POLL: Favorite Walt Disney World Resort Hot Tubs
Cassie Calkins
I am going through major Disney withdrawal right now! I know that most of you are going through the same thing. I have a trip planned in May and even though I am a super positive person, I am not getting my hopes up about going. But like most of you, I hope and …
RECIPE: Start Your Day Off in Paradise with Our Tonga Toast Copycat Recipe from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Staff Writer
Oh, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort… is there anywhere more serenely charismatic in all of Walt Disney World? It’s hard not to be amorous about a resort that beckons you to cast away your cares and surrender to the charms of life in the South Pacific. Yet, believe it or not, there are fans who have …
Orange County Mayor Says Walt Disney World Will Play Key Role in Post-Pandemic Reopening Process
Jessica Figueroa
With certain states finally seeing a leveling off of reported Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, the nation is preparing to slowly re-open many of its smaller businesses in phases, and now Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is looking to Walt Disney World to provide guidance on how. According to Click Orlando, Mayor Jerry Demings is taking the first …
PHOTOS: runDisney Virtual Series 2020 Medals Revealed, Featuring Mad Tea Party, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and a Vintage Disney Ticket Book; Registration Open Now
Jessica Figueroa
If you’re stuck at home and ready to get some miles in while winning some neat Disney Parks medals, registration is now open for the runDisney Virtual Series, with the full set of incredible medals, themed to Mad Tea Party, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and a classic Disney ticket book, now revealed. You can register …
SHOP: New Limited Edition Dapper Day, “Robin Hood”, “Coco”, Stitch, and More Pins Now Available on shopDisney
Jessica Figueroa
If you collect Disney Parks pins, you may be wondering what the situation might be for new releases. Since both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort are closed indefinitely, monthly pin releases cannot be released at the parks themselves. Thankfully, shopDisney has announced that while the parks are closed, Disney Parks Pin Trading limited edition …
Virgin Trains Continues Construction on South Florida to Orlando Rail Throughout COVID-19 Pandemic
Jessica Figueroa
As a Miami native who practically lives at Walt Disney World, any news about the upcoming Virgin Train expansion is enough to make me excited about even easier day trips to the parks. For Walt Disney World guests, it could mean a fun day trip to the beaches of West Palm Beach or Miami, and …
PHOTOS: Remodeled McDonald’s Near Disney’s All-Star Resorts Nears Completion at Walt Disney World
Staff Writer
Work to remodel the McDonald’s near Disney’s All-Star resorts is nearing completion, despite the COVID-19 pandemic (you can take a look at the old building before it closed last fall in our photo and video tour). The exterior of the McDonald’s appears completed, with all panels having been installed and the signature golden arches in …
TODAY on WDWNT LIVE: Pete Talks to Kat Cressida (Bride of The Haunted Mansion) on Party with Pete; Followed by Another Evening of WDW News Tonight!
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. Starting at 11:00 AM, get ready to party… “Party with Pete”, that is! Pete Carney will …
ParksCenter – Wait, Which Bob’s In Charge Again? – Ep. 97
Ben
This is ParksCenter. We cover the top news stories from this week in Disney Parks news in 30 minutes. This week, we’ll be talking about: Bob Iger returns to take over the CEO responsibilities of The Walt Disney Company – yet Chapek is still the CEO in name Disney hints that the parks might be …
WDWNT: Nerd Alert – Season Six – Episode 12 Is Now Available
Joe Hogarty
In this episode: It’s our free episode, where there is no topic this week and we are free to talk about what we have been up to! We answer the latest listener email. And much, much more! Join hosts Joe Hogarty, Jack McCarthy and Taylor Katcher! WDWNT: Nerd Alert – Season Six – Episode 12 …
Select Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel Stickers for iMessage, Plus Disney Stories for Amazon Alexa Available for Free for a Limited Time
Matthew Soberman
With many self-isolating and learning how to be “together while apart,” Disney is looking to make text messages and storytime a little more magical with free stickers for iMessage and Disney Stories for Amazon Alexa available for a limited time. From Disney Parks Blog: We’re thrilled to offer more ways to enjoy digital content that …
See a Park in the Making with the First Issue of EPCOT Center Construction News from February 1982
Matthew Soberman
With Disney Parks around the world closed for the foreseeable future, WDWNT is dipping into our archives of vintage parks materials for a look back into parks history! Get ready to travel back to February 1982 and see EPCOT Center from the ground up with the first issue of EPCOT Center Construction News! Note: This article …
Dress Up in Your Disney Best and Celebrate “Dapper Day At Home” on April 19
Staff Writer
You have to admit, us Disney fans are plenty resourceful. One of the most reassuring things this quarantine has taught us is that we Mouseketeers like to celebrate our fandom together and will stop at nothing to curb our collective Disney withdrawals. Well, now is time to take our unity to a whole new level. …
TONIGHT: ParksCenter – Wait, Which Bob’s In Charge Again? – Ep. 97
Ben
Tonight, April 15th at 9pm Eastern, will be the next edition of WDWNT’s ParksCenter! We’re going to cover the top news stories from this week in Disney Parks news in 30 minutes. Want to watch us record the show live? Tune in tonight at 9pm Eastern on WDWNTunes! This week, we’ll be talking about: Bob …
Netflix Now Worth More Than The Walt Disney Company
Jessica Figueroa
With Disney’s parks and resorts shuttered across the globe due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and movie theaters across the nation sharing a similar fate, the conglomerate’s revenue has been severely compromised, giving leeway for companies like Netflix, which are focused on “stay-at-home” products like video streaming, to gain a financial advantage. In fact, Netflix has …
BREAKING: The Walt Disney Company Elects New Disney CEO Bob Chapek to Board of Directors
Jessica Figueroa
The Walt Disney Company has elected new Disney CEO Bob Chapek, its seventh chief executive officer, to the Board of Directors. Chapek will not be joining any board committees for now. In a joint statement from Chairman Bob Iger and Independent Lead Director Susan Arnold, they lauded Bob’s leadership during this time: “Bob Chapek has …
PHOTOS: New Aerial Footage Shows Glimpses of Empty Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios During Extended Parks Closure
Jessica Figueroa
With Walt Disney World closed until further notice, it seems most of the media has taken to the skies in order to retrieve any footage of the parks, and now WESH 2 has issued the latest aerial video, flying over parts of the Magic Kingdom and getting a few glimpses of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge …
runDisney Announces Adjusted Sale Dates For 2021 Races; Registration for 2020 runDisney Virtual Series Opens Tomorrow
Jessica Figueroa
In addition to the general registration date for the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, runDisney has now announced various other registration date adjustments, including pre-sale dates and general registration dates for the upcoming 2020 runDisney Virtual Series and next year’s Princess Half and Star Wars Half marathons. The following update was released by runDisney: With circumstances continuing …
2020 First Quarter Injury Report Released for Walt Disney World Resort
Jessica Figueroa
The 2020 first-quarter injury report for Walt Disney World has been released thanks to the MOU Exempt Facilities Report. Typically, amusement parks and fairs are subject to inspection from the State of Florida. However, “Permanent facilities that employ at least 1,000 full-time employees and that maintain full-time, in-house safety inspectors” are exempt from state inspection. …
Registration for 2021 runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Opens on May 12
Jessica Figueroa
A number of runDisney marathon events have been cancelled or otherwise affected by the prolonged parks closures. For a brief moment, registration for the 2021 runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend seemed delayed, but a new registration date has been released on the runDisney site, and it is coming up soon! The page for the …
Ridley Pearson Rewriting Entire “Kingdom Keepers” Book Series to Reflect Current Disney Parks Attractions and Offerings
Staff Writer
In 2005, Ridley Pearson’s “The Kingdom Keepers” book series took Disney fans by storm. The New York Times best-selling series, published by Disney Editions and Disney Hyperion, followed the adventures of five teens who battle Disney villains to keep them from taking control of the parks, the Disney entertainment empire, and the world. Unfortunately, the …
Disney Parks Donates a Huge Supply of Treats to Orlando Police in Support During COVID-19 Pandemic
Staff Writer
Walt Disney World has donated a huge supply of treats to the City of Orlando Police Department, in support of all the hard work they have been doing during these unprecedented times. In a heartwarming video tweet posted by the Orlando Police Despartment, officers were shown in front of pallet-loads of boxes full of treats, …
Walt Disney World Resort Cancelling Reservations Through Mid-May Due to Ongoing COVID-19 Closure
Jessica Figueroa
As the COVID-19 situation continues to change, a re-opening date for the parks is still unknown, and as a result, many lingering resort reservations and vacation packages are slowly being cancelled. Reports started coming in a few weeks ago regarding cancelled April reservations, although given the current stay-at-home mandate through the end of the month, …
PHOTOS: First New Type C Monorail Spotted Testing on Tokyo Disney Resort Line
Spencer Lloyd
While the Tokyo Disney Resort theme parks remain closed through at least mid-May due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, operations on other segments, such as the Disney Resort Line monorail system, continue. And in preparation for the launch of the new Type C monorail trains this year, the Oriental Land Company has taken advantage of …
SHOP: New Baby Yoda “The Child” Plush Now Available on Build-A-Bear Workshop, Comes With Built-In Sounds and “The Mandalorian” Theme Song
Jessica Figueroa
UPDATE: As of 1:20 PM (EST), the Baby Yoda plush from Build-A-Bear Workshop is no longer available. However, you can sign up here to be among the first to know once he’s back in stock. The original post and product listing is available below. While Build-A-Bear Workshop has always offered a variety of Star Wars-inspired …
Disney Reveals Sneak Peek at Enchanted Tiki Room Collection for the “Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction” May Release
Jessica Figueroa
shopDisney has revealed a sneak peek at the upcoming “Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction” merchandise collection that’s coming in May––and it’s themed to the Enchanted Tiki Room! Disney Stores are now closed, but the collection is set to be available via shopDisney on May 15th. (Note: shopDisney initially tweeted a date of 5/15 as part of their …
Florida Surgeon General Recommends Practicing Social Distancing Until COVID-19 Vaccine is Available; Likely to Heavily Impact Walt Disney World Operations Upon Reopening
Jessica Figueroa
With news circling about the unlikelihood of mass gatherings in California through August, plus the expanded use of QR code checking in Shanghai Disney Resort, further news regarding social distancing protocols in Florida may hint to potential changes across Walt Disney World Resort. According to Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, Floridians should be keeping their distance, …
Disney Cruise Line Cancels Disney Magic Mediterranean Sailings Through June 7
Jessica Figueroa
As the world continues to face the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Disney Cruise Line announced last week that that they had extended their suspension of departures through May 17th. Now, Mediterranean cruises aboard the Disney Magic have been cancelled through June 7. With the wellbeing of its guests and team members as its top priority and …
TODAY on WDWNT LIVE: We’re Talking Merch, MCU, and Pixar on “The Wolfe Den” at 11:00 AM, Plus an Evening of ParksCenter 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. Starting at 11:00 AM, get ready for another episode of “The Wolfe Den” with host Eric Wolfe, …
PHOTOS, VIDEO: Celebrate the Park’s 37th Anniversary with 37 Unique Things About Tokyo Disneyland
Spencer Lloyd
It’s Tokyo Disneyland’s 37th birthday! As they say in Japanese, otanjoubi omedetou! For many of you, you may have never been to Tokyo Disneyland. So when Tom or I hype it up, you might ask “what’s all the fuss about?” Or you might have been before and wish you could be there right now. So how about …
New “Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian” Behind-the-Scenes Documentary Series Making its Disney+ Debut on May the 4th
Jessica Figueroa
This May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day, a brand-new series debuting on Disney+ will take us behind-the-scenes of the first Star Wars live-action series, The Mandalorian. What started as a fan-generated grassroots holiday, Star WarsDay has become a full-fledged celebration of the Star Wars saga embraced by the entire galaxy. This year, …
Pride and Electroland at Disneyland Paris Officially Postponed Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Closures
Staff Writer
With the current lockdown in France extended until May 11th, and Disneyland Paris resort closed “until further notice”, summer plans at Disneyland Paris have been unclear for a while. Now, “as a result of the unprecedented situation and in line with government measures”, Disneyland Paris has announced the official postponement of two of its most …
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Predicts “Devastating” Economic Future for Central Florida Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
Matthew Soberman
Though things may seem uncertain now, eventually Walt Disney World will reopen… but according to the Orlando Sentinel‘s Scott Maxwell, some things will be very different for the resort, and Orlando and Central Florida in general, when it does. In an editorial, Maxwell predicts that the coming economic recession posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic …
New “Shorts by Disney Parks” Video Series Debuts with Adorable Animated Ducks on the My Disney Experience and Disneyland Apps
Jessica Figueroa
A recent notification pushed via the Disneyland app and My Disney Experience app is sure to make your evening go swimmingly. A new video series, named “Shorts by Disney Parks” has debuted on the app, with the first video short featuring adorable Disney Parks Ducks in “Float On”. Watch as these three Mickey ear hat-topped …
Sam Raimi Confirmed as New Director of Marvel’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”
Staff Writer
Earlier this year, it was announced that Scott Derrickson, Director of the 2016 film, Doctor Strange, was stepping down from directing the film’s sequel. In a joint statement to Variety, Marvel stated that they and Derrickson “…have amicably parted ways on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness due to creative differences.” Marvel and I have …
Florida Governor Says State is “Open” to Auto-Enrolling Thousands of Furloughed Walt Disney World Cast Members Into Unemployment System
Jessica Figueroa
As updates continue on the status of Walt Disney World furloughs, the Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated today in a press conference that the state is “open” to auto-enrolling the thousands of furloughed Cast Members upon the start of the company-wide furlough on April 19. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says the state is "open" to …
California Governor States Mass Gatherings “Unlikely” Through August, Disneyland Summer Reopening in Jeopardy
Jessica Figueroa
With summer quickly upon us, many eager Disneyland Resort guests and Annual Passholders are searching for answers regarding when the parks will reopen, but it seems California Governor Gavin Newsom is putting a lid on any potential summer reopenings. During a press conference today, the governor stated that the chances of mass gatherings of any …
Actors’ Equity Association Reaches Agreement with Walt Disney World; 800 Actors and Stage Performers to be Furloughed Starting April 19
Jessica Figueroa
On April 2, it was announced that all U.S.-based executives, salaried and non-union hourly employees of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products would be furloughed starting April 19 due to extended park closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, given that union employees were excluded, negotiations have since been underway for weeks. This past weekend, agreements were …
Shanghai Disney Resort Expanding Health QR Code Checks; Only Guests With Green QR Codes Allowed to Enter Resort
Jessica Figueroa
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in China, Shanghai Disney Resort has been closed since late January. However, the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, Disneytown, and Wishing Star Park resumed limited operations on March 9, with health protocols in place to keep guests safe and prevent the further spread of the virus. In a recent update to …
WATCH: WDWNT’s First-Ever Parent Panel “it’s a small’s world” Debuts Tonight at 7:00 PM (ET), Final Call For Questions
Staff Writer
Odds are, if you’re a parent interested in Disney parks, you’ve asked someone a question about what it’s like to travel with children to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. Here at WDWNT, we’ve decided to put together a Parent Panel so we can help answer your questions. As adults, we know the parks… but as …
