Category: Blog Mickey

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotel has announced that a new celebrity restaurant will be coming to the Dolphin hotel. The new restaurant is called Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina, and it will be the newest addition to the hotel’s lineup of 23 restaurants and lounges. The James Beard Award-Winning Mina will bring a reimagined take on the American steakhouse. Bourbon Steak will replace Shula’s Steakhouse, which will take reservations through June 14th. Bourbon Steak is expected to open mid-Summer. Here’s the announcement! Bourbon Steak Replacing Shula’s Steakhouse at Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is opening its newest celebrity chef restaurant. Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina will be the newest addition to the hotel’s lineup of 23 restaurants and lounges. The James Beard Award-Winning chef and restaurateur will bring his celebrated, re-imagined modern take on the quintessential American steakhouse with premium cuts of beef and seafood infused with global flavors, showcasing the three primary elements of Mina’s culinary philosophy: product, technique and presentation. The restaurant menu will also feature decadent signature desserts, accented by world-class beverage offerings. “The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin continues to distinguish itself with its food and beverage program,” said Sean Verney, area general manager of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. “Welcoming Chef Mina to our culinary offerings continues to push us forward in our efforts to provide guests heightened dining experiences.”“The Walt Disney

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced plans to build the first-ever Universal theme park and entertainment resort complex in the United Kingdom and Europe. Universal announced the plans in concert with both the government and local council. The theme park is set to begin construction in 2026 with an estimated completion timeline in 2031. Universal purchased a 476-acre parcel of land in Bedford back in 2023, and the location of the park places it within 2 hours’ travel time for 80% of England’s population and 35 minutes north of London by train. Here are more details, including concept art of the new theme park. Universal United Kingdom Plans High-res concept art | via: Scott Gustin In terms of what was announced, it was an “intent to build” a theme park, hotel, and resort complex. Universal is still awaiting final consent approvals, but it has the backing of major players within the UK, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the government, and the local council. In short, we don’t foresee any major roadblocks preventing the project from being built. Universal has announced that the plans call for “a world-class theme park with several themed lands featuring Universal’s distinct style of immersive and thrilling rides, innovative attractions and exciting entertainment”. The resort will also feature a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining and entertainment complex. The decision to move forward with the plans comes after more than a year of feasibility, due diligence, and close engagement with local and national stakeholders, as well

In addition to Annual Passholder preview opportunities for the upcoming Epic Universe theme park, Universal Orlando Resort has also announced that hotel guests will be able to preview the new theme park as well. Universal also hinted at general public preview opportunities, saying that “additional audiences will be able to purchase tickets to preview [Epic Universe] in the weeks ahead”. Here are the announced details! Epic Universe Previews Expand to More Guests As Universal Orlando Resort continues to prepare for the official opening of Universal Epic Universe on May 22, the destination is giving select guests the opportunity to preview the highly anticipated theme park beginning on April 17. Starting today, Annual and Seasonal Passholders, active 2025 Military Freedom Pass Ticket Holders, Universal Rewards Signature VISA Card members and guests staying at any Universal Orlando hotel can purchase tickets to access Epic Universe during its preview period. Additional audiences will be able to purchase tickets to preview the groundbreaking new theme park in the weeks ahead. Please note that during the preview period, availability of experiences within Epic Universe may vary as Universal puts the final touches on the park in preparation for its grand opening on May 22. For our comprehensive review of Universal Epic Universe, check out our article below! Universal Epic Universe Review: A Spectacular Achievement with Room For ImprovementUniversal Orlando Resort is getting ready to open its newest theme park, and we have a look around with our Universal Epic Universe review!blogmickey.com As always,

Universal Orlando Resort Annual Passholders will be able to experience Universal Epic Universe before the May 22nd grand opening. Universal has announced Annual Passholder preview dates as the park continues to prepare for opening. Here are the details. Annual Passholder Preview of Epic Universe Annual Passholder previews of Epic Universe will begin on April 17th, and run daily through May 8th. Prices range from $144 during some of the early preview dates to $123 for the later dates. For a chance to purchase tickets, click here: https://www.universalorlando.com/web-store/en/us/annual-pass-offers/park-tickets/ For our early, initial review of Epic Universe, check out our extensive report below! Universal Epic Universe Review: A Spectacular Achievement with Room For ImprovementUniversal Orlando Resort is getting ready to open its newest theme park, and we have a look around with our Universal Epic Universe review!blogmickey.com As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!

While visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom this morning, we stopped by DinoLand USA to find that the final billboard in the Dino-Rama section of the land has been demolished. While this billboard was in the original Tropical Americas concept art, it was removed from the concept art when minor changes were made back in Summer 2024. In addition to the billboard removal, land clearing has continued in the back of the land to open up the usable space for what is expected to be an expansive show building for an all-new Encanto-themed ride. Let’s take a closer look! Final DinoLand USA Billboard Demolished First, here’s a look back at the billboard that we’re discussing in this article. The two billboards in the background had already been demolished, with the Dino Institute billboard being the final one to be demolished recently. Here’s a before/after of the area as seen from The Boneyard. Here are some more photos of the area, including a look at the demolished billboard on the ground behind the construction walls. There is also a ton of concrete removal taking place in addition to expansive land clearing. Extensive Land Clearing at DinoLand USA for Encanto Attraction Land clearing has continued with the removal of trees ahead of the flattening of a berm at the back of DinoLand USA. This berm and cleared area will be where the majority of the show

Disney’s D23 official fan club has announced that tickets for the upcoming Destination D23 event will go on sale next week. Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney will take place August 29-31 at Walt Disney World, and tickets for the event go on sale on April 14th at 1pm. Here’s the announcement, along with ticket prices. 2025 Destination D23 Tickets and Prices D23: The Official Disney Fan Club announced today that tickets for the highly anticipated Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney presented by Lug will go on sale at 10 a.m. PDT / 1 p.m. EDT on April 14, 2025, exclusively for D23 Gold Members. Taking place at Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida, this one-of-a-kind event will bring together the biggest Disney fans for a multi-day experience on August 29, 30, and 31, 2025. New this year, Destination D23 will take place at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, providing a larger venue with increased capacity.“Disney is uniquely beloved by generations of people who are captivated by the magic of our timeless stories and the imaginative ways we bring them to life,” said Michael Vargo, Head of D23. “Destination D23 will bring together some of Disney’s most passionate fans for an immersive event allowing them to celebrate and experience what they love most from across the worlds of Disney.” Tickets for Destination D23 will go on sale exclusively to D23 Gold Members on April 14 starting at 10 a.m. PDT /

While visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom this morning, we noticed that shirts from the popular clothing brand RSVLTS were available. This marks the first time that RSVLTS has had a retail presence at Walt Disney World. We found the shirts at the Riverside Depot shop in Discovery Island, but we’re told that the shirts will also be available at Disney Style in Disney Springs. Here’s a look! RSVLTS Shirts Debut at Walt Disney World RSVLTS fans will be happy to hear that Annual Passholder discounts apply to shirts, and guests can even pick one sticker design per shirt purchased. Here’s a closer look. Tiki Room | $75 Mickey Mouse Themed Lands | $75 Haunted Mansion | $75 Star Wars | $75 Complimentary Sticker Options Cast Members are currently offering complimentary RSVLTS stickers to guests who purchase the shirt. The shirts came with the stickers, and Cast Members appear to have saved them and set them aside to hand out to guests who purchase the shirt. One sticker per shirt purchased. Here are the options! As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!

Good morning from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where a new baby has joined the savanna at Kilimanjaro Safaris. A baby giraffe has joined the tower of giraffes already roaming. We made it out to Disney’s Animal Kingdom this morning to give you a first look at the baby giraffe! Baby Giraffe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Guests hoping to catch a glimpse of the baby giraffe will have to hop aboard the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction in the Africa section of the theme park. Kilimanjaro Safaris offers a view of more than 30 different species of animals. The new baby giraffe is named Tucker, and he’s the son of Mara. Tucker is the first Masai giraffe born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom since 2021. Mara, who joined our savanna in 2015, has proudly expanded her family, not once, but three times now.We had to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris twice this morning to spot Tucker, who joined the savanna after the rope drop rush. Unfortunately, Tucker was more interested in breakfast than posing for the camera, so we’ll follow our photos with some released by Disney. Currently, guest safari trucks aren’t able to stop at any point during the savanna portion of the ride due to Tucker’s arrival, making photos more difficult than normal, but there was a parking lot of Disney trucks able to snap some photos. As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to

Universal Epic Universe is set to open May 22, 2025 as Universal Orlando Resort’s third theme park, fourth if you count the Volcano Bay water park. In our Epic Universe review, we’ll recap our experience during some early previews, along with some thoughts on the rides, food, shows, and more from Universal’s newest theme park. Epic Universe brings together popular Intellectual Property, some new, some old, and some from somewhere in between. Let me be clear from the beginning – Epic Universe is a major accomplishment for Universal Orlando and something that will change the center of gravity in the Central Florida theme park market for years to come.That said, Epic Universe is not going to allow Universal Orlando to dethrone Walt Disney World. Instead, the arrival of Epic Universe is something far more nuanced. In this early review of the park, we’ll try to explore the nuances, give you an idea of what to expect, provide some (clearly marked) spoilers, be critical of the park, compare it to Walt Disney World, explain why that comparison won’t matter to many, and much, much more. I’ve got my coffee poured, and I hope that you do, too. Let’s explore Epic Universe! Epic Universe ReviewWhat Is Universal Epic Universe? Parking and Arrival ExperienceCelestial ParkStardust Racers ReviewConstellation Carousel ReviewCelestial Park Fountain ShowsCelestial Park Closing ThoughtsSuper Nintendo WorldMario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge Review Yoshi’s Adventure ReviewMine-Cart MadnessDark Universe (Universal Classic Monsters)Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment ReviewCurse of the Werewolf ReviewThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Today, invited media will be touring Universal Epic Universe alongside a previously scheduled Team Member preview. With media able to take photos and video during their day at the park, Universal has now relaxed a strict no-photo policy for Team Members and their guests attending previews. Here’s the latest. Updated Photo & Video Policy for Epic Universe Previews Universal Orlando Resort is relaxing the strict no-photos and video policy that has been in place for weeks at its new Epic Universe theme park, which is now under employee and family previews. The updated policy now allows Team Members and their guests to use their own personal devices to take photos and video while at Epic Universe during previews. There are still some specific areas and attractions that have “no photos” signage where the policy is still in place. Team Members are reminded that no photos, videos, or video calls are allowed in back-of-house locations. It has been rumored that hundreds of Team Members and/or guests have been either terminated or trespassed from Universal Orlando Resort property due to unauthorized filming and photography during the early previews. Some photos and videos have been leaked online, but the new relaxed photo and video policy should lead to a flood of content hitting the internet shortly as today’s preview opens in just a few minutes. For everything you need to know about Universal Epic Universe, check out our Epic Universe page below! Universal Epic Universe Overview (Details, Info