Park Pass System Replenished for Annual Passholders, All Dates Except October 1st Fully Available

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Just over two weeks from the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, and little over a week after Annual Pass sales resumed, Disney has reloaded the Park Pass system for nearly all dates and parks. Annual Passholders now use a different availability calendar from before, shown below. As we can see, all dates and all … Read more

PHOTOS: MouseGear Signage Removed, Temporary Location Closed at EPCOT

MouseGear closed and signs removed

While the permanent MouseGear location was closed and later gutted beginning in early 2020, the MouseGear store has lived on in the form of a temporary location nearby. However, now that Creations Shop has opened, the temporary location has been shuttered and the MouseGear name stripped from the building. The marquee sign, which was mounted … Read more

PHOTOS: New Popcorn Stand Opens in World Celebration at EPCOT

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While Creations Shop and Club Cool were the headlining openings at EPCOT today, they weren’t the only ones. A new popcorn stand has opened in the World Celebration neighborhood, which is anchored by the retail shop. The stand sits just outside of the south entrance to Creations Shop. It first arrived here back in May … Read more

PHOTOS: Every Piece of New EPCOT & Spaceship Earth Merchandise at Creations Shop (with Pricing)

New EPCOT merchandise at Creations Shop

New lines of EPCOT themed merchandise have debuted at Creations Shop in EPCOT. We previewed a new Spaceship Earth Light & Color line last week, but now we’ve got it all in our hands, with pricing. Spaceship Earth Light-Up Minnie Ears – $39.99 These light-up ears are rechargeable, and include a USB cable in the … Read more

PHOTOS: Figment, Olaf, Rocket & Groot, and More Fab 50 Gold Statues Debut at EPCOT

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Five new “Disney Fab 50” Character Collection statues have arrived at EPCOT this morning, joining the more than a dozen already installed at Magic Kingdom. Figment is leading the way today, giving the fan-favorite character yet more presence in the park. Other characters installed today include Rocket & Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy and … Read more

PHOTO & VIDEO TOUR: EPCOT’s New Main Store, Creations Shop, Is Now Open

Creations Shop

Creations Shop, the new retail outlet which is replacing MouseGear in World Celebration at EPCOT, is officially open to the public today. While MouseGear was expected to make a return, the new name was announced back in April to a mostly negative response. The store’s entrances, of which there are five spread around the former … Read more

WDWNT is Hiring Orlando-Based Walt Disney World Reporters

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As WDWNT continues to grow, we are looking for additional local Reporters to expand our Orlando-based staff. WDWNT’s Orlando Reporter staff visit the Walt Disney World parks several days a week during the morning and afternoon to report on new developments in construction, food and beverage offerings, merchandise, and more. Please note that this position … Read more

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom & Disney’s Animal Kingdom 6/26/21 (Happily Ever After Fireworks Testing, New Haunted Mansion Anniversary Puzzle, Merchandise on Stitch Day, and More)

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Greetings from The Most Magical Place on Earth! It’s a big day at the Magic Kingdom as we prepare for the first testing of Happily Ever After in over 15 months. There are some other fun finds in the park, and we’re taking a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom as well. It’s going to be … Read more

Walt Disney World Theme Park Hours Released Through September 4th

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Walt Disney World hours have been released from August 29 through September 4 for all theme parks. Hours were previously released through August 28. Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom is currently scheduled to be open 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM from August 29 through September 4. EPCOT EPCOT is currently scheduled to be open 11:00 AM … Read more

PHOTO REPORT: EPCOT 6/5/21 (Indoor Dining Distancing Reductions, “Creations Shop” Painting, Imagination Pavilion Jumping Fountains Return, and More)

Flower & Garden Summer Display

Greetings from EPCOT! We’re starting off the first weekend in June, and while not officially summer, at Walt Disney World it is as students start summer breaks, hurricane season has begun, and the weather is warm and wet. In anticipation of summer and 50th anniversary crowds, changes continue to happen around the park. At the … Read more

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios & Disney Springs 5/30/21 (Holiday Weekend Crowds, More Physical Distancing Changes, 2021 Disney Cruise Line Merchandise, “Cruella” Treats, and More)

Disney's Hollywood Studios Rope Drop Crowd

Welcome to Disney’s Hollywood Studios as we reach the halfway point of Memorial Day weekend. Naturally, it’s a popular time for guests to visit, and Orlando International Airport advises that travel will be at 90% of pre-COVID levels. Outside of the park, guests have formed long lines as they wait to enter. As Disney readily … Read more

BREAKING: Universal Orlando Resort Reportedly Will No Longer Require Masks Indoors

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Safety measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic at theme parks have been changing on a weekly basis as of late. First, temperature checks were removed and physical distancing requirements reduced to three feet. Then, the mandate for face coverings to be worn while outdoors was relaxed less than two weeks ago. Now, it’s being reported … Read more

PHOTO REPORT: Disney’s Hollywood Studios 5/23/21 (Relaxation Stations Ended, Distancing Changes, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Issues, New “Cruella” Apparel, and More)

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Bright suns from Disney’s Hollywood Studios! There are a lot of changes in the park today, including physical distancing and relaxation stations. It’s going to be a Star Wars-heavy day, as the movie franchise’s attractions in the park are the scene of many changes. Starting with a different longstanding franchise, the relaxation station which was … Read more

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom & EPCOT 5/22/21 (Relaxation Stations Removed, New Loki & BaubleBar Ears, Updated Plaza Restaurant Menu Items, and More)

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Good morning from Magic Kingdom, as we enter week number two of relaxed mask rules. We’re seeing more changes as a result of that, not to mention the usual construction, food, and merchandise changes around the parks. Let’s see what’s new! First off, despite the incident yesterday with a service vehicle striking the Magic Kingdom … Read more

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom & Disney’s Animal Kingdom 5/15/21 (Guests No Longer Wearing Masks Outdoors, Temperature Checks Removed Early, ‘A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King’ Officially Opens and Reduces Audience Distancing, and More)

Guests disembarking the ferryboat without masks

It’s a historic day at Walt Disney World, as news came late yesterday that masks would no longer be required outdoors starting today. With these changes comes a much different feeling at the parks. Today, we’re visiting Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom to see what it’s like and how guests are reacting. Our morning … Read more

PHOTO REPORT: EPCOT 5/16/21 (World Showcase Without Masks, Updated Safety Signage, Slow Construction Progress, and More)

Maskless Guests in World Showcase

Good morning from EPCOT! After yesterday’s initial steps toward returning to a maskless Walt Disney World, it’s time to check on the second oldest park. EPCOT is the home to walking and eating, an activity which is allowed once more. In addition to the face covering changes, physical distancing mandates were also recently reduced. As … Read more