Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters Closing Celebration Begins with Ride Overlay & More: Daily Recap (6/25/24 and 6/26/24)

A ride overlay is coming to Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters ahead of its closure at Tokyo Disneyland, Genie+ getting rebranded and advance Lighting Lane purchase coming to Walt Disney World, and Big Thunder Mountain reportedly closing for refurbishment as part of the Magic Kingdom expansion project — all this and more in today’s daily recap for Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Daily Recap for June 25 and 26, 2024

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

Disney has filed a permit for refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, possibly indicating the start of the “Beyond the Big Thunder” expansion at Magic Kingdom.
Magic Kingdom park pass reservations are no longer available for Annual Passholders to visit during the opening weekend of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Sleepy Hollow at Magic Kingdom has updated its menu to include new Mickey waffle dishes, and we reviewed them all.

EPCOT

The Shanghai Disneyland exhibit found in the China Pavilion at EPCOT is getting an update to include the park’s new Zootopia-themed land.
The brush fire scene aboard Living With the Land at EPCOT has been refreshed.
The cars normally on display in the Test Track interior showroom have been moved outside while the ride is closed for reimagining.

Disney Springs

Flavors of Florida is returning this summer to Disney Springs with limited-time menu items to enjoy and a new scavenger hunt.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Construction walls have come down around the Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs stand at Disney’s BoardWalk.

New Merchandise

The Grinning Loth-Cat mug at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a different variant from the one released at Disneyland Resort, so we had to visit the park to pick one up.
New merchandise celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is now available.
We spotted a new “Up”-themed Loungefly mini backpack featuring Kevin’s babies from the end of the Pixar film.
A slew of new MagicBand+ designs have arrived at Walt Disney World this week, including those inspired by Mickey Mouse, “Star Wars,” Disney Princesses, and more.

Other Walt Disney World News

Disney has announced that Genie+ will be rebranded, and advance purchase Lightning Lane is coming to Walt Disney World Resort.
With these changes, international guests visiting Walt Disney World will not be able to purchase and select Lightning Lane options in advance of entering the United States.
Following the announcement of Disney’s changes to Genie+, Walt Disney World’s new Lightning Lane Multi Pass option will reintroduce attraction tiers for guests to choose from when pre-booking experiences.
Walt Disney World has shared the full list of limited-time new and returning menu offerings for Fourth of July 2024.
Select guidemap languages are no longer available on the displays at Walt Disney World theme park entrances.
The runDisney Virtual 12Ks of Christmas medals have been revealed.

Disneyland Resort

Ticket pre-sales opened to Inspire Key holders on June 25 for Oogie Boogie Bash 2024 at Disney California Adventure.
Those Inspire Key pre-sale tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash promptly sold out on the same day.
On June 26, all Magic Key pre-sale tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash 2024 sold out.
Disneyland Resort has also shared their list of food and beverage offerings coming to the resort to celebrate Fourth of July.
After sales were paused as a result of technical issues, a new registration date for the 2025 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend was announced.
An official opening date has been announced for Din Tai Fung in the Downtown Disney District.
The Anaheim Ducks have reintroduced their original Donald Duck-inspired Mighty Ducks logo with new jerseys.

Tokyo Disney Resort

A special overlay of Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters will return for a limited time ahead of the ride’s closure at Tokyo Disneyland.

Disneyland Paris

New concept art has been released of the complete makeover coming to The Sports Bar in Disney Village at Disneyland Paris.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland shared that the resort achieved profitability and a major attendance rebound in fiscal year 2023.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line has released more details about the newest ship, Disney Adventure, which will set sail next year.
Disney Cruise Line also shared new concept art of the staterooms that will be aboard the Disney Adventure.
Before you sail away aboard Disney Cruise Line, check out our full guide to pre-booking activities like spa services, shore excursions, and more.