Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro thinks Epic Universe will draw more visitors to Walt Disney World, Miral Group CEO says Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be an indoor theme park, and Universal has released a new “Jaws” 50th anniversary collection — all this and more in today’s daily recap for Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
Daily Recap (5/14/25)
Walt Disney World
EPCOT
- Restaurant Marrakesh in the Morocco Pavilion at EPCOT has once again become a Passholder-exclusive lounge.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- The Sunset Showcase Theater in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is finally receiving a new paint color prior to the debut of Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After.
- The stand-by and Lightning Lane sign for “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” has been installed in Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
New Merchandise
- The newest Annual Passholder magnet available at Walt Disney World features the wicked Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty.”
- V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days have begun and one of the Passholder-exclusive offerings at Walt Disney World is a tumbler featuring artwork by Joey Chou.
- Show that Figment and Orange Bird are your best friends with new friendship bracelets available at Walt Disney World.
Other Walt Disney World News
- We have a new Photo Report including a Grand Floridian lobby update, new merchandise, and a magical experience joining the pilots of the Liberty Belle riverboat.
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Park
- More 70th anniversary decorations adorn Disneyland Resort, including new banners on the tram route, a mural in Downtown Disney District, and new flags on Sleeping Beauty Castle.
- Mickey and his friends have exchanged their usual outfits for special Disneyland 70th anniversary costumes during their usual march along with the Disneyland Band.
- Duffy and ShellieMay have officially made their debut in Disneyland Park wearing their new 70th anniversary costumes in The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade.
Disney California Adventure
- Disney California Adventure has a new “World of Color Happiness” nighttime spectacular and Muppets pre-show for the 70th anniversary of Disneyland.
- One of the new offerings at Disney California Adventure for the 70th Anniversary of Disneyland Resort is a short projection show on the Carthay Circle Theater facade, called “Celebrate Happy – A Little Touch of Magic.”
- The new “Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!” show debuted at Disney California Adventure, replacing “Disney Jr. Dance Party!”
- Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is honoring the Disneyland 70th anniversary with a medallion in the lobby.
New Merchandise
- New Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure guidemaps are now available at the parks.
Disneyland Abu Dhabi
- According to a new interview with Miral Group CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be an indoor theme park.
Disney Store Merchandise
- This month, Disney is teaming up with Old Navy to release a new collection featuring Mickey & Friends.
The Walt Disney Company
- Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro thinks Universal Epic Universe will draw more visitors to Walt Disney World instead of pulling guests away.
Universal Orlando Resort
Epic Universe
- Our Editor-in-Chief Katie is back with an Epic Universe photo report, which she calls “A Salute to All Worlds But Mostly Dark Universe.”
- Universal Orlando Resort will livestream the grand opening celebration of Universal Epic Universe on Wednesday, May 21.
- Universal Orlando Resort confirmed there will be a small celebration with Epic Universe guests on the park’s official opening day, May 22.
Universal Studios Florida
- In a new statement from Universal, the designated smoking locations inside most of the Universal Orlando Resort parks will be removed, only leaving locations outside the park exits.
- The San Francisco area of Universal Studios Florida has been transformed into “Little Amity,” a small temporary “Jaws” land for the film’s 50th anniversary.
New Merchandise
- Classic summer blockbuster “Jaws” turns 50 years old this year. Universal Orlando Resort is celebrating with a new “Jaws” 50th anniversary collection, now available in Universal Studios Florida at San Francisco Candy Company.
- A special Jaws 50th anniversary refillable Coca-Cola Freestyle souvenir cup is now available at Universal Orlando Resort.
Entertainment and Media
- The “Wicked: For Good” official poster was originally leaked at this year’s Cinemacon, but it has now been officially released alongside the date of the film’s first trailer debut.
- Blippi has partnered with Disney for a series of five specials, the first airing on May 15.
Disney+
- Disney and Marvel announced the Disney+ streaming date for “Captain America: Brave New World.”
That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!
The post Josh D’Amaro Thinks Epic Universe Will Drive Visitors to Walt Disney World: Daily Recap (5/14/25) appeared first on WDW News Today.
