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, December 17, 2020.
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
- The skies over the Magic Kingdom were ablaze last night with the third fireworks test since the reopening of Walt Disney World — with the first fireworks testing at the Magic Kingdom taking place just last month, and this eventually led to the addition of low-level bursts to the Cinderella Castle Holiday Projection show, and then last night’s test featuring really big, flashy perimeter fireworks
- While new track is installed in the currently drained Rivers of America, it seems refurbishment has begun on Harper’s Mill, which sits on the edge of Rivers of America on Tom Sawyer Island
- After months of work, “the happiest cruise that ever sailed” once again has a welcome worthy of the fun and celebration inside as the entrance sign has returned to “it’s a small world” at the Magic Kingdom, marking another milestone in the ongoing refurbishment of the attraction’s exterior
- If you’ve been craving a seafood fix, you’re in luck because Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant has reopened at the Magic Kingdom with a new menu featuring selections from Columbia Harbour House
EPCOT
- Progress is being made on the new Italy Pavilion food kiosk in World Showcase, and over the construction walls you can see the beginnings of a new structure, likely the rear wall of the new kiosk
- It seems work is moving forward on Spaceship Earth’s enhanced lighting package as part of its overhaul, as a permit has been filed for “installation of lighting supports” at EPCOT
- It was the perfect weather to spend the day at Walt Disney World, so we took advantage it and decided to check out what was new at EPCOT today and with so many construction projects underway, we had plenty of things to check on, so join us on our most recent photo tour to see all the park has to offer
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
- Walt Disney Imagineering had their peak “2020 moment” earlier this week when they excitedly unveiled the design of the new Keister Coaster water slide at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort… only to realize that Keister was incorrectly spelled as “Kiester” on the artwork, but they have since corrected the error in new images on social media and then later, the full Mickey and Friends slide face was unveiled at Luna Park Pool at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Other Walt Disney World News
- Disney announced yesterday that the Electrical Water Pageant would be returning to Walt Disney World, and while the initial announcement did not mention a time frame, the official entertainment calendar has been updated with a December 20 date for its return
- Walt Disney World Resort is offering a special “happy new year” gift to those planning 2021 vacations at The Most Magical Place on Earth — guests buying non-discounted four-night/three-day room and ticket packages at select Disney Resort hotels for arrivals most nights Jan. 8, 2021, through Sept. 25, 2021, will receive an additional two days of theme park tickets
- With the return of Park Hopping starting in January 2021, Walt Disney World has updated Park Hour calendars with Park Hopper Hours, which are set to begin at 2:00 PM daily
- Set the tone for the rest of 2021 and spend an extra few hours at select Walt Disney World theme parks, thanks to the latest park hours update, including extended park hours for New Year’s Day on Friday, January 1 and on Saturday, January 2
Disneyland Resort
- This afternoon, we spotted a Cast Member selling Mickey balloons outside of Carthay Circle in Disney California Adventure for the first time since the reopening
Tokyo Disney Resort
- After a successful test, the Standby Pass virtual queue system is being massively expanded to cover both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea starting December 22nd
Disneyland Paris
- Today, as part of the Disneyland Paris InsidEARS virtual Christmas presentation, it has been announced that Sleeping Beauty Castle will be undergoing refurbishment starting in January 2021 for the 30th anniversary of the park in 2022
- Disneyland Paris has now shared more details and a first look inside Cars Route 66 Road Trip, which is set to debut in 2021 at Walt Disney Studios Park, taking over the former Studio Tram Tour
- Disneyland Paris has provided a sneak peek at some of the offerings coming to Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel when it opens on March 8th, 2021
New Merchandise
- After twelve months of magical merchandise releases, we’ve finally come to the final installation of the “Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction” collection and what better way to send all these goodies off than with a big fireworks finale?
- There’s a pair of new headbands at Walt Disney World that let you show off your love of animals (or classic Disney animation) in both dog and cat stylings, featuring a Marie the Cat headband and a Lucky the Dalmatian headband
- And if you like those headbands, you’ll love to see even more items from the Disney Dogs and Disney Cats merchandise collection which have arrived at Walt Disney World, with goodies for both pets and their owners
- The year 2021 will be highlighted by the launch of several new merchandise product lines at Disneyland Paris including two exclusive products celebrating Space Mountain’s 25th anniversary — a collector’s key and a book chronicling the making of the ride
- This Haunted Mansion Holiday ornament depicting the popular Disneyland seasonal attraction has flown coast-to-ghost, arriving at Walt Disney World just in time to for a hanging — on your tree, of course
- While Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort remains under construction, we can still shop inside the Great Ceremonial House and maybe even commemorate our time there with a new photo frame and ‘Olu Mel keychain
- We found a ton of new water bottles, tumblers and sippers today at World of Disney in Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort so whether you’re having the Best Day Ever or if you need a Fastpass to Friday, there’s something here to suit all moods
- With 2021 fast approaching, it’s time to get your New Year gear ready for those midnight celebrations and Walt Disney World has plenty of apparel to choose from, for adults and kids alike, plus some accessories, mugs, stationery, and more
- We found two new themed shirts over at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge to help guests and visitors connect with the natural spirit of the hotel
- Celebrate Christmas with two new Pandora Jewelry charms featuring Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto, now available at Walt Disney World, that would make a great present for someone you care about (including yourself)
- The new merchandise from EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion has come at a fast and furious pace, and with the most recent release, you can brush up on your German with a cute new throw pillow
- The classic board game “The Game of Life” is now available in a Disney Parks Theme Park Edition where rather than chasing a career and having a family, this version has players explore Disney Parks
Entertainment and Media
- Jeremy Bulloch, who portrayed bounty hunter Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy, has passed away at the age of 75, according to ComicBook.com
WDW News Today
- It’s Tony’s Physically-Distanced Christmas Special on WDW News Tonight so join us at 9PM ET for the Tony’s Town Squares game, rejected Disney Springs Tree Trail Trees, Cornac the Magnificent, Cooking with Nick and Tony, and more
Second Night Of Fireworks Testing For Project Nugget At The Magic Kingdom
Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Nighttime Fireworks & Castle Finale Arrive At Magic Kingdom
🔴LIVE Magic Kingdom Fireworks Testing with Eric
WDW News Tonight – Episode 157 (12/17/2020) Tony’s Physically Distanced Christmas Special
That’s it for today, we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!