Disney World has us feeling like we’re experiencing whiplash if we’re being honest! There’s been a lot to keep up with over the last few years, and we’re just in the beginning phases of the changes.

EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival Figment Topiary
Some of the updates include demolishing classic attractions, and others are just lots of new coffee around the parks. (Both are very noteworthy in different ways.) To help us keep up with every detail and update, we do a weekly news roundup with the biggest announcements from this week! Let’s dive into the 3 major announcements Disney just dropped.
Have you been trying to keep up with the biggest Disney changes? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been following updates for the Magic Kingdom expansion, DinoLand closure, and other major changes for years, so we’ve got you totally covered. This week, two of the biggest updates were expected, but one totally caught us by surprise!
Soarin’ Across America
The first and most surprising change is that Soarin’ is getting a makeover! In Summer 2026, Soarin’ in Disney California Adventure and EPCOT is getting a brand new “airborne adventure!” The new version of the ride will take you across the United States, “highlighting some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes.”

©Disney
Disney shared that new “iconic elements” that make Soarin’ so famous will be included, like the flight, sights, music, and scents! They also shared photos of Disney Imagineers capturing “more than a dozen” new scenes.

©Disney
Chief Flight Attendant Patrick (famously portrayed by Patrick Warburton) made the announcement in a video online. Disney confirmed the limited-time “itinerary” is to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.
They haven’t confirmed when the new flight will debut or how long it will be around for the celebration. We can’t wait to fly to new locations next summer!
Read about more changes Disney is making for America’s birthday in 2026 right here!
Jollywood Nights Foodie Guide
Get your stomachs ready because Disney announced over 35 new treats for Jollywood Nights in 2025! The after-hours holiday event in Hollywood Studios kicks off on November 8th, 2025, and we finally know what we can chow down on.

©Disney
KRNR The Rock Station is bringing new items like the:
- Arepas de Choclo: Sweet corn cakes with cheese, topped with cilantro aïoli and served with jícama slaw (New)
- Churro Sundae: Churros topped with vanilla soft-serve, spiced apples, and spiced chocolate sauce (New)
- Spiced Apple Sangria: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, red wine, apple cider, Minute Maid Orange Juice, and lemon and lime juices garnished with a star fruit chip (New)
- White Cranberry Margarita: Teremana Blanco Tequila, Grand Marnier Liqueur, white cranberry juice, lime juice, and simple syrup with a sugar rim and cranberries (New)

©Disney
At Backlot Express, you can find:
- Hickory Holiday Mac: Macaroni & cheese with burnt ends, crispy onions, and chili pepper sauce (New)
- Jolly Jam Slider: Angus burger with bourbon-garlic-bacon jam, smoky paprika aïoli, and chili pepper sauce served on a Hawaiian roll (New)
- Sleigh Bell Brussels Sprouts with bourbon-onion jam and crispy onions (Plant-based) (New)
- Sweet Chili Cheer Chicken Slider: Chicken thighs tossed in sweet chili aïoli topped with Asian slaw and cilantro served on a brioche roll (New)
- Holly Jolly Bread Pudding: Warm bread pudding swirled with chocolate-hazelnut spread and topped with cherries, holiday sprinkles, and a chocolate gingerbread man (New)
- Figgy Pudding Martini: Figenza Mediterranean Fig Flavored Vodka, fig jam, agave, half & half, ginger beer, and allspice garnished with nutmeg (New)
- Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA (New)
- Miller High Life Lager (New)

©Disney
For something fancier, Jazzy Holidays is returning to the Hollywood Brown Derby with familiar items like the
- Charcuterie: House-made cured meats and accompaniments with blue cheese mousse and toasted sourdough
- Chorizo Arancini with shaved Parmesan and salmorejo tomato sauce
- Hamachi with caper aïoli, Dijon-avocado mousse, and citrus-champagne vinaigrette
- Pork Belly Bao: Korean barbecue, cucumber slaw, and soy vinaigrette
- Shrimp Cocktail with house-made cocktail sauce and spicy avocado spread
- Sticky Chicken Wings with sweet-and-spicy soy
- Tofu Bao: Seared tofu, cucumber slaw, and soy vinaigrette (Plant-based)

Food and Beverages at Jazzy Holidays
- Holiday Mickey Hot Cocoa: Hot Cocoa by Joffrey’s topped with whipped cream, caramel-chocolate brownie Mickey ears, and holiday sprinkles (Non-alcoholic)
- The Sleigh Bell: Ginger beer, rosemary syrup, pomegranate, cranberry, and lime juice (Non-alcoholic)
- Hollywood Lights: Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, DOLE Pineapple Juice, and cranberry juice
- Mocha Espresso Mint-tini: Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Bols Peppermint Schnapps Liqueur, Mozart Chocolate Liqueur, and vanilla cream garnished with chocolate and crushed peppermint mix (New)
- Old Fashioned: Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon, house-made orange syrup, and maraschino cherries
- Peanut Butter Whiskey Cream: RumChata Cream Liqueur and Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
- Poinsettia Fizz: Grand Marnier Liqueur, cranberry juice, simple syrup, and prosecco garnished with frozen cranberries (New)
- Pomegranate Whisky Sour: Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whisky, pomegranate juice, and sweet-and-sour
- Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur, salted caramel syrup, and Hot Cocoa by Joffrey’s garnished with whipped cream and caramel crispy pearls (New)
- Spiced Pear Martini: Grey Goose Vodka, spiced pear syrup, and lemon juice
- Vodka Martini: Grey Goose Vodka and Dolin Dry Vermouth de Chambéry

Holiday Mickey Hot Cocoa
This is just a quick glimpse of all of the yummy treats and delicious sips you can try at the after-hours party. You can check out the full list below!
The FULL LIST Of Food and Drinks Coming To Jollywood Nights
Festival of the Arts Dates
Finally, we finally found out when EPCOT’s first festival of 2026 will kick off! EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts will take place from January 16th – February 23rd, 2026!

EPCOT Festival of the Arts!
The festival celebrates three artistic disciplines: the Culinary, Visual, and Performing Arts. The food at this festival all has an artistic quality in its presentation or concept. This is also the EPCOT festival that hosts the Disney on Broadway concert series, where real Broadway performers sing Disney songs from the stage.

Cara Lindsey from “Newsies” at Disney On Broadway
Disney hasn’t shared many details about the 2026 Festival of the Arts just yet, but we’re expecting tasty food booths, incredible art on display, fun concerts, and all the souvenirs we could probably ever want. While it can be hard to choose our favorite festival, we won’t deny that this one has a special place in our hearts!

The Deconstructed Dish
You can explore more about the festival and what the 2025 version looks like right here.
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
There are big things on the horizon for the Disney parks, and these three announcements made us even more excited for the changes. As always, be sure to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for more Disney news and updates.
Every Disney World Change I’m Not Prepared For in 2026
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