The BIGGEST Disney News Stories You Missed This Week

What a week, right?

While we’ve been jumping up and down in excitement over the trailer for season 3 of The Mandalorian and getting excited about everything coming to Disney+ in February (Wakanda Forever!), we’ve been tracking ALL the Disney news to keep you informed.

But if you happened to miss any news, we’re going to break down the five biggest stories for you.

EPCOT Parking Lot Changes

The parking lot at EPCOT is getting a makeover. Disney recently shared that guests will be “welcomed to EPCOT in a brand new way” thanks to new parking signs. We’re already starting to see new characters and refreshed paint on the signs in the parking lot. The lots are named after various Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters.

The biggest change, though is that the parking lot will be divided into two sides — Space and Earth. Disney also revealed that a “redesigned auto plaza marquee will be installed in the coming weeks to welcome our guests to the park.”

CHANGES Revealed for the EPCOT Parking Lot

EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival

Yes, the EPCOT Festival of the Arts just started, but Disney World is already looking ahead to the next festival, the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival. Now we know WHEN the festival will take place: March 1st through July 5th. Disney also announced that this year’s festival will have some new topiaries based on Encanto, as well as a Princess Tiana topiary.

We also learned about everything returning to this year’s festival, including the Garden Rocks concert series, Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration, and more!

EVERYTHING Confirmed for the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival!

TRON / Lightcycle Run

Okay, who’s ready for TRON / Lightcycle Run, which opens in Magic Kingdom on April 4th? Select Disney World guests, though, will get to ride it before that, including Cast Members.

Cast Member previews for TRON Lightcycle / Run will start on February 6th and run through March 3rd, 2023. Cast Members will be able to register for the previews on January 30th and can bring up to three guests with them.

DETAILS Announced for TRON Coaster Cast Member Previews in Disney World

Returning Character Experiences

More character meet-and-greets and experiences are returning to Magic Kingdom. First, Ariel will return to Ariel’s Grotto to meet with guests on January 22nd. Guests will also be able to get Lightning Lane access for this experience on Genie+.

Enchanted Tales with Belle will also be returning soon — on February 19th. This experience features a retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast.

BREAKING: Enchanted Tales With Belle Is Returning to Magic Kingdom

Disneyland Updates

Okay, it has been a BIG week for Disneyland, so we’re just going to give you an overview of everything that’s going on. First, the Lunar New Year Festival has started in Disney California Adventure and will run through February 15th.

We’ve also got MORE 100th anniversary news. We’ve seen the first 100th anniversary decorations popping up at Disneyland and learned about how MagicBand+ will interact with some of the 100th anniversary decor.

A new exhibit is coming to the Disney Gallery. The Disney Gallery Presents: Disney 100 Years of Wonder will be home to a new exhibit “inspired by Walt Disney’s vision for Disneyland to be where his films come to life.”

We also got the FULL list of all the 100th anniversary food and drinks coming to Disneyland soon PLUS we learned about even MORE new food, characters, and entertainment coming to the parks for Black History Month.

Perhaps the BIGGEST news is that select Magic Key Passes have officially gone on sale again. Guests can now get the Inspire Key, Believe Key, and Imagine Key. However, the Enchant Key is only available for renewals at this time.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway opens on January 27th and it looks like there are only two ways to ride it. First, there will be no standby line, but the virtual queue will be available to guests at 7AM and then later at 1PM.