TouringPlans Travel Beat 8-31-2024

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!

• Avengers Campus Construction Will Close Red Car Trolley at DCA
• Death Eaters Returning to Universal for Halloween Season
• Save on Select National Geographic Private Jet Itineraries
• New Shops & Dining Coming to Downtown Disney District
• Winnie the Pooh & Pooh Corner Reopened at Disneyland
• EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Begins
• Halloween Horror Nights Begins at Universal Orlando
• Scary Teddy Popcorn Bucket Coming to MNSSHP
• Headline News Recap

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

Avengers Campus Construction Will Close Red Car Trolley at DCA

Two new rides were announced recently for Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure, with construction set to begin in early 2025. This work will impact the Red Car Trolley barn, and the attraction will close in early 2025. A specific date hasn’t been announced, nor is it clear whether the closure is temporary or permanent.

Death Eaters Returning to Universal for Halloween Season

Death Eaters are a favorite fall sighting at Universal Orlando. UOR has confirmed that they will return to Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida for select dates between August 29 and November 3 this year.

Save on Select National Geographic Private Jet Itineraries

For a limited time, you can save $2,500 per person on select National Geographic Expeditions Private Jet departures. And if you’re a past Private Jet Guest you can save an additional $2,500 per person. This offer is available on the following 2025 departures and must be booked by Dec. 31, 2024:

• Around the World by Private Jet
  • Jan. 26, 2025 | March 23, 2025 | Oct. 30, 2025 | Jan. 1, 2026
• Australia and New Zealand by Private Jet
  • May 1, 2025
• A Northern Odyssey: Around the World by Private Jet
  • June 23, 2025

A brand new private jet itinerary is also available: Wildlife of the World: In Search of Pandas, Great Migration & Gorillas. This new 24-day itinerary departs on July 28, 2025, and takes guests through China, Rwanda, Madagascar, and more to learn about preservation and conservation efforts for unique habitats and species.

New Shops & Dining Coming to Downtown Disney District

Downtown Disney District continues its evolution, with several upcoming changes to the shopping and dining lineup announced this week.

Coming this winter, two new shops will open in the district. Look to Avengers Reserve for collectibles, apparel, accessories, and more featuring the eponymous superheroes and their amazing friends. And for those looking for trend-forward fashions, the D-Lander shop has you covered with apparel, accessories, and jewelry.

If you prefer to eat your purchases, take note that Marceline’s Confectionery is being reimagined and expanded into the Disney Wonderful World of Sweets. You’ll be able to stock up on your favorites such as churro toffee, caramel apples, and freshly made Werther’s Original Caramel popcorn, and also watch them made in an exhibition kitchen viewable from the promenade. The Marceline’s Confectionery cart will continue to serve guests until the new shop opens this winter.

Two new restaurant concepts are coming from Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori. Located in the former footprint of Tortilla Jo’s, one will be a full-service steakhouse, and the other will offer traditional BBQ dishes in a Quick Service format, including a prominent outdoor bar.

Finally, the under-construction Earl of Sandwich will run two restaurants in its under-construction location. On the ground floor, the Earl of Sandwich that we all knew was coming. On the second floor, a new Table Service concept called the Carnaby Tavern, which is “an homage to the swinging ‘60s ‘British Invasion’ pop and rock bands from the U.K.”. Look forward to an indoor-outdoor space with a large patio and a full bar.

Winnie the Pooh & Pooh Corner Reopened at Disneyland

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction reopened at Disneyland on Thursday, after its earlier closure as part of the transformation of Critter Country. Pooh Corner reopened along with it, featuring a new Blue Honeypot Apple as part of its sweet treats lineup. Louis’ Critter Club and Ray’s Berets, the other shops in the Pooh Corner store location will open at a later date.

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Begins

Disney World’s favorite fall Festival (OK yes, it’s the only one) kicked off on Thursday with 31 booths and many, many dishes. Our parks team was there to try it all, including all the cheese dishes on Emile’s Fromage Montage. (Review: 2024 Emile’s Fromage Montage at EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival.) If you’re planning a trip before Thanksgiving, keep an eye on the blog for Festival coverage over the next couple of weeks.

Halloween Horror Nights Begins at Universal Orlando

One of the year’s most awaited Halloween events began last night as Halloween Horror Nights kicked off in Universal Orlando. (The West Coast version at Universal Studios Hollywood kicks off later this week.) We sent an advance team from our Disney World crew and they had uh … thoughts … about the food. It looks good! The taste? Not so great. Maybe we shouldn’t have tried this the day after they ate everything at Food & Wine? Look for coverage of the event this week and next on the blog.

Scary Teddy Popcorn Bucket Coming to MNSSHP

Now that Halloween Horror Nights has started, Disney feels the need to update the “scare factor” at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? That’s probably not it, but we don’t know why Disney is bringing new merch to the event almost a month after it began. Something something supply lines something something. No matter what the reason is, the new Scary Teddy Popcorn Bucket will be available at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party beginning on September 2, while supplies last. It will also make an appearance at Disneyland at a later date.

Headline News Recap

We started off the week with dates for the maiden voyage of the Disney Destiny: The Disney Destiny Cruise Ship — Everything We Know So Far

This year’s After Hours events aren’t even concluded and already we have dates for next year! 2025 Disney World After Hours Dates and Details

Last but not least … Halloween is not over, Thanksgiving is not hear, but people planning Christmas trips need details! How Disneyland is Celebrating Christmas in 2024

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