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 June 8-14, 2020.
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Reopening Announcement Updates & Guest Information
- Guests with Walt Disney World reservations through July 11th have been asked to confirm, modify or cancel them by June 25th
- MagicBand orders and Build-a-Band upgrades have resumed for resort guests on My Disney Experience
- Temperature checks and screenings for cast members will be occurring in preparation for the parks reopening
- Walt Disney World sent an email to Annual Passholders, offering their sincere thanks for their patience during these unprecedented times
- Walt Disney World’s Disability Access service will not change amid the COVID-19 precautions
Parks
- Disney Parks fans have been petitioning for Splash Mountain to be re-themed to Disney’s “Princess and the Frog”
- The bag check area at the front of Disney’s Animal Kingdom has now been demolished
- Work on the Cinderella Castle makeover in the Magic Kingdom has been continuing this week
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
- An official statement has been released regarding the new Disney resort health and safety procedures upon reopening
- Prompts on My Disney Experience “strongly recommend” that guests utilize the online check-in service upon arrival at their resort, in order to help aid in social distancing efforts
- The Major League Soccer participants will be housed at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort as they resume their 25th season at Walt Disney World
- Guests staying at Disney’s Beach Club will have access to Disney’s BoardWalk pool, since Stormalong Bay will not be operating
Disney Springs
- Check out this week’s photo report for Disney Springs, featuring construction updates, crowd levels, and more
- Another phase of store and restaurant reopenings took place this week. We went to explore the newly-reopened Star Wars Galactic Outpost, Art of Disney, Raglan Road, MARVEL Super Hero Headquarters, Disney’s Days of Christmas, Goofy’s Candy Co., Candy Cauldron, DisneyStyle, Disney Pin Traders, Ever After Jewelry Co., Vivoli il Gelato, Food Truck Park, and The Ganachery, and took note of all the new health and safety precautionary measures in place
- A new contactless security and bag check system is being trialed at Disney Springs, ahead of the reopening of the theme parks
- Guests who visited Disney Springs this week have been sent surveys from Disney, asking for opinions regarding the new health and safety measures
- The Orange County curfew was lifted early this week, meaning Disney Springs could resume normal operating hours
- Take a look at our full list of face mask retailers across Disney Springs
- We reviewed the new Nacho Sundae from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop, and the Birthday Cake Shake from Vivoli il Gelato
- Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ will be reopening on June 17th, and a limited menu has been released in advance
Around Walt Disney World
- We spotted the Disney Skyliner back up and running this week, in testing ready for the imminent reopening
Other Walt Disney World News
- The firework graphic has been removed from the My Disney Experience App landing page, indicative of the suspension of nighttime performances upon the parks reopening
- The Florida Department of Health has indefinitely extended the mandatory two-week quarantine for guests traveling to Florida from New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey
- Walt Disney World has sued the Orange County property appraiser over “excessive” 2019 property taxes
- Virgin Atlantic flights from the UK to Orlando are set to resume in July, great news for UK guests
Disneyland Resort
- It was announced that the Disneyland Resort will begin a phased reopening on July 9th, with the theme parks proposed to reopen on July 17th
- When the resort reopens, a new theme park reservation system will be utilized for guests and Annual Passholders. Due to this reservation system, a temporary pause has been placed on new ticket sales, as well as Annual Passport sales and renewals
- Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier will reopen on July 23rd, with the Disneyland Hotel reopening “at a later date”
- This week marked the 10th anniversary of World of Color at Disney California Adventure! You can celebrate with us by watching our video of the spectacular performance here
Disneyland Paris
- Sources have indicated that Disneyland Paris could be reopening on July 15th, with soft openings for Annual Passholders taking place the week prior
- Disneyland Paris is set to hold auditions for character performers for their Halloween and Christmas seasons
- The Disneyland Paris Run Weekend 5th edition scheduled for September has been postponed to Fall 2021
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
- Disney Explorers Lodge has resumed operation this week
- Construction on the Castle of Magical Dreams has been nearing completion
Shanghai Disneyland
- Shanghai Disney Resort have released the most adorable stop motion short on friendship, starring Duffy & Friends
- The Zootopia land expansion construction began to go vertical this week
New Merchandise
- Add some style to walks with this frilly new Minnie Mouse dog collar from Disney Tails
- Get in a spin with this new Mad Tea Party phone case, which comes complete with a strap
- Show your Pride with this Disney Rainbow collection castle ornament and bags
- Sail across the sea and purchase this stunning new “Moana” Heart of Te Fiti glass charm from Arribas France
- Wreak havoc in this adorable new Stitch hat
- Say cheese with this new Mickey Mouse Camera phone case with strap
- Get puzzling with this new Indiana Jones Adventure 25th Anniversary Disney Signature Puzzle
- Add to your Loungefly collection with this new Pirates of the Caribbean mini backpack
- Breeze into summer with this new Mickey Mouse vacation shirt
- Add some character to your outfit with these fun new character hats, featuring Grumpy, Moana, and Cinderella
- Set your artistic side free with these new “Ink & Paint” collection phone cases from D-Tech on Demand
- Get ready for bed in this adorable new Disney pajama set
- Set your table for royalty with new ceramic dinnerware from Toynk – check out their “Frozen 2” and Disney Princess designs
- In MagicBand news, we found this magical new “Where Dreams Come True” Disney Parks collection MagicBand design, and Neon Yellow open edition MagicBand
- This cool new “The Haunted Mansion” Funko set will be coming soon to the Disney Parks
- In pin news, check out the June 2020 Disney Parks pin releases
- A new Baby Yoda Walt Disney World balloon has arrived at Disney Springs
Entertainment and Media
- “Mulan” is now set to be the first major summer theatrical release, following the postponement of Warner Bros.’ “Tenet”
- A new “Adventure Thru the Walt Disney Archives” documentary will be premiering exclusively for D23 Gold members, with registration opening on Monday
- Disney is in negotiations with Beyonce for a three-picture deal that would see her join the cast of “Black Panther 2”
- Disney is working on a movie based on the music of Lionel Richie, entitled “All Night Long”
- “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2” has officially begun production
Disney+
- “The One and Only Ivan” has moved from theatrical release to an exclusive Disney+ release, and will now premiere on August 21st
- The 90’s “Dinosaurs” series is reportedly coming to Disney+ this Fall
- Read our review of “Artemis Fowl”, which premiered this week
Other Disney News
- Disney has released a “powerful and very personal ” video in support of the Black Lives Matter movement
- Josh D’Amaro has penned a thoughtful message on the reopening of the Disney Parks worldwide
WDW News Today
Make sure you catch up on the News Today episodes from this week!
Splash Mountain Re-Theme Petition Started, Disneyland Reopening Announced – NewsToday 6/12
Disney World Prepares Hotel Guests for COVID-19 Vacation Experience – NewsToday 6/10
Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Reservations Won’t Guarantee Park Entry – News Today 6/8
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!
