Jessica Figueroa, Author at WDW News Today

New “May the 4th” Limited Edition Pins, Plus “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” 40th Anniversary Starbucks Mugs, Spirit Jersey, LEGO Sets and More Coming to shopDisney

May 1, 2020April 30, 2020

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this…” We hope you have your galactic credits at the ready, because on May the 4th starting at 10:00 AM (ET)/7:00 AM (PT), shopDisney is launching a shopping event of galactic proportions. You can celebrate Star Wars Day with the ultimate “May the 4th Be With You” merchandise, featuring a … Read more

PHOTOS: Character Dining Resumes at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Under New Social Distancing Guidelines

April 30, 2020April 30, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

hong kong magical kingdom enchanted garden character meal social distancing 4

As evidenced by ever-increasing testing of new queues, theater seating, and more, Disney Parks in Asia are now well on their way to reopening given the drop in COVID-19 cases throughout. While character dining reopened earlier at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel’s Lumiere’s Kitchen back in March, Mickey and friends have now returned to the Enchanted Garden Restaurant … Read more

TODAY on WDWNT LIVE: A Piano Rob Performance and Top Disney’s Hollywood Studios Lands in “Party with Pete” at 11:00 AM; Plus WDW News Tonight! – The Great Movie Ride Episode at 9:00 PM

April 30, 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 … Read more

SHOP: shopDisney Debuts New Line of Disney Protective Face Masks; Now Available for Pre-Order

April 30, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

Following the CDC’s recent recommendation to wear cloth face coverings in public settings, Disney is introducing non-medical, reusable cloth face masks featuring favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters in the U.S., available for pre-order now on shopDisney.com. The cloth face masks are available for $19.99 for a four-pack, and feature a wide range … Read more

“The Ultimate Celebration of Classic Movies” – Watch The Films Featured in The Great Movie Ride All Month Long on TCM

April 29, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

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With the start of Disney’s Hollywood Studios Appreciation Week here at WDWNT, we wanted to honor one of the park’s finest attractions, the only opening-day attraction that lasted through to the announcement of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which resides inside the now-gutted Chinese Theatre. Still, the faint glimmer of old Hollywood still echoes through … Read more

Take a Spectacular Journey Through the Complete History of The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

April 29, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

Just days before the iconic Great Movie Ride attraction closed on August 13th, 2017, Tom and the WDWNT crew got together to celebrate the incredible history of one of the most memorable rides to ever exist at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in an epic, 4-hour episode of Back to the Future LIVE! In honor of Disney’s … Read more

Phase 1 Opening of Florida Businesses Begins May 4th; Restaurants and Retail Reopening with Limited Capacity, Unclear If Any of Walt Disney World Can or Will

April 29, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

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After weeks of talks with smaller county-based task force groups, like the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, Governor Ron DeSantis held a press conference this afternoon to announce the first phase of the “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step” Plan for Florida’s Recovery. Governor Ron DeSantis’ Re-Open Florida Task Force Executive Committee included executives like President of … Read more

Walt Disney World Resort Cancelling Reservations Through May 23 Due to Ongoing COVID-19 Closure

April 29, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

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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, … Read more

Furloughed Walt Disney World Cast Members Experiencing Issues Securing Unemployment Benefits Despite Auto-Enrollment

April 29, 2020April 29, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

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Company-wide furloughs for all U.S. based, non-essential Cast Members and employees (including Disney Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Store, and Walt Disney Studios) went into effect earlier this month on April 19. Disney has secured full health benefits for their employees during the temporary furlough, and while Cast Members were auto-enrolled into … Read more

Southwest Airlines CEO States “Disney World Needs To Open” For Travel To Resume

April 29, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

Unless you travel for business, if you’re a Disney fan, chances are most of your flights end up at MCO (or LAX), and there’s a reason why the long-standing joke of calling MCO the “Mouse’s Corporate Office” still exists: families and groups traveling to Walt Disney World comprise a huge portion of flights. With passenger … Read more

Orange County Recovery Task Force Proposes That Walt Disney World Can Open At Their Own Discretion

May 22, 2020April 29, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

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The Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force met once again early today to discuss further parameters for each business sector, including a brief conversation on how to move forward with theme parks and large public facilities with Mayor Demings. The Mayor had previously commented on how Disney’s closure was responsibly done, given that no outbreaks … Read more

TODAY on WDWNT LIVE: Disney’s Hollywood Studios Appreciation Week Continues! “Special Effects Workshop” with Former Imagineers Jack Gillett and James Mulder at 11:00 AM, Plus ParksCenter at 9:00 PM!

April 29, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

PHOTO: Hong Kong Disneyland Sets Up New Queues for Social Distancing

April 29, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

hong kong social distancing queues magic kindom blog

Hong Kong Disneyland is now testing new queue setups just outside the park in order to promote social distancing. Previously, we’d only seen this sort of testing at Shanghai Disneyland, but it appears that the Disney Parks in Asia are now well on their way to reopening given the drop in COVID-19 cases throughout the … Read more

Interview Reveals What Happened to the Monsters Inc. “Door Chase” Roller Coaster for Hollywood Studios Over a Decade Ago

April 28, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

While the parks are closed, former Walt Disney World executives are taking time to spill the beans on long-forgotten projects like the Tatooine-themed original concept for Star Wars Land (now Galaxy’s Edge) and probably one of the oldest rumors in the attraction mill: the Monsters, Inc. suspended-door roller coaster with roots as far back as … Read more

Disneyland Resort Reopening Still Months Away Under Stage 4 of California’s COVID-19 Roadmap

April 28, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

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With summer quickly upon us, many eager Disneyland Resort guests and Annual Passholders are searching for answers regarding when the parks will reopen, but California Governor Gavin Newsom, in conjunction with California Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sonia Angell, seems set on adhering to strict guidelines and requirements before permitting certain businesses to reopen. … Read more

SHOP: New Pixar 25th Anniversary Sock Collection by Stance Features Finding Nemo, Toy Story, Wall-E, and More!

April 28, 2020April 28, 2020

by Jessica Figueroa

In honor of Pixar, Stance is showcasing highlights from a few of their most iconic films with stripped down designs of main characters to honor the art behind the animation process. Check out the full collection below, and click the item links to shop! Wall-E – $19.99 Wall-E captures everyone’s favorite outer space adventurer in … Read more