This week's episode covers the latest Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line news, from a longer closure at EPCOT's UK pavilion to Disney's first cruise ship for Japan.

🍺 EPCOT Rose & Crown Closing for Refurbishment

Disney first announced that only the Rose & Crown Dining Room would close, but the plans have grown. Both the dining room and the pub in EPCOT's United Kingdom pavilion now close on the 11th of January 2027, and are expected to reopen later in 2027. The fireworks dining package and the Rose & Crown musician won't be available while it's closed.

🎄 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Opening Night Sells Out

Opening night of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on the 8th of November sold out on the 17th of October, making it the ninth of the 25 nights to go. That's slower than the last two years, but sell-outs have picked up in recent weeks. As of the 17th of October, sixteen nights were still on sale, with adult tickets between 194 and 229 dollars.

🚢 Disney Imagination: Disney Cruise Line's First Ship from Japan

Oriental Land Company has named the first Disney Cruise Line Japan ship the Disney Imagination. The Wish-class ship sets sail from Tokyo in spring 2029, with Ariel and Sebastian on the stern. Orlando Insider can also help you book and plan a trip to the Disney resorts in Japan, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Planning a Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando holiday from the UK?

With so much happening across the parks and Disney Cruise Line, now is a great time to start planning your next trip. At [Orlando Insider](https://www.orlandoinsider.co.uk), every client gets their own personal Orlando Guru, a real UK-based expert who knows these parks inside out, plus our exclusive Ride Alert service and AI-powered Park Planner to help you save time and beat the crowds. Every booking is fully protected under ATOL and trust fund protection, and our team is available 24/7 before, during and after your holiday. It's why we've earned over 19,400 five-star reviews on Trustpilot and are proud to be a multi-award winning [Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando specialist](https://www.orlandoinsider.co.uk).

Useful Links:

🌐 [Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando holidays from the UK](https://www.orlandoinsider.co.uk) — Orlando Insider — www.orlandoinsider.co.uk

🔔 Subscribe to Orlando Insider on YouTube for weekly Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando news

Keywords: EPCOT Rose & Crown closing, Rose & Crown refurbishment, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2026, Christmas Party sold out, Disney Imagination, Disney Cruise Line Japan, Disney cruise ship Tokyo, Walt Disney World news, Disney Orlando holidays UK

This week's episode covers the latest Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line news, from a longer closure at EPCOT's UK pavilion to Disney's first cruise ship for Japan.

🍺 EPCOT Rose & Crown Closing for Refurbishment

Disney first announced that only the Rose & Crown Dining Room would close, but the plans have grown. Both the dining room and the pub in EPCOT's United Kingdom pavilion now close on the 11th of January 2027, and are expected to reopen later in 2027. The fireworks dining package and the Rose & Crown musician won't be available while it's closed.

🎄 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Opening Night Sells Out

Opening night of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on the 8th of November sold out on the 17th of October, making it the ninth of the 25 nights to go. That's slower than the last two years, but sell-outs have picked up in recent weeks. As of the 17th of October, sixteen nights were still on sale, with adult tickets between 194 and 229 dollars.

🚢 Disney Imagination: Disney Cruise Line's First Ship from Japan

Oriental Land Company has named the first Disney Cruise Line Japan ship the Disney Imagination. The Wish-class ship sets sail from Tokyo in spring 2029, with Ariel and Sebastian on the stern. Orlando Insider can also help you book and plan a trip to the Disney resorts in Japan, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Planning a Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando holiday from the UK?

With so much happening across the parks and Disney Cruise Line, now is a great time to start planning your next trip. At [Orlando Insider](https://www.orlandoinsider.co.uk), every client gets their own personal Orlando Guru, a real UK-based expert who knows these parks inside out, plus our exclusive Ride Alert service and AI-powered Park Planner to help you save time and beat the crowds. Every booking is fully protected under ATOL and trust fund protection, and our team is available 24/7 before, during and after your holiday. It's why we've earned over 19,400 five-star reviews on Trustpilot and are proud to be a multi-award winning [Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando specialist](https://www.orlandoinsider.co.uk).

Useful Links:

🌐 [Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando holidays from the UK](https://www.orlandoinsider.co.uk) — Orlando Insider — www.orlandoinsider.co.uk

🔔 Subscribe to Orlando Insider on YouTube for weekly Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando news

Keywords: EPCOT Rose & Crown closing, Rose & Crown refurbishment, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2026, Christmas Party sold out, Disney Imagination, Disney Cruise Line Japan, Disney cruise ship Tokyo, Walt Disney World news, Disney Orlando holidays UK

Disney Believe Homeport & Booking Date, Universal Horror Make-Up Show Featuring Blumhouse, Jurassic Park River Adventure & Tiana's Bayou Adventure Reopening Dates (4–11 October 2026)

This week's episode covers the biggest Disney Cruise Line, Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World news, from the Disney Believe reveal to two popular water rides getting reopening dates.

🚢 Disney Believe Homeport, Maiden Voyage and Booking Date

Disney Cruise Line has revealed the Disney Believe will sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, with its maiden voyage on 18th December 2027. After a five-night Bahamian first sailing, the ship moves to four and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, and bookings open to the general public on 19th October. New on board are the first ever stage show of Encanto, Oaken's Table: A Frozen Family Feast, the Sea Notes piano lounge and the Gazelle club.

🎃 Universal Horror Make-Up Show Featuring Blumhouse

Universal Orlando has announced the Horror Make-Up Show is returning to Universal Studios Florida as the Universal Horror Make-Up Show featuring Blumhouse. The new version looks at more than 100 years of Hollywood horror special effects and reopens this winter, with no exact date yet.

🌊 Jurassic Park River Adventure and Tiana's Bayou Adventure Reopening Dates

Jurassic Park River Adventure at Islands of Adventure is now due to reopen on 17th December, pushed back from November. At Magic Kingdom, Tiana's Bayou Adventure closes on 2nd November for its first refurbishment since opening in 2024, and Disney's refurbishment calendar shows it reopening on 18th December.

Planning a Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando holiday from the UK?

With so much happening across the parks and Disney Cruise Line, now is a great time to start planning your next trip. At Orlando Insider, every client gets their own personal Orlando Guru, a real UK-based expert who knows these parks inside out, plus our exclusive Ride Alert service and AI-powered Park Planner to help you save time and beat the crowds. Every booking is fully protected under ATOL and trust fund protection, and our team is available 24/7 before, during and after your holiday. It's why we've earned over 19,400 five-star reviews on Trustpilot and are proud to be a multi-award winning Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando specialist

Useful Links:

🌐 Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando holidays from the UK — Orlando Insider — www.orlandoinsider.co.uk

🔔 Subscribe to Orlando Insider on YouTube for weekly Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando news

Keywords: Disney Believe, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Believe Port Everglades, Disney Believe booking date, Universal Horror Make-Up Show, Blumhouse, Universal Studios Florida, Jurassic Park River Adventure reopening, Tiana's Bayou Adventure reopening, Walt Disney World news, Universal Orlando news, Disney Orlando holidays UK