Disney Just Dropped Its Final 2025 Bombshell—And 13 Restaurants Will Never Be the Same

As the clock ticks down on 2025, Disney World just pulled off one last surprise that has dining fans scrambling to check their favorite restaurant menus. Without any fanfare, press release, or advance warning, Disney quietly rolled out sweeping menu changes across 13 restaurants—and some beloved dishes have already disappeared for good.

According to Inside the Magic, this final dining shake-up of 2025 impacts restaurants across EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, resort hotels, Disney Springs, and even Blizzard Beach. If you’ve been planning a Disney trip and had your heart set on specific menu items, you’ll want to keep reading—because your favorite dish might have just vanished.

EPCOT Takes Some of the Biggest Hits

EPCOT saw some of the most noticeable changes in this update, and longtime fans of certain restaurants are already expressing disappointment. San Angel Inn Restaurante in the Mexico Pavilion said goodbye to two menu staples that have been guest favorites for years: the Quesadilla del Mercado and the Camarones a la Diabla.

These weren’t minor side items—they were signature dishes that many guests specifically visited San Angel Inn to enjoy. The intimate, atmospheric restaurant set inside the Mexico pavilion’s twilight marketplace has always been a favorite for its authentic flavors and unique ambiance. Losing two major entrées represents a significant shift in what this location offers.

Meanwhile, Sunshine Seasons in The Land Pavilion underwent some subtle but meaningful changes. The Oak-grilled Rotisserie Chicken and Oak-grilled Salmon have been replaced with “Wood-fired” versions of these proteins. While this might seem like a minor wording change, it could signal different preparation methods and flavor profiles. The Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie also made way for a Mickey Cinnamon Roll—a shift from an adult-focused dessert to something more universally family-friendly.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom saw a mix of additions and subtractions that reflect the park’s ongoing efforts to align dining with theming and guest preferences.

On the positive side, Pongu Pongu in Pandora—The World of Avatar added two new specialty drinks: the Nightwraith Blaze and Nightwraith Blaze with Vodka. Both drinks tie perfectly into Pandora’s bioluminescent nighttime aesthetic and give guests another reason to linger in the land after dark. This addition shows Disney’s commitment to enhancing the evening experience in what has become one of the park’s most popular areas.

However, not all changes were additions. Nomad Lounge quietly removed its Pineapple-glazed Pork Belly, a dish that many guests made a special point to stop for. This wasn’t just any appetizer—it was one of those “insider tips” that Disney food fans would share with friends planning trips. The loss of this item represents the kind of menu streamlining that can frustrate loyal guests who return specifically for certain dishes.

Tiffins also dropped the Balinese Breeze cocktail from its beverage menu, though the signature restaurant still maintains an impressive selection of globally-inspired drinks.

On a brighter note, Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes expanded its quick-service options with Snack Chicken Fried Rice and new beverage options, giving guests more variety at this counter-service location.

Resort Hotels Join the Shuffle

Several resort hotel restaurants also participated in this final 2025 menu update, with changes ranging from exciting additions to disappointing removals.

Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge added Durban Biryani to its menu, continuing the restaurant’s tradition of offering globally-inspired, African-influenced cuisine. This addition aligns perfectly with the restaurant’s concept and gives guests another authentic option to explore.

However, Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort removed its Plancha-seared Scallops from the menu. For a signature waterfront restaurant known for its seafood, losing a premium scallop dish is notable. Narcoossee’s is the kind of place where guests celebrate special occasions and anniversaries, and menu consistency matters.

Over at the Riviera Resort, Primo Piatto discontinued the Ciabatta Breakfast Sandwich with Egg—a convenient grab-and-go option for guests heading to the parks early.

Disney Springs Sees the Most Dramatic Overhaul

While every location saw changes, Disney Springs restaurants experienced the most extensive menu restructuring in this update.

Paddlefish underwent the most dramatic cuts of any location, removing seven menu items in one sweep. Gone are the Crab-topped Fries, three pasta dishes, Cajun Chicken, a Caprese Sandwich, and the Witch’s Heart Cocktail. These were replaced with just two new items: PEI Mussels and a Bourbon Smash cocktail. This significant menu narrowing suggests Paddlefish is focusing on a more streamlined approach—but guests who loved those pasta dishes or the unique Crab-topped Fries are out of luck.

Terralina Crafted Italian made a classic dessert swap, replacing its Bread Pudding with Tiramisu. While tiramisu is certainly an Italian standard, bread pudding had its own loyal following at this Italian restaurant.

Pizza Ponte underwent what can only be described as a complete menu restructure. The location removed multiple pizzas, desserts, and beverages, then introduced new pizza varieties, cannoli options, and an updated drink selection. This represents a full reimagining of what Pizza Ponte offers guests.

Even the Coca-Cola Store Rooftop Beverage Bar got into the action, removing its Berry Rose Sweet Tea and adding several seasonal-style drinks: Frosted Cranberry Mint, Gingerbread Float, Coke Cinnamon, and Arctic Fizz.

Even Blizzard Beach Lost Some Classics

Perhaps most surprisingly, Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park didn’t escape this update unscathed.

Avalunch removed the Chicago All-Beef Foot-long Hot Dog—a classic water park food that many guests grabbed for a quick poolside lunch. Meanwhile, the Warming Hut discontinued three items: the Mickey-shaped Pretzel, Ice Cream Cup, and Waffle Cone. Losing iconic Mickey-shaped snacks and basic ice cream options at a water park seems like an odd choice, especially during what should be peak season for these treats.

What This Really Means for Disney Guests

The most frustrating aspect of this update isn’t necessarily what changed—it’s how Disney communicated it. As Inside the Magic notes, there was no big announcement, no splashy blog post, and no warning to guests planning last-minute trips. Disney simply made the changes and let guests discover them on their own.

For families who have been planning trips for months and looking forward to specific dishes, this approach can be genuinely disappointing. Imagine building your Disney Springs evening around getting those Crab-topped Fries at Paddlefish or planning to finally try the Pork Belly at Nomad Lounge, only to arrive and find them gone.

The timing is also significant. Making this many menu updates at once as we head into the final days of 2025 suggests something intentional. This dining shake-up looks like Disney’s way of stabilizing operations and streamlining offerings before heading into what’s expected to be a far bigger year in 2026.

Why Disney Makes These Changes

While we can understand guest frustration, there are legitimate operational reasons behind menu changes like these:

Cost Management: Some dishes may have become too expensive to produce profitably, especially if they require specialty ingredients or complex preparation.

Efficiency: Streamlining menus allows kitchen staff to work more efficiently, potentially improving service times and consistency.

Seasonality: End-of-year updates often reflect Disney preparing for the busy season ahead, focusing on items that sell well and eliminating slower movers.

Supply Chain Considerations: Ongoing supply chain challenges may make certain ingredients difficult or expensive to source consistently.

Guest Feedback: Despite what it feels like when your favorite dish disappears, Disney does analyze sales data and guest feedback to inform menu decisions.

What You Should Do Before Your Next Visit

If you’re planning a Disney World trip in the coming weeks or months, here’s our advice:

Check Menus Online: Before making dining reservations, visit Disney’s official website to review current menus. Don’t rely on older blog posts or social media photos—they may no longer be accurate.

Have Backup Options: If you’re visiting a restaurant specifically for one dish, have a backup plan in case it’s been removed or modified.

Ask Cast Members: If you arrive at a restaurant and don’t see a dish you were expecting, politely ask a Cast Member. Sometimes items are temporarily unavailable rather than permanently removed.

Stay Flexible: The most successful Disney dining experiences come from guests who stay open to trying new things rather than being rigidly attached to specific items.

Follow Disney Food Blogs: Resources like The Disney Food Blog, AllEars, and others do an excellent job tracking menu changes in real-time.

Looking Ahead to 2026

This final 2025 menu update likely sets the stage for bigger announcements coming in 2026. Disney has already confirmed that 2026 will be a significant year for new restaurants, attractions, and experiences across its properties worldwide.

We expect to see new restaurant openings, potential returns of popular dishes in updated forms, and continued evolution of the Disney dining landscape. The question is whether Disney will improve its communication about these changes or continue the current approach of quiet updates.

For now, if you’re heading to Disney World before the new year, consider this your heads-up: check those menus one more time before you go. Your favorite dish might have just become a memory of 2025.

Source: Walt Disney World Drops Final 2025 Announcement, Changing 13 Restaurants - Inside the Magic