Hi there! Welcome to our weekly roundup of the most interesting theme park news around Universal Orlando, the Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland Resort, other theme parks and more.
- Let the good times roll! Universal Orlando Resort released the Universal Mardi Gras concert lineup in 2025, featuring some of the biggest names in music. On select weekend nights from Feb. 1 to March 30, 2025, you can catch a live performance at the Music Plaza Stage. Ranging from pop to Latin artists, this year's lineup includes Joe Jonas, T-Pain, Kool and the Gang, Illennium, Juanes and more. Mardi Gras concerts are included with general park admission, along with other Mardi Gras festivities.
- Speaking of other Mardi Gras festivities, Universal Orlando also shared more details about the parade and a sneak peek at some food menus. To celebrate the 30th year of Universal Mardi Gras, this year's parade will feature six all-new floats inspired by the most famous Krewes in New Orleans and highlight food, beads and the bayou. In addition to Mardi Gras staples, such as beignets, king cake and Creole cuisine, there will be food booths representing Canada, Colombia, China, India, Puerto Rico, Italy, Germany, France and Mexico. We're looking forward to trying the new Spicy Szechuan Chicken Bites from China!
- It's the Year of the Snake, and Lunar New Year returns to Disney California Adventure Park from Jan. 17 to Feb. 16, 2025. The festival celebrates Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures through food, entertainment and more. Disney dropped the Lunar New Year foodie guide, which features returning favorites such as the Garlic Noodles and Strawberry Milk Tea Macaron and new items including Spicy Gochujang Chicken Tacos and Mini Char Siu Pork Shanks.
- Disney also shared the foodie guide for the upcoming EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, which returns from Jan. 17 to Feb. 24, 2025. The annual festival highlights the arts in all forms, including the culinary, visual and performing arts. We can't wait for our favorite dishes (the Deconstructed BLT still reigns supreme for Leap) and to try out new culinary creations such as Deviled Egg Trio and items from the new Food Studios, Opening Bites and Fictional Victuals. Plus, check out the new Figment popcorn bucket!
- On your mark, get set, GO mark your calendars! runDisney has announced its 2025-2026 calendar of events, which not only includes future race dates but also registration dates. If you're thinking of training for a marathon at Disney World or a half marathon at Disneyland, it's important to take note of registration dates, as race weekends can sell out quickly! Details for the 2026 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend are still to come.
- Don't froget — this weekend is your last chance to ride TriceraTop Spin at Animal Kingdom! The ride closes permanently Jan. 13, 2025, along with Fossil Fun Games and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures. This will be the first phase of DinoLand U.S.A closures, as the area will transform into Tropical Americas by 2027. DINOSAUR is set to remain open through 2025. Additionally, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has closed for a lengthy refurbishment — it's not scheduled to reopen until 2026. For more info on closures and refurbishments, hop over to our Orlando Refurbishments post.
That's a wrap on the latest theme park news.
Hoppy planning!
