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 May 25-31, 2020 .

Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Reopening Announcement Updates

• Walt Disney World has received final approval from the State of Florida for their plans to commence a phased reopening from July 11th. Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will open first, followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th
• A new theme park reservation system will be implemented for the reopening, with guests holding existing tickets to get priority access to the parks
• These reservations will be limited for Annual Passholders, in order to fairly manage capacity upon reopening, however previews will be held for Annual Passholders, DVC members and Club 33 members ahead of the July 11th reopening
• Shortened park hours have been revealed ahead of the reopening, although it is interesting that Extra Magic Hours and special ticketed events are still listed
• As part of their plans to enforce social distancing and limit capacity for attractions, all dining reservations, experiences, FastPass+ reservations and Disney Dining Plans have been cancelled. You can read the official update on the Dining Plan cancellations, including Character Dining, here
• It is worth noting that tickets for the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties remain valid, despite these cancellations
• Walt Disney World has updated their policy on face masks, stating that all guests ages 2 and above must wear a protective covering across their mouth and nose
• You can read Disney Vacation Club’s official statement about the reopenings and point banking policies here
• Limited monorail and ferryboat transportation will be available for guests upon reopening
• In an interview this week with CNBC, Disney CEO Bob Chapek shared that the plan was to present guests with a reopening experience that is as ‘quintessentially Disney’ as possible
• Guests can check out Walt Disney World’s new “Experience Updates” landing page website for updates ahead of the reopening

Parks

•  Inspection teams from the Florida Department of Health visited the parks earlier on in the week to survey the site’s safety for reopening
• Spaceship Earth in EPCOT is now marked as “closed for refurbishment”, signalling the commencement of its long-term, large-scale reimagining project
• The film strip archway on the World Drive entrance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been demolished and leveled

Disney Springs

• The Disney-owned stores reopened this Wednesday at Disney Springs, with new social distancing and health and safety precautions in place. Take a look around what’s new at World of Disney, and the Marketplace Co-Op in our photo reports. Both stores operated a virtual queue system on their opening day, with wait time stretching up to six hours

•  We were excited to broaden our menu options this week as more dining locations reopened across Disney Springs. Check out our photos from Paddlefish, Sprinkles, D-Luxe Burger, B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co., The Daily Poutine, and the popcorn stands
•  This week also saw the reopening of many more shops across Disney Springs, including Sephora and the LEGO Store
• Stormtroopers have been patrolling Disney Springs this week, to ensure proper compliance with social distancing protocols
• The new M&M’s store is on track for a 2020 grand opening at Disney Springs
• Construction has been continuing on the new canopy outside of CityWorks Eatery & Pour House

Around Walt Disney World

• It is expected that the NBA’s board of governors will approve the proposal to resume the season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex next week. Bob Chapek has stated that Walt Disney World would be glad to host the season, too

Other Walt Disney World News

• The My Disney Experience app has added new arrival windows for Mobile Order and expanded payments for this option to allow Apple Pay, Disney gift cards, and Disney Rewards redemption cards 
• Full-time cast members have been given the option for a temporary transfer of roles, as a way to return to work faster
• Virgin Trains shared a photo of freshly-laid track leading to Orlando International Airport as the development of the line pushes on

Disneyland Resort

•  An excited contested on “The Price is Right” gave a lively shout-out to the extinct Disney California Adventure attraction Superstar Limo this week, upon meeting host Drew Carey

Disneyland Paris

•  So far, no date has been announced for the reopening of the parks at Disneyland Paris, despite permission in France for Paris theme parks to reopen starting June 22. However, third party vendor communications have indicated that a July 11th reopening is likely
• The Golf Disneyland courses at Disneyland Paris reopened this weekend

Tokyo Disney Resort

•  Disney+ will be launching in Japan on June 11th
• Metal detectors have been installed at the entrance to Tokyo Disneyland, similar to the ones we saw last week at Tokyo DisneySea
• Over at the Ikspiari Shopping Center, new social distancing measures and temperature checks have been implemented, ready for their June 1st reopening
• Disney Store will be reopening at Ikspiari shopping center on June 2nd

New Merchandise

•  Get ready to scream for these new Monsters University tees
• Dress up your phone for a day in the parks with these fun phone cases from the “Park Life” collection
• Bring princess magic wherever you go with this new Disney Princess mini backpack from Loungefly
• Add to your bracelet with these new Baby Disney Character charms from Pandora
• Co-ordinate with your friends with these cute, matching Mickey & Minnie tank tops
• Dream of summer with these new “Sweet Summer” Mickey Mouse pool float ear headbands
• Get all tropical with these new Mickey Mouse pineapple mini backpacks from Loungefly

• Be floral and fabulous with this new Minnie Mouse in Bloom phone case
• Dress wicked with this new Maleficent dress from the Disney Dress Shop
• Rock the dots with this new Minnie Mouse autograph backpack from Loungefly
• Fall in love with this adorable Baby Yoda pin set, which is now available to pre-order
• Party hard in this vintage new Pleasure Island hat
• Write your own fairy tales in these beautiful new storybook journals based on classic Disney tales
• Fall in love with this new Baby Yoda plush
• Jump into summer with the bright new Disney Parks Summertime Fun merchandise and apparel collection
• Protect your device with these new “The Mandalorian” iPhone cases
• Travel to London with this new EPCOT World Showcase United Kingdom purse collection from Dooney & Burke
• Snuggle up with these new Mickey & Minnie Mouse plush purses
• Add magic to your outfit with these sequin Unicorn Minnie Mouse Ear headbands

Entertainment and Media

•  Learn to code with “Disney Codeillusion”, a fun and educational online game
• Read our review of the updated “Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark” book series

Disney+

•  An animated “Kingdom Hearts” series is reportedly in development for Disney+
• Take a look at these early concept designs for Baby Yoda, star of “The Mandalorian”

The Walt Disney Company

•  Carlos Gomez has been appointed as Senior Vice President of The Walt Disney Company during this crucial time

Other Disney News

• Disney Store announced that, upon their store reopening, face masks would be required for entry, and no in-store activities nor limited releases would be taking place 
• For one day this week, Chick-fil-A were giving away free nuggets to Central Florida theme park employees

Universal Studios Orlando

•  Select Universal resort hotels will reopen to guests, starting June 2
• Passholders are now able to register for access to the parks for their reopening

Fun Stuff from WDWNT

•  POLL: Favorite attraction quques at Magic Kingdom
•  Take a vintage tour of The Happiest Place on Earth with this summer 1957 issue of “Disneyland Holiday“

WDW News Today

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

Walt Disney World Announcing Reopening This Week, Tokyo Disney Resort Returning Soon -NewsToday 5/25

Walt Disney World Theme Parks Reopening July 11th, Details on Resorts Released – News Today 5/27

Disney World Cancels Dining & Fastpass+ Reservations, July 11 Reopening Approved- NewsToday 5/29

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