Every week is a busy week when it comes to Disney news. To help you keep up with all the updates coming out of Walt Disney World and other Disney resorts, here’s WDWNT’s weekly recap of the Disney news from April 27 – May 3.

If you’ve been following our news coverage throughout the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you’re probably aware that currently all six Disney resorts across the world are closed, however hopes for reopening are starting to surface. Here’s our WDWNT Weekly Recap of all the news we’ve brought you this week, along with some extra fun things to keep Disney spirits high through these difficult times. Stay safe, readers!

Walt Disney World

Although no immediate reopening plans have been announced yet, we have had more updates this week which are looking hopeful. It has been announced that Phase 1 Opening of Florida Businesses will begin on May 4th, with a proposal that Walt Disney World can open at their own discretion. The latest Florida COVID-19 projection model suggests that “relaxed social distancing” could be possible after June 21, which is looking hopeful, and was followed by the Orange County Task Force guidelines for the resort’s reopening

Parks

Park hours for Walt Disney World have new been removed through May 23
In this video released by Disney, Walt Disney World President Josh D’Amaro turned on the park music at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, in celebration of the park’s 31st Anniversary

Screen Shot 2020 05 01 at 9.58.23 AM — Josh D’Amaro turned on the park music in Hollywood Studios this week

Guests due to attend the July 6 Disney Villains After Hours Event have been receiving cancellation notices
In a recent interview, the former Vice President of Walt Disney World confirmed the long-standing rumors that the original concept for the Star Wars land at Hollywood Studios included Tatooine and more features from the original Star Wars trilogy
The Morocco Pavilion at EPCOT is currently advertising for the posts of merchandise hosts and Tangierine Cafe staff
Two separate lawsuits have been filed against Disney over collision incidents aboard the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
A baby porcupette born at the Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom has been named Shelley, in honor of a Disney Cast Member

bpadak37692132a — The adorable new baby Porcupette

Hotels & Resorts

Walt Disney World Resort hotel reservations through May 23rd are being cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 closures
The Walt Disney World President, Josh D’Amaro, shared his recent visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge in this newly-released video catch-up with the animals
The SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites Lake Buena Vista have extended their special rates for essential lodgers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Around Walt Disney World

A recent app notification from My Disney Experience confirmed that Disney Springs will be remaining closed for the foreseeable future, despite the phased reopening beginning next week
Not only has the Disney Springs Jaleo location revealed their seafood and vegetarian paella recipes this week, but they also donated meals to healthcare workers, first responders and Orlando-area residents
Talks have been continuing about the possibility of salvaging the 2019-2020 NBA season at the potential “bubble” of Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Compex

Other Walt Disney World News

The Voices of Liberty from EPCOT shared a special, at-home performance video
Four new free-to-download park icon wallpapers have been added to My Disney Experience
A local Winter Garden bakery threw a drive-up bake sale this weekend, offering the famed Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums from Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Buena Vista Construction Co. has laid off the majority of their contractors during the extended parks closure
The furloughed cast members from Walt Disney World have been experiencing issues securing their unemployment benefits, despite the assured auto-enrolment

Disneyland Resort

Under California’s state roadmap for COVID-19, the reopening of Disneyland Resort is still going to be months away
A series of free-to-download PhotoPass wallpapers have been released, featuring Sleeping Beauty Castle, Pixar Pier, and more
The Disneyland Resort President, Rebecca Campbell, shared her recent visit to the Circle-D Ranch in this newly-released video

Disneyland Paris

Due to the government extension on large gathering restrictions in France, it is unlikely that Disneyland Paris will reopen before September
It was revealed that performances of “The Jungle Book Jive” were cancelled, putting plans for The Lion King and Jungle summer festival event in doubt

Hong Kong Disneyland

Similar to the set-up that’s been spotted at Shanghai Disney Resort, newly-marked queue areas have been set up at Hong Kong Disneyland for social distancing upon reopening
Character dining resumed this week at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, under new social distancing precautionary guidelines
Check out this update on Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, including Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel spring decor, the Disneyland Resort Line Service suspension, and more

hong kong magical kingdom enchanted garden character meal social distancing 4 — More character dining reopened this week at Hong Kong Disneyland (Image Credit: Disney Magical Kingdom Blog)

Shanghai Disney Resort

Shanghai Disneyland have been testing fireworks this week, ready for an imminent reopening

Tokyo Disney Resort

Oriental Land Company has released their FY2019 financial results, predictably showing profits and attendance has been down at the resort with the COVID-19 closure
Construction at the entrance to Tokyo Disneyland is now completed

Disney Cruise Line

Mediterranean voyages aboard the Disney Magic have now been cancelled through July 2nd
Select departures aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy have been removed from their online booking system though June 17th

New Merchandise

A shopping event of galactic proportions will be launched on shopDisney this May 4th, featuring limited-edition pins, “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” 40th anniversary Starbucks mugs, a Spirit Jersey, LEGO sets and many other Star Wars-themed items! Alongside this, Star Wars have revealed an epic list of savings promotions in celebration of May 4th, including discounts on Cakeworthy Apparel, free gifts with LEGO purchases, and more. Because of all the recent issues with the shopDisney site, a virtual waiting room system will be implemented for these May 4th merchandise releases
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of “Tangled” with this new collection by Her Universe
New inspirational home decor items featuring Winnie the Pooh and Stitch arrived on shopDisney
A host of fun new Tokyo Disney Resort merchandise will be available soon, including the newest collection of Tokyo 2020 merchandise, Tokyo DisneySea Disney Easter merchandise, attraction-themed stationery sets, new Tokyo Disney Resort + GAP apparel, grand opening merchandise for “The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast”, heat-reactive color change coffee mugs, and Toontown-themed plushie costumes
A new line of “The Golden Girls” summer apparel and accessories is now available from Toynk Toys
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company have debuted new Disney coffee gift sets online
Adorable “I Love Baby Yoda” tees are now available on shopDisney

baby yoda shirts 27.4 6 1 — Tell the world you care with this adorable new tee!

shopDisney have debuted a new line of Disney protective face masks, which are available to order now
You’ll love the new Pixar 25th anniversary sock collection by Stance, which features Finding Nemo, Toy Story, and more
These “Star Wars” graphic tees for all the family blasted into shopDisney this week
These new The Haunted Mansion and “Monsters, Inc.” Disney Park Pals are now available online
The latest additions to the popular ABCDisney letter series are these Disneyland and Disney California Adventure mugs and trinket boxes
The newest additions in the Alex and Ani bracelet collection feature Meeko & Pocahontas, Flounder, and Cinderella’s glass slipper
The collaboration between RockLove x Disney has brought beautiful jewelry pieces featuring styles inspired by classic Disney films, Star Wars, and more

stance pixar socks — Everyone needs a pair of these Pixar socks

Entertainment and Media

“The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II” has been announced to return to ABC on May 10, with Shakira, Josh Gad, Anika Noni Rose and more set to star
A live-action “Hercules” remake is in development, and will be produced by the Russo Brothers
Fans of “Cake Boss” and “Ace of Cakes” can tune in to Food Network this Sunday to see the chefs travel to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for the “Buddy vs. Duff 2” final challenge

Disney+

The latest update to the Disney+ app is conveniently allowing users to restrict their Wi-Fi data usage
An epic new poster has been revealed for the debut of “The Skywalker Saga” on Disney+, which will be coming to the platform on May the 4th, along with a week-long Star Wars concept art takeover

Other Disney News

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Rob Gibbs, the director and story artist for “Toy Story 2”, “Onward”, “Monsters at Work” and many others
A local grocery store in Alabama have been selling pallets of themed Coca-Cola products from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge through the park closures
The CEO of Southwest Airlines stated that “Disney World needs to open” for their flights to resume

Fun Stuff from WDWNT

Editorials