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 October 12 to October 18, 2020.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• Check out photo reports from October 12, October 15, and October 16
• The Lakers won the NBA Championship inside the Walt Disney World bubble, so Cinderella Castle was lit in purple and gold
• Additional Toll Plaza lanes are being painted in 50th Anniversary hues
• We reviewed three stuffed pretzel varieties available at The Lunching Pad
• At Splash Mountain, a fishing goose malfunctioned, falling over in its boat
• The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover roof supports are being refurbished
• At the TRON Lightcycle / Run construction site, canopy support installation continues
• Work continues at the Magic Kingdom Resort Launch dock, with an additional canopy installation
• Back at the Toll Plaza, primer has been applied over two additional lanes
• Guests will need to wait until at least December 27 to ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, which saw its refurbishment extended (again)
• Scaffolding has been removed from sections of the TRON Lightcycle / Run show building as more canopy supports are added
• It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas—backstage, at least—as holiday trees are staged for installation

• We noticed more rose gold accents and primer on the sign at the Toll Plaza
• PeopleMover supports in front of the Purple Wall have received a fresh coat of white paint
• More canopy pieces are on-site, staged for installation at TRON Lightcycle / Run
• We tasted Hades Nachos, which returned to Magic Kingdom for Halloween

EPCOT

• Our photo reports are the next best thing to being in the parks! Check out reports from October 11, October 14
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure may not open in 2020 as the project is not deemed a “priority” by Disney
• A new safety sign at World ShowPlace reminds guests to keep masks unless actively eating
• The France Pavilion expansion work continues with additional details being added to outdoor spaces

• We previewed an Annual Passholder pop-up store, which opened the following day in Der Teddybar at the Germany Pavilion
• The theme park is now using contactless security scanners at its main entrance
• Demolition continues at the former Electric Umbrella, with structural framing clearly visible
• The Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival now has an end date, with November 22 being the last day for guests to try its offerings
• The Remy “ticket booths” inside the France Pavilion expansion are now unwrapped

• The Space 220 Restaurant entrance sign was partially revealed

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Catch up on all things Hollywood Studios with our photo report from October 13,
• Guests got a rare backstage look at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, as the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run queue line was expanded to allow for social distancing
• The Droid Depot is now offering “off the shelf” parts that allow guests to trick out custom-built droids

• We noticed hard plastic dividers being tested on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride vehicles
• Dok-Ondar searched the galaxy and found a supply of Ahsoka Tano Legacy Lightsabers
• Disney told the Orlando Sentinel that plexiglass barriers will be installed on all Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance prison transport ride vehicles
• The Force is strong with us as we preview new Legacy Lightsabers coming this fall to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• A week after it appeared, a safari truck placed at Kilimanjaro Safaris’ upcoming goat exhibit disappeared
• We sampled and reviewed three new bowls from Nomad Lounge, our favorite Walt Disney World bar
• Read our review of Yak & Yeti Restaurant’s new “Adventurous Eats” prix fixe menu
• The Nomad Lounge is now a walk-up waitlist location

Disney Springs

• In a surprise move, Wolfgang Puck Express permanently closed its doors
• Signs have been removed from the former location of The VOID
• We checked on the M&M’s store currently under construction

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• Set sail on our tour of a “Pirates of the Caribbean” room at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Reservations are now available through the end of 2021
• Tour a theme park view room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Friendship Boats are poised to resume service to EPCOT resorts

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

• The value resort reopens November 1, and we have a complete rundown of the resort’s status, including a 2021 refurbishment of the Big Blue Pool

Disney’s BoardWalk Resort

• The Luna Park Pool Keister Coaster waterslide lost its most famous feature as crews removed the slide’s giant clown face

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

• After being closed to play host to the NBA, the resort announced its reopening was delayed to October 16
• We took a look around the reopened resort, snapping photos along the way

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

• Olivia’s Cafe is now offering to-go meals via Mobile Order from the My Disney Experience app

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

• Work continues at the Great Ceremonial House with removal of crossbeams and the covering of the lobby’s glass roof
• As crossbeams are removed, sections of the roof’s horizontal support beam are also removed
• Permits have been filed for a Moana themed room refurbishment

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel

• Resistance boots were on the ground, giving our readers a look at the upcoming Star Wars immersive hotel

The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

• The resort tower continues to take shape, with more wave panels being added to its facade

Other Walt Disney World Resort News

• Despite what appear to be larger crowds at Walt Disney World, Disney CEO Bob Chapek stated that the parks remain at 25% capacity
• A new public address announcement reminds guests that they will be “asked to leave” if they do not properly wear face masks
• A guest checking into Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort packed more than his swim trunks; he also brought multiple firearms, fearing protests in Central Florida
• Planners take note: Disney Park Pass Reservations are now available into January 2022
• Park Pass availability was replenished for Halloween
• Guests taking buses from the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin will no longer be dropped at theme park entrances, due to the resort’s switch to Mears Transportation
• Walt Disney World Annual Passholders save 30% on shopDisney purchases through October 29
• The “Know Before You Go” landing page has been updated to encourage guests to reschedule visits if they cannot wear face masks at all times
• Florida residents will be able to purchase a Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary vanity license plate, with proceeds benefitting Make-A-Wish
• Park hours have been released through January 2, 2021
• A rapid COVID-19 test may allow UK visitors to travel to Central Florida before the holidays
• Park hours remain mostly unchanged for December 31, meaning guests will need to ring in the new year outside of the theme parks
• The Walt Disney World Resort and Florida Blue are teaming to offer virtual Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival experiences to residents in select 55+ communities
• Walt Disney World is surveying guests about social distancing and crowding at theme parks

Disneyland Resort

• California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that he is sending teams to Walt Disney World to collect social distancing protocol data
• In reality, Newsom had already sent teams to Walt Disney World and other theme parks
• Signs have been removed from The VOID at Downtown Disney District
• California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly stated that reopening guidelines will be released when the state is “ready”
• The resort reached agreements with 11 cast member unions, paving the way for a quick reopening when state guidelines are in place
• California officials visited Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood to review possible reopening guidelines
• Guests with reservations through October 31 received cancellation notice emails
• The California Patriot Coalition organized an “Open Disneyland” rally for October 17
• One analyst believes that Disneyland has lost $2.2 billion in revenue during the COVID-19 closure
• Spanish health and safety signs have been installed at the resort

Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disneyland

• Mary Poppins, Bert, Rapunzel, and Flynn are the first face characters to return to the theme park since its reopening
• Enjoy a point of view ride on Tokyo’s version of Splash Mountain

Disneyland Paris

• A COVID-19 spike caused French President Emmanuel Macron to issue a 9:00 PM curfew for the resort’s area
• Just over a week after its debut, the new Standby Pass system was suspended due to “various problems”

New Merchandise

• Hidden Mikey lovers will go wild over new animal print items at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Zootopia fans will love these Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps big feet plush
• Toast your friends with this “Saludos Amigos” margarita glass

• A new line of items inspired by the Annual Passholder Mickey magnet is available at an Annual Passholder pop-up store in EPCOT
• The Annual Passholder store is also home to new Germany Pavilion merchandise
• The Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction series continues to grow, this time with Jungle Cruise inspired items
• Despite being located in the Germany Pavilion, the Annual Passholder pop-up shop introduced a Disneyland Paris Minnie Mouse collection
• Annual Passholders receive a free cutting board or coaster set with a $50 minimum purchase at the EPCOT pop-up location
• WDWNT’s very own The Carousel of Products introduced new logo and limited edition event pins
• New Haunted Mansion wallpaper Dooney & Bourke bags will soon materialize at Disney Springs
• Attention Space Rangers: A new Buzz Lightyear Spirit Jersey has has landed
• New Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge merchandise includes a giraffe mug and two “jambo” shirts
• A Peter Pan hat we first spotted at Disneyland has arrived at Walt Disney World

• The only thing cuter than a porg is a plush porg wearing a scarf and a Santa hat
• Refresh your face mask wardrobe for fall with new Up, Coco, Buzz Lightyear, “it’s a small world,” Nightmare Before Christmas, and Mickey Mouse designs
• Celebrate 65 years of Disneyland magic with a new phone case featuring iconic park images
• Enjoy your morning coffee from a ceramic Starbucks tumbler that features lands from Disney California Adventure, including Avengers Campus
• A second Starbucks tumbler features the Disneyland map
• Sven and Pua big foot plush have arrived at Walt Disney World
• Gear up for Magic Kingdom’s 50th anniversary with a new line of silver sequined 1971 apparel
• A new Mickey pizza purse is now available at Walt Disney World
• Disney Princess baby onesies and toddler dresses arrived at Walt Disney World
• A set of three classic Mickey Mouse sweatshirts arrived at Walt Disney World
• The Norway Pavilion in EPCOT has a new Helly Hansen women’s jacket featuring Mickey Mouse
• EPCOT’s Canada Pavilion has a new Mickey Mouse shirtdress
• Select Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine merchandise is now 30% off

Entertainment and Media

• A technology company is suing Disney over its use of technologies originally developed by the tech firm
• A Disney fan created a “Wear A Mask” parody of Beauty and the Beast‘s “Be Our Guest”

Disney+

• This is the way… to hype the second season of The Mandalorian, as Lucasfilm released a new trailer for the Star Wars series
• A media research firm sees possible troubles for Disney+ as it enters its second year

• We saw a new trailer for Disney and Pixar’s Soul, which premieres December 25 on Disney+
• The streaming service added a new disclaimer to films that include negative depictions or mistreatment of peoples or cultures
• Deep in the Plus took a closer look at Halloween favorite Hocus Pocus

The Walt Disney Company

• Stockholders were invited to a virtual Investor Day taking place December 10
• Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a scathing, no-holds-barred letter to Disney Chairman Bob Iger and Chief Executive Officer Bob Chapek
• Disney released a statement in response to Senator Warren’s letter, blaming the state of California in the process
• CEO Bob Chapek announced that the company is restructuring to shift its focus to streaming

WDW News Today

Ratatouille Ride Won’t Open This Year at EPCOT; Space Mountain Movie Announced – NewsToday 10/12

Senator Warren Feuding with Disney Over Executive Salaries & Cast Member Layoffs – NewsToday 10/14

Walt Disney World Resort Reservations Now Open for Booking Into 2022 – NewsToday 10/16

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 October 4 to October 11, 2020.