Category: The Kingdom Insider

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts officially kicked off on January 17th, bringing vibrant creativity, delicious food, and unforgettable entertainment to Walt Disney World—and for Figment fans, it also means brand-new merchandise! The beloved purple dragon has a starring role in this year’s festival collection, and we explored EPCOT on opening day to uncover all the Figment-inspired treasures. Here’s a look at the must-have pieces we found: Source: Kingdom Media (Figment Spirit Jersey – $79.99) Source: Kingdom Media (Lug Crossbody Bag – $90.00) Source: Kingdom Media (Lug Sling Bag – $90.00) Source: Kingdom Media (24oz Tervis Tumbler – $34.99) Source: Kingdom Media (Ball Cap – $29.99) Source: Kingdom Media (Loungefly Ear Headband – $44.99) Source: Kingdom Media (Figment Faces Pin – $22.99) Source: Kingdom Media (Figment Two-Pin Set – $29.99) Source: Kingdom Media (Figment Pin – $22.99) Due to high demand, there is currently a limit of two of each item per transaction. If you’re attending the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, be sure to explore the merchandise locations to grab these Figment-inspired items. Remember, the festival runs through February 24th, and all the creativity, food, and entertainment are included with your regular park admission. Don’t forget your park reservation, and let your imagination soar! Are you ready to book your Disney vacation? Leave all the details to our friends at

This news is just too sweet and made our day, so, of course, we have to share it with you all! Viviana, a hippo on Kilimanjaro Safaris, is celebrating her 50th birthday! She recently celebrated her special occasion with a birthday “cake” crafted and curated by the Animal Nutrition team, featuring all her favorite foods, including sweet watermelon. Source: Disney Did you know hippos are surprisingly fast on land and can crunch an entire watermelon in one bite? When she is not eating some of her favorite foods, Viviana enjoys relaxing in her pools and spending time with her best hippo friends, Tuma, Tequila, and Ramona. She’s been a beloved favorite at the park for years, and this milestone only highlights her continued importance to the park. Happy birthday, Viviana! Check out this special video from Viviana’s caretakers at Animal Kingdom to get a closer look at her birthday celebration! VivianaHippoBirthdayVR Are you ready to book your Disney vacation? Leave all the details to our friends at Academy Travel Agency & let one of their Disney experts take it from here! Just click here to select your Disney destination of choice, fill out the quick & easy questionnaire, and your personalized, free agent will be in touch soon! Take a look around our website in the meantime, and read all about resorts, cruises, dining, entertainment & more! Be sure to follow us @thekingdominsider on Instagram & The Kingdom Insider on Facebook for updates

The Lunar New Year Festival at Disney California Adventure is officially in full swing, and there is plenty of food, drinks, and treats at each festival marketplace. This is one of our favorite festivals, as it offers a wide variety of Asian-inspired dishes prepared with a Disney twist. Guests can enjoy the festival this year from now through February 16, 2025. Check out our highlight reel from the event on our Instagram page here! This year, I tried one item from each booth, most new to the festival, and I have provided my review below to help you decide whether some items are a must-try or a skip! To sample food throughout the festival, remember to get your 2025 Lunar New Year Sip and Savor Pass—available for purchase to all Guests. Each pass includes 6 digital coupons you can redeem for select food and nonalcoholic beverages at participating Lunar New Year Marketplaces and dining locations. A Sip and Savor Pass is $48 or $45 for Magic Key holders. Source: Kingdom Media When you purchase your pass, let a Cast Member know which limited design you want. Sip and Savor Passes are available in 3 new, limited-edition, collectible designs that pay homage to Chinese, Vietnamese, or Korean cultures and feature some of your favorite Disney characters in culturally inspired outfits designed by artist Ann Shen. Source: Kingdom Media Insider Tip: Order Ahead. Purchase any available Lunar New Year Marketplace food and nonalcoholic beverage items at

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is known for its celebration of creativity, culture, and artistic expression. In 2025, the festival introduced an exciting new experience that brings the magic of Disney on Broadway to life in a whole new way! The Once Upon a Stage exhibit, located inside the all-new CommuniCore Hall, offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the iconic productions that have captured hearts for three decades. A Walk Through Disney Broadway History The Once Upon a Stage exhibit is a tribute to the artistry, craftsmanship, and innovation that have made Disney on Broadway a global phenomenon. Guests can explore a collection of authentic costumes, props, and set pieces from beloved shows like The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast. Each display includes fascinating details about the creative process, giving visitors a peek at how these world-class productions come together. Featured Displays and Highlights Costumes and Wardrobe: See intricate designs worn by some of your favorite characters, including Simba, Belle, and Jasmine. The craftsmanship behind each piece showcases the incredible artistry that makes Disney’s Broadway productions so magical. Iconic Props and Set Pieces: Admire the unique items used in productions over the years. Discover the ingenuity behind creating immersive stage worlds that transport audiences into Disney stories. Historical Insights: Learn about the evolution of Disney’s Broadway legacy, from Beauty and the Beast’s debut in 1994 to the recent hits that continue to dazzle theatergoers worldwide. Panels and displays provide fun facts, key

Beginning Jan. 21, Walt Disney World will expand the Lightning Lane Premier Pass pilot to all guests. The booking window will be consistent with Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass, allowing Guests to purchase this option in advance of their visit. Guests can purchase Lightning Lane Premier Passes for days they have valid theme park admission starting at 7:00 AM Eastern Time on their first day of eligibility. Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel or other select hotels can purchase Lightning Lane Premier Passes starting 7 days before the first day of their Resort stay for their length of stay (up to 14 days). This early-planning benefit is available to registered guests staying at: Disney Resort hotels Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Shades of Green Resort Guests not staying in a Disney Resort hotel can purchase Lightning Lane Premier Passes 3 days in advance. See additional details below, which vary based on admission type: Guests with date-based theme park tickets (which require the Guest to choose a start date at the time of purchase) can purchase 3 days before the first day of their ticket for the total number of valid admission days on their ticket. Guests with other ticket types can purchase 3 days before their park visit. Annual Passholders can purchase 3 days before their park visit.

If you’re a parent heading to Disney World, one of the first things you might be thinking about is where to take care of your little one’s needs throughout the day. The Baby Care Centers across the parks are often a lifesaver—providing a comfortable, quiet space for parents to change diapers, feed their babies, and take a much-needed break. But while these centers are generally a great feature of Disney parks, there’s one that seems to be lacking in comparison: the Baby Care Center at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Source: Disney   Before diving into the specifics of Hollywood Studios’ Baby Care Center, let’s quickly recap why these centers are a fantastic Across the four major Walt Disney World parks, Baby Care Centers offer: Private Nursing Rooms: Comfortable chairs and peaceful spaces for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Changing Tables: Clean, spacious areas for diaper changes, often with a place for parents to sit. Baby Supplies: Essential items like diapers, wipes, baby food, formula, and snacks are available for purchase in case you forget to pack something. Feeding and Seating Areas: Comfortable seating for feeding babies or just resting with a snack. Now that we know how great the Baby Care Centers can be, let’s talk about the one at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Baby Care Center at Hollywood Studios is located next to the park’s Guest Relations, which seems like a great central location. However, while the convenience is nice, it has several drawbacks that set it apart

If you’re a parent heading to Disney World, one of the first things you might be thinking about is where to take care of your little one’s needs throughout the day. The Baby Care Centers across the parks are often a lifesaver—providing a comfortable, quiet space for parents to change diapers, feed their babies, and take a much-needed break. But while these centers are generally a great feature of Disney parks, there’s one that seems to be lacking in comparison: the Baby Care Center at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Source: Disney Before diving into the specifics of Hollywood Studios’ Baby Care Center, let’s quickly recap why these centers are fantastic. Across the four major Walt Disney World parks, Baby Care Centers offer: Private Nursing Rooms: Comfortable chairs and peaceful spaces for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Changing Tables: Clean, spacious areas for diaper changes, often with a place for parents to sit. Baby Supplies: Essential items like diapers, wipes, baby food, formula, and snacks can be purchased in case you forget to pack something. Feeding and Seating Areas: Comfortable seating for feeding babies or just resting with a snack. Now that we know how great Baby Care Centers can be, let’s talk about the one at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Baby Care Center at Hollywood Studios is located next to the park’s Guest Relations, which seems like a great central location. However, while the convenience is nice, it has several drawbacks that set it apart from the ones

We previewed Universal’s NEW Stella Nova Resort, which officially opens on January 21! We’re here to provide you with all you need to know about the newest addition to Universal Orlando’s resort family! THEMING When we first walked in the lobby, we immediately felt a space vibe. The theming is very galactic! Source: Kingdom Media ROOMS We loved the rooms! The rooms at Stella Nova Resort are 315-square-foot rooms that sleep up to four. You’ll receive incredible views from your room, as the window’s curved frame is an instant eye-catcher! Source: Kingdom Media DINING We noticed that they have a lobby bar called the Nova Bar. This would be a great place to hangout during the day or at night! It features craft cocktails, using enclosed smoke vessels to infuse intriguing flavor profiles into the drinks. Stella Nova’s main dining spot is Cosmos Cafe & Market! There’s a little market where you can get snacks, ice cream, sandwiches and more. There is a bigger cafe right next to it that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. They offered a few food items for us to try and they were delicious! We tried the Banana-Walnut Buttermilk Pancakes, the Hot Honey Chicken Pizza, Stuffed Croissants and the Gooey Monkey Bread. All were good, but our favorites were the pizza and pancakes! Another dining option at this resort is Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill. Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill are your places in the sun for satisfying meals and refreshing drinks. Enjoy poolside favorites like burgers, quesadillas

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts kicked off on January 17, 2025, and we had the chance to attend opening day! This annual celebration of creativity, culture, and artistic expression brings together visual, culinary, and performing arts for a truly unique experience. Running until February 24, the festival offers something for everyone, and it’s all included with your regular EPCOT admission—no extra ticket required, though a theme park reservation is needed. Here’s a closer look at some of the exciting highlights from this year’s festival. Festival Passport Before you begin your artistic adventure, be sure to grab a Festival Passport. This handy booklet provides all the essential details, from food booth menus and entertainment schedules to interactive experiences and more. Paint by Numbers Mural Get hands-on with art at the Expression Section’s Paint by Numbers Mural, where you can contribute to a massive collaborative artwork. Located along the walkway between World Showcase and the Imagination! Pavilion, this family-friendly activity is open daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Disney-Inspired Art for Sale  The festival also offers a unique shopping experience with artist tents set up throughout the park. Guests can browse and purchase Disney-inspired artwork, including original pieces, prints, and sculptures created by talented artists. This is a fantastic opportunity to take home a unique piece of Disney magic. Disney on Broadway Concert Series Music lovers won’t want to miss the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series, held at the America Gardens

2025 is the year for planning that special trip you’ve always dreamed of taking! Plan your spectacular escape this spring at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaiʻi. The longer you stay, the more you save: Save 25% for stays of 5 or more nights for travel on: April 11, 2025, to June 11, 2025 Save 20% for stays of 4 nights for travel on: April 11, 2025, to June 11, 2025 This offer is valid for consecutive-night stays during the date ranges listed above. No matter how long you stay, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable vacation brimming with fun for the entire family! IMPORTANT DETAILS Save 25% on stays of 5 or more nights for travel from April 11, 2025, through June 11, 2025. Save 20% on stays of 4 nights for travel from April 11, 2025, through June 11, 2025. Savings are based on the non-discounted price for the same room for stays from April 11 to June 11, 2025. Book through June 6, 2025. Travel must be completed by June 12, 2025. Length of stay requirements apply to be eligible for certain discounts, and cancellation of any nights of a stay will affect discount validity. Not valid on Suites and 3-bedroom Grand Villas or on previously booked rooms or Villas. Advance reservations are required and must be consecutive-night stays. Subject to availability as the number of rooms and Villas allocated for this offer is