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 23-29!

Walt Disney World

• This week, we rode the newly-opened Disney Skyliner for the first time! Read our review of the “really fun and terribly frightening new way to get around Walt Disney World“, and take a complete ride on every line of the system in our videos
• We heard that Walt Disney World Resort Bell Services would no longer be holding goods delivered from third-party vendors for guests, including strollers, ECVs and groceries. Later on, we learned that Garden Grocer and other grocery delivery services wouldn’t be affected by these policy changes
• Details have been released and tickets are now available for purchase for the Walt Disney World 2020 Military Pricing offer. Also, Canadian residents can now save 20% on a 4-day or longer ticket in a new offer
• Over 80,000 guests (and counting) have signed a petition to “Keep the PhotoPass Photographers” and retire the automated cameras at character meet & greet locations across the Walt Disney World parks

Magic Kingdom

• Check out this week’s photo report for Magic Kingdom, including the end of summer, new Loungefly mini bags, PeopleMover updates and more!
• The Guest Experience Teams across the Magic Kingdom now have new, themed podiums fitting each land
• Take a look at the latest construction update on TRON Lightcycle Run over in Tomorrowland, where focus has moved to the entrance queue

Hollywood Studios

• Check out this week’s photo report for Hollywood Studios, featuring droid testing mats, a new preview for Maleficent 2, and more!
• Droid testing is now happening in a designated area outside Droid Depot in Galaxy’s Edge
• A new preview for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil has debuted at Walt Disney Presents
• The Mickey’s of Hollywood store has reopened following its massive overhaul
• A “Mickey Shorts Theater” venue will be taking over Star Wars: path of the Jedi in Spring 2020

Epcot

• A new logo mural and themed trash cans have been unveiled over at The Odyssey Pavilion ahead of the opening of the Epcot Experience Center
• Take a look at our construction update for Epcot, including a look at the state of the entrance enhancements, former Wonders of Life, Fountain of Nations etc
• This video released by Disney gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the fireworks, illuminated kites and more of the visual elements which will be coming to Epcot Forever, which will be livestreamed by Disney Parks on October 1st
• We learned that cast member previews for the Epcot Experience Center will be taking place starting this week
• The dates have been announced for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival 2020, with details of a brand-new Remy topiary and Ratatouille Garden to debut
• Construction walls and fencing is now up around the entire perimeter of the former Wonders of Life and Universe of Energy areas

Animal Kingdom

• Check out this week’s photo report for Animal Kingdom, including new themed Guest Experience Team podiums, pins, Pandora and more!
• Take a look at the latest construction update on Club 33’s Harambe House location in Animal Kingdom
• Entertainment cuts are pushing on, as the Dino-Riffic Dance Party at Donald’s Dino-Bash has been quietly cancelled

Typhoon Lagoon

• We reviewed the range of new Fall Pumpkin Treats now available at Typhoon Lagoon

ESPN Wide World of Sports

• The Orlando Invitational 3-day basketball tournament will be returning to Walt Disney World this Thanksgiving, with tickets now on sale

Disney Springs

• We reviewed the new Maple Pecan Bourbon Hot Ganache with Chocolate Bacon from the Ganachery, which took alcoholic hot beverages to a whole new level
• Dooney & Bourke fans, mark your diaries! Disney Dooney & Bourke will be celebrating their 10th anniversary at a special event at Disney Springs on October 11th
• We reviewed the new Oktoberfest Burger from D-Luxe Burger
• Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar has added an incredible new Charcuterie Pretzel and Deep Fried Brats and Sauerkraut to their menu for the WonderFall Flavors event at Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Beach Club Resort

• Construction walls have gone up outside Beaches & Cream Soda Shop as the restaurant expansion continues
• Sweet new character voice greetings have been installed in the elevators of the Beach Club

Caribbean Beach Resort

• The new Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosk has opened at the Caribbean Beach Skyliner Station, and we swung by to try their new Specialty Toffee Flight Latte

Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• Take a look at the latest construction update on the upcoming Enchanted Rose Bar and Lounge

Disneyland Resort

• The Disneyland Resort monorail has resumed its regular operating times, following it’s reduced hours through the summer

Disneyland Park

• Check out this week’s photo report for the Disneyland Park, featuring low wait times, AP swag, construction and more!
• We tried the new Pumpkin Spice Beignets from Mint Julep Bar
• Take a look at the latest update on the Tomorrowland “French Fry” rocks entrance construction 
• We’re pleased to report that The Columbia is once again sailing the Rivers of America!
• Prices have been raised at Oga’s Cantina for mixed drinks, beer, and the Rancor Beer Flight

Disney California Adventure

• Check out this week’s photo report for Disney California Adventure, featuring Halloween meet & greets, new FuelRod signage and more
• We tried the new Pumpkin Spice Milkshake from Flo’s V8 Cafe for Halloween Time 2019
• Read our full review of the awesome new Oogie Boogie Bash event at Disney California Adventure, including a look at the theming, entertainment offerings, food and more

Disneyland Resort Hotels

• The Tenaya Stone Spa will be replacing the Mandara Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Disneyland Paris

• A large search party, including helicopter, had to be called this week after a tourist under the influence of LSD went missing in Disneyland Paris
• A new Disneyland Paris advert shows a creepy trailer for the upcoming The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror takeover: A New Dimension of Chills
• A park-wide power outage happened earlier this week, leading to the shutdown of all rides at Disneyland Paris

Tokyo Disney Resort

• We reviewed the Critter Sundae for Disney Halloween at Rackety’s Raccoon Saloon
• A disappointingly limited slate of events has been announced for 2020 at Tokyo Disney Resort
• These jazzy new monorails will be coming to Tokyo’s Disney Resort Line from 2020
• Watch The Spooky Boo Parade, Night High Halloween Fireworks, and Festival of Mystique Show for Disney Halloween 2019
• The beautiful Mickey Floral has returned to the main entrance of Tokyo Disneyland this week

Disney Cruise Line

• Disney Cruise Line have changed their onboard booking discount, removing their onboard credit deal

New Merchandise

• This impressive new Haunted Mansion Bat stanchion pen has materialized in Disney Springs, new Haunted Mansion Attic and Seance Scene Dioramas have arrived in Disneyland, and a Haunted Mansion Fragrance is now available at the Magic Kingdom. Looking for something cuter? The Haunted Mansion Holiday Disney Parks Wishables plush collection will be out in October
• A new Avatar Banshee Carrier Crossbody Bag is now available at Windtraders in Animal Kingdom, with a ‘Two for $99’ Banshee deal also on now
• Check out the collection of Disney Skyliner Grand Opening merchandise which went on sale this week for Walt Disney World, including apparel, MagicBands, a Funko Pop and more!

• Gear up for Christmas with these new Disney Christmas figurines at the Art of Disney in Disney Springs
• These new Halloween costumes for dogs have arrived at Disney Springs
• This beautiful new “Mickey’s Whimsical Paisley” Vera Bradley collection is now available at Disney Springs
• In Ear news, these insane new $600 Limited Edition Disney Parks Designer Collection Minnie Ears by Heidi Klum have arrived at the parks and on shopDisney

• These new, limited-edition Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and The Mandalorian MagicBands will be released at Walt Disney World on Triple Force Friday
• Over in the World Showcase, this expansive new Germany Pavilion merchandise line celebrates Oktoberfest and Biergarten, including this new Minnie dirndl dress from The Dress Shop, and these cute new “Fish and Chips” tees have arrived at the United Kingdom Pavilion
• This adorable new Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers double-sided backpack by Loungefly now available

• The October pin releases for Walt Disney World and Disneyland feature The Great Movie Ride, Mr. Toad and Fantasia designs, plus more!
• Check out these new Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Funko Pop! Vinyl figures
• Also, this Epcot-exclusive Chef Figment Funko Pop! Vinyl will be flying into the 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this weekend
• This Jack the  Sipper cup is now scaring at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2019 in the Magic Kingdom
• Over in Tokyo Disneyland, the second wave of “Forever One Man’s Dream II” merchandise has been revealed
• This beautiful “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” final farewell Spirit Jersey has arrived at Epcot. Also new in Spirit Jerseys is this super-fuzzy Spirit Jersey for kids, available now at Walt Disney World

Entertainment & Media

• We got another exciting peek at the storm which is approaching in the latest trailer for Frozen 2, which landed this week
• Two new promotional posters were released for The Mandalorian, coming soon to Disney+
• The latest cover of Empire Magazine featured Rey and Kylo Ren, also giving us a new image of The Knights of Ren
• A new deal struck between Disney and Sony means that Spider-Man is back in The Marvel Cinematic Universe
• It has been announced that Marvel’s Kevin Feige will be making a new Star Wars film for Disney
• Watch the newest game trailer for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
• Disney has announced their first Latina Jewish Disney Princess, who will be part of a new star-studded season of Elena of Avalor

Other Disney News

• The corporate shakeup continues at The Walt Disney Company, with new presidents being announced for Disneyland and Walt Disney World. This news came following Catherine Powell’s position of President of the Western Region of Disney Parks being eliminated, with all resort presidents now reporting directly to Bob Chapek
• Now that British travel company Thomas Cook have ceased operations, read how Disney vacations have been affected and what guests can do to save their travel plans
• Themed Toy Story construction walls have gone up around the former EarPort store at Orlando International Airport, with a second Magic of Disney location opening soon
• Virgin Atlantic have added cool Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge graphics on to a 747 as part of The Ultimate Virgin Holidays Star Wars Experience
• Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde will be receiving the 2019 Lowell Thomas award from The Explorers Club
• In his recent memoir, Disney CEO Bob Iger has revealed George Lucas did not like the direction Disney took with the Star Wars franchise
• Disney have announced that new plant-based vegan menu options, with a new menu icon, will be coming to Walt Disney World this October and Spring 2020 to Disneyland

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!