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 August 9-16, 2020.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• Earlier in the week, “it’s a small world” experienced a maintenance issue leaving the attraction operating without the classic soundtrack playing in the background
• After having confirmation the attraction is being closed forever, signage for Stitch’s Great Escape is being removed from the park
• A permit has been filed for “Project Nugget,” with the address for the permit located at the park’s fireworks launch site
• The moat has been refilled at Cinderella Castle following the completion of the castle repaint project
• The pathway that will connect Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the Magic Kingdom is almost complete!
• Additional exterior siding has been added to the “Grid” show building for TRON Lightcycle / Run in Tomorrowland
• The Frontier Trading Post has reopened with new social distancing measures in place inside the shop
• Additional social distancing markers have been added at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom, which can be used to help space out guests looking to take a ride on the monorail
• The Liberty Square Riverboat is scheduled to have a refurbishment during the last week of August
• The fan-favorite Kakamora Float has once again returned to Aloha Isle Refreshments
• Check out this week’s photo report for the Magic Kingdom, where we cover the completed Cinderella Castle, document the status of Splash Mountain merchandise, and more!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• A new themed structure is being built at Kilimanjaro Safaris near the end of the attraction
• The “Rivers of Light” shaman boats are being removed from Discovery River Lagoon following the closure of the show
• A bridge at The Oasis Exhibits is now roped off due to boards in the bridge breaking

EPCOT

• Eats at the EPCOT Experience reopens with new social distancing measures and limited snack menu
• Solar panel mounts are still being installed at the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction
• Retro lucite pylons have been installed at the new EPCOT entrance fountain, this version of the fountain will harken back to the original lucite fountain that had originally graced EPCOT’s entrance
• Construction for Space 220 continues as lighting fixtures outside the building entrance have been installed and the landscape is starting to be cleared
• Light fixtures have been added to the upcoming France Pavilion Expansion along with new benches
• The Japan Booth replaced the Tempura Donburi with a Teriyaki Chicken Bun for the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2020
• Imagineer Zach Riddley shared a video to his personal Instagram, documenting the installation process for the pylons found at the new EPCOT entrance fountain
• Construction work is continuing over at the upcoming Play! Pavilion, this time in the form of updating the roofing tiles
• The Islands of the Caribbean Booth is now only open on Saturdays at the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2020
• Our photographer friend in the skies, bioreconstruct, has shared an aerial view of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT and the construction happening in front of it. 
• A new Monorail Mark X attraction will be coming to the Play! Pavilion!
• Check out our construction update on the reimagining of Mouse Gear
• Check out this week’s photo report where we cover new MagicBands, parking procedures for the park, and more!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• After a major lightning bolt struck Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance experience temporary downtime, but resumed regular operation a full day after the storm
• “Majestic Theater” signage has been installed at Legends of Hollywood hinting a possible name change could be coming to the shop

• A new Baby Yoda PhotoPass MagicShot will make you feel like a Mandalorian!
• Check out this week’s park report, where we document lots of new Hollywood Tower Hotel merchandise, crowds, attraction wait times, and more!

Disney Springs

• Starting August 13th The Edison, Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, and Enzo’s Hideaway will reopen for dinner
• Kids eat free at Paddlefish and Terralina Crafted Italian Mondays through Thursdays in August
• New “Lindwurm Bookseller” theming added to the exterior of the upcoming Gideon’s Bakehouse
• AMC Theatres announced that it will be reopening nearly 2/3 of its theaters starting August 20, including AMC DINE-IN Disney Springs 24
• New “Frozen” and “Star Wars” sculptures debut outside The LEGO Store
• We reviewed the “Shark Attack” Frappuccino from Starbucks

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• Walt Disney World Resort hotels will no longer offer late check-outs until further notice
• Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts will reopen on August 24th
• Tambu Lounge is scheduled to reopen this weekend at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• “Must Do Disney” has moved to channel 73 on the resort TVs

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

• Tour a remodeled two-bedroom villa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort!

Other Walt Disney World News

• Starting September 8, Annual Passholders with the “EPCOT After 4” pass can enter the park as early as 2:00 PM

• A free COVID-19 testing site opened at Disney’s Maingate Complex by Disney’s Animal Kingdom park
• The performers we know and love have gotten the all-clear from the Actors’ Equity Association to return to Walt Disney World after a long run without shows during the initial reopening of the parks
• Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge has been removed from D23 Expo 2019 Announcements Page, sparking rumors that the project could be canceled
• No COVID-19 outbreaks have been tied to Walt Disney World Resort, and the numbers in Orange County are declining positively

• Walt Disney World celebrated the final “MLS is Back” Tournament Game with purple and green lighting on Cinderella Castle
• More Disney Park Pass availability has been added for Annual Passholders in August and September
• The deadline for guests to cancel their Walt Disney World Annual Passes occurred on August 11th and resulted in the V.I.PASSHOLDER Support Phone Line getting flooded with calls
• Disney Parks shared their inspiration and design process behind the new Cast Member face masks
• Layoffs are reportedly coming to Mears Transportation Group, including Disney’s Magical Express drivers
• The My Disney Experience app will soon be equipped with a new feature that will allow guests to check wait times at restaurants throughout Walt Disney World and add parties of 7 guests or less to the walk-up waitlist, if available

Disneyland Resort

• California State officials are currently reviewing how and when to reopen Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood
• Disneyland Resort’s reopening remains stalled, with hotel cancellations now extending through September 5th
• Disneyland Resort released a statement after one of their own Cast Members tragically passed away after being struck by an SUV in an alleged DUI incident
• A new sound system has been installed along the parking structure tram route
•  Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney reopens with new social distancing measures

Disneyland Paris

• Disney’s Halloween Festival and Disney’s Enchanted Christmas are still taking place at Disneyland Paris this year
• Disneyland Hotel in Disneyland Paris has had its reopening delayed, with Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne temporarily closing in October and Disney’s Sequoia Lodge reopening postponed through May
• Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel grand opening date is set for March 8th

Tokyo Disney Resort

• Watch the Cinderella Castle character greeting at Tokyo Disneyland!
• There’s now a playing card set themed to everyone’s favorite nighttime parade – Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade: DreamLights!
• We reviewed all of the tasty desserts at the new Crystal Palace Restaurant Dessert Buffet in Tokyo Disneyland

New Merchandise

• Though previously released in the Walt Disney World theme parks, the “Happily Ever After” MagicBand is now available for pre-order on My Disney Experience for resort guests
• A new mug, keychain, and t-shirts have arrived in the Norway Pavilion in EPCOT
• The new “The Child” Baby Yoda Hasbro Mini Figure has arrived in Walt Disney World
• A new line themed to Twilight Zone Tower of Terror “You Can Check In, But You Can’t Check Out” has checked into Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• A line of patterned shirts featuring Stormtroopers, Simba, the Mad Tea Party, and Tigger have come to Walt Disney World

• We discovered two additional plush for the “Nightmare Before Christmas” line featuring the Mayor of Halloweentown and the Vampire Child
• A slew of new merchandise for Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster has been found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including a license plate magnet, pins, tank tops, and more!
• A new Jungle Cruise-themed MagicBand has sailed into the Magic Kingdom
• New stitched up plush for Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Pluto are now available at Walt Disney World
• Stay stylish with these new Hidden Mickey animal print scrunchies
• Go back to school in style with these new Disney Princess, “Frozen”, “Toy Story”, and Spider-Man themed stationery supply kits and reversible sequined backpacks
• We didn’t get to celebrate the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World this year, but we can still celebrate with these new Americana overalls!
• New Minnie Mouse & Mickey Mouse hair accessories make a stylish appearance at Walt Disney World
• The 2020 Disney Parks Halloween merchandise has arrived on shopDisney
• A new  “The Haunted Mansion” merchandise collection has materialized on shopDisney and in the parks!
• New adaptive Cinderella Costume and Coach wheelchair cover set brings Halloween magic to shopDisney
• The Limited Release Jungle Cruise Wishables have arrived at Walt Disney World

• Go back to the ’90s with this retro Walt Disney World logo cap
• New desk plaques themed around Tower of Terror and Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster arrive at Walt Disney World
• Two new “The Haunted Mansion” Loungeflys materialize into Walt Disney World
• Your pet can now use the Force with this new Baby Yoda “The Child” dog Spirit Jersey from Walt Disney World
• Or you can celebrate your dog with this new “I’m a Dog Person” mug!
• Not a dog person? That’s okay because Disney has you covered with an “I’m a Cat Person” mug as well.
• The new gelato merchandise collection at the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT just keeps getting sweeter with the addition of this new Gelato Crossbody bag and luggage tag and scoop
• Stay cool with this new Mickey Ice Cream Bar cooling fan from Walt Disney World
• New Stitch & Frozen Disney Skyliner toys soar into Walt Disney World
• New “Star Wars” Millennium Falcon rainbow OtterBox phone case soars into Walt Disney World!

• Collect all of the new Halloween 2020 and Disney Villain Pins from Walt Disney World
• Shine bright with these new Lavender Sparkle Minnie Ears from Walt Disney World
• A new collection of MagicBand slap bracelets was found at Walt Disney World, featuring Orange Bird, Figment, Olaf, Stitch, and Mickey Mouse!
• New MagicBands featuring “Ratatouille”, Phineas and Ferb, Stitch, Minnie Mouse, “Star Wars”, and more arrive at Walt Disney World!
• Celebrate your love for Test Track with this new car magnet from EPCOT
• With Halloween fast approaching, you can give your pooch a touch of pixie dust with this new Tinker Bell dog costume now available at Walt Disney World!
• Celebrate being “Together Again” with these new face masks we found at World of Disney in the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort
• Thirty-five years ago, The Black Cauldron hit theaters, and now we’re heading back to the land of Prydain with a limited edition MagicBand at Walt Disney World!
• Get comfy and celebrate your favorite Disney characters and attractions with these new leggings we found at Disneyland Resort

• The aliens have landed at Walt Disney World with these new Pixar Alien Remix Toys!
• Bring home some devilish new decor inspired by Disney Animation’s most memorable baddies from Walt Disney World.
• Celebrate your love of soccer with this collection of customizable “MLS is Back” commemorative merchandise
• Black Widow may be delayed to November but we can still support Natasha Romanova with this new MagicBand!

• Not a Black Widow fan? Maybe this new Limited Edition “EPCOT Forever” Figment MagicBand is more your speed!
• It’s never too early to start getting ornaments ready for the Christmas tree, and this new “Merry and Bright” light-up Mickey ornament may be a great place to start.
• It may have been 12 years since the last Indiana Jones film, but merchandise for this classic series is still arriving at Walt Disney World.
• Not into the fancy designs of MagicBands? Then this new periwinkle blue solid color band may be right for you.
• New patterned button-down shirts have arrived at World of Disney in Disney Springs, and they’re perfect for every niche sub-fandom in the Disney community, from Pizza Planet fiends, to obscure Oswald the Lucky Rabbit fans. 
• Even more rainbow merchandise has arrived at Walt Disney World, including an umbrella and an additional t-shirt.
• Go wild in this new Spirit Jersey themed around Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• For Millennials who fondly remember their parents’ style from childhood, this Authentic Vintage Parks collection from Disneyland Resort is for you
• New “Vacation Mode” & “Best. Day. Ever.” reusable water bottles and Minnie Mouse Tumbler help you stay hydrated at Walt Disney World
• Celebrate your love for the France Pavilion at EPCOT with this new tank top or envelope bag
• Or, if the Italy Pavilion is more your speed, collect these new Cucina Italia Kitchenwares and Gondolier Mickey Ornament

• Celebrate your love of The Haunted Mansion and its iconic music with this brand new MagicBand we found at Walt Disney World!
• Spooky season is almost upon us, so let’s celebrate with this new sweater and sweatpants set featuring Zero from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” 
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Winnie the Pooh, Mushu, and more to be featured in new Limited Edition Pins coming to shopDisney on August 20th
• New Jungle Cruise ornament set and “Backside of Water” magnet sail into Disneyland Resort

• Add some new reusable face masks to your collection with these Yak & Yeti branded masks from Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Entertainment and Media

• A new “Tron” movie is reportedly in development with Jared Leto to Star
• As part of their celebration of 65 years of Disney Parks, D23 will offer a virtual screening of a star-studded panel of Imagineers marking Disneyland’s 65th anniversary for Gold and Gold Family members the weekend of August 21st-23rd
• The grim grinning ghosts of The Haunted Mansion have materialized in a brand-new graphic novel adventure!

Disney+

• “Once On This Island” adaptation to be developed for Disney+
• A new trailer was released for Disney’s Live-Action “Mulan”, which will be available with premier access on Disney+ starting September 4th
• New “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” series premieres on Disney+ September 25th
• “The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special” to premiere on Disney+ on November 17th
• “Premier Access” payment will only be available through the web, and not through any apps, meaning the live-action “Mulan” will only be available to watch through a web browser

The Walt Disney Company

• National Museum of American History shares how the Smithsonian acquired Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Mad Tea Party Ride Vehicles from Disneyland
• Adventures by Disney cancels most trips through October 31st due to COVID-19 concerns

WDW News Today

Walt Disney World Shortens Hours at All 4 Parks – NewsToday 8/10

Lightning Strike Closes Rise of the Resistance, Classic EPCOT Fountain Returns – News Today 8/12/20

COVID-19 Testing Site Opens at Walt Disney World – NewsToday 8/14

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

Alicia