Every week is a busy week when it comes to Disney news. To help you keep up with all of the updates coming out of Walt Disney World and other Disney resorts, here’s WDWNT’s weekly recap of the Disney news from December 9-15!
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
- Check out this week’s photo report for the Magic Kingdom, including Annual Passholder photo props, caroling at the Haunted Mansion, frozen eggnog and more!
- Guests visiting the Magic Kingdom through December and January may benefit from extended park hours on select dates
- Take a look at the latest update on the parking expansion project in the Magic Kingdom
- Earlier this week, a fire closed down Big Top Souvenirs and Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus
- In construction news across the Magic Kingdom, retaining walls were installed along the launch area on TRON Lightcycle Power Run
Animal Kingdom
- Check out this week’s photo report for Animal Kingdom, including the new Merry Menagerie cupcake, Kevin visiting Dug, and more!
- In construction across Animal Kingdom, we saw the exterior logo and windows have been revealed behind the scrim for Club 33’s Harambe House Lounge
- A new permanent stage has been installed for the Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight bird show
- Park hours have been extended at Animal Kingdom, including on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve
- We reviewed the frosting-heavy Merry Menagerie Cupcake from Creature Comforts
- Kali River Rapids will close in early 2020 to undergo refurbishment
EPCOT
- Check out this week’s photo report for EPCOT, including construction updates, new Canada film signage, caramel apples and more!
- In construction across EPCOT, we noticed the cobblestone streets are now being removed from the France pavilion, Innovations West has been stripped down to just its steel framework, the progress on the new World Showcase restrooms and temporary Starbucks location is advancing rapidly, a backdrop has been partially revealed for the new Inside Out Joy meet and greet location inside ImageWorks, work on the entrance area and fountain is pushing on, and that work is continuing on another new park tram loop and security screening area
- Even more performers and special performances have been added to the “Disney on Broadway” concert series for the 2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts, and the full slate of interactive workshops and full booth menus have been announced for the festival, too
- New festival marketplace merchandise booths have sprung up throughout Future World West
- In celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Disney PhotoPass Service at Walt Disney World this month, new limited-time photo ops are available in EPCOT
Hollywood Studios
- Check out this week’s photo report for Hollywood Studios, including the early morning Rise of the Resistance boarding group rush, new Pandora charms, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream and more!
- It was revealed that the newly-opened Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction will not be open during evening Extra Magic Hours
- Read our full review of the festive, yet unnecessary, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party now located in a new Echo Lake location
- Guests visiting Hollywood Studios through December and January may benefit from extended park hours on select days, and the Disney Skyliner and Minnie Van service hours have been extended to accommodate accordingly
- A video released by Disney this week gave us a sneak peek at Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, including a first look at Runnamuck Park and the ride loading area
Disney Springs
- The upcoming Cirque Du Soleil show coming to Disney Springs has officially been named “Drawn to Life” and will make its debut in Spring 2020
- Chicken Guy! is currently preparing for its upcoming remodel and extension
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. is celebrating 12 Days of Joffrey’s, with custom latte art and other offers
- Take a look at the construction updates across Disney Springs, including a look at Cirque du Soleil, City Works, Beatrix and more!
- City Works Eatery & Pour House debuted new signage this week
- Drury Hotels will open a Disney Springs resort in Spring 2021
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
Beach and Yacht Club Resorts
- A giant souvenir glass is now available over at Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill, ready to be filled with those speciality cocktails
- Beaches & Cream Soda Shop will officially reopen December 26 at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and the new interior concept art was revealed this week
Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
- A “mining tower interactive feature” will be added to Fort Wilderness as part of the resort’s ongoing reimagining, according to a recent construction permit filing
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- We went to take a look at the latest construction progress on the bridge that will connect the Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom
- We reviewed the new Chocolate and Peppermint Eclair from Gasparilla Island Grill
Disneyland Resort
- A new “World of Color” dining package will be coming to Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa this weekend
Disneyland Park
- Check out this week’s photo report for the Disneyland Park, including holiday crowds, Tomorrowland construction, monorail breakdowns and more!
- A New Orleans Square souvenir mint julep cup has debuted at the park
- New parade float concept art has been released for the “Magic Happens” parade, which will come to Disneyland in February 2020
Disney California Adventure
- Check out this week’s photo report for Disney California Adventure, including a look at the Marvel Avengers Campus construction progress, rainy day crowds and more
- It has been confirmed that Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will return to Disney California Adventure in 2020
- The vertical construction on the Marvel Avengers Campus has started to intrude on Cars Land
Disneyland Paris
- Watch the new “Mickey’s Magical Christmas Lights” tree lighting ceremony and castle projection show and the Disney Princess Royal Sparkling Winter Waltz show in the Disneyland Parc
Tokyo Disney Resort
- As another phase of construction at Tokyo Disneyland is completed, the new Carriage House Refreshments and group sales pavilions have emerged from behind the walls
- The longest-running show at Tokyo Disneyland, “One Man’s Dream II: The Magic Lives On”, ended this week at the resort
- Take a look at the construction progress on the stunning yet scrim-covered Cinderella Castle
New Merchandise
- The highly-anticipated and super-glitzy new 2020 Minnie Ears have arrived in the parks, ready to ring in the new year
- A new kitchenware collection debuted at Walt Disney World, featuring a retro Mickey and Minnie cherry design
- Disney Tails released a new Monsters, Inc. pet collection, including collars, pet apparel and more
- A new Pirates of the Caribbean shiny Redd Funko Pop! figure sailed into Walt Disney World this week
- In MagicBand news, a new, open-edition The Aristocats Marie MagicBand is now available, and these exclusive new Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa MagicBands are available for pre-order
- There is a stunning new Mickey icon purse collection by Kate Spade shining in the parks
- A smart new collection of Disney Parks watches has made a timely debut at Walt Disney World
- A fun new Starbucks acrylic tumbler featuring Disneyland Resort park icons has rolled into the resort
- Some sweet, limited-edition Mary Poppins 55th anniversary sculptures will come to Disneyland Paris soon
- This new “Very Very Minnie!” souvenir popcorn bucket will come to Tokyo Disneyland soon
- This adorable new 2020 logo Alex and Ani bracelet arrived ready for NYE at Walt Disney World
- A collection of new Spirit Jerseys has landed in Walt Disney World, including new rainbow, all-black and character designs
- Move over Goofy, as a new “Stitch Extreme” candy line has debuted at Walt Disney World
- The Baby Yoda merchandise is coming fast, with a new range of toys and figurines now available for pre-order on shopDisney
- The new “Belle of the Ball Bronze” color trend collection has hit the shelves at the Disneyland Resort this week, including apparel, accessories and more
- Perfect for art fans who can never choose which print to get, this new Fab 5 mosaic tile merchandise collection has arrived at Walt Disney World
- A new, retro-inspired Annual Passholder OtterBox phone case, with a swappable PopSocket, is now available at Walt Disney World
- This awesome new “Remember the Magic” 25th Anniversary apparel arrived in Walt Disney World
Entertainment & Media
- Since it’s launch November 12, Disney+ has earned over 22 million app downloads, confirming it’s huge blockbusting success
- We’re so close to the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and a new teaser featuring Kylo Ren and Emperor Palpatine was released this week
- Baby Yoda from The Mandalorian is now available as a profile icon on Disney+ — claim it before your family does!
- Disney’s Sleeping Beauty and Old Yeller have been added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry
- An Indiana Jones Adventure Mara-glyphics Decoder game is now available on the Play Disney Parks app
- The first trailer for Free Guy starring Ryan Reynolds has been released, humorously addressing the Disney takeover of Fox
Other Disney News
- Ahead of the arrival of the Disney Wish, it was announced that the Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Canaveral will close for extensive refurbishment in June 2020
- We were saddened to hear of the passing of actor Rene Auberjonois, who was the voice of Chef Louis in The Little Mermaid
- In Disney patent news, we found out Disney is developing a new interactive device that would activate audiovisual effects and a design that would allow costumed characters to see without any visible viewpoints
- A Walt Disney World security cast member was arrested buck naked during the “Operation Santa’s Naughty List” prostitution sting
- Disney Stores will host a fan event for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker December 16, when they will give out a free commemorative pin to every guest who makes a purchase
- A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Disneyland by cast members, on the grounds the company allegedly breached the $15 living wage ballot measure
- Five Guys, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Dunkin’ and more eateries have been announced for Disney’s Flamingo Crossings Town Center
- Disney Vacation Club has changed the wording on their 2021 points charts, swapping “Seasons” for “Travel Periods” with the goal of improving availability
WDW News Today
Make sure you catch up on the three News Today episodes from this week!
News Today 12/9/19 – Carousel of Progress Incursion, Boarding Group Changes, Haunted Mansion Refurb
News Today 12/11/19 – Storybook Circus Fire, Magic Happens Opening, Marvel Land Invades Cars Land
News Today 12/13/19 – Innoventions Demo Nearly Complete, Very Very Minnie, Skyliner Hour Changes
That’s all of the Disney news for this past week! Make sure you check back at the end of each week for our weekly recaps!