Disney World News: Spaceship Earth Reopens, Holiday Greenhouse Tours Return, 2026 Deals & Character Comebacks

Published on 10/4/25 by Craig Smith

It’s a new chapter across Walt Disney World: major refurbishments are ending, holiday seasons are beginning, and fan-favorite characters are making comebacks. This week’s news touches on EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and resort deals that could make your 2026 planning easier. Read on for the full update.

Spaceship Earth Returns October 25

One of EPCOT’s most iconic attractions, Spaceship Earth, is set to reopen on October 25, 2025, after nearly two months of refurbishment. The ride’s closure began in late August and focused predominantly on improvements to lighting, ride mechanics, and show scene integrity, rather than altering the ride’s central storyline.

During its downtime, guests may have noticed that GEO-82 and the surrounding space remained accessible, a testament to Disney’s efforts to keep portions of the area usable while major work proceeded. While Disney hasn’t announced sweeping narrative changes, the promise is that ride performance will feel smoother, visual elements will be refreshed, and lighting will enhance the overall immersive experience.

Fans of EPCOT’s visual and thematic centerpiece will be eager to ride it again-especially since it anchors so much of how people perceive the park. With Spaceship Earth back online, EPCOT’s transitional identity between park areas is once again restored.

Glimmering Greenhouses: Holiday Tour Returns

For those who love after-dark holiday touches, the Behind the Seeds: Glimmering Greenhouses tour makes a welcome return at EPCOT. This year’s run is scheduled from November 28 through December 30, 2025. The tour is a special evening walk through EPCOT’s greenhouses-normally part of Living with the Land-now dressed up with festive lighting, décor, and botanical holiday displays.

The guided tour is separate from the daytime greenhouse experience, offering participants a unique perspective and seasonal overlays not visible during the day. Tours run nightly at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 p.m., and reservations open October 9. Because it’s a limited capacity event, it tends to sell out quickly-so early booking is highly recommended for guests interested in combining holiday flair with EPCOT’s agricultural backbone.

2026 Resort & Ticket Discounts Announced

Planning for next year? Disney has released an enticing slate of spring 2026 hotel and ticket discounts. Some notable offers include:

Savings up to $250 per night on select hotel + ticket packages
30% off resort stays for Florida residents
Up to 35% off for Annual Passholders
General offers of 25% off resort rooms during the same timeframe

These deals apply across many Disney resorts and come with limited availability. Because these offers tend to move fast in prior years, guests are encouraged to lock in stays early if they want the best resort options and dates.

Classic Characters Return to Hollywood Studios

In the midst of closures and courtyard renovations at Hollywood Studios, Disney is bringing back several beloved classic characters for meet-and-greets-including Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio, Mary Poppins and Bert. These characters will appear in refreshed zones across the park, keeping the interactive magic alive even as other parts of Animation Courtyard remain off-limits.

Jiminy Cricket’s return is especially meaningful for long-time Disney fans, as he has been seen less frequently in recent years. Guests should keep an eye on in-park signage or ask Cast Members for the current schedule-character appearances may rotate based on day-to-day operations.

Wrapping Up

This week’s Disney World news illustrates the ebb and flow of park life: grand reopenings, holiday returns, financial incentives, and character nostalgia all woven together. Whether you’re here for the ride, the lights, or the memories, these updates keep the magic evolving-without losing what makes Disney feel timeless.

What story are you most excited about? Spaceship Earth’s return? Walking in glowing greenhouses? 2026 deals? Or reuniting with favorite Disney voices? Let me know in the comments-and stay tuned for next week’s updates.