TouringPlans Travel Beat 4-13-2024

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!

• Dining Changes to Debut Soon at Downtown Disney
• Passholder Lounge Details for V.I.Passholder Days at Disney World
• More Details of Universal’s Stella Nova and Terra Luna Resorts
• Pixar Fest Dessert Package Offers Reserved Parade Viewing
• Disneyland Paris Updates Including a Reimagined Name
• Fantasmic Returns at Disneyland in California
• Headline News Recap

Got an idea about which story inspired this week’s header image (we admit, this time it’s a bit of a gimme)? Leave your guesses in the comments!

Dining Changes to Debut Soon at Downtown Disney

In January, Disney announced new Mexican concept locations that would be opening in the center of Downtown Disney. Headed by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán, the three distinctive concepts of Paseo, Céntrico, and Tiendita would showcase different aspects of food culture from Gaytán’s homeland of Mexico. This week, we learned that the opening of these venues is just a few weeks away in early May.

In addition to the news about the three Mexican restaurants, Disney announced that Din Tai Fung, a Michelin-awarded restaurant brand from Taiwan, will open this summer, and that a steakhouse and adjacent BBQ restaurant concepts are in the works for the spot vacated by Tortilla Jo’s. Last but not least, Marceline’s Confectionary is being expanded, and some of the service will move to a cart while the work is being done.

Passholder Lounge Details for V.I.Passholder Days at Disney World

V.I.Passholder Days for 2024 were previously announced, beginning on May 1. This year’s event-long Passholder Lounge will be in the former home of Restaurant Marrakesh, located in the Morocco Pavilion at EPCOT. The Lounge will be available to Passholders from May 1 through June 18, and will offer not only a refreshing location to relax and recharge — both yourself and your devices — but visits from some special Disney friends. Complimentary snacks and water will also be available.

More Details of Universal’s Stella Nova and Terra Luna Resorts

We’re getting weekly news drops from Universal now in the lead up to the opening of Epic Universe, and this week it was details about the previously announced Stella Nova and Terra Luna Resorts. Both resorts will be in Universal’s Prime Value category, offering Early Park Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal Volcano Bay, and other standard benefits of on-site Universal hotels.

Pricing for both resorts starts at $134 / night for a 315 sq. foot standard room with 2 queen beds. Stella Nova will open on January 21, 2025, with Terra Luna following a month later on February 25, 2025.

Pixar Fest Dessert Package Offers Reserved Parade Viewing

Along with details of the food & beverage offerings for the upcoming Pixar Fest at Disneyland (it begins on April 26), Disneyland has announced reserved parade viewing with a Pixar Pals Dessert Package. The package will be bookable on Disneyland’s website at a currently unknown date and will cost $69 per guest.

Disneyland Paris Updates Including a Reimagined Name

Disneyland Paris has confirmed that the Electrical Sky Parade Drone Show will finish up on January 6, 2025. There’s no word yet on a replacement nighttime show for the park.

Also this week, Disney announced that the second Paris park, Walt Disney Studios Park, will be extensively reimagined — including a name change to Disney Adventure World. The changes will include significant updates to the park’s entrance sequence, with the new entrance welcoming guests into a “vibrant, contemporary open-air movie studio’. A full timetable for this multi-year project isn’t known yet.

Fantasmic Returns at Disneyland in California

After a long hiatus following the fiery death of Fantasmic’s dragon in California, it’s finally back on the Disneyland show schedule! The first date is on May 24, and showtimes are shown as 9 and 10:30 pm.

Headline News Recap

On Tuesday, Disney released a wave of Free Dining for Disney Visa Cardmembers: Free Dining for Disney Visa Cardmembers in the Second Half of 2024 … and room discounts through October for everyone: Spring to Early Fall 2024 Room Discounts at Disney World

There was only one non-discount item in the headline news this week, but it was BIG if you are a user of the Disability Access System. Disney Changes Both DAS Eligibility and Application Process at US Disney Parks

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