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 October 19 to October 25, 2020.
Walt Disney World
- Florida “strike teams” are checking theme parks for CDC compliance during the pandemic reopening
- Disney has extended its flexible cancellation policy through April 30, 2021
- All guests can save up to 35% off weeknight stays from January through mid-April and up to 25% on weekends
- Annual Passholders save up to 40% during the same window
- Disney has also extended savings of up to 35% to Florida residents
- Those planning trips to Walt Disney World can now view Park Pass availability in the My Disney Experience app, but the app still won’t let guests make a park reservation
- Some good news for unionized Walt Disney World Cast Members, with Local 362 announcing that no part-time custodial or attraction workers will be laid off
- Fairy Tale Wedding are back, but with new COVID-19 guidelines
- Friendship Boats will resume transporting guests among Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and EPCOT area resorts beginning November 1
- All theme park hours were extended for December 20 – 30
- January 2021 park hours were reduced
Magic Kingdom
- Make a virtual visit with our October 21 and October 22 photo reports
- If rumors are true, TRON: Lightcycle Run faces many troubles and may not open for the 50th anniversary celebration next year
- The word on the street says that a virtual queue may be coming to Jungle Cruise
- The refurbishment of Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover continues until January 2, 2021
- Disney added a colorful scrim to parts “it’s a small world”
- Ticket holders and resort guests booked all Magic Kingdom park reservations for Christmas Day
- The toll plaza marquee is receiving a fresh, new look for Walt Disney World’s upcoming 50th Anniversary
- Even more colorful scrim artwork was added to “it’s a small world”
- The broken fishing goose at Splash Mountain was hidden from guests by netting
- Crews added a protective cover to the TRON: Lightcycle / Run track as canopy supports and frames are installed near and over the track
- The Rivers of America are shallow due to draining required for refurbishments happening along the waterway
- More TRON: Lightcycle / Run canopy pieces were hoisted into place
- Refurbishment of the Toll Plaza reached its halfway point
- Crews continue to paint the legs that support the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
EPCOT
- Enjoy our photo reports from October 18, October 19, October 20 and October 23 to see what’s been going on around EPCOT
- Walt Disney Imagineering filed a permit for a huge “Harmonious” barge for that future show
- Third quarter injury report shows that a guest riding Mission: Space suffered a stroke
- Alice and Anna moved to new meet-and-greet locations in the United Kingdom and Norway Pavilions, respectively
- Details, including working lighting, continue to be added to the France Pavilion expansion
- The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts begins January 8, 2021
- Disney has taken ownership of the Morocco Pavilion after months of struggles for the World Showcase location
- We showed you the impressive “Harmonious” barges under construction backstage
- Take the best kind of stroll — a cookie stroll — during the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
- Speaking of the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, we shared a full list of holiday kitchens
- Disney announced experiences that will be available during the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
- Find Olaf throughout World Showcase during the Festival of the Holidays
- Awnings have been installed at La Crêperie de Paris inside the France Pavilion expansion
- We got a look at the sign for the upcoming Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction, complete with amazing gold leaf
- Lotus Blossom Cafe has reopened in the China Pavilion
- Read our review of chicken waffles and bananas foster waffles from the Waffles Booth
- An additional awning and ride warning signage were installed at the France Pavilion expansion
- Demolition continues at the former Electric Umbrella site
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Come along with us on our photo reports from October 19 and October 20 to see what’s happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Rumors state that Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run may be getting a virtual queue
- Ticket holders and resort guests booked all Hollywood Studios park reservations for New Year’s Day
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway now features plexiglass dividers at its loading area
- Minnie Mouse is hosting a series of themed dining events at Hollywood & Vine
- Plexiglass dividers were also added to the Slinky Dog Dash loading area
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- An aardvark and a giraffe were born at the park this month
- Read our review of a new pumpkin cheesecake dessert
- Progress at the upcoming goat habitat seems to have stalled
- Kendi the white rhinoceros gave birth to a healthy rhino calf
Disney Vacation Club
- Disney Vacation Club increases minimum points purchase for Membership Magic perks
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Reservations are now being accepted at the resort for stays beginning February 9, 2021
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Long a popular trick-or-teat spot, the campground has modified its Halloween offerings to keep guest safe
- The resort and campground will close to non-guests under phase 2 closure rules on October 31
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- The walkway from the resort to the Magic Kingdom is entering what appears to be its final stage of construction
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- The resort’s signature roof crossbeams continue to be removed from the Great Ceremonial House
- Later in the week, only a few crossbeams remained
- The Tambu Lounge seating area has been expanded into the still-closed ‘Ohana dining room
Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort
- An investment firm is suing the resort after receiving a $1.1 million bill for cancelling a conference during the pandemic
Disneyland Resort
- The Coalition of Resort Labor Unions joins the pleas for Gov. Newsom to allow Disneyland to open
- Disneyland lays off Cast Members of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge due to non-transferable seniority
- On October 19, the California Health Secretary teased an announcement the next day concerning reopening
- California Health Secretary announced the resort may reopen at 25% capacity with many restrictions
- Unfortunately, the restrictions for reopening may delay reopening until 2021
- Mayor of Anaheim said that a delayed reopening due to restrictions will kill many businesses
- President of Disneyland criticized the California reopening guidelines, which will cause an extended closure and more lay-offs
- California Attractions and Parks Association joined criticism of California reopening guidelines
- President of Disneyland promised Cast Members that the resort won’t stop working until they reopen
- Disneyland and other theme parks consider legal action in response to unfair reopening guidelines
- We discussed the reopening guidelines on WDWNTunes and ParksCenter
- Guests with reservations through November 7 receive cancellation notices
- Annual Passholders receive email about restrictive reopening guidelines and the future of the program
- Shopping and dining will open on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure
- Disneyland lay-off notices went out to Cast Members this week
- Though Disney’s California Adventure opens for shopping and dining, Disneyland doesn’t plan to open Main Street
Disneyland Paris Resort
- Disney releases concept art of their upcoming solar energy site
Tokyo Disney Resort
- The resort will reset all Annual Passport matters to zero after the new year, refunding passholders
Tokyo DisneySea
- Teddy Roosevelt Lounge is opening soon, but guests must reserve priority seating to visit
New Merchandise
- Dooney & Bourke handbags with Haunted Mansion wallpaper print debuted at Legends of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- You can purchase “Scrap Metal” parts from the Build-Your-Own Lightsaber experience at Savi’s Workshop in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- shopDisney released limited edition anniversary pins for Pinocchio, The Aristocats, and The Three Caballeros
- A new “Imagining the Magic” line of photo merchandise will come to Tokyo Disneyland Resort on November 11th
- Christmas merchandise is beginning to arrive at retail locations throughout Walt Disney World
- New magnets are available at the Annual Passholder pop-up shop in the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT
- A variety of new face masks are on the way, including retro Walt Disney World logo, Pizza Planet, Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar, and other designs
- “I am Groot” translates to “A new baby Groot Christmas shoulder plush is now available“
- Adorable “Enchanted Tales with Belle” Wishables plush are now available on shopDisney and at Walt Disney World
- Minty fresh holiday Minnie ears made the scene at Walt Disney World
- We found a candy cane striped Loungefly Minnie Mouse backpack
- Gingerbread Christmas ear headbands make a tasty addition to holiday garb
- We got in the Christmas Spirit (Jerseys) when found three new holiday shirts
- Santa must have arrived early, bringing us tons of new Christmas merchandise
- Four Starbucks ceramic tumblers debuted, one for each of the Walt Disney World theme parks
- A Sorcerer Mickey Blue collection celebrates 40 years of the Make-a-Wish Foundation
- The Sorcerer Mickey Blue collection has an official name: Wishes Come True items sales give 25% to Make-A-Wish
- The Wishes Come True Collection includes adjustable, soft Mickey ears for children
- shopDisney has Wishes Come True face masks from Spirit Jersey
- The Spirit Jersey Wishes Come True face mask is also available at Walt Disney World
- Starbucks created a Wishes Come True travel tumbler
- Wristlets and pet Spirit Jerseys were also added to the Wishes Come True Collection
- Help the environment and have no worries with these Timon and Pumbaa reusable straws
- Annual Passholders can pick up a glow in the dark popcorn bucket at Walt Disney World
- If you love the Starbucks ceramic park tumblers, you need to pick up these small ornament versions
- Visit our very own The Carousel of Products to pick up the awesome “‘Ohana Means Noodles” T-shirt
- Celebrate Disney forest friends (SQUIRREL!) with a Spirit Jersey, Loungelfy backpack, and leggings
- New open edition Christmas pins feature Mickey, Stitch, The Muppets, and more
- A “Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction” Haunted Mansion collection is available to Annual Passholders for one hour on October 28, then to all guests
- We found a Magic Kingdom Starbucks tumbler ornament at the Emporium
- New Alex and Ani bracelets arrived, in Wishes Come True and ice skating Mickey and Minnie styles
- There’s always room for one more… Haunted Mansion open edition pin
- Annual Passholders can customize phone cases, magnets, and T-shirts at MaDe kiosks
- All lanyards have two sides, but few are reversible like this Haunted Mansion lanyard
- We previewed new Christmas collections shared by Disney Parks Blog
- MaDe kiosks have Coco items, including MagicBands, magnets, and phone cases
- New “Say Cheese” line of Duffy keychains are coming to Tokyo DisneySea in November
- New Disneyland 65th Walt & Mickey Partners Statue and Mr. Toad vinyl figures will come to Disneyland Resort
- Christmas Spirit Jerseys can now be purchased at Disneyland Resort
- You can purchase the new Dug Disney Baby Plush at Disneyland Resort
- Christmas face masks and other holiday merchandise are planned for release at Disney Parks
- Disney debuts new princess stickers at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort
Entertainment and Media
- The Raya and The Last Dragon trailer has been released to tease its March 2021 release in theaters
- Writer and Producer Shonda Rhimes left ABC for Netflix because of incident over Disneyland park passes
Disney+
- Disney plans to make a live-action Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers film
- Watch a sneak peek of The Mandalorian: Season 2, which releases on October 30th
- An announcement surfaced that a Willow series will be coming to Disney+
Disney Interactive
- A trailer and interview filled in details of the upcoming “Star Wars: Tales From the Galaxy’s Edge” VR experience, including the return of Frank Oz as Jedi Master Yoda
The Walt Disney Company
- Judge Buchwald dismissed the pregnancy discrimination case against Disney by former employee
Adventures by Disney
- All trips for Adventures by Disney have been suspended through December 31
Disney Aspire
- Some Cast Members who were laid-off will lose their free education through Disney Aspire
WDW News Today
TRON Lightcycle Run Will Not Open for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary – NewsToday 10/19
WDW Drops 2021 Discounts, Disneyland Won’t Open Soon Under Released CA Guidelines – NewsToday 10/21
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!