Pricing details were announced for the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass, the Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrator schedule was released, and a roller coaster is coming to the Disney Adventure cruise ship — all this and more in today’s daily recap for Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• The Scary Teddy popcorn bucket, inspired by a toy from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” is now available during the day at Magic Kingdom.
• The Jungle Cruise reopened at Magic Kingdom on October 16 after closing on August 26 for a refurbishment. 

EPCOT

• Walt Disney World announced returning entertainment for the 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays and celebrity narrators for the Candlelight Processional.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Walt Disney World recently welcomed a newborn Sumatran tiger cub named Bakso.
• The new Pumpkin Chai Cupcake has arrived for the fall season at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and we were there to give it a try.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• Disney Vacation Club has announced “Membership Magic Beyond,” a new yearly enhanced benefits package that can be added onto a membership.
• Disney Vacation Club has filed a construction permit for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, indicating a major refurbishment of the villas starting soon.

Other Walt Disney World News

• Walt Disney World is introducing Lightning Lane Premier Pass this month.
• The per-park pricing for Lightning Lane Premier Pass at Walt Disney World has been revealed.
• With the new Premier Pass details confirmed, we broke down all the options for optimizing your Walt Disney World day to determine the best value for your money. 

Disneyland Resort

• Disneyland Resort is introducing Lightning Lane Premier Pass this month.
• Disneyland Resort has released the full menu lineup with prices for Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, opening later this month.
• Disney Vacation Club has announced “Membership Magic Beyond,” a new yearly enhanced benefits package that can be added onto a membership.
• (Sponsored Content) The Disneyland Hotel is a short Monorail ride away from Disneyland Resort, making it one of the most convenient hotels to stay at during a Disneyland vacation — but the Disneyland Hotel is so much more than that. 
• With the announcement of the new Premier Pass, an add-on purchase that grants guests access to all the Lightning Lane queues at Disneyland Resort, there are now a few options for those looking to save time in line.

Disney Cruise Line

• Disney Parks Blog has shared a number of new offerings and experiences that will be available on the Disney Adventure, including Disney Cruise Line’s first-ever roller coaster at sea.
• Disney Cruise Line announced the date of the Disney Adventure maiden voyage as well as the dates when more sailings will be announced and bookings will open.
• Disney Cruise Line released more details about the Disney Adventure staterooms and concierge offerings as part of the ship’s Grand Reveal in Singapore on Wednesday.

The Walt Disney Company

• The entrance gate is complete for Cotino, the first Storyliving by Disney community scheduled to open next year.

Universal Studios

Universal Orlando Resort

• Christmas came to Universal Orlando Resort with a collection of Grinch merchandise in the middle of October.
• Universal Orlando Resort teased a new Epic Universe announcement for tomorrow, Thursday, October 17, 2024.
• A white frame now outlines the future facade of the expanded Universal Studios Store in Universal CityWalk Orlando.

WDW News Today

Pay Hundreds to Skip Disney Lines ANYTIME, Disney Cruise Line Building Marvel Roller Coaster

That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

Katie Francis