Every week is a busy week when it comes to Disney news. To help you keep up with all of the updates coming out of Walt Disney World and other Disney resorts, here’s WDWNT’s weekly recap of the Disney news from June 24-30!

Walt Disney World

• We spotted that cast members in yellow costumes have started training on the Disney Skyliner operations
• Not only that, but new signage up at Hollywood Studios gives us more information about the gondola capacity, safety warnings and weather protocols for the Skyliner
• Disney are now offering a “My First Disney Getway” package, offering families of three magical mini-breaks this summer for a special price
• The 4th of July entertainment lineup has been announced for Walt Disney World, including magical nighttime spectaculars, red, white and blue decor and more

Magic Kingdom

• Check out this week’s photo report for the Magic Kingdom, including TRON construction, Castle Couture updates and more
• We are delighted to report that Disney has stated that the Country Bear Jamboree will not be closing at Walt Disney World
• Sources informed us that The Enchanted Tiki Room will be receiving an Moana overlay at the Magic Kingdom
• Controversially, Disney then vaguely denied this rumor
• New water fountains have been installed at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, which include bottle refill stations
• We reviewed the new Loaded Tavern Fries, Lobster Fritters, Plant-Based Entrees, and Desserts for Lunch over at Liberty Tree Tavern
• A new undercover extension on the Ferry Boat queue area is now open at the Transportation and Ticketing Center
• Check out our construction update on the pathway widening project over by Cinderella Castle, which is now more obvious where the pathway will sit
• The elusive Aunt Polly’s Restaurant on Tom Sawyer Island will be reopening for a limited time during the Fourth of July holiday
• There will also be some special limited-time Independence Day PhotoPass Magic Shots available at the Magic Kingdom from July 3rd

Epcot

• Check out this week’s photo report for Epcot, including construction updates, new pins and more
• The full booth lineup, complete with menus and photos, has been revealed for the 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
• This cute new Figment mixing bowl, a Taste Your Way Around the World tray and Tervis have been revealed for the International Food & Wine festival, along with a host of other festival merchandise
• ESPN’s Monday Night Football will be hosting a new offering for the festival: Tailgate Tasting will allow guests to try food from the host city of that week’s match
• We learned that the classic Epcot logo will be returning with the park’s overhaul, including Spaceship Earth manhole covers coming soon as part of the new park entrance project
• It was announced that Liberty Inn at The American Adventure will be replaced later this year with Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
• O’ Canada! will be closing in August for upgrades, with an indoor festival marketplace opening in the theater during the downtime

Animal Kingdom

• Check out this week’s photo report for Animal Kingdom, featuring that The Lion King popcorn bucket, scenery and more
• New merchandise displays have appeared in Windtraders, making the store feel more spacious in preparation for the busy summer season
• Animal Kingdom are currently testing two different models of strollers for rental
• Check out our construction update as work continues on the Animal Kingdom Club 33 exclusive location
• We learned that Primeval Whirl will remain closed through July 3rd
• More details have been announced for the Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night dining experience coming to Animal Kingdom, including full menus, a Kilimanjaro Safaris virtual reality experience and more

Hollywood Studios

• Check out this week’s photo report for Hollywood Studios, including Toy Story merchandise, glimpses at Galaxy’s Edge and more
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid is due to be closed on select dates through July and August, so if you’re planning a trip under the sea, make sure you’re aware of the changes
• Following last week’s rename of Oasis Canteen to Epic Eats, we learned that Oasis Canteen will, in fact, be returning as a permanent beverage kiosk
• New construction walls have gone up around the upcoming Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction

Disney Springs

• Check out this week’s photo report for Disney Springs, including new merchandise, Forky plush safety warnings and more
• New signage has been installed over at the upcoming NBA Experience 
• We reviewed the weird, seasonal “Grub” Burger – gummy bug condiments included – over at D-Luxe Burger

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Beach Club Resort

• The planned renovation at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop appears to have been delayed until the end of August, with reservations between now and then being accepted

Coronado Springs Resort

• Snazzy new entrance signage has been unveiled at Disney’s Coronado Springs resort
• Gran Destino Tower will feature highly innovative new in-room TV systems, which will be personalized to the guest and offer free movies on-demand

Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will open at the Grand Floridian on August 6th, and reservations are now open

Polynesian Village Resort

• In celebration of Experiment 626 Day on Wednesday, guests were able to purchase special Stitch-inspired cones from Pineapple Lanai

Disneyland Resort

• The Pixar Pals parking structure will be open this Sunday at the Disneyland Resort
• The demolition of the existing tram drop off area has begun at the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures
• The popular “Bring a Friend” ticket promotion for Disneyland Resort Passholders is now officially available for a limited time through the summer

Disneyland Park

• Check out this week’s photo report for Disneyland Park, featuring the public opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, new merchandise and more
• The final Mickey’s Soundsation Parade will take place on July 17th, the end of the beloved afternoon parade
• However, we received the very exciting news that the Main Street Electrical Parade will be returning to Disneyland for a limited time through August and September this summer
• “The Snackin’ Place”, a sweet, highly-themed churro and lemonade stand has now opened in Critter Country
• A “Happy Haunts Materialize – The Art of Haunted Mansion” exhibit has opened at the Disney Gallery in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the iconic Disneyland attraction
• We reviewed the disappointing new Double Cheeseburger and loaded Fries from Hungry Bear Restaurant, which disappointingly came with a side of bad guest service

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

• A merchandise shortage at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities has lead to Kyber crystals now being sold unpackaged with Jedi and Sith holocrons
• Similarly, the Rancor Tooth Beer Flight boards from Oga’s Cantina have already all sold out for the summer 
• Also, lightsaber hilt pieces are now being sold separately as “scrap metal”, over at Savi’s Workshop

Disney California Adventure

• A new Lion King Annual Passholder Corner has popped up in Disney California Adventure, where APs will be able to collect their souvenir magnets and sippers
• The Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind attraction on Pixar Pier is now open, check out our photos and video here
• In celebration, Joy and Sadness are now holding meet & greats near the new Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind attraction
• We reviewed the surprisingly plain new Reality Stone Churro from Hollywood Land

Tokyo Disney Resort

• A “Very Very Minnie!” celebration will be coming to Tokyo Disney in January 2020, celebrating all things Minnie Mouse in her very own festival

New Merchandise

• We spotted these new clear Mickey and Minnie D-Tech phone cases in the Magic Kingdom
• There’s also a range of D-Tech “Illuminations: Reflections of Forever” farewell phone cases on sale over in Epcot
• These new pendant necklaces have arrived in the parks, featuring cute attraction and “just married” charms
• This funky little DJ-R3X Funko Pop! vinyl figure is now available on shopDisney

• These new beverage holder cozies have arrived at the parks, sporting cute slogans
• This new Coco-inspired mug and ornament are now on sale in Disneyland
• This new retro Disney parks collage backpack and wallet design by Loungefly is now available at Walt Disney World and on shopDisney
• This new “You’re My Hero” medal friendship necklace set has arrived in the parks, inspired by Wreck it Ralph
• This amazing new Disney Parks 2020 poster calendar was spotted in the parks this week, featuring artistic map designs of iconic Disney Park lands

• There’s some cool new magnet designs over at the D-Tech On Demand kiosks in Disney Springs, featuring Haunted Mansion, Star Wars and character designs
• The Disneyland and Walt Disney World July pin releases have been announced, including a The Lion King commemorative pin, a “Happy Birthday Disneyland” pin and more
• New Walt Disney World spirit jersey-style long sleeve tees have arrived in Disney Springs, perfect for when it’s too hot for the thicker fabric!
• Ariel fans will be desperate to make these new Little Mermaid Minnie Ear Headbands part of their world

Entertainment & Media

• Last weekend, Toy Story 4 brought in $118 million domestically, plus $120 million internationally, totaling its worldwide box office earnings to $238 million
• Tickets are now on sale for The Lion King, which will open in theaters on July 19
• The original motion picture soundtrack to The Lion King will be released on July 11
• We learned that Disney are looking at Taika Waititi (of Thor: Ragnarok) to helm an animated “Flash Gordon” film 
• In case you haven’t seen Avengers: Endgame enough, Marvel has re-released the movie in theaters this weekend with additional bonus features
• Also, Avengers: Endgame will be coming home to digital on July 30, with 4K UHD and Blu-Ray released on August 13

D23 Expo 2019

• Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios will be sharing never-before-seen footage and details at the Expo, including artist signings, photo opportunities and interactive displays
• A panel dedicated to The Simpsons will feature at D23, including autograph signing with producers Matt Groening, Al Jean, Matt Selman and more
• Disney Channel and Disney Junior stars will be meeting fans every day throughout the expo
• There will also be a Disney on Broadway 25th Anniversary concert at the expo, including a new virtual reality experience which will allow fans to transport themselves directly into some of the greatest shows

WDWNT News

• Read this statement from Tom Corless: Who We Really Are at WDWNT.com

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