Katie Francis

Katie is a lover of all theme parks and an avid reader. Her favorite rides are Spaceship Earth and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. You can find her daydreaming of the Florida sun, and you can reach her at katie@wdwnt.com.

PHOTOS: Physical Distancing Markers Added in Esplanade for Disneyland Park Entrance as Cast Members Return for ‘Test and Adjust’ Phase of Reopening

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Disneyland Entrance Esplanade Physical Distancing Markers

As guests eagerly await the reopening of Disneyland Resort after its COVID-19 pandemic-related closure over a year ago, Cast Members are hard at work. To welcome guests back safely, several precautions are being set up throughout the parks. Signs were installed within the parks back in September 2020 with safety measure reminders. Now, much as … Read more

SHOP: New NFL Team Shirts Featuring Disney Characters Debut Just in Time for Draft Day

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Disney has announced a new partnership with the National Football League and Junk Food Clothing. A new line of NFL shirts will star Mickey and Friends as well as Star Wars and Marvel characters. The new collection is now available at the NFL Shop website as well as at the NFL Draft in Cleveland on … Read more

Walt Disney World to Continue Facial Recognition Testing for Park Entry

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Last month, we broke the news about the beginning of facial recognition testing at the Magic Kingdom. While the Walt Disney World website initially declared it a 30-day testing period, the wording has been updated to simply “a limited test” with “length of test subject to change.” The test was originally scheduled to conclude Friday, … Read more

Parking Structures Expected to Open Early for Reopening Weekend of Disneyland Resort Parks

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Disneyland Mickey Parking Statue

Disneyland Resort’s April 30th reopening is in sight, and guests are eager to plan their visits. While Disney has not given any official word on the opening times for parking — something that caused a bit of confusion and aggravation during Walt Disney World’s reopening — sources suggest it may open as early as 6:00am … Read more

PHOTOS: New Steel Beam Juts from Facade of Upcoming World Celebration Restaurant Building at EPCOT

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The reimagining of EPCOT keeps moving forward. Construction crews were active today at the site of a future new restaurant offering that is replacing the former Electric Umbrella. A crane was present as work was taking place on a new addition to the structure. What looks like it will be a support beam protrudes from … Read more

PHOTOS: Construction of New Monorail Station, Porte-Cochére Continues at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

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It’s a beautiful sunny day in Orlando, and we took a stroll at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to bring you another construction update! Progress is moving smoothly, with the resort set to reopen in late July of this year. A walk past the Moana rooms shows that some rooms are still covered and likely unfinished. … Read more

New Pixar Short “22 vs. Earth” is a Soul Spinoff, Arrives on Disney+ April 30th

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A new Disney Pixar short entitled “22 vs. Earth” will be premiering on Disney+ on April 30th. A spinoff from the latest Disney Pixar film Soul, the short follows soul 22 as they refuse to go to Earth. Disney provided a first look at the new short, which will see the return of Tina Fey … Read more

Wine Bar George, Plus New Walt Disney World & Universal Orlando Stores Coming to Orlando International Airport’s New Terminal

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At today’s Greater Orlando Airport Aviation (GOAA) meeting, a floor map schematic revealed the new offerings coming to MCO’s Terminal C. A new Walt Disney World store, Universal Studios Store, and a Wine Bar George location were among the reveals for level two of the new Terminal C, which has yet to open. This screenshot … Read more

PHOTOS: Planter Work Underway in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom for Park’s 50th Anniversary

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Fantasyland isn’t the only area of the Magic Kingdom under refurbishment! Projects in progress can be found all around the park as we approach the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. With the ongoing changes to the Jungle Cruise to the repurposing of Agrabah Bazaar, Adventureland is no different. We found a new refreshment … Read more

PHOTO, VIDEO: New “Cars” Lightning McQueen Adult Crocs Take the Wheel on April 27th

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If you love matching outfits or you want your shoes to “float like a Cadillac and sting like a Beemer,” you won’t want to miss out on the latest style in a collaboration between Crocs and Disney: Cars Lightning McQueen Crocs for adults. On April 27th at 12pm ET, you can start your engines and … Read more

PHOTOS: New “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” MagicBand Swoops Into Walt Disney World

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The finale of Marvel’s latest Disney+ hit, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, premieres this Friday the 23rd, but you can now drop into The Emporium at the Magic Kingdom to show your support. A limited-edition MagicBand featuring the dynamic duo is now available. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier MagicBand – $34.99 Like the … Read more

PHOTOS: A Walkthrough of the New Process for Filling Beverages at Self-Service Stations at Walt Disney World

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Today, Disney has changed their COVID-19 safety protocol to allow guests once again to fill their own beverages at self-service stations around Walt Disney World Resort. We checked out the new process for filling beverages in action at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. There are social distancing stickers set up at the station and in the line. … Read more

Guests Once Again Allowed to Fill Their Own Beverages at Self-Service Refill Stations at Walt Disney World

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Another COVID-19 safety procedure has been updated. Disney changed their website to reflect the new protocol, allowing guests to use self-service stations to fill their refillable mugs and beverages. Previously, guests had to be served by Cast Members since the parks reopened last summer. However, Blizzard Beach has been allowing guests to refill their own … Read more

PHOTOS: “American Idol” Filming Today at the Magic Kingdom

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American Idol filming at Magic Kingdom

American Idol‘s traditional “Disney Night” will be airing on Sunday, May 2nd, and this year, they’re filming at Walt Disney World. American Idol and Walt Disney World have a storied history. The 2017 season kicked off auditions at Disney Springs. Disney’s Hollywood Studios also used to host The American Idol Experience, where guests could compete … Read more

PHOTOS, VIDEOS: Imagineering Playtests Incredible “Lifesize” Tiny Tinker Bell Virtual Meet & Greet at Disney California Adventure

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Disneyland Resort has yet to reopen, but select guests were treated to a magical experience at the “A Touch of Disney” event at Disney California Adventure. Imagineering was conducting a playtest of a potential new experience: a meet-and-greet with a “lifesize” tiny Tinker Bell. Jenn Tanaka posted her family’s experience on Instagram. Her family was … Read more

PHOTOS: Prop Repainting and Canopy Replacement Taking Place at The Barnstormer for the 50th Anniversary of the Magic Kingdom

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Hold onto your hats! Refurbishments have begun at The Barnstormer at Fantasyland as part of the ongoing preparations for the 50th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom. The park turns the big 5-0 on October 1st of this year, and all around the park, Imagineers have been hard at work to make sure everything is in … Read more

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