Theme park news: new Disney World discount and upcoming attraction details revealed

Hey! Want to learn about the latest Disney World discount and details surrounding this summer’s new attraction? You’ve come to the right place. I’ve been keeping a close watch on news and announcements from the Disney theme parks this week, and the last few days have been exciting to say the least.

This week’s theme park news roundup includes updates on what we can expect this summer at Hollywood Studios, plus a look at some of the offerings coming next week to both Disney World and Disneyland. Let’s dive in and catch up on the latest stories from both coasts.

New details revealed for The Magic of Disney Animation

Our lead story this week comes from Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where new details were revealed surrounding the upcoming new animation experience called The Magic of Disney Animation.

Opening in late summer 2026, The Magic of Disney Animation will include character meet-and-greets, an indoor playground for kids, and a movie theater. New this week was the announcement of Olaf Draws!, a new animation class led by a brand new Audio-Animatronic figure of Olaf accompanied by pre-recorded videos of Disney Animation artists teaching guests how to draw beloved Disney characters.

Stay tuned for more details coming from The Magic of Disney Animation as we get closer to its grand opening this summer!

READ MORE: THE MAGIC OF DISNEY ANIMATION OPENS LATE SUMMER AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

‘Women Who Make the Magic’ tour coming to Disneyland

March is Women’s History Month, and this year you can learn more about the women who shaped the Disney theme parks in a brand-new behind the scenes tour at Disneyland Resort.

Disneyland’s ‘Women Who Make the Magic’ tour will begin on March 6 and will highlight the contributions made by Imagineers and other women leaders at Disneyland including Harriet Burns, Alice Davis, Mary Blair, Ruth Shellhorn, Leota Toombs, Kim Irvine, and Dorothea Redmond. The tour costs $110 per person.

READ MORE: A MONTH-BY-MONTH GUIDE TO DISNEYLAND IN 2026

Merchandise sneak peek for the 2026 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival

The 2026 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival starts in under week, and ahead of the festival’s debut, Disney released a first look at some of the merchandise that will be available for purchase.

You can expect all of the usual suspects, including limited-edition Minnie Ears, spirit jerseys, and other apparel and accessories.

This all comes in addition to other returning favorites at this year’s festival, including the outdoor food booths and the Garden Rocks Concert Series. The 2026 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival runs daily from March 4 trough June 1.

READ MORE: SEASONAL WALT DISNEY WORLD PLANNING GUIDE FOR 2026

New Disney World bounceback offer revealed for Disney Cruise Line passengers 

Bounceback offers are one of the best ways to score big savings on your next Disney vacation. They often include the requirement that you book your next trip within a finite window of time during or immediately following your current trip, but if you already know you intend to travel again, this is one of your best opportunities for a sizable discount.

Case in point, a new bounceback deal was revealed this week for passengers on Disney Cruise Line sailings wishing to book Disney World vacations.

Guests who disembark from an eligible Disney Cruise Line sailing between February 18 and May 17, 2026, can save up to 35% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels in Walt Disney World. That’s up to 35% off of Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts, up to 30% off of Moderate Resorts, and up to 25% off of Value Resorts. To take advantage of this offer, you must book within 14 days of disembarking.

Eligible stay dates for this bounceback offer are the following:

• March 3 to May 21, 2026
• May 25 to July 1, 2026
• July 6 to September 2, 2026
• September 7 to September 29, 2026
• October 26 to November 25, 2026
• November 29 to December 24, 2026

READ MORE: WAYS TO SAVE ON YOUR NEXT DISNEY WORLD VACATION

Foodie Guide released ahead of Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

The first week of March is one of my favorites of the entire year...not just because it’s my birthday week, but because it’s when we see the launch of TWO Disney food festivals: the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival as well as the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is probably my personal favorite Disney parks festival of the entire year, and this year’s Foodie Guide is a huge reason why. We got a sneak peek at some of the new and returning food and beverage items, and you guys…I’m ready to hop on the first flight to Anaheim!

The macaroni and cheese dishes are always a popular pick among guests, and this year offers two choices: the Sirloin Gruyère Mac & Cheese with black garlic chimichurri, garlic butter crunch, and Fresno chile slices…

…and the Ramen Mac & Cheese with Furikake crumble, fish cakes, green onions, and chile crunch.

Rapid-fire news!

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has a new name ahead of the changes launching this May. To go along with the new Mandalorian and Grogu mission, the ride is now called (get ready for it…) Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – A New Mission. Disney seems to love its punctuation marks, and they’re going all-out with this one. The Mandalorian and Grogu mission will launch on May 22.
• Robert Downey Jr. has been named the Godparent of the Disney Adventure. The announcement comes just a couple of weeks before the ship’s maiden voyage, scheduled to take place on March 10. The Disney Adventure is Disney Cruise Line’s first ship to be home ported outside of the U.S., with days-at-sea-only itineraries for its inaugural season out of Singapore.

READ MORE: TIMELINE OF CHANGES COMING TO DISNEY PARKS AND BEYOND

Theme Park News: New Disney World Discount and Upcoming Attraction Details Revealed was originally published on The World of Spark.

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