Disney previewed Christmas merchandise coming to the parks, and announced a slate of changes at Animal Kingdom revolving around the permanent closure of DinoLand U.S.A. — all this and more in today’s daily recap for Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Daily Recap (9/2/25)
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
- Concrete pathways and site shape are starting to fill out the space around the former Cool Ship in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom.
EPCOT
- Following their announcement of a strike vote over labor disputes, UNITE HERE Local 737 has posted a story claiming one of the Patina Group union organizers was pushed by a manager while inside an EPCOT restaurant.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Scrim has now been added and some construction walls have been removed along the pathway between Toy Story Land and Star War’s Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Disney has announced the closing date for what remains of DinoLand U.S.A. to make way for the upcoming Tropical Americas expansion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- With the closing date for DinoLand U.S.A. announced, which includes Restaurantosaurus, Harambe Market in Disney’s Animal Kingdom will shift its menu to accommodate guests.
- Kali River Rapids will adjust its usual winter refurbishment schedule due to the impending closure of DinoLand U.S.A., which includes DINOSAUR.
- With The Boneyard now closed, the walk to DINOSAUR is a long one with walls of construction creating a maze.
- Now that The Boneyard has closed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a new guidemap for the park completely removes the attraction from DinoLand U.S.A.
- Due to the impending closure of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, select meet and greets will be relocated.
- The Wilderness Explorers station in DinoLand, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been relocated following the closure of The Boneyard.
- The Boneyard in DinoLand, U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom permanently closed on September 1 — take a last look around the paleontology play area.
New Merchandise
- New Pin Tuesday pins have arrived, including the latest in the monthly Winnie the Pooh series and the Halloween Countdown.
- A new Ratatouille ear headband and more merchandise are now available at EPCOT.
- A new light-up Halloween ear headband is available to Disney Vacation Club Members at Walt Disney World.
- A new ear headband and Spirit Jersey have debuted at EPCOT, and it matches items in the Union Jack Mickey collection.
- Disney has shared a first look at some of the merchandise that will be released for the holiday season this year, both at select Disney Parks and online at the Disney Store.
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Park
- Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe at Disneyland has a long list of fall and Halloween menu items.
- Main Street Magic Shop has beautiful new window displays featuring illusions and card tricks with vintage props.
Disney California Adventure
- Various special seasonal treats are available at outdoor vending carts in Disney California Adventure for Halloween 2025, including the adorable Oogie Boogie Cookie.
New Merchandise
- Disney has shared a first look at some of the merchandise that will be released for the holiday season this year, both at select Disney Parks and online at the Disney Store.
- New limited edition and limited release pins available at Disneyland Resort this week include two more 70th anniversary jumbo pins, a Magic Key-exclusive Halloween pin, and more.
- A Nightmare Before Christmas advent calendar featuring mystery plush is now available at Disneyland.
Tokyo Disney Resort
- Oriental Land Company hasn’t decided whether or not to resume the Tokyo Disney Resort annual pass program.
Disney Store Merchandise
- Disney has shared a first look at some of the merchandise that will be released for the holiday season this year, both at select Disney Parks and online at the Disney Store.
- New Pin Tuesday pins have arrived, including the latest in the monthly Winnie the Pooh series and the Halloween Countdown.
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Studios Florida
- The Minions are ready for Halloween at Universal Studios Florida.
- Universal Studios Florida hosted the second annual Premium Scream Night for Halloween Horror Nights 2025 — we attended the inaugural event last year and returned this year to see how it held up.
Universal Studios Japan
- Five years after the parade’s last performance, Universal Studios Japan confirmed that Universal Spectacle Night Parade Best of Hollywood is permanently closed.
- Universal Studios Japan presents the new Pokémon Unstoppable Halloween Party this Halloween season.
Entertainment and Media
- The Walt Disney Company agreed to pay $10 million to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that they allowed children’s personal data to be collected from YouTube videos.
WDW News Today
Best Disney World Things OUTSIDE the Theme Parks – The WDW News Today Podcast: Episode 76
That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!