Theme Park News
International Festival of the Holidays News
The holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort would not be complete without the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. This cherished event, running from November 29 to December 30, 2024, showcases holiday traditions, festivities, and flavors from around the world.
With over 15 Holiday Kitchens, guests are in for culinary delight. They can savor the new Coffee Mocha Cookie and explore the debut of the Holiday Kitchen, Favorites of Festivals Past. Returning favorites include the Slow-roasted Turkey and the Salted Caramel Spaceship Earth Cookie.
This year, EPCOT introduces a brand-new gingerbread display, transforming Spaceship Earth into a gingerbread spectacle. Visitors can view this new creation and explore additional attractions at CommuniCore Hall.
For those with a sweet tooth, the Holiday Cookie Stroll returns, offering a delectable lineup of cookies from the Holiday Kitchens. Guests can collect stamps in their Festival Passport by purchasing five cookie items, which can be redeemed for a special treat from Holiday Sweets & Treats.
In addition to sampling seasonal bites and drinks, guests can enjoy Holiday Storytellers, participate in Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt, or experience the heartwarming Candlelight Processional—a retelling of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator, orchestra, and choir.
New details about new restaurants and shops coming to Downtown Disney
Opening December 6, 2024, Avengers Reserve will captivate fans with its high-energy, industrial atmosphere featuring a 9-foot Hulk sculpture, Spider-Man atop the building, lighting effects, and gaming demonstrations. Inside, guests will find comic books, collectibles, superhero-inspired apparel, and toys for all ages, with regularly updated collections.
Also debuting on December 6, 2024, is the D-Lander Shop, offering trend-forward fashion and co-branded collections from brands like Kate Spade, Dooney & Bourke, and Pandora in a light, colorful setting with stylish fitting rooms.
Disney Wonderful World of Sweets will open this winter, offering an array of new confectionery delights and classic treats like caramel apples and freshly made Werther’s Original Caramel popcorn. Its whimsical interior includes exhibition kitchens with lively murals.
Parkside Market, opening this winter, will host four unique dining options under one roof, including Vista Parkside Market with craft cocktails, Seoul Sister with Korean-style bowls, Sip & Sonder for lattes and bites, and GG’s Chicken Shop for sandwiches and salads.
Porto’s Bakery and Café plans to offer its fan-favorite pastries and a first-ever sit-down service with a full bar. Meanwhile, Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori will bring Arthur & Sons Steak and Bourbon and Pearl’s Roadside BBQ, featuring classic steakhouse fare and flavorful BBQ, respectively, to the Downtown Disney District.
The LEGO Store is getting a makeover with new interior spaces and sculptural updates.
Celebrate the holiday season from November 15, 2024, to January 6, 2025, with festive decorations, special holiday menus, live music, and nightly snowfall at Downtown Disney. Guests can participate in Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail and enjoy other holiday activities.
Amid the excitement of these new additions, there's plenty to see and explore in Downtown Disney. Guests are invited to return again and again for ongoing festivities and updates.
Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando Resort's Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval returns to Universal Studios Florida from February 1 to March 30, 2025. This family-friendly event features nightly parades with vibrant floats, street performers, and a cascade of beads. Attendees can also indulge in cuisine inspired by New Orleans and international flavors, and on select nights, enjoy live performances by top musicians. Admission to Universal Mardi Gras is included with a standard ticket or a valid annual or seasonal pass (block-out dates apply). For an upgraded experience, guests can join the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience, which offers a spot on a parade float and a three-course meal at one of eight participating restaurants, such as The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar or Pat O’Brien’s. This celebration captures the global spirit of Carnaval and promises festive surprises, inviting all to carry on the magic together.
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