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 May 11-17, 2020 .
Last week, Shanghai Disneyland became the first Disney resort in the world to reopen it’s gates, following the COVID-19 pandemic closures. Whilst no official opening dates have been specified for the other parks and resorts, hopes of reopening are beginning to surface. Most notably, Disney Springs in Walt Disney World is set to begin a phased opening from next week. Here’s our WDWNT Weekly Recap of all the news we’ve brought you this week, along with some extra fun things to keep Disney spirits high through these difficult times. Stay safe, readers!
Walt Disney World
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that businesses may enter a “full” Phase 1 reopening, with theme parks to submit their plans for approval. No dates have yet been set for the parks and hotels at the resort, however the Vice President of the resort has reiterated that the existing July reservations are not indicative of a reopening date
- In a newly-published liability disclaimer, Walt Disney World has warned guests that they will “voluntarily assume all risks related to the exposure of COVID-19” upon entering the resort
Parks
- Walt Disney World has now removed their park hours online through June 6th
- This week saw the 29th anniversary of Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the occasion was commemorated with a salute from Disney Parks Blog
- Take a look at breathtaking aerial views of the parks during the extended closures with these photos from Jonathan Michael Salazar, who photographed Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom,Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and the Walt Disney World resort hotels
- A man who was arrested for refusing to move during a parade at the Magic Kingdom has now dropped his lawsuit against Disney
Disney Springs
- Whilst the first set of shops and restaurants will open at Disney Springs on May 20th, it was confirmed that the Disney-owned locations will be reopening on May 27th
- It was confirmed that face masks, plexiglass dividers and temperature checks will all be utilized for the May 20th phased reopening of Disney Springs
- Custodial cast members have been returning to work ready for the reopening
- Restaurants confirmed to be opening on May 20th are The Boathouse, Pizza Ponte, Morimoto Asia, Vivoli il Gelato, Planet Hollywood, Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company, Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy!, Frontera Cocina, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, YeSake, Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill, Sunshine Churros, The Polite Pig, 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa, and Blaze Pizza
- Shops set to open on May 20th are Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers, Free People, Anthropologie, American Thread, Pele Soccer, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Pop Gallery and Uniqlo
- For some reason, all June Disney Springs dining reservations have been cancelled on My Disney Experience, including availability for new reservations and existing ones
- City Works Eatery & Pour House have stated that they will be debuting new menu items at their restaurant upon the grand reopening
- A permit has been filed for the remodeling of the Disney Springs Starbucks location
Hotels & Resorts
- Reservations for Walt Disney World resort hotels are being cancelled now through June 8th
- A permit has been filed for the fabrication and installation of themed sets for the highly-anticipated Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel adjoining Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Around Walt Disney World
- A proposal to host the Major League Soccer summer tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is currently pending approval
Other Walt Disney World News
- In honor of Armed Forces Day this week, Disney shared a throwback video showing footage of US Navy Blue Angels flyovers above Walt Disney World
- Walt Disney World President Josh D’Amaro shared an inspirational video message for the Class of 2020 graduates from the Magic Kingdom
Disneyland Resort
- Rebecca Campbell, President of the Disneyland Resort, shared a video this week of the Thunderbirds flying over the parks, in celebration of Armed Forces Day
- The Disneyland Dapper Dans materialized this week for an at-home video performance of “Grim Grinning Ghosts” from The Haunted Mansion
Disneyland Paris
- Guidance on potential opening procedures for Disneyland Paris has been issued to resort executives, hinting at the possibility of a mid-July reopening
- Over 160 Disneyland Paris cast members collaborated to create an amazing at-home performance of “The Wonderful World of Disney Parade”
Hong Kong Disneyland
- The temperature screening tents at Hong Kong Disneyland have been relocated to the resort’s MTR station
Shanghai Disney Resort
- The former Laughing Monkey Traders store looks like it’s now under new chipmunk management, and has been taken over as Chip & Dale’s Trading Post
Tokyo Disney Resort
- Watch Tom and Spencer taste test the Matcha White Chocolate Popcorn at Tokyo DisneySea before the parks closed
Disney Cruise Line & Adventures by Disney
- Disney Cruise Line have now cancelled their sailings through July 28th
New Merchandise
- Subscribers to the Disney Backstage Collection were informed that the program is to be cancelled
- Have a look at the limited-edition Disney Parks trading pins which were released on shopDisney this week
- The new Jungle Cruise Adventure board game from Ravensburger is now available for pre-order, ready for it’s June 1st release
- A frighteningly fun new haul of The Haunted Mansion merchandise is set to materialize soon at the Disney Parks and on shopDisney, including a Spirit Jersey, Minnie Ears, Loungefly bags, and these exclusive new Funkp Pop! vinyl figures
- An awesome “Fantasia” Sorcerer Mickey tiki mug by Mondo is now available online
- Pyrex have released an adorable set of “Star Wars” Baby Yoda snack containers
- Keep busy with these new Disney character puzzles for all ages from Ravensburger
- Turn your home into Pizza Planet with this amazing new Toy Story inflatable space crane ball pit
Entertainment and Media
- “Frozen” on Broadway has had to be permanently shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Disney has made a collection of new parks and Halloween PhotoPass wallpapers from Walt Disney World and Disneyland available to download, in celebration of the Halfway to Halloween point this week
- The theatrical release date for “The New Mutants” has been rescheduled for August 28th
- Disney have had to shut down the development of an unauthorized Club Penguin reboot, due to copyright claims and a child pornography scandal
- Original favorites Baby Scooter and Skeeter will be making their debut on Disney Junior’s reboot of “Muppet Babies”
- Marvel’s “Black Widow” is set to be released in the UK a full ten days before the US
- It has been reported that a live-action remake of “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” is in development
- The latest D23 podcast featured Disney Legend Bob Gurr talking about shooting hoops in The Matterhorn, The Imagineering Story, and teh biggest misconception about Walt Disney
- A “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway: Adventure Kit” augmented reality game is now available to play on the DisneyNOW app
- The first three novels in the “Kingdom Keepers” book series have received new covers and content updates
Disney+
- Take a look at our roundup of every new release set to appear on Disney+ this June here
- “Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2” will debut on Disney+ this summer, as a behind-the-scenes documentary into the hit movie
- It was reported that Timothy Olyphant is set to appear in the second season of “The Mandalorian”, which will also feature Katee Sackhoff reprising her role as Bo-Katan Kryze
- The filmed original Broadway production of “Hamilton” is coming exclusively to Disney+ this July
- A “Percy Jackson” series is currently in development for Disney+
The Walt Disney Company
- A Saudi Arabian investment fund has purchased over five million shared of The Walt Disney Company, to the value of $500 million
- The Walt Disney Company has raised an addition $11 billion in debt as their revenue diminishes, and drew plans for a large debt sale to raise cash back in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
- In an interview with CNBC, Bob Chapek talked about the future of the phased parks reopenings, films, and his role as CEO
Other Disney News
- Fred Willard, the beloved comic actor known for his work on “Wall-E”, “Kim Possible”, “Milo Murphy’s Law” and more, has passed away aged 86
- Jaquelin T. Robertson, the creator of the master plans for Celebration, Florida and Euro Disney’s Val d’Europe has passed away aged 87
- Comedian Jerry Stiller, known for his work on Disney’s “Teacher’s Pet”, “Heavyweights” and “The Lion King 1 1/2” has passed away aged 92
- We were saddened to hear of the passing of Bob Smith, who was the architectural supervisor for Disneyland Paris
- Disney has filed a patent for a system that will decipher individual guest preferences using scannable apparel and accessories
Fun Stuff from WDWNT
Merchandise
- Disney Parks Face Masks by WDWNT are now on sale, with styles including cast member costume, characters, park icons and more!
Editorials
Park History & Throwbacks
- Celebrate a decade of Walt Disney World with this Tencennial News from October 1981
- Flash back to 1982 with “EPCOT Center: A Pictorial Souvenir” – Part One
- Flash back to 1982 with “EPCOT Center: A Pictorial Souvenir” – Part Two
- Flash back to 1982 with “EPCOT Center: A Pictorial Souvenir” – Part Three
- It’s beginning to look like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom in this lobby card from 1992
- Step right up and preview Toy Story Mania! with this May 2008 issue of Disney Newsreel
Our Disney Parks Copycat Recipes
- Tropical Macaw Cocktail from Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Thai Coconut Meatballs from Captain Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
WDW News Today
Make sure you catch up on the News Today episodes from this week!
Shanghai Disneyland Reopens, All Disney Parks Will Require Face Masks – News Today 5/11
Disney Stores and Restaurants Return This Month at Walt Disney World – News Today 5/15
Disney World Cast Members Called Back to Work, More Springs Restaurants Reopening – NewsToday 5/13
That’s all the Disney news for this past week! Make sure you check back at the end of each week for our weekly recaps!
Featured Image: Jonathan Michael Salazar
My Disney Springs dining on June 12th at the Edison has not been cancelled. I do have resort reservations on Disney property stating June 8th.