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 26 to November 2, 2020.

Walt Disney World

• Country star Jason Aldean stirred up controversy after posting a photo of his mask-less family from Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• The entrance signs located throughout the resort’s property are getting a 50th Anniversary makeover
• Thousands more Walt Disney World Cast Members received layoff notices
• Work began on the entrance sign refurbishment project
• Layoff details continue to emerge, with nearly all Cast Member performers losing their jobs, including:
  • Citizens of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • The Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor cast and crew at Magic Kingdom
  • The cast and crew from “Festival of the Lion King” and “Finding Nemo: The Musical” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • The Pioneer Hall Players, stars of “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
  • The entire cast of “Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Citizens of Main Street at Magic Kingdom
  • We summarized all of the entertainment cuts in a single post
• The Actors’ Equity Association responded to Disney’s mass entertainment layoffs
• The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flew over Walt Disney World to honor current, past, and fallen warriors
• Our friends over at L’Artisan des Glaces in the France Pavilion at EPCOT were able to catch the Thunderbirds flyover
• A guest was arrested after bringing a handgun to the Transportation and Ticket Center

• Monorail Blue returned to the Highway in the Sky, sporting a refreshed interior and exterior silver deltas
• Walt Disney World released a statement regarding entertainment cuts, claiming that performers will return when the time is right
• Park hours were released through January 16, 2021, with a return to pre-holiday operating hours
• From November 13 to November 15, guests will enjoy extended park hours
• 11,350 unionized Cast Members will lose their jobs December 31, part of the resorts mass layoffs
• We detailed all of the Christmas treats, new and returning, coming to Walt Disney World
• The resort’s dining reservation crashed November 1, preventing guests from making new reservations via the My Disney Experience app or phone

Magic Kingdom

• It’s like walking right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A. when you check out our photo reports from October 25, October 26, and October 29
• Tom Morrow may never answer that page, as the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover refurbishment was extended through January 9

• Work is progressing at the Toll Plaza, with the new color scheme stretching across half of the structure
• The TRON Lightcycle / Run illuminated canopy is beginning to reach epic proportions
• The Cinderella Castle icon on the Toll Plaza marquee has been painted in a pastel rainbow paint scheme
• Simultaneous refurbishments of Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat have been extended until February 28
• The Sharing the Magic statue featuring Roy Disney and Minnie Mouse was removed to make room for the theme park’s Christmas tree
• Final siding pieces were installed on the TRON Lightcycle / Run show building
• As water recedes from Rivers of America, we are able to see the Liberty Square Riverboat track system
• After an absence of a few weeks, the opera singer returned to The Haunted Mansion’s graveyard scene
• An artificial forest was growing backstage, with more Christmas trees staged for installation

• The Magic Kingdom looked a lot like Christmas one day after being decked in fall decor as holiday decorations were installed overnight
• Roof refurbishment work at “it’s a small world” is visible to guests
• You would be in de-Nile if you said you weren’t excited to see the world-famous Jingle Cruise return

EPCOT

• Keep up-to-date on everything EPCOT with our photo reports from October 27
• Florida Blue has partnered with Disney to offer a virtual Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine festival
• We reviewed a revamped roasted lamb chop from the Festival Favorites menu
• Yet another awning was added at La Crêperie de Paris in the France Pavilion expansion
• It appears that Spaceship Earth may see some changes after all, as work permits were filed for the classic attraction

• The Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure marquee has been installed above the upcoming attraction’s entrance
• Following Disney’s takeover of the Morocco Pavilion, Spice Road Table will stop taking reservations December 10
• Check out our review of a Halloween liquid nitro cake pop, which is covered with fun Halloween sprinkles
• Updated health and safety announcements now include a diverse cast of narrators
• Display panels continue to be added to the “Harmonious” barges being built backstage

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• In an effort to increase capacity and guest safety, plexiglass dividers have been added to all Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride vehicles
• We later took a ride on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance looking through the Plexiglass
• Guests got their hopes up when Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance boarding passes lasted over five minutes, but the attraction failed to board through early afternoon
• More guests can join the Resistance as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is now boarding multiple parties in each ride vehicle
• Leanza Cornett, who originated the role of Ariel in “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” and went on to become Miss America the following year, passed away at 49
• New boarding group procedures for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance begin November 3, allowing guests to join a boarding group from outside the theme park

• Tinsel stars and other Christmas holiday decorations began to appear
• We reviewed Rosie’s All-American Cafe’s new All-American Salad and plant-based “lobster” roll

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• After a period of time with no changes, a gate has been added to the upcoming Kilimanjaro Safaris goat exhibit

• Christmas decorations including animal figures, bird sculptures, and miniature lights have been installed
• Disney shared behind-the-scenes photos and videos of the newborn white rhino

Disney Springs

• See what is new at Disney Springs with our October 28 photo report
• Check out the concept art for Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew
• “Let it snoap, let it snoap, let it snoap!” Machines that use soap to create a snow effect have been installed at Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

• Join us as we tour the resort during its November 1 reopening

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

• The celebration that normally accompanies the Kitchen Sink Sundae has been temporarily discontinued at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

Disney’s BoardWalk Resort

• We headed to BoardWalk Bakery to review three delicious Halloween treats

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

• The crossbeams have been fully removed from the resort’s Great Ceremonial House and supports were removed the next day

Disneyland Resort

• In some good news for the Anaheim resort, over 200 Cast Members are being recalled to reopen Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure

• A 65th Anniversary retro popcorn bucket is available at Downtown Disney District
• A diamond-shaped glow cube is another way to celebrate the resort’s 65th Anniversary
• California Governor Gavin Newsom avoided mentioning Disneyland by name at a recent press conference
• Health and safety signs have been added to entrance gates at Disney California Adventure as the theme park plans to reopen Buena Vista Street for dining and shopping
• We tried pumpkin churro toffee at Downtown Disney District
• Guests with reservations through November 14 began to receive cancellation notices via email
• Layoff emails went to 10,000 Disneyland Cast Members
• To prepare for the reopening of Buena Vista Street, the Disneyland app gained the ability to chat with Cast Members and to view health and safety information

Disneyland Paris Resort

• After a glitchy debut lead to the service’s suspension, the resort’s Standby Pass system returned October 27
• Following rumors that the resort would close again, it was announced Disneyland Paris would be closing on October 30 due to COVID-19 spikes
• The resort plans to open for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday, then close again through mid-February
• It looks like live entertainment may suffer the same fate it did at Walt Disney World, with Chief Operating Officer Daniel Delcourt cutting live shows

Tokyo Disney Resort

• Yummy Baymax mochi and tapioca drinks, as well as a Belle meal set, are coming to the resort November 2
• The Tokyo Disney Resort app will add in-home shopping beginning November 1
• Oriental Land Company announced that is is cutting executive compensation due to a disappointing second fiscal quarter

Adventures by Disney

• In a not-so-surprising move, Adventures by Disney canceled all departures through January 31, 2021

Disney Cruise Line

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it will allow a no-sail order to expire, allowing the cruise industry to chart a course toward reopening

New Merchandise

• Mickey Mouse holiday Crocs and a Loungefly backpack feature a festive Christmas design
• O, Christmas Tree… a wooden Christmas tree music box features park icons

• Check out our look at every 2020 Christmas item we were able to find at Walt Disney World
• Customize your Christmas with new holiday items from MaDe kiosks
• Compliment a custom-built lightsaber with new pin and patch sets, T-shirts from Savi’s Workshop
• New Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge merchandise includes a Passholder exclusive T-shirt and more
• Guests at Downtown Disney District can get their hands on the peppermint candy Minnie Mouse Loungefly backpack that we first spotted at Walt Disney World

• Let your Black Widow flag fly with a new leather jacket and dress
• Seek wisdom from the Light and Dark Sides with new Force Guidance kyber crystals
• Two new Loungefly designs featuring The Child arrived just in time for the second season of The Mandalorian
• Chocolate Crunch and Tomato Snack mugs hit the shelves at Tokyo Disney Resort
• Look like royalty with new peach Disney Princess Minnie Mouse ear headbands
• Let the Wookie win: New Disneyland Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge items include a holochess jumbo pin
• New plush Boba Fett and Maz Kanata figures arrived at Black Spire Marketplace
• The Haunted Mansion collection from Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction dropped at Magic Kingdom

• Mickey balloon snow globe ears are available at Walt Disney World
• Six new Alex and Ani bracelets feature Toy Story, Space Mountain, Black Widow, and more designs
• Be the most stylish visitor on Batuu with this Black Spire Outpost Spirit Jersey
• More Black Spire Outpost and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge merchandise, including shirts and mugs, flew into Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Many of our Disney pals are featured on a new series of Twilight Zone Tower of Terror pins
• Celebrate Mexico and The Three Caballeros with new merchandise from the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT
• Record your thoughts in replica storybook journals in Pinocchio, Robin Hood, and Enchanted designs

• Loungefly has a new Disneyland 65th Anniversary mini backpack featuring Mickey and Minnie
• The Carousel of Products has new “WDW News Tonight” T-shirts, pins, and magnets
• More festive Christmas holiday merchandise arrived in stores
• Snack on tasty Werther’s caramel corn outside of EPCOT, as the treat is now available at Main Street Confectionery
• A Wishes Come True Blue MagicBand joined other items in the series that benefits Make-A-Wish Foundation
• The color-changing Ahsoka Tano Legacy Series Lightsabers arrived, with the character’s voice actor Ashley Eckstein signing a limited number of cases
• Lighted Na’vi ear headbands and woodsprites arrived at Windtraders

• This Christmas Mickey MagicBand is a fun way to celebrate the holiday while visiting the resort
• Buon Appetito! Pick up new kitchenware in the EPCOT Italy Pavilion
• More MagicBands have arrived, including Hades, Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers, and a Wishables slap bracelet
• “This is the way” to show your love for The Mandalorian: a new Spirit Jersey has arrived
• Annual Passholders also have new MagicBand options, with Stitch and Chip ‘n’ Dale designs
• Perfect for holding the backside of water is this new Jungle Cruise Canteen water bottle
• Celebrate Christmas and coffee with a Starbucks Disney’s Hollywood Studios tumbler ornament

• A new Ratatouille dress from The Dress Shop debuted at Walt Disney World
• The Dress Shop also introduced a Sleeping Beauty snowflake dress at Disneyland
• Star Wars pins, porg keychains, and MagicBands dropped out of hyperspace right into Walt Disney World
• Limited edition resort pins have arrived at the now reopened Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Pandora has released a holiday charm set featuring Mickey and Minnie
• Avoid touching icky doorknobs with these new Mickey, Minnie, Stitch and The Haunted Mansion keychain door openers

Entertainment and Media

• Disney voice actor Jonathan Freeman, the voice of Jafar, joined us on Cosmic Reid Live

Disney+

• Oscar Isaacs, best known as Poe Dameron in the latest Star Wars trilogy, will reportedly star in Marvel’s Moon Knight series
• Sharing is caring, so Disney+ viewers are now able to share links to their favorite shows and movies

Movies

• Sir Sean Connery, star of Disney’s Darby O’Gill and the Little People, James Bond films, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, died at 90

Television

• ABC has “reimagined” it Disney Christmas holiday programming

The Walt Disney Company

• Disney CEO Bob Chapek responded to Senator Elizabeth Warren’s letter, dodging the senator’s question regarding executive pay restoration
• Disney Research Hub released a video showing a new animatronic with lifelike, interactive eye movements
• An ad for presidential candidate Joe Biden mentioned Cast Member layoffs

WDW News Today

Disney Cans Festival of the Lion King, Citizens of Hollywood and More – NewsToday 10/28

Walt Disney World’s Entrances Are Getting a 50th Anniversary Makeover – NewsToday 10/26

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!

David Noonan