Every week is a busy week when it comes to Disney news. To help you keep up with all the updates coming out of Walt Disney World and other Disney resorts, here’s WDWNT’s weekly recap of the Disney news from March 23-29!

If you have been following our news coverage over the past few weeks, you will be aware that currently all six Disney resorts across the world are closed due to concerns over the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Here’s our WDWNT Weekly Recap of all the news we’ve brought you this week, along with some extra fun things to keep Disney spirits high through these difficult times. Stay safe, readers!

Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World and Disneyland officially announced on Friday that the parks and resorts will remain closed “until further notice”, and that hourly-paid cast members would continue to be paid through April 18th

Parks

The EPCOT guidemap on My Disney Experience has been updated to show the expanded France pavilion, including Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
An adorable baby zebra and sweet baby porcupine have been born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. An official update on the care of animals at the park during the closures was released by Disney earlier in the week
The permits have been filed for the demolition of Stitch’s Great Escape at Magic Kingdom, and work is now slated to begin on the rumored “Wreck-It Ralph” attraction
Check out these aerial images of an empty Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom

There’s an adorable new baby in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Hotels & Resorts

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin are now fully closed
Check out this aerial update on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel
Take a look at this video, showing cast members giving a warm farewell to the final family leaving Walt Disney World after the closure
The B Resort and Spa in Disney Springs and the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando – Lake Buena Vista have extended their special rates through June to accommodate essential lodgers during the pandemic

Cast members bidding an emotional farewell to the final family to leave Walt Disney World

Around Walt Disney World

Shades of Green is temporarily closing due to the pandemic concerns, however they are accepting new reservations starting May 15th
Walt Disney World Golf courses still, however, remain open through the resort-wide closures

Guest Services & Other Information News

As of this weekend, Walt Disney World are only accepting resort and dining reservations for June 1st onwards
The Free Dining Plan offer has been extended to all guests whose bookings have been impacted by the ongoing closures
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders on monthly payment plans have not been allowed to cancel their payments, despite losing work and taking a financial hit due to the implications of the pandemic

Disneyland Resort

Walt Disney World and Disneyland officially announced on Friday that the parks and resorts will remain closed “until further notice”, and that hourly-paid cast members would continue to be paid through April 18th
The Disneyland Dapper Day Expo has been postponed to June
Rumor has it that the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival 2020 will be extended due to the park closures
Construction across Disneyland and Disney California Adventure has ceased during the closure
Take a look at these aerial images of an empty Disneyland and Disney California Adventure

Hong Kong Disneyland

An update was issued by Hong Kong Disneyland Resort regarding annual passes and park tickets, stating that all tickets through August 30th are now extended through August 31st

Disneyland Paris

The closure of Disneyland Paris has been officially extended through April 15th, due to the prolonged Coronavirus pandemic lockdown in France
The Disneyland Paris Princess Run scheduled for early May has been cancelled
Disneyland Paris have released their free 2019 Heritage Days Celebration Booklet, available now for download

Tokyo Disney Resort

It was announced on Friday that the hotels across Tokyo Disney would be closing from April 1st through April 20th, as the resort closure was officially extended through April 20th
An adorable Disney Easter 2020 banner is now in place at the entrance to Tokyo DisneySea, and a full set of adorable character-attraction banners have been revealed at the main entrance to Tokyo Disneyland
Gorgeous cherry blossoms have started to bloom at the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta
You can now watch the full, official video of Fantasmic! at Tokyo DisneySea
New digital signage has been installed on Tokyo’s Disney Resort Line monorail stations

The sweet new Disney Easter 2020 banner is up

Shanghai Disneyland

Lumiere’s Kitchen has reopened at the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel after its temporary closure

New Merchandise

A grinning, limited-edition Cheshire Cat Mat Tea Party Funko POP! figure will be released online on April 10th
Bring honor to your jewelry box with these new Mulan and Mushu Pandora charms
New Earth Day and Easter tees, featuring Star Wars, Wall-E, Toy Story and more, have sprouted up on shopDisney
Get ready for summer with this bright new collection of Walt Disney World and Disneyland tie-dye apparel

This fun new “The Three Caballeros” mini backpack and wallet by Loungefly will be available soon
This magestic new Disney Princess ceramic dinnerware set is now available online and via Target
You can now “Build Your Own Dreams” with this new Duffy & Friends merchandise collection at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Put a spring in your step with these new Mickey Mouse & Friends colorful garden collection by Vera Bradley

Entertainment and Media

The classic “Star Wars Episode I: Racer” game is soon to be re-released for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4
Make sure you check out these Animal Crossing QR codes, which allow you to dress your player up like your favorite Disney characters
“Avatar” and all four “Avengers” movies are to be re-released in theaters across China
A new Disney Parks Artist Studio feature has debuted on the My Disney Experience app, allowing users to learn to draw Mickey Mouse
Meghan Markle will be lending her voice to a new Disneynature documentary “Elephant”, coming to Disney+ on April 3rd

Other Disney News

A passenger who was aboard one of the last sailings of Disney Cruise Line has tested positive for Coronavirus
Most trips through May have been cancelled by Adventures by Disney
There have now been seven TSA Agents at Orlando International Airport who have tested positive for Coronavirus
Read the latest update shared by Disney Vacation Club regarding extended resort closures and automatic cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The Walt Disney Company has raised $1.3 billion in Canadian debt offerings
Cast Member union workers voiced their concerns over Disney’s continued silence on the extended closure, and later demanded payment and insurance benefits from the company through April 30th

Editorials

Other Fun Stuff

Watch this hilarious “World Famous Jungle Cruise: Quarantined Skipper Super Cut” video by Freddy Martin, featuring a spiel compilation by skippers from across the years
Unearth 25 years of history with this in-depth exploration of the Indiana Jones Adventure, from the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, to the Crystal Skull
Watch EPCOT’s “Reflections of China” in 360° with a director’s commentary from Jeff Blyth
Celebrate 5 years of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort with our virtual visit
Make your own rose gold Mickey macarons with our step-by-step guide
Have you been playing Animal Crossing? Get involved and show us your Disney-themed islands and creations!
Watch as Yehaa Bob Jackson from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside plays a full set from his home during quarantine, and The Disneyland Dapper Dans joined together electronically to do the same
Joe Rohde has been posting essays on the inspiration behind the Tree of Life and The Adventurers Club on his Instagram

WDW News Today

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