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 April 20-26.

If you’ve been following our news coverage over the past few weeks, you’re probably aware that currently all six Disney resorts across the world are closed due to 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

The latest Florida state COVID-19 projection model has suggested that “relaxed social distancing” might be possible after June 14
The Re-Open Florida Task Force met on Wednesday to determine a timetable on theme park re-openings, whilst Florida governor Ron DeSantis has said that Walt Disney World is “far ahead of the curve” when it comes to reopening

Parks

Park hours at Walt Disney World have been removed through May 16
The registration for the Moonlight Magic DVC events at Typhoon Lagoon, due to take place in June, have been cancelled
A permit was filed to fix a kitchen gas leak repair at The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Baby Asha, the newest member of the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra family at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, arrived in the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna this week
More permits have been filed for themed sets at the upcoming Play! Pavilion at EPCOT

Baby Asha has joined the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Hotels & Resorts

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been revealed that online check-in will be required for future resort room reservations

Around Walt Disney World

It has been reported that AMC Theaters, such as the one in Disney Springs, won’t be reopening until July, as they wait for the summer blockbuster movies to be released

Other Walt Disney World News

A cast member has started a donation-based pantry for the benefit of furloughed Walt Disney World employees
PhotoPass has released free “Happily Ever After” mobile and desktop wallpapers, which will be available for download through June 8
A 27-year-old guest with Spina Bifida has sued Disney over the unexpected “intense” drop on the EPCOT Frozen Ever After ride
The friend and co-worker of a furloughed cast member who sadly lost his wife to cancer is rallying the power of community through a GoFundMe page, set up to raise money for the family

Disneyland Resort

The park hours for Disneyland Resort have been removed through May 16, whilst its schedule remains unavailable through June 4
Watch as The Disneyland Dapper Dans give an at-home performance of “When I See an Elephant Fly” from Dumbo
Disneyland Resort President Rebecca Campbell shared an inside look at the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks during their closure
A man has been arrested after breaking into the Disneyland Resort during the park closure

A look at Disney California Adventure during the extended parks closure

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris has been celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by sharing a special “Disney Nature” Illuminations pre-show
Disneyland Paris Pride 2021 will be taking place on June 12
Disneyland Paris have paid tribute to their “Magic Keepers”, the cast members who maintain the resort’s green spaces during the park closure

Shanghai Disney Resort

Shanghai Disneyland has set up “social distancing” queue policies with ground markers, ready for an imminent reopening
It was also reported that the resort has been testing new theater seating guidelines and parade and nighttime shows for reopening

New floor markings across Shanghai Disneyland indicate changes in queue protocol post-COVID

Tokyo Disney Resort

Park icons across Tokyo Disney Resort were lit up in blue this week, in honor of medical professionals and their work through the COVID-19 pandemic
The Ikspiari shopping complex partially reopened this week, so visitors can now access its pharmacy, grocery store, and dentist
Earlier in the week, it was reported that a 16-year-old broke into the Ikspiari shopping center during its closure

Tokyo DisneySea was lit up in blue this week

New Merchandise

A limited-edition, collectible Star Wars “May the 4th” Lightsaber Disney Store Key is due to be released on shopDisney
Dooney & Bourke has released a classy new Main Street Minnie Mouse purse and bag collection
A new, limited-edition Joe Rohde Adventurer Mickey Ear Hat soared into shopDisney this week

The new Mickey Ear Hat, designed by Joe Rohde

shopDisney has launched a new retro tee collection, made using recycled water bottles from the Walt Disney World Resort
In Baby Yoda merchandise news, personalized leather bracelets featuring “The Child” and this adorable new collection of purses are both available on shopDisney
New pastel tie-dye Spirit Jerseys for Walt Disney World and Disneyland have arrived on shopDisney
Loungefly released a sneak peek at the beautiful butterfly that is their newest “A Bug’s Life” collection

How adorable is this “A Bug’s Life” collection by Loungefly?

Entertainment and Media

Following the pattern of many other 2020 releases, the premiere dates for Marvel Studios’ “Spider-Man 3”, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, and “Thor: Love and Thunder” have been shifted
New “Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Traveler’s Guide to Batuu” and “Star Wars: Book of Lists” books are now available to pre-order on Amazon, ready for their June release
Disney Music has released a playlist full of peaceful piano versions of classic Disney songs, and it’s available to listen to now across multiple steaming platforms
A new Disney Eats cookbook will be released in October, to feature more than 150 recipes

Disney+

12-month subscription gift cards for Disney+ are temporarily unavailable
A new trailer was released for “It’s a Dog’s Life with Bill Farmer”, which will hit the platform on May 15
A new trailer has been released for the behind-the-scenes “Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian”
It has been reported that a new, “female-centric” Star Wars series is in development
ABC’s “The Disney Family Singalong” is now available on Disney+
“The Mandalorian” season three is already in pre-production

The Walt Disney Company News

The Walt Disney Company credit rating has been downgraded, due to concerns over the delayed reopening of the parks
Disney stock has received its third downgrade so far in April, with shares falling by 2.45% on Monday
The company-wide furloughs for all US based, non-essential cast members and employees will be saving the company $500 million per month through the extended park closure

Other Disney News

Owing to glitches in the website during the latest (and hugely popular) “Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction” collection release, shopDisney have charged guests multiple times for purchases
Thanks to a dedicated GoFundMe campaign, the real-life inspiration location for the Mystery Shack from “Gravity Falls” has been saved from closure
The Disney Conservation Fund celebrated 25 years of action and education across the globe by releasing this video
Adventures by Disney has extended their flexible cancellation policy through July 31
Disney Vacation Club has issued temporary policy changes regarding point borrowing, cancellations, and annual dues

Fun Stuff from WDWNT