Full details were revealed for Universal Helios Grand Hotel at Epic Universe, terrace gardens were revealed for the DVC Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas, and new Batuu Harvest Festival dishes are coming to Disneyland this fall — all this and more in today’s daily recap for Thursday, August 22, 2024.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• A guest is suing Walt Disney World after she was “knocked over” and injured during a “stampede” on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom.

EPCOT

• Crews have begun removing the support structure for the former Test Track canopy. The canopy itself was removed in early August as part of reimagining the EPCOT attraction.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Nana provided a second photo report this week for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• Disney has officially announced the Moana splash pad and Wailulu Bar & Grill coming to Disney Vacation Club’s Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.
• Disney Vacation Club announced that Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will feature terrace gardens.

Other Walt Disney World News

• A Walt Disney World Cast Member was recently honored with the Disney Heroes Award after saving a guest’s life.
• A photo report showed off some morning park hopping madness, featuring a Disney’s Animal Kingdom rope drop and stops at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disneyland Resort

• Disney Eats has announced new and returning dishes coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland for the Batuu Harvest Festival.

Entertainment and Media

• First We Feast has announced Donald Duck as this week’s guest on their hit talk show “Hot Ones.”
• The upcoming video game “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” features a reference to Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye.

Disney+

• The American Film Institute (AFI) announced that a new documentary about John Williams will open AFI FEST 2024 this October.
• Disney+ has released the trailer for “LEGO Pixar: BrickToons,” a new series of shorts inspired by various Pixar films.

Universal Studios

• Universal has shared new details about Epic Universe’s in-park hotel, Universal Helios Grand Hotel, including concept art.
• The Halloween Horror Nights 33 medallion and haunted house posters have arrived at the Universal Studios Florida entrance.
• The facade for the 2024 Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store has been installed in Universal Studios Florida.
• In addition to sharing details of the hotel’s theming and dining options, Universal Orlando has released layouts of the Universal Helios Grand Hotel rooms.
• More props, set pieces, and themed elements arrive at Universal Studios Florida every day as crews continue preparing the park for Halloween Horror Nights 33.
• Universal Aventura Hotel is getting into the Halloween spirit with a new Halloween Horror Nights 33 photo op and bar decoration.
• Brightline is giving away four grand prize vacations to Universal Orlando Resort through a new sweepstakes.
• LEGO has revealed six new Super Mario Kart sets releasing on January 1, 2025. None of these sets come with minifigures.

WDW News Today

• On WDW News Tonight, we recapped the latest news, Eric joined LIVE from Japan, we played the DFB Cupcake Game, and we announced the rejected alternative locations for Cars at Walt Disney World.

Rejected Cars Locations at Walt Disney World, DFB Cupcake Game Returns

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

Phil Wood