Extra, extra, read all about it! Seriously, we’re sure Disney World hasn’t had a wink of sleep because they’ve dropped so many new updates this week (including some for spooky season!). If you’ve missed out, this is your chance to catch up!

EPCOT

I’m back again with another round of WHAT’S NEW UPDATES AT DISNEY WORLD, a rundown on all the epic news and updates that happened at Disney World this past week. This week, we got the 4-1-1 on a popular EPCOT Show being extended, four exclusive new perks for an upcoming Disney resort hotel, and the medals revealed for the 2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. Are y’all ready? Okay, let’s go!

CONFIRMED: Disney Announces a Popular EPCOT Show Has Been EXTENDED

GREAT news, Encanto fans! There’s a party going on right here in EPCOT, and this celebration doesn’t show signs of ending anytime soon. So, as the song goes, bring your good times and your laughter, too, and let’s talk about the special event you can check out in EPCOT!

Spaceship Earth

¡Celebración Encanto! is a musical, interactive show that happens daily at CommuniCore Plaza. The show features our favorite characters from Encanto, including Mirabel and Bruno! Now, this show was originally introduced as a “limited time” attraction, and now that the 2024 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is starting, is the celebration over?

¡Celebración Encanto!

As it turns out, there’s going to be a LOT to celebrate in Disney World this fall. In addition to the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Disney is honoring Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month in all kinds of fun ways! From September 15th to October 15th, Disney is celebrating Together We Are Magia with special snacks, merchandise, and entertainment.

©Disney

OK, that brings us back to EPCOT. Now that Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month is coming soon, Disney confirmed that ¡Celebración Encanto! will be extended to continue the celebration! The show runs multiple times each day, but make sure to check the My Disney Experience app for the full list of showtimes.

©Disney

We had the chance to see this show back when it first debuted, and we had a great time! This is a sing-along show, and it’s great for little ones who love Mirabel and Bruno.

¡Celebración Encanto!

Oh, and here’s a hot tip for you! If it’s rainy or there’s lightning in the area, you may find the gang inside CommuniCore Hall instead. There’s plenty of space in there for singing and dancing.

We’re so happy to know that we still have more chances to watch this incredible show!

We’re Pretty Sure This Disney World Hotel Bar Could NEVER Disappoint Us!

Disney Announces 4 (!!!) Exclusive New Perks for Polynesian Village Resort Island Tower

Have you heard? Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been under construction for quite some time, and this hotel is getting a BIG addition. Later this year, the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows will open, and Disney just gave us a sneak peek of what’s coming to this resort! 

©Disney || Island Tower

This new section of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is set to open on December 17th, 2024! It will be a Disney Vacation Club property, but anyone is invited to book a reservation here! The 10-story tower will feature rooms of different sizes for parties of all shapes and sizes. Just like The Polynesian Village Resort itself, this new tower will take inspiration from the Polynesian Islands. You may even spot some new artwork inspired by Moana!

©Disney

Now, let’s talk about what’s NEW! Over by the pool area, look out for Moana’s Voyage. This will be a “whimsical new splash area” with a life-size sculpture of Moana and her canoe. It looks like it’s straight out of the movie!

Artist rendering of “Moana’s Voyage” a whimsical new splash area featuring life-size sculptures of Moana and her iconic canoe. © Disney

Recently, we spotted elements of this new addition by the Island Tower in Disney World! As you can see, the area is still currently under construction, but it looks like this canoe really is going to be BIG!

Look what we found!

The tower will also feature the new Cove Pool, a zero-entry pool that’s perfect for cooling off and relaxing in the sun.

Disney’s recent concept art display

Looking for a new spot to relax? Check out the four (!!!) exclusive Terrace Gardens, complete with vibrant artwork, lush foliage, and uniquely themed seating areas. You’ll have views of Disney’s Oak Trail and Magnolia Golf Courses or the Seven Seas Lagoon, which means, yes, this will be a great NEW spot to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Talk about a GREAT new perk!

Artist rendering of the terrace garden inspired by the islands of Hawai’i. The tower will feature four distinctly themed terrace gardens for members and guests to enjoy. © Disney

Here’s another peek at the NEW concept art! This is Wailulu Bar & Grill, a brand-new restaurant with a walk-up pool bar and grill. This place has it all — specialty coffee and on-the-go morning pastries, an all-day menu for lunch and dinner, and specialty cocktails!

Artist Rendering of the outdoor seating area at Wailulu Bar & Grill. Guests will enjoy spectacular views of Bay Lake and Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. © Disney

We can’t wait for the opening date to see all that’s in store!

FIRST LOOK Inside the NEW Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Tower in Disney World

Medals Revealed for 2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend!

January is just around the corner when you really think about it, especially if you’re training to run in the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend happening January 8th-12th, 2025. With the race just a few short months away, Disney has just released what the medals will look like for those who complete the races!

©Disney

There are multiple different races that take place over the course of the Marathon Weekend, including the 5K! This is 3.1 miles, and the completer medal features none other than our favorite pup, Pluto.

©Disney

Next up is the 10K which is 6.2 miles! This completer medal features our favorite mischievous brothers — Chip and Dale!

©Disney

The Half Marathon completer medal features Donald Duck and Daisy Duck, both celebrating you completing the 13.1 mile course!

©Disney

And of course, the Marathon completer medal features none other than Mickey and Minnie themselves! Who else would you want to see after completing that challenging 26.2 mile course?

©Disney

If you complete two races with a total of 39.3 miles, you’ll also receive the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge medal, which is celebrating its 20th Anniversary!

©Disney

Lastly, you can get a medal for completing the Dopey Challenge, which you’ll receive if you complete all four races, which is 48.6 miles! And this isn’t just any medal — the top of it actually flips down to reveal Dopey holding multiple medals, just like you will be!

©Disney

We are huge fans of the medals for this year!

Get the full schedule of upcoming runDisney events here!

Of course, that’s not all that happened! There are plenty of things that happen every single day at Disney World. Check out EVERYTHING by clicking through the links below! Our reporters and writers keep these pages updated with all the latest things that take place in the parks — from merchandise drops to new menu items. See for yourself!

In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

Looking for more big Disney World news? Click here! 

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What do you think of these big Disney World updates? Let us know in the comments!