Jessica Figueroa, Author at WDW News Today

Watch “The Hollywood That Was” – Stories From The Making of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, A Series of Imagineering Panels on Disney-MGM Studios and Beyond!

May 22, 2020May 1, 2020

As part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios Appreciation Week this year, we decided to bring back full presentations from last year’s WDWNT event, Stage 89! All 3 full-length presentations from Disney Imagineers and Legends premiered on YouTube throughout the week as part of our WDWNT Live! programming, but we’ve decided to round them all up for you … Read more

Florida Man Faces Trespassing Charges After Camping on Former Discovery Island in Walt Disney World

May 1, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

“Florida man” strikes again, and this time, it’s at the Most Magical Place on Earth. Richard McGuire, 42, was spotted on the Disney-owned former Discovery Island property, which is currently closed to the public. According to Click Orlando, McGuire is faced with trespassing charges after security found him camping on the island, per the Orange … Read more

Orange County Mayor Extends Curfew, States “Considerable Amount of Time” Possibly Required for Theme Park Reopenings Due to Large-Scale Furloughs

May 1, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

Magic Kingdom coronavirus closure scaled

The Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force met once again today to finalize parameters for each business sector in order to present to Mayor Demings, who then held a press conference to announce their findings. During the press conference, the Mayor announced that the existing curfew would be extended for another week. Given that Theme … Read more

“The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II” Lineup to Feature Shakira, Josh Gad, Anika Noni Rose, and More; Premiering May 10 on ABC

May 1, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

Warm up your vocal chords as “The Disney Family Singalong” is set to return to ABC next week! By now, you’ve probably watched the record-breaking original singalong show, which took place on April 16th, either live on ABC or on Disney+. Today, we’re very excited to share that the lineup for the upcoming “The Disney Family … Read more

Disney Springs to Remain Closed Per Latest My Disney Experience App Notification

May 1, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

The My Disney Experience app has just submitted a push notification to all users reminding them of the ongoing parks closures, with new verbiage to reinforce the fact that Disney Springs will, in fact, remain closed, despite the upcoming Phase 1 reopening going into effect this upcoming Monday, May 4th across Florida. Temporary Closures at … Read more

Guests Receiving Cancellation Notices for Disney Villains After Hours Event on July 6

May 1, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

evil stepmother disney villains after hours

According to a screenshot by the Magic of Tomorrow blog, it appears Disney has been sending out cancellation notification emails for upcoming Disney Villains After Hours events. The cancellation was sent for the tickets they’d purchased for the July 6th party date. The final Disney Villains After Hours party is set to take place on … Read more

Walt Disney World Chefs Release Digital Cookbook Available Now; Proceeds to Benefit James Beard Foundation Relief Fund For Local Restaurants

May 1, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

A chef from Tiffins at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has teamed up with other chefs from across Walt Disney World Resort (and their friends) to release a digital cookbook that is not only affordable and easy to use and download, but goes towards a good cause. “FOOD AND FRIENDS, 12 Original Recipes From Walt Disney World … Read more

Morocco Pavilion at EPCOT Now Hiring For Merchandise Hosts and Tangierine Cafe

May 1, 2020May 1, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

Despite the ongoing parks closure and massive company-wide furloughs, Walt Disney World Resort is looking ahead to ensure its parks, resorts, and in this case, its EPCOT World Showcase Pavilions are well-staffed once the property reopens. Over at the Morocco Pavilion in EPCOT, new job listings have been posted for merchandise hosts and hosts at … Read more

TODAY on WDWNT LIVE: Former VP of Walt Disney Entertainment Ron Logan on the Disney-MGM Studios Grand Opening and More at 11:00 AM, Plus Back to the Future Live! on the Backlot Theater in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at 9:00 PM

May 1, 2020

by 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. Hooray for Hollywood! We’re celebrating the Hollywood that never was… but always will be. This year, we’re … Read more

VIDEO: Walt Disney World President Josh D’Amaro Turns on Park Music at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for 31st Anniversary During Extended Closure

May 1, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

Josh D'Amaro in front of Runaway Railway at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Today marks the 31st Anniversary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a celebration of the Hollywood that never was, and always will be! While the parks are closed, all is calm and quiet, but just for the park’s anniversary, Walt Disney World President Josh D’Amaro made a call over to Imagineering to turn on the music and … Read more

Week-Long Star Wars Concept Art Takeover Launching This May the 4th on Disney+

May 1, 2020May 1, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

Starting on Star Wars Day, for one week you can enjoy artistic renditions of your favorite films and series from a galaxy far, far away. In addition to the arrival of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the series finale of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, and the premiere of “Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian”, beginning … Read more

Walt Disney World Resort Removes Park Hours Through May 23

April 30, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

cinderella castle magic kingdom nighttime closure scaled

Many guests with Walt Disney World vacations in May are holding on to those reservations until ultimately met with a cancellation email. In line with recent cancellations through May 23, it seems Walt Disney World Resort has now removed park hours through May 23 on their website as well as on the My Disney Experience app. … Read more

Disney Developing Live-Action “Hercules” Remake; Russo Brothers to Produce

April 30, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

5A28DC06B1A9891ADEFFE9DB60349B9B769E621270F4CE443240BCD6283A9540

Zero to hero, animation to live-action… just like that. We’ve been monitoring rumors about a live-action remake of Disney’s Hercules for a few days now, and in a recent exclusive by The Hollywood Reporter, it turns out we may get to see Herc on the big screen once again. According to THR, Walt Disney Studios has tapped … Read more

Star Wars Announces Merchandise Deals and Savings for “May the 4th”; Free Padme E-Book, 40% Off Cakeworthy Apparel, Free LEGO Death Star II Battle Gift with Purchase, and More!

April 30, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

Star Wars has revealed a full list of savings to celebrate “May the 4th” all month long! From art, to collectibles, to apparel and more, you can get your Star Wars merch fill without having to scam your way through a game of Dejarik for some much-needed credits. Check out all of the brands offering … Read more

Talks Continue Regarding Walt Disney World as Potential “Bubble” for Salvaged 2020 NBA Season

April 30, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

The ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hasn’t just shut down theme parks, it’s effectively shut down the sports world as well, with the risk of athletes contracting the virus in such close quarters, and the notion of mass gatherings in stadiums being a definite no-go. However, talks continue regarding the possibility of salvaging the 2019-2020 NBA … Read more