We bring you a lot of stories every single day. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up. So in case you missed anything from our feed, we have rounded up all our stories in one place to get the news at a glance. Here is your Daily Recap for Friday, December 18, 2020.
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
- A team of construction workers was busy installing more sections of the TRON: Lightcycle / Run illuminated canopy today and we have your up-close look in our latest construction report
- The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover has been closed since early March, before Magic Kingdom closed due to COVID-19, and the attraction has been closed for refurbishment ever since but today, Cast Members were seen testing a PeopleMover vehicle
- Hello from an extra magical day at the Magic Kingdom that started out a bit grey and overcast, but turned out to be a lovely day, if not a bit chilly, where we found lots of exciting things for our latest photo report
EPCOT
- It may be chilly outside now, but a hint of spring is in the air as EPCOT announced that the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will be opening March 3, 2021 at Walt Disney World
- With just two weeks left in 2020 and EPCOT’s new entrance fountain set to open “by the end of the year,” all eyes are on the park’s main entrance plaza and today, Imagineer Zach Riddley has shared a sneak peek of the fountain via his Instagram page
- After months of seasonal operation, Lotus Blossom Cafe is set to close once again at EPCOT beginning on Monday, January 11th
- Work continues over at the former Universe of Energy as the corrugated panels on the roof of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT are now entirely covered in plywood, and more scrim has been added to cover the façade
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- There are some new savory delights at The Hollywood Brown Derby that we just had to check out including Pan-Seared Sea Scallops, Roasted Pork Belly, and the best charcuterie in Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
- As was announced earlier this year, MagicBands will no longer be provided complimentary to Disney Resort hotel guests with arrivals beginning January 1, 2021 and now, Walt Disney World is sending out reminders to guests regarding this change
- Guests at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort now have another dining option as El Mercado de Coronado reopened today featuring to-go options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is reopening for breakfast this holiday season for a limited time on December 23, 2020, and running for the final two weeks of the year
Other Walt Disney World News
- Walt Disney World has released operating hours for all four theme parks through March 6, 2021
- Walt Disney World has extended theme park hours from January 1, 2021, through January 9, 2021
New Merchandise
- Back in February, we spotted a new popcorn bucket themed to the Disney Resort Line monorail at Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan’s Disney Fan magazine and now after silence for the past several months, the resort has finally announced that the bucket will go on sale at The Big Pop at Tokyo Disneyland starting December 26th
- The new Winter Minnie Ear headband by BaubleBar, part of the Disney Parks Designer Collection, launched today at 7:00 AM, according to the shopDisney Twitter account — you can take a closer look at the shopDisney posting here, and we also found them at Walt Disney World to show them up close and personal
- Mickey Mouse and baseball are synonymous with America, a perfect pairing for this new Mickey baseball cap from Walt Disney World that celebrates his 1928 debut
- Take a trip around the world with this new merchandise inspired by Soarin’ Around the World, featuring flight pilot Mickey and Minnie, now available at EPCOT
- With 2020 coming to an end, Disneyland Resort has just released several anniversary and holiday pins all at once, celebrating “Fantasia”, “Rescuers Down Under”, “Toy Story”, Christmas Day, and more
- The system is Bespin, the destination: Cloud City — and now you can represent one of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’s most pivotal locations with this new Spirit Jersey from Walt Disney World
Entertainment and Media
- James Cameron has shared a couple of on-set photos from the filming of the “Avatar” sequels showing a massive command boat as well as a Mercedes-Benz equipped with filming rigs
Disney+
- In a post-credit bumper to the Season 2 Finale of “The Mandalorian,” it was announced that a new series, “The Book of Boba Fett,” will be coming to Disney+ in December 2021
- The days are shorter and colder, which means winter isn’t the best time to go outside so thankfully, Disney+ has you covered with an array of new films and shows coming to the streaming service through February
WDW News Today
- Our “Cast Members Are The Magic” tee was so popular, it sold out in the first day but now the tee is back in grey on WDWNT’s Carousel of Products
Walt Disney World Releases 2021 Promotion, Imagineers Correct Boardwalk Slide – NewsToday 12/18
That’s it for today, we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!