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 September 9-15!

Walt Disney World

• There’s a bunch of new Build-a-Band MagicBand upgrades for September, including Figment, Genie and Chef Mickey designs
• A variable message sign is set to be installed at the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza, in order to further aid guests
• Cast member previews have begun on the Disney Skyliner, which has also been testing emergency stops and delay spiels this week
• Amazing new Moana and Frozen character bus wraps have joined the Disney Transportation fleet
• The 2020 Walt Disney World runDisney Marathon Weekend finisher medals have been revealed

Magic Kingdom

• Check out this week’s photo report for the Magic Kingdom, featuring a black cat, new merchandise and more
• We’re saddened to report that the entertainment budget cuts across Disney parks have hit the Magic Kingdom, with the Muppets “Great Moments in History” show and more coming to an end soon
• New USB phone charging stations have been installed at Tomorrowland Light & Power Co., whilst the Magic Kingdom FuelRod kiosks have been changed to remove the “Free Unlimited Swapping” graphic
• We reviewed the new Cotton Candy Arendelle Aqua Cone from Storybook Treats, the first of even more Arendelle Aqua themed treats now available across the parks
• New automated PhotoPass cameras have now been installed at Mickey and Minnie Meet & Greet in Town Square Theater
• Check out the latest progress update on the entrance construction to the Magic Kingdom, including a look at the pathway restructuring, boat dock relocation and more
• The moat has been refilled and landscaping has been added to the new pathway around Cinderella Castle
• It has been confirmed that prices are set to increase for the various Fireworks Dessert Parties at the Magic Kingdom from February 2020
• There’s construction walls up and the PeopleMover windows boarded for the remodeling of Mickey’s Star Traders

Animal Kingdom

• A New Year’s Eve celebration has been announced for Animal Kingdom, which will be open until midnight on December 31, with a Tree of Life countdown and pin trading event to celebrate

Epcot

• Construction walls have gone up around Fountain View, Club Cool, Character Spot and the Fountain of Nations, which has now been drained ahead of its upcoming demolition
• The themed Club Cool merchandise displays have now been rehomed into Mouse Gear
• According to a recent permit filed with Orange County, the show set installation will soon begin at the Play Pavilion
• The Odyssey Pavilion has received it’s mural of the new Epcot Experience Center logo, which was first revealed at this summer’s D23 Expo
• Remy’s Hide and Squeak scavenger hunt is back for the Food & Wine Festival, with a selection of cute travel tumblers as prizes
• In a new video, Disney has given us a first official look at the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction ride vehicles. You can also check out the construction progress on the attraction in our photo report 
• We reiewed the new Arendelle Aqua cupcake and lemonade from over at Sunshine Seasons, and the Arendelle Aqua Victoria Sponge Cake from Yorkshire County Fish Shop

Hollywood Studios

• Check out this week’s photo report for Hollywood Studios, including Skyliner cast costumes, new paintwork, the return of Kyber Crystals and more
• In quite a troubling turn of events, the ingredient labels were revealed for the Blue and Green Milk served in the Milk Stand in Galaxy’s Edge
• We found that Keystone Clothiers are now selling Porg puppets and more merchandise from the Creature Stall in Galaxy’s Edge
• The Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! holiday dessert party has been relocated to Echo Lake this year, with reservations now open
• Disney have released a sneak peek of Poe Dameron’s X-Wing and BB-8 figure from the Rise of the Resistance queue
• Meanwhile, new “Maximum Profit” and “Ranking” system updates have been added to Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo are now distributing regular silverware instead of the popular themed sporks

Disney Springs

• Check out this week’s photo report for Disney Springs, including new Fall decor, an Orange Bird chalk mural, Millennium Falcon chocolate pops and more!
• Starting today, Walt Disney World cast members will receive free complimentary admission to the NBA Experience
• New limited edition Haunted Mansion 50th Anniversary giant sequoia carved sculptures have materialized at Disney Springs
• Disney’s Days of Christmas are now offering hand painted customization on select Halloween merchandise

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

All-Star Resorts

• We reviewed the new, bright blue, Sulley cupcake from All-Star Music

Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• We learned that the Beauty and the Beast-inspired lounge at Grand Floridian will be named Enchanted Rose. It will open this Fall and the menu looks grand!
• Check out the latest construction update on the new walkway connecting the Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

• This new Jack Skellington Sipper has arrived in the park just in time for Halloween Time, as has this new Arendelle Aqua Mickey Balloon Popcorn Bucket
• We reviewed the new Loaded Fleet Fries, Blood Orange Slush, and Darth by Chocolate Parfait at Galactic Grill, and the Trick or Treat Sundae Duo from Gibson Girl Parlor for Halloween Time
• Special Halloween Passholder magnets, buttons and an Oogie Bogie photo op will be available this month in the Disneyland resort

Downtown Disney District

• The new Pixar Pals parking structure pedestrian bridge is now open at the resort

Disneyland Paris

• A new runDisney Princess Run has been announced for Disneyland Paris in May 2020
• A new poster for “Frozen Celebration” reveals a new look for Anna and Elsa
• New details and concept art has been released for Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, which will feature more than 300 pieces of artwork showcasing the entirety of the Marvel Universe
• We got lots of new details from the newly-released timeline of events at Disneyland Paris through 2020, including Halloween, Christmas, Legends of the Force, Frozen Celebration and more
• Three new storylines and drop sequences are coming to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, for “a New Dimension of Chills”
• Stunning new concept art was released for the Frozen themed land at Walt Disney Studios Park
• A brand-new “Studio D” character show will be coming to the Walt Disney Studios Park

Tokyo Disney Resort

• We’ve been out trying lots of treats for Disney Halloween at Tokyo Disney Resort! In Tokyo Disneyland, we tried the Curry Long Naan from Toontone Treats, Jack Skellington Sandwich from Sweetheart Cafe,  assorted snacks including Baumkuchen, Purple Potato Mochi and Strawberry Cheesecake from across the park, Pumpkin Soft Serve, and the Popcorn Soda with Donut. At DisneySea, we tried the Special Soup & Desserts from Horizon Bay Restaurant, and the Special Set from Cafe Portofino
• We also tried the new Pink Grapefruit & Grape drink from Sebastian’s Calypso Kitchen at DisneySea
• Disney have revealed this adorable Pascal animatronic, which is under development for the upcoming Tangled boat ride attraction for DisneySea

Disney Vacation Club

• A new ruling means that Disney Vacation Club owners must purchase a minimum of 100 points direct from DVC in order to qualify for Membership Extras

New Merchandise

• A bunch of new Chef Mickey and Minnie Food & Wine Festival Passholder plates and mugs are now available at Epcot, and there’s plenty more festival merchandise now available online
• In handbag news, Loungefly have released an adorable collection of mini wristlet backpacks, and Dooney & Bourke have made these stunning The Little Mermaid purses which are now available at Disney Springs
• Arendelle Aqua has officially sent frozen fractals all around the Disney parks and resorts! Check out the full range of merchandise (with prices) at Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort and online at shopDisney

• Those Haunted Mansion Host A Ghost Spirit Jars from the 50th Anniversary Celebration have now materialized on shopDisney
• In Ear Headgear news, these new Sequin Mickey Ear Headbands have arrived at the Disneyland Park
• Over at Tokyo Disney Resort, we learned that a new “Duffy’s Sweet Dreams” merchandise collection will be arriving soon to DisneySea
• Funko will be releasing an exclusive Mickey Mouse Matterhorn Bobsleds POP! Ride Vinyl at the New York Comic Con
• This fun new tee features Chip and Dale dabbing
• This adorable new Sleepy Pua and this Sleeping Sulley from the “Disney Dream Friends” plush collection is now available

Entertainment & Media

• We reviewed a whole selection of books this week: “Mary Blair’s Unique Flair” by Amy Novesky and Brittney Lee, “I am Walt Disney” by Brad Meltzer, “Reflection” by Elizabeth Lim, and Imagineer Kevin Rafferty’s autobiography “Magic Journey”
• A special sneak peek preview of the upcoming Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is coming to the parks, and tickets for the movie are now on sale
• The Disney+ series “Muppets Live Another Day” starring Josh Gad has been cancelled

Other Disney News

• In the most heartwarming news of the week, we learned that Disney surprised a caring six year old with a trip to Walt Disney World, after he so generously spent his vacation savings up on helping Hurricane Dorian evacuees
• Bob Iger has resigned from the Apple Board of Directors due to conflicts between Disney+ and Apple TV+
• Walt Disney World have signed a sponsorship agreement with the University of Central Florida
• A traveling museum exhibit will be touring in 2020, celebrating 50 Years of The Walt Disney Archives

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!