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 30 – April 5!

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

• It was revealed on Wednesday that Disney has purchased an additional 26.3 acres of land west of Magic Kingdom
• On Thursday, Disney announced the temporary furlough of executive, salaried and non-union cast members in the United States. Walt Disney Company senior executives have taken salary cuts due to the unprecedented closures across Disney parks, whilst it was reported that Walt Disney World have laid off construction workers
• Earlier in the week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a statewide Stay at Home mandate through May 2nd at least

Parks

• Permits have been filed for themed set pieces and more for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster at EPCOT

Hotels & Resorts

• Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower lit up with Mickey Mouse and heart shapes this week, showing support and magic during the closures
• Permits have been filed for a table service restaurant and other facilities at the upcoming Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge
• Take a virtual tour of a Preferred View Deluxe Studio Villa at Disney’s Riviera Resort

Around Walt Disney World

• The Disney Springs Raglan Road has been helping out its staff and customers with a new offer: buy a $75 giftcard for $50, and all funds will be donated to the staff

Guest Services

• It was announced that Walt Disney World and Disneyland will offer partial refunds and holds to monthly payment plans for Annual Passholders, due to the extended closures. Read the full details here

Disneyland Resort

• Disneyland is now only accepting reservations from June 1st onward, and are offering a special rate for guests with cancelled bookings due to the closures
• Earlier this week, it was reported that non-union Disneyland Resort cast members will be furloughed effective April 19th, and now resort leadership is in talks with union leaders about the furloughing of union staff as well
• It was lovely to see that the lamp remains lit in Walt Disney’s apartment at Disneyland, through the extended park closure
• The Disneyland All-American College Band has suspended its program for 2020, which sadly would have marked their 50th year of performance
• It was revealed that the Avengers Campus won’t be canon with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as in the upcoming Disney Parks lands “The Snap” will never have happened
• Disney have released a full video of their “Magic Happens” parade, complete with source audio
• It was announced that Walt Disney World and Disneyland will offer partial refunds and holds to monthly payment plans for Annual Passholders, due to the extended closures. Read the full details here

Hong Kong Disneyland

• Celebrate one year of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! with this full POV ride-through video

Disneyland Paris

• The closure of Disneyland Paris has been officially extended “Until Further Notice”, due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic concerns
• Although Disneyland Paris cast members were set to be paid through April 19th, it was reported that resort management has been attempting to pressure and threaten temporary workers with blacklisting, in an attempt to encourage a mutual contract breach
• The annual Marvel Season of Super Heroes has been cancelled due to the extended park closures

Tokyo Disney Resort

• The government of Japan has announced a sweeping ban on foreign nationals entering the country, including from the United States and Canada, from April 3rd, as the Tokyo Disney Resort remains closed through April 20th
• Tokyo Disney Resort has halted the sales of open-date tickets and annual passports, amid the extended resort closure
• Tour a stunning “Beauty and the Beast”-themed room at the magical Tokyo Disneyland hotel
• Cinderella Castle has been fully revealed – shining and new – after it’s refurbishment at Tokyo Disneyland
• Whilst the Disney Resort Line monorail has still been operating, it is due to reduce its service amid the extended resort closure from April 6th

New Merchandise

• Make a list of everything you’re going to do once the parks reopen in these poster art journals, featuring “Pocahontas”, “The Little Mermaid”, and “Winnie the Pooh”
• A new Oh My Disney merchandise collection has landed on shopDisney, featuring Chip ‘n’ Dale and Winnie the Pooh
• Glam up with this collection of character and parks-inspired fine jewelry by Rebecca Hook and CRISLU
• Hold all your stuff and fluff with this Winnie the Pooh plush crossbody bag

• Throwback to the ’90s with these “Totally Disney” retro Otterbox phone cases
• Bloom into April with the D23 limited-edition “Year of the Mouse” floral Mickey Mouse plush
• Celebrate your amazing achievement with this Mickey graduation cap charm bracelet by Alex and Ani
• Add some Disney sparkle to your accessories with these new “Disney Favorite” character charms by Pandora
• Get collecting with the new “The Disney Castle Collection”, limited-release Cinderella Castle merchandise series, which includes a puzzle, ornament, and more
• Scare because you care with this “Monsters, Inc.” Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! Wishables mystery plush collection, and explore Pandora with this World of Avatar collection
• Be bold and colorful with this Disney Parks rainbow bag collection
• Check out the latest releases by Loungefly: this new Disney Princess mini backpack, and this “Monsters University” Mike Wazowski mini backpack wristlet
• Dress the whole family in fun Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway tees, now on sale at BoxLunch
• There’s a whole host of bright and summery new apparel collections available on shopDisney! Check out these Walt Disney World and Disneyland dip-dye Spirit Jerseys, the fruity Summertime Fun merchandise collection, the blue and green Disney Parks Neon Summer collection, and this “Sweet Summer” Mickey Mouse inflatable pool float ear headband to top it all off

Entertainment and Media

• New, postponed release dates have been revealed for “Mulan”, “Jungle Cruise”, and “Black Widow” and more, due to the Coronavirus, and it was announced that “Artemis Fowl” will have a Disney+ release
• In a recent interview, composer Alan Menken revealed that he has been working on the sequel to Disney’s “Enchanted”, gave more details of the live-action “The Little Mermaid”, and more
• Read our review of Disney and Pixar’s “Onward” which is now available for streaming on Disney+
• A new mobile action RPG has been announced, titled “Disney Mirrorverse”, where the player can battle with Disney and Pixar characters
• Bose and Lucasfilm have launched a new “Star Wars” audio-augmented reality experience, featuring sounds from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Fans will be glad to hear that Disney+ will be offering “The Simpsons” episodes in their original 4:3 aspect ratio, starting late May
• Read our review of the Disney Sorcerer’s Area mobile RPG, which brings high-caliber nostalgia and entertainment
• A new Disney Editions book, celebrating the “Women of Imagineering”, will be released in October
• Read our review of the book “The Great Crump Presents His Magic: The Art of Rolly Crump”
• Check out the free downloadable content from Disney Publishing to help beat the lockdown boredom

Other Disney News

• Disney Cruise Line have extended their departure cancellations through April 28th due to Coronavirus pandemic concerns
• Watch as actor and Disney fan Drake Bell shares his home edition of “The Haunted Mansion” on TikTok
• Disney have donated 105,000 N95 masks and 150,000 ponchos to hospitals in need during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
• shopDisney are hosting a virtual Easter Egg Hunt on their site starting April 10, offering the chance to win a 3-month subscription to Disney Backstage Collection
• Walt Disney Archives has offered a look at the early years of Walt Disney World through the eyes of a guest, in an article on the D23 website
• Take a virtual tour of the Walt Disney Imagineering Headquarters in a new Disney Parks video series
• The Walt Disney Company has been seeking economic relief from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act government aid package, in light of the extended closures
• Disney has won their lawsuit against the online apparel store DisGear, over copyright infringement

Other Fun Stuff from WDWNT

• Make your own Frozen Violet Lemonade and celebrate the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival at home with our step-by-step recipe
• Get involved with Colleen’s Crafting Corner, and make these floral DIY Mickey Mouse Ear Headbands
• Take a magic journey back to 1982 with this look at the EPCOT Center “Journey Into Imagination” opening press kit from Kodak, journey into The Land Pavilion with this 1987 EPCOT teacher’s guide, and revist the days of future past at the Magic Kingdom with this New Tomorrowland 1995 press kit
• Celebrate the spirit of Aloha with our delicious copycat recipe of the ‘Ohana Noodles  and plant-based version of Loco Moco from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Throwback to some of the best interviews on the Dreamfinders podcast

WDW News Today

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

Cast Members Being Furloughed, Disneyland & WDW Offer Annual Pass Extension or Pause – NewsToday 4/3

Disney Buys 26.3 Acres in FL, Park Ponchos Donated, Win Galaxy’s Edge Imagineer Tour – NewsToday 4/1

Walt Disney World, Disneyland Bookings Blocked Before 6/1, Paris Extends Closure – NewsToday 3/30

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!