Another week has gone by in the world and the Disney parks, and what a week it has been!

Over the past few days, we’ve gotten HUGE news about Disney World’s new Annual Pass program, received details about the official opening date for Space 220, and much more. Want to make sure you’re up to date on all the latest and greatest Disney news? You’re in the right place! Today we’re breaking down this week’s BIGGEST Disney news stories right here!

NEW Disney World Annual Pass Program Announced

Disney World has not been selling NEW Annual Passes for quite some time now except in very limited circumstances (though existing passholders have been able to renew their passes). Soon, Disney World will begin selling new Annual Passes again, but things have changed. Earlier this week Disney announced a NEW Annual Pass program that includes 4 different ticket types.

There’s a lot to break down about these new passes, what they include and what they don’t include, how they affect current passholders, and more. We’ve been working to get you all of the latest information to help you understand the system and see what pass might be best for you. Check out the links below for all of the information you need:

• See how the new Annual Pass program affects current passholders
• Are the new Annual Passes more expensive than the old ones? Click here to find out more
• Check out all of the blockout dates for the new Annual Passes
• Can you upgrade your current Disney World ticket to an Annual Pass? Click here to find out

• If you don’t live in Florida, you don’t have a lot of options when it comes to Disney World’s new Annual Pass program — check out more here
• What’s missing from the new Annual Pass program?
• See the pros and cons of the new Annual Pass system
• Check out what you’ll have to pay extra for when it comes to the new Annual Pass system

We’re working to bring you all of the latest information about these new passes, so be sure to check back with us for more updates.

Click here to learn more about the new Annual Pass program coming to Disney World.

Space 220 Opening Date Revealed

Another big thing that got announced this week is the official opening date for Space 220! Finally! After several months of delay, Space 220 will officially open on September 20th, 2021.

If you’ve never heard of Space 220, it’s a space-themed restaurant that will be located in EPCOT. Guests will board a “Space Elevator” that will take them to the Centauri Space Station, where they’ll be able to dine while looking out at Earth and the stars. An official menu and details about reservations have not yet been revealed, but we’re on the lookout for more information!

Click here to see EVERYTHING you need to know about Space 220!

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and La Creperie de Paris Preview

Our next big news keeps us in EPCOT, but take us over to the France pavilion! On October 1st, 2021, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and La Creperie de Paris will open at EPCOT’s France pavilion. But, this week we got the chance to preview La Creperie AND ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure for the first time!

The ride itself is a fun ride for the whole family that’s got a bunch of great effects from heat and sprays of water to the smell of fresh bread! Just keep in mind that the attraction will open on October 1st with a virtual queue — click here to see more about that.

Click here to see a full breakdown of the ride and what to expect!

Once you’re done riding Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, you can stop by La Creperie de Paris for some crepes, galettes, and more! La Creperie de Paris is the main, sit-down dining location…

…but you can also get some crepes and more to-go at Crepes a Emporter at La Creperie de Paris — a quick-service window located next to the restaurant.

Just keep in mind that right now La Creperie de Paris is not accepting reservations, but instead is operating on a walk-up basis only. We’ll be sharing a full review with all of our thoughts on what we got at these spots soon, so be on the lookout for that!

In the meantime, click here to get a first look at these two spots and everything we got while we were there!

Reopenings

Speaking of things opening, this past week we saw a few spots reopen or reopen a particular service option. Over at the Japan pavilion in EPCOT, Tokyo Dining has reopened.

So, if you’re a big fan of this restaurant or are looking for a sit-down, sushi spot in Disney World, now you can pop into Tokyo Dining again.

Click here to get a first look at the reopened Tokyo Dining.

Over at the Germany pavilion in EPCOT, buffet-style service has returned to Biergarten.

This restaurant has been open for a while but it had been serving a family-style meal since its reopening. Now, the buffet is back for those who may have missed it!

Click here to get a look at the buffet at Biergarten!

And finally, over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge has reopened and is serving up tasty food options once again!

The Lounge had been serving drinks for a while, but now the food menu has returned. That’s right, you can once again grab that famous Cobb Salad without a reservation!

Click here to see more about the reopened Brown Derby Lounge.

First Signs of Disney’s New Paid FastPass System Arrive

A few weeks ago, Disney announced that 2 NEW paid systems would be replacing FastPass+ in Disney World — Disney Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection. With Disney Genie+ you’ll pay a set amount ($15 per ticket per day) and you’ll be able to select the next available time to return to an attraction and ride it by using that ride’s Lightning Lane (the new name for the FastPass+ Lane), essentially allowing you to skip that attraction’s standby line.

Over 40 attractions will be included in the Genie+ service, but select, very popular rides won’t be available through Genie+. Instead, if you want to skip the standby line and use the Lightning Lane at those select, highly popular rides, you’ll have to pay for each attraction individually.

Disney Genie (the free planning service) is set to launch this fall, and we expect Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection will launch at the same time. Signs of this new service have already started to appear in the parks. This week we spotted “Lightning Lane” signs at various attractions in both EPCOT…

…and Magic Kingdom.

We expect more of these signs will pop up in the next several days. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates.

Click here to learn more about Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection.

Disneyland Holiday and Halloween News

Finally, we end our big news portion with updates about Halloween and the holiday season out at Disneyland! Recently, we got more details about Oogie Boogie Bash, the special Halloween-themed event that will soon be taking place on select nights in Disney California Adventure Park.

We also got a FULL breakdown of all the Halloween treats you’ll be able to grab in Disneyland this year (spoiler alert: there’s a LOT).

If you’re ready for the holiday season, then you’ll be happy to know that all kinds of holiday celebrations are coming back to Disneyland this year! Guests will be able to dine with Santa again, the Festival of the Holidays is coming back, and holiday parades and fireworks will also be returning to Disneyland.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for more holiday news from Disneyland, so stay tuned for all the latest updates!

Click here to see more about the holiday celebrations that will be coming back to Disneyland this year!

Of course, there were other Disney news stories shared this week. Check out some of the things you should know below:

• A stricter limit has been placed on merchandise purchases in Disney World
• Two Disney World hotel pools are set to close in the future for refurbishment
• The opening of the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve has been delayed again
• Disney released SCENTED popcorn ears
• Get a first look at the new 50th anniversary show coming to Animal Kingdom

• A new 50th Anniversary souvenir has arrived, but do you qualify to get it?
• Halloween treats have arrived at the Disney World bakery cases
• NEW Churro-flavored treats have appeared in Disney World
• We got a SPICY caramel apple!
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are asking people to avoid Labor Day travel
• Disney launched a new inclusivity program called “Reimagine Tomorrow”

• A NEW 50th Anniversary sign has arrived in Magic Kingdom
• Another Disney Cruise ship will start sailing soon
• Disney Cruise Line has changed select COVID-19 vaccination and testing policies
• Some of the most incredible looking Muppets-themed Haunted Mansion treats have materialized in Disney World

And that’s a look at the Disney news from this week! We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates all around the Disney parks and let you know what we find.

Are you planning to visit Disney World soon? Tell us in the comments!