Every week is a busy week when it comes to Disney news. To help you keep up with all of the updates coming out of Walt Disney World and other Disney resorts, here’s WDWNT’s weekly recap of the Disney news from December 30–January 5!

Walt Disney World

• Earlier this week we noticed that multiple gondolas have been marked as “Out of Order,” following ongoing issues with the doors on the Disney Skyliner
• The “Discover Disney” discount ticket offer for Florida residents is back for 2020 at Walt Disney World; the Summer 2020 Free Dining offer is now available for bookings; and the new Walt Disney World Gift Card, Florida Resident and Annual Passholder resort hotel offers have been extended for Spring 2020
• The arrival experience enhancement project at the Transportation and Ticket Center progressed further this week with the arrival of new paving and planters
• We were saddened to report that a ferry boat incident this week was deemed a suicide attempt by the Sheriff’s Office
• The EPCOT line monorail beam is due to undergo some construction, meaning the line opening will be delayed until 10 a.m. on select dates in the near future

Magic Kingdom

• Check out this week’s photo report for the Magic Kingdom, including new merchandise, busy crowds and more
• We watched the amazing New Year’s Eve firework spectacular “Fantasy in the Sky” to see in the new decade
• New Year’s Eve sure was a busy one in the Magic Kingdom, and first phase capacity closures were implemented as early as 1 p.m.
• As the show building enclosure construction continues for the TRON Lightcycle Run coaster, we noticed the first full wall segment has gone up
• Due to technical difficulties at the park entrance earlier this week, a large crowd of guests were allowed to enter the Magic Kingdom without needing to scan their MagicBands or tickets
• The all-new and exciting specialty foods and beverages have been revealed for the Disney Villains After Hours 2020 events
• On Thursday, smoke billowing out from The Tommorowland Transit Authority PeopleMover looked like a possible fire on the attraction. The ride reopened after an inspection, and the Reedy Creek Fire Department released an official statement on the incident, confirming that no fire broke out but without disclosing the cause of the smoke

EPCOT

• Check out this week’s photo report for EPCOT, including Regal Eagle construction, lots of rain, a temporary MouseGear sign and more
• EPCOT Forever debuted a magical New Year’s Eve countdown to ring in the new year spectacularly
• Take a look at a Skyliner-view of the France pavilion expansion work, including La Creperie de Paris and the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure courtyard and restrooms. We also noticed the construction bypass walkway from the park entrance to The Seas and The Land is now open; construction walls have gone up on the right side of the new park entrance plaza; work has begun on the themed pavement at the entrance to the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind coaster; and a newly expanded walkway with futuristic touches has been revealed near MouseGear
• It was revealed that the new nighttime spectacular coming to EPCOT, “HarmonioUS,” will debut in Spring 2020
• Now that we have said goodbye to MouseGear, take one final tour around the EPCOT’s go-to gift store, filled with Hidden Mickeys and Future World Easter Eggs
• It was revealed that the Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue restaurant will be hosted by Sam Eagle from The Muppets. A new poster and logo — featuring a patriotic Sam Eagle himself — have been released for the restaurant, which will be coming soon to The American Adventure

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Check out this week’s photo report for Hollywood Studios, including holiday crowds, new apparel, Oga’s Cantina coasters and more
• Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular debuted new scenes from “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” this week
• Due to prolonged downtime on the recently-opened Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the attraction was unable to accommodate many boarding groups, leading to Disney offering guests complimentary park tickets to return. Earlier in the week, the boarding groups were all distributed in just 23 minutes, making it even harder to experience the ride.
• Guests visiting Hollywood Studios through this month may benefit from a 7 a.m. park opening on select mornings. It is also worth noting that changes on select dates in February mean that morning Extra Magic Hours are now taking place in the evening

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Animal Kingdom saw in the new year with the first-ever New Year’s Eve Tree of Life Countdown performance
• Harambe House (the Animal Kingdom Club 33 location) opened this week

Disney Springs

• Check out this week’s photo report for Disney Springs, featuring new Pandora charms, a Visa Rewards pin, new PIXAR apparel and more
• The Erwin Pearl jewelry store at Disney Springs will close January 6
• The Disney Dining Plan is no longer being accepted at STK Steakhouse

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Disney’s All-Star Resorts

• We reviewed the cute new “Finding Nemo” Creamsicle Cupcake from the All-Star Music Resort

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel

• Check out the latest aerial construction view of the Galactic Starcruiser hotel, which shows the resort starting to take shape

Disney’s Riviera Resort

• We reviewed the delicious and impressive offerings at the new Bar Riva lounge and started the year off right with the Topolino’s Terrace New Year’s Day Brunch

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

• Heavy crowds lead to the implementing of a Single Rider line at Star Tours: The Adventure Continues this week

Disney California Adventure

• It was announced that Alfresco Tasting Terrace will become an Annual Passholder-exclusive location beginning January 5
• Mickey and Minnie are getting ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year 2020, and it’s the Year of the Mouse! To commemorate, there will be specialty foods, merchandise and Minnie Ears released at Disney California Adventure

Downtown Disney District

• We reviewed the Grilled Chicken Bowl, Braised Beef Short Rib Scallion Pancake Wrap and Chicken Pot Stickers from the new Asian Street Eats take-out window

Disneyland Paris

• Bonne année from Disneyland Paris! Make sure you check out our “Disneyland Paris 2019 – A Year in Review” post!

Tokyo Disney Resort

• Happy New Year from Tokyo! We put together a full year-in-review report of the Tokyo Disney Resort; read part one and part two! You can also check out our Ten Highlights from Tokyo Disney Resort in 2019

New Merchandise

• Celebrate your favorite attractions and get collecting with this new “Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction” collection series which will be coming to the parks, Disney Stores and shopDisney throughout 2020
• In MagicBand news, we spotted these new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Batuu MagicBands, Figment MagicBand slap bracelets, Luxo Ball and “Finding Nemo” MagicBands and 2020 Annual Passholder limited release MagicBands
• Take your pick from this colorful new mug collection, with designs featuring the Three Caballeros, Pinocchio, Pocahontas, Mulan and more
• Live your best life with the release of even more “Park Life” collection merchandise, including apparel, magnets, playing cards and more
• Pamper your pets with this Disney Tails “Bone Appetito” Lady and the Tramp feeding mat
• Creatively show your love for “The Child” with these customizable Baby Yoda shoes and apparel collection
• Be bold with these fun PIXAR hats, inspired by the Luxo Ball, Dory and The Incredibles, and even more apparel from “The World of PIXAR” collection
• Protect your phone with these iPhone cases, inspired by Maleficent, “Monsters, Inc.” and Mickey and Minnie
• Head out in style with this Loungefly backpack, inspired by the Mickey and Minnie Mouse animated shorts

• Collect all these Park Icon Wishables, including Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, Tower of Terror and more
• Dress for the parks in these fun youth t-shirt designs, featuring Mike Wazowski, Donald and Mickey
• Drink up from this EPCOT logo glass stein from Arribas Bros.
• You’ll want to collect the amazing Tokyo Disneyland Popcorn Dolls figurine series, featuring the Country Bears, Tiki Birds, Pooh Bear and more
• Get motivated with the new line of apparel, accessories and Minnie Ears which have been released for the runDisney 2020 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
• Show off your British pride with this beautiful United Kingdom World Showcase Spirit Jersey
• How adorable are these character-inspired baby onesies?
• Glam up with this bold “Fantasia” jewelry collection 
• Keep ticking with these stunning Disney Parks Collection watches
• Enjoy your favorite park treats out of these fun, stackable Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Dole Whip bowls

Entertainment and Media

• 2019 was a stellar year for Disney at the box office, as the studios made $11.1 billion worldwide
• Disney+ revealed their first look at the new and original content coming to the service in 2020, including “Lizzie McGuire,” “Muppets Now,” “The Mandalorian” and more. “The Proud Family” is also now available on Disney+, and new episodes are in production

Other Disney News

•  The D23 Gold Member “Fantastic Worlds” gift has been revealed for 2020, featuring beautiful, travel-inspired postcards, a map, pins and more

WDW News Today

Make sure you catch up on the News Today episodes from this week!

News Today 1/3/20 – PeopleMover Smoke, Magic Kingdom Turnstile Problems and New Figment MagicBand

News Today 1/1/20 – Suicide Attempt on Ferry, New Year’s Eve Fireworks and EPCOT Construction Bypass

News Today 12/30/19 – Queue Urination Incident, Marvel Land Open Summer 2020 and New Monorails at Tokyo

That’s all of the Disney news for this past week! Make sure you check back at the end of each week for our weekly recaps!