MickeyBlog News for March 24th, 2025

This past week, an attraction closed forever, a new lounge opened, and Disney revealed details about another.

This has been a full week for MickeyBlog News. Here’s what you may have missed.

It Was Tough to Be a Bug!

When Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, everyone knew the deal. The animals were the attractions.

Anything else we got back then was a bonus, and Disney knew it. Then-CEO Michael Eisner cut the budget on a lot of stuff.

Photo: Walt Disney World

I’m still waiting on that promised Beastly Kingdom expansion that was coming a couple of years later.

Due to the small number of attractions, fans grew attached to everything from 1998.

Photo: Disney

One of those experiences was a show based on a semi-popular film at the time, Pixar’s A Bug’s Life.

While this is one of the least heralded Pixar titles, it’s still a lot of fun.

Even better, the story lends itself to a fun, relatable attraction, something Imagineers recognized.

So, when Animal Kingdom debuted, It’s Tough to Be a Bug! was there, ready to entertain guests for ten minutes.

When tourists headed to the Tree of Life, which everyone inevitably did, It’s Tough to Be a Bug! was there, ready to amuse.

It’s Tough to Be a Bug

Sadly, the show lost favor over the years because this Pixar property wasn’t as timeless as others.

Past a certain point, It’s Tough to Be a Bug! shows stopped selling out.

Tree of Life

To a larger point, entire sections of Animal Kingdom lost momentum once Pandora – The World of Avatar opened.

So, Disney chose to overhaul a significant percentage of the park.

It’s Tough to Be a Bug

As part of these changes, management decided to re-theme It’s Tough to Be a Bug! with a Zootopia story.

We knew the end was coming, we lamented it when we said goodbye, and we reflected on its history.  

Photo: Disney

Now, the show has closed permanently. It’s over, and we must all learn to say “zoogether” unironically.

Thanks for all the fun, It’s Tough to Be a Bug!. You provided a lovely respite on hot summer days.

Welcome to Lounge Season

As I’ve mentioned a few times, I’m a Disney Vacation Club member and have been for more than a decade now.

A few years ago, Disney did something wonderful. It opened the second floor of the Imagination! pavilion as a DVC lounge.

Photo: Disney

Let’s just say that I have spent a LOT of time here over the years.

While It’s Tough to Be a Bug! would get me out of the sun for 20-30 minutes, this lounge let me stay as long as I wanted. It’s bliss.

Instagram@DVC

DVC even throws in free snacks and beverages, thanks to a Coke Freestyle machine that I consider my friend.

Now, I can do the same thing at Frontierland in Magic Kingdom, as the newest DVC lounge has opened.

Photo: Disney

This one is called McKim’s Mile House, and our friends at Resort TV1 posted a video of the new place.

Obviously, you must be a qualifying member of DVC to use this place, which narrows down the number of people in the lounge.

Photo: Disney

I will say that the crowds on opening day absolutely shocked me, and McKim’s will probably be more crowded than EPCOT’s lounge.

That’s because Magic Kingdom hosts about 50 percent more guests than EPCOT.

Photo: Disney

So, McKim’s Mile House serves a purpose in giving members a break.

Still, this isn’t the lounge that should interest you. You’ll also find that one at EPCOT…

Introducing GEO-82

Spaceship Earth

For a long time, one of the best amenities at EPCOT wasn’t available to most guests.

Disney hosted a private lounge inside Spaceship Earth, providing exclusive access to corporate customers and a select few others.

Spaceship Earth in EPCOT

A few years ago, that place closed, and someone at Disney decided to do something brilliant.

Rather than keep the lounge secretive, Disney has transitioned it into something everyone can enjoy.

Photo: Disney

Enter GEO-82, the upcoming lounge at Spaceship Earth. I can assure you that this place will become wildly popular.

When you have drinks and/or shareables here, you can admire the classic EPCOT theming and also the view.

Celebration Gardens

The lounge overlooks parts of World Celebration Gardens and World Showcase Lagoon, making it a hot spot at the park.

There’s a catch, but I think you’ll like it. GEO-82 is only available for adults over the age of 21.

EPCOT

So, Disney is opening an adults-only oasis inside EPCOT’s most beloved landmark.

You should expect GEO-82 within the next few months, with Disney currently listing its opening as later in spring.

Disney Miscellany

EW

We’ve got a few other stories you should know. For starters, there was an actual fire at EPCOT’s World Showcase last night.

A backstage area near the France pavilion experienced a minor fire that caused billowing smoke visible throughout the park.

FOX

Disney explained the incident as a backstage cooler catching fire, which is pretty much the opposite of how coolers should work. #OneJob

Thankfully, nobody was injured, but some folks dining at the France pavilion got evacuated and couldn’t finish their meals.

On the bright side, you should know that Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros at EPCOT has finally reopened.

Also, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has updated its Fantasmic! showtimes, and you think you’re gonna like it.

At EPCOT, we all have a new friend. Meet the manatee living at The Seas with Nemo & Friends.

You should know that Disney has once again improved My Disney Experience as well. It just keeps getting better!

Grand Cottage

At the resorts, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is having an exciting month.

The wildly popular Grand Cottage has returned. It’s one of my favorite rites of passage during the spring.

Grand Cottage

But you should also know that the hotel will undergo refurbishment soon, which could impact your visit.

Disney Miscellany Part II

On the other side of the country, Storytellers Café has temporarily relocated during its refurbishment.

And Clarabelle will soon return to Goofy’s Kitchen. You can catch her from April 3^rd through May 9^th.

Back at Walt Disney World, you should be aware that free dining has returned for specific vacationers.

You need the Disney Visa for this particular discount. If you’re not sure whether you qualify, ask an agent at MickeyTravels.

Image: Nvidia

Finally, just because it’s awesome, here’s a look at the future of Disney visits.

Yes, Disney has brokered a deal with Nvidia, the hottest tech corporation in the world.

Photo: Variety

At some point in the not-too-distant future, AI-driven robot characters will appear at the parks.

And I’m talking about ones even more impressive than the BDX Droids!

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Feature Photo: Disney