REVIEW: Frozen Surfside Whitewash and High Tide Mai Tai from Sand Bar at Universal’s Endless Summer – Surfside Inn and Suites Bring a Taste of Tropical Paradise
Staff Writer
We checked in at the Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites earlier today and before we head into the parks tomorrow, we decided to relax at the Sand Bar with a few drinks! The bar is set up for guests to still enjoy their drinks while practicing social distancing measures. Signs are …
Walt Disney World Resort Guests Can Now Modify Reservations for Check-Ins Between June 14-21
Staff Writer
Walt Disney World Resort guests can now modify their resort reservations for dates between June 14-21. Although new reservations are not currently being accepted still, reservations between June 14-21 are allowed to go in and modify their reservations, or else they will be automatically canceled. Payments are still being accepted at this time for existing …
PHOTOS: New Winnie the Pooh PatcheD Series Floats in at Disney Springs
Staff Writer
It looks like the East Wind traded places with the West Wind and along came the new arrival of this Winnie the Pooh PatcheD set! This new set of four patches comes straight out of the Hundred Acre Woods! With a bright yellow and red color scheme matching the silly ol’ bear, these patches are …
Coaster Tracks for “Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs” Attraction Spotted at Hong Kong Disneyland
Staff Writer
Yoo hoo! Construction for the new Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs attraction seems to be progressing nicely over in Hong Kong Disneyland, as Twitter user HKDL of Fantasy spotted this week. Back in April, we showed you aerial drone footage of how construction has been coming along for the new Arendelle: World of Frozen land in …
Universal Orlando Reveals New Annual Passholder Perks Starting June 8
Staff Writer
With Universal Orlando officially reopen to the public today, and with Walt Disney World Theme Parks still being closed for another month, you might be considering becoming a Universal Orlando Annual Passholder. If that’s the case, Universal is offering a bunch of new perks for Annual Passholders, as a “welcome back” to the parks! Available …
PHOTO REPORT: Disney Springs 6/3/20 (Retail and Restaurant Reopenings, New Loungefly Bag, Mask Availability, and More)
Kevin Lake
Greetings from an overcast Disney Springs! While the weather is a bit dreary, the rain held out long enough for us to check out some exciting happenings. Let’s take a look at what the day held. Bright and early at 8:00am, entrance into Disney Springs from the Orange Garage was slightly delayed and guests were …
PHOTOS: Harry Potter Wand Gift Bags Available to Purchase in Universal Orlando Resort
Staff Writer
Now that the Universal Orlando parks have reopened, we’ve been having a blast searching through all the exciting new merchandise on offer. That being said, we’re well aware that many friends and family members may not be able to visit due to the current, post-COVID-19 restrictions in place, so it’s important to be mindful to …
PHOTOS: Ikspiari Reopens at Tokyo Disney Resort Featuring New Social Distancing Measures
Spencer Lloyd
As the long and choppy journey of the first wave of COVID-19 comes to a close in Japan, we’re beginning to see the resumption of businesses across the country. And while Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are still closed for the foreseeable future, we seem to be on the way towards reopening. The state of …
PHOTOS: AquaSphere Plaza Repaving Completed, Disney Easter Banner Removed at Tokyo DisneySea
Spencer Lloyd
While Tokyo DisneySea (along with the rest of the resort) has been closed since February 29th due to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the Oriental Land Company decided to undertake some major pavement projects across both parks. About three weeks ago, we reported that they’d torn up AquaSphere Plaza’s pavement at Tokyo DisneySea’s entrance. Now, …
Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax Revenues for April Suffer 97% Decrease From Year Prior Due To COVID-19 Shutdown
Matthew Soberman
While Florida’s theme parks begin to reopen following their months-long closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re now starting to see the economic impact that the closure had. WFTV reporter Deanna Allbrittin posted on Twitter that Orange County only collected $765,900 in Tourist Development Tax revenues for the month of April, a 97% decrease from …
Universal Orlando Resort Surveying Annual Passholders on Face Masks, U•Rest Areas, and More During Initial Reopening Previews
Staff Writer
While wearing a face mask and following social distancing procedures is now the new normal when going out and about in a world with COVID-19, it’s beginning to impact how guests feel about their experiences at theme parks. Universal Orlando Resort has sent out an email survey to guests that attended the Annual Passholder preview …
PHOTOS: New Social Distancing Measures Being Tested at Tokyo Disney Resort
Spencer Lloyd
With Ikspiari reopened with increased social distancing protocols, surely the Tokyo Disney parks aren’t far behind! Well, we still aren’t sure when Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea will welcome Guests once more, but we do know that they’re inching closer to their return! On a trip around the Disney Resort Line today, we noticed new …
PHOTO REPORT: 6/2/20 Disney Springs (A Look at Closed Shops, Mask Update, New Merchandise, and More)
Staff Writer
It was an overcast start to the day, with no line of cars waiting to enter the Orange Garage. Yesterday, World of Disney went back to its posted opening time of 10am, and activated the virtual queue for guests arriving between 8-10am. Not many people made the early morning power walk from the garage to …
DISNEY+ REVIEW: “Pollyanna” on Deep in the Plus
Rob Whiteside
We’re back and venturing once more into the deep! Each week on Deep in the Plus, we pull a different movie or TV show from the Disney plus vault and tell you the history, the details, give our review and tell you if it’s worth your time. This week, we have a classic for you, …
WDWNT: Nerd Alert – Season Six – Episode 18 Is Now Available
Joe Hogarty
In this episode: The Nerd Alert Gang competes against The Rusted Junk Podcast for all the marbles in Nerd Family Feud! Join hosts Joe Hogarty, Jack McCarthy, and Taylor Katcher! WDWNT: Nerd Alert – Season Six – Episode 18 is now available for download through WDW News Today: Original Programming, iTunes, iHeart Radio and Spotify.
PHOTOS: New “Love is Universal” Pride Merchandise Collection Debuts at Universal Orlando Resort
Shannen Ace
Disney isn’t the only theme park with their own line of merchandise for Pride Month. With Annual Passholder previews beginning at Universal Orlando, their Pride Month line has been revealed! The slogan featured on most of the merch is “Love is Universal” with a rainbow swoosh, similar to the face mask we reported on earlier. …
PHOTOS: New Mickey Waffle Phone Case Serves Up a Smile at Disney Springs
Staff Writer
If you’re a fan of Mickey-shaped food and need a little bit of that Disney magic to get you going in the morning, why not pick up this brand-new Mickey Waffle phone case every morning when you pick up your phone? It’s sure to serve up a smile first thing when you wake up! This …
PHOTOS: Exploring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley With New Social Distancing Measures in Place at Universal Studios Florida
Staff Writer
“Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home…” Well, you’ve got to stop at Diagon Alley first, before you can head back to Hogwarts! Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida reopened yesterday with new social distancing measures in place and we were there to check it out! Guests can walk around freely in the …
Walt Disney World Extends Ticket Expiration Dates Impacted by Closure to September 26, 2021
Matthew Soberman
Guests with tickets impacted by Walt Disney World’s months-long closure of the parks now have more time to use them. The resort has quietly updated its Travel Information page, announcing that multi-day and date-specific park tickets that were scheduled to expire during the closure period have now been automatically extended through September 26th, 2021. The …
PHOTOS: New Neon Summer Loungefly Mini Backpack Brings a Bright Pop of Color to Disney Springs
Staff Writer
Nothing makes you stand out more in a crowd than bright neon colors, and this new Neon Summer Loungefly backpack is perfect for being found in the theme parks! This Loungefly mini-backpack is a part of the Neon Summer collection that debuted on shopDisney in April, and definitely stands out compared to the other Loungeflys …
PHOTOS, VIDEO: Characters Make Socially Distant Appearances at Universal Orlando
Shannen Ace
While character meet-and-greets have been suspended for the time being, Universal Orlando has found some unique ways to bring out their classic characters for guest interaction from afar. We got to wave to some cool characters during Annual Passholder previews. First up, Marilyn Monroe was cruising through Hollywood, waving and blowing kisses at guests. Nearby, …
NBA Board of Governors Votes in Favor of 2019-20 Season Resuming in Orlando
Staff Writer
It what has been a thrilling series of stories starting back in April, the NBA has been approved to finish out the 2019-2020 season in Orlando. In a recent tweet from both Adrian Wojnarowski and Scott Gustin, the the formal vote to continue out the season from the NBA Board of Governors has been approved. …
EPCOT’s Mexico Cultural Representative Program Now Accepting Applications for Positions Starting in 2021
Staff Writer
As Walt Disney World prepares for reopening in July, and with EPCOT reopening on July 15, we’ve already started to see the theme parks taking steps to get ready for guests to return. With EPCOT, both Germany and Norway have already been looking for cultural representatives to return, and as of today, Disney Careers has …
TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (6/4/20): Universal Orlando Reopens, Disney Parks Pursuit, and Ranking Animal Kingdom Music
Tom Corless
Tonight! It’s WDW News Tonight! Join us at 9PM ET for a review of the week’s news, a report on the reopening of Universal Orlando Resort, the Disney Parks Pursuit, Disney’s Animal Kingdom background music gets LEVELED, and more! The show can be watched live at WDWNTunes.com on your computer or mobile device (but it …
PHOTOS: New ABCDisney Letters D-Tech On Demand Phone Cases Arrive at Disney Springs
Staff Writer
The ABCDisney collection may have been around for a while now, but the line of lettered merchandise items just keeps on growing. For the first time, the designs have been spotted over on the D-Tech On Demand kiosks in Disney Springs, making it possible to get your initial etched onto a stylish new phone case. …
Disney College Program is Not Likely to Restart Soon, According to Union
Staff Writer
The repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Disney College Program have so far been awful, and it doesn’t look like there’ll be much good news for participants going forward, either. The Disney College Program runs in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts. When the pandemic closed the parks, participant cast members were terminated …
PHOTOS: New Dueling Dragons Merchandise Flies Into Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando
Staff Writer
For some, these dragon oriented merchandise might just be really cool. Others might mistake it for the Dragon Challenge merchandise that’s flown out of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. However, this is in fact a callback to one of Islands of Adventure’s original attractions: Dueling Dragons! Dueling Dragons Hoodie – $45.00 The Fire and …
Walt Disney World Scheduling Thousands of Cast Members in Upcoming Weeks for Imminent Reopening
Staff Writer
Union Local 362 leader Eric Clinton has released an update that Walt Disney World will be bringing back thousands of their furloughed Cast Members back in the upcoming weeks. The workers would be returning to old positions and some even being reposition to help cover the lack of college program interns. Starting in June, all …
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth Pyrotechnic Barges from EPCOT Now Up for Auction
Staff Writer
If you’ve ever wanted to own a part of a Disney firework show, now’s your chance. The pyrotechnic barges used for the perimeter fireworks for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth are currently being auctioned off. According to Twitter user @Traincrossin, the Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers are auctioning off the midi barges used for the perimeter pyrotechnics for …
Land Near Disney’s Animal Kingdom Reportedly Contracted for Resort-Style Development
Staff Writer
It will always be the case that the area surrounding Walt Disney World will be a prime location for business developers, and we have just heard news of plans for a new property development, just west of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. According to Growth Spotter, a development company named Walter Joseph Group, lead by the real …
PHOTOS: Cinderella Castle Makeover, TRON Lightcycle Run Construction Back in Progress at the Magic Kingdom
Kevin Lake
While March 16th, 2020 was certainly one of the most notable dates in Walt Disney World history – the day it closed due to COVID-19 conerns – the following day was also one of significance. That was the day that it was reported that most or all construction projects at Walt Disney World would be …
PHOTOS, VIDEO: Universal Studios Japan Releases Enhanced Safety Guidelines for Visitors Ahead of June 8th Soft Opening
Spencer Lloyd
Earlier this week, Universal Studios Japan became the first major park in Japan to announce its reopening. Soft openings for Osaka Prefecture residents with Annual Passes begin on June 8th, while the park will reopen to Guests in the Kansai region of Japan on June 19th. Since concerns are still high regarding COVID-19 in Japan …
PHOTOS: Monorail Yellow Retired on Tokyo Disney Resort’s Disney Resort Line
Spencer Lloyd
With the announcement last fall that Tokyo Disney Resort’s fleet of monorails on the Disney Resort Line would be replaced with new “Type-C” trains came the inevitability that the old trains would face retirement. And it seems the replacement has claimed its first victim – Monorail Yellow. Let’s take a look! On a trip around …
ParksCenter – Universal Re-Opens, FastPasses Cancelled, and Introducing Disney’s SlowPass? – Ep. 104
Ben
This is ParksCenter. This week, we’ll be covering Universal’s grand re-opening, Disney canceling a bunch of FastPasses and dining reservations, Shanghai’s new virtual queueing system, and more! Want to watch? The video version is embedded below, or check out our audio-only version on iTunes, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, or search for ParksCenter in your favorite podcast app! You …
Walt Disney World Recalls Select Resort Hotel Restaurant Cast Members, Revealing Table Service and Counter Service Venues Likely to Reopen in June 2020
Jessica Figueroa
Local 737 Unite Here has shared that Walt Disney World has started calling workers back to work. Cast Members at the restaurant locations listed below are being called to start work on June 14: This is likely a list of the available restaurants that will be open to guests at Disney Vacation Club resorts and …
REVIEW: Eat the Movies! Universal Studios Florida 30th Anniversary Neon Marquee Donut from Voodoo Doughnut
Jessica Figueroa
On June 7, Universal Studios Florida will be celebrating its grand 30th anniversary. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed riding the movies, saving E.T., and cutting a rug with the Blues Brothers. And today, we got to… taste the movies by way of this incredible-looking new offering from Voodoo Doughnut: The icing-laden treat is a culinary …
PHOTOS: New Face Masks Now Available for Purchase at Reopened House of Blues in Disney Springs
Staff Writer
The House of Blues at Disney Springs has been unusually quiet since COVID-19 came around. The bar and grill section has reopened to guests, but all musical acts have been postponed until July 5, when Gospel Brunch makes a return as the first live entertainment back. However, while waiting to enjoy great music and entertainment, …
TONIGHT: ParksCenter – Universal Re-Opens, FastPasses Cancelled, and Introducing Disney’s SlowPass? – Ep. 104
Ben
Tonight, June 3rd at 9pm Eastern, will be the next edition of WDWNT’s ParksCenter! This week, we’ll be covering Universal’s grand re-opening, Disney canceling a bunch of FastPasses and dining reservations, Shanghai’s new virtual queueing system, and more! Want to watch us record the show live? Tune in tonight at 9pm Eastern on WDWNTunes! Want …
City Works Eatery & Pour House to Reopen at Disney Springs on June 10
Matthew Soberman
The next restaurant at Disney Springs is warming up and about to take the stage. WDWNT has learned that City Works Eatery & Pour House will reopen to guests beginning Wednesday, June 10th. The restaurant, known for its rock and roll-themed dishes and wide variety of beers, closed with all Disney Springs offerings back in …
PHOTOS: Once Upon a Toy Reopens at Disney Springs with New Health and Safety Precautions
Staff Writer
Slowly but surely, Disney Springs has sprung back to life with the reopening of many of their stores. With World of Disney and Marketplace Co-Op reopening last Wednesday, we were given a taste of the Disney merchandise that we had been missing. However, not all of the Disney owned stores reopened then. Today, we were …
