WDWNT Weekly Recap: Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure May Not Open in 2020, Walt Disney World Remains at 25% Capacity, and Disney Feuds with Senator Over Executive Salaries

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 12 to October 18, 2020.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

Check out photo reports from October 12, October 15, and October 16
The Lakers won the NBA Championship inside the Walt Disney World bubble, so Cinderella Castle was lit in purple and gold
Additional Toll Plaza lanes are being painted in 50th Anniversary hues
We reviewed three stuffed pretzel varieties available at The Lunching Pad
At Splash Mountain, a fishing goose malfunctioned, falling over in its boat
The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover roof supports are being refurbished
At the TRON Lightcycle / Run construction site, canopy support installation continues
Work continues at the Magic Kingdom Resort Launch dock, with an additional canopy installation
Back at the Toll Plaza, primer has been applied over two additional lanes
Guests will need to wait until at least December 27 to ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, which saw its refurbishment extended (again)
Scaffolding has been removed from sections of the TRON Lightcycle / Run show building as more canopy supports are added
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas—backstage, at least—as holiday trees are staged for installation

We noticed more rose gold accents and primer on the sign at the Toll Plaza
PeopleMover supports in front of the Purple Wall have received a fresh coat of white paint
More canopy pieces are on-site, staged for installation at TRON Lightcycle / Run
We tasted Hades Nachos, which returned to Magic Kingdom for Halloween

EPCOT

Our photo reports are the next best thing to being in the parks! Check out reports from October 11, October 14
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure may not open in 2020 as the project is not deemed a “priority” by Disney
A new safety sign at World ShowPlace reminds guests to keep masks unless actively eating
The France Pavilion expansion work continues with additional details being added to outdoor spaces

We previewed an Annual Passholder pop-up store, which opened the following day in Der Teddybar at the Germany Pavilion
The theme park is now using contactless security scanners at its main entrance
Demolition continues at the former Electric Umbrella, with structural framing clearly visible
The Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival now has an end date, with November 22 being the last day for guests to try its offerings
The Remy “ticket booths” inside the France Pavilion expansion are now unwrapped

The Space 220 Restaurant entrance sign was partially revealed

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Catch up on all things Hollywood Studios with our photo report from October 13,
Guests got a rare backstage look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, as the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run queue line was expanded to allow for social distancing
The Droid Depot is now offering “off the shelf” parts that allow guests to trick out custom-built droids

We noticed hard plastic dividers being tested on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride vehicles
Dok-Ondar searched the galaxy and found a supply of Ahsoka Tano Legacy Lightsabers
Disney told the Orlando Sentinel that plexiglass barriers will be installed on all Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance prison transport ride vehicles
The Force is strong with us as we preview new Legacy Lightsabers coming this fall to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

The value resort reopens November 1, and we have a complete rundown of the resort’s status, including a 2021 refurbishment of the Big Blue Pool

Disney’s BoardWalk Resort

The Luna Park Pool Keister Coaster waterslide lost its most famous feature as crews removed the slide’s giant clown face

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

After being closed to play host to the NBA, the resort announced its reopening was delayed to October 16
We took a look around the reopened resort, snapping photos along the way

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Olivia’s Cafe is now offering to-go meals via Mobile Order from the My Disney Experience app

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Work continues at the Great Ceremonial House with removal of crossbeams and the covering of the lobby’s glass roof
As crossbeams are removed, sections of the roof’s horizontal support beam are also removed
Permits have been filed for a Moana themed room refurbishment

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel

Resistance boots were on the ground, giving our readers a look at the upcoming Star Wars immersive hotel

The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

The resort tower continues to take shape, with more wave panels being added to its facade

Other Walt Disney World Resort News

Despite what appear to be larger crowds at Walt Disney World, Disney CEO Bob Chapek stated that the parks remain at 25% capacity
A new public address announcement reminds guests that they will be “asked to leave” if they do not properly wear face masks
A guest checking into Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort packed more than his swim trunks; he also brought multiple firearms, fearing protests in Central Florida
Planners take note: Disney Park Pass Reservations are now available into January 2022
Park Pass availability was replenished for Halloween
Guests taking buses from the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin will no longer be dropped at theme park entrances, due to the resort’s switch to Mears Transportation
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders save 30% on shopDisney purchases through October 29
The “Know Before You Go” landing page has been updated to encourage guests to reschedule visits if they cannot wear face masks at all times
Florida residents will be able to purchase a Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary vanity license plate, with proceeds benefitting Make-A-Wish
Park hours have been released through January 2, 2021
A rapid COVID-19 test may allow UK visitors to travel to Central Florida before the holidays
Park hours remain mostly unchanged for December 31, meaning guests will need to ring in the new year outside of the theme parks
The Walt Disney World Resort and Florida Blue are teaming to offer virtual Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival experiences to residents in select 55+ communities
Walt Disney World is surveying guests about social distancing and crowding at theme parks

Disneyland Resort

California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that he is sending teams to Walt Disney World to collect social distancing protocol data
In reality, Newsom had already sent teams to Walt Disney World and other theme parks
Signs have been removed from The VOID at Downtown Disney District
California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly stated that reopening guidelines will be released when the state is “ready”
The resort reached agreements with 11 cast member unions, paving the way for a quick reopening when state guidelines are in place
California officials visited Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood to review possible reopening guidelines
Guests with reservations through October 31 received cancellation notice emails
The California Patriot Coalition organized an “Open Disneyland” rally for October 17
One analyst believes that Disneyland has lost $2.2 billion in revenue during the COVID-19 closure
Spanish health and safety signs have been installed at the resort

Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disneyland

Mary Poppins, Bert, Rapunzel, and Flynn are the first face characters to return to the theme park since its reopening
Enjoy a point of view ride on Tokyo’s version of Splash Mountain

Disneyland Paris

A COVID-19 spike caused French President Emmanuel Macron to issue a 9:00 PM curfew for the resort’s area
Just over a week after its debut, the new Standby Pass system was suspended due to “various problems”

New Merchandise

Hidden Mikey lovers will go wild over new animal print items at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Zootopia fans will love these Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps big feet plush
Toast your friends with this “Saludos Amigos” margarita glass

A new line of items inspired by the Annual Passholder Mickey magnet is available at an Annual Passholder pop-up store in EPCOT
The Annual Passholder store is also home to new Germany Pavilion merchandise
The Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction series continues to grow, this time with Jungle Cruise inspired items
Despite being located in the Germany Pavilion, the Annual Passholder pop-up shop introduced a Disneyland Paris Minnie Mouse collection
Annual Passholders receive a free cutting board or coaster set with a $50 minimum purchase at the EPCOT pop-up location
WDWNT’s very own The Carousel of Products introduced new logo and limited edition event pins
New Haunted Mansion wallpaper Dooney & Bourke bags will soon materialize at Disney Springs
Attention Space Rangers: A new Buzz Lightyear Spirit Jersey has has landed
New Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge merchandise includes a giraffe mug and two “jambo” shirts
A Peter Pan hat we first spotted at Disneyland has arrived at Walt Disney World

The only thing cuter than a porg is a plush porg wearing a scarf and a Santa hat
Refresh your face mask wardrobe for fall with new Up, Coco, Buzz Lightyear, “it’s a small world,” Nightmare Before Christmas, and Mickey Mouse designs
Celebrate 65 years of Disneyland magic with a new phone case featuring iconic park images
Enjoy your morning coffee from a ceramic Starbucks tumbler that features lands from Disney California Adventure, including Avengers Campus
A second Starbucks tumbler features the Disneyland map
Sven and Pua big foot plush have arrived at Walt Disney World
Gear up for Magic Kingdom’s 50th anniversary with a new line of silver sequined 1971 apparel
A new Mickey pizza purse is now available at Walt Disney World
Disney Princess baby onesies and toddler dresses arrived at Walt Disney World
A set of three classic Mickey Mouse sweatshirts arrived at Walt Disney World
The Norway Pavilion in EPCOT has a new Helly Hansen women’s jacket featuring Mickey Mouse
EPCOT’s Canada Pavilion has a new Mickey Mouse shirtdress
Select Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine merchandise is now 30% off

Entertainment and Media

A technology company is suing Disney over its use of technologies originally developed by the tech firm
A Disney fan created a “Wear A Mask” parody of Beauty and the Beast‘s “Be Our Guest”

Disney+

This is the way… to hype the second season of The Mandalorian, as Lucasfilm released a new trailer for the Star Wars series
A media research firm sees possible troubles for Disney+ as it enters its second year

We saw a new trailer for Disney and Pixar’s Soul, which premieres December 25 on Disney+
The streaming service added a new disclaimer to films that include negative depictions or mistreatment of peoples or cultures
Deep in the Plus took a closer look at Halloween favorite Hocus Pocus

The Walt Disney Company

Stockholders were invited to a virtual Investor Day taking place December 10
Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a scathing, no-holds-barred letter to Disney Chairman Bob Iger and Chief Executive Officer Bob Chapek
Disney released a statement in response to Senator Warren’s letter, blaming the state of California in the process
CEO Bob Chapek announced that the company is restructuring to shift its focus to streaming