Disney filed a new notice of commencement for the Tropical Americas area coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Jellyrolls will be open for a little longer than originally reported, and the Disneyland Railroad has a new view of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure— all this and more in today’s daily recap for Friday, December 13, 2024.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• After becoming a viral sensation, the likes of which have not often been seen for a single Cast Member, Disney has confirmed that the performer portraying the popular “Tally the Elf” character in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at Magic Kingdom has not been removed or let go.
• Facade work has begun on the new Disney Vacation Club lounge taking over the former Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade space at Magic Kingdom, dubbed McKim’s Mile House.

EPCOT

• Walt Disney World has recently updated the festival webpage for the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts to include the returning entertainment for the annual event.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a new Notice of Commencement for work on the Tropical Americas expansion at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Disney Springs

• The Cinderella statue found outside World of Disney in Disney Springs has finally returned after its refurbishment.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• Sources indicate that the popular piano bar Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk will still close permanently in the near future, but the timeline for that closure has shifted.
• Beginning February 11, 2025, the base price for several Disney Vacation Club resorts will increase by $6-$10 per point. 
• The entrance sign for the new DVC Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has arrived.

New Merchandise

• A new Lilly Pulitzer and Disney collaboration is now available at Walt Disney World. 

Disneyland Resort

• Guests aboard the Disneyland Railroad can now see restored cavern lighting and get a glimpse into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure finale scene through the uncovered windows.
• Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion has unveiled an expanded outdoor queue with a new music score from Ego Plum.
• Construction walls are down around the new entrance tapstiles at Disneyland.

Entertainment and Media

• Deadline has confirmed Hayley Atwell will be reprising her Agent Carter role in “Avengers: Doomsday.”

WDW News Today

Construction Updates for Tropical Americas and Villains Land, Jellyrolls Closing

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

Katie Francis