Week of July 10, 2025

Welcome back to your weekly dose of fireworks, coaster reveals, magical updates, and festive planning — straight from Disney and Universal parks across the country. Whether you’re mapping out your next park day or just living vicariously from home, we’ve got you covered.

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✨ Disney World & Disneyland Updates

🎄 Holiday Dates Are Here!

Disney just dropped its full holiday schedule for 2025:

• Holiday Season at WDW: November 14 – December 31
  Expect festive decor, holiday menus, themed character meet-and-greets, and seasonal entertainment across all four parks.
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: Select nights November 7 – December 21
  Early access for resort guests begins July 16, with public ticket sales opening July 22.
• EPCOT Festival of the Holidays: November 28 – December 30
  Highlights include the Candlelight Processional, Olaf’s scavenger hunt, and a delicious lineup of holiday kitchens.
• Winter Resort Deal:
  Bookings from Oct 12 – Dec 25 qualify for up to 20% off select hotels and up to a $100 Disney dining/shopping card.

🚗 Piston Peak National Park is Official

The closures of Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island, and Liberty Belle Riverboat on July 7 mark the end of an era in Magic Kingdom. But what’s coming next?

• Piston Peak National Park (from Planes: Fire & Rescue) will become Magic Kingdom’s newest land.
  Imagine towering pine trees, geysers, and mountain lodges replacing the old riverfront.
• Rumors also hint at a future Villains-themed land nearby — but no confirmed timeline yet.

🚗 Test Track 3.0 Rolls In July 22

After months of closure, EPCOT’s high-speed staple returns:

• What’s new? A GM-backed redesign with updated music, immersive queue spaces, and refined vehicle tech.
• Lightning Lane & Standby only — no virtual queue needed post-launch.
• Extended Hours start July 28 for deluxe resort guests.

🎉 Disneyland’s 70th Rolls On

• New show alert! Walt Disney – A Magical Life opens July 17 at Disneyland’s Opera House — featuring an Audio-Animatronic Walt himself.
• “it’s a small world” also adds a new third verse by Richard Sherman on July 17, tying into the 70th celebration.

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🎢 Universal Parks & Epic Universe

🌌 Epic Universe Expansion Begins

Permits for Project 915/914 confirm the first vertical expansion of Epic Universe. While Universal’s tight-lipped on specifics, insider rumors suggest:

• A new land or experience near the park entrance or Super Nintendo World
• Major theming and new dining spaces in development
• Construction to continue through late 2025

👻 Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Lineup

Things are getting spooky:

• Orlando’s Houses (so far):
  • Jason Un1v3rse
  • Fallout
  • El Artista: A Spanish Haunting
  • Hatchet & Chains
  • Dolls
  • Grave of Flesh
• Hollywood’s Headliner:
  • Monstruos 3: The Ghosts of Latin America (Sept 4 – Nov 2)

🏎️ Fast & Furious Coaster Set for 2026

Universal Studios Hollywood previewed the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift coaster — their fastest ride ever (72 mph!) with 360° rotating vehicles and sleek track design. Construction is well underway.

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📊 Weekly Park News Recap

🎡 Location	📰 Highlights
Walt Disney World	Holiday season Nov 14–Dec 31 • Christmas Party starts Nov 7 • Piston Peak under construction
EPCOT	Test Track 3.0 reopens July 22 with early & evening hours
Disneyland	70th Anniversary continues • New Walt animatronic show July 17
Universal Orlando	HHN lineup revealed • Epic Universe expansion underway
Universal Hollywood	New Fast & Furious coaster coming 2026 • Monstruos 3 scares start Sept 4

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🔮 Final Thoughts

Between Disney’s holiday announcements, land overhauls, and the return of fan-favorite attractions — plus Universal’s bold HHN and coaster game — there’s plenty to get hyped about.

✨ Whether you’re team castle or team coaster, this is your reminder to:

• Book your holiday trips now
• Set reminders for July 16 & 22 for party tickets
• Keep your eyes peeled for Halloween Horror Nights merch drops and new Epic Universe details

We’ll see you next week with more updates from Happily Ever After Hours.