Mardi Gras booths were announced for Universal Orlando Resort, a freezing wind advisory was issued for the Central Florida theme park areas, and Universal Studios Hollywood closed due to the nearby fires — all this and more in today’s daily recap for Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

Theme park attraction featuring a rocky mountain structure with wooden buildings, surrounded by trees and a body of water.

Just a few days after closing for refurbishment, crew members are dismantling the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad track.

EPCOT

Disney released the full menus for the Food Studios at the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts.
The 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will have a new premium Figment Light Bulb Popcorn Bucket.
Weinkeller in the Germany pavilion at EPCOT is currently closed for renovations.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

A hand grasps a salvaged Stormtrooper helmet, its weathered visor reflecting sunlight against a rocky backdrop under a clear blue sky. In the distance, a red vehicle stands parked, completing this evocative scene.

Disney has restocked the Salvaged Stormtrooper Helmet Bucket at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Walt Disney World filed a Notice of Commencement permit for the new Disney Villains show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Ahead of the land’s closure and reimagining, Disney has removed the final real animals from DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

The outdoor pool, embraced by tall palm trees, sits before a large, ornate building reminiscent of the Grand Floridian with its multiple gables and turrets, all under a cloudy sky.

The Courtyard Pool, spa, and Courtyard Pool bar at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are closing this month for a routine refurbishment.
Walt Disney World is celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows with a new limited-release pin featuring Moana.

New Merchandise

A display of Disney-themed marathon merchandise, including keychains, clothing, and a Mickey Mouse bag.

The 2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend begins tomorrow but the runDisney Expo opened today so runners can pick up their bibs and shop exclusive merchandise.
A brand new Blizzard Beach 30th anniversary pin has arrived at Walt Disney World.

Other Walt Disney World News

A colorful Disney Parks popcorn box is held up against a theme park background with people and attractions visible.

The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for the Walt Disney World area for Thursday morning.
As cold weather continues to impact Central Florida, Disney’s Blizzard Beach has extended its temporary closure by another day.
A new design for the Disney Parks popcorn box provided at popcorn carts has arrived at Walt Disney World.

Disneyland Resort

A busy street with people walking under festive garlands between colorful buildings on a clear day.

The Disneyland website confirms the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party will return in 2025.
Now that the 2024 holiday season is over, the Mickey garlands have been removed from Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland — and won’t return for the 2025 holidays.
The new Haunted Mansion Bride souvenir sipper, originally scheduled to be released on January 8, has been delayed.
The AI artwork in Disneyland’s new Haunted Mansion gift shop — Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond — has officially been replaced.
Disneyland Resort has opened reservations for bookable experiences at the 2025 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.
Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe at Disneyland is now closed for refurbishment and covered in scaffolding.

The Walt Disney Company

Walt Disney company studios gate for shareholders meeting article

Amid the ongoing wildfires in southern California, the Walt Disney Company has closed select offices.

Universal Studios

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk were closed today due to extreme winds and fire conditions.

Universal Orlando Resort

A pile of powdered sugar-covered beignets on a white plate, with purple and gold Mardi Gras beads and a purple cloth against a yellow background.

The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for the Universal Orlando Resort area for Thursday morning.
The full list of Mardi Gras food booths and a preview of a few menu items has been released.

WDW News Today

NEW Figment Popcorn Bucket, Spaceship Earth Construction, DinoLand Demolition Update

That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

The post Full Menus and Figment Bucket Announced for 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts & More: Daily Recap (1/8/25) appeared first on WDW News Today.