Well Hello Magic: A Disney Planning & Experience Podcast · Jessica Mickelson

077: All the Changes coming to Disney World in 2025

·33 min·3 clips

Jessica shares why her recent Disney trips were some of the best ever, despite holiday chaos.

This episode provides a 2025 planning update for Walt Disney World, hosted by the experienced Disney trip planner behind Well Hello Magic. The host reflects on recent personal trips and outlines upcoming changes for the resort. She shares her own planning philosophy developed over three years of podcasting. The host details a successful December trip strategy involving a six-night stay with only two full park days to reduce rushing. She mentions her son's 13th birthday trip, where separate teen and adult groups allowed for different touring paces. A key announced change is the shift of the Disney Dining Plan's return date from January 9th to an unspecified later time. The episode covers the anticipated full opening of the reimagined Country Bear Musical Jamboree in Magic Kingdom's Frontierland. It addresses the confirmed closure of Tiana's Bayou Adventure for a seasonal refurbishment starting January 7th. The host notes the upcoming closure of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster for a lengthy transformation into a "Doctor Strange-themed coaster." She confirms that the new "Disney Vacation Club Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort" are now available for booking by all guests. The episode mentions the continued phased opening of new "Disneyland Forward" projects in California as a parallel development. An interesting insight is the host's advocacy for slower, less-park-centric Disney vacations to enhance enjoyment. She reveals a personal shift toward creating content that serves her audience's planning needs rather than chasing trends. The delayed Dining Plan launch is presented as a significant logistical consideration for early 2025 visitors. The closure of a major new attraction like Tiana's Bayou Adventure so soon after debut is highlighted as a key planning factor. The transformation of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is noted as one of the most impactful long-term changes coming to Hollywood Studios. The availability of DVC cabins to non-members is presented as a valuable new on-site resort option. The tone is conversational, personal, and directly informative, blending trip reports with logistical updates. The style is advisory, rooted in the host's own extensive planning experience and evolving content philosophy. This episode is ideal for listeners planning a Walt Disney World trip in 2025 who need current information on refurbishments and new offerings. It may be less relevant for those solely interested in Disneyland or in-park entertainment reviews.

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