Epcot Progress, Hatbox Ghost Materializes, and More! [Roundup]

It’s been a few weeks since I did a roundup of recent news from on and off the blog. Let’s check out some of the happenings during this busy holiday season…

New on the Blogs

It’s been a while since I did a roundup like this, in part because I’ve been busy getting a wide range of fresh content up on the blog:

• Ranking all the Character Dining at Walt Disney World

• Guide to Disney World Holiday Parties with a Toddler

• Tour of the Mary Poppins Rooms at Grand Floridian

• Look at the Gingerbread House at Grand Floridian

• Best Hotels Close to Hollywood Studios and Epcot

• All Day Park Hopping Returns January 9 (Analysis)

• How Much does a trip to Disneyland Paris cost?

• How Much does a Trip to Universal Orlando Cost?

• When Will Epic Universe Open at Universal Orlando? Should You Wait?

Over on our sister site, we’ve got a new review of the Pico Portable car seat we use for travel, along with some tips for bedtime with a toddler while traveling.

Almost All Epcot Construction Walls Down

Epcot is finally nearing the end of this construction cycle, which began in 2019. This week saw two big updates in the park.

First, “Luminous”, the new nighttime show, debuted. Here’s a video. I’ll be waiting until I can see the show in person in January to pass judgment on it, but nothing I’ve heard relatively positive commentary.

Second, a significant amount of the construction in former Future World is done, with most of the walls in “World Celebration” coming down. Here’s a video. This reveal was never going to be too huge. It seems the space is well-designed, and it includes seating and outlets.

The seating is sort of notable because you’d naturally point out that it’s really the World Showcase during peak festival season that needs more seating. World Celebration wouldn’t seem to call for much seating.

But the one part of the construction that isn’t done—CommuniCore Hall and Plaza—will reportedly have some festival-focused spaces when construction finishes in 2024. Maybe this will shift more of the festival crowds out of the World Showcase and into World Celebration.

Epcot Festival of the Holidays Begins

The Epcot Festival of the Holidays kicked off its short season a few weeks ago. That link is to our guide, and you can check out the menus over on Magic-Ally Main Treats.

Hatbox Ghost Debuts at Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom

The Hatbox Ghost debuted at Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom. Filed under “I should wait until I see it IRL but I’ve seen pictures and I’ve seen enough”, I’ll just say I think the placement is pretty goofy. But okay. Here’s someone smarter than me talking about it.

Disneyland Events Calendar Announced

Disneyland has gone ahead and announced an events calendar for 2024:

• Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park: January 23 to February 18

• Celebrate Gospel at Disneyland Park: February 17 and 24

• Anaheim Ducks Days at Disney California Adventure Park: February 22-23

• Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival: March 1 to April 22

• Season of the Force at Disneyland Park: April 5 to June 2

• Pixar Fest: April 26 to August 4

• Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort: August 23 to October 31

• Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park: August 23 to November 2

• Holidays at the Disneyland Resort: Beginning November 15

On a personal level I find this pretty satisfying. I love visiting Disneyland, but I have trouble keeping track of their events, which tend to the more thematic (“Pixar Fest”, “Season of the Force”). (With only two parks and a somewhat higher proportion of locals in the visitor pool, these sorts of events make a lot more sense in Disneyland than Walt Disney World.)

Disneyland also has some new ticket details ongoing and upcoming.

New Restaurant at Disney Springs

December 4th brought the opening of eet by Maneet Chauhan at Disney Springs. We’re thrilled to have a new Indian—er, “Indian-inspired”—restaurant to check out.