7 HUGE Announcements from Disney World This Month

January was a hectic month at Disney World, and it felt like we were getting a million announcements each day.

January 2026 has already proven to be one of those “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” months at Disney World. While a whole new year kicked off at the resort (along with the popular EPCOT International Festival of the Arts), Disney hit us with SO MANY ANNOUNCEMENTS! We got surprise updates, dining shake-ups, adjustments in the wake of an incident, and so much more that we need to discuss.

To go over every single announcement made in January could take days, so we’re going to highlight seven of the biggest Disney World announcements from this month that you need on your radar.

1. Cool Kids’ Summer Is Officially Coming Back

Disney confirmed that Cool Kids’ Summer will return in 2026, bringing back seasonal entertainment, kid-focused offerings, and limited-time fun across the parks. While Disney hasn’t dropped the full lineup yet, this signals that summer crowds may be getting extra entertainment again — which could change how you plan your park days.

As part of this summer offering, Disney announced a new Toy Story-themed Jessie’s Roundup experience coming to the Diamond Horseshoe. Per Disney, guests will be able to “craft, dance, and yodel [their] hearts out” with Jessie, Woody, and other Toy Story characters!

We’ll let you know more about this event’s offerings as they’re announced.

12 HUGE Announcements for This Summer in Disney World

2. The Grand Floridian’s Tea Room Is Reopening

Closed since 2020, the Garden View Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is finally reopening on March 19th.

It’ll feature “new touches from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Alice in Wonderland” and reopen with a “refreshed look that complements the new lobby design.”

It’ll also come with a new menu with signature cocktails and delicacies like the Orange-Cranberry Scone.

Disney Drops NEW LOOK at Grand Floridian Tea Room Reopening This Year

3. Gideon’s Bakehouse Is EXPANDING

One of the most popular treats at Disney Springs is about to get even bigger. Gideon’s Bakehouse announced an expansion, which should help with those infamous lines.

Called Six Ravens, the new location will open later this year on The Landing at Disney Springs and will offer a fast-casual menu featuring offerings like hand-pie-like sandwiches called coffyns and housemade yeast rolls with fillings that focus on local flavors.

Hopefully opening by mid-2026, the restaurant will be partnering with another Disney Springs favorite — The Polite Pig.

CONFIRMED: New Gideon’s Bakehouse Location, Six Ravens, Coming to Disney Springs This Year

4. Swan and Dolphin Reveal Festival Dates

Disney confirmed key 2026 dates for the Swan and Dolphin’s popular Food & Wine Classic!

The Classic will be held on November 20th and 21st, 2026, from 5 PM to 9 PM each day, and will offer special food and drinks created by the restaurants you’ll find at Swan and Dolphin properties in an all-you-can-eat-and-drink ticket package, as well as discounted hotel rates, live entertainment, seminars, and fireworks.

Dates Revealed for the 2026 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

5. New Disney World Discounts Dropped

January brought a fresh wave of Disney World discounts, including room offers and package deals for 2026.

We learned about 30%-off hotel stays, Florida Resident Deals, Annual Passholder discounts, and free days that can be added to stays when you add 4-night, 4-day vacation packages.

Disney World Just Dropped Major News About 4 New Discounts

6. BIG Restaurant Changes

This month came with multiple restaurant updates and closures. For example, ‘Ohana announced that views of the Seven Seas Lagoon from the restaurant will be partially or completely blocked off or obstructed during Polynesian Resort construction.

Additionally, Crew’s Cup Lounge and Yachtsman Steakhouse both announced temporary closures that could impact dining plans around the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts.

Crew’s Cup Lounge will close on February 23rd, 2026, with a reopening currently expected in May 2026. Yachtsman Steakhouse will close in May 2026 and is currently expected to reopen by August 2026.

2 Popular Disney World Restaurants Set to Close THIS Year

7. Indiana Jones Cast Member Incident Adjustments

An Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular-related Cast Member incident made headlines this month when a Cast Member was able to block the path of the 400-pound boulder from the audience, but was injured in the process.

As a result, Disney modified the show to exclude the bolder scene until Disney’s safety team deems the prop safe. Right now, when Indiana Jones steals the idol and triggers the boulder, the sound effects for the boulder start along with the fire effects, but now he jumps down below instead of being chased by a boulder.

The scene then ends with the “production crew” telling our hero how great a job he did.

Indiana Jones Show Makes Changes After Cast Member Incident in Disney World

We covered the major headlines, but January was packed with even more Disney World news, such as:

• Disney Springs’s Lime Garage will be closed from January 12th until March 13th, with a short window when it will be opened from February 12th through February 16th, until it closes again from February 17th through March 13th.
• TRON Lightcycle/Run reverted back to its original blue color.

And so much more!

A LOT happened this month, and the news won’t be slowing down anytime soon. Be sure to keep it posted right here at AllEars for all the latest Disney World coverage, breaking updates, and planning tips to help you make the most out of your next Disney World vacation!

It’s About To Get COMPLICATED to Visit Disney World

Which Disney World announcements stuck with you the most in January? Let us know in the comments!

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