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 January 27 – February 2!

Walt Disney World

• The Disney PhotoPass service has been celebrating its 15th anniversary, offering limited-time photo opportunities around the resort
• More fun, themed bus wraps have been spotted around the resort this week, including an Aladdin design, and a polka-dotted Minnie Mouse design
• It was announced that Walt Disney World will host the annual Epilepsy Awareness day Purple Day Every Day, with a free expo at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and an evening at EPCOT with Spaceship Earth lit up in purple
• A full list of the locations across the resort which will screen Super Bowl LIV was released
• Prices increased at numerous character dining experiences across Walt Disney World this week, including ‘Ohana and Chef Mickey’s
• The Walt Disney World website is now offering new CoBrowse screen sharing technology, in order to improve guest service and platform ease of use

Magic Kingdom

• Check out this week’s photo report for the Magic Kingdom, featuring a look at the TRON construction, the Dapper Dans, Liberty Square and more!
• “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History” will make a patriotic return for President’s Day Weekend
• Along with the ride itself, the Splash Mountain Laughing Place play area has now closed for refurbishment
• We reviewed the new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Cake from Main Street Bakery
• The queue area is under refurbishment for “it’s a small world”, and the line has been rerouted through a new entrance for the time being
• Numerous dinner options have been removed from the menu at The Plaza Restaurant, in favor of an all-day menu
• The Walt Disney World Railroad train has moved and is now stationed in Fantasyland for guests to visit
• Magic Kingdom will host the annual Super Bowl LIV Champions Parade

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• An adorable baby Hartmann’s Zebra and tiny baby Colobus Monkey have been born at Animal Kingdom and are now on view to guests
• The new entrance security screening area at the park entrance is continuing to grow

EPCOT

• Check out this week’s photo report for EPCOT, featuring new merchandise, Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts and Barbecue construction progress, a look at the France pavilion expansion, and more!
• As construction efforts across EPCOT push on, we took a look at the new security screening area at the park entrance, the interior demolition of MouseGear, new sea life signage inside The Seas, and the progress on the France pavilion, where the flat Paris facades have been completed and more pavement and lighting has been added
• Impressions de France has made its return to the France pavilion in beautifully remastered 4K

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Check out this week’s photo report for Hollywood Studios, featuring new pins, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, new apparel and more!
• The countdown is well and truly on for the grand opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway! This week, a new look at the attraction was released as the President of Walt Disney World stopped by to greet Cast Members, who have been undergoing training for the ride
• Once again, the Miss Piggy fountain has been torn down for the refurbishment of Muppet*Vision 3D
• Guests visiting Hollywood Studios in early March can benefit from the extended park hours and Extra Magic Hours
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is now implementing a one-hour return window for boarding groups

Disney Springs

• Check out this week’s photo report for Disney Springs, featuring new pins, beer, compostable bowls, sweet treats, and more!
• Awning has been installed over the new Rustic Cuff shop, which will be opening soon
• We reviewed the royal Cinderella’s Carriage Cake from Amorette’s Patisserie
• Blaze Pizza is now offering online ordering at their Disney Springs location

ESPN Wide World of Sports

• 4 Rivers Restaurant Group is adding two new dining options to the sports complex

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

• We reviewed the impressive new menu over at Sebastian’s Bistro

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• We reviewed the regal Cinderella 70th Anniversary Carriage Cake and the adorable Valentine’s Day Cherry Almond Cupcake and boxed Red Velvet Whoopie Pies from Gasparilla Island Grill

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort

• We tried the Red Hot Beignets with Fireball over at Scat Cat’s Club and Cafe in French Quarter

Disney’s Riviera Resort

• WDWNT has documented a full, in-depth look at the Riviera Resort, the newest Disney Vacation Club hotel. Watch the full 50-minute tour here!

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• Rolling refurbishments, which will be taking place at Wilderness Lodge over the next six months, will be affecting multiple guest areas at the hotel, including the Old Faithful Club concierge lounge

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

• This week saw the nostalgic and fun Disneyland After Dark: 80s Nite event! At the event, characters from Roger Rabbit, Star Tours, DuckTales and Splash Mountain came out to meet guests, and there was exclusive merchandise on offer too. You can also watch our video of the return of the Videopolis Dance Club party here
• Now that the Haunted Mansion has closed for refurbishment, a huge scrim decorated with giant concept art has risen around the manor
• We tried the new Mickey-Shaped Mint Chocolate Beignets from Mint Julep Bar and the savory Pork Lumpia from Tropical Hideaway
• Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts Nite is fast approaching, and new details about the character, dining, entertainment and merchandise offerings have been revealed
• We got our first look at the making of the “Magic Happens” parade floats

Disney California Adventure

• It was revealed that an amazing “Stuntronics” Spider-Man robot will swing above guests, impressively performing stunts between rooftops, in the upcoming Avengers Campus
• The beloved Soarin’ Over California will return to the park for the full run of the Food & Wine Festival 2020
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic got a funny new 3D Donald Duck photo backdrop

Downtown Disney District

• Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes is offering this crazy, vegan Black N’ White CakeShake
• We took a look at the fun new character and attraction art which has debuted in Downtown Disney

Tokyo Disney Resort

• Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, it was announced that face character meet & greets would be suspended in order to reduce the risk of the virus to guests and Cast Members. Shortly after, we found that face characters are still out greeting groups of guests, just not offering one-to-one interaction or individual photos. Guests have been advised to contact Cast Members in case of any illness experienced while in the parks, and Cast Members have been permitted to wear protective masks as a precaution
• It was announced that ticket prices will be increasing at the resort from April 1, and a special one-day passport ticket for guests with disabilities will be introduced
• A room remodeling project has begun over at both the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel and the Disney Ambassador Hotel

Tokyo Disneyland

• We tasted the strange yet delicious sparkling Strawberry Yogurt & Tapioca Drink and the unremarkable Sandwich & Very Very Minnie Lunch Case

Tokyo DisneySea

• It was announced that the Fantasy Springs expansion has been delayed to 2023, a year later than expected
• Take a look at our roundup of every single Pixar Playtime 2020 merchandise item currently available in the park

Disneyland Paris

• Tickets are now on sale for June’s Disneyland Paris Pride 2020, and there’s an early bird deal on offer

Hong Kong Disneyland

• Due to the coronavirus outbreak, it was announced that resort hotel restaurants across Hong Kong Disneyland would be closing to prevent the risk of the virus to guests. Following the park closure last week, it was announced that guests’ Annual Pass dates would be extended as compensation

New Merchandise

• Celebrate your incredible academic achievements with these Graduation Cap Mickey Mouse ear headbands, which have just enrolled at the Disneyland Resort
• In new clothing, we spotted a breezy Mickey Mouse button-up shirt by Tommy Bahama, a Disney Ink and Paint Collection Three Caballeros shirt, super-cute Mickey Mouse print denim shorts and overalls, The Mandalorian Baby Yoda youth tee, new Neff branded Disney clothing, and these bold Muppets tees to tide us over until Muppet*Vision 3D makes a comeback
• Take a look at the February 2020 pin releases for Walt Disney World and Disneyland, including the Indiana Jones Adventure 25th anniversary, Magic Happens Parade and Haunted Mansion pins. If you’re a pin collector, definitely check out these new NFL Super Bowl LIV pins, featuring Mickey on the beach and in the game, and this adorable The Mandalorian Baby Yoda pin
• Keep the groove going in these funky, retro platform Crocs and retro 1971 Spirit Jersey, and complete the look with these fun Walt Disney World hip packs

• Keep your eye out for this Steamboat Minnie Mouse black and white popcorn bucket, which will be sailing into Disneyland soon, and this Baby Simba Popcorn Bucket, which is out new in Animal Kingdom
• In jewelry news, we found this sweet and romantic Lady and the Tramp necklace by CRISLU, and a fancy new Marie pearl bracelet
• SideShow Collectibles is going to be releasing an incredible life-size, life-like Baby Yoda figure, available now to pre-order
• Unleash your inner artist with this new collection of Disney Ink and Paint merchandise, including apparel, homeware and more featuring classic animated characters
• In MagicBand news, we found this Rock the Dots Minnie Mouse MagicBand, and discovered that the recalled MagicBand slap bracelets have made their return to shopDisney
• Accessorise with the newest collections by Disney x Coach or these more whimsical PIXAR character plush purses and Mickey and Minnie furry wristlets
• Over at Tokyo Disney Resort, watch out for the “I am Hamm” merchandise line coming this month, featuring everyone’s favorite money bank
• Cruise around with this Disney PIXAR Onward van mug, and brew up in this Mandalorian Helmet mug
• Bring honor to your home with this Mulan figurine
• Store your cards in style with these new park icon card holders
• The infamous, originally discontinued Space Sporks from Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo have returned and are on sale in both the Disneyland and Hollywood Studios Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Entertainment and Media

• It was revealed that Isla Fisher and Jillian Bell will be starring in a new Disney+ original movie Godmothered, while it was announced that Emilio Estevez will reprise his role as Coach Gordon Bombay in The Mighty Ducks series
• A list of new reality and documentary series offerings have been announced for Disney+, including a PIXAR docu-series
• Apple Maps has updated their platform with new 3D models of park icons and attractions at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World
• PIXAR is being sued over the unlawful use of a van mural featured in the upcoming movie Onward
• Disney’s live-action Pinocchio movie will be directed by Robert Zemeckis, and it has been reported that Margot Robbie has been offered the role of Tinker Bell in the live-action Peter Pan

Other Disney News

• In a recent interview with Orlando Business Journal, the President of Walt Disney World Josh D’Amaro shared his vision and plans to improve Cast Member morale and working spaces in the resort
• runDisney has revealed the logos and attraction themes for its 2020 Virtual Series races, and the pricing, tiered benefits and additional details have been released for the Club runDisney membership program

WDW News Today

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

News Today 1/31/20 – Flying Spider-Man Animatronic, Coronavirus Closures, Classic Animation Merch

News Today 1/29/20 – Baymax Ride Vehicle Revealed, Simba Popcorn Bucket, Avengers Campus Construction

News Today 1/27/20 Coronavirus Closes Hong Kong Disneyland, Affects Tokyo Parks, Space Sporks Return

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