The 9 biggest Disney World news stories from this week

We’re back!  We took a week off for a little vacation. A lot of Disney news took place, and we will recap the major highlights shortly. But first, where did we go when we entered the real World Showcase for vacation? We started as we usually do, heading right – to Canada. And in Quebec City, we found some very familiar scenes – down to a new Disney merch collection. 

In Quebec City, we came upon the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, which resembles the iconic Hotel du Canada in EPCOT’s Canada Pavilion. While it is not the official inspiration for the building – that goes to the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa – we must admit it is a dead ringer for the Frontenac. Both come with a special restaurant at the base of the hotels called Le Cellier. While the Disney version is a steakhouse, the one in Canada has a more diverse menu.

A large part of a Disney trip is the merch, and in Canada, we were not disappointed. We came upon a new line of Disney merch by Desigual, yes there is a store at Orlando International Airport, but we did not guess we would find this display in Quebec.

So, it feels as if we never left Orlando and Disney. But we did, and now we are back, so let’s fly through the big news.

“Tron: Ares” Overlay Coming to Magic Kingdom:  Starting Sept. 15, TRON Lightcycle / Run will be completely transformed with a new overlay inspired by the upcoming Walt Disney Studios film, Tron: Ares. You’ll be thrust into a world of striking new visuals as the Grid shifts from its signature blue to a menacing red, mirroring the aesthetics of the new movie. Your high-speed journey will be powered by a custom soundtrack from the legendary industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, Tron: Ares theatrical release is on Oct. 10. 

Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics Figure Coming to Disney World: The Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom, created by Walt Disney himself, is getting a new Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney. The animatronic, now on display at Disneyland, will welcome Magic Kingdom guests and introduce the show in a newly created scene. Is this going to be a great big, beautiful tomorrow? We’ll have to wait and see.

Cinderella Castle Changing Color Scheme: A new look, or maybe more like the castle’s old look.  Since debuting in 1971, Cinderella Castle has undergone several significant updates to enhance its magical appeal. The current pink look came for the 50th anniversary celebration. The color was not really a big hit, but it has lasted. Now the 189-foot landmark will be updated to bring back the original look with shades of gray, cream, blue, and hints of gold.

Disney Reveals Architectural Inspirations for Villains-Themed Land: 

To gather ideas for the upcoming Villains-themed land at Magic Kingdom (no timetable has been announced), Walt Disney Imagineers recently visited various global destinations, including Paris, areas around France, and Barcelona. There, they met with local experts and explored cultural landmarks.  The team studied Art Nouveau architecture design and the unique form, scale, and color that define this style, which flourished in the late 1800s. Through partnerships with local professors, along with art and architectural historians, Imagineers received a firsthand look at the architectural aesthetics that will serve as the overall design inspiration for the land.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Changes: Some changes are coming to  Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort this October. The experience will soon feature a special appearance from the Fairy Godmother herself.  In addition, the current menu of many different package options is being simplified. This change is designed to make it easier and more streamlined for families to choose the perfect package for their little one’s royal makeover. While Disney has not yet released the specific details of the new packages, the goal is to create a more straightforward and enchanting experience for all aspiring knights and princesses.

SpaceShip Earth Closed for Refurbishment: Epcot’s icon closed on Aug. 25 and is expected to reopen later this year. The ride system will be looked at, and there are rumors of new display screens being installed. 

Boneyard Playground Closed: The Boneyard playground at Animal Kingdom has officially closed as DinoLand U.S.A. transforms into Tropical Americas land. DINOSAUR and Restaurantosaurus remain open Feb. 2, with the last day of business on Feb. 1. There is now a detour to get to the ride and the restaurant at a pathway near the Theater in the Wild, which is home to Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! Just before you reach the theater, take a right turn onto the open portion of the former Dino-Rama walkway. This route will lead you directly to the entrance of DINOSAUR and the nearby restaurant. 

Kali River Rapids Refurbishment Announced: Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom is scheduled to close for its yearly maintenance starting Oct. 6. The attraction is expected to reopen to guests in December.

All-Star Movies Kiddie Pool Closing for Refurbishment: Starting Monday, Sept. 8, the Fantasia kiddie pool and water play area will be temporarily closed for maintenance. It is expected to reopen in late October. While the kiddie pool undergoes its work, the larger Fantasia Feature Pool and the Duck Pond Pool will remain open for guests to enjoy. For those who still want a dedicated splash zone for their kids, you can also use the kiddie pools at Disney’s All-Star Music and All-Star Sports Resorts.