TouringPlans Travel Beat 12-22-2024

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? 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!

• Disney World Refurb Announcements
• Festival of the Arts News on What’s New
• Disneyland Refurb for Disneyland Railroad
• ¡Celebración Encanto! Makes the Permanent Roster
• Bluey Coming to Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line
• Headline News Recap

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

Disney World Refurb Announcements

A pair of refurbs beginning in the new year were announced this week. Work on Astro Orbiter will begin on January 13, and the ride will reopen in summer 2025. Over in Liberty Square the Hall of Presidents will close on January 20, 2025 for its expected refurbishment in the wake of the election. It will reopen later in the year.

Festival of the Arts News on What’s New

Dates were announced last week for Festival of the Arts in 2025, and this week we got a peek at some new additions. CommuniCore Hall will be decked out with a walkthrough exhibit commemorating three decades of Disney on Broadway. You’ll be able to see costumes and props from Disney’s stage musical lineup, along with some behind-the-scenes info about the transitions from the silver screen to the Broadway stage.

It’s no secret that CommuniCore Hall didn’t have the most successful launch. It was billed as a flex space, but debuted between Festivals with all the personality of a school cafeteria. I was there at Food & Wine and it was still giving lunchroom vibes, to the scorn of the Disney social media scene. But you know what? During Festival of the Holidays there are glimmering trees at each end, a light-up gingerbread Spaceship Earth, and snowflake projections on the walls that do a lot to counter that cafeteria feel. Less like a lunchroom, and more like the gymnasium all dressed up for the spring dance. I don’t think we’re going to get something that looks as good as the concept art above, but I’m interested to see what it does look like.

The Opening Bites Food Studio will also debut at this year’s Festival, along with a new Artful Photo Op featuring Moana. And of course, Festival merch!

Disneyland Refurb for Disneyland Railroad

If you’re heading to Disneyland in the new year, be prepared to find the Disneyland Railroad off the roster during your visit. Maintenance work will be done on the track beginning January 13, and Disney says operations will resume in time for Disneyland’s 70th celebration that begins on May 16.

¡Celebración Encanto! Makes the Permanent Roster

¡Celebración Encanto! was originally announced as a limited summer-run show, then extended through the end of the year. Congrats to the performers and others involved who have made this show a hit, because Disney announced this week that it’s going forward as part of the full-time entertainment lineup.

Bluey Coming to Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line

Bluey, the Emmy®-winning animated series beloved of kids and available on Disney+, will be coming to Disney Experiences. And not in five years, either! Disney announced this week that guests on Australia/New Zealand voyages will be able to experience Bluey and her sister Bingo in special Meet & Greets, along with an interactive game and dance party, beginning in January 2025. Plans for Disneyland and Walt Disney World will be shared in the months ahead.

Earlier in the week Disney, BBC Studios, and Ludo Studio announced the first Bluey movie. The film is expected to hit theaters in 2027, with Ludo as the producer in collaboration with BBC. Disney will have the theatrical rights.

Headline News Recap

Disney Cruise Line opened the week with a new discount for Disney+ Subscribers: Disney+ Subscriber Savings on 3rd and 4th Guests in Early 2025

Some of the biggest news this week was the opening of the new Island Tower at the Polynesian. What did we think? Review: Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Disney on Broadway Dining Packages are now on sale for Festival of the Arts, and we added prices to our dates & details rundown. 2025 Festival of the Arts Disney on Broadway Concerts and Dining Packages

And last but not least, the Disney Treasure sets sail on its maiden voyage today. Look for reviews and info on the blog in the upcoming weeks!

One more note – Travel Beat will be off next week for the holidays. We’ll cover all the news that wasn’t fit for the headlines when we return on January 5. Happy Holidays to all our readers, whatever you celebrate, and wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year!

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