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 29, 2023.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• Walt Disney World has extended Magic Kingdom operating hours from January 14 through 20, 2024. 

EPCOT

• Disney has released the full schedule of artist appearances and signings at the 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. 
• World Showcase at EPCOT is gearing up for New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31, 2023. We previously saw trusses and towers in the Italy and U.K. Pavilions. Now China and Japan are preparing to host dance parties. 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• The Disney’s Hollywood Studios and multiple parks options for Disney Genie+ Service have sold out for the third day in a row as the service’s record-high price remains in place. 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Disney Genie+ Service is sold out for Disney’s Animal Kingdom for only the second day ever after first selling out yesterday.

Disney Springs

• Disney Springs will celebrate Wellness Month presented by AdventHealth throughout January 2024 with fitness events, a relaxation station, and self-care offerings.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• The main feature pool, Fuentes del Morro Pool, and the adjacent spa pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will close for routine maintenance from January 2024 to late March 2024.
• Major progress has been made on the new building being constructed at the former Tri-Circle-D Ranch site at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

New Merchandise

• Two new collections of snack-inspired merchandise will be released on shopDisney and in Disney Parks next year. Disney shared a preview of the merch.
• shopDisney revealed each month’s theme for the Disney Eats and Stitch Attacks Snacks collections.
• It’s officially winter in Florida and Walt Disney World has new apparel to keep guests warm. The resort has four new retro-style sweatshirts featuring Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy, as well as a pair of matching Mickey sweatpants.
• Earlier today, Disney teased their new Disney Eats collection, with the first items coming in mid-January to shopDisney; many items from the January Disney Eats collection have arrived early to Walt Disney World.
• A children’s “A Is for Alien” Little Golden Book inspired by Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror film “Alien” (distributed by 20th Century Fox, now owned by Disney) is available for pre-order.
• A new Disney pin exclusively for Annual Passholders is available at Walt Disney World. The limited edition pin depicts Mickey and Goofy riding on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover in Tomorrowland.

Other Walt Disney World News

• Disney’s Blizzard Beach is scheduled to be closed for at least six days in a row due to cold weather.

Disneyland Resort

• As we previously reported, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind at Disney California Adventure will be closed for refurbishment beginning on January 22, 2024. The Disneyland Resort calendar now includes a reopening date for the Pixar Pier ride.

Tokyo Disney Resort

• A new castle projection show is coming to Tokyo Disneyland,

Hong Kong Disneyland

• A special 20th anniversary parade is being organized for Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disney Cruise Line

• Tour a Disney Magic Oceanview Stateroom with us.

Entertainment and Media

• A media executive thinks that no movie will top $1 billion at the box office in 2024. The prediction comes in CNBC‘s Alex Sherman’s roundup of 2024 predictions that also include thoughts on Bob Iger’s successor as Disney CEO. 

WDW News Today

Who Will Replace Bob Iger as CEO? New Disney Parks Nighttime Show & Parade

That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

Dylan Kennedy Grey