- Mar 13, 2024
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Disney World is changing daily these days. Lately, it feels like the parks are entirely new places thanks to updates like Villains Land, Piston Peak, Monsters Inc. Land, and more major changes.
EPCOT
Each week, Disney likes to surprise us with changes, news, updates, and more at Disney World and throughout the rest of the company! That’s why we like to do a weekly wrap-up of the biggest news so you don’t miss a single thing. Let’s dive into this week’s latest and greatest Disney news.
This week surprised us with some major announcements — some good and some not so good! You’re gonna want to lock in on these news updates, especially the third one.
The Boardwalk Inn is continuing its overhaul! Over the last few years, this Disney hotel has changed quite a bit thanks to the new rooms, pool retheme, and the new restaurants. Now, even more changes are coming! This week, Disney confirmed the resort will be getting a new spot called Hurly-Burly! Disney has said the spot will “welcome guests for fun-filled afternoons and glamorous evenings inside a historic seaside theatre with a vibrant BoardWalk story that spans over a century.”
©Disney
During the day, it will have fun family activities, and at night it will be a 21 and older spot with live entertainment, coastal-inspired cocktails, and light bites. Next, Disney also confirmed Basin at the Boardwalk will be popping up soon! This new store will have a curated collection of handcrafted products made with quality ingredients, including natural soaps, botanical bath salts, bath bombs, body butters, lip salves, shampoo and conditioner bars, and more. This will be in addition to the Basin stores in Disney Springs and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
©Disney
Finally, Disney also confirmed that a brand-new quick service will be coming to the Boardwalk! They didn’t give us too much to chew on, but they did say they will share more later this summer. This is huge for the resort, and we can’t wait to see what they will reveal when we get closer to its opening.
Over in EPCOT, it’s almost time for the International Food and Wine Festival! As we eagerly await menus, Disney has finally given us some new details about the popular event. The 2026 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival will run from August 27th through November 21st, 2026, and we finally know who will be rocking Eat to the Beat!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Magical Guides-Eat-to-the-Beat-Concert-America-Gardens-Theatre-EPCOT-Food-and-Wine-Festival-Disney-World-Photo-Aug-28-2025-5-57-04-PM-3520-x-1980-700x541.jpg
Eat to the Beat
Disney dropped the FULL lineup for the concert series with some familiar faces and some newbies!
John Stamos at Eat to the Beat in 2025
In addition to the Eat to the Beat deets, Disney also confirmed the return of the Chefs de France Parisian Breakfast Buffet! If you don’t know, this is a seriously popular event that was missing for a few years and finally returned last year! This gives guests a taste of a traditional French breakfast at the pre-paid buffet.
Mimosa at Parisian Breakfast
Both of these announcements are a BIG hint that menus could be coming soon for the festival. We can’t wait for more details, hopefully soon!
Finally, one of the biggest pieces of news this week is a bittersweet update. This past spring, Disney Springs started a new rule where guests using the bus system had to have a dining or hotel reservation for the resort they were going to. This was in place during the holidays for crowd control purposes, but now it seems like that rule is permanent, and it has been extended to boat transportation as well.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Magical Guides-Bus-Depot-Transportation-Disney-Springs-Disney-World-Photo-Jun-18-2026-10-42-38-AM-5712-x-4284-700x566.jpg
Rule change
The rule change goes into effect on June 28th, so resort hopping might become a thing of the past for those staying off property, depending on whether this rule becomes stricter. Transportation will still be available from Disney Springs, but you will need to show proof of a hotel or restaurant reservation to get on the bus or boat. For now, if you want to check out the hotels without a hotel or dining reservation, you will need to park at the theme parks and travel from there.
Guest Relations Cast Member at Disney Springs
This rule is likely due to crowds and transportation demands. Disney has confirmed through Cast Members that the rule is permanent at the time of writing.
There was SO much that went on in Disney World this week, and they weren’t small changes either! These new changes will impact guests for years to come. As always, be sure to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for more Disney news, updates, and more.
Which news are you the most excited about? Tell us in the comments!
EPCOT
Each week, Disney likes to surprise us with changes, news, updates, and more at Disney World and throughout the rest of the company! That’s why we like to do a weekly wrap-up of the biggest news so you don’t miss a single thing. Let’s dive into this week’s latest and greatest Disney news.
This week surprised us with some major announcements — some good and some not so good! You’re gonna want to lock in on these news updates, especially the third one.
Major Changes Coming to the Boardwalk Inn and Resort
The Boardwalk Inn is continuing its overhaul! Over the last few years, this Disney hotel has changed quite a bit thanks to the new rooms, pool retheme, and the new restaurants. Now, even more changes are coming! This week, Disney confirmed the resort will be getting a new spot called Hurly-Burly! Disney has said the spot will “welcome guests for fun-filled afternoons and glamorous evenings inside a historic seaside theatre with a vibrant BoardWalk story that spans over a century.”
©Disney
During the day, it will have fun family activities, and at night it will be a 21 and older spot with live entertainment, coastal-inspired cocktails, and light bites. Next, Disney also confirmed Basin at the Boardwalk will be popping up soon! This new store will have a curated collection of handcrafted products made with quality ingredients, including natural soaps, botanical bath salts, bath bombs, body butters, lip salves, shampoo and conditioner bars, and more. This will be in addition to the Basin stores in Disney Springs and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
©Disney
Finally, Disney also confirmed that a brand-new quick service will be coming to the Boardwalk! They didn’t give us too much to chew on, but they did say they will share more later this summer. This is huge for the resort, and we can’t wait to see what they will reveal when we get closer to its opening.
Food and Wine Festival Details Revealed
Over in EPCOT, it’s almost time for the International Food and Wine Festival! As we eagerly await menus, Disney has finally given us some new details about the popular event. The 2026 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival will run from August 27th through November 21st, 2026, and we finally know who will be rocking Eat to the Beat!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Magical Guides-Eat-to-the-Beat-Concert-America-Gardens-Theatre-EPCOT-Food-and-Wine-Festival-Disney-World-Photo-Aug-28-2025-5-57-04-PM-3520-x-1980-700x541.jpg
Eat to the Beat
Disney dropped the FULL lineup for the concert series with some familiar faces and some newbies!
- August 27: Evolution: Motown
- August 28-31: Hanson
- September 1-3: Evolution: Motown
- September 4-5: The War and Treaty (NEW)
- September 6-7: Yellowcard
- September 8-10: Fly Guys
- September 11-12: Couch (NEW)
- September 13-14: Fitz and the Tantrums (NEW)
- September 15-17: Latin Ambition
- September 18-19: MercyMe
- September 20-21: Grupo Manía (NEW)
- September 22-24: Metro Latino Band
- September 25-27: Element
- September 28-29: New Found Glory
- September 30: Smash Mouth
- October 1: Smash Mouth
- October 2-4: Champagne Orchestra
- October 5-6: Rey Ruiz (NEW)
- October 7-8: Tiffany
- October 9-11: Viva Latina
- October 12-13: The Fray
- October 14-15: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
- October 16-18: Jaclyn Hayden
- October 19-20: Ben Rector
- October 21-22: Allen Stone (NEW)
- October 23-25: SoundUp
- October 26-27: Lauren Alaina (NEW)
- October 28-29: Bowling For Soup
- October 30-31: Southbound
- November 1: Southbound
- November 2-3: Boyz II Men
- November 4-5: Big Head Todd and The Monsters (NEW)
- November 6-8: M-80’s
- November 9-10: Grace Potter (NEW)
- November 11-12: The Beach Boys
- November 13-16: The Hooligans
John Stamos at Eat to the Beat in 2025
In addition to the Eat to the Beat deets, Disney also confirmed the return of the Chefs de France Parisian Breakfast Buffet! If you don’t know, this is a seriously popular event that was missing for a few years and finally returned last year! This gives guests a taste of a traditional French breakfast at the pre-paid buffet.
Mimosa at Parisian Breakfast
Both of these announcements are a BIG hint that menus could be coming soon for the festival. We can’t wait for more details, hopefully soon!
Major Transportation Updates
Finally, one of the biggest pieces of news this week is a bittersweet update. This past spring, Disney Springs started a new rule where guests using the bus system had to have a dining or hotel reservation for the resort they were going to. This was in place during the holidays for crowd control purposes, but now it seems like that rule is permanent, and it has been extended to boat transportation as well.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Magical Guides-Bus-Depot-Transportation-Disney-Springs-Disney-World-Photo-Jun-18-2026-10-42-38-AM-5712-x-4284-700x566.jpg
Rule change
The rule change goes into effect on June 28th, so resort hopping might become a thing of the past for those staying off property, depending on whether this rule becomes stricter. Transportation will still be available from Disney Springs, but you will need to show proof of a hotel or restaurant reservation to get on the bus or boat. For now, if you want to check out the hotels without a hotel or dining reservation, you will need to park at the theme parks and travel from there.
Guest Relations Cast Member at Disney Springs
This rule is likely due to crowds and transportation demands. Disney has confirmed through Cast Members that the rule is permanent at the time of writing.
There was SO much that went on in Disney World this week, and they weren’t small changes either! These new changes will impact guests for years to come. As always, be sure to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for more Disney news, updates, and more.
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Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
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Which news are you the most excited about? Tell us in the comments!
