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 September 6 to September 13, 2020.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• Join us on a tour of the Magic Kingdom with these photo reports from September 7 and September 11
• Check out the latest construction progress of TRON Lightcycle Run
• The Madame Leota Haunted Mansion sipper is now available at a new location in the park
• In addition to new, modified Halloween offerings coming to the Magic Kingdom starting September 15, Disney has just revealed new details on spooky entertainment coming to the parks, including the Dapper Dans

• The Not-So-Poison Apple cupcake has returned to the theme park
• The TRON Lightcycle Run illuminated canopy is slowly coming together!
• Social Distancing markers have been added to the interior of the still-shuttered Casey’s Corner
• A fan-favorite restaurant at the Magic Kingdom, Cinderella’s Royal Table, will be welcoming guests back starting September 24 with modified offerings, including no princess interactions
• Previously reduced to just 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, hours have been extended at the Magic Kingdom starting November 6
• The Pumpkin Spice Milk Shake and the Pumpkin Spice Sundae have returned to Magic Kingdom for another fall season, along with the Cinnamon Donuts!

• It was hardly a zip-a-dee-doo-dah morning in Frontierland today at the Magic Kingdom, as less than 30 minutes from park opening, Splash Mountain was down for the count and guests were evacuated from the attraction

EPCOT

• Check out the latest construction progress of the upcoming attraction Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• New aerial photos show that barge construction is moving ahead for “Harmonious”
• We also got a look at the progress for the Play! Pavilion roof panel replacement
• Construction continues to advance at the France Pavilion expansion
• Check out our photo reports from the park from September 9, September 11, and September 12
• Work continues on the new retro Entrance Fountain
• Flavors From Fire is preparing to open at the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
• The gourmet popcorn cart near the Imagination Pavilion has reopened
• The refurbishment of the World Discovery Restrooms is nearly completed
• EPCOT will be shifting to new hours starting November 27
• The restrooms opened and it seems the remodel is now complete for the World Discovery Restrooms
• The giant rotating Mickey Mouse hand holding a wand has been removed amidst the massive refurbishment of Mouse Gear
• The scrim has been removed from the fence surrounding the “Harmonious” show controls

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Just weeks after it arrived, beer is no longer available from the Coca-Cola droid carts in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• The Voyage of the Little Mermaid billboard was removed from the attraction, sparking rumors the show could permanently close
• Fall snacks have arrived at the park! Take a bite of the NEW Poison Candied Caramel Apple, check out the new Box of Bones Chocolate Eclair, try the Pumpkin Cheesecake Cannoli from PizzeRizzo, or the Pumpkin Tiramisu Delights
• Check out our photo reports from the park from September 7, September 8 and September 9
• The windows have been blocked out at the Studio Store in Animation Courtyard
• After the billboard was removed, Disney issued a statement that the show is not closing
• Currently, a retail location for Legacy Lightsabers, Savi’s Workshop will be reopening soon at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• After removed for maintenance, a new “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” billboard has been installed
• It seems Hondo’s at it again, as guests recently had to be evacuated from the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios due to fire alarms going off
• Hollywood Scoops has reopened in the park

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

•  Be prepared for the NEW Scar Halloween Cupcake, where The Lion King‘s Scar graces the top of this cupcake 

• John Smith from “Pocahontas” is now appearing on the Discovery River Character Cruise
• There are trenches now filled near the new themed structure at Kilimanjaro Safaris
• If you’re looking to try your luck, two of the Fossil Fun Games located within Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama in DinoLand U.S.A. will be reopening on September 13, and best of all, the kiosks will debut an all-new plush collection themed to DinoLand
• Check out our photo report from the park from September 10!

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• The popular gingerbread house displays at Walt Disney World Resort hotels have been cancelled for 2020
• Narcoossee’s, the casual waterfront restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian, is set to reopen with the rest of the resort on September 21
• The new walkway connecting Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to the Magic Kingdom has been near completion for some time now and is now poised to open shortly
• We got an aerial view of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel which is currently under construction

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

• Tour a water view room at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

• Recently debuted for Labor Day weekend, the new Firecracker Float is popping with flavor at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra’s new bandstand has been removed from the lobby

Four Seasons Resort Orlando

• Tour a Deluxe Room at Four Seasons Resort Orlando in Walt Disney World

Other Walt Disney World News

• Reduced park hours for the Walt Disney World theme parks have begun
• Walt Disney World has announced new, modified holiday offerings for the 2020 season, including rotating projections on Cinderella Castle, special dining and Character Cavalcades, and a modified Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs
• Preparations are not yet underway at the Disney Character Warehouse in Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets
• Walt Disney World has filed a UCC Financing Statement with the State of Florida against Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant, LLC, which operates the restaurants and stores throughout the Morocco Pavilion in EPCOT
• Starting September 15, Annual Passholders can save 30% for a limited time on select merchandise at Walt Disney World

• Walt Disney World Cast Members got a welcome perk back today with the reopening of Cast Connection, the cast member-exclusive store
• The investment into the infrastructure of Walt Disney World continues, with permits filed recently for Phase II of the massive World Drive roadwork project
• Now that Walt Disney World’s theme parks are operating with reduced hours, the Disney Skyliner has followed suit
• FULL Disney Park Pass availability has been replenished for Disney Resort and Ticket Guests and most weekdays for Annual Passholders through November

• Walt Disney World has updated the audio announcement playing throughout the parks that reminds guests to wear face masks and follow other health and safety protocols
• Florida Residents can receive 20% off select merchandise at Walt Disney World Resort owned and operated merchandise locations from September 15 through October 29
• All Disney-branded packaged snacks and candy is buy one, get one free at Walt Disney World
• Cast Members can receive 50% off select merchandise at Walt Disney World Resort owned and operated merchandise locations from September 15 through February 11, 2021
• Starting Monday, September 14, all bars in Florida will be allowed to reopen at 50% occupancy
• o honor the victims and first responders of 9/11, American flags around the country, including at Walt Disney World, were placed at half-staff
• Cast Members looking to return to the magic on their days off will find that Cast block-out dates for Employee Self-Admission, One-Day Park Hopper Guest Tickets, Hospitality Days Pass, and Main Entrance Pass have been lifted for most days through October 1, still excluding Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Shortened park hours are extended at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom through November 28
• Disney Parks Blog has posted photos on Instagram of Cast Members preparing for the upcoming holiday season at Walt Disney World
• Having finally announced its new, modified holiday offerings for 2020, Walt Disney World has now rolled out its annual holiday commercial, encouraging families to “Discover Holiday Magic” this season

Disneyland Resort

• Health and safety reminder signs have been added to the entrances of the Disneyland Resort theme parks, indicating the parks will be opening soon
• Check out our photo reports from the Disneyland Resort from September 7
• While Walt Disney World’s phased reopening is well underway, the Disneyland Resort’s reopening remains stalled, with hotel cancellations now extending through September 26
• Disney confirmed that indoor seating will be opening at Downtown Disney District, following Governor Gavin Newsom moving Orange County into the “Red Tier” where indoor seating is possible
• Disneyland Resort has just announced that this year’s Candlelight Processional is cancelled, due to the constraints of hosting a large event amidst current COVID-19 health and safety protocols, as well as the uncertainty of the still-pending reopening for the parks

• It looks like Disneyland Resort will be introducing a new self-pay parking system soon as four kiosks have appeared under a covered location near the resort’s Simba parking lot
• With over two million acres burned so far in the devastating California wildfires, the skies over the Disneyland Resort are not as magical as they usually are
• Ticket Booth displays are now illuminated, including more reopening preparation at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure
• As Disneyland confirmed a few days ago, indoor seating is now permitted at restaurants in Downtown Disney District and several restaurants have now opened their doors for indoor dining

Tokyo Disney Resort

• Tokyo Disney Resort is introducing new shopping bags and will begin to charge guests starting October 1st
• A refurbishment calendar has been released through February 2021 on the official resort website
• Tokyo Disney Resort is resuming vacation package reservations starting September 10, with special Character Greeting Packages through October 15
• Check out our photo report from the parks from September 7
• The Mickey & Friends Greeting Parade will be receiving a “Very Very Minnie” overlay September 14-30 at Tokyo Disneyland
• The Toy Story Hotel is set to open next year at Tokyo Disney Resort, and although we haven’t heard anything new about it since last year, the project keeps chugging on towards completion
• The massive Fantasy Springs project at Tokyo DisneySea still has such a long way to go until we’re walking through the land ourselves in 2023, but that doesn’t mean progress comes slowly by any means, so let’s check out the latest progress

Disneyland Paris

• After to back-to-back show suspensions, the fan-favorite musicals “Jungle Book Jive” and “The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands” at Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park have been officially canceled, effectively bringing about the abrupt end of The Lion King & Jungle Festival season
• “Disney Junior Dream Factory” show debut has been postponed indefinitely at Walt Disney Studios Park
• The Molly Brown Riverboat in Disneyland Paris reportedly caught and is now closed

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

• After closing for a second time on July 15 due to a spike in COVID-19, Hong Kong Disneyland may soon be reopening, with the government set to announce next Friday whether the resort will be allowed to resume operations, pending on how the epidemic progresses within the region
• Even though the theme park may not be open, the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel will still be celebrating the resort’s 15th anniversary on September 12th, with festivities and special merchandise being offered at the hotel on that special day
• The construction walls have been removed from around Castle of Magical Dreams at Hong Kong Disneyland
• Although the Park remains closed due to COVID-19 related restrictions, the resort offered a virtual celebration on Facebook for the 15th anniversary

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

• Disney’s Aulani Resort has given an update on upcoming reservations, canceling all reservations through October 17

Disney Cruise Line

• Disney Cruise Line has removed the early December sailings from the website

New Merchandise

• shopDisney has scrapped the sale of the “World Celebration” EPCOT Poster, but the New Millennium Celebration, “Harmonious”, and “IllumiNations” EPCOT Serigraph posters are now available for purchase
• There’s a new Spirit Jersey on shopDisney that will make you the hit of the Underworld!
• Flashback to the ’90s with this NEW retro crop hoodie or t-shirt at Walt Disney World
• Returning from last year, this Spooky Orange Cauldron refillable popcorn bucket returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• A new Annual Passholder limited edition Figment pin has arrived at EPCOT
• A new Mickey Mouse at the Magic Kingdom 2020 Annual Passholder Pin has been released featuring an unpainted Cinderella Castle
• The Mickey Pumpkin Balloon and Oogie Boogie popcorn buckets return to the Magic Kingdom
• The latest item from the Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction collection to show up at Walt Disney World is the limited release Enchanted Tiki Room pin set
• If you’ve been dreaming of Paris, there are two new items on shopDisney that are simply “magnifique!” The Minnie Mouse “Très Chic” bags from Dooney & Bourke feature Minnie and Mickey Mouse as they enjoy the City of Lights
• In addition to the previously released figures and rides, and as we still await release information for the Disney Parks exclusive Walt Disney and Sleeping Beauty Castle set, a slew of new Disneyland 65th anniversary Funko Pop! figures and rides were released on Amazon
• It isn’t often that The Great Mouse Detective gets some merchandise love, so fans over on the West Coast should book their Shopping Reservations as soon as possible to purchase the new Fidget Bat pin releasing for Bat Day 2020
• After an exclusive release on shopDisney in August, the Dumbo the Flying Elephant series from the Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction collection has unexpectedly arrived in Magic Kingdom
• The Mickey Mouse Pumpkin Loungefly Mini Backpack has arrived on shopDisney
• Funko is keeping Disneyland’s 65th-anniversary celebration going with a whole new line of apparel, accessories, and more coming to Target and BoxLunch this October
• New Jungle Cruise apparel arrives at Disneyland Resort
• If you’re looking for a new look with a Disney twist, Kipling may have the perfect thing with a new limited edition Mickey & Friends collection of bags and accessories
• Guests visiting the Disneyland Resort World of Disney location can pick up a new Spirit Jersey featuring Oogie Boogie from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

• A new Mulan “bamboo” sipper cup has appeared in the World of Disney store at the Downtown Disney District
• If you’ve ever wanted to dine with Timon or stare danger in the face with Gonzo, there are two new pins on shopDisney that are perfect for you
• A new LEGO Star Wars Mos Eisley Cantina Set is coming October 1; a pre-sale for LEGO VIP Members is beginning September 16
• Keep cool with these handheld folding fans featuring two of our favorite Disney Villains from Walt Disney World

• We’ve spotted a new Monsters, Inc. scream canister phone case at Disneyland and we will not put this thing back where it came from because it is too cute
• A new Madame Leota Light-Up Crystal Ball (with Fog Effects) has materialized at Disneyland Resort
• A Disney Parks Candyland Board Game has arrived at Disneyland Resort
• An adorable new “Pink Pop Paradise” candies are now available at Tokyo Disney Resort
• If you need a Halloween charm for your Pandora bracelet, then Disney has you covered with this new pumpkin Mickey charm
• Winnie-the-Pooh fans will love this new apparel now available at Walt Disney World featuring the bear and his “hunny”
• Fans of Baby Yoda a.k.a. “The Child” will want to pick up this new 1,000 piece puzzle from Walt Disney World
• Wear your favorite EPCOT festival on your sleeve with these new Pandora charms for the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2020
• If you loved all of the Minnie Mouse “Queen of Cuisine” merchandise for the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, then you’ll want to pick up this new Spirit Jersey
• A new Disneyland Purple Marble Phone Case arrives at Downtown Disney District
• A new “Coco” Papel Picado Dress has come to Disneyland Resort
• Celebrate fall and winter with this new burgundy-colored sequined Minnie Mouse ear headband at Walt Disney World

• New to the Mousewares line across Disney Parks is this 6-piece cookie cutter set and individual sponges themed to all of your favorite park icons, including Spaceship Earth, Sleeping Beauty Castle, The Hollywood Tower Hotel, and more from Disneyland Resort
• Several MagicBands from the Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction collection are now available in Magic Kingdom
• There are now Baby Yoda (a.k.a. “The Child”) Crocs available at Disney Springs
• Nothing will put you in the mood for EPCOT or the Food & Wine Festival like these new, wine-themed Minnie Ears that debuted in World Showcase at EPCOT
• If you’ve been looking for a convenient way to carry multiple pairs of ear headbands on your Walt Disney World trip, then Loungefly has a new bag for you
• A NEW Germany Pavilion Mickey Pretzel Ornament has arrived at EPCOT
• Head on over to World of Disney at Disneyland for some Mouse-ke-crocs

• Calling all Wildcats, there’s a new collection of merchandise inspired by the hit Disney+ series, “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” now at Walt Disney World
• A new Tower of Terror Zippered Hoodie has dropped into Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• In these little bric-a-brac, a secret’s waiting to be cracked, and you can find out what that secret is with this new “The Scientific Method” notebook
• Now that you’ve gotten a fix for your Halloween Mini Backpack craving, check out this awesome new Neon Mini Backpack we found today at Legends of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Get ready to beat back the Heartless with these new Kingdom Hearts III Tsum Tsums coming to shopDisney Japan
• The new Limited Edition Disneyland 65th Anniversary Pins are now available for pre-order

Entertainment and Media

• The Mandalorian’s L.A. beach studio sold for a whopping $650 Million
• Following the release of Disney’s live-action Mulan adaptation on Disney+, there was a new wave of criticism towards the film’s star Liu Yifei for supporting Hong Kong police, now the film is generating more critique for being filmed in Xinjiang, a Chinese region where Uighur Muslims are detained in mass internment camps
• Daisy Ridley reveals Rey was planned to be related to Obi-Wan Kenobi in a new interview

Disney+

• Get ready to peek behind the scenes and see just what goes into taking care of all those animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with this new trailer for National Geographic’s “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” coming to Disney+ on September 25
• Check out every new release coming to Disney+ this November, including: Season 2 of “The Mandalorian”, “A Christmas Carol”, and more!
• Check out this sneak peek of Season 2 of “The Mandalorian” 
• “Once Upon A Snowman”, an all-new original short, is coming to Disney+ on October 23, and it’ll reveal the backstory of one of the most beloved snowmen in Arendelle

The Walt Disney Company

• Analysts call 2021 a “Lost Year” for Disney Theme Parks and they predict they won’t fully recover until fiscal year 2023
• Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, Avengers Campus, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway have been outlined as “Priority” construction projects at Disney Parks

WDW News Today

More Signs Point to Cancellation of EPCOT’s New Festival Pavilion – NewsToday 9/7

Disney World Cancels Some Christmas Offerings, Announces Replacements – NewsToday 9/9

Disney Prioritizing Some Theme Park Projects Over Others, Attractions May Be Delayed -NewsToday 9/11

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!