There are new concerns about sewer odors at Epic Universe, there’s a new lazy river coming to Disney World, and lots of new merchandise is showing up— all this and more in today’s daily recap for Thursday, February 20, 2025.
Daily Recap for February 20, 2025
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
- After having a stroke due to a blood clot in her brain, Erin O’Donnell was determined to learn to walk again so she could walk down Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom.
- The robot dog at Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom, a.k.a. Nipper the RCA dog, is moving again for the first time in several years.
EPCOT
- “Peter Pan” and “Winnie the Pooh” topiaries have been installed in the United Kingdom as Disney prepares for the 2025 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Disney has ended the separate queue to see Bakso the tiger cub at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Now there is only one line for the Maharajah Jungle Trek once again.
- All of the Fossil Fun Games in DinoLand U.S.A. have seemingly been demolished as the Disney’s Animal Kingdom land is turned into a new Tropical Americas area.
- All pathways through Pandora – The World of Avatar have reopened following a refresh of the land’s glowing floor paint.
Disney Springs
- As construction work progresses on the new walk-up bar at Raglan Road in Disney Springs, construction walls have been removed.
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
- Disney Lakeshore Lodge at Walt Disney World is rumored to have extensive pool offerings including a lazy river.
New Merchandise
- A new cosplay-style hoodie featuring Marie from “The Aristocats” has arrived in EPCOT.
- New Mickey, Oswald, and Tinker Bell glasses by Arribas Brothers are now available in Magic Kingdom.
- Get louder and prouder with a new “The Proud Family” sweatshirt from Walt Disney World and the Disney Store.
Other Walt Disney World News
- Temperatures have dropped in Central Florida, leading Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park to close for two days.
- The runDisney Health & Fitness Expo has opened for the 2025 Princess Half Marathon Weekend which begins on Friday, February 21.
Disneyland Resort
- An end date for the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe refurbishment is now listed on the Disneyland Resort calendar.
- A new Spirit Jersey inspired by the Disneyland Resort is now available in the Downtown Disney District.
- A new Powerline mug is available at the Disneyland Resort.
Hong Kong Disneyland
- “Duffy and Friends Play Days” will return for its third year at Hong Kong Disneyland.
Entertainment and Media
- Daria Cercek, former Co-President of the Motion Picture Group at Paramount Pictures, has been hired by Walt Disney Studios as President of Disney Live Action Theatrical Division.
- U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has called upon the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Disney’s deal with Fubo.
Universal Studios
Universal Orlando Resort
- The Universal Stella Nova Resort gift shop has more new Epic Universe merchandise, including Niffler slippers inspired by “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”
- The Brown Derby Hat Shop at Universal Studios Florida has reopened as a discount shop for Annual Passholders and Team Members again.
- It seems Universal Orlando Resort may have introduced an air quality information feature to their app due to the location of Epic Universe.
WDW News Today
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That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!