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 28 to October 4, 2020.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• Take a tour around the park with our photo reports from September 30 and October 2
• Work has begun on the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza for its transformation ahead of the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, with new royal blue paint and gold lettering
• Construction walls have been added to the exterior of the exit for “it’s a small world”
• Just two days later, we noted that the “it’s a small world” construction walls were extended the full length of the attraction’s facade
• The “it’s a small world” refurbishment also included covering the attraction’s sign with a scrim and plastic banners
• With the parks getting busier, additional Plexiglass barriers have been added to the queue of Peter’s Pan Flight
• Just in time for Halloween, a Dooney & Bourke Haunted Mansion collection arrived

• We also found a new line of Haunted Mansion magnets at The Emporium
• Construction crews continue to assemble and install the large illuminated canopy at TRON Lightcycle / Run
• Limited edition Ray-Ban x Disney shades are being sold in Adventureland
• More illuminated canopy supports were added at TRON Lightcycle / Run
• Guests should soon be able to set sail from a new resort boat launch as construction continues to progress
• Gold is the traditional 50th Anniversary gift, so the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza is adding more golden touches
• No more peeking over construction walls as the new pathway and seating area near Casey’s Corner has been revealed
• We reported on returning dining options, including the Adventureland spring roll cart, The Friar’s Nook, and the soon-to-be-open The Lunching Pad

EPCOT

• Take a tour around the park with our photo reports from October 1 and October 2
• Check out the latest progress on the construction around the France Pavilion Expansion and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• We found out that Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe will be open only on weekends
• Long-time EPCOT quick service favorite Electric Umbrella is quickly being erased by demolition crews
• Things continue to spiral downward for the Morocco Pavilion, with offices being emptied and Cast Members being terminated
• Landscaping and street details have been added to the France Pavilion Expansion
• The fish fryers will get five days off each week, with Yorkshire County Fish Shop now open weekends only
• Cool Wash and The Donut Box opened on the same day, and we reviewed the current donut and beverage options
• Back at the former Electric Umbrella, the second floor was demolished
• Blue accents were added above the twin shops at the base of Spaceship Earth
• The remaining Innoventions West building is being demolished to make way for the upcoming Moana – Journey of Water
• We were able to catch a glimpse of “Harmonious” barge construction as we flew over backstage on the Disney Skyliner

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Take a tour around the park with our photo report from October 3
• Padawans can now build a lightsaber after park closing at Savi’s Workshop
• Ronto Roasters and PizzeRizzo have cut hours, while Backlot Express has added hours in the latest quick service hours changes
• Keystone Clothiers is showing signs that it will soon reopen
• Check out the last performance from the former Grand Floridian Society Orchestra

Disney Springs

• We brought you a preview of the treats coming to Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew when it opens
• Weekend operating hours will be extended at Disney Springs beginning October 9
• All NBA Experience Cast Members were terminated due to the COVID-19 downturn, just over one year after the basketball-themed location opened it doors
• We previewed new food and beverage options, as well as promotions, available at Terralina Crafted Italian and Paddlefish
• A visit to the future M&M’s Store location revealed construction progress and a virtual trick-or-treat option
• Lovepop, maker of pop-up greeting cards, opened a standalone location

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• Fishing excursions will be returning to resorts that offer the activity
• More casualties in the tourism downturn as Disney Vacation Club is laying off 279 Cast Members in December
• Table Service To Go, a Mobile Order option, is now available at The Wave… of American Flavors and Kona Cafe

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

• We reviewed a new pumpkin spiced butter pecan shake at Beaches & Cream
• Three spooktacular Halloween treats arrived Beach Club Marketplace
• After operating from a temporary location in The Solarium, Beach Club Marketplace reopened in its remodeled permanent location
• Beaches & Cream Cast Members received new costumes

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

• You can now get caffeinated at the reopened Joffrey’s Contemporary Grounds location

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• Walt Disney World has issued a statement regarding The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra’s final performance
• The Orchestra shared a final photo from the Grand Floridian

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

• We took one last tour of the Great Ceremonial House before construction began
• Work began on the remodel of the Great Ceremonial House, starting with the entrance and elevator
• We continued to report on the mass firings, including the sad news that the Polynesian Village Resort performers were also terminated
• The check-in and guest services desks were moved to Pago Pago as resort construction began

Disney’s Pop Century Resort

• Combine a slap bracelet and a drink koozie and you get… a slap wrap koozie at Petals Pool Bar

Disney’s Riviera Resort

• A change to the Disney Vacation Club resale waiver could affect how guests are able to use points at the newest DVC resort

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

• The Market at Ale & Compass has three fun Halloween treats
• A lobby refresh has begun, with new furniture now in place

The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

• One side of the new hotel tower is now covered in a blue wave pattern

Other Walt Disney World News

• Recreation Cast Members will return to work starting October 3, signaling that watercraft rentals may soon return
• Guests have more time in the parks on October weekends, with operating hours being extended
• We launched our “TIMEKEEPING” year-long series by taking a look at Walt Disney World’s pre-opening period
• We noted long wait times during the first weekend of October
• In one bit of positive Cast Member news, Walt Disney World Resort housekeeping and food and beverage workers received raises effective October 4
• Bloggers Sarah and Tom Bricker started a virtual food drive for Cast Members who have lost their jobs in the Central Florida area

Disneyland Resort

• California’s health and human services secretary stated that the state is “getting very close” to allowing theme parks to reopen
• We detailed the sad news that nearly 2,700 non-union Cast Members are being laid off
• With the theme parks shuttered for the foreseeable future, Disney laid off over 2,500 Disneyland food service workers
• California Governor Gavin Newsom delayed the release of theme park guidance after backlash from Disney and other park operators
• After the theme park guidance was postponed, we reported additional details
• Dapper Day dates were announced for Spring 2021
• Foodies should check out the Fall 2020 treat offerings at Downtown Disney District
• New contactless security screening equipment is being installed
• Guests with reservations through October 17 received cancellation notices
• California Senator Pat Bates, a former Disneyland Cast Member, urged Governor Newsom to reconsider his theme park reopening plan
• UNITE HERE Local 11 announced that 950 of its union members will lose their jobs on November 1

D23

• Disney fans learned that the the 2021 D23 Expo has been moved to September 9 – 11, 2022

Tokyo Disney Resort

• Ticket prices and entry times will change resort wide on October 31

Tokyo Disneyland

• We reviewed treats from the new La Taverne de Gaston
• Take a ride on “The Happy Ride with Baymax” with our queue and POV video
• Join us as we take a look at “The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast” merchandise
• We reviewed the excellent new apple caramel churro at LeFou’s
• Experience the queue details and the amazing main attraction by checking out our video from “The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast”
• Don’t miss our video of the new Fantasyland village shops
• Imagineer Ethan Reed shared how he included Figaro, Johnny Fedora, and Alice Bluebonnet into “Minnie’s Style Studio”
• Read our review of big flavors at The Big Pop as we try caramel and cheese, cookie cream, and strawberry milk flavors

Disneyland Paris

• A new virtual standby pass system debuts October 6 at Crush’s Coaster before moving to other attractions
• Put on your best at Disneyland Paris during Dapper Day

Shanghai Disney Resort

• Guests visiting Shanghai Disney Resort can get a cute new Halloween popcorn bucket shaped like Duffy the bear

New Merchandise

• As previously announced, select Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge items are now available on shopDisney, from costumes to legacy lightsabers
• A redesigned Minnie Mouse sequined ear headband sparkles like never before
• Even with Halloween just a month away, new holiday-themed phone cases and magnets just arrived
• A poster for EPCOT’s upcoming nighttime spectacular — “Harmonious” — is available on shopDisney, but only to D23 members
• Chefs Mickey and Minnie appear on a new Dooney & Bourke Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival limited edition MagicBand
• Spirit Jerseys have gone to the dark side with a new Darth Vader version
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster fans can rock out with a new studded jacket
• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we found the Dooney & Bourke Disney Dogs Sketch series, which includes a tote, wallet, backpack, crossbody, and MagicBand
• A Her Universe Star Wars droid-inspired ear headband featuring R2-D2 and BB-8 made its premiere at Legends of Hollywood

• Relive the 1980s with an acid washed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster long-sleeved T-shirt
• Bold “all over print” Maleficent, Sorcerer Mickey, Rescue Rangers, and Kylo Ren T-shirts are available at World of Disney
• Jean jackets are perfect for fall, and this Jack Skellington jacket is a perfect fit for Halloween
• At the Marketplace Co-Op, guests can make Haunted Mansion MagicBands and iPhone cases
• Enjoy your morning coffee from one of the cool mugs available at Disney Springs
• In other jean jacket news, an adorable Minnie Mouse jean jacket and matching ball cap make a great combo
• Cheshire Cat and Stitch sketch mugs are at Walt Disney World
• Cozy throw blankets are here just in time for cooler weather
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has added two pins and a magnet to its collection of resort merchandise
• Three new Minnie Mouse ear headbands arrived at the Disneyland World of Disney store
• A cute pastel rainbow Mickey plush will brighten your day
• Haunted Mansion boxers have materialized, featuring the Mansion’s wallpaper pattern

Entertainment and Media

• Get ready for Halloween with our guide to streaming spooky Disney songs
• Mulan will now be available on other on-demand streaming services beginning October 6, breaking its exclusivity with Disney+
• Pete’s Dragon co-star Helen Reddy passed away at age 78
• A sequel to the live action version of The Lion King is in development, with Oscar winner Barry Jenkins set to direct
• Disney Night has become a Dancing With the Stars tradition, with this year’s episode featuring the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade
• Original Mouseketeer Bonni Lou Kern, 79, passed away

Disney+

• Viewers in the United States can now watch with friends using a new “GroupWatch” feature
• The streaming service is hosting its first Drive-in Film Festival in California, featuring premieres and classics
• Iman Vellani has been cast as Ms. Marvel in the upcoming Disney+ superhero series

The Walt Disney Company

• Disney Parks announced massive Cast Member layoffs, affecting nearly 28,000 workers
• Bob Iger abruptly quit California Governor Gavin Newsom’s economic recovery task force
• After the company announced mass terminations, Chairman of Disney Parks Josh D’Amaro apologized to Cast Members at Downtown Disney District
• Along with massive cuts to theme park and resort staffing, over 400 Imagineers were laid off
• Students who participated in Disney Internships & Programs in Spring 2020 are now able to request complimentary tickets earned during their work experience

WDW News Today

Disney Fires The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra After 32 Years – NewsToday 9/28

28,000 Disney Parks Cast Members Are Being Laid Off Because of COVID-19 – NewsToday 9/30

Over 400 Disney Imagineers Laid Off, Full Minnie Van and NBA Experience Teams Fired – NewsToday 10/2

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!

Mike Baker