Greetings fellow Rope Droppers,
Well, I got to take my first tour around Epcot Food & Wine this week. One of my favorite items? The Schiacciata Sandwich from the Forest & Field marketplace. Not only is it a really good fall-inspired Italian sandwich, it’s also one of the best value items I’ve found for the portion size! Ahhhh one of my favorite times of the year.
We started with 487 stories and bring you this 4-minute read. This week we’re talking menu reveals, refurb warnings, and a last-minute Disney Cruise deal.
Gabe
Yes, we’re one month into the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, but with the longer durations the last few years, we often get some mid-festival changes.
Starting Sunday… two more festival marketplaces go live: Coastal Eats and Gyozas of the Galaxy. Both are located next to Creations Shop.
Coastal Eats brings back a mix of festival favorites (like the crab cake) and some newcomers… a ceviche and a “Seaside Pot Pie.” (The latter just reminded us of the old Ireland booth, who remembers that Fisherman’s pie? And the chocolate lava cake!?)
Meanwhile, Gyozas of the Galaxy is completely new, with three different types of dumplings. There’s a pineapple colada too.
Disney Eats on Facebook
Now available: The Festival Favorites booth (in World Celebration) also has a menu update live: a potato pierogi with kielbasa, curry-spiced fried cheese, and two frozen milkshakes.
PS, while we’re at it: On the Epcot food front, Space 220 plans to change up its menu next week. Disney Food Blog has a look at the new offerings.
What's your favorite Epcot festival of the year?
Have you even thought about 2027? Disney is getting ahead of Skyliner refurb scheduling. We got word this week that the lines will be down January 24-30, 2027. That’s very similar to the coming closure, January 25-31, 2026.
Bottom line: If late January WDW trips are your go-to, this might be one to keep tabs on. Of course, bus service is always available if you’re at a Skyliner resort or park as an alternative. But we know some folks really make this a key decision factor.
Also now on our 2027 refurb radar: Luna Park Pool, the Luna Park Crazy Play Area, and Leaping Horse Libations pool bar over at BoardWalk will close starting on January 11, 2027, for routine maintenance. Disney says that will go through April of that year.
Disney says guests may “see and hear” (aka noise) taking place during the daytime hours. But, the Inn Pool and Villas Pool will still be open for your Florida winter enjoyment.
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Disney Parks Blog
As we previewed last week, the Disney Destiny made her way down the Ems River to Eemshaven, Netherlands, where she’ll undergo a number of tests ahead of the November 20 maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale.
Last chance: And if you’ve got the itch to be on a Disney Cruise soon, hop on this deal now. DCL is offering 40% of select voyages on the Magic, Wish, Dream and Fantasy between now and the end of the year. But here’s the thing - today is the last day to book the discounted fare.
We know folks often plan cruises months or even years in advance, but if your calendar has the flexibility, this is definitely a limited time offer to consider and compare.
Santa is Moving: No, not from the North Pole, silly. But he will have a new spot if you’re looking for him at Epcot this holiday season: CommuniCore Hall. (WDWNT)
As We Warned: All Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates for the year are now sold out, marking the fifth year in a row of complete sell outs.. (Disney Tourist Blog)
Moonlight Magic: Disney Vacation Club added nine of these after-hours events to the 2026 calendar. These are super fun if you’re a DVC member and happen to be around at the same time, but you do have to register ahead. (DVC News)
Passholder Alert: Saturday is the last day for you to pick up a Crush magnet from Discovery Trading Company in Animal Kingdom. Be sure to bring a photo ID. (WDWNT)
Walt Disney World has a birthday coming up this week! On Wednesday, Magic Kingdom will celebrate its 54th birthday, and Epcot will turn 43.
We always like to finish with something fun, and this week we head to the Disney Magic, where a sailing saw an unusually high number of folks wearing the same shirt on the same day.
How’d it happen? It all got organized by the cruise’s unofficial Facebook group. The story goes that a shirt was picked for some family members to unknowingly all wear on the same cruise day… and all start to realize as they walk around the ship. All in good fun, they met up for a photo!
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