Construction Work Reportedly Resumes on TRON Lightcycle Run at the Magic Kingdom During Extended Closure
Matthew Soberman
Another sign of Walt Disney World beginning to resume operations may be at the Magic Kingdom, where construction may be “rebooting” on TRON Lightcycle Run. A WDWNT reader informed us that construction activity may be resuming at the park. Reportedly, there have been “multiple trucks hauling in items” near the site of the future attraction …
PHOTOS: Face Masks Now Available For Purchase at American Threads, Vera Bradley, and The Polite Pig at Disney Springs
Matthew Soberman
With Disney Springs reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, guests ages three and older are required to wear a face mask in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the disease. But there’s nothing saying those masks have to be drab! You can stay safe and stylish with these new reusable face masks available at three …
Shanghai Disneyland Resumes Stage Shows After Successful Post-COVID Reopening
Staff Writer
On May 11th, Shanghai Disneyland resumed operations after the successful reopening of Disney Town. After just days of resuming operations, Shanghai Disneyland has also resumed its entertainment. While attractions, shopping, and dining follow strict COVID-19 social distancing protocols, entertainment other than the Mickey’s Storybook Express parade and the “Ignite the Dream” evening nighttime spectacular has …
CONCEPT ART: Detailed Renderings Released of New 12-Story Disney Vacation Club Tower at Disneyland Hotel
Matthew Soberman
As construction slowly resumes at the Disneyland Resort, the development process on the twelve-story Disney Vacation Club tower at the Disneyland Resort is still very much in motion. According to @MagicAndWalnut on Twitter, Disney released new renderings and a blueprint of the tower at a community webinar on Thursday. The proposed @Disneyland Hotel #DisneyVacationClub tower …
Walt Disney World Resort to Submit Reopening Plans Next Week, According to Orange County Mayor
Jessica Figueroa
After lots of back and forth regarding when and which theme parks will be presenting their reopening plans––complete with dates, per mandate instructions––we now know of Universal Orlando’s proposed reopening, but when will we finally hear from Walt Disney World? With the phased reopening of Disney Springs this week, we are one step closer to …
PHOTOS: Monorails Running at Walt Disney World Resort During Extended COVID-19 Closure
Jessica Figueroa
What’s better than seeing Mickey balloons at the Disney Springs phased reopening? Seeing Monorails in their natural habitat, zooming across Walt Disney World Resort. The Disney Parks may be closed, but one lucky passer-by caught a glimpse of both Monorail Coral and Monorail Silver making rounds along their lines. Monorails and a number of other …
The Walt Disney Company Moves Advertising and Media Distribution Teams to Media Networks Division
Matthew Soberman
The Walt Disney Company’s week of organizational change continues, this time focusing on its advertising and media distribution departments. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the teams are being absorbed into Disney’s media networks division after a two-year stint as part of the direct-to-consumer and international division. The media networks division oversees Disney’s television networks, including …
PHOTOS: lululemon at Disney Springs Construction Update (5/21/20)
Staff Writer
With the announcement of a new Lululemon store coming to Disney Springs, and the shopping district’s reopening this week, the future retail location is one of the few construction projects still featuring an active work site on Disney property. Today, just a day after guests were treated to their first view of the future Lululemon …
PHOTO REPORT: Disney Springs Phased Reopening 5/20/20 (Guest Relations Reopens, New Fitting Room Policies at Stores, COVID-19 Warnings, and More)
Staff Writer
Today is a very big day, Pascal! The phased reopening of Disney Springs began today, bringing with it the reopening of select third-party owned and operated restaurants and retail locations. With social distancing floor markings, face masks required for all guests and Cast Members, and enhanced sanitation procedures in place, we felt safe and ready …
PHOTO: Former Disneyland Resort President Rebecca Campbell Reflects on Overseeing The Happiest Place on Earth
Jessica Figueroa
Former Disneyland Resort President Rebecca Campbell was recently announced as the successor to Kevin Mayer, taking over as Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer and International for The Walt Disney Company. Prior to becoming President of Disneyland Resort last year, Rebecca Campbell was a member of the Direct-to-Consumer and International leadership team as President, The Walt Disney Company—Europe, Middle East …
BREAKING: Universal Orlando Resort Theme Parks Planned to Soft Reopen on June 1; Would Reopen to the Public on June 5
Jessica Figueroa
Today marked a historic event in theme park history, albeit not the theme park that’s usually in our realm of coverage––that is, until every major theme park shut down due to COVID-19 and CityWalk became the first place to reopen. Universal Orlando Resort has presented its reopening plans before the Orange County Economic Recovery Task …
Walt Disney World Resort Removes Park Hours Through June 13
Jessica Figueroa
In line with recent cancellations through mid-June, Walt Disney World Resort has now removed park hours through June 13 on their website as well as on the My Disney Experience app. Park calendars are set up months in advance, so we’ll be seeing the removal of park hours as the extended closure continues in phases. Currently, …
TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (5/21/20): Disney Springs Reopens, Jumble Cruise, Ranking EPCOT Music, and The Cast Member Pantry
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 Disney Springs, the world-famous Jumble Cruise, EPCOT background music gets LEVELED, and more! The show can be watched live at WDWNTunes.com on your computer or mobile device (but it is also available …
PHOTOS: Starbucks at Disney Springs West Side Reopens with New Social Distancing Order Procedures; No Indoor Seating
Staff Writer
While taking a socially distanced stroll through Disney Springs, it’s important to stay hydrated and take a break in the shade every so often. What better way to do so than to pop into the Starbucks at Disney Springs West Side for a refreshing and caffeinated beverage? The location was closed at the reopening of …
Disneyland Resort Releases Update Regarding Reopening and Resort Operations, No Reopening Date at This Time
Staff Writer
Disneyland Resort has released an update regarding their Resort Operations, with no reopening date reported at this time. While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of COVID-19, the safety and well-being of our Guests and employees remain Disneyland Resort’s top priority. In line with direction from health experts and government officials, …
PHOTOS, REVIEW: The Polite Pig Reopens at Disney Springs with Branded Face Masks and New Menu Items Like Pork Rinds and a Chef’s Special
Jessica Figueroa
Disney Springs began its phased reopening yesterday, and one of the eateries that opened up with it is The Polite Pig.The restaurant first opened in April 2017 at the Town Center section of Disney Springs. Featuring Florida-inspired cuisine and an array of libations on tap, the fast casual spot features ample indoor seating as well as …
Walt Disney’s Grandson Calls Out Company Executives for Furloughing Employees During Pandemic
Staff Writer
It seems Bradford Lund, Grandson of Walt Disney has some thoughts on the misuse of funds when it comes to The Walt Disney Company. With thousands of Cast Members being furloughed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems Lund feels that funds should have been distributed more evenly throughout the company. In an interview with …
PHOTO REPORT: Disney Springs Phased Reopening 5/20/20 (Parking and Temperature Screenings in Lime Garage, World of Disney Prep, Social Distancing Markers, and More)
Staff Writer
As part of Florida’s ongoing transition into Phase 1 of the state’s reopening, Disney Springs welcomed guests back for the first time since mid-March. As part of the reopening, guests were eager to see what the experience would be like. Today, we take a look at Disney Springs’ Marketplace and West Side to see what …
TODAY on WDWNT LIVE: Scotty Kilwein from Jellyrolls on “Party With Pete” at 11:00 AM, Plus WDW News Tonight at 9:00 PM!
Jessica Figueroa
Welcome to another week of quarantine in the weird world of post-Disney closures! The parks may be closed off for now, but we’re trying to bring you as much entertainment as possible, with daily lineups full of fun YouTube content. Today at 11:00 AM, it’s PARTY WITH PETE! This week’s guest is Scotty Kilwein from Jellyrolls, a …
Sneak Peek of New Limited Edition “Lady and the Tramp” 65th Anniversary Pins Coming Soon to shopDisney
Staff Writer
Oh, this is the night It’s a beautiful night and they call it Pin Release Day… For those marking their calendars for the next Limited Edition Disney Parks Pin drop, we have a new date to write down. Earlier today while scanning through shopDisney, we were once again struck with a release date for a …
Walt Disney World Resort Cancelling Reservations Through June 13 Due to Ongoing COVID-19 Closure
Jessica Figueroa
As the COVID-19 situation continues to change, a re-opening date for most parks is still unknown with the exception of Shanghai Disneyland, which reopened on May 11, and Disney Springs, which began its phased reopening yesterday. As a result, many lingering resort reservations and vacation packages are slowly being cancelled on a week by week …
Tokyo Disney Resort Official App Now Available in English with Limited Functionality
Spencer Lloyd
The Tokyo Disney Resort official app is notorious for several reasons. Most notably for the fact that it’s only available in Japan in Japanese, yet is almost essential for visitors due to digital FastPass’ introduction last July. However, it seems the winds of change are in the air, as an update pushed to iOS devices …
PHOTOS: Tokyo Disney Resort Official App Updates Maps, Adds New Entrance & Restores Cinderella Castle Forecourt
Spencer Lloyd
We haven’t seen a whole lot of good news out of Tokyo Disney Resort since it closed on February 29th. But it seems that there’s a light appearing at the end of the tunnel! The Tokyo Disney Resort has pushed an update to its map on the official app, the first in months. And in …
ParksCenter – There’s A Great Big Beautiful D’Amaro – Ep. 102
Ben
This is ParksCenter. This week, we’ll be covering the re-opening of Disney Springs in depth, along with a discussion of the new Chairman of Disney Parks Experiences and Products, Josh D’Amaro, 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 …
SHOP: New Limited Edition Marvel “Black Widow” MagicBand Now Available on shopDisney
Staff Writer
Although Marvel’s “Black Widow” movie has been delayed due to the pandemic, we’re still lucky enough to snag some merchandise featuring the deadly assassin herself while we wait for the film to be released a few months later on November 6, 2020. Black Widow MagicBand 2 – Limited Edition – $34.99 The Limited Edition MagicBand features …
PHOTOS: New My Disney Experience Alert Warns Guests of Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 at Walt Disney World
Shannen Ace
With the re-opening of Disney Springs today, Disney has set a precedent for how they will be handling health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic at their American properties. With temperature screenings, social distancing markers, and warning signs, it looks like Disney is taking every precaution to keep their guests and Cast Members safe. They …
Sephora at Disney Springs Reopening on May 29
Staff Writer
With many Disney Springs stores opening up today and with the addition of Disney-owned stores opening up on May 27, Sephora has announced that their Disney Springs location will be reopening on Friday, May 29 from 10am-8pm. https://www.instagram.com/p/CAa3BH7nIPh/ Given the nature of Sephora stores of offering makeup samples, allowing guests to test out a variety …
PHOTOS: The Boathouse Reopens with New Seating Arrangements at Disney Springs; Amphicar Tours Suspended Temporarily
Jessica Figueroa
The Boathouse has reopened today at Disney Springs along with a long lineup of other third-party restaurants and retailers. With this reopening, we figured we’d cover the logistics of eating at a Disney restaurant in the post-COVID world, while also showing you the current menu and some delicious bites. The restaurant opened 11:00 AM along …
PHOTOS: Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC Reopens at Disney Springs with New Social Distancing Measures In Place
Staff Writer
It’s a bright and sunny afternoon here at Disney Springs, and it’s also time for a snack! We stopped at Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC to see how they were handling the social distancing measures and to pick up some lemon tea cake. The line extends outside of the small bakery, with guests standing six feet …
TONIGHT: ParksCenter – There’s A Great Big Beautiful D’Amaro – Ep. 102
Ben
Tonight, May 20th at 9pm Eastern, will be the next edition of WDWNT’s ParksCenter! This week, we’ll be covering the re-opening of Disney Springs in depth, along with a discussion of the new Chairman of Disney Parks Experiences and Products, Josh D’Amaro, and more! Want to watch us record the show live? Tune in tonight …
“Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against The Universe” Coming to Disney+ This Summer
Staff Writer
There’s a 104 days of quarantine… wait, no, it’s summer vacation! And although some of our summer vacations may look different, it seems that Phineas and Ferb are still up to their usual summer fun in an all-new movie for Disney+! “Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against The Universe” will be coming to Disney+ …
PHOTOS: UNIQLO Reopens with Fitting Room Changes and Plexiglass Barriers at Disney Springs
Staff Writer
With Disney Springs reopening today, we’ve seen various stores and restaurants implement the latest social distancing measures, including directional markings and signs posted throughout the property. UNIQLO at Disney Springs has taken up numerous safety measures as well to keep guests and staff as safe as possible during these times. Large signs are displayed throughout …
PHOTOS: Basin Reopens with Hand Sanitizer Gift Sets and Body Scrub Samples at Disney Springs
Staff Writer
Disney Springs has reopened today, and we’ve been excitedly exploring all the shops we’ve been missing during its closure. Since soap and hygiene items have been in such high demand during the Coronavirus pandemic, we were especially excited to get back to Basin, located in the Marketplace. Join us as we peruse through all the …
PHOTOS: Chairman of Disney Parks Josh D’Amaro and Newly-Appointed Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle Greet Guests at the Reopening of Disney Springs
Staff Writer
It’s a big day today at Walt Disney World, as Disney Springs has reopened its gates following the Coronavirus pandemic closures. To commemorate the event, the newly-appointed Chairman of Disney Parks, Josh D’Amaro, was out and about this morning to help greet guests and ensure everything is running smoothly. D’Amaro was pleasantly greeting guests in …
PHOTOS: Disney Springs Table Service Restaurants Begin Phased Reopenings
Staff Writer
Today’s the day we’ve all been waiting for! Disney Springs has opened its gates to the public, meaning we can finally access all of our favorite restaurants we’ve missed so dearly during the COVID-19 shutdown. Due to the current climate, guests at each establishment are expected to follow new health and safety protocols, and take …
Walt Disney World Reportedly Reworking Hotel Spaces to House NBA League for Remaining 2020 Season
Staff Writer
Throughout the pandemic, sports have ceased to exist, and many leagues are trying to find ways to finish off the season. The NBA has been considering Walt Disney World as their designated location to finish out the 2019-2020 season. Back in April, Cast Member-turned-Sports Commentator Keith Smith proposed the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in …
BREAKING: Walt Disney World Resort to Present Reopening Dates to Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force Soon
Jessica Figueroa
UPDATE: As of 3:12 PM, it has been confirmed that only Universal Orlando will be presenting its reopening dates tomorrow, with Walt Disney World and SeaWorld to follow in the coming days. We have updated the original post below to avoid any confusion. Update: Only @UniversalORL will be presenting tomorrow, according to @OrangeCoFL Presumably, the …
REVIEW: New Starbucks “Welcome Back” Specialty Drink is a Refreshing Way to Celebrate the Reopening of Disney Springs
Staff Writer
Welcome home! To many, Disney is a second home, and although Disney Springs isn’t quite the same as being in a Disney Park, it’s as close as we can get right now. To celebrate, the Starbucks location at the Disney Springs Marketplace has created a special drink to celebrate its reopening and welcome back guests. …
PHOTOS: Blaze Pizza Reopens at Disney Springs with Build-Your-Own Pizzas, Limited Seating, and Modified Refills
Staff Writer
Disney Springs has reopened its gates today, and hungry guests have been lining up to get back to those delicious restaurants we’ve all missed so much. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, various precautionary measures including social distancing markers and adjusted normalities have been put in place, in order to control the spread of the …
PHOTOS: Construction Outside of CityWorks Eatery & Pour House During the Reopening of Disney Springs
Jessica Figueroa
CityWorks Eatery & Pour House was only open for a short time before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Disney Springs. Construction had already caused a delayed opening for the restaurant, and now it seems that there is still work to be done after its grand opening only a few months ago. A barrier of shrubbery …
