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 July 27 – August 2, 2020.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• Check out this week’s photo report for the Magic Kingdom, including a look at the arrival experience from the Contemporary Resort walkway, long lines, character sightings and more
• The Magic Kingdom has topped Universal’s Islands of Adventure as the Best Amusement Park in the World, according to Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards 2020
• Following its unannounced closure, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is now showing as ‘Temporarily Unavailable’ on My Disney Experience
• Guests waiting to collect their Mobile Order at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café can now wait in newly set up interior waiting spaces
• In construction across the Magic Kingdom, check out the work which has been completed on TRON Lightcycle/Run, the newly-displayed Adventureland façade after the scaffolding removal, and the near-completed Cinderella Castle makeover
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress was closed for two days this week, and Splash Mountain also experienced some unexpected downtime but has been refilled and reopened since

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Read our Complete Guide to the Reopening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including all you need to know about updated park procedures, health and safety measures, arrival and more
• Check out this week’s photo report for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including parking changes, a custodial cheering squad, and more
• An adorable baby mandrill has been born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, welcomed into the Kilimanjaro Safaris family
• We reviewed the new Korean Chicken Sandwich from Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes
• It was announced that Island Mercantile will be reopening on August 2

EPCOT

• Check out this week’s photo report for EPCOT, featuring construction updates and socially-distanced characters
• Take a look at the storm preparation measures which have been implemented at EPCOT ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias
• Both “Impressions de France” and “Canada Far and Wide” have suffered a reduction in hours in the World Showcase
• A permit has been filed by Walt Disney Imagineering for new graphics at EPCOT
• The missing Jose Carioca audio-animatronic has thankfully returned to Gran Fiesta Tour following its malfunction last week
• Following a strange malfunction this week, guests riding Spaceship Earth witnessed a “World of Warcraft” screen on-ride after an Intel Graphics Driver update
• Restaurant Marrakesh in the Morocco pavilion has filed for a $1-2 million PPP loan
• Construction crews have now returned to work on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction and the Play! pavilion

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• A new, socially-distanced “Disney Junior Play & Dance” show has made its debut, featuring characters and a DJ playing popular Disney Junior show songs
• Cream Cheese Pretzels are now available at the snack kiosk by Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, following their temporary disappearance in the resort
• The boarding groups for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance now display a MaxPass-style “Entry Code” on My Disney Experience, suggesting a new featuring for attraction queuing

Disney Springs

• Check out this week’s photo report for Disney Springs, including construction updates, new merchandise, and more
• The Polite Pig is now offering a limited-time prix fixe menu for $30
• The POP Gallery has now closed at Disney Springs, and new Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew window decals have already appeared in its place
• A new outdoor bar area has arrived at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’s Shine Bar & Social

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• The main pools at the open Walt Disney World resorts are now opening at 9 am, granting extended operating hours for guests
• A professional recording of the Magic Kingdom “Happily Ever After” nighttime spectacular is now available to watch on the in-room TVs in resort hotels

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

• Tour a Deluxe Studio Villa room at the newly-reopened Beach Club Villas

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

• We reviewed the sprinkle-covered Mickey Waffle Sundae with Cookie Dough Ice Cream from BoardWalk Bakery

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

• To alleviate long wait times for the elevators in the lobby of the Contemporary, guests are being encouraged to use the stairwell and escalators in the resort instead

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• We reviewed the delicious new Churro Éclair, which tastes exactly like the classic park snack, from Gasparilla Island Grill
• A new ramp and temperature screening tent have been installed near the new Magic Kingdom walkway bridge

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

• Guests staying in tents at the campground were relocated this week due to Hurricane Isaias, with instructions to bring all outdoor items inside
• Check out our full tour of The Cabins

Disney’s POP Century Resort

• With the reopening of Pop Century this week, we witnessed very long lines, a Mobile Order-only rule and temporary drink refill system in the Everything POP Shopping & Dining location
• Take a tour of a standard room with ‘enhanced cleaning’ at the newly-reopened resort
• The Disney Skyliner has reopened at Pop Century, check out all the photos and updated procedures here

Other Walt Disney World News

• Temperature screenings are now being implemented at resort table-service restaurants across the resort, and signage has been updated to reflect the exclusion of face masks with exhalation valves after last week’s policy change
• Florida’s East Coast has been in a state of emergency this week, as warnings were issued for what was the nearing Hurricane Isaias. Later downgraded to a Tropical Storm, heavy wind and rain is still expected in Central Florida
• A Goodyear “Wingfoot 2” blimp has arrived at the resort, ready for the NBA Restart opening night
• The 30% off merchandise discount offer has been extended to Disney Vacation Club members through August 14, while Tables in Wonderland memberships are being extended for an additional four months
• A range of businesses in Walt Disney World has filed for millions of dollars in PPP loans, including Raglan Road, Arribas Brothers, San Angel Inn and more
• Walt Disney World performers have responded to targeted claims from the Actor’s Equity Association with a “#BringBacktheMagic” video

Disneyland Resort

• Check out this week’s photo report for the Disneyland Resort, including new face masks, churro toffee, cute cats, and more
• The Disneyland Resort has once again modified their face covering requirements, excluding coverings with valves, mesh or holes
• Weekend operating hours have been extended across Downtown Disney
• Disneyland resort hotels are now no longer accepting reservations until September 1, implying even longer closures

Disneyland Paris

• Disneyland Paris has released new resort brochures in the clever style of around-the-world travel guides
• Get a rat’s-eye view of Ratatouille: The Adventure at the Walt Disney Studios Park in this new “Ride & Learn” video from the Disney Parks Blog
• More concept art has been revealed for the upcoming Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, including a breakdown of the room types and themed suites available

Tokyo Disney Resort

• Check out this week’s photo report for Tokyo DisneySea, including new social distancing measures and long lines, construction updates, vending machines and more
• Starting September 1, the resort’s operating hours are to be adjusted slightly ahead
• It was revealed that Crystal Palace Restaurant will be reopening as a dessert buffet from August 7 at Tokyo Disneyland
• Watch as the characters reacted during a mistaken early earthquake warning, made during a parade at Tokyo Disneyland
• We reviewed the new Fluffy Pancake Lunch Set (with hidden Stitch) at Tokyo Disneyland’s Polynesian Terrace Restaurant
• Oriental Land Company have released their first quarter 2020 financial results, showing a revenue down by 95% due to the park closure
• Most of the new signage has been revealed as construction is completed in New Fantasyland in Tokyo Disneyland, whilst the structure has risen amidst massive progress on Fantasy Springs over in Tokyo DisneySea

Shanghai Disneyland

• “Ignite the Dream”, the nighttime firework spectacular, has resumed at Shanghai Disneyland this week

New Merchandise

• This week, shopDisney denied, then delayed their advertised Disney Parks pin release, although the pins are now on sale online
• New ear headbands have arrived at Walt Disney World this week, check out this Mickey Mouse Glove “Ear” Headband, and this Imitation Leather Mickey Ear Headband
• Fly ‘Off to Never Land’ with this bright green Peter Pan hat
• Prepare for the new year with this official Walt Disney World 2021 calendar, or check out this photograph 2021 calendar by Matthew Cooper
• A whole new assortment of Disney Parks face masks have been made available this week, including Enchanted Tiki Room, “it’s a small world”, Mickey tie-dye, and Haunted Mansion designs
• Navigate through the waters with this cute Jungle Cruise pin set
• Throwback to times gone by with this new Magic Kingdom ticket book hat
• Join the happy haunts with this new collection of Haunted Mansion apparel, including a Constance Hatchaway bride shirt and Ghost Host hat
• Sweeten your day with this new Mickey Gelato merchandise collection from the Italy Pavilion at EPCOT, as the Caffe Italiano merchandise collection has been discounted, or celebrate the American Adventure pavilion with this new Regal Eagle Smokehouse hat and keychain
• Nothing’s gonna stop you in these new Chuuby Bird and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway socks from Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Stay quenched on your stay at the Hollywood Tower Hotel with this fun Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Bellhop water bottle
• Pack for your explorations in this colorful new “Up” Kevin backpack from Loungefly
• Represent your favorite 90’s movies with this new “Pocahontas” hoodie, “The Lion King” apparel collection, and “Hercules” windbreaker and t-shirt
• Decorate with this new Journey Into Imagination With Figment Mickey Ear Hat ornament, or this “Toy Story 4” ornament set
• Show off your “Star Wars” side in color with this new collection of bright stripe apparel
• Prepare for the holidays with this new range of Christmas merchandise, including a pillow, throw blanket, ornaments and more
• Whisk up a treat with these new “Beauty and the Beast”, “Toy Story” and “Cinderella”-inspired kitchen spatulas
• Dress up your little monster in this Stitch dog costume
• Commemorate your ‘Happiest Stay on Earth’ with this new Disneyland Hotel merchandise collection
• Some fun new PIXAR-inspired apparel has hit the shelves this week, including this “Toy Story” Rex hoodie, “Up” t-shirts, “Inside Out” Rainbow Unicorn jewelry, “Toy Story” Forky cap, and outrageous “Up” Kevin hoodie

• Adorable new Duffy & Friends merchandise has arrived on shopDisney, straight from Aulani
• Pack for the parks in this adorable Demin Mickey Loungefly Mini Backpack
• Spark your imagination with this adorable, early-release Figment shoulder plush
• Two new MagicBands were released this week, delayed from the 2020 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, featuring Figment and Minnie Mouse
• Protect your device with this “Disney Mickey and Friends Collection” of iPhone cases from OtterBox
• Get ready for the Pumpkin Season, as the new Halloween 2020 merchandise has debuted on shopDisney this week, including Spirit Jerseys, Mouse Ears, pins and more
• Also ready for Halloween is this sweet new “BB-B0020” droid figure from Star Wars Droid Factory
• Show your wild side with this new park-specific Disney’s Animal Kingdom merchandise and apparel
• Fall in love with this adorable Baby Yoda “The Child” ear hat

Entertainment and Media

• Pixar has announced a new film, titled “Luca”, which will hit theaters in summer 2021
• Disney Legendary composer Alan Menken has earned the prestigious EGOT status, following his recent Emmy win for “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure”
• A reveal video, including concept art and casting, has been revealed for the “Star Wars: Tales From Galaxy’s Edge” virtual reality experience
• A performance stream by Disney’s top music men is set to stream later this month in support of The Walt Disney Family Museum

Disney+

• The live-action “Beauty and the Beast” spin-off prequel series in development for Disney+ is to be titled “Little Town”
• “The Mandalorian” has received 15 nominations for the 2020 Emmy Awards, including Best Drama
• A new Halloween comedy movie titled “Spooked” is currently in development for Disney+

Other Disney News

• In a strange technical glitch, businesses in Rhode Island were receiving tax refund cheques, bearing signatures by Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney

WDW News Today

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

Tropical Storm Coming to WDW, Hollywood Studios Booked Through October – NewsToday 8/1

Princess and the Frog Actress Wants “Tiana’s Palace” Restaurant at Disney Parks – NewsToday 7/29

Guests Now Receive Temperature Screenings at Walt Disney World Restaurants – NewsToday 7/27

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!