MickeyBlog News for April 14th, 2025
Let’s figure out all the MickeyBlog News for the past ten days!
And I’m going to be learning at the same time as you as I missed virtually everything while on vacation!
Changes at the Grand Floridian
The Grand Floridian
Instead of our usual format of one or two big stories and a handful of minor ones, I’m going to do some catch-up.
We’ve got several mid-major stories to cover, starting with the renovations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Photo: Disney
Management just revealed the artist’s renderings for the upcoming renovations in the hotel lobby.
Since this space remains vital to the Walt Disney World vacation experience, Disney has placed plenty of thought into the changes.
Photo: Disney
Here are the first images of the Grand Floridian of tomorrow.
You’ll note it keeps the classic elements while modernizing the space.
There’s just one little problem. The totality of the changes will prevent Disney from operating the Gingerbread House this year.
Yeah, I know. I found out the same morning I booked a Disney trip this November, which is when it’s supposed to be there.
Grand Floridian Lobby
Our temporary sacrifice will lead to a better tomorrow at the Grand Floridian, though. So, there’s that.
Summer Discounts
Photo: Disney
This news may alter your plans for when you take your next Disney World vacation.
Well, I’ve got another tidbit that could play a factor as well.
Disney
Disney just confirmed yet another summer discount. Park officials aren’t messing around with their summer plans.
Disney is acutely aware of the impending opening of Universal Epic Universe, which has received glowing early reviews.
Not to be outdone, Disney is offering several unusually good deals to remind fans which park they love best.
We’ve gotten to the point where there are so many of them that you probably can’t even keep up.
MickeyTravels can book your next Disney vacation!
That’s where MickeyTravels comes into play. These Authorized Disney Vacation Planners know every deal in the book.
So, they can find the vacation package you need, and they’ll do it free of charge! And you can’t beat free.
D23 Details
Then again, there’s another trip you might want to make. The 2025 Destination D23 event is happening sooner than you think.
We’re about four and a half months away from the next theme park panel that will reveal Disney’s future.
While Disney admittedly announced plenty at D23 last August, there’s still a ton we don’t know.
Destination D23 will fill in many of the blanks, as park officials announce other new experiences coming soon.
Photo: Disney
You’ll want to be there – everyone should! – and that means you should act fast!
Tickets go on sale starting tomorrow! You can read all the details here, and we listed all of this year’s experiences for you, too.
D23 has become a bucket list item for Disney fans, and there’s no time like the present to make your dreams come true!
Theme Park News
Test Track 3.0 Ride Vehicle Testing
In park news, we caught a glimpse of the new ride vehicles at Test Track 3.0.
This is one of the many reasons why you should follow MickeyBlog on social media.
Our eagle-eyed reporters break news like this seemingly every day!
As proof, if you’re anything like me, you had no idea that Disney’s Blizzard Beach has been selling out lately.
Photo: DIsney
This recent popularity at this water park has caused Disney to reopen Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon soon.
Simply stated, water park demand outweighs supply, and Disney is doing something about it.
Blizzard Beach 30th Anniversary Celebration
Until then, you should expect to park at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and take free transportation to the water park at times.
Blizzard Beach has legitimately become that popular as the only water park option at Disney.
Photo: Dr. Mark Penning on Instagram
The other big theme park news involves cute critters, as Disney has introduced us to a few of them lately.
Meet Lyra, a griffon vulture you’ll find at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
While I wouldn’t say Lyra is as cute as Bakso, neither am I. That’s a high bar to clear. But she is so sweet!
Somehow, she’s not the only new resident at the park. Take a look at these three baby otters!
I think my heart just grew three sizes just by seeing them.
Disney Miscellany
We’ve got several theme park and hotel updates and other Disney news items I’ll lump together.
For starters, the Fantasia Pool has reopened at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. That’s a huge relief for tired parents.
Photo: Disney
Also, in case the calendar didn’t warn you, Easter is next Sunday. So, here are Disneyland’s and Walt Disney World’s events.
While we’re at it, here’s a timeline of all the debuts occurring during Disneyland 70 this year.
Image: Walt Disney World
Circling back to Animal Kingdom, Earth Day fans can celebrate the park’s birthday via some limited-time Magic Shots.
At EPCOT, the big news is that DiveQuest is finally returning this summer after an extended absence.
Image Credit: Disney
Then, we have the welcome change at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where Woody’s Lunch Box finally has shade!
At Disneyland, the Pixar Pals parking garage experienced a fire.
On the bright side, we did learn the themes for the 2026 runDisney half-marathon weekend events.
In other restaurant news, Sebastian’s Bistro has reopened at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.
The popular seafood joint was sorely missed while Disney was remodeling.
And speaking of remodeling, the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin repurposed some of its space into something better.
Lagoon: Games, Lanes & Eats is now open, and it’s a destination location for gamers.
Think a Disney-fied version of Dave & Buster’s. It’s about like that. Here’s a quick review I found:
Finally, for those planning to attend, you should know that Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite tickets go on sale soon.
Photo: Disney
The two parties occur in June, but tickets are available as of April 16th for Magic Key holders and April 17th for everyone else.
These tickets WILL sell out, so act fast!
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Feature Photo: Disney
