We know it’s a huge bummer when a ride in Disney World is closed for updates or maintenance, especially if it’s one of your favorite rides.

Hollywood Studios

However, this is how Disney maintains all the rides in the park, and that means we have to deal with rides being closed from time to time. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been closed since January, with a reopening timeline of summer 2024, and most recently, with indications that the coaster would reopen on July 27th. However, it looks like the ride will reopen WELL before that time!

We checked the Disney World website for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster hours and discovered that hours are listed for the ride as of July 1st. Yep, that’s only in a few days! This would put its reopening ahead of schedule by four weeks! Now, we’re used to things taking LONGER in Disney World, so this is certainly some welcome news.

©Disney

This is the second temporary maintenance closure for the ride — it received a refurbishment in 2023 after breaking down for several days in a row in the past. However, this seemed to be just a partial fix for its many issues. We spoke with a Cast Member in 2023 about this most recent closure and a Cast member told us it hadn’t had a full refurbishment since the parks reopened in 2020. This lengthier closure gave Disney a chance to give the ride a little extra TLC, which it seemed to need.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

This is great news for those who plan on visiting Disney World for the busy 4th of July long weekend: having another ride open will help at least scatter a bit of the crowds in Hollywood Studios. If you are headed to Disney World for the holiday, though, just know that it’s probably going to be very busy: Orlando is the #2 destination in the U.S. for folks traveling for the 4th, and a lot of those people are headed to Disney World.

Heavy crowds at the front of EPCOT on the 4th of July in 2023

If you want to grab a ride on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster without waiting in what could be a long standby line, consider purchasing Genie+ to grab a spot in the ride’s shorter Lightning Lane. That could save you a lot of time, especially during peak crowds over the holiday week.

Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Lightning Lane

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

Full List of Important Disney World Closures You Should Plan Around in 2025

Will you be headed to Disney World soon? Are you excited about Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster reopening early? Let us know in the comments!

The post NEWS: New Update Confirms EARLY Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster OPENING DATE in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.

Move over, Gen X and Millennials, Gen Z is TAKING over Disney World.

Flounder of Reason Colada

Yes, that means we’re seeing a lot of changing trends, and NEW trends happening at the parks. For example, Gen Z tends to prioritize flexibility in their travel over other generations. Gen Z is also prioritizing quick service/fast food and takeout over table service restaurants. However, there’s another way Gen Z is changing Disney World, and, over the past few years, we’ve seen Disney World respond to this new trend.

In 2022, a study showed that Gen Z is drinking less alcoholic beverages than previous generations. (Now you might immediately think, “Not all Gen Z is of drinking age” but the study looked at percentages and took that into account!) The difference between Gen Z and previous generations is significant: 38% of Gen Z surveyed said they planned to drink more non-alcoholic drinks in 2022 than the year before. Their reasoning was mostly for health, as well as the “sober curious” movement, which focuses on mindful consumption of alcohol (think “Dry January”).

Gen Z is drinking less alcohol

That might be a good thing for Gen Z, but it’s taking a toll on restaurants, including restaurants at Disney World. Restaurants typically make about 30% of their profits from alcohol sales, so, thanks to Gen Z, they’re taking a big hit. However, restaurants at Disney World are starting to respond to this Gen Z trend by offering more mocktails on menus.

Mocktails at Narcoossee’s

Now, Disney World already has a decent selection of non-alcoholic beverages (that aren’t soda) that are already pretty popular with visitors, like the Frozen Mint Tea at the Morocco Pavilion in EPCOT, LeFou’s Brew from Gaston’s Tavern, the Night Blossom at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and more. However, many restaurants are adding more non-alcoholic specialties to their menus than ever before targeted specifically at adults.

LeFou’s Brew

For example,  The BOATHOUSE in Disney Springs recently added four new mocktails to their menu, including the Tart Cherry Limeade, the Mint Berry Wave, the Blueberry Lavender Fizz, and the Redbull Punch. As you can tell, many of these drinks would appeal more to adults than kids.

Redbull Punch ©Boathouse

The Coca-Cola Rooftop Beverage Bar in Disney Springs currently has a robust mocktail menu that even includes a mocktail flight where you can try three of the mocktails available there. A mocktail flight, y’all!

©Disney

At Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, there’s a separate section on the menu for two non-alcoholic mocktails, the Pink London Spritzer and the Agave Garden. We’re starting to see more restaurant menus actually list non-alcoholic beverages like this under “Mocktails” or under “Zero Proof” on the menu.

©Disney

One of our favorite restaurants, Nomad Lounge in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, also has a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks that are targeted more at adults than kids. Think of these as your grown-up non-alcoholic drinks! This is something we’re also seeing coming to more bars and lounges in Disney World.

©Disney

The trend is continuing, and we expect to see even more mocktails added to Disney World menus. These new thoughtfully-crafted cocktail menus should appeal to Gen Z, while also recouping some of the cost that Disney World is losing in alcohol sales due to their higher price points than other non-alcoholic beverages.

We’ll keep an eye out for more menu changes and mocktail additions to Disney World menus, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

The Best Drinks at Disney World (Both Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic)

Do you tend to drink mocktails at Disney World when they’re readily available? Let us know in the comments!

The post A Radical Gen Z Drinking Trend Is Taking Over Disney World Restaurants first appeared on the disney food blog.

It’s official: hurricane season is here. That means we’ve been watching the weather EXTRA closely — especially what’s happening in the Atlantic Ocean.

Hurricane Ian in Disney World

Hurricane season usually runs from June 1st through November 30th, and experts have already predicted that 2024 could be the worse hurricane season than in previous years. Now, the first big tropical storm of the season is heading toward the Caribbean, and it’s expected to become a hurricane. That could mean Disney Cruises headed to the Caribbean could be impacted by this storm.

According to The Associated Press, Tropical Storm Beryl is barreling toward the southeast Caribbean and could strengthen enough to become the first hurricane of 2024 before it reaches Barbados tomorrow, June 30th. A hurricane watch has already been issued for Barbados as it is expected to become a Category 2 hurricane before it reaches the country.

This could be an especially dangerous time for Barbados because this weekend marks the Twenty20 World Cup cricket final, which is being played in the country’s capital of Bridgetown.

©NOAA

Beryl is the second named storm of the season. Previously, Tropical Storm Alberto came ashore in Mexico with heavy rains that resulted in fatalities. Beryl is a bit of a rare storm, though. According to Florida-based hurricane expert Michael Lowry, “Only five named storms on record have formed in the tropical Atlantic east of the Caribbean.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted that the 2024 hurricane season is going to be higher than average, and are expecting between 17 to 25 named storms, with up to 13 of those as hurricanes and at least four major hurricanes.

©NOAA

A tropical wave located a few hundred miles south of the Cabo Verde Islands is currently being carefully looked at, too. The NOAA believes environmental conditions could develop this system, with it forming a tropical depression next week as it continues to move west. Its chance of formation is currently 40%. Its current formation chance over the next 7 days is 60%. If it forms before any other systems, it would be named Chris.

©NOAA

We’ll be keeping a close eye on all the developments this hurricane season and keep you updated, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

6 Essentials You Need to Conquer Hurricane Season in Disney World

Have you ever seen a tropical storm or hurricane? Share your experience in the comments!

The post NEWS: Experts Warn Tropical Storm Beryl Is Expected to Become Hurricane Soon first appeared on the disney food blog.

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video covering all the latest Disney news!

The Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Parade!

Disney is CHANGING Genie+, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is officially OPEN, and we’ve got MAJOR Disney holiday reveals, along with so much more!

All the latest Disney Parks news is coming up right now on DFB Guide.

By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode!

So check out the video and then let us know: Which Disney news of the week are you the most excited about?

The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: Disney is Changing Genie+, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is OPEN & More! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Disney World dropped a lot of news on us this past week!

Lightning Lane changes are coming!

This past week we got lots of information about the holidays at Disney World during Halfway to the Holidays, and we also got information about new changes coming to Disney World’s paid skip-the-line service. It feels like we finally just got Genie+ down after saying goodbye to the FastPass+ system, but now that is all about to change again on July 24th. 

Lightning Lane is still going to exist in Disney World, but it will no longer be called Genie+. Although the system will still work in a similar manner where you can pay to skip the line, you will now be able to make your selections in advance, kind of like how you used to with FastPass+. Although the system has not debuted yet, here is what we know so far.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass are coming soon.

Genie+ will now be Lightning Lane Multi-Pass and Individual Lightning Lanes will now become Lightning Lane Single Pass. Beginning July 24th, 2024, you will be able to make Lightning Lane selections before you are in the parks. Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass are still both optional services that cost extra. Standby lines will still be available, but if you wish to experience attractions with a shorter wait time, you can purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass, or both. 

Kali River Rapids Lightning Lane sign in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

With the introduction of this new service, Disney World is bringing back the tier system. When you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass in advance you will be able to pick three rides from the two tiers. One ride from tier one and two rides from tier two. Disney’s Animal Kingdom only has one tier, so you won’t have to worry about deciding between rides in the top tier. However, in the other theme parks, you will need to choose which rides are your biggest priority. Many of the most popular rides are in tier one, and you will only be able to select one of those in advance. 

Lightning Lane sign for Tower of Terror in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Lightning Lane Single Pass will be similar to Individual Lightning Lane as an a-la-carte service. However, you will now be able to make your selections in advance. You will be able to book up to two Lightning Lane Singles Passes per day, and this service is for the most in-demand rides in the parks. The rides that are a part of Lightning Lane Single Pass are Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, TRON Lightcycle / Run, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Avatar Flight of Passage.  

Frozen Ever After Lightning Lane sign in EPCOT

Booking in advance, the tier system, and being able to hold three Lightning Lane Multi Passes at a time are the biggest differences with the new system. Disney World hotel guests and guests of other select resorts will have the opportunity to choose their Lightning Lane Multi-Pass selections and Lightning Lane Single Pass selections up to seven days before their check-in day. You will be able to begin booking your selections at 7AM ET. 

Haunted Mansion Lightning Lane Sign

This is where the bad comes into play for those who are not staying at one of the select hotels that allow you to make your selections seven days in advance. For others, like local Annual Passholders or those who are not staying at Disney World hotels (or other select hotels), they will only be able to make their selections three days in advance of their first park visit. That means that anyone staying at one of the select hotels will have already been able to make their selections, and it is likely that there will not be as many options available. 

Lightning Lane

As well, Annual Passholders who don’t plan their trip very far in advance may find a limited selection of time slots available if they do choose to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass. However, Standby Lines will still be available so Annual Passholders or last minute planners can always utilize those instead of purchasing Lightning Lanes if they are planning a last minute trip. Those staying at a Disney World hotel or other select hotel will find that they have the most options available if they book right when their window opens seven days in advance.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

One of the perks of being an Annual Passholder is being able to go into the parks whenever you please. This got a little dicey with park pass reservations and park hopping rules, but these rules have started to be relaxed, giving Annual Passholders more freedom again. Local Annual Passholders who wish to use this new service will have to plan their park visit three days in advance. This can take away from the spontaneity of owning an Annual Pass and being able to make trips on a whim. There are so many things at Disney World that seem as if they need to be planned out ahead of time and now that is the case once again with the updated Lightning Lane system. 

Expedition Everest Lightning Lane

We have not had an opportunity to test the system since it rolls out officially on July 24th, so we will have to wait and see if this new system makes planning a trip to Disney World easier. No pricing has been announced for the updated system but we will make sure to keep you updated as more details roll out! And don’t worry we already have updated information about this new system on our site to help you be prepared for these new changes!

Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates as this new service rolls out in July!

We answered your biggest questions about Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass!

What are your biggest concerns in regards to the new Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass services? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Bad News About Disney World’s New Lightning Lane Multi Pass Skip-The-Line System first appeared on the disney food blog.

Two days after going on sale, general admission Oogie Boogie Bash tickets are still available for select nights at Disney California Adventure.

Oogie Boogie Bash Tickets

Guests interested in attending Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure still have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the following nights:

• September 3, 2024 – $154
• September 10, 2024 – $154
• September 17, 2024 – $154
• October 1, 2024 – $169
• October 22, 2024 – $179
• October 29, 2024 – $189

This popular event generally sells out very quickly and it’s rare to see so many dates still available days after tickets go on sale to the public. It’s especially surprising after pre-sale tickets for the event sold out in hours. The first tickets became available to Inspire Key holders on June 25. Tickets sold out by noon. The next day, Magic Key pre-sale tickets sold out by 11:15 a.m.

Oogie Boogie Bash is an after-hours party that runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on select nights in August, September, and October. The event takes place in Disney California Adventure and features villainous characters, treat rails, the Frightfully Fun Parade, and Villains Grove.

Are you surprised that Oogie Boogie Bash tickets are still on sale? Do you plan on attending the event this year?

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The post 2024 Oogie Boogie Bash Tickets Still Available for Select Nights appeared first on WDW News Today.

Disney’s “Hercules” is on the way to the West End. Disney on Stage announced the musical stage show based on the 1997 animated film will debut in London next summer.

Disney Hercules: The Heroic New Musical

“Hercules” will open in the summer of 2025 at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London’s West End. The show is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw with co-choreography by Tanisha Scott. It features music and lyrics by Alan Menken and David Zippel with a book by Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah.

The show first had a tryout at the off-Broadway Delacorte Theater in New York City in 2019. Kristoffer Diaz wrote the book with old and new music by Menken and Zippel. The revised show written by Horn and Kwei-Armah debuted in 2023 at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. It opened internationally in Hamburg, Germany in March 2024. Nicholaw also directed the Hamburg production.

At the 2023 Royal Variety Performance, Disney surprised the audience by including “Hercules” numbers in a medley of their stage hits. Watch that video below.

Tickets will go on sale later this year. Fans can sign up for updates via the Disney on Stage UK website and follow the new Instagram page for “Hercules.”

A live-action “Hercules” film is also in development with the Russo brothers producing and Guy Ritchie directing. Joe Russo said it would be “more experimental” than the original animated film. The movie will still be a musical.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The post Disney’s Hercules Stage Musical Coming to West End appeared first on WDW News Today.