Disney Requests 60-Day Extension to Update Rivers of America ‘Cars’ Permit, New Lions Move Into Animal Kingdom & More: Daily Recap (12/4/24)

A new Donald Duck event announced for Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland closes early, and auditions for the new Little Mermaid stage show are posted — all this and more in today’s daily recap for Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

Daily Recap for December 4, 2024

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, on behalf of Walt Disney World, has requested a 60-day extension to update their permit regarding the transformation of the Rivers of America in Magic Kingdom into a “Cars” area.
The Swiss Family Treehouse at Magic Kingdom is currently closed for a month-long refurbishment.

EPCOT

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays has returned for 2024 and runs from November 24 through December 30. From the festival kitchens and cookie stroll to entertainment, merchandise, and more, we’ve put together a full guide to help you plan your time at EPCOT this holiday season.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

A new pride of lions has moved onto the savanna of Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.A new pride of lions has moved onto the savanna of Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
We’re just over a month from the permanent closure of Fossil Fun Games and other DinoLand U.S.A. offerings. The carnival games are starting to offer nuiMOs and other generic Disney plush as the DinoLand prizes run out.
Next year, a new “Zootopia” show will open in the Tree of Life Theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The show is just one new experience coming to the theme park, with DinoLand becoming the new Tropical Americas land. But while we have closing dates and timeframes for DinoLand, Disney hasn’t announced when the current Tree of Life show, “It’s Tough to be a Bug,” will close forever.

New Merchandise

A new, limited edition Tiana doll inspired by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort is now available online from the Disney Store.

Disneyland Resort

Construction walls came down from around the new Avengers Reserve gift shop at Downtown Disney District ahead of a soft opening on Wednesday, December 4.
Avengers Reserve at Downtown Disney District soft opened on Wednesday, December 4, before a planned grand opening on Friday, December 6. The new store is part of the district’s ongoing reimagining.
The D-Lander Shop, one of Downtown Disney District’s new venues, has opened a few days early. The D-Lander Shop will offer a boutique experience with apparel, jewelry, handbags, and more for sale.

Disneyland Paris

A new limited edition Sleeping Beauty Castle stained glass replica art piece just debuted at Disneyland Paris.

Entertainment and Media

Multiple scripts for the next “Pirates of the Caribbean” film are currently in development, with one version reportedly including Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow.

Disney+

ESPN+ streaming sports content has been integrated into Disney+ with Wednesday’s launch of ESPN on Disney+.

Universal

The City of Frisco, Texas has approved the facade for the new Universal Kids Resort hotel, which was approved by the City Council back in March of 2023, and now there is some concept art, provided by the City of Frisco.