Greetings fellow Rope Droppers,
After last week’s drama, I’m very pleased to report that at 7:09pm last night yours truly was able to finally secure a Beak and Barrel during my September WDW visit. Things seemed to go much smoother on this second round, for me at least!
Today we dive into one of my favorite times of the year - fall! We’re rounding up all the updates from around the resort.
We started with 755 stories and bring you this 4-minute read.
Gabe
Disney Parks Blog
If you’ve been waiting to take out the pumpkin spice candle at home, we say go for it. After all, the more than two months of Halloween are now officially underway at Walt Disney World.
While sure, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a big part of that, there’s fortunately lots of fall fun around property if you’re not down to shell out the up to $229 for a ticket.
That includes a first at Disney Springs, where Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar just got a Halloween glow-up. The spooky additions include both drinks and bites. WDW News Today tried them all.
Disney Parks Blog
Honestly these small bites are giving me some Halloween party potluck ideas, the pigs in a blanket - um we mean Cursed Mummy Sausages - are just too cute, and we’re definitely going to recreate those eye bites on our own. Well done, chefs. This experience runs through November 4.
What else can you experience without a party ticket?
For one, there are a bunch of new PhotoPass Magic Shots now available in all parks.
Jock’s isn’t the only Disney Springs venue with themed treats, Disney Food Blog has the roundup, and there are also tons of treats at resorts.
The official Disney Parks Blog foodie guide lists it all out. (What do I want to try most? The Ghoulish Beignets from Port Orleans and the Halloween Macaron Trio from Riviera…those seasonal trios always are SO good!)
If MNSSHP is your bread and pumpkin butter, though, here’s the intel from this year’s event:
Take it from your mumsy: There’s a new villain joining the parade… Mother Gothel!
Meet and greets: Mickey and Minnie don new costumes for 2025.
Treat trails: Visitors are finding more characters in treat trails this year, building on a new reveal from last season.
Planning ahead: Understandably, some dates are starting to sell out. It happens every year. Interestingly, WDW Magic notes that this year’s sell-out pace is slower than last year’s.
What are you most looking forward to?
Pirates of the Caribbean Cast Members Debut New Costumes
wdwnt.com/2025/08/pirate…— #WDW News Today (#@WDWNT)
3:36 PM • Aug 20, 2025
New cast costume alert: it looks like that new lounge is having some wider impacts outside of just those hard-to-get reservations. WDWNT spotted Pirates of the Caribbean ride cast members donning new costumes.
“Cast Members at the tavern, attraction, and gift shop (Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar) will all have the same options, creating a cohesive but not identical style for the area.”
We love this mix-and-match look, and think it adds more magic to the area than just the same monotone uniform for everyone.
Extended Evenings Change: Animal Kingdom looks to be making another rare appearance on the evening hour calendar, on October 27. These don’t happen too often, but we do enjoy seeing Pandora at night, so if you’re staying at one of the participating hotels, you might want to check it out. (WDW Magic)
AKL Pool Slide Refurb: Meanwhile up the street at the Kidani Village, the Samawati Springs Pool Slide will close temporarily for maintenance on September 8. The pool itself will still be operational. (WDW Magic)
Yacht & Beach Club Refurb Extension: The work was originally supposed to go through this October, but the Yacht Club exterior maintenance is now listing a late 2026 date, while Beach Club’s will go into 2027. (BlogMickey)
Port Orleans French Quarter: And remember renovations on the lobby start next week. They’re only expected to go through September. (Disney Food Blog)
College Program Applications: Applications for the spring 2026 program dropped this week. (Disney)
Dining Plan Feedback: Disney is surveying guests about Dining Plan options. Maybe market research, maybe a sign of new “Ultimate” plan? (BlogMickey)
In cruise news… Disney Cruise Line dropped its fall 2026 and spring 2027 itineraries this week.
What’s new?
Starting in October 2026, the two OGs, the Magic and the Wonder, will both sail out of San Diego at the same time.
The Magic will then spend an extended season in Galveston, from November 2026 to April 2027.
There are two sailings where you can “triple dip” on the Disney Fantasy - aka two stops at Castaway Cay and one stop at Lookout Cay.
kingdomadventurestravel on Threads
Disney Cruise Line Blog did the full itinerary analysis, as well as a look at the opening day prices.
They’ll go on sale starting on August 25 for Pearl Castaway Club members, with staggered dates for other status levels, with a final public on-sale date of September 2.
We like to always end RDR on a high note, and this one was easy. If you’ve ever taken a Photo Pass snapshot at Hollywood Studios, chances are you’ve run into Willie. I know I can tell you the exact photos on my phone that he’s taken. But a better phrase is “directed,” because it’s his cues and smile that coax the best photos out of park visitors.
If you’ve ever wondered if those mobile cast compliments in the MDE app go anywhere, turns out they do. Also turns out Willie was the MOST complimented cast member last year, with more than 1,000!
The most complimented Cast Member at Walt Disney World is now a recipient of the Walt Disney Legacy Award ✨ di.sn/6010fx6z2
— #Disney Parks (#@DisneyParks)
8:00 PM • Aug 20, 2025
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