Walt Disney World has introduced a range of new and updated experiences for visitors, and it invited CGM to see them first-hand as part of its Play ’n Preview event for international media. We were given an early look at the sights, sounds, thrills, and flavours guests can now add to their vacation plans.
Entertainment has received a significant refresh at Walt Disney World this year, with a new nighttime parade, two new shows and a preview of upcoming holiday offerings. The first we experienced, at Magic Kingdom, was Starlight: Dream the Night Away. The parade builds on the legacy of favourites like SpectroMagic and the Main Street Electrical Parade, using updated light technology and featuring both new and classic Disney characters.
Starlight: Dream the Night Away dazzles with beautifully crafted floats lit by bright, colourful lights programmed into a mesmerizing animated choreography. Set against the darkened Magic Kingdom, the parade successfully blends modern favourites with the timeless classics that shaped Walt Disney World. The sights and sounds make it an excellent way to end the night at the park.
“Starlight: Dream the Night Away dazzles with beautifully crafted floats lit by bright, colourful lights programmed into a mesmerizing animated choreography.”
If I were to nitpick Starlight: Dream the Night Away, I would say the filler entertainment between floats lacked the visual brilliance of the floats themselves. This made the parade feel a little more sparse than it truly was, at least from our vantage point at the Main Street Train Station. (That may sound like a humblebrag, but it’s important context.) Smaller floats or features, such as the fish in SpectroMagic, would help maintain the brilliance throughout the parade.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where long-running stage shows like Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage have reigned for decades, two brand-new productions have debuted: The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure and Villains: Unfairly Ever After. Each takes a distinct approach to stage design, blending live performance with animation.
The stage for The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure draws inspiration from the multiplane camera, the layered animation tool Walt Disney Animation Studios advanced and made famous with films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The multiplane effect, much like the show’s stage design, creates depth by separating animation layers for photography.
On stage, the multiplane aesthetic translates into several levels of interaction: a rear screen for animated backdrops, two sliding side screens where animated characters appear, a performance space for live actors and puppeteers with practical set pieces, and a front screen for additional animated elements. It’s a brilliantly designed stage, and for those familiar with its origins, the experience reaches another level.
The show itself is lively and fun, featuring all the fan-favourite songs from The Little Mermaid, along with numbers not included in earlier stage adaptations. The energy in the theatre builds as the production moves from Under the Sea to Kiss the Girl, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Effects that spill into the audience further enhance immersion in the show’s setting.
One element likely to spark debate is the redesign of certain characters to match their animated look to that of the puppets, with Ursula being the most notable example. The intention is to maintain consistency throughout the production, but it also creates a contrast with characters who appear only in animated form. Those characters, while rendered in 3D instead of 2D, retain their familiar look from the film. Motion-capture technology gives them natural, expressive performances.
“Villains: Unfairly Ever After offers a stage design as distinctive as its concept, with villains stepping through frames in some of the smoothest, most vibrant animation you will see in a stage show.”
Villains: Unfairly Ever After offers a stage design as distinctive as its concept. Imagine a world where the Magic Mirror from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is summoned by every Disney villain, each claiming to be the most misunderstood. Three in particular—Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent—emerge through the mirror to plead their case directly to the audience, who then vote on which villain deserves the title.
Stage design is a massive part of Villains: Unfairly Ever After, with a stage surrounded by frames. Your favourite villains will appear in these frames in some of the smoothest, most vibrant animation you will see in a stage show. The frames and the stage itself expand the set to create whole new worlds for you and let the live performers interact with the set (and maybe some other characters) quite easily. The only strange thing about the stage was the location, tucked away behind Rock’ n Rollercoaster, where available space took precedence.
The live performances brought a fresh take to the characters, who acted a little “out of character” to show off new attitudes and maybe win over the audience. That felt more true of Cruella and Hook than Maleficent. The songs were strong, which is always a concern when original music is introduced. While not every tune was an instant earworm (they didn’t hit the level of Happily Ever After for me), the show has plenty of room to grow with audiences.
With Halloween upon us—or at least if you ask Spirit Halloween stores or coffee shops rolling out pumpkin spice—Walt Disney World has launched Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Unlike other theme park Halloween events that lean heavily on scares, MNSSHP takes a family-friendly approach, with trick-or-treating, exclusive food and beverage offerings and party-specific entertainment.
Held at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, the party requires a separate ticket and gives guests access from 3 p.m. to midnight. If you already had a park ticket for that day, you could stay through; otherwise, the party ticket alone grants entry at 3 p.m. Costumes are part of the fun—kids can dress up, and for this event only, adults are allowed to as well. It was amazing to see how many people came in costume. I didn’t join in, though the thought of wearing a full-body Jawa costume in 40-degree Florida heat quickly ended that idea.
Characters exclusive to the party can be found throughout Magic Kingdom. Mother Gothel towers above from a platform, interacting with guests as they pass. Outside the Haunted Mansion, ghostly performers chat and joke with you (my highlight of the event). Guests can also take photos with the Wicked Stepsisters, Halloween-clad Mickey and Minnie, or Jack Skellington. If you want to prioritize character experiences, the number of unique interactions is nearly endless.
Trick-or-treating is available throughout the park at marked locations. Cast members hand out candy from heaping barrels, and they aren’t shy about scooping it into your party-provided bag. The more locations you visit, the more sweets you’ll haul back to your hotel. The variety is impressive, so anyone with a sweet tooth will be thrilled.
Food options are plentiful across the park during the Halloween season, with some exclusive to the party and others available all day. Ghostly beignets, Dole Whip with chamoy, pumpkin-themed dishes, specialty hot dogs and a range of drinks—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic—offer plenty to tempt every tastebud.
Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade is a spooky, seasonal spectacle that lets Disney roll out creative floats and performers. Highlights include characters from the Haunted Mansion, alongside classic heroes and villains performing parade-specific choreography. The floats impress across the board, with the Pirates of the Caribbean ship (complete with cannons) earning a special shout-out. The entertainers between floats add just as much fun.
The Halloween fireworks show, Mickey’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, dazzles with explosive energy that may even surpass Happily Ever After—though for me, the latter still wins on an emotional level. Hosted by Jack Skellington, the show lights up the sky with fireworks, castle projections and appearances by Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy between musical numbers. It’s easily my favourite of Disney’s holiday-specific fireworks displays.
“Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade is a spooky, seasonal spectacle that rolls out creative floats, performers and parade-specific choreography.”
The Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular takes over the stage in front of Cinderella Castle, where the Sanderson Sisters summon Disney villains to help create their perfect party potion. Some, like Dr. Facilier, Oogie Boogie and Maleficent, don’t often get this level of spotlight in the parks. Watching the Sanderson Sisters live was a highlight—the actors’ performances carried the show, and fans of Disney villains will be delighted throughout. The one-two-three punch of these three productions could have been the entire party on its own.
From entertainment to attractions, we head to EPCOT to experience the latest generation of the popular ride Test Track. This latest iteration—informally dubbed Test Track 3.0—puts you in a realistic future behind the wheel of a concept car. Features include roads that charge electric vehicles, customizable designs and safety technology galore. The blend of urban and natural environments offers a glimpse of what driving could look like in a more attainable future.
The track itself remains unchanged. If you know the ride well, you could close your eyes and anticipate each twist and turn. The magic lies in how Imagineers transformed the existing layout with entirely new sets and scenarios. Riders still experience collision-avoidance manoeuvres and the familiar top-speed sprint outdoors. That top speed remains 65 m.p.h.—a point of complaint for some—but considering it’s far faster than Space Mountain, I’d say relax.
Still in EPCOT, but shifting to food, we stopped at GEO 82, a lounge designed for adults to enjoy a little luxury and people-watching with specialty drinks and small bites. Inspired by Spaceship Earth’s iconic geodesic design, the space is atmospheric and stylish. It’s also snug, with limited capacity, and while there’s no official time limit, guests are often asked to make room after about 75 minutes.
As a non-drinker, I can still admire the craft behind GEO 82’s cocktails. My wife, more of a connoisseur, found the menu enticing. Drinks like the Brown Butter Old-Fashioned or the Caramelized Leek Martini will thrill cocktail fans, while zero-proof creations deliver equally intricate flavours for alcohol-free guests.
Food plays a big role in the lounge as well. Artisanal meat-and-cheese plates, Funghi Flatbread and Jumbo Lump Crab Gâteau stand out as sophisticated small bites, each inspired by EPCOT’s international influences.
Also at EPCOT, the International Food & Wine Festival continues to grow as the park’s signature culinary event. With more than 90 new menu items complementing returning favourites, the festival offers something for every palate. Visitors can indulge in special dishes, wine pairings and flights while making their way around World Showcase.
Festival booths expand the cultural offerings beyond EPCOT’s permanent pavilions, with Spain, Greece, India and Brazil well represented. Spain, in particular, has completely overhauled its menu. From flautas in Mexico and raclette in the Alps to paella in Spain, Moroccan wraps and Canadian braised beef poutine, it’s impossible to leave EPCOT hungry.
“The Beak & Barrel, a pirate-themed lounge in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, transports guests into a space lifted straight from Tortuga, complete with movie-used props and an animatronic parrot.”
The last new offering, though not officially open yet, is already generating buzz. The Beak & Barrel—a pirate-themed lounge in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, right beside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction—is accepting reservations and already booked solid. With themed décor, food and atmosphere, it sets a new bar for immersive lounges. Don’t be surprised if you feel compelled to let out a hearty “Yarrr!”
From the moment you step through the corridor of the semi-hidden lounge, you’re transported into a space that feels lifted straight from Tortuga. Movie-used props and meticulous detail fill every corner—you can’t turn your head without spotting something new. Carvings on the wooden walls depict scenes from the films, ships in bottles battle over the fireplace and the entire lounge is presided over by Rummy, an animatronic parrot who chats with guests from above the bar as he strolls along his perch.
The menu is equally impressive, offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. The signature drink, Plunderer’s Punch—made with Kraken Black Spiced Rum, blackberry, lime and vanilla—comes in a souvenir mug you can take home. The non-alcoholic Cursed Treasure, a playful twist on chocolate milk featuring coconut milk, cookie crumbs, a chocolate gold piece and vanilla foam, was also outstanding. Even the standard beverages are served in ice-cold copper mugs for an added touch of refreshment.
Among the small bites, we sampled the Island Provisions: four breads paired with four dips (mango chutney, garlic chimichurri, spiced guava and culantro cream), offering a range of flavours. The Treasure Trove, a combined drink-and-dessert experience, includes an ube, lemon and coconut beverage served with a vanilla cake plank, a decadent chocolate cannonball and fresh caramel corn. Savoury items such as corn griddle cakes and octopus ceviche round out what is truly a standout menu.
These latest offerings from Walt Disney World are more than enough to fill an entire vacation with new experiences—and that’s before considering everything else the parks already offer. With a mix of rides, shows, food and drinks, guests will find no shortage of reasons to return—if anyone really needed an excuse to go back.
