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 Thursday, May 13, 2021.
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
- Upon reopening, Cast Members of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover were seating parties in every other car for physical distancing, but they are now loading every car of the attraction
- Repainting continues around Storybook Circus at both Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom, so let’s take a look at the newest progress
EPCOT
- A few days ago, guests overheard the soundtrack of the short-lived EPCOT Forever interim show playing after hours in the park, sparking rumors that it may be returning before Harmonious but then last night, the Harmonious soundtrack was heard
- Today, we witnessed testing of the Harmonious barge fountains that will become a permanent fixture in World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT
- The heat finally broke here in Central Florida after some storms late yesterday, much to our relief, so we were happy to throw on a Spirit Jersey and head out to EPCOT to see what new things we could find for you in this most recent photo report
Other Walt Disney World News
- Early in the day, it was reported that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) planned to issue guidance that states people who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks indoors in some instances, and later in the day the news was released
- Walt Disney World has already started to raise theme park capacity according to Disney CEO Bob Chapek, and they will continue to do so given today’s new guidance from the CDC
- With the results for Q2 2021 now released, Disney has announced that the company had revenue of $15.6 billion, short of the projected $16.0 billion for the quarter and that the Disney Parks specifically lost over $967 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2021
- According to the Orlando Business Journal‘s Ryan Lynch, a trio of community organizations have sent a letter to Central Florida Expressway Authority to voice their disapproval of the Brightline Train extension to Walt Disney World
- In a touching Instagram post, Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle celebrated EPCOT Security Cast Member Joe Diaz who has been awarded the Disney Heroes Award, an honor only given to Cast Members who have saved a life or prevented serious injury
- During today’s 2nd quarter earnings call, Bob Chapek, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, was optimistic about the future of the theme parks, noting that research had been conducted on the “intent to visit” Walt Disney World Resort, and results have been encouraging
- Walt Disney World guests now have another way to help get assistance with issues at the resort, as the Walt Disney World Guest Service account has returned to Twitter
- Walt Disney World will be hosting a vaccination event for friends and family of Cast Members on May 22 and May 23
- During today’s Q2 earnings call for The Walt Disney Company, CEO Bob Chapek addressed the new guidance from the CDC and Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis concerning the use of face masks by fully vaccinated guests
- This evening, Chapek specifically hinted at a change in the mask policy occurring this summer, telling CNBC that “There will be a lot more comfortable people this summer in Orlando”
Disneyland Resort
- With Avengers Campus scheduled to open at Disney California Adventure in a matter of weeks, the tie-in Marvel Comics miniseries “W.E.B. of Spider-Man” is finally expected to hit comics shops after a year-long delay
- With the reopening of Disneyland, we’re back at “it’s a small world” in Fantasyland to see what has changed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
- In today’s quarterly earnings call, Bob Chapek answered a question about the new Disneyland “membership” program that will replace annual passes, which were discontinued and cancelled earlier this year, stating that the new program aimed to “get an adequate return to our shareholders for the type of experience that we do give to our guests”
Tokyo Disney Resort
- Although rumors of Easter coming to Tokyo Disneyland through the return of the Usatama on the Run! parade didn’t quite pan out, it seems that Tokyo DisneySea now has a touch of the Easter season at the park through June 30th with a special Tip-Top Easter-themed overlay to the Mickey & Friends Harbor Greeting
Disneyland Paris
- Although Disneyland Paris has remained closed for the last 196 days due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions within France, a new update on the Disneyland Paris website indicates that the resort is almost ready to return to operation
New Merchandise
- Although we lost our chance to bask in the summer sun with Duffy the Disney Bear and his friends last year at Tokyo DisneySea, the park is right back on schedule this year with a brand-new line of Duffy & Friends’ Sunny Fun merchandise featuring ‘Olu Mel (in art only) and not featuring CookieAnn that will be available at Tokyo DisneySea starting June 1st
- With the arrival of Duffy & Friends’ Sunny Fun 2021 at Tokyo DisneySea also comes a number of new souvenir items Guests can pick up when they dine at select restaurants
- Along with ‘Olu Mel’s first real seasonal event as a Duffy friend at Tokyo DisneySea, he’s also getting a special popcorn bucket starting June 1st
Entertainment and Media
Disney+
- Fans patiently waiting for the new Jungle Cruise movie will now be able to take the journey at home, as star Dwayne Johnson announced the film will be available on Disney+ Premier Access beginning July 30th, the same day it docks in theaters
- In the Q2 2021 earnings report, Disney announced that by the end of March, Disney+ had reached 103.6 million subscribers
- Two of Disney’s upcoming live-action films, Free Guy, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, will be released exclusively to theaters for 45 days, and after those 45 days they may also go to streaming services, including Disney+
WDW News Today
Harmonious Ring Barge Arm Testing With Fountains
Disney World Reducing 6-foot Distancing, EPCOT Forever Fireworks May Return – NewsToday 5/12
“it’s a small world” Reopens at Disneyland
Toy Story Midway Mania! Reopens at Disney California Adventure
Disney Junior Dance Party! Characters Physically Distanced Meet and Greets at California Adventure
Max and Goofy Distanced Meet and Greet at Disney California Adventure
That’s it for today, we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!