We typically only highlight significant updates in full news posts on this site, but there have been so many small updates from the Disney parks recently we just needed to do a roundup that covers everything. Here’s the roundup of everything new…
Disney World After Hours Expanded
Disney has announced new dates for After Hours at Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Magic Kingdom. Check out our Review of After Hours at Animal Kingdom and Review of After Hours at Hollywood Studios if you’d like to know more.
Disney World Announces Summer One World Ticket
Disney announced a special Summer One World ticket for June 4 through August 28. This option allows you one admission to each of Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Blizzard Beach, and Typhoon Lagoon. We’ve got a full analysis of the Summer One World Ticket here.
New Premium MagicBand Options for Disney Hotel Guests
In addition to their complimentary MagicBand options, Disney is now offering Disney hotel guests the option to pay $10 + tax to upgrade to a premium MagicBand. Full coverage of the Premium MagicBand option, including all the designs, can be found here.
Rivers of Light: We Are One Debuts
We were never fans of Rivers of Light, the nighttime show at Animal Kingdom. Now, Disney has reimagined the show into Rivers of Light: We Are One. The new show debuts Friday, May 24. We won’t be able to see it for a while, but I’m sure reviews and videos will start showing up online as early as Saturday.
We’ve updated our Animal Kingdom Rides and Entertainment Guide to reflect the change.
Christmas Is Coming to Animal Kingdom
Disney is bringing expanded holiday offerings to Animal Kingdom beginning November 8. We’ve updated our Christmas at Walt Disney World post with further discussion.
DEBUNKED - Rumor: Winged Encounters Ending
UPDATED: The rumor has been debunked.
WDWNT reports on a rumor that Winged Encounters at Animal Kingdom is ending. If true, this would be a huge loss for the park, in our opinion. This is one of our few must-do experiences at Animal Kingdom and one that constantly leaves guests in awe.
Soarin’ Over California Temporarily Returning to Disney California Adventure
From June 1 through June 30, Soarin’ Over California will replace Soarin’ Around the World at Disney California Adventure. We’ve updated our Disneyland MaxPass and FASTPASS guide to reflect the expected increase in demand during this time.
Fantasy Springs Set to Open By 2023 In Tokyo Disney Resort
Disney announced the name of the new land scheduled to open by 2023 in Tokyo Disney Resort—Fantasy Springs. Longterm, there’s no Disney project that has us more excited. Tokyo Disney Resort is an amazing place, and Tokyo DisneySea is already arguably the best theme park in the world (we rank it #2).
Disney Announces Galaxy’s Edge Merchandise Details
If you’re unfamiliar with Disneyland, its fans are incredible zealots for new merchandise. To that end, Disney has announced details for Galaxy’s Edge merchandise, including that it will be sold outside the land and guests will be allowed to queue beginning at 2AM for the merchandise.
We’ll be at the Galaxy’s Edge opening and continue to update our Complete Guide to Galaxy’s Edge (AKA Star Wars Land).
Odds and Ends
Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge will be dedicated the evening of May 29, catch the livestream
After several months of refurbishments, Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park has reopened.
Disneyland will host a $299 hard ticket event on August 7 and 8 celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion.
Disney World has a new SuperZoom Photopass offering.
Galaxy’s Edge Guidemap details have been released, and you can view the land on the Disneyland app
ICYMI: H2O Glow Nights is returning to Typhoon Lagoon for summer 2019
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
Don't be overwhelmed by Disney World planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way.
Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide! If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney crowd calendars. For picking your hotel, check out our Walt Disney World hotels guide.
When it comes time to book, we've got you covered with posts on how to book cheap flights, how to get the best deal on your Disney hotel, and where to find discount Disney World tickets. And of course everyone wants to know whether or not they should get a dining plan—check out our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans!
Don't forget to master your Disney World FastPass+ strategy a few months in advance. We'll keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom FastPass, Epcot FastPass, Animal Kingdom FastPass, and Hollywood Studios FastPass.
Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, Epcot rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon!
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.
All Your Other Disneyland Planning Questions Answered
Don't be overwhelmed by Disneyland planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way.
Just starting out? Check out our Disneyland Planning Guide. If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney crowd calendars.
When it comes to hotels, we’ve got reviews of all three Disney hotels: Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. As for tickets, check out where to find discount Disneyland tickets.
Know what to ride with our: Disneyland Rides Guide and Disney California Adventure Rides Guide. And just as important, know how to get on the best rides without the wait with our Disneyland and Disney California Adventure FASTPASS and MaxPass Strategy! For the complete guides to a day at the park, we have a One Day Disneyland Itinerary and a One Day Disney California Adventure Itinerary.
We always recommend arriving at the parks early. If you can get access to Extra Magic Hour at Disney California Adventure or Extra Magic Hour and Magic Morning at Disneyland, you’ll have the most time in the parks. Even without those bonus hours, you’ll need to know Rope Drop Strategy at Disneyland and Rope Drop Strategy at Disney California Adventure.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.