Disney Discussions Weekly Recap for the Week of February 2nd.
This week, Disney teases an OG Star Wars Trilogy character to appear in Galaxy‘s Edge, a Marvel teaser trailer is released, and another Animal Kingdom attraction closing date is announced.
Welcome to the 22nd edition of our Disney Discussions Weekly Recap. This week, I took a short trip to Walt Disney World and enjoyed the Festival of the Arts with friends. One day soon, I’ll post about that and our January trip. I need work to slow down a bit. :)
This week, Disney teases an OG Star Wars Trilogy character to appear in Galaxy‘s Edge, a Marvel teaser trailer is released, and another Animal Kingdom attraction closing date is announced.
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This Week’s Disney News 🐭
Walt Disney World News 🏰:
💵 What We Learned from the Q1 FY25 Earnings Call about Disney Parks and Experiences
Disney Confident in 6-8% Growth Projection for Experiences
Disney Treasure Off to a Strong Start
Lightning Lane Premier Rollout Moving Slowly
Summer and Holiday Bookings Looking Strong
source: WDWMAGIC
🐞 Closure Date Announced for It’s Tough to Be a Bug at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
According to the official Walt Disney World website, the attraction will close on March 16, 2025, to prepare for Zootopia: Better Zoogether! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in winter 2025. This show, an opening-day attraction since April 22, 1998, is located within the Tree of Life, the park's centerpiece.
source: WDWNT
🎶 Disney Shares Sneak Peek at New Original Song for Zootopia: Better Zoogether!
The Disney Parks Instagram shared a sneak peek of a new song for “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” featuring Ginnifer Goodwin, the voice of Judy Hopps, singing a few lines from the original track.
🏈 Walt Disney World to Host Super Bowl 59 Winners
Walt Disney World will host the Super Bowl 59 winners on February 10 at Magic Kingdom Park. The game features the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans.
source: DAPSMAGIC
🇲🇽 EPCOT's Mexico Pavilion Undergoing Exterior Maintenance Alongside Ride Closure
Scaffolding surrounds sections of the pyramid, indicating maintenance beyond the Gran Fiesta Tour's temporary closure. Recent permit filings suggest roofing work may be included, but Disney has not disclosed specific details. Despite construction, guests can still enter the pavilion to visit its restaurant, bar, and shops.
source: WDWMAGIC
🎹 Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk Closing This Spring
The Jellyrolls piano bar at Disney’s BoardWalk will close this spring and relocate. Jellyrolls announced on Instagram: “After nearly thirty years, we’re moving! Celebrate with us this spring and follow our social media for updates!” Disney hasn’t confirmed a replacement but may open a jazz club in 2026. The BoardWalk is undergoing renovations, including the openings of BoardWalk Deli, BoardWalk Ice Cream, Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, and The Cake Bake Shop. Big River Grille and Brewing Works closed last year.
source: WDWNT
🚜 South Florida Water Management District Approves Disney’s Tropical Americas Permit
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) approved Disney’s permit for the new Tropical Americas land at Animal Kingdom. As of February 6, 2025, the permit is “active” and expires on February 6, 2030. Known as “Project Ro,” the permit includes infrastructure modifications for re-theming DinoLand U.S.A. and stormwater management details. After filing last fall, Disney updated the permit per SFWMD’s request for more information.
source: WDWNT
Disneyland News:
🤖 Droid Depot at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland Will No Longer Offer Reservations
The Disneyland Resort website announced that the Droid Depot in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will stop reservations and only accept walk-ups starting March 17, 2025. Meanwhile, the Droid Depot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios still requires reservations and full payment in advance.
source: WDWNT
💰 Disney Purchases Large Warehouse in Anaheim, Could Relate to Disneyland Expansion
The Walt Disney Company has acquired industrial property in Anaheim, California, previously leased to Disneyland. Disney purchased the warehouse from JPMorgan Chase & Co. for $124 million, having acquired it in 2018. Disneyland Resort has relocated backstage facilities to allow for expansion through Disneyland Forward. This purchase may be linked to that strategy, or Disney might prefer owning the building outright instead of leasing it.
source: WDWNT
🎫 Disneyland Resort Offers Complimentary Tickets to Heroes of Los Angeles Fires
The Los Angeles Fires this year devastated many Southern California residents, destroying tens of thousands of homes and businesses. First responders quickly stepped up to help. Disneyland Resort announced a special Heroes Ticket for eligible California firefighters and LA law enforcement, offering two complimentary One Day Park Hopper tickets—one for the responder and one for a guest.
source: DAPSMAGIC
🐍 Indiana Jones Adventure to Close for Refurbishment Shortly After 30th Anniversary at Disneyland Park
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland, which will close for refurbishment this spring. Other attractions closing then include “it’s a small world” and The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
source: WDWNT
🚀 Disney Teases Luke Skywalker Meet and Greet at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Disney Parks teased Luke’s arrival with a social media video featuring him and R2-D2 in front of the Millennium Falcon at Galaxy’s Edge. They announced more details will come on February 10, 2025, using hashtags #SeasonOfTheForce and #Disneyland, indicating the meet and greet will only be at Disneyland, not Disney World. Season Of The Force celebrates May the 4th and runs from March 28 to May 11, 2025. The video hints Luke will appear as his younger self from the time of “The Mandalorian,” dressed in his black Jedi outfit with a black glove on his right hand.
Muppet News 🐸 :
Disney Cruise Line News 🛳️ :
🚢 Multiple Companies Will Operate New Disney Cruise Ship in Japan
Oriental Land Company, operator of Tokyo Disney Resort, partnered with two Japanese firms to offer Disney cruises from Japan. This agreement involves Oriental Land Company, LLC., along with Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha and Yusen Cruises Co., Ltd., collectively called the “Nippon Yusen Group.”
source: WDWNT
Disney Entertainment News 🎬:
🌞Phineas And Ferb Revival Series Gets The Most Fitting Release Window On Disney+
The revival will feature 40 new episodes over two seasons, premiering this summer on Disney Channel and Disney+. The beloved series, which aired from 2007 to 2015, follows stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb on their summer adventures, often frustrating their sister, Candace.
🦸🏽 First Official Teaser Trailer Released for Marvel Studios’ ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’
Disney Discussions Recent Archive:
🧚 Pixie Dust ✨
Fun Facts: 📬
The Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom, currently under refurbishment, features an official Presidential Seal. There are only three such seals in the world: one in the White House, one in Philadelphia's Liberty Bell Center, and this one in Disney World.
📸 Magic Shots of the Week:
Enjoy 20 seconds of riding the Liberty Belle. I recently rode it for the first and probably last time at Walt Disney World.
We all have favorite photos from our Disney vacations. I will share one of mine each week, but I would also love to include yours! Please email your Disney photo to photos@disneydiscussions.com, and I’ll feature it in a future weekly recap.
🌟 Disney Tip of the Week:
This week, we found the best water fountain in EPCOT. The water was cold and good tasting. It’s between Japan and Morocco, right here!
Do you have a favorite water fountain at the parks? Leave a comment and let us know!