earlier this week. As of this writing, all pass types are still available.

Two Store Openings at Downtown Disney

Two new shopping stops made their official openings this week at Downtown Disney District. The Disney Storyland Boutique will be your stop for character plushies, custom headbands, and more, with an ever-changing lineup of merch inspired by Disney stories. Also open: Disney Wonderful World of Sweets, which replaced Marceline’s Confectionery as the District’s spot for Disney-inspired sweet treats.

Headline News Recap

Buckle up, because there were lots of announcements this week – mostly dates, dates, and more dates.

Early in the week, Disney announced that Lightning Lane Premier Pass is now available to all guests. Disney Parks Rolling Out All-Access Lightning Lane Premier Pass – Updated!

Disney previously announced that Muppet*Vision 3D and Muppets Courtyard would be closing to make way for Monstropolis. But now we know when: Muppet*Vision 3D and Other Muppets Courtyard Closing Dates Announced

At Disneyland, there’s quite a bit of resort news: new suites, new club-level lounges, and some room reimaginings. Updates and Upgrades at Disneyland Resort Hotels in 2025 and Beyond

More from Disneyland: ticket sale dates for Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite. Disneyland After Dark Themed Nights for 2025

Last but not least, Universal Orlando filled in the missing dates in its event calendar, including dates for Halloween Horror Nights and a brand-new upcharge event. Previewing 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort

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