Shannen Ace, Author at WDW News Today

PHOTOS: Plastic Dividers Added to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Multiple Parties Now Grouped Together

December 23, 2020

Plastic dividers have been added to the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, meaning multiple parties can now board one cockpit, improving capacity for the ride. There are blue and red social distancing markers throughout the waiting area of the Millennium Falcon. One party is assigned to … Read more

PHOTOS: New Adult Rebel X-Wing Helmet Arrives at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disney's Hollywood Studios

December 23, 2020

Join the Rebellion with this new x-wing pilot helmet now available at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The helmet is available at Resistance Supply, which just reopened at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. We found it odd that a Rebellion instead of a Resistance helmet was available. We would have expected to find … Read more

NBA Players Association Donating $50,000 To Keep Cast Member Food Bank Running

December 23, 2020

goofy-cavalcade-dancers-featured-image-hero-magic-kingdom-10222020-1612517

After spending their summer in the Walt Disney World bubble, NBA players are now giving back to the Cast Member community. A local union-run food bank for laid-off Cast Members has been in danger of closing due to lack of funds, but the NBA Players Association is now donating $50,000 to keep it running a … Read more

PHOTOS: Demolition Continues on Innoventions West at EPCOT

December 23, 2020December 23, 2020

Soon, EPCOT’s central hub will be known as the World Celebration neighborhood, but for now it is a large construction site. We’re checking in on Innoventions East’s ongoing refurbishment and Innoventions West’s demolition to see what progress has been made. Work continues on the old Innoventions East building and Mouse Gear. Construction workers were working … Read more

PHOTOS: Wondermade Gourmet Marshmallow Kiosk Opens at Disney Springs

December 23, 2020

The kiosk outside Paddlefish at Disney Springs which was previously home to Lovepop is now housing Wondermade, a gourmet marshmallows pop-up. Disney Springs tweeted the news yesterday with pictures of peppermint swirl, key lime pie, gold-champagne, and birthday cake marshmallows. In addition to the boxes of marshmallows, you’ll find bags of chocolate-covered marshmallows. Wondermade also … Read more

New Disney Parks Holiday Phone Wallpapers Now Available for Download

December 22, 2020

Disney Parks has a special surprise for guests with the My Disney Experience and/or Disneyland app. If you open up the “Photos” section of each app, you’ll find four Walt Disney World and four Disneyland themed holiday phone wallpapers. There’s a different wallpaper for each Walt Disney World theme park. The Disney’s Hollywood Studios wallpaper … Read more

PHOTOS: iPhone 12 Pro Max Phone Cases Now Available at Walt Disney World

December 22, 2020

Guests who use an iPhone 12 Pro Max can now create a personalized phone case at MaDe kiosks in Walt Disney World. MaDe phone cases are $29.99, plus $5 for personalization. Of course, other iPhone 12 sizes are also available. All the regular designs are already available for iPhone 12 Pro Max. We found this … Read more

Paddock Pool Waterslide Closing For Refurbishment at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

December 22, 2020

According to an advisory on the Walt Disney World website, the waterslide at Paddock Pool in Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will be closing for refurbishment soon. The advisory reads: The Paddock Pool waterslide at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will close for refurbishment beginning this winter. As part of this work, the … Read more

PHOTOS: NEW Limited Edition "The Aristocats" 50th Anniversary and "I Collect Holiday" Pins Available at Walt Disney World

December 22, 2020

If you’ve been collecting all of this year’s holiday pins, then Walt Disney World now has the perfect limited edition “I Collect” pin for you. Plus, there are three new The Aristocats pins celebrating the film’s 50th anniversary. Limited Edition “I Collect Holiday Pins” Pin – $17.99 This is the latest in the 2020 “I … Read more

SHOP: New Hasbro Force FX Elite "The Mandalorian" Darksaber Now Available for Pre-Order

December 22, 2020

The Darksaber, as seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and The Mandalorian, is the latest in Hasbro’s Force FX Elite series of lightsabers. According to Star Wars lore, the flat-bladed Darksaber was crafted by the first Mandalorian Jedi, Tarre Vizsla. Chris Reiff, a product designer at Hasbro, spoke about crafting this … Read more

Gideon's Bakehouse Soft Opening Taking Place Tomorrow at Disney Springs

December 22, 2020December 22, 2020

UPDATE: While Gideon’s Bakery employees did indicate that the location would be opening for the first time tomorrow, a recent post from Gideon’s on Instagram clarifies that tomorrow will be the soft opening, with new “beautifully branded new Gideon’s boxes and cups” arriving for the grand opening in the New Year. A couple of days … Read more

Walt Disney World Files Permits for Cinderella Castle Construction Ahead of 50th Anniversary Celebration

December 22, 2020

Walt Disney World has filed multiple permits for “general construction” on Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. Both permits list 1400 Magic Kingdom Dr. as the location, which is the official address of Cinderella Castle. Icarus Exhibits Inc is the contractor on the first permit. Icarus Exhibits Inc have worked on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Guardians … Read more

BREAKING: Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure Reach Capacity by 10:15 AM

December 22, 2020

Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure have both reached capacity for the fourth day in a row today at 10:15 AM. The parks reached capacity on Saturday, Sunday, and yesterday, December 21. This is the earliest they have reached capacity so far this season. According to the Universal Orlando Resort Twitter, they expect … Read more

PHOTOS, VIDEO: New EPCOT Entrance Fountain Finally Debuts, Walls Down in Remodeled Entry Plaza

December 22, 2020December 22, 2020

epcot-main-entrance-fountain-pylons-full-reveal_6-8601256

The new entrance fountain at EPCOT featuring three lucite pylons has now been fully revealed. Nearly two weeks ago, we saw water running from the fountain and knew that it would be soon be complete. And even more recently, Walt Disney Imagineering’s Zach Riddley shared an Instagram post showing the fountain fully finished. While the … Read more

PHOTOS: New “Bonjour Belle” Perfume-Themed Merchandise Now Available at France Pavilion in EPCOT

December 21, 2020

With the reopening of Plume et Palette in the France Pavilion of EPCOT, we can finally get a closer look at the new “Bonjour Belle” merchandise that we previously spotted through a window. This perfume-inspired merchandise features Belle from Beauty and the Beast in vintage-style advertisements. “Bonjour Belle” Shirt – $36.99 “Bonjour Belle” Tank Top … Read more

Alan Bergman Taking Over as Sole Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios

December 21, 2020

Alan Bergman is now the sole chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, taking over the position from Alan Horn. This is just one of many moves in The Walt Disney Company’s major restructuring. Last year, Bergman was promoted to co-chairman alongside Horn, who gained the additional title of chief creative officer. Prior to this, Bergman … Read more