Extra, extra, read all about it! Seriously, we’re sure Disney World hasn’t had a wink of sleep because it has dropped so many new updates this week. If you’ve missed out, this is your chance to catch up!

Cinderella Castle

I’m back again with another round of WHAT’S NEW UPDATES AT DISNEY WORLD, a rundown on all the epic news and updates that happened at Disney World this past week. This week, we got the 4-1-1 on a Disney World hotel pool reopening, a Hollywood Studios attraction now being permanently closed, and a popular restaurant finally being open 7 days a week!

EXCITING POOL NEWS: A Disney World Hotel Pool Has Finally Reopened

There is one commonly overlooked form of entertainment at Disney World — pools.

Fuentes del Morro Pool

When people think about their Disney World trip, they tend to focus on the four theme parks. And we get it, the parks are obviously a huge draw and full of excitement! However, the pools at the Disney World hotels are lots of fun. Several include water slides, hot tubs, and a bit of relaxation amid your semi-chaotic “vacation.” Luckily, anyone staying at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has some pool news to celebrate!

Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has six pools, including the Fuentes del Morro pool and five leisure pools. While the Fuentes del Morro Pool has lots of exciting features, such as two waterslides, spray water cannons, and a shipwreck play area, the leisure pools offer great escapes from the boisterous ongoings of the parks.

Fuentes del Morro pool

One of the five leisure pools has been closed for some time for refurbishment, but we have great news. The Barbados Leisure Pool has now reopened for your use to relax and swim!

Barbados pool

The Caribbean Beach Resort is divided into five villages representing different areas of The Caribbean. As you might imagine, the Barbados Leisure Pool is located in the Barbados Village. While it was closed, those staying in the Barbados Village were welcome to check out one of the other village pools, but you’ll no longer need to travel far to soak up some sun!

Barbados Village Pool

The Caribbean Beach Resort is a very spread-out resort with sandy beaches, jogging trails, fishing experiences, a playground, and more. It is located along the Disney Skyliner with its own Skyliner station that it shares with Disney’s Riviera Resort. If you’re looking for a Moderate resort to stay at on your next trip, this may be a great option if you enjoy a leisurely experience and Caribbean vibes.

Caribbean Beach Resort

We’re happy to see this pool reopen for Caribbean Beach Resort guests to enjoy!

A Definitive Ranking of EVERY Disney World Hotel!

NEWS! A Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attraction Is Now Permanently Closed

The time has officially come in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Hollywood Studios

Recently, we said goodbye to an adorable attraction that was fit for all ages. Over on Sunset Boulevard, tucked away close to where Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is located but even FURTHER behind it sat Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, but as of now, it’s no more.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

It was announced back in the beginning of September that Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy would close to make way for a new show, and the official last day of operation was October 7th. As of now, the area is roped off and construction will begin soon to turn it into the new show area.

The area is now roped off!

In case you didn’t get to experience it, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy was about a 15-minute show that brought you to Lightning McQueen’s virtual racing track to teach you how to use it, but his nemesis Chick Hicks breaks into the system and challenges Lightning McQueen to another race. Lightning McQueen’s friends step in to help him when Chick starts to cheat during the race, helping Lightning win despite all the struggles in his way, reminding us that at the end of the day, winning or losing doesn’t matter — it’s the friends you have with you.

Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy

Kids and adults alike appreciated the show, especially the epic Lightning McQueen animatronic. It was quite iconic and impressive, and we really will miss him!

Lightning McQueen animatronic

However, this area will become the home to a new Villains show in 2025! So far, we know that this show will feature villains like Captain Hook, Maleficent, and Cruella de Vil, and it’s been teased that they’ll break through glass as they take the stage for live production numbers!

©Disney

We’re excited about this new addition coming to Hollywood Studios!

REVIEW: The Locals Want Us to Gatekeep This Hollywood Studios Spot…but You NEED TO KNOW!

EXCITING EPCOT NEWS: A Popular Restaurant Will FINALLY Be Open Seven Days A Week Again

Four years ago, Disney World closed and then later reopened due to the global pandemic. After four years, some things still have not returned to normal in Disney World.

EPCOT

For example, much of Disney World’s streetmosphere entertainment, like the Citizens of Main Street, have never returned. Some restaurant offerings (like afternoon tea at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort) never returned. Although a lot of things are now back to normal, even some restaurant hours haven’t been the same since 2020. One EPCOT restaurant, though, has finally returned to being open seven days a week, for the first time since 2020.

Japan Pavilion in EPCOT

Takumi-Tei, in the Japan Pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase, closed with Disney World in 2020 and didn’t reopen until 2022. After its reopening, though, its hours remained limited to Thursday through Mondays, meaning it was closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

Takumi-Tei

However, a few weeks ago, Takumi-Tei expanded its hours and added Wednesdays to when it would be open. We recently noticed that the restaurant will add Tuesdays back to its schedule as of November 5th, meaning the restaurant will be open seven days a week for the first time since its reopening. You’ll be able to book the restaurant for dinner every day from 4:30PM to 7:30PM.

©Disney

We recently visited Takumi-Tei, and although the restaurant is pricey, we’d revisit it again. The dining experience is second to none, and the food is well-presented and tasty. The restaurant features a prix-fixe menu consisting of two “omikase” (aka where the chef curates your meal) multi-course meal options: an omnivorous “Kiku” meal for $250 per person and a plant-based “Hasu” meal for $250 per person. You can also choose wine pairings to go with your meal.  You can read our most recent review here.

We’re happy to see this restaurant is back to being open 7 days a week!

Of course, that’s not all that happened! There are plenty of things that happen every single day at Disney World. Check out EVERYTHING by clicking through the links below! Our reporters and writers keep these pages updated with all the latest things that take place in the parks — from merchandise drops to new menu items. See for yourself!

In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

Looking for more big Disney World news? Click here! 

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What do you think of these big Disney World updates? Let us know in the comments!