It’s February 2025 and this month, art is at Epcot and princesses will be running around the parks later in the month. The Disney news in the beginning of the year brought us some dates to note for things that are closing. We’ve got everything you need to know here for planning purposes. We’ll take a look at lots of upcoming dates to know about for 2025 along with our regular line up of recent news.
Disney World News Dates to Remember February 2025
Here we have some dates related to Disney World news February 2025 and beyond.
January 17 – February 24 | Epcot Festival of the Arts
February 1 | Celebrate Soulfully offerings across Disney World for Black History Month
February 21-24 | Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
May 10 | Last day to dine at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
June 7 | Last day to enjoy Muppet Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo
What’s New at Disney World February 2025
What’s New at Epcot’s Art Festival?
At the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, CommuniCore Hall has a new, walk through Disney on Broadway experience. This ties in with the show series in the America Gardens Theatre. The event runs from January 17th through February 24th in 2025.
Muppet Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, Mama Melrose Closing Dates Announced
Disney has shared the final operating dates of some Disney’s Hollywood Studios attractions. These will be closing in order to make room for the Monster Inc land at Hollywood Studios.
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano’s final day open is May 10th, 2025.
Muppet Vision 3D’s final day open is June 7th, 2025.
PizzeRizzo’s final day open is June 7th, 2025.
Muppet Coaster Story Revealed
We also got an exciting update about the Muppets addition to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. We already know the Muppets will be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster after leaving the other side of the park. However, the Disney Parks Blog revealed the gang is “teaming up with some of music’s biggest stars for a rockin’ music festival!” That’s kind of a big deal. The music festival story approach makes it so multiple acts can take the place of Aerosmith. At this point it could be anyone!
Opening in 2025 at Disney World
As a reminder we have the following new additions or reopenings to look forward to at Disney World this year:
- Late Spring: Spaceship Earth Lounge at Epcot
- Summer: Disney Starlight parade at Magic Kingdom
- Summer: Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Summer: Little Mermaid Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Late Summer: Test Track reopening at Epcot
- Late 2025: Pirates lounge at Magic Kingdom
- Winter 2025: Zootopia: Better Zoogether!
See more: What’s coming to Disney World in 2025?
What’s Closing at Disney World in 2025?
There are also some things closing. In January the following closed at Disney World:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed for year plus refurbishment
- Astro Orbiter closed for refurbishment, planned to reopen this summer
- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros closed for refurbishment and will reopen March 15th
- Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom closed for refurbishment and will reopen some time in March of 2025
- Dinoland U.S.A. also started its phased permanent closure but the Dinosaur attraction is still open
See more of what’s closing at Disney World in 2025 and for additional refurbishments, see our Disney World refurbishment schedule.
Celebrate Soulfully at Disney Parks
Just in time for Black History Month, Disney has some additional offerings. The Disney Parks Blog says Celebrate Soulfully includes “experiences that honor Black heritage and culture through music, food, art and entertainment.” Here are some highlights happening at Walt Disney World:
- On February 1st, a special parade at Magic Kingdom will kick off the month with Tamron Hall as Grand Marshal, Disney characters, lively music and displays. This starts around 3:00 p.m. but Festival of Fantasy is also on the calendar for that day. It’s likely this is an addition in front of Festival of Fantasy.
- A special Princess Tiana Peach Cobbler dessert available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and various resort hotels.
See all of the Celebrate Soulfully offerings.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
Disney has announced the talent performing at the flower and garden festival concert series for 2025.
March 7-8 – Tommy DeCarlo, former lead singer of Boston
March 9-10 – Air Supply – 50th Anniversary Celebration
March 14-15 – Blue October
March 16-17 – Rick Springfield
March 21-22 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
March 23-24 – 38 Special
March 28-29 – Jason Scheff, longtime singer of Chicago
March 30-31 – TBD
April 4-5 – THE ORCHESTRA Starring ELO and ELO Part II Former Members
April 6-7 – Sugar Ray
April 11-12 – Simple Plan
April 13-14 – Jo Dee Messina
April 18-19 – Mike DelGuidice
April 20-21 – A Flock of Seagulls
April 25-26 – Taylor Dayne
April 27-28 – 98 Degrees
May 2-5 – Plain White T’s
May 9-10 – Jon Secada
May 11-12 – Maverick City Music (NEW)
May 16-17 – The Spinners
May 18-19 – The Pointer Sisters
May 23-24 – The Outlaws (NEW)
May 25-26 – Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles
May 30-31 – The Cat Empire (NEW)
June 1-2 – We The Kingdom (NEW)
Grand Floridian Pool Refurbishment
In the colder months we often see Disney do refurbishment work on water rides, pools and such. That’s just what’s happening over at the Grand Floridian. There is more than one pool so if the weather allows you will still be able to take a swim at the Grand. Disney has updated their site with this:
“Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is currently undergoing refurbishment. Guests will be able to see and hear construction during daytime hours. Most Resort hotel amenities will remain available. Please allow for extra travel time.
The Courtyard Pool, spa, and Courtyard Pool Bar at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are scheduled to be closed from January 27, 2025, through late February 2025, for routine maintenance on the Courtyard Pool building.”
BoardWalk Merchandise Refurbishments
We’ve seen many different refurbishments at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas from the rooms, to the lobby and even restaurants outside on the BoardWalk. This resort has been transformed over the last few years, especially the selection of restaurants available to visitors.
Now merchandise locations on the BoardWalk will be getting an update. Disney says from January 2025 to May 2025, the merchandise locations on Disney’s BoardWalk will be refurbished. This will happen in phases. Two of the merchandise locations will remain available throughout the refurbishment. Guests may see and hear construction activity in the area during the refurbishment period.
More Villains Show Story Shared
More has been shared about the Hollywood Studios Disney Villains show that opens this year.
The show features many Disney Villains thanks to the Magic Mirror’s capabilities on glass (screens). It seems only Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent will appear in person but we’ll have to wait and see. From the concept art it looks like quite a few obscure characters make a cameo. The villains will be trying to convince us that they had a rough time unlike the stories say.
Magic Kingdom Night Parade Updates
The Disney Parks Blog has shared additional details about the Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away night time parade coming to Magic Kingdom this summer. New concept art featuring a Disney Princess float was shared. It has Aurora and Prince Phillip, Tiana and Prince Naveen, Cinderella and her prince and Belle and Beast. Glimmering, light up costumes are part of the parade as well. No debut date has been shared yet, we just know it will step off this summer.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass Now Available for All Visitors
The most luxurious version of the paid skip the line offering at Disney World is now available for all visitors. It debuted for deluxe resort hotel guests then rolled out to guests of all Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Lightning Lane Premier Pass allows those who purchase it to return to each Lightning Lane in the park once and at the time of their choosing. No planning is involved outside of buying it. This is quite different than the Lightning Lane Multi Pass which allows you to ride multiple attractions but only based on availability. With Multi Pass you can select three in advance and then book additional return times when you use one of your bookings. Premier Pass costs quite a bit more but gives you the freedom to ride as you want.
Resort guests still have an advantage as they are able to book it seven days out. Everyone else can book three days out. This offering does sell out, especially during peak times. If you aren’t able to secure Multi Pass options you want, check the day of and see what’s available at that time. You are able to modify selections and return times.
DVC ROFR January 2025
In January of 2025, there were no DVC ROFR buybacks. This is great news for potential buyers. Whenever there are buybacks, we go over them and the high price Disney paid per point in a monthly blog post. You can also keep up with the 2025 DVC ROFR annual stats as they happen, or don’t, in our ongoing post throughout the year. See our 2024 DVC ROFR annual stats for a look at the whole last year.
Transfer Point Changes
Some changes have been made to the way you can transfer DVC points. If you’re unfamiliar, you are able to transfer your points to another Member or have them transfer theirs to you. This can happen once per use year and must be with someone you know, not for compensation. If you excitedly use your Membership every year, you may not be thinking about these kinds of additional Membership features. However, if you’re friends with other Members or have family also in the Club, you may want to vacation together at some point. It’s now possible to transfer banked or borrowed points to another Member. Read more about the updates here: Can You Transfer Disney Vacation Club Points?
Florida Resident Discounted Ticket Offer
Walt Disney World announced the special ticket offer for Florida residents is returning this year. Now on sale, the Florida Resident Discover Disney ticket has a 4 day ticket offer for $240 plus tax and a 3 day ticket at $225 plus tax. Tickets are valid from January 13, 2025 through May 23, 2025 and do not need to be used on consecutive days. An advance park reservation is needed in order to use these tickets. Park Hopper Option and Water Park and Sports Options are also available for an additional price. If you’re a Member and Florida resident, who visits early in the year, this can be a helpful opportunity, especially for savings.
New Voices of Liberty Costumes Debut
It’s an exciting time over in World Showcase. The beloved Voices of Liberty wear new costumes in their show in the rotunda of The American Adventure Pavilion. Prior to the 2020 closure, the Voices wore colonial attire, fitting in with the building and historical feel of this area of the park. Since returning the performers in this show wore plain, modern outfits in patriotic colors for regular shows. For the holiday shows, they appear as carolers, wearing gowns and suits right out of a Charles Dickens scene.
The new Voices of Liberty costumes debuted at the 2025 Epcot International Festival of the Arts event. The coordinating colors are inspired by a vintage American flag. The movement needs are taken into account for each performer, assuring the garments allow them to comfortably do their show. The Disney Parks Blog has a neat article detailing the process.
Recent DVC Updates
If you were busy over the holidays you may have missed some of these top stories and updates.
- DVC Maintenance Fees for 2025 have been shared.
- The Polynesian Island Tower opened last month including the new restaurant Wailulu Bar and Grill and the unique Terrace Gardens viewing spaces.
What’s not back at Disney World as of February 2025?
Disney closed and reopened in 2020 as a totally different place. Over the years, exciting milestones have taken place like character interactions returning. However many offerings never came back or are still on hold. We do our best to continue to share things as they come back. The Disney World news February 2025 update did not bring any major, recent returns.
DVC Resale Experts Can Help, Disney World News February 2025 and Beyond
Does this Disney World news February 2025 edition leave you needing more Disney trips?
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