An airplane at Orlando International Airport caught fire, Walt Disney World will have a free dining plan for kids in 2026, early entry and extended evening hours will continue, and the new DVC Welcome Home Center is open — all this and more in today’s daily recap for Monday, April 21, 2025.
Daily Recap (4/21/25)
Walt Disney World
EPCOT
- The Chateau de Voyage DVC Welcome Center is now open in the Canada Pavilion.
Other Walt Disney World News
- A free dining plan for kids will be available in 2026.
- This year’s free water park admission perk for resort hotel guests will return in the summer of 2026.
- Theme park early entry and extended evening hours will also continue next year.
- The engine of a Delta Air Lines plane caught on fire just before take-off at Orlando International Airport.
- U.S. flags throughout Walt Disney World are at half-staff to honor Pope Francis.
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort Hotels
- WALL-E will appear at Pixar Place Hotel for Earth Day.
Tokyo Disney Resort
Tokyo DisneySEA
- We reviewed all of the new items at the Tokyo DisneySea Food and Wine Festival 2025, the second annual festival.
Shanghai Disneyland
- Shanghai Disneyland opening day stage show “Golden Fairytale Fanfare” has reportedly closed.
Universal Orlando Resort
Epic Universe
- We reviewed the Lotus Lagoon pool bar at Universal Helios Grand Hotel.
- The full menu of De Lacey’s Cottage in Dark Universe features a Frankenstein pretzel and cinnamon bites.
- We reviewed both De Lacey’s Cottage treats.
- Tour The Manor Storehouse, a Dark Universe gift shop.
- The Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel menu features various mac and cheese cones.
- Read our review of all three mac and cheese cones.
Universal Studios Florida
- The Lew Wasserman statue returned (again) to its new location in Universal Studios Florida.
CityWalk
- All construction walls are gone from the Universal Studios Store expansion.
Other Universal Orlando Resort News
- Passholder Bonus Benefits return this May with a “Jaws” UOAP magnet and more offers.
New Merchandise
- Universal Orlando has a new red Coca-Cola Freestyle cup.
- June is Pride Month, and though we still have a few weeks before the annual celebration, Universal Orlando Resort already has some new “Love is Universal” Pride merchandise available.
Entertainment and Media
- Ernie Hudson will take over the voice role of Combat Carl in “Toy Story 5” from the late Carl Weathers.
WDW News Today
2026 Walt Disney World Vacation Deals Announced, Grogu Interacts with Guests on Smugglers Run
That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!