June 26, 2025
Welcome back to Happily Ever After Hours, your weekly dose of magic, thrills, and theme park updates! Whether you’re planning your next trip or just love staying in the know, we’ve rounded up the most enchanting headlines from Disney and Universal this past week.
✨ Disney Highlights
🕘 EPCOT After-Hours: Sold Out Again
The June 26 EPCOT After-Hours event scheduled for today is officially sold out. It’s the second event this summer to hit capacity, so if you’re eyeing a July or August date, act fast!
🍽️ V.I.Passholder Dining Perks Still Going Strong
Through June 30, Passholders can save 40% on food and non-alcoholic drinks at select restaurants, including:
- Cape May Café
- Tusker House
- Boatwright’s Dining Hall
- Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood
More value for your food budget? Yes, please.
🎇 Fireworks & Parade Updates
- Happily Ever After will move to a 10:00 PM start time starting July 6, to coincide with the debut of the Starlight Night Parade in Magic Kingdom.
- Until then, the show remains at 9:20 PM — so double-check your schedule!
🌙 Extended Evening Hours at Hollywood Studios
Mark your calendars: August 29 will feature rare Extended Evening Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, available to guests at Deluxe Resorts and Villas.
🎢 Universal Orlando & Epic Universe Updates
🚀 Coasters Still Crushing It
Since opening on May 22, the two headline coasters at Epic Universe continue to earn rave reviews:
- Stardust Racers – a dual-launch racing coaster in Celestial Park, hitting speeds up to 62 mph
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – a smooth family-friendly flight ride in Isle of Berk, perfect for dragon fans
Guests are calling both “can’t-miss” and “next-gen immersive.” If you’ve got thrill-seekers in your group, this is your moment.
🏗️ Expansion Already? Yes.
Universal just filed permits for Project 915, signaling vertical construction in a new zone of Epic Universe. While details are hush-hush, fans speculate this could be tied to an expansion area between Super Nintendo World and the park’s entrance corridor.
🎟️ Crowd Levels? Surprisingly Low.
Even with the hype, Epic Universe is still operating under 50% capacity most days. Fridays through Mondays show the lowest wait times, making now a great time to visit before holiday crowds pick up.
🔮 Planning Forecast
| Event / Update | Date/Window | Details |
|---|---|---|
| EPCOT After-Hours | June 26 (Sold Out) | Next events likely in July |
| Dining Perks for Passholders | Through June 30 | 40% off select dining |
| Happily Ever After Fireworks | Now → July 5 | 9:20 PM showtime |
| Fireworks Start Shift | July 6 onward | Moves to 10:00 PM |
| Hollywood Studios Late Hours | August 29 | Extended Evening Hours |
| Epic Universe Crowd Sweet Spot | Now through July 15 | Lowest wait times, max thrill |
| Epic Universe Expansion | Construction underway | “Project 915” permits filed |
🏁 Final Thoughts
It’s been a packed week on both coasts of the theme park world. Disney continues to evolve its nighttime offerings and reward loyal Passholders, while Universal keeps momentum going post-launch with fresh buzz around its new coasters and future plans.
Whether you’re Team Castle or Team Coaster, there’s never been a better time to dive into the magic.
Stay tuned for next week’s edition of Happily Ever After Hours — we’ll be breaking down Destination D23 rumors, new fall food offerings, and more!
HAPPY EXPERIMENT 626 (STITCH) DAY!
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